I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. (1 Corinthians 3:6-7) Friends, Yesterday most of my family spent many hours in the car - at least two of those hours winding through back roads in Tennessee. One of the things we did to pass the time was spot churches. I’m fairly convinced there’s one church for every ten people in that part of the country! (We stayed in Crossville, TN, which also made me chuckle…welcome to the Bible belt.). Google told me this: Tennessee has a high concentration of small churches due to its history, demographics, and social structures. Many small churches are deeply rooted in rural communities, serving as vital centers for social, spiritual, and even economic support. The state's strong religious traditions, particularly among Protestant denominations, have historically led to the establishment of numerous congregations, often reflecting the diversity of religious beliefs within smaller, localized areas. Having spent many years in a small church, I can say there’s truth to the idea of the church functioning as a large family. There were always people willing to help with virtually anything - and likewise, we could offer that same willingness to help. The only downside comes when we start to compare ourselves to the churches around us, compete for attendees, or forget that different styles are not salvation issues. In ministry it is also easy to get distracted by the programs offered by organizations and think “we should do that” or “we should be more like them”. God has called Harvest to a specific mission: serving the local community through the Thrift Store, Harvest Helps, and telling our neighbors about Jesus along the way. Thank you for running THIS race with us! Some More Sticky Notes: Ms K - Received groceries for her family so she didn’t have to worry while recovering from surgery. Ms C. - Received car repairs and groceries so she could work and take care of her daughter. Ms S – is a domestic abuse survivor and given to pick out furniture for her new home and clothes for her kids. Blessings, Elizabeth Kilby

Nobody in their right mind would hesitate to say there is a war being waged on traditional values. Surely that was predicted since the beginning of time, and actually heralds the impending return of our Lord. What galls me is not that the world urges us to lay down our Christian values, but rather when those who profess that they know Jesus do it. Priests, pastors, elders, Sunday school teachers; you name it, there's someone at every level who claims to be a follower of Christ who will tell you that truth is relative and will not only "wink" at sin, but willfully sin themselves. God will not be mocked. A man reaps what He sows and a man who sows lies unfortunately can take many down with him. Surely sinful man will struggle against sin all the days of his life, but sinning on purpose is actually a sign a person does not know the Lord. "Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he [Jesus] is righteous. He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God." 1 John 3:7-9 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Waiting for anything is just not a viable option for most people today. We can't even wait a couple of minutes for a microwave oven to heat something up without complaining! Where we really get into trouble, however, is when we go into debt to get things we really don't need. There's a reason for the phrase "service your debt." Whenever we are in debt to someone, we are in some ways a slave to them. If going into debt is an absolute necessity, then you probably don't have much choice. But, being in debt is one of the biggest reasons why people say they cannot afford to financially support the work of the Lord. Isn't it interesting that we strap ourselves with interest payments for things we "need" to impress other people and the result is we are unable (or unwilling) to give a cent to reaching the world with the Truth of the Lord we claim to serve. If you can, stay out of debt (especially revolving debt (like credit cards). You'll be a much more joyful person in the end! "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender." Proverbs 22:7 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Although living the Christian life can be incredibly difficult at times, when you boil it down it's a whole lot simpler than other world religions. You don't have to "do" a million things to try to get God's attention (as if a man could ever gain God's favor), and you don't have to be perfect, because Jesus already did that. What we have to do, I affectionately like to call, "Do-Do". "Do" give your life to Jesus, and then simply "Do" whatever He asks. You can be sure He will never ask you to do anything He's not already prepared you to do! "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

Have you ever thought what would happen to the prayer life of an atheist if they fell off a thousand foot cliff? My suspicion is that they'd find a way to pray somewhere before the 999th foot of the drop! A fake prayer life rises and falls on the turn of circumstances, but a consistent walk with Christ will always be marked by persistent prayer. For the Christ follower with authentic faith such a thing isn't even difficult--it's automatic. When they're in trouble, they pray. When they're happy, they pray. When things are going on as usual, they pray! Though it's a tough pill to swallow, any less of a prayer life is a sign that the heart of the believer is still not completely sold-out to the Lord. Here are a couple of hints to help develop such a faith: 1.Know God and trust only in His Son, Jesus Christ. 2.Know that Jesus is coming again soon. 3.Know that the stakes are very high! "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up." Luke 18:1 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

"The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time." Genesis 6:5 Would you put "wicked" on the list of things you would call yourself? I think most of us like to think of wicked as something reserved for "wicked witches of the west" and other ugly people. Unfortunately for our line of thinking, wickedness has nothing to do with physical appearance. Some of the most beautiful people have some of the ugliest hearts on the planet. And so we get to the heart of the matter--it's all about our hearts! Now, within that line of thinking, would you put "wicked" on the list of things you would call yourself? Frankly, we are all capable of plenty of evil and wickedness if we decided to put our minds to it. The only question is whether or not you've realized that fact and done something about it! "You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin." Acts 8:21-23 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Some friends of ours had their first baby. We went over to their house for a Bible study and I got to see the beam in my friend's eyes as he talked about his new little girl. It took me back so many years as I thought about the first time I laid eyes on my eldest daughter--There's simply nothing quite like the feeling of holding your own child for the first time. As I was listening to my buddy tell me about all the little changes in their lives in the last couple of weeks, he relayed a story to me. It seems some friends of theirs had had their first baby just a couple of months prior. On the day our friends brought their baby home, their other friends called my buddy and asked him one simple question: "Have you ever loved anything more than you love that little baby?" With the exception of maybe a spouse, the answer is a resounding "NO!" If we, being sinful, can love that much... Imagine how much more our Holy and Heavenly Father loves US! Now, imagine how much He had to love YOU to sacrifice His Only Son to save your soul! "What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things. Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies." Romans 8:31-33 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

What would you pay for love? Although it sounds crazy, people try to purchase it every day. Some think it's found in the things this world offers--stuff you can buy at the mall or the car dealership and take home and admire. Of course, that stuff never loves you back. Some think it's found in relationships so they try to purchase it by pretending to be people they aren't so others will "love" them. Again, it's not real love. Genuine love is always given free of charge. Far more think love is found in the arms of a "lover," so they sell their purity and often even their souls to purchase it. But if they ever take the time to inspect it closely they realize it's not real love. When they realize that, they feel more empty and unloved than they ever did before they sought to find it. That kind of love is like one of those wild west towns in the movies--It looks fine from a distance, but it's only the fronts of buildings--nothing's real! Friends, real love is always given free of charge. Ask Jesus and He'll tell you all about it. The price of His love is free to you. He paid for it on the cross. "Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others." 1 Corinthians 10:24 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate