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Psalms 90-100
Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughPsalm 90 serves as the introductory psalm to Book Four of the Psalms, spanning from Psalm 90 to Psalm 106, with the overarching theme of the Lord reigning. Identified as a prayer of Moses, the man of God, it sets the tone by focusing on the eternity of God and the frailty of man. It begins with the supremacy of God, acknowledging Him as everlasting, the Creator, and the foundation of all things. Moses contrasts this with the fleeting nature of human life, highlighting the vast difference in the perception of time between God and man. To God, time is inconsequential, as He is sovereign over it, while for humans, life passes in a mere blink. Moses urges us to understand that God is in complete control, unaffected by the urgency humans feel for immediate resolution of pain or crises. He emphasizes that even if we pass away, God's power over time ensures that He can raise us up, rendering the span of time in the grave insignificant to Him. This perspective encourages faith in God's timing, whether for reward or for avenging wrongs, as time does not alter His ability to act justly. Moses suggests that the wise response to this reality is to use our limited years—seventy or eighty—to grow in wisdom and align with God's ways, ensuring we are prepared whenever He acts. In Psalm 90, there is a tone of frustration as Moses reflects on the delay of expected events, yet he pleads for God's compassion and mercy to guide us through life. He asks for Christ's return and the blessings it will bring, but if that does not occur in our lifetime, he seeks a balanced life of good and bad, with satisfaction in our physical existence. He desires that the work of our hands be established, leaving a lasting impact for future generations. This psalm captures the present state of humanity, applicable to all until Christ's return, as it voices universal requests for wisdom, a good life, and the best use of our time. Moses provides a framework for daily prayers, urging us to seek hope, joy, peace, and prosperity while awaiting God's perfect timing for His plan.
Psalms: Book Four (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughOnly 18 psalms—11.3%—apply to the fall holy days. Book IV of the Psalms align with Numbers in the Torah or Pentateuch, and Ecclesiastes in the Megilloth.
Psalms: Book Four: He Is Coming!
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Feast of Trumpets is like the opening salvo of the fall feasts, beginning with a blast of the trumpet or shofar, reminiscent of the event on Mount Sinai.
Psalms: Book Four: All His Benefits
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAll that we have has come from others, especially God. The Day of Atonement points out how needy and dependent on God we are; fasting shows our frailty.
Moses, Psalmist (Part 1)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughNot only is Moses the first recorded servant of God to write songs of praise, but all the other psalmists also generally follow his style and themes.
The W's and H's of Meditation (Part Four)
Sermon by David F. MaasMeditating on the perils of our transitory existence paradoxically leads to a longer, happier life as our portion of God's Spirit grows within us.
Strategies for Escaping Babylon (Part Four)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasWe must respond to our precious calling, choosing permanent eternal spiritual treasures, such as knowing God.
Simplifying Life (Part Two)
Sermon by David F. MaasWe are obligated to conserve and redeem time by prioritizing daily communion with the Father and Jesus Christ, dedicating time to spiritual practices.
Grow Up!
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughThe age of maturity used to be somewhere between 18 and 21 but it has steadily risen past college graduation to the threshold of a person's fourth decade.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Forty): Ecclesiastes 12:1-14
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughEcclesiastes 12:1-14 emphasizes the brevity and the progressively harder difficulties of life and urges youth to seek God before the decline of old age.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Thirty-Four): Ecclesiastes 9:2-12
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAlthough some try to make their lives easier by compromising, Solomon warns that all evil leads to death, and that doing evil in any circumstance is insane.
Simplify Your Life!
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughWe waste a lot of time on foolish pursuits, procrastination, and distractions. Getting control of our time is foundational for seeking God's Kingdom.
Stewards of the Mysteries of God
Sermon by Mark SchindlerThe lowly, not impeded so much with pride or ego, make better stewards than those who may seem more presumptuous and self-centered.
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.
Where is the Promise of His Coming?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsDoubting that Christ will return has always been problematic for the faithful weak as well as a tool of the heretics denying the second coming of Christ.
Those Who Mourn
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWorldly sorrow leads to death while godly sorrow leads to repentance and life. After godly repentance, sorrow is swallowed up in profound joy.
Looking Forward (Part 1)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe church may fear that the Lord is delaying His coming, and scoffers make the seeming delay worse. However, God is giving people opportunity for repentance.
Numbering Our Days
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe must allow God to show us how to carefully number our days in order to gain a heart of wisdom and develop a godly perspective upon our remaining time.
Vanity (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughVanity has many nuances, including transitoriness, futility, profitlessness, confusion, falseness, conceit, vainglory, denial, and idolatry.