I was working on an engine awhile ago, and I got so frustrated that I wanted to put away the tools I was using and hit the thing with a hammer instead! Aggravation strikes every human now and then, but if we give into our desire to use a sledgehammer on something, we'd not only have a lot of broken stuff around us, but we'd look like childish idiots, too! My dad used to say that there is always a right tool for the job, and that's the tool we should use. And my heavenly Father has slowly taught me that you also have to use a great amount of patience and love for the work along with it. Now, just for a moment look at the way you use "truth" with the people around you. Do you use it like a sledgehammer with a lack of patience and in childish fits? Even things that may to be true like, "you look fat in that," or, "You're soooo dumb sometimes," should never be used to hurt people. Our job as brothers and sisters in Christ is to love one another and help one another along the path of righteousness. That often may require the tool of "truth," but never without a great amount of patience and love along with it! "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ." Ephesians 4:15 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

We live in a world where the strong survive and the weak get trampled! As the famous T-shirt says, "It's a dog-eat-dog world and I'm wearing Milk Bone underwear!" We learn to defend ourselves early, too! When I was in first grade a non-Christian step-father of mine absolutely demanded that I beat-up the boy who lived next door because he had stolen something from my room. He told me to beat him up every day until I got it back or he'd beat me! The truth was that I didn't want to fight, but I did it anyway because I didn't want to look like a wimp in the eyes of my father. Truth be told, I was being taught wrongly, and it's taken decades for my heavenly Father to chip away at that attitude in my heart. I'm not suggesting that we just stand there when someone is trying to kill us, but Jesus tells us that there is great power in simply turning the other cheek. Friends, the struggle in not against people, but against evil! And the world is not about us an our personal desires. Let's face it, even if we were killed Jesus would have our backs! What's important is that we mirror His love to those around us. How else can they see that He is working inside of us--that He is our everything? "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 done any good deeds lately? I certainly hope so, and I believe the Lord does, too. Unfortunately for many of us, even the good deeds we do wind up meaning little if anything in heaven. Deeds that are done for any type of selfish reason or those that are done just so others can see or somehow find out you did them are absolutely worthless in the end. Soooo, do good deeds whenever you can, but make sure you do them for the right reasons! "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 6:1) Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

"There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers; those who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not cleansed of their filth; those whose eyes are ever so haughty, whose glances are so disdainful; those whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are set with knives to devour the poor from the earth, the needy from among mankind." Proverbs 30:11-14 There are a couple of things I see again and again in the youth I work with. Many of them have absolutely no respect for anyone but themselves (especially parents and other elders), and they all think their lives are terrible. I often ask them if they ever put the two together and realize the cause and effect involved. Having little respect for others has a boomerang effect all its own. Inevitably, people who have little need for others wind up hating themselves, too. As the Lord puts it, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." If you're planting disrespect, you'll get it back in an even greater amount than you planted it. Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

If I want to get an inbox full of hate mail, all I have to do is write a devotional on any one of about three subjects. Writings about homosexuality, dressing modestly, or submitting to authority always seem to get me blasted equally but have no affect on keeping me quiet. And why won't I stop? Because all the arguments are issued in the same vein--they take exception with the Bible. The question one must ask is whether or not the Bible is God's Word or not? If you don't believe it was inspired by God Almighty and penned by those He alone selected, then why read a Christian devotional at all? Wouldn't spending your time doing something else be more profitable? Doesn't reading the Bible seem a little rIdiculous if it's only a conglomeration of childhood fables? How could it affect anyone's life in any real way? And if you do believe the Bible is God's infallible Word, then your argument is with Him, and not the mailman (so to speak) whether it's me or someone else. If it's His Word, then we must accept ALL of it... picking and choosing is not an option. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

"Regent" is not a word we use much today, but it has a huge history. For example, before the days of modern travel, when a king would go away for a period of time, he would leave a regent in charge of things in his absence. Today, often universities have "regents" who are left in charge in the chancellor's stead. Webster's uses this as one of it's definitions: Regent: someone who rules during the absence or incapacity or minority of the country's monarch; and Milton uses this one: [someone] Exercising vicarious authority. As it would pertain to the Christian church today, we are all regents of the body of Christ. Sure, you could complain about the church before you were a part of it, but now if the church fails to be all it can be it's somewhat your fault, too. You and I are both here to "exercise vicarious authority" until our Lord and Savior returns. Getting involved in the enemy's business when you're supposed to be on the king's payroll would, in fact, be an act of treason! You've got all the authority and the only "book" you need--fan the Spirit of God that's in you into flames and get busy dear regents! The Church needs you desperately, and a lost world needs a word from your King! "These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority." Titus 2:15a Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

If you're ever tired, afraid, or wondering if you have a friend in the world, have no fear! God is able to give you everything that you need, and that includes sending people into your life at the very moment you need help. Pray, trust in the Lord, and know that even super-apostles like Paul had the very same fears! You are never alone! "For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn--conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him." 2 Corinthians 7:5-7a Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Many people write and tell me how they don't feel like God is working in their lives any longer. They lament the fact that they feel unproductive--that even the most simple attempts at ministering to others are no longer effective. Like so many others, they've been confused about how God works in our lives. God is not some magician who magically makes everything wonderful in our lives. He is the great physician that heals us through the blood of His Only Son. After that, we are supposed to be working. Working includes growing in our faith, and learning all the things that please the Lord and then doing them. Is it any wonder so little is done in the name of Jesus in the lives of people who have even forgotten to talk to Him or read His Word? If you're feeling this way, then don't blame it on God, your pastor, or your parents! It's not their fault--it's yours! Now, accept the fact that you've been lazy and selfish and repent of it. Today is a new day--a productive and effective new day! Oh the things our Lord could do with a servant who has a repentant heart! "For this very reason, make every effort to add to you faith, goodness; and to your goodness, knowledge; and to your knowledge, self control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins." 2 Peter 1:5-9 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate