Playlist:

playlist Go to the Focus (topic) playlist

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.


In Focus or Out?

CGG Weekly by Gary Montgomery

What do an astronomer, a microbiologist, and a photographer have in common? They each use a lensed instrument to see God's physical creation in detail.


Make Sure of Your Focus!

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Distractions produce a movement toward randomness and confusion, seriously endangering one's calling. We must sharpen our focus on God and His purpose.


Focus on the First

Sermonette by Joseph B. Baity

We 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.


Keeping Our Focus Through Stormy Seas

Sermonette by Ted E. Bowling

Distractions 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.


Focus!

Sermonette by Joseph B. Baity

Many spiritual parallels exist regarding the function of the camera lens to enable light rays to converge at a specific point.


Don't Lose Your Focus!

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Paul urged that we get our focus more balanced, emphasizing love over prophetic correctness, not remaining indifferent to what Christ deemed important.


Make Sure NOW of Your Focus

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Demas became distracted by pulls of the world, which may have started by small incremental seemingly innocent thoughts, but scuttled his conversion.


Focusing on God's Thoughts

Sermonette by Craig Sablich

We 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.


Focus

Sermon by John O. Reid

Though Christ has warned us to be aware of the times, we need to be more alert to how we are living. End-time events should lead us to repentance.


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.


Rivet Your Eyes on the Destination

Article by John O. Reid

Overconcern with the around-and-about tends to distracts us, and before we know it we are off course. Preparation for God's Kingdom depends on our focus


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.


Put God First

CGG Weekly by John Reiss

It is easy to be distracted by things other than prayer, Bible study, and our relationship with God. He rarely zaps us to remind us to study and pray.


Is Your Eye Single?

Sermonette by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

If our goal is wrong, our entire being will be off. Our first priority is to be loyal to God, casting aside all distractions and other interests.


What Is Your Game?

Sermonette by Ronny H. Graham

Paul was certainly aware of the obsessiveness of Olympic athletes but stressed that sacrificing for eternal, godly character was a far wiser investment.


Staying On Point

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

We need to carefully consider whether TV and the Internet are really a blessing or a potentially life-threatening curse—another pull we are forced to resist.


Identifying Our Idols

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We tend to ignore the possibility of idolatry in our lives. But we need to do the hard thing and examine ourselves to identify any hidden idols.


Listening

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Biblical listening is not just hearing, but active understanding and responding, leading to changed behavior. Not hearing is tantamount to rebellion.


Never Saw it Coming

Sermonette by Joseph B. Baity

Thievery, both literal and metaphorical, is commonplace, but because of normalcy bias, we underestimate threat warnings, thinking that nothing will get in our way.


Excellence in Character (Part Two)

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

Scripture defines virtue as a strength or power that disciplined people use to produce beautiful traits of goodness.


Walking the Tightrope

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

Our calling could be compared to tightrope walking, in which balance and proportion must be assiduously maintained and elements are in correct proportion.


Beware the Second Flood (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

The immediate danger lies not as much in the specific teachings of the flood from the serpent but in their sheer volume. The peril lies in being swept away.


Don't Meddle and Always Be Ready to Answer

Sermon by Mark Schindler

Satan seeks to distract God's people by enticing them to meddle in governmental matters, thereby endangering their relationship with God.


Pilgrim's Progress

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Mark Schindler

Each 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.


Friends

Sermonette by Craig Sablich

God'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.


Looking Back

Sermon by Ryan McClure

We 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.


How to Combat Future Shock

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Alvin Toffler described a phenomenon known as Future Shock, a stressful malady caused by an inability to adjust to rapid change and over-stimulation.


Start Now to Begin Walking

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The things of God require digging; it is time to walk step-by-step to the finish of the cause He has called us to complete.


The W's and H's of Meditation (Conclusion)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. Maas

Because we will ultimately turn into what we assimilate, we must take back the hijacked tool of meditation to drive out carnal thoughts.


The Feast Is Coming!

CGG Weekly by John O. Reid

What should we have on our minds as we prepare to go to the Feast of Tabernacles this year? What overall message does keeping this festival teach us?


Deuteronomy: Hearing

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

By listening, taking heed, and drinking in of God's Word daily, we take on the wisdom of God, upending and making foolish the wisdom of man.


Rejoice at the Feast

Sermonette by Mike Ford

Deuteronomy 16:13 and other scriptures admonish us to rejoice at the Feast of Tabernacles. How does this apply if things go wrong?


Self-Discipline

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Protestant theology recognizes that Christian self-discipline presents a major logical difficulty in its keystone doctrine of 'by grace alone.'


Thankfulness

Sermonette by James Beaubelle

Robbing God extends far beyond the neglect of tithes and offerings, but also includes ignoring God and neglecting to thank Him for the plethora of blessings.


New Covenant Priesthood (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Sacrifices of thanksgiving, praise, and gratitude are required of God's called out priests. By meditating on the right things, we prepare ourselves for prayer.