Teaching from Curwensville Alliance (Pastor Steve Shields)
Have you ever noticed that there are two kinds of Christians? The kind who struggle to be what God wants them to be, and the kind that seem to be flourishing.
What’s the difference?
This podcast suggests that the answer is found by looking to the altar.
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One of my favorite songs from the Promise Keeper Stand in the Gap movement had these lyrics…
I come to the cross seeking mercy and grace,
I come to the cross where You died in my place.
Out of my weakness and into Your strength,
Jesus, I come to the cross.
I remember singing that, bowed face down on the lawn at the Mall in DC. It was a powerful moment.
You don’t need to be in the nation’s capital to experience that kind of moment. You don’t need to be among hundreds of thousands of men. You don’t need to be on your face.
You can come to the cross any time you are willing.
This podcast speaks of looking to the cross — and finding what we need.
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What is WRONG with people?!
I ask myself that question all the time.
The Bible answers the question with clarity. And, if we apply the answer correctly, it can be transformational to our soul.
This podcast talks about looking at ourselves and seeing what is, what should be, and what will be.
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Recently, the media covered an incident involving Ben Affleck and his former wife, Jennifer Garner. According to reports, Ben was in crisis, and Jennifer was coming to help him. As she was entering the residence, the media noted that Jennifer was carrying what appeared to be a Bible.
Yeah.
A Bible.
Why?
Because when you are in trouble, the Bible is a great place to look.
In fact, it’s always good to look to the Word of God — whether you’re in trouble or not.
This podcast explains why and how we can do that.
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For years, the local paper ran a series of stories — stories about people in our area. Some of you have been featured in those stories.
When he was with us this week, Bernie Knefley spoke about the story you are writing.
If you missed him, here’s his message.
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Where do you look when you are in need? When you lack wisdom? When you struggle?
There are times I look to a friend. To a counselor. To a doctor. To a judge. I look to many people.
There are times I look to technology. To my smartphone. To Google. To my GPS.
But when I really need help from Someone who really knows me…. I look to Jesus.
This podcast unfolds this concept in helpful ways.
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When you are in trouble — when you have a need — where do you look?
Who would you look to?
As Christians, we would agree that the person to look to is God.
This podcast talks about why we should look to him and how he can help.
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In addition to listening at your computer, selected sermons from Curwensville Alliance are available for your Apple and Android devices.
Open your podcast player and search for Curwensville Alliance and subscribe.
Or you can find the messages online here.
I have a lot of tools. And I’ve used a lot of them. But I have tools that I have never used.
I have a gear-pulling kit. Never used it.
I have a hedge-trimmer. Never used it.
I have a 20 Amp 12 volt power supply. Never used it.
What’s that about?
Sometimes that’s how we are with the tools of grace that God gives us.
We sit in a service, listen to a sermon, hear about what God gives us, put that teaching into our pocket, and walk away — never to implement what we’ve learned.
Over the past several podcasts, we’ve unfolded a number of tools that God has given us to make us resilient. Are you using them?
This podcast gives you good reasons to use the tools of resilience that God’s given you.
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Anyone who desires to influence others for their benefit will notice this: For some people, their greatest hindrance is their unwillingness to receive instruction.
Some people struggle to be teachable.
This is particularly troubling since teachability is an essential tool for resilience.
David Murray, professor of New Testament and Practical Theology, says that there’s one characteristic that separates the successful from the unsuccessful in every walk of life: teachability.
If you are going to be resilient, you’ll do well to consider your own level of teachability and to ask God to increase it.
This podcast tells you how.
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