"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 For many people, Bible study seems to be a waste of time--They just don't get much out of it. Even for those who've studied it for years it can become dry at times. It makes me ask myself how something so powerful, so mystery laden and so penetrating ever become dull? I believe one of the most solid reasons is that those who are called to consume it lose their focus--they fail to remember they're on a mission. In the military I had more than one occasion to take a last minute briefing before diving into the uncharted waters of uncertainty called, "the mission!" "Will this plan work?" I would ask myself. "Have I forgotten anything?" "Have I made any fatal mistakes?" During times of "testing" we always search our minds for everything we can remember of our training. We must have faith! It often comes from remembering what God has done, and what He's promised to do. During times of "resting" we can forget everything. Faith then becomes a distant memory! We recoil and hide. Remember that your Bible is God's Word to YOU! He has "co-MISSIONED you to do His work. This day, and every day, you need to search it for what God is telling you to be about--and how to be about it! It's like a last minute briefing before you head out in the morning, and like a good debrief when you get home. It's the only way to get refocused when the events of your day force you to dive into a foxhole under fire. If you don't stay plugged in to the "power source," the "information source," and the "inspiration source," you'll be left out there all alone. Before you know it you'll stop charging forward in favor of building a fort and hiding in it! Then, as with everyone who falls off the trail, your Bible will become a dusty remnant of battles long forgotten and the God-honoring life that could have been. "I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness--the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints." Colossians 1:25-26 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes or daily food. If one of you says, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?” James 2:15-16 (NIV) Dear Friends, One of the core convictions of Harvest Youth Ministries is that faith requires action. Words of encouragement are meaningful, but Scripture reminds us that love becomes real when we meet actual needs in tangible ways. The world doesn’t change because we wish someone well. It changes when we roll up our sleeves, step into someone’s struggle, and help them take a step forward. This is exactly what your partnership empowers us to do throughout the Dayton area. Through Harvest House, young people facing instability or crisis find more than a temporary solution—they find safety, support, and caring adults willing to walk with them. And through Harvest Helps, we compassionately meet practical needs for families—food, transportation, clothing, household essentials, and other vetted assistance that lifts burdens and restores hope. Each situation is handled prayerfully and personally, never as a transaction but as a ministry opportunity. But meeting physical needs is only part of what makes this work meaningful. Because of your support, we also have the privilege of sharing the Gospel, encouraging young people with the hope of Christ, and praying with them in moments when they desperately need to know they are not alone. These spiritual conversations often become turning points—reminders that God sees them, loves them, and has not forgotten their story. Your generosity allows our faith to become more than words. It becomes compassion in motion—faith with hands and feet. As needs continue to grow and more families reach out, you make it possible for Harvest Youth Ministries to respond with wisdom, discernment, and Christ-centered care.  Thank you for investing in work that demonstrates the love of Jesus in both word and deed. Because of you, young people and families in our community are experiencing the Gospel lived out: not empty wishes, but faithful action. Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jim Kilby

"If God is love, then why is there so much evil in the world?" Many people get a kick out of asking a pastor or a priest that question. I've definitely gotten it plenty of times. Maybe they just want to see the reaction or something, but they strike out if they ask me. I look at it as either ignorance, or maybe an attempt to bring an indictment against God. My answer is typically framed in the form of a question. "So, have you ever looked at the evil inside of you?" Honestly, if any one of us put our minds to it, we could probably do more evil than any other person has ever done. It's down inside our hearts already--all we'd need to do is let it out! That's the problem my friends--we are sinners, and unless something radical is done about it we'll just keep on sinning. That's the purpose of the Cross--to save us from our sinful selves. God is not the author of evil--He is the author of grace! "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me." Psalm 51:5 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Far too many churches and Christian organizations will lay out an exhaustive plan for how you can serve, and how you can give, with far too little emphasis on helping you learn to follow Christ. I have met more people who are sick of their churches for this reason than for any other I can think of. Beautiful stained glass, wonderful programs, and all the great philosophical teaching in the world simply won't get anyone into a right relationship with their Creator. Only faith in Jesus Christ can do that, and that only comes through the Holy Spirit of God. So it suffices to say that if the leaders of a congregation are not trying to lead you in that direction, then they are not being prompted by the Holy Spirit. Frankly, the most successful churches I know (both in monetary terms and in terms of souls saved) are churches who simply and methodically point people toward a loving, believing and saving relationship with Jesus. "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." Hosea 6:6 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Many people tell me they just can't share their faith. While I can understand the difficulty, sometimes I think the problem is they are trying to share it the way they've seen others do it, and maybe that's not the best way for them. Below are six different ways of sharing your faith with an unbeliever. See if you can find one that fits an evangelistic situation you've been avoiding. 1. Confrontational. (Should be used only by those well versed in the Scriptures and should be used sparingly even then.) 2. Intellectual. Using logic (or Christian apologetics (giving reasons for your faith). 3. Testimonial. (Anyone can tell someone else their own testimony. It doesn't have to be long, and it's hard to argue with) 4. Relational. (Building relationships for the express purpose of sharing your faith.) 5. Invitational. (Generally used in formal settings like church or rallies.) 6. Service (Acts of service done in love). "To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some." 1 Corinthians 9:22 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Although we should all strive to become mature in our faith so that we can teach others, we must also understand that doing so changes the way the Lord looks at us. He can use us to grow others, but if we are then unfaithful in the way we speak, or teach, then we will be judged more harshly than a new believer. And it's not just how we speak when we're teaching that gets us... it's how we speak all of the time. We must set the standard for other believers, and be a model Christ follower for those who are not. "Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check." James 3:1-2 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

The Scriptures tell us that God did not have a beginning, and that He does not have an end. For you and I that may be hard to understand (possibly because on this earth we will have both!) Knowing that I had a beginning (in my mother's womb, or even before that in the mind of God) serves to humble me greatly. I did not ask for life, and yet I have it! Think about it for a moment... the same God who put the stars in the sky conceived you in His mind before your mother conceived you. Then, the Scriptures tell us He "knit" you in her womb. While we probably will never be able to fully understand how God could always have been, we will one day move from the restraints time and space put on us and into eternity. Once we're there, I'm betting our perspective on life will change radically. Then the ignorance of thinking unborn babies are "choices" and human embryos are fodder for "experiments" will be exposed by God Himself. Until then, He relies in great part on you and I to carry the torch of "life!" Believe me friends, God is pro-choice in the sense that He gives us choice in whether or not we follow Him. But the Scriptures are resolute in the fact that He is pro-life when it comes to shedding innocent blood. Just some 60 years later we now look back at Adolph Hitler's "experiments" as cruel and inhuman. Think back to your school lessons. In his mind didn't Hitler believe he was advancing mankind through "selection" and the through the sciences? Death only advances itself. "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

"Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit." Jesus of Nazareth(Matthew 15:13b-14) One of the most wicked things about the religious leaders during Jesus' earthly ministry was that they had absolute control over everything, weighing down people with terrible things they "had to do" in order to be okay with God and to be okay with them! They were essentially judge, jury and executioner. One of the worst things about some of the religious leaders today is that they do just the opposite. They allow all types of unholy and ungodly practices and they even champion evil practices themselves. Their ministries, like those who led in Jesus' day, will amount to nothing good. In fact, their ministries are controlled by Satan and are not ordained by God because they go against His Word. Unfortunately, anyone who follows these false leaders will be held accountable personally. The truth is that many follow them because they like things the "easy way!" Friends, the easy way is very rarely the right way. Even as young people we must all be careful to only follow! leaders who follow Jesus and His Word closely and without compromise. "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." 2 Timothy 4:3 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate