In Sermons:

David Lives Among The Philistines Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 3, 2023

“But David thought to himself, “One of these days I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul. The best thing I can do is to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will give up searching for me anywhere in Israel, and I will slip out of his hand.”

David and his 600 men having been running here and there, constantly pursued by King Saul and the troops of Israel. He’s managed to evade Saul for a long time now, because God is with him. Several times he’s encountered Saul personally now, and spared his life. But David starts to feel like the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 27:1-4

Denomination: Salvation Army

David Spares Saul's Life A Second Time Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 27, 2023

David has already spared Saul’s life once, in a situation where he is running. Now there is a new situation, but the same life is in his hands, what will he do?

Do you ever feel in your life like you’ve been tested in this area already? I know I’ve felt that way. Lord I went through this test already. I’ve given you my problems. I’ve given you my sins. But God says, I will test you again, and your faith will be proven. David went from being a shepherd ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 26:1-25

Denomination: Salvation Army

King Jesus Christ The Lord Of The Sabbath Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 27, 2023

People take notice and the growth of the Jesus movement blows up. People in Israel begin to realize Jesus is something special in the history of the universe. And they want to know more. We should still want to know more today. Who was this Jesus? Why did he do what he did?

My girlfriend and I went to the dog groomer yesterday, we took her dog Sam in. He was not at all happy when he realized where we were taking him. Sam does not like the groomer, because of the loud noises, and the strange environment. So Sam was shaking as the groomer worked. Sam was uncertain, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:13-28

Denomination: Salvation Army

Abigail Calms The Wrath Of David Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 19, 2023

The prophet of God has now died. And David moves his men into the desert.

In chapter 25 of 1st Samuel we see several turning points in the life of David. Many years ago David had been a young shepherd boy when he met a prophet of Israel named Samuel. But the story is about to shift radically. It says in 1st Samuel 25:1: “Now Samuel died, and all Israel assembled and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 25:1-2

Denomination: Salvation Army

A Rock Solid Faith In The God Of The Impossible Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 19, 2023

“Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.”

I remember growing up there were always students at school who were excluded. Some of them were excluded because they were different, they were handicapped, and others were excluded because they were considered different, were considered “losers” and sat at the “loser table.” What does it feel ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:40, Mark 2:1

Denomination: Salvation Army

Nursing Home Devotional: Parable Of The Talents

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 19, 2023

A message on the talents for nursing home audience

I’d like to share with you today a parable that Jesus taught during his ministry, called the parable of the talents. From Matthew chapter 25, verses 14-30. The scripture says this: “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Salvation Army

David Cuts The Corner Of Saul's Garment In The Cave Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 19, 2023

David didn’t kill Saul, but he’s even upset that he cut off a corner of his robe. How could he do this to the one God has placed as king? This is a man with a very strong conscience.

Have you ever had something really bad happen, and you wonder to yourself? How could God let this happen? Why is this happening? Or maybe you think, I can’t handle this. You feel overwhelmed. What do we do when we feel overwhelmed? We get through it. We let ourselves feel it. And we get through ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 24:1-2

Denomination: Salvation Army

Jesus Casts Out Impure Spirits And Heals A Fever Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 19, 2023

Jesus is operating in a small part of ancient Israel, in the region of Galilee. And we’re going to see Jesus engaging in the spiritual battle, by dealing demons that are inhabiting people.

"John Paton was a missionary in the New Hebrides Islands. One night hostile natives surrounded the mission station, intent on burning out the Patons and killing them. Paton and his wife prayed during that terror-filled night that God would deliver them. When daylight came they were amazed to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:21-30

Denomination: Salvation Army

David's Mighty Men Protect Keilah From The Philistines Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 19, 2023

David is inspired by God to move to protect Israel from an enemy nation that has constantly assaulted them. The Philistines are attacking Keilah. David asks God what to do.

One day news came to David that the Philistines were at Keilah stealing grain from the threshing floors. David asked the Lord, “Should I go and attack them?” “Yes, go and save Keilah,” the Lord told him. -1st Samuel 23:1-2 David gang of followers are hiding out in the caves, in the fields, and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 23:26-29

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Uniqueness Of Mark's Gospel: John The Baptist In The Wilderness Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 19, 2023

Focusing in on Mark chapter one verses 1-20, and we’ll be reflecting on three key events in this first portion of Mark. We’ll be looking at the ministry of John the Baptist as he prepared for the coming of Jesus, then the baptism of Jesus, and Jesus’ calling his first disciples.

Last night I was listening to some beautiful music. And I was just thinking, this music is a gift from God. It really is. Who is this creator who made everything? How are we to understand who he is? Of course, we know we understand from his word, but I was thinking, and I wondered: What can we ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-20

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Village That Came To Believe Because Jesus Knew All There Was To Know About Someone Series

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Mar 11, 2023

The woman at the well and this man who asked her for water, who just happened to know all there was to know about her. Who is he?

The Village who came to believe because Jesus knew all there was to know about someone. John 4:1-42. Helen Keller was a great author, political activist and lecturer. Who though born with normal vision and hearing, lost them at the age of 19 months due to an illness, this left her mute. When Helen ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:10-11

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Man Who Is No Longer Blind. Series

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Mar 7, 2023

John 9, the man who was born blind, are we as open to Jesus as he was or closed to Jesus?

John 9:1-41 A man who is no longer blind. One of the sports that I participated in as a young bloke was caving, the Nelson region has some amazing caves, and I had a few adventures with the Nelson Caving Club. Plus, we would do a few caving trips just as a group of friends. One thing that I ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-41, John 7:1, John 8:12

Denomination: Salvation Army

Encouragement For God's Weary Soldiers

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 2, 2023

We need to adjust our entire mindset on this battlefield. We need to focus on Jesus Christ our glorious, victorious, perfect savior full of perfect love and grace and truth, and find refreshment for our souls.

Soldiers gather on the outskirts of a city. There are about two hundred of them gathered there, though other groups of faithful fighters are gathered in other places, some out in the woods encamped around fires, others in facilities deep within the cities. These soldiers are beat up, bruised, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:31, Psalm 123:1, Romans 5:3-5

Denomination: Salvation Army

David Gathers A Band Of Outcasts In The Cave Stronghold Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Feb 27, 2023

Two houses are being built, one is solid, the other is brittle, and caving in on itself. These are the two paths, one of David, the man of God, and Saul, the man in rebellion.

Two roads are beginning to form, two roads in two starkly different directions. We’ve both been on these roads. Maybe not to this extreme, but we have. We’ve seen where God’s path leads, to hope, to challenges, to victory, and yes, the valley of the shadow of death too, dark times, but, we’ve also ...read more

Denomination: Salvation Army

Repentance Is The Seed Of Revival: Letter To The Church Of Laodicea Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Feb 27, 2023

This was the banking center of Asia minor, working with money, and power and influence, business and jobs and industry, manufacturing, and goods and products. Reminds one of the United States of America, so much money, so many goods and services, and so much abundance.

“We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven. We have been preserved, the many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Denomination: Salvation Army