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

I get the impression from many Christians that they think God doesn't keep any record of the mistakes they make in life. Sure, the Scriptures tell us that in Christ we are found righteous, and that God puts our sins as far as the East is from the West, but that is true of the sins we committed in ignorance while we were lost. It does NOT apply to those we commit after we know better! This errant belief can often be used to justify all types of sinful behavior. The obvious thinking is that since a person is "saved" then they can get away with murder. Two points here.... first, if you don't want to please the Lord, then the Holy Spirit is not in you--it's an automatic reaction for a sinner who's been saved by grace to want to honor God. And second, there WILL be an accounting for the sins we commit after we are saved. God is not so dense that some perceived loophole will keep Him from giving each of us exactly what we deserve... Even those who are "In Christ" will shed tears on that day! Do not confuse the "Great White Throne of Judgment" (where some will be sent to hell) with the "Judgement Seat of Christ" where His followers will be held accountable, both for good and for bad done in His name. "So we make it our goad to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it [after we die]. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

I like to think of myself as a hard-charging and energetic guy who does ministry with a passion. Believe it or not, God probably doesn't like that much! Occassionally, He'll even take an opportunity to remind me of as much. Several years ago I took my laptop, cellphone connection, and other various reading/working material and headed off to a two-day retreat. As is my nature, I wasn't there twenty minutes before I had my laptop fired up and searching for a wireless connection through my cell phone. After an hour of trying to fix something that wasn't broken, I realized I was nearly 100 miles from the nearest digital phone connection--something that would utterly paralyze me looking in on "my ministry" for nearly three days. Yea, I know... God would rather see me as a guy with a passion for Him, who uses that passion to do ministry for Him! As I returned home, I found my in basket jam-packed and the truth is I just don't seem to be as excited to start shuffling through it--I'm still in a place where God seems to be able to speak to me more clearly. If you haven't been "paralyzed" by God lately, maybe you should try it, too--only don't be as reluctant as I was. ""Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10  Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

I remember an old Bible that laid around my house when I was a young man. I picked it up a few times and thought God sure had a lot of stuff in there, none of which applied to life today, and especially not to MY life. After God finally broke through my hardened heart, I learned the Bible actually is jam-packed with universal truths that apply to every situation and every person on the planet. Still, it took me even longer to learn through His Spirit, God would actually translate that universal Word directly into my life, making it an intimately personal conversation between the two of us. Now I'm never more than a few inches from any one of the stack of Bibles I call my own. When I look back and think of how simplistically I looked at what I once thought was just a dusty, outdated book it makes me sad. I could have had a personal relationship with my Creator nearly 30 years before I did! Thanks be to God He pursued me relentlessly! If you haven't picked up your Bible in a while, or if it just looks like words to you, ask the Lord to send His Spirit to translate for you. You'll be amazed at how it comes alive in your hands and in your heart! "The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life." John 6:63b Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

“[they] did not honor God or give thanks....” Romans 1:21 (NIV) Dear Friends, Lately I’ve been reflecting on how easily our hearts drift when we stop practicing gratitude. Scripture warns us of this. In Romans 1:21, Paul says that when people “did not honor God or give thanks,” their hearts became darkened. Ingratitude isn’t just a moment of forgetfulness — it slowly reshapes the way we see God, ourselves, and the world around us. When we stop giving thanks, our hearts grow restless. Fear replaces trust. Complaining replaces worship. We start to believe we don’t have enough, or worse, that God isn’t enough. Gratitude is the antidote — a spiritual anchor that restores joy, softens our hearts, and brings our focus back to God’s faithfulness. Even one moment of recognizing His goodness can recalibrate everything. We see this all the time in the teens and families we serve. When they identify even a single blessing — an answered prayer, a caring friend, a moment of peace — hope begins to grow again. Gratitude opens the door for God to work in their hearts. And so today, I want to thank you. Your prayers, support, and generosity help us continue sharing Christ’s love with youth who desperately need it. Because of you, lives are being shaped by the hope found in Jesus. Without you, and God’s love, we can do nothing. As we move forward in this season of “Thanksgiving,” may we all choose gratitude daily — keeping our hearts tender, joyful, and attentive to God’s goodness. Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jim Kilby