**THIS WEEK'S 66/40 RADIO BROADCAST**
Romance Of Redemption: The Book Of Ruth
The Love of A Kinsman-Redeemer
- What does this famous love story from the Old Testament have to do with the Feast of Pentecost?
- What critical element in Messianic genealogy is found in the Book of Ruth?
The law shut out this Gentile Moabitess but grace took her in. Discover God's love for Israel, the Church and yourself through this beautiful love story of redemption. This key book of Bible prophecy highlights the role of the Goel, the kinsman-redeemer.
***Brand News Releases***
Shiite/Sunni: The Two Houses of Islam - DVD
Avi Lipkin gives us insights into the Islamic faith.
The Sunnis and the Shiites have been in conflict since the death of Mohammed himself. There are 1.3 billion Muslims in the world:roughly 85 percent are Sunni and 15 percent are Shiite. The one thing they have in common is their Islamic faith. You can't understand the events unfolding in the Mid East without understanding their important and complicated history and relationship.
This DVD includes MP3 files.
Price R
159.00
by Chuck Missler
- Is the United States and the world facing a major economic upheaval?
- What is the best strategy to protect your family in times of economic uncertainty?
Compiled from public and private sources, Dr. Chuck Missler, an internationally known business executive, outlines our current economic predicament and defensive steps you can take to lessen the impact of the impending economic crisis.
This DVD includes notes in PDF format and MP3 files.
Price R 159.00
We will be adding special local perspectives for Southern
Africa on our comment line as soon as it has been reviewed by local aspects.
Please feel free to submit articles for publishing.
**ARTICLES AND COMMENTARY**
HAPPY THANKSGIVING -
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season it is easy to forget that Thanksgiving was intended to be a spiritual day. It was meant to be a day of reflection, set apart from all other days specifically to acknowledge, with humble hearts, God's loving provision.
Make this week a time of reflection, repentance, and new beginnings. Spend time in prayer and search out God's will in the scriptures. Encourage one another. Share your blessings with those in need. Most importantly, take the time to acknowledge with gratitude and praise the blessings given to us by Almighty God.
"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endures to all generations (Psalm 100)."
On behalf of all the staff here at Koinonia House, may God bless you and your family this Thanksgiving Day.
Related Links:
•
Seasonal Favorites - CD-ROM - Koinonia House
HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
For most of us, the holiday season is a time of joy and celebration. Yet for some, it can be one of the most difficult and lonely times of the year. Especially for those who come from broken homes, have lost loved ones, or may be experiencing financial hardships.
For those of you who may be struggling through this holiday season, please remember that God loves you, He knows what is best for you, and He has a plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11). The Bible says: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ... I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:35, 38-39)."
Why Do Christians Have Trials?
There are two major errors we can make regarding trials: The first mistake is the failure to anticipate trials. Jesus suffered trials. Jesus promised us trials (John 16:33). All the apostles suffered trials. Trials are an expected part of the Christian life. And, like all storms, preparation can be critical in successfully enduring them. A second mistake is to harbor a morbid fear of trials. Remember 1 Corinthians 10:13: "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
The Apostle Paul certainly knew sufferings (2 Corinthians 4:7-11, 16-18; 2 Corinthians 11:23-28; Hebrews 11:32-40). And he regarded them as opportunities. There are many reasons why we face trials. Here are just a few:
- To glorify God (Daniel 3:16-18, 24-25)
- Discipline for known sin (Hebrews 12:5-11; James 4:17; Romans 14:23; 1 John 1:9)
- To prevent us from falling into sin (1 Peter 4:1-2)
- To keep us from pride. Paul was kept from pride by his "thorn in the flesh" (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
- To build faith (1 Peter 1:6-7)
- To cause growth (Romans 5:3-5)
- To teach obedience and discipline (Acts 9:15-16; Philippians 4:11-13)
- To equip us to comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
- To prove the reality of Christ in us (2 Corinthians 4:7-11)
- For testimony to the angels (Job 1:8; Ephesians 3:8-11; 1 Peter 1:12)
It is also important to remember that we are called to be thankful regardless of our circumstances. The Apostle Paul once said, "...I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, to be content (Philippians 4:11)." Likewise, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
This holiday season, please reach out to those around you: at work, at church, and throughout your community. Watch for those who may be lonely, hurting, or searching for answers, and take the opportunity to share God's love with them. Share your blessings with those in need. Encourage your fellow believers. Most importantly, be sure to glorify God for the gift of his son, Jesus Christ.
Related Links:
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Faith in the Night Seasons -DVD - K-House Africa
• Your Seasonal Favorites - K-House Africa
• K-House Christmas Catalogue - Special Offer!
REPROGRAMMED CELLS SPARK REVOLUTION.
There have been several new developments this week in the field of stem cell research that could radically change the future of biotechnology.
Stem Cell "Holy Grail" Found?
Two teams of scientists, at the University of Wisconsin in Madison and Kyoto University in Japan, have successfully converted human skin cells into powerful stem cells. These new "reprogrammed" stem cells are just as powerful as embryonic stem cells and can be manipulated to become virtually any kind of human tissue. Scientists say this achievement could someday end the debate over embryonic stem cell research.
Using cells from just under the skin's surface, scientists were able to create stem cells that are virtually indistinguishable from embryonic stem cells. The cells are just as versatile as embryonic cells, but easier to obtain, more compatible, and non-controversial. Using this new technique, a person's own skin cells could be converted directly into stem cells and used to treat disease without having to destroy human embryos.
Dolly Scientist Abandons Cloning
Even staunch supporters of therapeutic cloning and embryonic stem cell research cannot deny the importance of this discovery. One such researcher, Robert Lanza of Advanced Cell Technology, admitted, "This work [turning adult skin cells into stem cells] represents a tremendous scientific milestone, the biological equivalent of the Wright brothers' first airplane. It's a bit like turning lead into gold..." Several other scientists have even described it as the greatest scientific discovery of the last 25 years.
More and more scientists are beginning to realize that embryonic stem cells aren't the answer. In fact, in a surprising turn of events, Edinburgh University's Ian Wilmut - the world-renowned cloning expert - has announced that he is abandoning his plans to clone human embryos for stem cell research. Instead, the man who brought us Dolly the sheep has decided that his time is better spent researching treatments using less-controversial adult stem cells! Wilmut says he now believes that the process of turning skin cells into stem cells is more efficient than therapeutic cloning and offers a more realistic and timely hope for treating diseases.
The Beginning of the End?
Ian Wilmut's announcement has sent shockwaves through the scientific community and it could mark the beginning of the end for embryonic stem cell research. William Hurlbut of Stanford University Medical Center, who also serves on the President's Council on Bioethics, told reporters that the ability to "reprogram" adult cells "essentially takes the stem cell issue off the political agenda."
To learn more about this issue, click on the links below.
Related Links:
• Strategic Trends: Biotech - K-House
Africa
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Skin Cells Made to Mimic Stem Cells - MSNBC
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Pluripotent Stem Cells Made Without Embryos - Reuters
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Dolly Creator Ian Wilmut Shuns Cloning - Telegraph
