Has God given you a heart for those who have yet to receive salvation through His Only Son? I believe that is precisely what He desires to do. The problem is that we are often just too busy with school, work, or pleasure to be that interested in those who have less than us, much less those who have never heard the good news. Yea, we know there are missionaries out there somewhere, but do we give them even a casual second thought? What about the hardships they endure? What about the things we now enjoy that they had to give up sharing God's message with those less fortunate or less desirable to the world? I recommend praying for a missionary on a daily basis. If you don't know one personally, it doesn't have to be for one who's in a far off land. Pray for someone who's busy sharing his or her faith in your school or your neighborhood? If that doesn't bring someone to mind, then pray for me if you like. And please remember that those who are sent by God to share Christ's love must be sent--that means they must be called by God, and under girded with prayer and material support by those who stay behind. If your lot in life is a more comfortable one, consider giving financially to the missionary or ministry God brings to your heart. You just might find you appreciate all of life a lot more! "As the scripture says, 'Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.' For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, 'Everyone who calls on the Lord will be saved.' How, then, canthey call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'" Romans 10:11-15 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

If you were walking by a mirror and saw a black mark on your face, would you stop to do something about it? Most people wouldn't go another inch until they were looking presentable again. In the Christian realm we often look into the mirror of God we find in His Word, notice that we've got problems, and then wonder off without giving it a second thought. Here's a test: What was the sermon about in your church last week? Did you feel any real convictions coming out of it? What did you do about them? Surveys show that the vast majority of church attendees can't recall the sermon topic after even one hour! We need to remember that the conviction that comes from God's Word comes directly from the Holy Spirit. Ignoring that conviction is ignoring God Himself. With the revelation of sin in our lives comes the immediate responsibility to act. To do anything less is even more sinful. "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what is says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does." James 1:22-25 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Does that whole "if someone strikes you, turn the other cheek" thing bother you as much as it does me? When someone slaps me (either verbally or otherwise), my first reaction is to get a piece of them before they get away. Unfortunately, my first reaction is almost always wrong! The problem really isn't about who hits who, but about pride. In order to have a strong walk with Christ, we must be firm in knowing who owns us and who we follow, but we must also be humble in the way we deal with others. Pride simply won't allow humility, and so pride must go. It's been years, and there's still much work to do, but I believe I now am beginning to catch a glimpse of why Jesus gave such a difficult command. Besides, vengeance is not ours--it's God's business and any humble servant would know that! "But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 5:39) Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Have you ever heard the phrase, "Well you got your job and I got mine?" If not, maybe you've heard the shorter version of, "That's not MY job!" At any rate, you've surely seen the sentiment behind the phrases, which essentially pushes off responsibility that might otherwise wind up in someone's lap who doesn't want it. I guess there are probably times when we do need to hold people accountable for holding up their end of jobs and responsibilities, but get troubled when Christians think that the job of the pastor or people in other paid church positions are the only one's who need to worry about the Church. The work of the Lord is the business of every believer, and in fact we are all called "saints" and even "priests" if we are part of the Body of Christ--His Church. And even if you're a teen who's busy with school, work, and a thousand other things, you can still pray for your church and those who labor there. You just might find out how important prayer really is when you see them being answered by a faithful God. "I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me." Romans 15:30 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

The first Christian ever killed for his faith was a young man named Stephen. Believe it or not, he was dealing with the same thing God had been dealing with people about since the Garden of Eden. They just did not want to listen to God. And it's worth noting that these were not just your "run of the mill" folks either. These were the religious people, God's chosen people, which by the way will be the same people who often give pastors and elders a fit today. So what got Stephen killed? He told them the way it was and they didn't like it! We don't kill prophets for speaking God's will today, but we still like to ignore them if they say anything we don't like. "You stiff-necked people... You always resist the Holy Spirit!" Acts 7:51 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

"Do this! Do that!" Have you heard the way some young men speak to and about girls these days? It's appalling to me, not only as a minister of the Lord, but also as a father of three girls. Who decided that anyone could act so badly toward someone else and get away with it? Who decided that it was okay to badmouth other human beings and be applauded for it? And young ladies don't get away easily either. Working with troubled teens has given me an education about the foulness of some "ladies" mouths beyond what most could imagine. People have little respect for one another in this day and age and even less respect for the Creator who made those priceless human beings we're bad-mouthing, or for ourselves for that matter. But the words are not really the problem. What comes out of a person's mouth quite simply is a reflection of what is in that person's heart. If Jesus is in your heart, then your words ought to testify to it. Who cares what everyone else does, says or is? We are the Lord's property and we'll act like it. If you can't seem to get a grip on your mouth, you might consider giving your heart to the Only Son of God--He's your only hope! "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." Luke 6:45 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Are your friends keeping you from obeying God's laws? If so, you already know what you need to do. The only question is why won't you do it? I get a large amount of mail from teens who lament this issue. They want to be liked, and they want to keep their friends, but they find it hard to keep their walk with God pure because of some of their relationships. Please know that not doing the hard thing is almost always the wrong thing. Reach out to unsaved people whenever you can, but don't ever sacrifice your relationship with God for anybody. Doing so elevates yourself and your earthly relationships above God Himself. Committing such an act is the sin of idolatry, plain and simple. "I hate double-minded men, but I love your law. You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. Away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of my God!" Psalm 119:113-115 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Far too many Christians live life without much of a plan of attack. Can you imagine what would happen if even a great country rushed into a war without a plan? Disaster would certainly be the result. Making it through even one day without being caught up in some type of sin is difficult enough, but doing so without watching and keeping alert is impossible. If you've found yourself struggling more than normal, maybe it's because you're not starting your day with the realization Satan wants to make you trip and fall at every opportunity. Such a realization will help you remember to study, to pray, and to keep other Christians as close as possible. Only a strong walk with Jesus and a firm grasp of His Word can make your path safe. "Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery [doing bad stuff]. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." Ephesians 5:15-18 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate