Marbaniang, Domenic

Do not say, "Why were the former days better than these?" For you do not inquire wisely concerning this. (Ecc 7:10 NKJ) There is a usual feeling among some that the older days were better. They think that, then, people were morally better, things were safer and more reliable, and the songs had more meaning than the songs sung today. It seems like the modern world has putrefied disgustingly. However, one doesn’t fail to understand that dirt doesn’t just come from nowhere. The sewage pipes of human nature were there all the time hidden beneath the refinements of culture. The vents were small and few, but grew larger and many as history thought it better to adjust culture to the vents of sewage than adjusting the vents to a non-justifiable culture. The reformers and repairers of the pipe either got weary of trying to stop the unstoppable or just flowed down with the seepage of dirt. It portends an imminent breakage of sewage and massive inundation of evil into history that the B...

A taxi driver sees people standing on the pavements: they are waiting or boarding - passengers. A medical doctor notices people of different shapes and sizes: they are either healthy or unwell - patients. A vendor keeps his eyes fixed on someone nearing him: they are either coming to him or are just passing by - buyers. An evangelist looks at people on photos, videos, or face to face: they are either lost or found - souls. An adulterer follows women with his eyes: they are either appealing or unappealing - sex partners. A prostitute gazes flirtatiously at men passing by: they are either wise or foolish - customers. A child beggar looks at well-clad, well-fed humans passing by: they either are compassionate or too busy to think of her - privileged. God's eyes range throughout the earth looking at people: they are either godly or ungodly - children.

Denial means abnegation or nullification. It means to say "no" to or about something. Denial of truth is rejection of truth. Confession is the opposite of denial. (John 1:20). The Bible tells us that God will deny us if we deny Him (2Tim.2:12; Matt.10:23; Luke 12:9). Denial of God can be done 1. In words (Prov.30:9) 2. In works (Tit.1:16) (see also Jude 1:4; Rev.2:13) The one who denies Christ 1. Is a liar (1Jn.2:22) 2. Is antichrist (1Jn.2:22) 3. Does not have the Father (1Jn.2:23) In the case of Peter's denial of Christ three times, the Lord restored him because he denied out of fear and repented with great remorse (Matt.26:75). Also, he did confess his love for Christ after Christ's resurrection (Jn.21:14ff). Peter became one of the strongest witnesses of Christ's resurrection (Acts 5:29-32). Jesus calls us to deny ourselves and follow Christ (Luke 9:23). To deny self means to say "no" to our own will and desires and to surrender in obedience to the w...

Anxiety is Worry about the seeming insecurities of life (Matt.6:25) Insecurity about future (Matt.6:34) Fear of the uncertain (Jer.17:8; Eze.12:18) Anxiety causes Depression (Prov.12:25) Desperation (Dan.2:3) Solution Jesus taught us not to worry (Matt.6:25) Worrying can solve not even the least of the problem (Luke 12:25,26) We must not have an anxious mind (Luke 12:29,30) We must believe that God takes care of us (Luke 12:25,26; Matt.6:26-31) We must pray with thanksgiving and speak to God instead of worrying and murmuring (Phil.4:6) Divine peace and consolation is the answer to anxiety (Phil.4:7; Psalm 94:19)

Greed is Sin (Exo.20:17) The greedy desire to have more (Gk. pleonexia ). Desire for unjust gain (Hb. betsa ) Desire, craving, longing for what is forbidden (Gk. epithumia ) To give one's self up to the love of money (Gk. oregomai , 1Tim.6:10) Eagerness for base gain (Gk. aischrokerdes , 1Tim.3:3) To be without greed means to be without love for money or be content with such things as one has (Gk. aphilarguros ) Love of Money (or Possessions) Love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1Tim.6:6) Love of money leads one astray from faith (1Tim.6:10) Love of money makes one unfit for the Kingdom of God (Lk.18:22,23) Love of money makes one unfit for ministry (1Tim.3:3,8; Tit.1:7; 1Pet.5:2) Love of money ensnares one into piercings of many sorrows (1Tim.6:10) Love of money causes trouble to one's house (Prov.15:27) Love of money leads to violence, wars, and oppression (Mic.2:2; James 4:1-3) One who is greedy Will never have enough (Isaiah 56:11) Can never serve God (Luke 16:13...

Faith is both propositional doctrine, teaching, way of belief (Rom.10:8) and personal   response to God's grace  (Rom.10:17) Facts about Faith Faith can be seen (Matt.9:2; James 2:18; Acts 14:9) Not all have faith (2Thess.3:2) Whatever is not from faith is sin (Rom.14:23) The Gospel is the word of faith (Rom.10:8) Faith has specific intent (e.g. "to be healed", "to remove mountain") (Acts 14:9) Faith is active; it works (James 2:1720; 1Thess.1:3) Jesus can only act in accordance to our faith (Matt.9:29; Luke 18:42) The presence of faith is bound to bring results, even if it is mustardseed size (Matt.17:20) (remember that a mustard seed, though little, is a complete seed) Faith is prerequisite to receiving answers to prayers (Matt.21:22)  It is commendable to be full of faith (Acts 6:5; 11:24) Faith is personal (Rom.14:22) Faith is one of the three abiding virtues (1Cor.13:13) Faith can be increased (2Cor.10:15; 2Thess.1:3) The Resurrection of Jesus gives value a...