Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 06/23/24 by Pastor Steve Shields.
What happens to believers when they die?
They follow the pattern set by Jesus. They are given special priority during the rapture, Their bodies are resurrected. They will be reunited with loved ones. They will be in the presence of Jesus. The future brings us present comfort.
The destiny of the believing is the hope we long for in Christ. In Christ there is an abundance of hope. Christians grieve, but we grieve with hope.
Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 6/16/24 by Pastor Steve Shields.
Listen as Pastor Steve speaks on 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 and the beauty of values.
The beauty of values are they are beliefs that you own. Values are beliefs that cannot be forced. Values are beliefs that can be adopted. Values are beliefs that steer our life.
Some values belong to Christ followers. We value personal growth. We value the Word of God. We value being set apart. We value God’s gifts. We value respectability and respectfulness.
We own these values more and more. Living them out will become more and more natural. Being set apart will become warmly familiar. Cherishing God’s good gifts will become non-negotiable.
Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 05/19/24 by Pastor Steve Shields.
How do we respond to the world’s evil? We can respond emotionally. We can respond rationally. But, we need to respond from the right place.
How do you respond from the right place? Remember what kind of person you are. You are a church person. You are an important person. Jesus would have come and died for you even if you were the only person. You are an inspired and inspiring person. When you choose to live in hope, you risk disappointment. When you choose to give into despair, you guarantee it.
Remember the kind of God you worship. A God who loves you. A God who chose you. A God who is transforming you.
Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 5/12/24 by Pastor Steve Shields.
There are dangers in humility. You may think “I am nothing.”“I am humbled to say….” If we are not thinking sometimes what we regard as humility is pride in disguise. “Who am I to judge?” Biblical humility does not require us to abandon the belief that some things are true and others false.
How do we walk Humbly with God? Lose the swagger. “You’re most dangerous in the Kingdom of God when you’re right.” – Bernie Knefley. Prioritize the needs of others.
How do we acquire Biblical humility? Acknowledge you don’t have it and never will. The closer you walk with your God, the more humility will flourish. Ask God to kill the part of you that walks in pride. Ask the Holy Spirit to alert you when you walk outside of humility.
Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 04/28/24 by Pastor Steve Shields.
Listen as Pastor Steve speaks on Micah 6:8.
Justice is tending to the details. It is desiring the lives of others be full. Abundant living happens when you receive the good things in life as gifts received from God. Seeing to it that others are treated with respect. Making sure others have what they need to survive. Treating people with fairness.
How do we live out attending to the details?Defend the weak – love them. Help those without help. Protect the vulnerable.
Where do you start? Begin by looking at the details. Take a look at yourself. Become more aware.
It is true – you probably can’t change the world, BUT you might be able to change someone else’s world.
Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 04/21/24 by Pastor Steve Shields.
The cross of Jesus offers us power to forgive those who have sinned against us.
Forgiveness is powerful. Forgiveness is a strategy for improved mental health. Both forgiving and receiving forgiveness improves mental health.
What does forgiveness mean? Forgiving is releasing someone from bondage. Forgiving another is the most God-like thing you can do! Choosing to forgive will cost you.
There is value in forgiveness. There is unrivaled relief in forgiveness. When you forgive another, it demonstrates to your own heart that the encounter you have with Jesus is real.
The pathway toward forgiveness is difficult.
Forgiveness acknowledges the reality of the debt. The act of forgiveness proclaims the significance of the loss. Admit the impact of the debt, but don’t overdramatize or under-dramatize the offense. Remember that forgiveness is not forgetting. Consider the forgiveness you have received from God as you walk the pathway toward forgiving. Trust God for the greater reward. Give it to God – it is His to repay.
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