“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) Dear Friends, Have you ever noticed how God has a way of placing people in your path—often when it's least convenient? A neighbor with a flat tire. A coworker who seems withdrawn. A stranger who shares just a little too much in line at the store. It's easy to see these moments as interruptions… but what if they are invitations? With the realization that God is either in charge of everything, or He’s in charge of nothing, the people you encounter just can’t be accidents. People are placed in our lives with purpose—by a God who orchestrates everything for His glory and your growth. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us (above). Sometimes meeting needs is big—like helping someone move, giving financially, or stepping into a mentoring relationship. Other times, it's small—an encouraging word, a listening ear, or a silent prayer. But no act of kindness, done in Jesus’ name, is ever wasted. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus was often "interrupted." A bleeding woman reached for His cloak. A desperate father cried out for healing. A tax collector climbed a tree just to see Him. In every case, Jesus stopped. He saw the person, not the inconvenience. And He met them where they were. If we’re to walk as Jesus walked, we too must learn to slow down, to look around, and to listen for the Spirit’s prompting. That nudge you feel to call someone? Do it. That person you keep running into? Ask them how they’re really doing. You may just be the answer to someone’s prayer.  God uses people to reach people—and you never know when your obedience could be the turning point in someone’s life. When we remain open, available, and responsive, the ordinary moments become extraordinary. Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jim Kilby

A college student and friend of mine is majoring in "actuarial science," which are the big words to say she's learning all about insurance; how to figure out the odds of something terrible happening, etc, etc. Honestly, I think she's on a great career path because in today's world we want to insure everything! There are even laws that force us to insure things! I have car insurance on multiple vehicles, home insurance, health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance... need I go on? Let's face it, like most people, I spend enough on insurance in the course of a year to pay for at least one of the major disasters I'm trying to insure against! And while I'm not at all against insurance, I want to use it to make a point. As Christians we can insure things just like everyone else can, but is that where we should put our trust? Does our being "well insured" mean we are no longer called to live by faith? The Scriptures clearly tell us we simply cannot know what is coming tomorrow, but of this we can be sure: Jesus is coming again and even a mountain of insurance cannot change anything He has promised will happen. As end times draw nearer and Satan increases his attacks on God's people, all insurance will become worthless. Eventually things will become so confused I doubt we will even be able to buy insurance! For the mean time, I'll continue to insure what is intelligent to insure, but the only insurance I've ever had that is worth a grain of trust are the Words and the promises of Jesus! "And he [Jesus] was amazed at their lack of faith." Mark 6:6 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

What parent would take joy in watching their offspring treat others cruelly or severely? I believe that even parents of little skill try to teach their children to share and to give freely to those in need. What's interesting is that often when a church leader even so much as mentions giving, the majority of people simply close their ears (and their pocketbooks). I've heard from many a pastor or priest that the hate mail flows freely toward them in the days immediately following a message on giving. This is quite an indictment on the church since Jesus commanded us to "freely give." Like a loving parent, I believe our Heavenly Father withholds blessings from us because of our hard hearts toward those with less material wealth than us. How could He bless us if we refuse to open our hands and our hearts to give? Doing so would only make us harder and even less useful to the kingdom. "Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: 'He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.'" 2 Corinthians 8:13-15 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Many would-be strong Christ followers forget one simple truth. They stretch and strive to do awesome things for God, while all the time forgetting that even the most awesome sounding accomplishment is worthless in God's eyes if it's done to receive man's applause. God can and will ordain each believer to do awesome works for Him, but often those works are done behind the scenes and without earthy recognition. Many times they are the tough jobs--the jobs that require sweat and blood. Those who understand these truths and seek only God's acclaim will gain much in heaven. Those who grandstand with their talents and abilities will lose even what they thought they had. "At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, 'Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?' He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: 'I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'" Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Flirting can be fun, but what happens when the person or thing you're flirting with starts chasing you? Are you prepared for the situation to rapidly accelerate until it has you trapped? Some enjoy flirting with other people's boyfriends, girlfriends, and the like. Some find themselves flirting with trouble in the form of drugs, or sex, or any one of a million other things. If I've learned anything in my life, it's probably that even flirting with sin is too much. We must look a lot like a fish nibbling on some tasty bait until the moment when Satan jerks the line and we find ourselves on a painful hook! "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." 1 Peter 2:11-12 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

"I'm a very spiritual person!" Those were the religious sounding words spoken to me by a young man today. Being "spiritual" in this day and age is nothing new, but it's a far cry from being saved from the wrath of a Holy God by His Only Begotten Son. The young man went on to tell me that he's training under one of the most famous Buddhist monks in the area, and that he is quite accomplished at Yoga as well. All this means only one thing to me. The young man is in pursuit of God, but has not yet found Him. He's aware of "good" and "evil," and he knows he needs to try harder to be good. Unfortunately, he'll never be quite good enough using "spiritual techniques" or serving his fellow man. Now what he needs is to know that God not only wants a relationship with him, but that all his struggling and striving to be a "better person" won't do it. We are made "righteous" by Jesus' blood, not by our work! Ahhhhh... what a relief it will be for him once he believes! "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21  Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Have you ever watched a newly caged animal trying to get out? Even the simplest form of animal can often find a way to free itself. The other day I sat and watched a raccoon trying to get into a "raccoon proof" trash can. It took him (or maybe her!) a few minutes, but it was "dinner time" at the trash can before I could believe it. Oftentimes I write these devotionals and you would think I was the meanest guy ever if you read my return mail. With what seems like similar enthusiasm, people will often do just about anything to convince me that I'm wrong on my stance on an issue. If they can't convince me I'm wrong, then sometimes they'll just curse me and unsubscribe. Frankly, even a simpleton like me can generally see right through the arguments. People who have decided in their hearts that they want to do something (or don't want do something) will spend an unbelievable amount of time and energy looking for loopholes. They'll search high and low for a reason why, or a reason why not! I'm often reminded that "Christians" throughout the last 2000 years have been searching for ways to justify their sinful actions, many even misusing Scriptures to justify the most terrible of crimes. Just imagine if we spent as much time trying to find ways to DO the things our Lord has commanded as we spend trying to convince ourselves, others, and even Him that we shouldn't have to! "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" Luke 6:46  Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Jesus breaks down walls! When I was younger, I would never have considered hanging out with people who didn't have a lot in common with me. Today, I find I have a lot in common with people who are nothing like me because we're brothers and sisters in Christ. Whether the boundaries are racial, socioeconomic or just plain generational, Jesus can break down all of them if we let them. If you're irritated by the random boundaries people throw up to separate themselves from people who "aren't like them," you'll find the right church can be a real breath of fresh air in that area. This type of earth-shattering love has been taking place since the moment Jesus rose from the grave. The earliest Christians even allowed their #1 enemy to join their ranks once the Lord convicted him of his sin. "Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, BROTHER SAUL, the Lord--Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here--has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Acts 9:17 (Emphasis added)  Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate