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

When you read through the Scriptures do you ever see things Jesus commanded and think, "why don't we do that?" Quite often people will tell you tradition has replaced it, but what tradition of man could ever replace one single word Jesus spoke? Through His blood we are free to worship and serve Him under the wonderful grace He's given us, but the truth remains He is our Lord... and that means He calls the shots for our lives, our ministries, and the church He calls His bride. So, the next time you find a tradition replacing something Jesus said, dig this Scripture out and read through it. Even if it comes from the top of the church, if it goes against Jesus' words, you can be sure it's wrong! "So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, "Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with 'unclean' hands?" He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: " 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.' You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men." And he said to them: "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.' But you say that if a man says to his father or mother: 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is Corban' (that is, a gift devoted to God), then you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that." Jesus of Nazareth (Mark 7:5-13) Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

I spend a large amount of time chatting with teens each week, the vast majority of which are unsaved and unchurched. While it's hard to shock me after this many years of working with young people, I'm still vulnerable in a couple of areas. The one that gets me the most is when very intelligent and thoughtful teens present me with the most absurd arguments for all types of sinful behavior. It's as though we live in a time where anyone can randomly make-up truth anyway they see it, and not only get away with it, but be applauded for it. Well, "the buck stops here" when I hear those types of arguments because I've studied the Word and know it to be absolutely true. It's easy to punch holes in lies, but the "liar" often could care less--unless the Sprit of God performs a miracle in their heart, they'll continue to kick truth as long as they can. What's most unfortunate, however, is that no matter how much the world applauds their sin and lies, they carrying on in the tradition of their father the devil. He will win many battles over truth in this age... but he won't hold the ground for long! "It set itself up to be as great as the Prince of the host; it took away the daily sacrifice from him, and the place of his sanctuary was brought low. Because of the rebellion, the host of the saints and the daily sacrifice were given over to it. It prospered in everything it did, AND TRUTH WAS THROWN TO THE GROUND." Daniel 8:11-12 (Emphasis mine) But not for long! Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

In the city where I live the temperatures range widely from winter to summer. Since we like to be comfortable in our home, we often use air conditioning in the summer, and we always use heat in the winter. When it gets really hot we can always cut back on the air conditioning to save money, but let's face it, you can only let it get so cold in your house during the winter! On those really cold months, our heating bill can be huge--more than we could afford in one month for sure. Since this is true for all the other families in our neck of the woods, our local utility company allows us to pay an average amount every month, and then they give us either a credit or a charge during August. Since last winter was really cold, many people also put a few bucks away just in case the average bill didn't cover the total amount used. Well, it's August and I just received the largest bill I've ever seen before! As always, God provided a way for us to pay it, but I think the analogy it created was perfectly aligned with Scriptures that tell us to save, to give to the poor, and sometimes a little of both! Young people can be some of the worst about spending all the money they have on themselves, but even those with meager incomes should put away something for a rainy day, and also give to God's work. Spending all you make is never a good idea especially if you are a follower of Christ. "Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. One the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made." 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

I get a barrage of questions for teens each day and by and large it's a blessing to be able to answer their questions. Still, I'm often amazed at the number of them that start with, "I love Jesus with all my heart..." and then go on to ask questions that are so far from "Christian" it's shocking! Forget the one's that ask if sleeping together is OK since they are "in love and going to be married some day" and forget the ones that say "I love Jesus, but I can't stand my parents" (impossible), and focus just for a minute on the one I get the most. It always goes something like this, "I want this and I want that, how can I get it? OR... "I know God wants me to do blank, but I want to do something else, what do YOU think Pastor Jim!" The simple truth--no, the utterly simple truth, is that anyone who has died to self would not have even one of these questions left in them. When you realize you are dead in your sins, then risen with Christ to a new life, there is only One you wish to please. Going back and trying to please your old rotten flesh is a waste of time and dishonors your calling. "And he died for all [believers], that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." 2 Corinthians 5:15 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate