I was browsing through some Bible commentary the other day and discovered something I hadn't noticed before. The Hebrew word sometimes translated "witness" can also be translated "servant". Interesting, I thought, since they are quite frankly the exact same thing and because I'm so quick to forget it. What we do says much more than what we say, and what we say has a lot to do with how the world watches to see if we're servants. "Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you." Acts 26:16 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

I sometimes wonder if many Christians understand God's prohibition against idol worship. Clearly we are not people who carve blocks of wood into "gods" so that we can set them on altars or worship them. Although, as stupid as it sounds, God's chosen people have done just that through the generations (that one golden calf is a great example). It seems we believe we've evolved beyond that type of insanity. But have we? Our technological advances in physics, plastics, manufacturing, electronics and the like have created a whole new level of idol. We no longer call them gods, but we still bow down to them. We prefer to use more politically correct names like "car" or "stereo system" or "Porn site." We say they are for transportation or stress relief, or ministry, or just for fun, but we often lie to ourselves and our God. I ask you, are our newest desires any less idols? Is our love for them any less worship? Is our worship of them any less an abomination to our God? "Half of the wood he burns in the fire; over it he prepares his meal, he roasts his meat and eats his fill. He also warms himself and says, 'Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.' From the rest he makes a god, his idol; he bows down to it and worships. He prays to it and says, 'Save me; you are my god.' They know nothing, they understand nothing; their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see, and their minds closed so they cannot understand. No one stops to think, no one has the knowledge or understanding to say, 'Half of it I used for fuel; I even baked bread over its coals, I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?" Isaiah 44:16-19 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27, NIV) Dear Friends, During a worship service last week, I sensed the Lord was talking specifically to me. Every time I tried to pass it off as silliness, the same message came back, again, and again, and again. So, I whispered, "Is this for me, Lord?" The feeling I received was overwhelming. I haven't stopped thinking about it since. As believers, we are called to walk closely with the Lord, being sensitive to His voice and direction. Yet in our busy lives, it can be easy to miss His whispers. How do we cultivate a heart that is tuned to the Holy Spirit? God primarily speaks through His Word. The more we immerse ourselves in Scripture, the more clearly we recognize His voice. The psalmist reminds us, " Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105). We also need to create space for stillness. The Holy Spirit often speaks in the quiet moments. In 1 Kings 19:12, Elijah hears God not in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle whisper. When we quiet our hearts through prayer and reflection, we make room to hear the Lord's guidance. Also, we've got to consider that prayer is not just all talking to God. It is also listening. When we pause and ask the Lord to speak, He often places a thought, a Scripture, or a sense of direction on our hearts. Jesus tells us in John 16:13, "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth." So we need to be still at times, and wait as the Holy Spirit nudges us in various ways - through conviction, a sudden thought, or even through other believers. It's important to test what we hear against Scripture and seek confirmation in prayer. When He speaks, James 1:22 tells us to be "doers of the word, and not hearers only." Then, when we sense the Lord's leading, we step out in faith. Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jim Kilby

I spent more than 20 years in the military and although I never was called to give my life for my country, I certainly understood the concept of dying for a greater cause than myself. Everyone of us was prepared to do just that if necessary. During the Cold War I spent several years in Europe, on a few occasions mere inches from the border of Soviet controlled territory. We were never far from a chemical, biological, or even a nuclear weapon that was aimed squarely at our forces. While that was unnerving at times, what bothered me the most was that back in the United States, many who went to school with me and who stayed to make a better living, never gave much of a thought to the sacrifices I and others made for them. Often I felt like we were taken for granted. And as I see soldiers giving their lives once again, I wonder how many of us give a second thought unless they're personally related to us. While you prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving Day this month, consider what's been sacrificed on your behalf, even this very day! Jesus did not die so that we could live thankless lives of selfishness. Give thanks, and give the glory to God. Everything you have, even life itself, has been bought for you at a great price! "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." Psalm 100:4 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Believing that small groups of men and women (separately of course) holding each other accountable is probably the best way I've ever found to stay strong in the Lord, my group and I have continuously modified a group of questions (always around ten in number) to fit our needs. Since people occasionally ask for them, I've generally made them available on my web site. Here's the latest list my group uses. Feel free to use them, change them, or share them with others, but don't forget to find someone to hold you accountable in the areas you could stumble--it's the only way to stay strong and ultimately to finish strong in your faith. 1. Have you spent a portion of each day in the study of God's Word, in prayer, and are you seeking knowledge and growth through other Christian media? 2. Have you attempted to share your faith with an unbeliever? 3. Has anything unwholesome come out of your mouth, including jokes, negative criticism, foul language, lies or half truths? 4. Have you taken good physical care of your body; including exercise and proper eating and sleeping habits? 5. Have you been completely above reproach with your financial dealings and at work, school, etc? 6. Have you shared enough of your time with your family and friends? 7. Have you had any lustful attitudes, improper thoughts, or been exposed to any material that would not glorify God? 8. Do you harbor any bitterness, anger or resentment in your heart toward anyone or anything? 9. Have you allowed any person or circumstance to rob you of your joy in the Lord? 10. Do you have any other burden to share with the group? "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17 Friends, This week, I had the joy of taking my oldest daughter to the BMV to get her temporary driving permit. As we walked in, I told her she was in charge—she had to tell the clerk what she needed, answer their questions, and handle the process herself. She looked at me in (joking) panic and blurted out, “What if I forget my name?” I assured her I wasn’t going anywhere, and if needed, I’d be right there to remind her. She did great, and now… well, be a little extra cautious on the roads! This moment, while hilarious, reminded me of something deeper. My daughter had confidence because she knew I was there with her. She wasn’t alone. But what about the people who don’t have that? I recently spoke with a woman who shared how she’s been abandoned—estranged from family, let down by friends, and dismissed by people who once cared. She feels unseen, unheard, and forgotten. Walking with someone through life isn’t always easy. It’s often messy, uncomfortable, and even inconvenient. But that’s what makes it matter. People don’t just need someone when life is good—they need someone who will stay when things get hard, when mistakes are made, and when the road feels impossible. Who in your life needs to be reminded they’re not alone? Maybe send them a quick text. And remember, we’re here to walk with you too! Some More Sticky Notes: Mr. W - Needed electric bill paid to keep lights on for himself and his two teen children. Miss J - Local 16 year old who requested we send her a Bible! Ms. C - Emailed asking for prayer while she was in the hospital! Blessings, Elizabeth Kilby

Just for a moment, imagine yourself in total darkness. Maybe you awoke from a dream but it's like you are still dreaming--there is absolutely no light available and you cannot see even your own hands. You don't know what happened, but you begin to realize you also cannot feel anything outside of yourself. There seems to be nothing above you or below you that you can touch. You swing your fists and kick your feet, but there is nothingness and total darkness encompassing all that you are. This is how it is for a soul that does not know the Lord. They live in darkness, blinded by Satan and the desires of the flesh. So what are we to do? Most Christians take exactly the wrong approach when dealing with darkness. They dive into it and join in with it! In their ignorance, they become just like those lost souls kicking and punching at darkness. They join in with the joking, cursing, and other sinful behaviors. Friends, darkness is never defeated that way! The only way to gain territory from darkness is by introducing light. Diving into blackness is meaningless unless you bring the Light with you and are prepared to introduce it into the darkness. As you do, even the darkest night becomes lighter around you, and those lost souls can clearly see you've got the only answer to what ails them! "the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." Matthew 4:16 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Have you ever seen those cute little baby tigers the zoos always put in their advertisements. They are so cute! I think the totally white ones are cool, but the orange and black ones are awesome because they look so much like real baby tigers. Either way, they're kind of like house cats in the way they play with things and paw at everything. It's like you could just take them home and keep them in your room as pets. And such is the case with "little" sins. A lot of people (of all ages) like to toy with little sins. They can be fun when you get right down and think about it. Even the Bible admits that sin can be pleasurable for a while, but then it becomes like one of those little Bengal tigers that was so cute. It starts to grow up and before you know it the things weights 600 pounds, eats raw meat and lives in your bedroom. Oh... and guess what you're made of!? "By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time." Heb 11:25 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate