Marbaniang, Domenic

M OLDED - in her womb (Psalm 139:13) O PENED EYES - (received) on her knees (Job 3:12; Gen.30:3) T AUGHT - under her eyes (Prov.1:8; 31:25-30) H ELD - (affection/comfort) in her arms (Psalm 131:2) E NCOURAGED - by her lips (1Sam.1:24-28) R ESPECTED - by her treatment (John 2:5)

The Bible celebrates the fact that God is Good (Psalm 135:3). To state that God is good is to also acknowledge at the same time that God is the summum bonum, the Highest Good. His goodness is absolute in Himself, for He is perfect. His goodness is also towards us, in relation. God is Good in His Being God is Good in His Character God is Good in His Acts To the rich young ruler, Jesus declared that only God is good (Matt.19:17), i.e. in the sense of being the absolute good and perfect Teacher who alone can absolutely declare the truth that leads to eternal life. Sadly, the rich young ruler could not accept Jesus as the Good Master, refusing to follow Him. In his eyes, the world and its possessions were the more immediate good. There are at least four crisis-situations in relation to our attitude towards God's goodness. 1. Doubt Regarding the Selflessness of God's Goodness This was the situation that Eve faced in the garden of Eden when the devil deceived her to doubt that God...

"And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor relent (nacham). For He is not a man, that He should relent (nacham)." (1Sam.15:29) …the LORD regretted (nacham) that He had made Saul king over Israel. (1Sam.15:35) There seems to be an apparent contradiction between the above two passages: the first tells us that God never regrets; the second, that He did. This again seems to conflict with the idea of immutability or the unchangeableness of God. …the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. (James 1:17) But, does historical information in the Bible contradict the idea of divine immutability? Well, 1Samuel 15 is not the only case we are told about divine repentance (or regret or change of action). Remember that we aren’t talking of ontological immutability here (i.e. as related to His being); we are talking here of moral immutability – that God is unchanging in His decisions and moral character. In the book of Jonah, we find again the issue of d...

Paradox: a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement which, when investigated or explained, may prove to be well-founded or true. For instance: Scientists say that Light is a wave, and then also say that Light is a particle. Now, something cannot be both a particle and a wave at the same time. Thus, when you look for light as looking for a wave, light appears to behave like wave, and when you look for it as a particle, it appears to behave as a particle… TEXT: No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1Co 10:13 NKJ) However, regarding the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, whom they sent to him to inquire about the wonder that was done in the land, God withdrew (azab) from him, in order to test him, that He might know all that was in his heart. (2Ch 32:31 NKJ) Reading: At that ti...

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1Jo 1:9 NKJ) The universe is not a free lunch. Nothing is free under the sun though some may think it is or wish it is. And if we see or receive something that is free, it is because somebody had paid for it. Somebody has got to pay anyway. -In any act of charity, the giver incurs the expense -In any forgiving of debts, the creditor has to bear the loss Generosity is a great virtue because God Himself is generous. Forgiving others is a great virtue because our God Himself is a forgiving God. But, then we generally understand that man cannot be compared with God. It is understood by some that God is only and just the “Wholly Other” the One who has no comparative in this universe. Sometimes, you may have heard people say, “Well, I’m not God; God can forgive so much, but I am not God” We read about the miracles of Jesus and are stunned by the greatness of power. We read abou...

In Mark 3, we have the story of a man with a withered hand who was healed by Jesus. In contrast, there were people there who were not at all blessed by the miracle; but, instead grew worse after they saw what Jesus did. Let's look at four reasons why these people couldn't experience the miracle of Jesus in their lives: 1. Because of Their Critical Attitude Mark says that "they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him." (Mark 3:2). They had a very critical, skeptical, and evil attitude towards Jesus. A negative mind is like the grave that is never satisfied; it is like the bottomless pit that can never have enough. Even if God would split the sun into two, a critical mind will not be able to say, "Yes, now I accept you Lord!" People with a critical mind cannot receive the miracle of God. That is why the Israelites who murmured perished in the wilderness; because though they had seen so many miracles, even to...

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.

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)

"Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." (Eph.5:16, ESV) Things that Waste Time 1. Godless Mysteries (Acts 1:7). Indulging time in things which are hidden by God is a wastage of time, because no matter how hard one will try, one cannot find out anything that is hidden by God. You cannot hack the secret files of heaven; there are no heaven-leaks. Beware of false teachers and mystery cults! 2. Gainless Controversies (2Tim.2:23; Tit.3:9,10; 1Tim.6:3-5) . Do not waste time with someone who is obviously a rebel and has no interest in the truth. Those who are interested in truth will have a heart to listen as well. However, those who are obsessed with rebellion will persist in their folly. The Bible instructs about such, "Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them." (Tit.3:10) 3. Negative People . Don't waste time with negative people who have no faith, are chronic critics, abusers of ...

God is our Father. 1. A Caring Father (Mat.6:32) 2. A Chastening Father (Heb.12:6) 3. A Comforting Father (2Cor.1:3)....

Matt.5:8 - Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. Psa 24:3-5 - Who will ascend... He who has Clean Hands and Pure Heart Psa 51:10 - Create in me a pure heart.. v.11. Cast me not away from Presence.. 5 Effects of Purity: 1. Pure Humility. Prov.22:11 - pure heart.. speech gracious.. will have the king for his friend. Purity of heart and Humility go together. 2. Pure Eyes. Tit.1:15 - to the pure all things are pure..... 3. Pure Love. 1Tim.1:5 - Pure love can only come from pure heart, good conscience and sincere faith. (1Pet.1:22) 4. Pure Pursuit. Seeking. Calling. 2 Tim.2:22 - Flee evil desires... pure heart 5. Drawing Near . Communion with God. Heb.10:22 - Draw near to God with a sincere heart.. cleansed ...washed.. HOLINESS 6. Single Mindedness... James 4:8 (not love of the world, but love of God) HOW TO BE PURE: 1. Purity by the Blood of Jesus. Forgiveness of Sins (Heb.13:12; Heb.9:14,22-28; Walk in Light, Confess...1Jn.1:7)... Heb.10:2 - no consciousness of past si...

5 Human Entanglements that Christ Came To Deliver Us From WHAT THEY DO - They complicate life - Matt.23:4 "They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. (Mat 23:4 NIV) - They violate God's commandments - Mark 7:8,9 - Set aside commandments for traditions - They fossilize spirituality - Col.2:23 - False customs that have no value for the spirit. - They hinder change - old wineskins can't hold new wine (Mat.9:17) - They worsen the convert - (Mat.23:15) Entanglements : 1. Traditions (Mark 7:8,9) - Traditionalism :::caste-desire for dignity, social honor (Pharisees Jn.5:44); "what would people think?" Not desiring to be "rejected of men" (Vs.Isa.53)/ "Denominationalism" 2. Mammon (Lk.16:13-15; 1Tim.6:10) ::: Achan...Gehazi...Judas Iscariot... Materialism 3. Flesh (2Pet.2:18-22) - Sensualism (Sensationalism) Lust of flesh, works of...

1. Luke 23:34: Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do. Peace ........ -Hitler "For the sake of freedom and democracy, never again fascism; millions of dead remind us" Could u forgive him? Corrie ten Boom - Forgiveness is available, Jewish proverb, forgiveness is like the sea, anyone can go and bath in it.. - but it must be received Prodigal Son... ... Forgiven, so forgive. unmerciful servant .... forgive, or will not be forgiven 2. Luke 23:43: Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise. Hope .....powerful word Can man live without hope? Job 14:7-10 Hope in life. Hope beyond life.. Ecc 9:4 उसको परन्तु जो सब जीवतों में है, उसे आशा है, क्योंकि जीवता कुत्ता ...

When Jesus came into the Temple there was: 1. Cleansing of Activities: He drove the ones who were turning God's temple into business center 2. Correction of Attitudes: He reminded that the House of God is a House of Prayer 3. Comfort to the Ailing: He healed the lame and the blind.

It is "triumphant" because the King has entered in. 3 Distinctives of Christ's Triumphant Entry His entry shows His -Conviction of Mission -Control over Self -Commitment to Righteousness 1. He moved towards the Cross, not away from the Cross. The Cross defined His mission on earth. He knew where He was going. 2. He was indifferent to both Criticism and Praise. Some praised and some criticized but He committed Himself to no man. It didn't matter what humans thought or said about Him; He knew who He was and what He was supposed to do. 3. He did not Compromise with Truth, with Meaning--He Cleansed the Temple The Temple could not be confused with the Market. Jesus established that. There was no overlooking the truth. The definitions could not be compromised. The Priest made distinction between the clean and the unclean, between the right and the wrong, between the holy and the unholy.

The LORD will perfect that which concerns me (Psa 138:8) The LORD always finishes what He starts. Men may start works that they leave unfinished; but, God always finishes what He starts. However, when it comes to His work in our lives, He can't perfect it without our cooperation. There are three essential things: 1. Absolute Trust and Confidence in God's Working "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Phi 1:6) Trust implies: (a) Faith in God's goodness and His work, to believe in Him even when everything looks the opposite. (b) Patience (James 1:4). To let patience do its work. To never compromise with anything that goes against the will of God. 2. Understanding of God's Will and Work in Our Lives "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." (Phi 2:12-13) We can understand God...

God sent forth His Son...that we might receive the adoption as sons. (Gal 4:4-5 NKJ) The poets asserted that we are offspring of God (Acts 17:28). But, like the prodigal son, we were lost, groping like the blind, in bondage to the elements of the world (Gal.4:1,2). Yet, when His Grace appeared, we saw light, we received the right to be called the children of God (Jn.1:12). He received us in loving embrace (Lk.15:20). He put His ring on our hand (Lk.15:22).He placed and positioned us as sons (Gk. huiothesia,  "to place as son"). And with this placement as sons, this sonship, we received blessings: 1. The Spirit of the Son by which we call out "Abba, Father" (Gal.4:6) He is the Spirit of prayer and supplication (Eph.6:18). He helps us in our weakness by praying for us (Rom.8:26). He is the inner witness (Rom.8:16) and the one who speaks the words of Truth in our heart (Jn.16:13; Rev.2:7). 2. Heirship. We became heirs of God through Christ (Gal.4:7) We have received an...

LIGHT in Darkness 1. Darkness of Sin (Ep.5:11,12) Condition of the unbelievers (Eph.4:18,19) Jesus. Zech 4:2: SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS Eph.5:8 - You are Light 2. Darkness of the World Controlled by Devil (Eph.6:12; 1Jn.5:9) -Devil blinds minds (2Cor.4:4) -Devil oppresses people (Acts 10:38) Jesus: Prince of the kingdom of Light (Col.1:12-13) 3. Darkness of Foolish Imagination Rom.1:21-23 Rev.3:17 Jesus: Amen the Faithful and True Witness (Rev.3:14) 4. Darkness of Death Job 10:21,22; Ps.23:4; Jn.8:12; Hb.2:14,15; Ps.18:28; 112:4 CHRIST Light of Life Light of Understanding Light of Good Light of Fearlessness

1. The Invisible Made Visible -General Revelation (1Tim.1:17) -Specific Revelation (Jn.1:18) Heb.1:3; Col.1:15 2. The Distant Brought Near -Immanuel - God with us -Jn.1:14 - "dwelt among us" Acts 17:27,28 3. The Unknown Made Known Acts 17:23. To the Unknown God Jn.1:18; Jn.17:6-8 Jn.14:7 4. The Hidden Revealed Job 23:8-9 Psalm 18:11

IN THE NAME OF CHRIST (Joh 14:13-14 NKJ) (Joh 16:24-28 NKJ) "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. (Joh 14:13-14 NKJ) "Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. 25 "These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 "In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; 27 "for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. 28 "I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father." (Joh 16:24-28 NKJ) The New Testament introduces a very distinctive element into prayer: the Name of Jesus. Of course, when ...