The Justice of God :: Revelation

Presented on 9/15/2019 at Curwensville Alliance by Pastor Steve Shields

The speed limit was 70, so I was going just a bit over 70. Then the speed limit changed to 45. And I was going a bit over 70. Then the policeman pulled me over.

I didn’t even bother to make a defense. I was guilty and I knew it. For me to argue against my guilt would be foolishness.

Everyone reading this knows that for justice to be served, I need to pay for my crime.

We know that about speeding tickets. And we know it about sin.

The Book of Revelation details the outpouring of God’s wrath — the enactment of his justice.

This podcast tells us how to prepare.

The Lamb Will BRING IT :: Revelation

Presented by Pastor Steve Shields at Curwensville Alliance on 9/8/2019

Do you ever get bone tired — downright weary — of the evil that you see in this world?

Whether it’s across the ocean or in the next county or right down the road, for most of us, we long for injustice to come to an end. And we long for justice to flow like a river.

We long for God to do something.

This podcast talks about the reality that God will make straight what is crooked.

God shows us, in The Book of Revelation, that he will Bring It!

You Need Not Fear :: Revelation 4

Presented on 9/1/2019 at Curwensville Alliance by Pastor Steve Shields

When I was in college, I worked a summer job bagging charcoal. Occasionally, we’d talk about God and about the Bible — and inevitably, The Book of Revelation came up.

One of the guys said, “I read that. It’s just one nightmare after another.”

Really?

To the unrepentant, yeah, it would be a nightmare, but is that what Jesus intended us to get out of that text? It’s written to the church, not to the unrepentant.

In the opening chapter we are told that those who read it are blessed. I think that’s because reading this book gives the believer hope and confidence.

This podcast speaks of that hope as it is presented in the throne room of heaven.

Staying Clear of Danger Zones :: Revelation

Presented by Pastor Steve Shields on 8/25/2019 at Curwensville Alliance Church

You probably read about (or heard about) the Storm Area 51 event.

Area 51 is the name of a highly classified United States Air Force facility located in the Nevada Test and Training Range. When the USAF acquired the land in 1955, they used it to test the Lockheed U-2 airplane.

In response to the intense secrecy surrounding it, conspiracy theorists have conjectured that Area 51 is where our government hides UFOs we’ve recovered. If you watched the X-Files or the Will Smith movie, Independence Day, you are familiar with Area 51.

The reason Area 51 is in the news these days is because a Facebook Event called, Storm Area 51, They Can’t Stop All of Us.

The thinking goes like this: We want to know what’s behind the fence. If a large number of people show up at Area 51 and all run onto the base, they can’t stop all of them.

So, on the third weekend of September, a couple million people say they’re going to storm Area 51.

When I looked on Facebook yesterday, there were 2,072,369 people planning to attend.

I think to most of them it’s just fun and games.

If you read the signs posted around Area 51, you see that being serious about entering this area is a serious matter. The signs are clear. The warning is dire. If you go into Area 51, you are entering a danger zone. “Use of deadly force authorized.”

Those signs are, in a sense, kind of what Revelation 2 & 3 are about. Area 51 signs warn hikers to be careful where they walk. Revelation 2 & 3 signs warn us regarding our walk of faith.

This podcast speaks about Seven Danger Zones the seven churches in Revelation were treading upon — and warns us to avoid them.

It’s Going to Be Alright – Jesus is Lord :: Revelation

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 8/18/2019 by Pastor Steve Shields

Couples who are standing beside the ashes of their home – watching the firetruck rolling up the hoses.

I’ve stood with them.

The newly widowed returning to an empty house.

I’ve walked with them.

Parents who have laid to rest what no parent should ever have to lay to rest.

I’ve wept with them.

And I’ve learned to say something that is very counter-intuitive: It’s going to be alright. Because Jesus is Lord, it’s going to be alright.

You would think that I would get smacked for saying such a thing. But it’s never happened.

My wife taught me to say that.

She said, “Steve – when I am scared or stressed out or having trouble believing the good, I just need you to hold me and say the words, ‘It’s going to be alright.’”

So I say it.

I say it, often, by faith.

I say it because Jesus says it.

I say it because it is true.

It’s going to be alright. Jesus is Lord.

This podcast explains how you can say that.

Who’s Praying for You :: BackToSchool

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 8/10/2019 by Pastor Steve Shields

Who prays for you?

Who dedicates the largest time of time and effort in their prayer time for you? Maybe your dad? Your mom? Your spouse? Your children?

When you enter uncharted waters, you need someone to pray for you.

And that’s what a healthy church family provides.

This podcast is to help you realize that there are godly people who love you and pray for you.

What Jesus Says at Communion

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on August 4, 2019 by Pastor Steve Shields

The New Testament is packed full of information about that first communion — the Last Supper. Matthew treats is somewhat concisely, spending only 11 verses on the actual meal.

What does he tell us? He tells us that Jesus says three things to the disciples.

And, as this podcast indicates, he says the same kinds of things to us today.

Spirit-Driven Changes :: Transitions

Presented by Pastor Steve Shields at Curwensville Alliance on 7/28/2019

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been talking about making personal transitions that will help us become who God intends us to become.

In this podcast, Pastor Steve revisits each of them and notes the underlying factor in living out these transitions.

Transitioning from Avoiding Pain to Embracing God :: Transitions

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 721/2019 by Pastor Steve Shields

How do you react to pain and to suffering?

I know – you react just like I do. You work to avoid it.

But having a mindset that wants to avoid pain and suffering at all costs can cause you problems when the inevitable pain and suffering comes into you life.

This podcast speaks to help us transition from avoiding pain and suffering at all costs to embracing God in the midst of suffering.

From the Everyday Kingdom to the Eternal Kingdom :: Transitions

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 7/14/2019 by Pastor Steve Shields

We live in an everyday world, but as Christians, we are part of an eternal kingdom. The Eternal Kingdom should be where we set our hearts and minds. It’s from the Eternal Kingdom that we draw our basis for living.

But the Everyday Kingdom tends to push it out until we find ourselves not just living here IN this everyday world, but we live as though we are OF this everyday world. The Everyday Kingdom becomes our identity.

In this podcast, Pastor Steve works to help us transition from the Everyday Kingdom to reflecting the Eternal Kingdom.