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The Importance of Commitment :: RELATIONSHIPS

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 11/12/23 by Pastor Steve Shields.

The most essential element in a healthy relationship is commitment.

Commitment is more than a feeling. Commitment is a clear decision resulting in change. Commitment endures.

Commitment creates a sense of security and confidence. Commitment lays a foundation for effective living. Commitment demonstrates Christlikeness. Healthy relationships cannot exist without commitment.

When entering into a commitment, look for the calling. Ask God with whom am I called to have friendships that are marked by commitment. When entering into a commitment, consider the cost. Not so you can decide if it is worth it, but so you are prepared to live out the commitment. When entering a commitment, consider the outcome.

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Gratitude :: RELATIONSHIPS

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 11/05/23 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Why is gratitude important in relationships? Ingratitude is ugly! There is the never enough attitude, which damages relationships. The I’m entitled attitude, which damages relationships. The I’m special attitude, which damages relationships.

Gratitude is powerful! When you show gratitude, you show the love of God and help others to believe.

How is gratitude powerful? It proclaims to others their value. It says “You are making a difference.”. It helps others to believe God is at work in them. Gratitude creates emotional and spiritual connection. It helps people feel wanted.

Gratitude finds its source in grace! Gratitude toward God overflows into all of life.

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The Enemy of Your Soul

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 10/29/23 by Pastor Steve Shields.

You have an enemy.

The motivation of your enemy is to hate what God loves. This explains things like why humankind suffers and why the Bible warns us about the occult and spiritism.

Your enemy has tactics he likes to use. These tactics are the allure of selfishness, the temptation of arrogance and the foolishness of under estimation.

So how do you stand against the enemy of your soul? You choose humility. You seek wisdom. You trust the goodness of God.

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The Purpose of Our Relationships :: RELATIONSHIPS

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 10/22/23 by Chaplain Branden Root.

What is the purpose of our relationships?

According to Matthew 28:18-20, it is to go and make disciples.

What do we do when we find someone who wants to be discipled? We build a relationship founded in Christ and focused on growing in Christ.

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The Forgotten Beatitude

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 10/15/23 by Josh Tkacik.

Listen as Josh Tkacik discusses how even bold disciples will encounter doubt as he looks at Luke 7. Jesus extends grace in the face of our doubt. Doubt is not at odds with faith. Unbelief is at odds with faith.

At some point in your life, you will experience a crisis, crossroad or event that will shake your spiritual foundation just as John was shaken sitting in that damp jail cell.

Jesus’ practice of offending people was to expose their hearts. The same events that produced John’s doubts, Jesus used to answer John’s questions.

Anyone can believe in fair weather. God offers us a deeper experience in our adversity. The question is will you follow a God that you do not understand.

The application to our lives is that Christ isn’t subject to our personal opinions. Jesus is kind. Jesus is not angered at John’s doubt. You will get offended in your deepest relationships. Being offended is inevitable. Living offended is a choice.

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Relationships :: RELATIONSHIPS

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 09/08/23 by Rev. Bernie Knefley.

God created us for relationships. He recognized from the beginning that man needed relationships.

Relationship is part of our worship. God uses relationships to bring people to Him.

Relationships are important. God wants to live in and through us so others see Him in us.

Your relationship vertically with God will affect your ability to walk horizontally in relationship with others.

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When Lepers Find Food :: BIBLE STORIES

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 09/17/23 by Pastor Steve Shields.

When we look at the passage in 2 Kings 6:24-33, we see that Samaria is under siege. The people are starving. They are desperate. They know the problem, but they do not know the solution.

God is the solution. The lepers find the solution. We learn from the lepers that when God blesses you, He expects you to bless others.

When we look around, we see that people are starving. They are starving for the moral compass that only Christ can calibrate. There are starving for spiritual fulfillment. We have found a banquet, and we need to share that banquet with others.

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Pouring Out Joy :: RELATIONSHIPS

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 09/10/23 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Are you a joy sucker?

Listen as Pastor Steve shows the difference between joy pouring and joy sucking. Grace, gentleness and encouragement are joy pouring and criticism, insistence and demoralization are joy sucking.

Jesus’ heart overflows with joy. He poured out His joy at advent. He poured out His joy while teaching. He pours out joy at the end of the age.

How do we get joy to pour out? We receive, experience and apply God’s grace. We lay hold of the gentleness of Jesus. When we embrace the gentleness of Jesus it changes who we are. When we sincerely encourage others.

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Maintenance :: RELATIONSHIPS

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 9/03/23 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Everything needs maintenance including relationships. Noises alert you when maintenance is required. Like that clicking noise in the car or the clunk in the washer.

Maintenance means paying attention. Listen for the noise, and examine the real source of the noise. This means you need to pay attention to your relationships.

The keys to healthy maintenance in your relationships are to treat one another with respect, consider others before yourself and make Christ and what He has done your focus.

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