Did you make it to church last week? Did you read your Bible or pray today? Although I can absolutely understand the difficulties of getting all of those things done, I wonder if those of us who just can't make the time for God have any understanding of just how easy we have it. Would it really be that difficult to get up and go to church? A week after I baptized a 16 year-old man whose legs are so crippled that he cannot walk, his grandmother came up to me at church and told me that they almost didn't make it because there wasn't anyone home to help her get her grandson into the car. "He wanted to come so bad that he crawled to the car," she told me! Another friend of mine doesn't read very well meaning she literally struggles with every word as she reads her Bible. She often must stop to look up words, and yet she loves the Lord enough to make the extra effort. Another friend has terrible memories of a vicious attack as she closes her eyes to pray, and yet she prays anyway. So I must ask. Are you really trying to grow or are you just lying to God? "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8:18  Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Are you dabbling in things that dishonor God? Whether it's other religions, sexual things, or just being sucked-in by the world, Christians are called to separate themselves from impurity. That does not at all mean that we separate ourselves from caring for and witnessing to the world, but that we don't get caught up in their diseases--we are holy because of His Blood, and we should act like it. Consider today what God would say to you if you could clearly hear Him speak to you about how you are living your life? If you stay away from things that cloud your mind, you just might hear Him speak after all! "Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." 2 Corinthians 7:1  Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

"I know, I know!" Are those words you've maybe spoken when a brother or sister in the Lord who has been called to help you with a sinful area in your life? I've surely spoken them on occasion, but the question really isn't about "knowing," it's more about "doing!" After you realize you've blown it, do you make it better? Do you repent (agree with God) and then immediately and prayerfully start on His path again? Generally, I find that the "I know, I know" is often followed by "but I just can't seem to _____." That is most unfortunate for a believer, because it leaves God with the unpleasant but important duties of your disciplinarian. "That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows." Jesus of Nazareth (Luke 12:47) 4 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Losing someone close to you can be one of the worst experiences in life. Death, though inevitable for all of us, never seems to come when we think it should. For Christians death isn't such a bad thing though. It's really not so much an end as it is a beginning. Although I don't wish my death would come any sooner, I certainly don't spend any time worrying about it coming. That's what it means to have "hope in Christ" -- and not only for myself, but for all the brothers and sisters in Christ. "Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him." 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Many people have a ton of misconceptions about God, but probably none bigger than those who sit around and complain God does not provide for them. Many will even gripe they've prayed for God to provide and He hasn't done a thing! Do we really think God is so dim He cannot tell someone who's faithful in word and in deed from a couch potato? Do we genuinely believe He owes us anything? Isn't that His oxygen we're using to breath while we gripe? I've prayed for provision for my family and for our ministry for years, and although it's been lean sometimes, we've never starved. We haven't even lost weight! But while I was praying for provision, I also never stopped working for it. God gives us talents and He gives us work to do. Just like any good master, He generally provides AFTER we do the work! Sure, it's a miracle... but it's no accident! "Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives." Titus 3:14 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Most of us have no problem sinning when the desire in our heart to go astray is stronger than our love for the Lord, but even the sins we like to commit will one day become a terrible burden for us. I must have had a thousand people come to me through the years and confess that their sins are so heavy they just can't carry them any longer. I have one friend whose son is nearing eighteen. He's been in jail repeatedly, quit school, and has practically bankrupted her with his antics. She cries daily because of her lack of ability to help him. Although it seems she's the victim, once you start talking to her you'll realize that she was sexually active as a young teen, did not marry, and has been more concerned about having fun than she has about raising her children well. See how it works... what once was enticing to her has now become a burden so heavy you can practically see it weigh her down as she walks. Sure, those sins you are pondering look fun right now, even God would readily admit that, but spare yourself the heartbreak and do it HIS WAY the first time! "My sins have been bound into a yoke; by his hand they were woven together. They have come upon my neck and the Lord has sapped my strength. He has handed me over to those I cannot withstand." Lamentations 1:14 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

I'm sorry to admit that I was pulled over by a police officer awhile ago and issued a speeding citation. What a humbling experience. I was taking a few teenagers home from a youth event and they were there in the car to witness it. I wasn't willfully speeding, but rather missed a new 25 mile per hour speed limit that was posted on a road I rarely travel on. Believe it or not, it honestly took me days to admit the simple fact that I broke the law and was punished fairly. I explained to the young people in my car how the sign was new, how the speed limit was too low, how the time of day made it hard to see, how the officer should be hunting down terrorists... Well, you get the picture. My defense mechanisms work perfectly well. It's too bad that while I'm so busy using them I cannot just see the simple truth. I broke the law and received the due penalty. Wouldn't true Biblical wisdom teach us to admit our sin and accept God's truthful judgment? Yea, and it only took me three days to figure that one out! "Why should any living man complain when punished for his sins?" Lamentations 3:39 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

There are more warnings in the Scriptures about the dangers of chasing wealth than any other, yet many still chase it will a vengeance today. What's more, there are similar warnings about not trusting in the wealth we do have, but rather being grateful for God's provision, trusting in Him and seeking His face daily! The result of doing the opposite is that what we once considered worth chasing above all instantly becomes worthless when God's judgment finally comes. What good is money when you're facing your Maker? And all the while we're chasing it; it turns us against every other thing in our lives--our own families, friends, and even our very own offspring. What should be valuable is thought a burden, and what should be taken with a grain of salt is pursued above God Himself. Is it any wonder our world is in such a disaster today? If you're out of balance in the pursuit of wealth (or anything else) above God, you can be sure of a similar fate. "How the gold has lost its luster, the fine gold becomes dull! The sacred gems are scattered at the head of every street. How the precious sons of Zion, once worth their weight in gold, are now considered as pots of clay [something cheap; of little value], the work of a potter's hands! Even jackals [stingy animals] offer their breasts to nurse their young, but my people have become heartless like ostriches in the desert. Because of thirst the infant's tongue sticks to the roof of its mouth; the children beg for bread, but no one gives it to them." Lamentations 4:1-4  Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate