The words, "Christ the Saviour is born" ring through our ears each Christmas as this widely known song is sung at millions of Christmas parties. The words are sung, but do the people realize? Jesus isn't just "the Savior," He is the ONLY Savior! He's not just the "truth," He is the ONLY truth... and He's not just the "light," He is the ONLY light. Without Him, our depravity and our desperation would be bottomless. Without the birth of Christ that Holy night, we have NOTHING! Silent Night Silent night, Holy night, All is calm, all is bright, 'Round yon Virgin Mother and Child, Holy Infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night, Holy night, Shepherds quake at the sight, Glories stream from heaven afar, Heav'nly hosts sing Alleluia; Christ, the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born. Silent night, Holy night, Son of God, love's pure light Radiant beams from Thy Holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth. We wish you the merriest of Christmas Holidays! Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, and the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14 The enemy is busy trying to silence it, but this is the TRUTH! Jesus laid aside everything to be born into a sinful world... knowingly giving Himself a death sentence--a death sentence that renders a "not guilty" verdict for all who believe and receive Him! Now, that's the meaning of Christmas! Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

One of the first signs that the Spirit of God is working in you is that you'll have a great desire to search the Scriptures and learn more about Him. Unfortunately, many people will never do that, instead they'll listen to the rantings of hell-bent teachers and preachers and never check the Scriptures, even when the Spirit prompts them that something they've heard is not true to His Word. The saying "Act like a Berean!" is one I like to use when I challenge young Christians to take responsibility for growing in their faith. This Scripture says it all! "Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." Acts 17:11 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

There are a lot of ups and downs in a life, and the Christian life is no different. I find a lot of young people have a serious misconception about this simple fact. They somehow think God is powerful and loves them when things are going well, and somehow He's either no longer powerful, or doesn't love them anymore when things seem to be going poorly. If you're going through some rough times then maybe it's a time of discipline, or maybe it's a time of testing and growth, but two things for sure: God is still God, and God is still love! If you are, you can be sure God still loves you, too! Are my children (my own flesh and blood children) any less "Kilby" when I'm disciplining them? Are they any less loved? Certainly not! And you're no less Christian during the tough times in life. Soooo... when God is doing amazing things and everything seems to be going well, write it down, then go back and read what God did for you when times get tougher--The same God is still ultimately in charge of everything! This too shall pass! "The LORD's right hand is lifted high; the LORD's right hand has done mighty things! I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done. The LORD has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death." Psalm 118:16-18 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Have you ever noticed how some people seem to do almost nothing with their time, and how others seem to accomplish great things? Part of the answer involves simple things like planning, goal setting, and just plain hard work, but when it comes to working for things that last forever you'll need more than that! I've been involved in full-time ministry for years and although I've had many days when I've wondered if I'd make it through the day, God has somehow brought me through. When I occasionally sit and think about the hundreds of people who I've been involved in ministry with who have grown tired of it and eventually quit, the only difference I can think of is possibly where they were drawing their strength from. As my pastor like to say, "God always uses the 'B' team!" That doesn't mean that He uses people who are less important, but that He uses those who just don't have the strength it looks like other's have. If you are trying to do God's work under your own power, you may look great for a while, but you'll grow weary quickly--you are no match for the enemy. But, if you rely on Him alone, even the most simple ministry make a God-sized impact in someone's life! Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:30-31 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

There are huge sects of Christianity who will tell you that if you don't "keep this day holy" or do things like not work on a certain day (typically Saturday or Sunday) then God will be displeased with you. Some will even go so far as to tell you that you are sinning, and even losing your salvation (as if that were possible). The truth is that we were created for a day of rest each week, and we were created to worship our God--BUT, the law was put to death on the cross with Christ! We are now under grace, and even an elementary understanding of the New Testament would prove that out. We are free to rest and to worship as the Lord allows and as He convicts us. Still, just like in the first hundred years of Christianity, some will try to add regulations to the simple truth and freedom that the cross provides. Legalism (or keeping the laws laid out by it) never saved a single soul. You are FREE in Christ my friends--so be FREE, but don't forget Christ is the one who set you free. Give Him the Glory EVERY DAY! "Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ." Colossians 2:16-17 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Have you ever NOT done something wrong because you thought your parents might find out? What about your boss, or your friends? Have you ever just decided to avoid a bad situation because of the potential fallout? While this is a great step in the way to maturity, and certainly nobody would fault you for doing the right thing, I would like to suggest an even better option. Forget about what anybody thinks (except for God that is) and just concentrate on doing the right thing--period. Sometimes wanting to please friends, or bosses, or even parents can lead you down the right path, but for the wrong reasons. And believe it or not, sometimes wanting to please people, rather than God, can lead you down the wrong path. Real maturity in Christ will be marked with a desire to do what pleases Him, even when it's tough. It will be marked with a maturity that comes from a thorough knowledge of the Bible... AND, with a desire to do what's right, even if every other person in the world hates it! "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

If you read something in the Bible (or maybe hear something at church) that you don't agree with, then what do you do? Most people either blindly accept what they hear, or just out and out disregard it. The better approach would be to investigate the issue. Read the Scripture for yourself and especially read the context in which it is written. Is it Old Testament or New Testament? Is the specific book of the Bible addressing a particular issue? Are there any other Scriptures that deal with the same subject (usually marked in the center column of a Bible). You can also talk to your parents, or learned people in your church, but after you've done your investigation, if the Lord has confirmed His desires, then disregarding His command is the same as open rebellion. We cannot say we are the Lord's people if we don't do what the Lord commands. His aim is not to hurt us, but to protect us and love us. "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete." Jesus of Nazareth (Luke 6:46-49) Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate