David and Bathsheba :: BIBLE STORIES

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 2/27/22 by Pastor Steve Shields.

The story of David and Bathsheba is not primarily about lust. Although we do need to guard our eyes, that isn’t the point of this Bible story.

The story of David and Bathsheba is not primarily about modesty. Although the Bible does speak of covering yourself, that isn’t the point of this Bible story. It isn’t Bathsheba’s fault.

The story of David and Bathsheba is about arrogance.

Arrogance takes whatever it wants, just as David took what he wanted. Arrogance seldom looks at its own heart, just as David didn’t look at his own heart.

Arrogance can become so natural that sometimes you need to be shocked out of it. Just as Nathan shocked David. Arrogance doesn’t appreciate blessings, just as David didn’t appreciate all he had. He had to have what wasn’t his.

Arrogance makes itself the authority, just as David made himself the authority. Arrogance behaves shamefully, just as David behaved shamefully. Arrogance has consequences. We see the consequences David paid for his arrogance.

How can you remove the arrogance from your own heart? You can look to the cross. You can adjust the way you view yourself. You can adjust the way you view God. You can adjust the way you view others.

David and Goliath :: BIBLE STORIES

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 2/20/22 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Have you ever faced a giant like David did with Goliath?

Some of the giants you may have experienced include finances, relationships or addictions.

Goliath was a giant to the Israelites, and they faced him with defeat. They were dismayed, afraid and disgraced. But David faced Goliath in a different way!

David faced Goliath knowing who he was spiritually. He knew that he faced Goliath not on his own but with the army of the Lord! You can face your giants knowing who you are in Christ.

David faced Goliath with humility. You can face your giants being confident in Christ. You need to look at the motivation in defeating the giant.

You can trust in God’s love for you. If Jesus loved you enough you die for you, if God loved you enough to call you, if the Spirit loved you enough to speak to you, then He loves you enough to help you with your giant.

Samson :: BIBLE STORIES

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 2/13/22 by Pastor Steve Shields.

Pastor Steve takes us through the story of Samson, and show us that God had a plan for Samson.

Samson was born in hard times. He was given a specific role and a specific identity. God blessed Samson.

When we look at the life of Samson we see he pursues a Philistine wife, kills a lion, makes a wager, uses the jawbone of a donkey to kill a thousand Philistines, and falls in love with Delilah.

What important life lessons can we learn from the life of Samson?

We should hold onto hope. When Samson was blind from the Philistines gouging out his eyes, he held onto hope.

We should turn our heart to God. When Samson was held captive by the Philistines, he turned his heart back to God.

We should find honor in our redemption and live for God.

Elijah on Mount Carmel :: BIBLE STORIES

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 2/6/22 by Pastor Steve Shields.

We live in a world of two kingdoms. The kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. The same was true in the days of Elijah.

Listen as Pastor Steve speaks of living in the kingdom and how faithfulness may look different for different situations in life.

There will be times for hidden faithfulness, times for clear confrontation and times for intentional perseverance.