"But everyone else is doing it!" How many times have you heard that line before? How many times have you said it? I get a ton of mail from teens who tell me they know they want to stay "virgins" but they want to know more clearly where the line is when it comes to making out (is that still a term these days? Ha!). I even had someone recently tell me that they know Jesus wants them not to have sex, but since "everyone else is doing it" wouldn't it be okay anyway? Wow! I rarely get thrown for a loop, but that one did it! First of all, everyone else is NOT doing it. Secondly, sexual purity is just that--purity! When something is pure, it is without "impurity." Look at it this way. How much dog manure do you like in your birthday cake? Right! Now, do you want dog manure to be anywhere near your cake? Do you want it "rubbed up against" your cake? If you pick the same answers I picked, then you also understand purity! Treat your body the same way until you are married. "I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness." Romans 6:19 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

It's not only rare, but a total exception to the rule that I use the same Scripture two days in a row. Still, I just cannot get this one out of my mind. From my childhood I have understood the "cup of cold water in my name" Scripture as a treatise on what I was supposed to be doing for those around me. That even if I did simple things like give a glass of cold water to a thirsty person and I did it in the name (or to further the kingdom of) Jesus, then I was doing God's work. I guess I must have heard fifty sermons exert just that. Frankly and honestly, I have either misread or misunderstood this for far too long. Sure, followers of Jesus are supposed to do gracious and thoughtful things in His name, but this Scripture actually says that Jesus will reward those who help me (and you) along that path. It also acknowledges that such a thing might be a rare occurrence--a miracle of God if you will, and NOT a miracle of our doing! "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 10:40-42)  Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

A lot of seemingly "good deeds" are done across this globe by all kinds of people, serving all types of "gods.". What makes Christians different (and I know that many other religions would claim this) is that we serve the One True God. Since we have the Holy Spirit to serve as our witness, and since the Scriptures have stood firm for generations under Satan's attacks, only Christians serve a Savior who came back from the grave! That being said, you will find many who dislike you because you claim to have a firm foundation in Christ. Many find Christianity too "narrow minded" and exclusionary. The Scriptures tell us not to take these attacks personally, since they are essentially all aimed at Jesus and not us. It's Jesus who is narrow minded when it comes to sin. And it's Jesus who despises those who claim to have paths to heaven that lead people astray. If you are hurt by these attacks, be hurt because your Lord is being mocked. And know that though you may be mocked by some, others will welcome you, serve you, and sit and listen patiently as you tell of your Lord. When they do so, they'll be welcoming Jesus Himself because He resides in you. Take pride in Him, and not in your own accomplishments. In the end it will be He who rewards us all. "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 10:40-42) Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

I heard a sermon many years ago that's stuck with me in an uncanny way. The general idea was that Christians can get a good idea of how well they are walking with the Lord based on the number of broken relationships in their lives. For example, if you're a person who just can't get along with anyone, then you become the single common denominator in all of your relationships--by simple mathematics, YOU are the problem. That being accurate, your walk with the Lord must need some work! I have long thought this to be true, and it certainly is true if you continuously have broken relationships within the Church, meaning other believers. However, as I've been reading through the Old Testament again, I've become convinced of a new understanding on this issue. Let's face it, there were many Old Testament prophets and other figures who were simply hated by everyone (or nearly everyone) around them (Jesus included!) They were hated because they were holy, they spoke the truth, and their actions were righteous. That doesn't mean today's Christians should become "self-righteous" and break relationships with others without a great amount of effort, humility and grace, but it is always going to be a problem for some that you are doing your best to walk with Jesus. Let's face it, some broken relationships are inevitable. I believe we should continue to pray about the situation, and for the other person(s), but that doesn't mean we're required to be best friends with those who hate the Lord. "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord." Romans 12:19 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

" Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, NIV) Dear Friends, As followers of Christ, we are called to be His hands and feet, reaching out to those in need with love, compassion, and generosity. Whether through small acts of kindness or larger gestures of service, every opportunity to help others is a chance to reflect God's love. Sometimes, we may feel that our efforts are insignificant, but even the smallest act - an encouraging word, a helping hand, or a listening ear - can be used by God in powerful ways. He calls us to be faithful in whatever way we can, trusting that He will multiply our efforts for His glory. At Harvest Youth Ministries, this is at the heart of what we do through all of our various ministry outlets. We believe that serving others is not just an action but a lifestyle that demonstrates the love of Christ. Whether it's through providing practical help, offering a shoulder to lean on, or simply being present for someone who is struggling, we embrace every opportunity to make a difference. But our work doesn't stop at meeting physical needs - we also seek to pray for people and share the gospel whenever God opens the door. True help is not just in what we can do for others, but in pointing them to the One who can truly transform their lives. As Galatians 6:9 reminds us, "Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." This is literally the verse that inspired me when we founded this organization. Let us continue to walk in faith, always looking for ways to bless those around us and bring the hope of Christ into their lives. As Jesus says in Matthew 5:16, "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." May we always be ready to serve, pray, and share the good news, trusting that God will use us to make an eternal impact for His kingdom. As always, thank YOU for the part you plan in providing financial help, or just rooting us on in the heavenly realm! Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jim Kilby

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21, NIV) Friends, The week before Christmas I felt like my email inbox was mocking me. There were so many open Harvest Helps requests for large amounts of money. I honestly didn’t know what to do. While I didn’t want to let anyone down, I couldn’t commit to any of the needs either. I sent emails to three different women saying, “Funds are low right now, but I am praying for a miracle.” After I sent those emails, I posted the needs on Facebook, prayed that God would work it out… and then I walked away. Friends, God provided. A friend donated the exact amount (to the penny!) to cover multiple bills, and others gave as well—the total just kept rising. When I was able to tell these women that God, through His people, had seen them and provided for them—goodness—that is not something I will forget anytime soon. There were tears. There was prayer. There was hope. Thank you for that! Please be in prayer that we would never be so foolish as to believe any of this happens because of our own doing – but only because He goes before us and does more than we could ask or imagine! CELEBRATIONS!!! Ms J - Rent & utilities help after loss of an infant child. Ms Q - Utilities help after the loss of an infant child. Ms H - Rent help after sudden job loss (and after having just moved out of homelessness) Ms K - Utilities help after disconnect notice. Ms. T – Rent help after health issues. Blessings, Elizabeth Kilby

Have you seen any place on the planet that doesn't have at least some jealousy and quarrelling going on amongst its inhabitants? Probably the only way you wouldn't find one is if you went somewhere where there was only one person! But... if you were there long with the other person, I'd bet there would be a quarrel sooner or later! Unfortunately, if we find this in the church of Jesus Christ, it is actually a sign that we are seriously off track with God. If you have jealousy among members of your youth group (or the "grown-up" church for that matter), then you've got more trouble than you think. Jealousy and fighting are fruit of the sinful nature and have no place in the Body of Christ. They're only there because spiritual babies are there and babies always want things their way or else they throw a fit. A strong Christian will gain humility from his or her time with God, and that humility will continuously remind them that it's always about God and what He wants and NEVER about us and what we want. "Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly--mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere men? What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe--as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building." 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Imagine you turn on the news and watch as the leader of the free world dances down the street in his underwear! Absolutely everyone is shocked! Some cry for immediate impeachment. Others cry "he's insane!" But that's not the weirdest thing. Some seem not only to understand his actions, but 30,000 others join in--actually following him down the city streets! As crazy as it seems, this is only partly fiction! Overcome with the joy that can only come from God, King David danced in the city streets so vigorously, his robe fell off, leaving him dancing in his underwear in front of everyone! How undignified! His own wife seeing him from a window mocked him. To which he said, "I will celebrate before the LORD. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes." (2 Samuel 6:21b-22) And yet we find in our day and time, it's simply unacceptable even to speak of God outside of a church or worship center. How far we've slipped from where God would have us is known only to Him. This I know for sure though, I will become even more undignified than this!" Will "political correctness" stop you from dancing for the Lord? "David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the LORD with all his might, while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets. As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD , she despised him in her heart... When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, 'How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, disrobing in the sight of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!' David said to Michal, 'It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the LORD's people Israel-I will celebrate before the LORD. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.' And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death." 2 Samuel 6:14-22  Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate