Marbaniang, Domenic

Acts 1:8 – Power of Holy Spirit Acts 3.6 – Authority. Not Silver and Gold… Jesus didn’t leave them with monetary assets, but gave them authority in His Name. Acts 4:30,31 – Not to flee the field, but to boldly proclaim despite opposition Acts 5: 11,12 – Purity of Church Acts 6:7 – Administrative Wisdom Acts 9:31 – Divine Breakthrough. The Big Fish Acts 12:24 – National Changes. The church prayed.

Miracles of Creation – e.g Blind Eyes Opened, Aaron's Rod Budded Miracles of Multiplication – e.g. Multiplication of Bread and fish, Widow's Oil Multiplied Miracles of Resurrection - e.g. Raising Lazarus Miracles of Power over Nature – e.g Stilling Storm, Walking on Water, Dividing Red Sea, Iron swims Miracles of Destruction – e.g. Withering of the Fig Tree, Uzzah Struck Dead Miracles of Healing - e.g. Healing of Naaman Miracles of Transformation - e.g. Water Turned into Wine Miracles of Opening - e.g. Balaam's Donkey Speaks, Elisha's Servant's Eyes Opened Miracles of Protection - e.g. Daniel in Lions' Den; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

"Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket." (Acts 9:25) Christians having access to the wall are responsible to help save lives of other Christians threatened by enemies of the Gospel; if unable to physically help, then at least fervently pray and send relief by any means possible. (Matt.10:23; 2Cor.11:23; 1Sam.19:12; Rom.15:30-32; Acts 12:5; 2Thes.3:1,2; Matt.25:37-40; Phil.4:15-18). When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. (Matt.10:23) In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me; but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands. (2Cor.11:32-33) So Michal let David down through a window. And he went and fled and escaped. (1Sam.19:12) For if you remain completely silent at this time, re...

"Love the LORD your God with all your ...strength." (Mk.12:30) There is a reason why Solomon tells young people to remember God when they are still young (Ecc12:1); it's because youth is the time when one has great opportunities to love God truly with all one's strength. It's the time when one can choose to use his strength for the Master. To know God at an old age is fine; however, then strength is weak, the keepers tremble, and the grasshopper is a burden (Eccl.12:3-5). But, in the robust vigor of youth, one can truly speak of loving God with all one's strength. In his youth, David could talk of God as the one who trained his hands for war so that his arms could bend a bow of bronze and his feet could run against a troop and leap over a wall (Psa.144:1; 18:29,34). But, in his old age, he could not speak of being able in the same manner. David had the blessing of serving the Lord with all his strength in his youth. There is no sadder sight than a young person...

There are two kinds of sorrow: godly sorrow and godless or worldly sorrow (2Cor.7:10). Godly sorrow over sin leads to repentance; godly sorrow over the state of people or things leads to prayer (often with fasting) and action. Godless sorrow leads to works of flesh, to anger, lust, bitterness, hatred, and ultimately death. Godless sorrow is abomination in God's eyes. Godless sorrow hurts self and others. Examples of Godless Sorrow: 1. Cain's sadness that led to hatred and murder (Gen.4:5-7) 2. Sorrow of the Israelites for not having their lust for meat being fulfilled (Num.11:4-6) 3. Ahab's sorrow for not getting Naboth's land that he coveted (1Kgs.21:1-4). 4. Sorrow of Judas Iscariot that led to his suicide (Matt.27:3-5). 5. Sorrow of Abraham out of not knowing the will of God (Gen.21:11,12); but, when he knew God's will, he immediately obeyed God. 6. Sorrow of Jonah out of selfish pity (Jonah 4) Examples of Godly Sorrow: 1. Sorrow of David over his sin (Psa.51). 2...

We will all have to give an account to God of our: Thoughts/Conscience (Rom.2:15-16; Heb.4:12,13) Words (Matt.12:36; Jude 14-16; 2Cor.5:10) Works (Eccl.12:14; Rev.20:12,13) Desires/Pursuits (Rom.2:7) Treasures, Stewardship/Talents, Expenditures and Investments (Matt.6:20; Phil.4:17; Matt.25:19; 1Tim.6:17-19; Rev.3:18) Obedience to Faith (Rom.4:3; 2Thess.1:8) Choices and Lifestyle, Time Spent (Eccl.11:9) Souls (Heb.13:17; Rom.14:12; 1Cor.8:12,13; 1Pet.5:4) Acts towards the Body of Christ (1Cor.3:10-17) Ministry (James 3:1; Lk.12:47-48; Jer.48:10; 2Cor.4:1-2)

In the past, empires and regimes identified national integrity with a cultural, ideological or religious unity of some kind. Thus, from Nebuchadnezzar's Golden Image and Alexander's Hellenization to Nazi Fascism and Soviet Communism, the attempt was to unify on the basis of symbols, forms, and slogans. However, it didn't unite but only divide turning a nation against itself and its own people, in some cases leading to persecution by the government of the very people it was called to protect. Opposed to such false ideals of national integrity, modern secular constitutions envisage justice, equality, fraternity, and liberty as the chief principles of nationhood. In an increasingly globalizing era, cultural pride and cultural monism can never be the answer. The parade and propagation of symbols and slogans don't help much in the improvement of the nation. Pride goes before destruction. The Parable of the Good Samaritan is one of the best illustrations of the real need. The...