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How Does God Help Us? (Part 2)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God is ever-present in guiding and supporting His people, leading us day and night on our spiritual journey, just as He led Israel out of Egypt toward the Promised Land. He not only directs us forward but also prevents us from returning to bondage, blocking paths that would lead us backward and ensuring we move toward His purpose. Even in our moments of weakness or rebellion, He patiently works to keep us on track, providing time to build faith through experience with Him. His provision is abundant, as seen in the vast amounts of food, water, and guidance supplied to Israel in the wilderness—manna, water from rocks in gushing streams, and quail stacked deep on the ground. He sustains us spiritually with equal generosity, offering His word as food and His Holy Spirit as water, nurturing and strengthening us for growth. His patience is immense, enduring our failures and hard-heartedness just as He did with Israel, often refraining from judgment and instead extending mercy and grace to help us develop a new heart. God also protects us by setting limits on our trials and temptations, ensuring they do not overwhelm us, much like a parent safeguards a child. He provides a way of escape, remaining faithful even when we falter, as exemplified in His merciful dealings with Lot despite his poor choices. He equips us with His truth, a powerful tool that enables understanding and belief, empowering us to make choices that align with His will and to produce godly works. As our High Priest, Jesus Christ continues to guide and supply our needs, just as He did with the apostles and with Israel through the Cloud. His unchangeable priesthood ensures He is with us and in us on our pilgrimage, offering counsel and comfort. He supplies continuously as needed, preparing us for the Kingdom of God through trials that test our faithfulness and reveal our motivations, always providing the strength to endure and overcome. Through His miraculous gifts, including the opening of our minds to His truth, He separates us for His purpose, giving us the responsibility to actively use what He has provided, to grow, and to avoid standing still in the face of spiritual warfare.

Power Belongs to God (Part One)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

God's power and faithfulness are of supreme importance in these critical times. Our salvation lies in His hands, for He has the power to save. As David expressed in Psalm 59:9-10, I will wait for You, O You his Strength; for God is my defense. My God of mercy shall come to meet me; God shall let me see my desire on my enemies. David's confidence rises because he believes in God's awareness and strength, which can put down nations, and in His mercy toward those who serve Him. In Psalm 59:16-17, David sings of God's power and mercy, affirming his trust in God as his defense and refuge in times of trouble. Psalm 62 instructs us that the supreme power in all creation is God. David declares that from God comes salvation, that He is our Deliverer from trouble, our rock, and our source of stability, keeping us grounded and free from unreasonable anxieties. He is our defense, able to deflect attacks in ways humans cannot provide. God is our glory, giving us favor even before those who oppose us, and our refuge, a place of safety in any circumstance. David urges others to pray, for God is a solid place of refuge in times of trouble, and power belongs to Him alone. All power flows from Him, and He distributes it as He sees fit, making Him the only One we can fully rely on in our time of need. David reminds us in Psalm 62:11 that God's will always decides the outcome of any dispute, for no one can resist Him. God's power is not merely brute strength but includes qualities like love, intellect, wisdom, understanding, vision, logic, energy, eloquence, authority, control, mastery, persuasion, and forgiveness. In every area of need, God is superior to any other source we might seek. David suggests that when we need help in times of trouble, we should go directly to the top, for our Father is willing to provide these things for us. Even His correction, though sometimes painful, is an act of love, and His power and willingness to act according to His purpose form the foundation of a believer's practical faith in Him.

Power Belongs to God (Part 2)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We may be going through a period of hopelessness, but must believe that all things work together for those who believe and are called for His purpose.

Fearing God's Willingness

CGG Weekly

When the Bible is mentioned as a resource of strength and purpose to some people, they meet it with everything from eye-rolls to bitterness and apathy.

Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty (Part Four)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Government may be the most important subject in the Bible because it touches on how Christians are to govern themselves under the sovereignty of God.

God's Perseverance With His Saints (Part One)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

God, as our true Shepherd, provides total protection of His called out-ones forever. Being kept in God's name refers to assimilating the attributes of God.

Give God Something to Bless

Sermonette by Hunter D. Swanson

We are not puppets whom God and Satan are fighting to take control over. We are fighting carnal nature and must always take action to give our hearts to God.

God Works in Marvelous Ways (Part Two)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God's mysteries have been in plain sight from the beginning of time, but carnality has obscured them from mankind.

Deuteronomy (Part 6)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God is absolutely faithful to finish what He started, knowing the end from the beginning. Our strength is dependent upon the relationship we have with God.

The Sin of Fear (Part Two)

'Ready Answer' by Pat Higgins

There are two seemingly-contradictory types of fear, the good fears and the bad ones. We must begin and remain in the proper fear of God to cast off other fears.

Preparing for Bad Times (Part 1)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Both the watchman and the one who hears have a responsibility to make preparations for bad times, helping themselves and others through the tough times.

All in All (Part 2)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

While we are not yet 'all in all' with God's purpose for us, we will, if we yield to our calling and sanctification, become at one with God.

Psalm Genres (Part Four): Laments

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Life is often filled with storms of sorrow and trial, far beyond mere rain as the poet suggested. In this world, hardship prevails, and without divine intervention, a life untouched by grief is nearly impossible. Yet, even amidst such struggles, there is purpose in the pain when God is involved. He uses these trials to shape us into the image of His Son, turning our suffering into opportunities for growth and joy if we remain faithful to Him. By understanding life's woes and seeking wisdom through them, as Solomon advises, we can transform our existence from one of woe to one of joy through reliance on God. The Psalms, particularly the laments which dominate a third of the collection, openly acknowledge human suffering. These psalms serve as appeals to God for rescue from various distresses, whether personal or communal. They do not shy away from the harsh realities of life but bring them into focus, encouraging us to confront and process our grief. Through singing or studying these laments, we engage both emotionally and intellectually, finding ways to endure and learn from our troubles. God provides these numerous opportunities within the Psalms to reflect on our trials and seek His help. In the structure of lament psalms, a pattern emerges where the psalmist begins with a cry to God, often using exalted titles, and voices the specific crisis at hand. The psalmist then petitions God for specific actions to resolve the situation, expresses confidence in His power, and concludes with praise or a vow to honor Him. This progression from despair to trust, as seen in Psalm 64, illustrates a journey from woe to hope, affirming that God will turn negative circumstances into positive outcomes for those who trust in Him. Psalm 44, a communal lament, further demonstrates this trust in divine help despite unresolved pain. The psalmist recalls God's past deliverances, expresses confusion over current abandonment, asserts faithfulness to God, and ultimately trusts that He will deliver in His perfect timing. Even without immediate resolution, the psalm ends with a raw faith in God's mercy, believing that He watches over the situation and will act according to His greater purpose. This serves as a template for enduring severe trials, showing that we must hold fast to trust in Him, knowing that He will help in His time, whatever the outcome may be.

The Sabbath: Redemption

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God has blessed us with the Sabbath, a period of holy time, when He redeems us from the clutches of our carnality and this evil world.

Joshua's Four Miracles (Part One)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Israel's conquest of Canaan under Joshua can be a metaphor for the journey from baptism to entering God's kingdom, especially for the second generation.