Playlist: Distraction (topic)
Age of Distraction
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)A distraction is any event that breaks our focus or attention. Satan's chief stock in trade is the distraction, creating confusion and consternation for all.
One Answer to Distractions
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Distractions and interruptions caused by phone, e-mail, computers, or texting are detrimental to productivity and to the operating a business at a profit.
Focus Is The Key
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)To counteract interruptions, we must rid ourselves of vague goal setting, replacing it with a deadline, continually reminding us that time is finite.
Time Management
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaA time management seminar teaches that unless we put large rocks (priorities) in a container first, the container will inevitably fill up with trivia.
Lest We Forget (2011)
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The modern Israelitish nations have difficulty remembering God, His providence, and His mercy. Ingratitude has been one of the worst traits of our culture.
Don't Lose Your Focus!
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPaul urged that we get our focus more balanced, emphasizing love over prophetic correctness, not remaining indifferent to what Christ deemed important.
Listening
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBiblical listening is not just hearing, but active understanding and responding, leading to changed behavior. Not hearing is tantamount to rebellion.
Make Sure NOW of Your Focus
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughDemas became distracted by pulls of the world, which may have started by small incremental seemingly innocent thoughts, but scuttled his conversion.
Make Sure of Your Focus!
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughDistractions produce a movement toward randomness and confusion, seriously endangering one's calling. We must sharpen our focus on God and His purpose.
A Feast Message From Hebrews
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Bible shows a clear pattern of how people leave the faith: looking back, drawing back, looking elsewhere, and then going backward and refusing to hear.
Don't Be Indifferent (1995)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe cannot allow ourselves to become surfeited with the world's distractions, being lulled off to sleep as the foolish virgins, wasting our precious time.
Indistractable
Commentary by Bill OnisickSocial media, text messages, e-mails, websites and blogs are competing for our time, eroding our attention spans and exhausting our ability to concentrate.
Don't Be Indifferent
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The frightful Trumpet Plagues are coming on the world because of the breaking of covenants on the part of people who should have known better.
Hebrews, Love, and the Ephesian Church
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLike the Ephesians, the weary veterans in Hebrews were becoming apathetic through outside pressures, losing their former zeal and devotion to Christ.
The Christian and the World (Part Eight)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughHaving anxiety, foreboding and fretting about food, clothing, and shelter, or being distressed about the future, demonstrates a gross lack of faith.
Hebrews 12 and 13: Advice for the End Time
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe must lay aside every weight, accept God's chastening, receive encouragement from those who have gone before, and get back into the spiritual race.
Friends
Sermonette by Craig SablichGod's people should not waste their time on entertainments dedicated to spreading Satan's lies, but rather turn their attention to pure and wholesome things.
Keeping Our Focus Through Stormy Seas
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingDistractions of any type may cause us to shift our attention from our Creator, as Jesus' disciples did on that stormy night in the Sea of Galilee.
The Grand Secret!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod reveals a grand secret through David: namely, that spiritual growth will come to people who set the Lord before oneself continuously.
Ping
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingGod has given to us spiritual sonar to help us to navigate in uncharted venues. As we pray, study, and meditate, we develop our spiritual sonar.
Don't Be Indifferent (2010)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Labor-saving technology seems to have had the effect of separating us from each other and making us indifferent to things that should be important to us.
Faith and the Christian Fight (Part Ten)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLike with the heroes of faith, our testing will be commensurate with the job God has prepared for us. We must make our relationship with God our top priority.
Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEven with Christ's sacrifice, God does not owe us salvation. We are called to walk, actively putting to death our carnal natures, resisting the complacency.
Balaam and the End-Time Church (Part 2)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBalaam, motivated by self-interest, believing that the ends justify the means, willing to do anything to get his way, is spiritually inferior to a donkey.
Hebrews: A Message for Today
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe book of Hebrews provides reasons to recapture flagging zeal, focusing on the reason for our hope and faith, establishing Christ's credentials.
Make Sure of Your Focus (1998)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur focus should be to seek God's kingdom, reciprocating God's love, committing ourselves to a life of service, fulfilling His purpose without complaining.
Our Spiritual Reality
Sermonette by Bill OnisickNeither virtual reality nor spiritual reality can be seen with the naked eye—the first requires equipment, and the second requires eyes of faith.
Life in Sodom
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughSodomites were industrious people, but they cared nothing for God, mirroring the worst aspects of modern Israel. We need to make sure that we live soberly.
Keeping Love Alive (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWorks demonstrate our faith, our response to God's calling and His freely given grace. Reciprocity is always a part of our relationship with God.
Focus on the First
Sermonette by Joseph B. BaityWe need to be less concerned about world events and more concerned about our relationship with God. The more serious conflict is the one within our heads.
Focusing on God's Thoughts
Sermonette by Craig SablichWe have the responsibility to hear God's still, small voice and to act upon His thoughts, thereby shunning the deceitful input constantly coming from Satan.
Hebrews (Part Ten): Chapters 1 and 2
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God created angels as ministering spirits to take care of the heirs of salvation. The Bible is filled with examples of angels rescuing God's people from harm.
Don't Meddle and Always Be Ready to Answer
Sermon by Mark SchindlerSatan seeks to distract God's people by enticing them to meddle in governmental matters, thereby endangering their relationship with God.
Matthew 24:34: 'This Generation'
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughPreterists hang their entire philosophy on the interpretation (or misinterpretation) of 'this generation' in Matthew 24:34. Here is what it means.
Brave New Dystopia
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Both Aldous Huxley and George Orwell predicted a transition from representative government into totalitarian regime, monitored by Big Brother.
Knowing Christ (Part 4)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSanctification is the longest, most difficult, and most grueling part of the conversion process—a time when suffering and sacrifice are demanded of us.
Hebrews (Part Eleven): A Simple Recap
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Most of the attrition from the truth stems from losing interest. Drifting away is rarely intentional, but the result of choosing to live carnally.
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The frightful conditions during the 1st century are typical of the times ahead. To weather these circumstances, we need the encouragement of Hebrews.
Resistance (Part One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe antidote to spiritual resistance is certainty and confidence in Christ to conform us into His image—a directed movement toward Christ.
Walking the Tightrope
Sermonette by Bill OnisickOur calling could be compared to tightrope walking, in which balance and proportion must be assiduously maintained and elements are in correct proportion.
Of Living Dogs and Dead Lions
Sermonette by Austin Del CastilloGuilt from failure to overcome is a dangerous distraction. When we consider God's profound pity, we realize that He is able to cleanse us, too.
Knowing God: Formality and Customs (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn the matter of godly standards for dress, we must adopt the humble, childlike, sincere, unassuming, and teachable attitude, loving God intimately.
New Covenant Priesthood (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughHumility is not low self esteem, but instead it is a proper estimate of our relationship to God, which is a choice to act and behave as a servant or slave.
Don't Be a Prudent Agnostic
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSome of us, facing the stress of the times, may simply be going through the motions but losing every vestige of faith. We must strengthen our convictions.
Hebrews (Part One)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughIn terms of spiritual insight, Hebrews is a pivotal book, whose function is to bridge the purposes and themes of the Old and New Testaments.
Pilgrim's Progress
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Mark SchindlerEach one of God's elect will go through a continuous succession of metaphorical hurricanes that will scuttle us unless we keep our focus on Christ.
A Disagreement With the Truth
Sermonette by Joseph B. BaityGod alone possesses truth and we must seek this truth as we would seek precious gems. Pride could be described as disagreement with the truth.
The Fourth Commandment (Part 4)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughFocusing on material and temporal things undermines faith. The Sabbath is holy time, created for building faith, energizing our minds for fellowship with God.
Hebrews (Part Two)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughHebrews is addressed to a people living at the end of an era, who were drifting away, had lost their devotion, and were no longer motivated by zeal.
Wilderness Wanderings (Part Three) - Handpicked Children
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God has allowed carnal nature to remain in His people so He can determine whether they seriously want to defeat the downward pulls of the flesh.
Handwriting on the Wall (2015)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)At the end of a seven year cycle, the seventh year on the Hebrew calendar, was the year of release when the Law was publicly and solemnly read.
Death, or Not A Hair of Your Head?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsOur challenge in the wake of the terrible things we witness now is to retain confidence that God is in control, even though our faith will be sorely tested.
Be Still!
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe end-time proclivity of 'running to and fro' like so many ants is not something of God. He did not intend for us to live in such a fast-paced world.
Keeping the Faith Once Delivered
Sermon by Kim MyersWinds of doctrine continue to blow through the church, including Sacred Names, new moons, and Christ's eternal pre-existence before His birth as a human.
Self-Discipline
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughProtestant theology recognizes that Christian self-discipline presents a major logical difficulty in its keystone doctrine of 'by grace alone.'
Follow the Herd?
Commentary by Mark SchindlerGreed has caused panic buying and selling of pharmaceutical stocks and has spawned a booming vaccine industry coupled with shameless scientific fraud.
Facing Times of Stress: Always in God's Presence
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe can maintain spiritual contact using David's tactic of continually maintaining the Lord before him in his thoughts, prayers, and meditations.
Enduring as a Good Soldier
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)To wage spiritual warfare, we must endure hardship, not entangling ourselves in the affairs of the world, being single-minded in pleasing our Captain.
Against All Odds
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe are assured victory if we put on the whole armor of God, standing together as a spiritual phalanx and repelling all attacks, the waves of trials we face.
Unity (Part 1): God and HWA
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughA major cause in the splitting of the church has been the wholesale rejection of the doctrines Herbert Armstrong, under God's inspiration, restored.
The Christian and the World (Part Nine)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAnxious care and foreboding are debilitating and faith-destroying. Meditating on what God has already done strengthens our faith and trust in God.
Hebrews (Part Fourteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughLike Jesus and other heroes of faith, we need to look beyond the present to the long term effects of the trials and tests we go though, seeing their value.
Looking Back
Sermon by Ryan McClureWe must be careful not to get too accustomed to the things of this world so that we find it difficult to leave it behind, like Lot's hapless wife.
Flee From Idolatry (Part Two): Faithfulness
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughLike a boxer, we must exert ourselves with a broad spectrum of skills to subdue our carnal bodies, mortifying the flesh with maximum self-discipline.
Stewardship of God's Temple (Part Seven)
Sermon by David F. MaasThe antidote to double-mindedness and distractions is single-minded focus on God's law through meditating God's word, thus guarding our hearts.
Faith and Spiritual Focus
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsFasting is not for pressuring God or attempting to put Him in debt, but instead to reveal what we really are, clothing us with the humility to yield to Him.
Pentecost and Time
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBecause of our 'time-bound' state, unless we sync with God's timetable, we are squandering our God-given time to become members of His family.
God's Perseverance With His Saints (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe seriously err if we rely on the secular media to give us spiritual understanding. God sends strong delusion to those who do not love the truth.
Giving All Diligence!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe recipients of Peter's epistle were having difficulty holding on to their faith, having succumbed to fear as a result of lack of discipline and laziness.
What's So Bad About Babylon? (2003) (Part 1)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe world's political, religious, economic, and cultural systems pose a danger to God's people, but God wants us to work out His plan within the Babylonian system.
Meditate on These Things
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe must avoid shallow thinking, developing spiritual depth by meditating upon God's creation, His truth, His Law and His standards of righteousness.
Satan (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSatan uses disinformation, spread through false ministers/prophets, teaching smooth things that destroy. We must test the spirits to ensure a teaching is from God.
Abraham (Part Six)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughAbraham was willing to lay down his life to rescue his nephew Lot. His sacrifice shows us what kind of effort and sacrifice is needed to wage spiritual war.
Flee From Idolatry (Part One): Self-Discipline
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThough Paul's spiritual credentials outstripped all of his coworkers, Paul used none of his rights as an apostle, but gave his life as a sacrifice.
Are We Redeeming the Time?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughTime is fleeting; any of us could perish tomorrow. Procrastination in matters of godliness can be fatal, as the parable of the rich fool teaches.
Shrugging Off Scoffers (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsAny prophetic speculation, accurate or not, is useless unless it is promotes diligence in living godly lives, eagerly preparing for the return of Christ.
Are You Dissipating Your Own Energy?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe need to be on guard against dissipating our energy, becoming over-immersed in activity and busyness to the point of losing overall effectiveness.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Gnostics criticized by Paul in Colossians 2:16-17 were guilty of bringing in ritualistic ascetic discipline to propitiate demons.
Narrow Is the Way
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughParadoxically, becoming a slave of righteousness — maintaining the narrow way — leads to freedom, peace of mind, and ultimately, God's Kingdom.
Truth (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIf we are going to search for truth, we should not be seeking it in the philosophies of men, but rather in the fullness of truth found in God's revelation.
Four Warnings (Part Four): Founded on the Rock
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughMixing the solid foundation of Christ's teachings with the sand of worldly philosophies and traditions ends in calamity. We must build on the Rock.
It is Done! The Perfect Peace of God
Sermon by Mark SchindlerIn the peace offering, Christ is the priest, offeror, and offering. Since all parties share the peace offering as a meal, it exemplifies a peaceful communion.
Prayer and Seeking God
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughRather than having an apathetic relationship toward God, we must ardently, earnestly, and fervently seek God in order to imitate His behavior in our lives.
Faith (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughFar from being blind, faith is based on analyzing, comparing, adding up from evidence in God's Word, our own experience, and our calling by God's Holy Spirit.
When Will God Answer?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod does not delay because of indifference, but wants to provide maximum opportunity for repenting, overcoming, and building character.
Overcoming Lying Spirits
Sermonette by Mark SchindlerIncreasingly, God's people are subject to continuous harassment and persecution because of Satan's double-barreled propaganda spewing from his media.
Christ's Responsibility, Resurrections, and All in All
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Christ's resurrection was bodily. He will destroy death before returning control back to the Father, at which time the entire creation would be all in all.
Polluted Sabbath?
Sermon by Bill OnisickPolluting and profaning God's Sabbath means to allow the distractions of the world to prevent us from calling the holy Sabbath a delight.
Seeing is Not Believing
Sermonette by Ryan McClureWe have the tendency when we see something to register it as truth imprinted on our minds. Jesus warned of deceptions that could confound our sense of sight.
Parable of the Lost Sheep
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingChrist shows His compassion and concern for those who have become distracted and fallen into error, providing an example to us to show mercy to others.
Giving Flows From the Focused Work of God
Sermonette by Mark SchindlerIf God's people keep their focus upon His purpose for them as outlined by His Holy Days, they will be able to accomplish the work God has given them.
Letters to Seven Churches (Part Eleven): Laodicea
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Laodiceans fail to reciprocate Christ's love for them. The comfort of prosperity blinded them to their spiritual condition, especially their need for Christ.
Letters to Seven Churches (Part Four): Pergamos
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughCultural compromise, such as found in Pergamos, brings judgment from Jesus. To those who refuse to compromise their convictions, Christ promises eternal life.
Running God's Marathon With Christ
Sermon by Mark SchindlerChrist endured many more than three temptations; rather, He was tested continuously, and perhaps the intensity increased as He neared the end of His life.
Learning the Right Things (Part Two)
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)If parents are not gatekeepers of their children's culture, other philosophies will capture their attention and warp their perception of reality.
Out Of Egypt
Sermonette by Ryan McClureThe Israelites witnessed many miracles, but their attention was short-lived as they prevailed upon Aaron to make a golden calf. They never really left Egypt.
Conforming to This World
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIt is far easier to conform to the world than to Christ. We must yield to God to renew our minds, living in the spirit rather than in the flesh.
Resistance (Part Two): Solutions
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughMoses, Jonah, David, and Gideon demonstrated resistance to God's prompts, indicating that they initially feared men more than they feared God.
A Time To Scatter
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeWhile we yearn for the church to be re-united, until our own personal walk with God is attained and we intently seek Him first, church unity will not happen.
Overcoming Hypocrisy
Sermonette by Bill OnisickWe are continually in danger of being deceived by our carnal nature, a nature which distracts us from following God, even though we go through the motions.
Newsworthy?
Commentary by Richard T. RitenbaughIt is blatantly apparent that the dominant (state controlled) media is deliberately tilting the slant of the news to the extreme far left.
The Handwriting is on the Wall: Conspiracies
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Conspiracies by political actors have led to grasping at power. We must not worry about conspiracies, but instead align ourselves with God's Kingdom.
Whatever We Ask
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPrayer comes under attack if we live double-lives, giving us a guilty conscience, not practicing what we have been taught, allowing our hearts to condemn us.
Will You Be Accounted Worthy for the Kingdom?
Sermon by John O. ReidLike businessmen reviewing plans, making forecasts, and anticipating accountability, God expects us to define and follow through on spiritual objectives.
What I Believe About Conspiracy Theories
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe drive toward one world government is a transparent reality having several biblical prototypes, all inspired by demonic opposition to God's rule.
Parables of Matthew 13 (Part 1): The Mustard Seed
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Bible, in both parables and prophecies, interprets itself and remains consistent in its use of symbols. We cannot arbitrarily attach meaning to symbols.
The Sovereignty of God (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe are assured that even though inexplicable things happen in our lives, God is still sovereign. We must develop childlike faith to trust in Him for solutions.
Deuteronomy (Part 5) (1994)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughParadoxically, humble obedience and dependency upon God strengthens us, while prideful self-sufficiency weakens us.
He Will Never Forsake Us!
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughIn Hebrews 13:5, there are five extremely emphatic negatives, indicating that God will never, never, never, never, never leave us.
The Fourth Commandment (Part 5)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe reason for refraining from many activities on the Sabbath is not labor or energy, but the overall motivation. Certain works are perfect for the Sabbath.