Marbaniang, Domenic

"And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." (Jn. 1:5) "The light shines" is in simple present tense; the darkness did not comprehend it is in past tense (in Greek, aorist). This is a testimony about Jesus Christ. 1. It points to the eternality of Christ, the light, who always shines, has always shone, and will always shine. There is no shadow of turning in Him. Yesterday and tomorrow are as today for Him. Therefore, His voice through the Spirit is always in the today. 2. It points to the defeat point of darkness as in the past. There is no present or future possibility left for darkness. The Scripture does not say " The darkness will not comprehend"; it says that it did not comprehend. In other words, the defeat of darkness is a finished fact. Christians must rest assured that it is impossible for darkness to ever gain the upper hand. Its defeat is over forever. 3. It points to the fact that those who love darkness can ...

Christ is the brightness of God's glory (Heb. 1:3). God's glory is incomparable with anything in creation. "...the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.  There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory." (1Cor. 15:39) Christ's glory far exceeds anything in creation. That Infinitely glorious one emptied Himself of holding on to that glorious form alone and took the form of man 2000 years ago. "Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being." (Phil. 2:6-7, NLT) "So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son." (John 1:14) ---------------------------...

The Romans were the first who used imprisonment as a form of punishment, rather than mere detention. The Law of Moses didn't prescribe jailing as a form of punishment. The Cities of Refuge were places of protection for those who accidentally killed someone. OT Law was based on the "tooth for tooth" principle of justice (not the "stone for brick" one). The closest form of imprisonment (when fines or debt became unpayable) was slavery. But, it had the limit of 6 years; the slave had be set free in the 7th year and also given means of survival. The goal was that the slave could pay back in service what he couldn't in cash or goods. Also, there were laws to protect the slaves against oppression. However, the Law didn't have mercy on those who violated the Law through acts of murder, rape, violence, theft, and so on. The Judge had to pronounce judgement on the basis of the Law. Debts could be forgiven; violation of the Law (the Decalogue), never. Genesis tell...

The No.1 qualification of being a Spirit-filled Preacher is not to have a degree from a "great" University or have the recognition of a "great" movement; but, it is to be Spirit-filled and totally in tune with the work of the Holy Spirit in the world today. SPIRIT-FILLED PREACHING 1. Convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment "And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." (Joh 16:8 NKJ) Spirit-filled preaching will not speak about grace without first convicting the world of sin; it will not talk about divine blessings without first demonstrating the righteousness of God; it will not talk of eternal life without first warning the world of judgment. 2. Will guide the listeners into all truth "When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth" (Joh 16:13 NKJ) Spirit-filled preaching doesn't ignore some truths and highlight others; it is not customer-orient...

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! (Matt. 7:11) Good Things.. 1. Are not things of lust/covetousness James 4:3 - evil desire.  Therefore, they ask but don't receive . Israel lusted after evil things 2Cor. 10:6 2. Are not things of compromise Num. 22:12,19- Balaam wanted to go, though God forbade. He began double checking to see if God would change mind. Jude 1:11 3. Are not things of despair, anger, and frustration 1Kgs.19:4-5 Elijah wanted to die, but God answered in the opposite Jonah 4:8-9 Jonah wanted to die out of anger, but God reproved him 4. Are not things against God's nature Exo. 32:32,33 Moses wanted to die instead of israel.. But, God is not unjust Examples of What We Must Pray For 1. Holy Spirit .. Not just gifts but the Person (Lk. 11:13) 2. Wisdom..  (James 1:5; 1Kgs. 3:6-9) 3. Grace in time of need (Heb. 4:16) 4. Boldness of speech (Ac...

1. God created the world out of nothing. This contradicts the scientific assumptions that energy can neither be created nor destroyed, and that something cannot come out of nothing. The Bible is unique in its proclamation of creatio ex nihilo.   Even quantum physics based theories of the universe presuppose something preexisting, at least the quantum laws. The biblical doctrine sets apart God as transcendent, infinite, immutable, and one. 2. The material world is not the only reality. While certain psychical societies have been investigating this claim, science in general cannot include the supernatural into its equations, obviously. Anything beyond the material is beyond science. Science cannot base predictions on anything apart of realities that submit to laws of nature, as it knows. However, Bible believers can identify and predict many things that relate to the non-material world. These include events that involve angels, prophecies, faith, and cases of demonic activities. 3. ...