Thought 4 Today

While riding in the back of my car my then almost nine year old daughter suddenly blurts out that she and her little sister are "saving to buy me a rock." "Really?" I retorted. "Why do I need a rock?" "So we can find you when your dead!" she quickly answered. "You know, one of those rocks with your name on it!" Frankly, I kind of got a chuckle out of it since I didn't have any clear indication that they had some news from God that I'd be departing soon and they were sincere in wanting to do something wonderful for their dad. They already know this at a basic level, but in the years to come they'll learn with even more clarity that I really don't care whether or not I have a "rock" as a grave marker. All I need is the Rock I've found in my Savior Jesus Christ. He holds the keys to my future, my children's futures, and He's the one who gave me a heart for this daily ministry. Oh that they will also grow to understand how precious the real Rock in my life really is! "1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a ROCK and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. Psalm 40:1-3 (Emphasis mine) Incidentally, for those with a keen eye, these are the verses that have underscored my signature element for many years. This is where the "new song" in my heart came from!  Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

I read a neat story today about a man in Scotland who left instructions to have only one word inscribed on his tombstone. The word "KEPT" was to be emblazoned across the top, without even a mention of his name. Honestly, it was one of the most faithful and God fearing things I've read in a long time. The man clearly had an understanding of the higher things of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Not only does God love us enough to sacrifice His Son to regain a relationship with us, but He is powerful enough to make sure that not only we, but even the things He's promised us are "KEPT" in heaven, in a place where nothing can ever happen to them, to our relationship with Him, or to us personally! "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--KEPT in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1:3-6 (Emphasis Mine)  Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Is a person who's been a Christian for many years and who has studied and grown of greater value to the kingdom of God than a new believer? Believe it or not, the answer is "no!" They are both of the same value to the kingdom--a value so high we cannot even fathom it! What is true, however, is that the more learned believer will be able to do different things for God. He or she has been tried and tested through many things, and God can call on him or her to perform missions that require that level of maturity. A new believer would have difficulty performing some of the tasks God would require of someone like a pastor or elder in the church. They would probably feel like a fish out of water--probably even becoming discouraged. The right thing in the right time my friends. And God is in control of all of it! "No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making it tear worse. Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved." Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 9:16-17) Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

"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

"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