C.G.G. Weekly Newsletter

05-Jan-24

Cracked But Not Broken

by Steven Skidmore
Many Christians have suffered loss recently. They learn to manage it, but sometimes, incessant waves of grief make them feel emotionally broken. They believe they will never recover. However, Isaiah 61:1 reassures us that our Savior was sent to heal the brokenhearted, those crushed in spirit. Steven Skidmore reflects on his experiences with loss, proposing that recent findings about Roman concrete provide a comforting metaphor for spiritual healing.

29-Dec-23

The Governors of Judah

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Conflicts between the State of Israel and its Muslim neighbors happen routinely, often as provocations and retaliations and sometimes as all-out wars. These battles draw the world's interest and, frequently, its intervention. Richard Ritenbaugh writes that biblical prophecy informs us to keep our eyes on Judah's governors - its prime ministers - because they are "like a firepan in the woodpile" in the fight for Jerusalem.

22-Dec-23

Christmas Contradictions

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Many professing Christians merrily observe Christmas every year while knowing they are celebrating a holiday with its origins in ancient paganism. Apologists brush such facts aside, justifying their observance by claiming that honoring Jesus on the day of His birth (also a lie) supersedes all contradictions and falsehoods. Richard Ritenbaugh suggests that people, following human nature, will excuse ungodly practices if they appear to receive enjoyment or benefits from them.

15-Dec-23

Jesus, Nathanael, and Jacob's Ladder

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh
When they first met, Jesus was astounded by Nathanael's quick belief in His divinity and sovereignty, telling him he would see even greater things as His disciple. As an example of one of those more significant experiences, He reaches back to the beginning of Jacob's conversion and his dream of the ladder or stairway ascending to heaven. Richard Ritenbaugh considers the deep meaning of this often neglected type fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

08-Dec-23

Trust the Bible (Part Two)

by Craig Sablich
In these times, many people do not know what to make of the Bible. Is it true? Is it inspired? Is it complete? Is it relevant for modern times? Is it not full of errors and contradictions? Is it not just one among many "sacred texts"? Craig Sablich demonstrates that when sincerely investigated, the Bible reveals itself to be true, relevant, and authoritative for Christians.

01-Dec-23

Trust the Bible (Part One)

by Craig Sablich
Many people do not know what to think about the Bible. It seems strange to them, ancient and unverifiable - just one among many claimants to ultimate truth. Are we, as studious Christians, prepared to answer their questions and ease their doubts? Craig Sablich provides a number of avenues we can take to provide truth and reassurance about the Bible's claims to be the revealed Word of the Creator God.

24-Nov-23

Thankful Forever

by Martin G. Collins
Four significant holidays crowd the end-of-the-year calendar, and guess which one usually ends up receiving the least notice? Thanksgiving, the only holiday designed to express gratitude to the beneficent God for all His bounty given to us. It sometimes seems Black Friday gets more attention! Martin Collins extols the benefits of thankfulness.

17-Nov-23

Peace and Safety

by David C. Grabbe
Powerful and wealthy empires and nations like the United States tend to become lax, allowing immorality and corruption to undermine them, even while they still appear strong. Scripture provides the example of ancient Israel, who fell to Assyria at the height of her power because God decided to punish the Israelites for their sins against Him. David Grabbe sounds a warning to America, an increasingly sinful nation.

10-Nov-23

Sanctified by Truth

by John Reiss
In His John 17 prayer before His arrest, Jesus asked His Father to sanctify His disciples by His truth, His Word. Indeed, believing and observing the revealed truth of God not only makes the elect holy but also separates them from those of the world around them! John Reiss reviews five fundamental truths that distinguish the church of God from other religious organizations.

03-Nov-23

The Place of Prophecy

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh
The Bible is roughly one-third prophecy, but some Christians seem to study and talk about it as if Scripture contained nothing else. In time, such Christians often become imbalanced and perhaps regress in their efforts to follow Jesus Christ. Richard Ritenbaugh argues that prophecy must take its proper place behind doctrine and Christian living because our most important goal is take on the character image of Christ.

27-Oct-23

Walking to Emmaus

by James C. Stoertz
Imagine spending a long walk with God Himself, engaging in an extended conversation about what He is and is doing among humanity. What an honor and pleasure that would be! Cleopas and another disciple did just that on the road to Emmaus after Jesus' resurrection, and their hearts burned within them. James Stoertz gathers a handful of lessons we can learn from their encounter with Christ in Luke 24.

20-Oct-23

Our True Identity

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh
"Identity" is the watchword of the day among progressive Western societies, and the whole movement is centered on sexual orientation. At creation, God states simply that human beings are male and female, both made in His image. What a high status! But when have carnal people accepted God's perspective? Richard Ritenbaugh explains that, upon their conversion, the elect possess an even higher identity.

13-Oct-23

Inured, Calloused, Apathetic

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Despite being mere collections of sounds or symbols, words have meanings. Among the most meaningful are those that describe attitudes and traits we need to develop or need to eliminate from our character. Richard Ritenbaugh focuses on "inured," "calloused," and "apathetic," three adjectives Christians should be loath to discover to describe their attitudes toward sin and evil in the world.

15-Sep-23

Which God Do You Worship?

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Anciently, when the world was predominantly pagan and each religion had a pantheon of gods to choose from, individuals had their favorites. These days, the popular view is that there is only one God - especially for Christians, Jews, and Muslims - but many roads to the same destination. Richard Ritenbaugh argues that most people today, like the ancients, worship a god in their own image but not the God of the Bible.

08-Sep-23

'I Will Come Again'

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh
The meaning of the Feast of Trumpets can seem enigmatic due to the Bible's seeming lack of information on it, but with a little detective work, we find it anticipates the most significant event in human history: the coming return of Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords! Richard Ritenbaugh explains why this keystone holy day should be one of great joy for the church and for the whole world!

01-Sep-23

Choose the Right Foundation

by John Reiss
Matthew 7:26-27 contains Jesus’ warning about unstable foundations: But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. ...

25-Aug-23

No Good Thing Will He Withhold (Part Two)

by Pat Higgins
In His love, God has called His elect to a life of trials. While the process seems counterintuitive initially, it prepares God's people for the jobs He will give them in His Kingdom. Moreover, the more intense the trials, the greater one's Millennial responsibilities may be. Pat Higgins compares the apostle Paul's many perilous trials and his possible reward, drawing a parallel to our lives now and after the first resurrection.

18-Aug-23

No Good Thing Will He Withhold (Part One)

by Pat Higgins
Psalm 84:11 promises that God will withhold "no good thing" from the upright. He is constantly searching for ways to do us good. But we lack His perspective, and when He denies us something we ask for - perhaps for deliverance amid a sore trial - we sometimes believe He is treating us unfairly. Pat Higgins urges us to trust God's unfailing love for us and accept even His negative answers to our prayers.

11-Aug-23

Is Venting Anger Sin?

by Mark Schindler
Reports of road rage litter the news, and too often, someone is severely hurt or even killed. Anger is boiling over these days, and Christians need to learn, not to vent, but to exercise self-control as it is a short step from anger to sin. Mark Schindler presents the sinless example of Jesus Christ as the model of controlling His anger yet using it righteously when called for.

04-Aug-23

Comfort One Another With These Words

by Martin G. Collins
Sometimes the death of a loved one is gut-wrenchingly sudden and, at other times, exhaustingly drawn out. In most cases, it scrambles our emotions and leaves us down and uncertain. During such times, God provides great comfort in the hope of the resurrection. Martin Collins urges members of the church to comfort one another with words of hope about God's promise of eternal life.

28-Jul-23

Can We Trust Luke?

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh
In this skeptical age, Christians must deal with the fact that many Bible helps show a bias against Scripture's accuracy and reliability. In the past, critical scholars targeted the books of Luke and Acts as a made-up tale written nearly two centuries after the fact. Using the writings of Sir William Ramsay, Richard Ritenbaugh shows that, to the contrary, Luke can be ranked among the world's foremost historians.

21-Jul-23

House Rules

by David C. Grabbe
Every successful home has what is called "house rules." If an individual desires to remain a tenant in the house, he or she must abide by specific rules so that all the inhabitants can coexist peacefully and harmoniously. David Grabbe utilizes the idea of house rules to illustrate the function and purpose of God's law for those called into His house to become members of His Family.

14-Jul-23

Breaking Bad Habits

by Mike Fuhrer
Many of us take our "little" bad habits for granted, taking them lightly because the Ten Commandments do not mention them specifically. Even so, their falling short of Christ's goodness marks them as sins, so we must overcome them. Mike Fuhrer advises us to start with an attitude of humility and with great thoroughness root out the bad habits that may keep us from entering God's Kingdom.

07-Jul-23

Reaching for the Goal

by Gary Montgomery
God set human beings on this earth to thrive and progress, and more importantly, He has called some out of this world to grow into the image of Jesus Christ. As with any project, such a grand goal demands a plan, a strategy, for making it a reality. Gary Montgomery provides a seven-step plan for attaining goals - a plan we can use to do our part in pressing for the ultimate goal of eternal life in God's Kingdom.

30-Jun-23

Tolerating Sin

by Ronny H. Graham
Our progressive culture pushes a kind of tolerance not found in its traditional definition. Today, people are "encouraged" to allow just about anything - but should someone express a contrary opinion, he should be canceled! Ronny Graham urges God's people to evaluate how much of the culture of tolerance they have allowed themselves to accept.

23-Jun-23

We Persuade Men

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh
God sends His servants into the world to "persuade men" about the good news of the Kingdom of God. It is not an easy task because, for many reasons, people are disinclined to accept the truths and requirements the gospel presents. Richard Ritenbaugh provides the antidote to any sense of futility: God is in control, and the work will be done to His glory.

16-Jun-23

Deep Thinkers

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Some people contend that Christianity is a simple person's religion, and thus, Christians are simple-minded people. But nothing could be further from the truth! God's purpose in the salvation process is to train His saints to think just as Christ does! Richard Ritenbaugh encourages God's people to learn to think deeply about the truths revealed in Scripture.

09-Jun-23

Little Choices

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Before the political left hijacked the term "choice," its philosophical meaning was “an individual’s freedom to determine the moral course of his own life.” This is, of course, what theologians and philosophers call “free moral agency” or “free will.” ...

02-Jun-23

The Death of His Saints

by David C. Grabbe
Near the end of Psalm 116, a psalm of thanksgiving for God's deliverance from an untimely death, the psalmist writes, "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints." Why does God consider His elects' deaths to be "precious"? David Grabbe explains the cooperative work of God in each of His chosen people, with death as a marker of their spiritual completion and readiness for resurrection.

26-May-23

Pentecost and Memorial Day

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh
The Feast of Pentecost and Memorial Day fall back-to-back on the calendar this year, as they occasionally do. Though they are very different holidays, separated by time, place, culture, and meaning. Despite those differences, Richard Ritenbaugh posits that both are memorials to those who have paid the ultimate price for their nations.

19-May-23

Pentecost and Symbolism (Part Two)

by John Reiss
Many Bible students place great value on biblical symbols to help them understand Scripture. However, symbolism is a human interpretation of God's revelation, not the pure truth of His Word. John Reiss uses his own misunderstanding of symbols connected to the Pentecost wave offering to show how we must ensure our understanding is based on truth, not speculation.

12-May-23

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