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Valuing Differences :: RELATIONSHIPS

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 8/27/23 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Listen as Pastor Steve goes through the passage in Romans 14:1-12. This passage is talking about disputable matters. It is not talking about clear violations of Scriptures.

Acceptance means more than just putting up with people. It means not quarrelling with one another. It means not dismissing another. It means knowing your place.

In relationships we need to value differences. Valuing differences deepens marriages, preserves friendships and enhances the kingdom!

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Reliability :: RELATIONSHIPS

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 8/20/23 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Listen as Pastor Steve discussed the importance of reliability in relationships.

Biblically, reliable means faithful. It means being trustworthy. It means being faithful to the task.

Timothy is a picture of reliability in the Bible. He has stick-to-itiveness. He cares about others. He has reliability grounded in and coming from relationships.

We need to look to Jesus to develop reliability. He is your role model. He is your empowerer. His Spirit gives you power.

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Communication :: RELATIONSHIPS

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 8/13/23 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Good communication is essential in healthy relationships! It is essential in marriage. It is essential in casual everyday relationships. It is essential in your relationship with God.

The Bible gives us some guidelines on communication. We are to communicate intentionally. We are to communicate simply. We are to communicate deeply.

The best commination comes from people who have been to the cross. It is at the cross that we learn the importance of intentional living. It is at the cross that we see the strength of simplicity. It is at the cross that we learn to value deep intimacy – deep communication.

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Encountering Changes :: RELATIONSHIPS

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 8/6/23 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Change is a key factor in forming or destroying relationships. Change can strengthen a relationship by making you appreciate others and bringing you closer.

Listen as Pastor Steve discussed how Ecclesiastes gives us an important perspective on change.

Everything has its moment, and the moment is in God’s hand. God is good. As the moments come and go, we need to trust God and His goodness.

How do you hold onto the goodness of God? You look for it in your life and in your Bible! You share His goodness with others. Remember to remind yourself of His goodness.

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Patience, Grace, Acceptance :: RELATIONSHIPS

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 7/30/23 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Somewhere along the way, most of us learn that the most rewarding part of living is found in relationships. And somewhere along the way, most of us learn that the most difficult part of living is found in relationships.

People are in progress; so, be patient.

God places the responsibility upon the shoulders of the strong.

Bearing the failings of the weak requires sacrifice. A sacrifice of patience, repentance, requesting forgiveness, granting forgiveness, of moving on.

People are fragile; so, be gracious.

When we are ungracious, we damage people. Build people up, don’t tear them down.

People are difficult; so, be accepting.

Accepting isn’t receiving with resignation. Instead, accepting is receiving with hope.

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Baptism

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 7/16/23 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Listen as Pastor Steve discusses baptism and your role in baptism.

Baptism represents cleansing. Baptism doesn’t make us clean. Jesus makes us clean, but baptism is a picture of our cleansing.

Jesus offers a fresh start or a reboot. Baptism is a picture of that fresh start.

As you watch a baptism, you are not a spectator. Instead you have the role of examiner. Not to examine those being baptized, but to examine your own heart to see if you are dead to sin and alive in Christ.

You also have the role of encourager. To cheer on those being baptized. Not just today, but also next week and next year and beyond. The Bible tells us we are to encourage one another.

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Freedom: That Thing You Keep Forgetting to Value

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 7/2/23 by Pastor Steve Shields.

It is easy to take freedom for granted. Americans do it. Christians do it. It is human nature to take for granted anything that has been granted.

Christ gives us freedom. Freedom from guilt. Freedom from Shame. Freedom from meaninglessness. God can bring redemption from everything that happens and in the redemption, we can find meaning. Freedom from death and hell. Freedom from the power of sin.

What does it look like to live free? Living a life of love (Galatians 5:14). Walking by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16). Honoring the freedom you have received (Galatians 5:13).

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Got Questions? Find Answers

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 6/25/23 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Do you have questions about life? Listen as Pastor Steve goes through Psalm 119:9-16 to show how the Bible has answers to those life questions.

We all face common problems in life. Too often we make life altering decisions that we later regret. We feel empty inside. The very fact that we feel like life is not all it’s cracked up to be tells us that there really is something more. We have a tendency to give up. We fail to embrace the joy that God offers us in life.

What does the Bible provide for these life problems? It protects you from regret. The Bible is the fulfillment of our longing because it points us to the One who can fill us. The Bible provides us with a life of joy.

How do we read the Bible? First, pick it up! Expect guidance to come from the text. Dig into the text. Cherish God’s word.

Got questions? Find answers. The spiritual climate of our world is at a place perhaps like never before, where you need to read and study the Bible.

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Christ Followers with Intentionality :: COLOSSIANS

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 6/18/23 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Colossians 4:2-18 tells us to be intentional in our living for Christ. Are you intentional in your prayers? An intentional prayer is watchful regarding the kingdom. An intentional prayer is bigger than ourselves, and is focused on kingdom things, and the advancement of the gospel.

Are you intentional in your relationships? Intentional relationships show people God’s nature. Intentional relationships demonstrate wisdom. Intentional relationships act with grace.

Are you living with intentionality in the kingdom? Intentionality is simply doing kingdom work intentionally. Intentionality is simply prioritizing the advancement of the kingdom of God.

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Something Wrong? Maybe the Problem Centers on Thankfulness :: COLOSSIANS

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 6/11/23 by Pastor Steve Shields.

As we look in Colossians 3, we see three desirable instructions. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. Let the message of Christ dwell among you. Let the supremacy of Christ oversee your life.

The key ingredient for these three instructions is thankfulness.

The peace of Christ rules in thankful hearts. The message of Christ dwells in thankful fellowships. The supremacy of Christ reigns in our lives when we give thanks.

How do you have thankfulness? You need to cultivate thankfulness in all of your life. Thankfulness enriches your worship experience. Thankfulness brings grace to your home life. Thankfulness influences every imaginable interaction.

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