The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart. This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect has been identified as “Subsequential Internal Non-morality,”  more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed. Some of the symptoms include: 1. Loss of direction 2. Foul vocal emissions 3. Amnesia of origin 4. Lack of peace and joy 5. Selfish or violent behavior 6. Depression or confusion 7. Fearfulness 8. Idolatry 9. Rebellion The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this defect. The Repair Technician, JESUS, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required. The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R. Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCEprocedure. Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component. No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with: 1. Love 2. Joy 3. Peace 4. Patience 5. Kindness 6. Goodness 7. Faithfulness 8. Gentleness 9. Self control Please see the operating manual, theB.I.B.L.E. (BEST Instructions Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes. WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list, and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded. For free emergency service, call on Jesus.DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility. Thank you for your attention! - GOD P.S. Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important recall notice, and you may contact the Father any time by ‘Knee mail’!

Dr Red

Greg Jardine, an organic chemist who runs Brisbane’s Vineyard in Australia, developed a new red wine in 2003 named Dr Red, which he claims is the first antioxidant-enriched red wine to reach the market. The product is based on a little-used French grape variety called Durif. This has subsequently developed into a series of fruit punches based on the wine known as Dr Red Nutraceuticals.

The Durif grape is more commonly known as Petit Syrah and was developed by Dr Durif, a French nurseryman in the south of France in the late 1800s. It was created by crossing the Syrah grape with the Peloursin variety. Durif did not grow well in its native climate of the Rhone Valley and flourished in California and Australia. It produces small berries which means that the wines can be very tannic if the winemaker does not limit the skin contact during fermentation. Wines made from Durif are usually robust, full flavoured,rich in tannin, often acidic with black pepper and green overtones.

A University of Sydney cancer research team last year claimed antioxidants in Dr Red’s Blueberry punch killed the cells of 5 different cancers in clinical tests. Research fellow Jas Singh said prostate, breast, bladder, colon and stomach cancer cells were all dramatically reduced after 2 weeks of treatment:

“It was a very significant drop in cell numbers, and we found that the more concentrated the dose (of punch), the greater the reduction in cancer cells,” he said.

Dr Singh’s team also injected immunodeficient mice with prostate cancer cells. After two weeks they found the tumours were 30% smaller.

However Queensland Health are conducting legal proceedings against Dr Red – not because they have taken issue with claims made by the company, but because it made details of health trials public. It is not an offence for details of human health trials to be made public in Queensland but it is illegal for those funding trials to publicise information.

found at: http://ladies-with-bottle.blogspot.com/2008/09/dr-red.html

There is an old legend that takes us back in time and recounts the time when Jesus slips back into heaven after He had died on the cross and rose from the dead. According to the legend, the angel Gabriel met him. Gabriel frowned when he saw the marks of Jesus’ scars of His tortuous years on earth, especially the scars of His crucifixion. Gabriel said: “Master, you suffered terribly for those down on earth.” “Yes, I did,” was Jesus’ reply. Gabriel continued: “Do they all know now about your life and your forgiveness? Have they all heard about your death and resurrection?” “No, not yet.” Said Jesus. “Right now only a handful knows. Only a handful of people in Palestine know about my death and resurrection.” Gabriel looked perplexed. “Then,” he asked, “Well… How will everyone find out about your wonderful life and your sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection?” “I have asked Peter, James, John and a handful of friends and followers to tell other people about it. And when other people hear and believe, they in turn will tell others. And Gabriel, by and by, the planet earth will hear the message.” Still frowning, the angel responded: “But, hmmm, you know how people are on earth. What if they… What if Peter, James and John get tired? What is they tell the story and then the next generation gets all involved in other pursuits? What if way down in the 18th or 21st century, people aren’t committed any longer to your commission? Have you made other plans?” The Lamb of God looked directly at the angel of God and said: “I have no other plan. I am counting on them.”

Know Who You Are in Christ

Over half a century ago, Donald Grey Barnhouse, the pastor of the Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, was asked the question, “If Satan could take control of a town in America what would he do? He surprised everybody by saying, “If Satan were in charge in Philadelphia,” he said, “all the bars and the pool halls would be closed, pornography would be banished, there would be pristine streets and sidewalks, occupied with tidy pedestrians who smile at each another. There would be no swearing and the kids would answer “yes sir, no ma’am,” and the churches would be full on Sunday where Christ is not preached.”

Satan has been very busy seeking to make people religious and respectable. If he can produce a pseudo-Christian, he can lull that person into a mediocre state which will keep the individual from hungering for a real relationship with Christ. On the surface, everything may look fine. That is the nature of a good counterfeit. There is more than one way that Satan can deceive someone to follow him. If Satan can lead an individual down a path of obvious self-destruction, a life which is full of recklessness and harm to others, he will do so, causing as much destruction along the way as possible. Often however, he takes a more subtle approach which is less noticeable, but just as effective. If he can gently and quietly lead multitudes down a path that appears to be safe and self-righteous, and keep them self satisfied and unaware of the life they could experience with Christ, he will still succeed in leading those individuals into the darkness just as easily. Either way will do. There are two things that Satan tries his utmost to hinder: 1) He seeks to keep the “not-yet Christians” from entering churches that preach Christ. 2) The other strategy is to keep the true Christians in the dark concerning who they are in Christ after they are converted in order to hinder their fruitfulness. The enemy’s first objective in other words, is to keep us from experiencing life in Christ. If he fails in this task, the second objective is to keep that life of Christ from spreading to others (his plan of “damage control.”) After all, if we live a life of fulfillment in Christ, and realize the power that is available, it will attract many others to true faith. People are attracted to the “real thing.” They know it when they see it. If we are ever to live a life of faith in Christ, we must view ourselves as God sees us.

We must know who we are in Christ. To read more, go to: www.groupbiblestudy.com, click on the tab, Topical Studies and scroll to the series on Growing Faith. Click on the study, “In Covenant with the King.”

²²After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized (Luke 3:22)

The First Priority is to Be With Him.

The first thing we learn about Jesus from the above passage is His desire to be with His disciples. The Greek phrase that is translated as “spent some time with them” (Verse 22), means “to rub hard” or “rub through.” The thought is of close intimate fellowship where they rubbed shoulders with Him. The gospel writer Mark also mentions this desire of Jesus to be with His people. He writes, “He appointed twelve—designating them apostles—that they might be with Him and that he might send them out to preach” (Mark 3:14 emphasis mine). His intent was to win their hearts through close intimate fellowship and impart His character to them. Through simply living life with Jesus, He “rubbed off” on them. What a privilege they had, to walk and talk with Jesus here on earth! Have you ever thought of what that must have been like? Today, Jesus would invite us to do the same. The more time you spend drawing near to Christ in reading the Word of God and through prayer, the more His character can “rub off” on you! One can affect a person from a distance, but if you want to impact and bring about change in someone’s life, it has to be through close relationship. Jesus said, “If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well (John 14:7). How encouraging to know that God loves to just be with His people, and to spend time with them. In fact, when you look at all four gospels, one cannot escape the conclusion that there were two main missions for Christ while He was on Earth. 1) To satisfy the Father by paying the price for the sin of mankind through death on the cross. 2) To create a Small Group of men to whom He could model what it was to live life to the fullest on Earth, and send them forth with His message of salvation through what He had accomplished. Now that is a good priority for us to uphold!

I’ve been meditating on the fact of Jesus wanting to stay in my house and yours too. Think with me about the chief tax collector in the Galilee area, a short man by the name of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10). How he longed to see Jesus! Because of his small stature he could not see through the crowd, so he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore fig tree. Jesus came by the tree and called him by name, saying, “Zacchaeus, come down immediatly. I must stay at your house today” (Luke 19:5). How about you, do you want to see Jesus? He longs to come to the house of your heart. Do you realize that the God of the universe knows your name and values you highly? He wants to come and live inside your house. He said “I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20). He values us so highly that He calls each one of us individually in the midst of our own circumstances. Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector, although he was in a line of business that was hated by the local populace, was singled out by Jesus and directly called by name. What a shock that must have been to Zacchaeus–to be called by name! He was known by the Messiah! Not only did He know his name but He wanted to come and visit him. He is told by Christ “I must stay at your house today.” There doesn’t seem to be any act of faith that brought Christ to his door except perhaps his curiosity, the fact that he wanted to see Christ. Jesus deliberately came to the place where Zacchaeus was and initiated the conversation that brought a saving response. The phrase “must stay” (NIV) or “must abide” (KJV) is used. It uses the Greek word dei, “It is necessary by the nature of things.” One must, one has to. It denotes a compulsion of any kind, such as unavoidable, urgent, compulsory necessity.” It seems that the calling of Zacchaeus was all written into God’s plan. Jesus said:

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day (John 6:44).

What are the implications of this scripture? 

Elected and Ordained to Eternal Life

He directly draws and calls each one of us. “As many as were ordained to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48). The Bible tells us that God has ordained (To prearrange unalterably; predestine: by fate ordained) beforehand those who would be saved. We may think that we are the ones searching for God, but He is the One that calls us.  God searches our hearts and works things together for our good.  God orders our circumstances to cause us to call out to Him. We cannot say that the depths of sin that we got into were ordered by God, our own choices were involved, but the Bible declares that God uses all things to work together for our good to bring us to Christ (Romans 8:28). What do we mean by the word election? Wayne Grudem in his book, Systematic Theology, defines election as “an act of God before creation in which He chooses some people to be saved, not on account of any unforeseen merit in them, but only because of His sovereign good pleasure.” Zacchaeus and all those of us that have been born again, were called and chosen before the foundation of the world to be His elected ones. 

⁴For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love ⁵he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— ⁶to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves (Ephesians 1:4-5).

What wonderful grace God has lavished on us! It boggles the mind to think that He has planned you and me out before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless, adopted as His sons and daughters. Zacchaeus, and you and I, were called before the beginning of the world ever took place. He had us on His mind and heart. This chief tax collector was a person that most would never think would be saved. Jericho was a cursed city (Joshua 6:26). Yet Christ came there and called Zacchaeus. He called the worst of sinners from the worst of cities with the worst of trades. I am so thankful that the God of the Universe came to my house–how about you?

---

Yesterday’s trial was very hard for me. It did not go as I was hoping. First of all, thank you all for praying for us. Some of you got an email with specific things to pray. All of those specific prayers were answered. Looking back, I should have asked you to pray that I would actually get the Green Card/Residency Visa.  I have another hearing to endure, this time I have to wait until June 2nd. The Judge and the opposing attorney seemed to really want to help us, but their hands are tied by the law. I took the stand and was asked various questions by my lawyer that was very emotional for me. I didn’t understand everything that was going on, the legalities and different laws that were talked about by the judge and two lawyers. I thought that my first conviction for marijuana, committed when I was 17 years of age, had been thrown out, but it was brought up again and seemed to be a sticking point for the government’s lawyer. He wanted to know whether or not I was tried as an adult. If I was tried as an adult then that was it, case closed, I would have no other legal leg to stand on. The judge wanted to know when the offense was actually committed, how many months previous to the conviction. I could not remember and did not have those facts. The trial carried on and I was asked questions by the opposing attorney as to my being able to get a job back in England. I told him that my skills were to help large churches pastor their people through Small Groups and that there were few big churches in England. I was forced to admit that I probably could find a job as a pastor in England. It was evident that they were seeking to find out how difficult it would be for us to be separated as a family. I had to prove extreme hardship if I wanted to stay with my family, the emphasis on extreme. This was very difficult for me, I could not hold back tears as they were talking about our separation as a family. My lawyer brought up various medical records concerning my son, that he has been on medicine for depression and diagnosed with ADHD and that he has been seeing a counsellor/doctor for the last year or so. The trial ended with the court needing more information from the doctor about my son’s health. The re-trial is set for June 2 at 1pm.

 

Thank you so much for praying for us. We are left emotionally drained but believing that there still is a way through this legal quagmire.

 

I am teaching as a volunteer on the topic of Jesus the Messiah, looking in depth on various passages in the Book of John for four consecutive weeks, starting on January 27 in the Great Rooms at the Cincinnati Vineyard at 7pm if you can make it. You can sign up to attend on the Vineyard Community Church website at: http://www.vineyardcincinnati.net/ click on Events, then Vineyard University, and then Jesus the Messiah, if you would like to attend. It is free. Bring your bibles. If you don’t have one, I can loan you one. Our purpose is to get to know Him better, allowing His life and character to shape us to be like Him. Bring your friends!

 

Please feel free to pass on this email to others that have prayed or will pray.

This last week I have been thinking about the encouraging words Paul wrote to the Church at Rome.  In Chapter 16 he writes a number of specific things to specific people commending them on aspects of their character.  For instance, he writes, “Greet Apelles, tested and approved in Christ.” When one looks at the words he uses there is a whole new depth of meaning.  The Greek word that is translated ‘approved’ is the word Dokimos.  It was used in the common Greek language for clay pots  that had been through the fire of  testing and the testing proved it to be genuine, accepted and approved.   

The word was also used by James, in chapter 1 verse 3 he says “²Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”  The word “testing” is our Greek word “Dokimos”.  It’s a word found on the underside of many ancient pieces of pottery unearthed by archeologists in the Near East.  This mark meant that the piece had gone through the furnace without cracking; it had been approved.  God allows us to go through trials and testing in order that having gone through the fire, we might be a vessel or pot of honor.  In every trial, God’s initial purpose is to produce perseverance. This word comes from a combination of two words that, put together, literally mean, “to abide under.” God’s “Good Faithkeeping Seal of Approval,” dokimos, is applied only to those who persevere, or abide under the tests He sends.  Enduring those tests is what brings about the maturity that is God’s ultimate purpose for our lives (verse 4). 

Paul, the apostle also uses the analogy of clay pots in referring to you and I as believers. In 2 Corinthians 4:7 he says, “we have this treasure in jars of clay”. The treasure he is talking about that is in us is Christ.  Jesus promised us he would never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).  When a person gives their life to Christ, God comes in the power of His Spirit to live within that life (Revelation 3:20, Colossians 1:27). We are not expected to live by our own strength, we are just a “jar of clay.” 2 Corinthians 4:7  goes on to say; “to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”  God’s power and strength is shown through our weak vessels, our jars of clay, these mortal bodies.  There is a strength and power that comes to the believer when, through simple faith and trust, we rely on His resources, not our own.  Whatever trial, temptation, or situation you are in today, consider lifting up your head, bowing the knee, and “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” (Psalm 55:22).

Could I please ask if you would pray for me concerning my Immigration Deportation trial on Monday (11 January) at 1pm in Cleveland. I have now had three pre-trial hearings, each one of which I thought was going to be the trial. It has now been 3 years and three months since immigration has disallowed me from working. For those of you that don’t know what is going on, the Immigration Service refused my application for a Resident Visa/Green Card three years and three months ago based on the fact that I told the truth on the forms concerning two marijuana convictions that I committed in England in 1971 (when I was 17) and 1976. Even though I have been married to an American for 29 years and have two American kids, the government are going ahead with their plans to deport me, the last stage of which is the appearance before an Immigration judge. This is what is taking place on Monday.

 

It has been such a long haul, and Sandy, Simeon and I have really come to a place where, if this is not it, we have no strength left to carry on fighting this Immigration battle.. Here are some specific things to pray:

 

1) Pray for the weather to clear up from snow and that nothing stops this judge from getting to his television screen to talk to my lawyer and me and Sandy up in Cleveland.
2) Pray that the weather does not hinder us from getting to Cleveland.
3) Pray that Gpd will give me favor with the judge.

4) Pray for the opposing immigration attorney that he would be on my side and would not mind losing!!!!!!!
5) Pray that Jesus would shine through me and that I would be able to testify to a changed life.

 

I am trusting that I will be here to continue to teach as a volunteer at Vineyard University starting on Wednesday, January 27, in the Great Rooms for four consecutive weeks. The topic is my favorite:

Jesus the Messiah

In this series we will look at four passages from the Book of John on the life of Jesus. Our aim will be to explore in depth the things He taught in the Wednesdays we have available to us. Bring your bibles. If you don’t have one, I can loan you one. Our purpose is to get to know Him better, allowing His life and character to shape us to be like Him. Bring your friends!

Thanks for praying! Please feel free to forward this email on to others
–
Keith Thomas
Website: www.groupbiblestudy.com
Email: keiththomas7@gmail.com

Yesterday we read that Jesus’ team, his disciples, were baptizing at the same time as John was baptizing, the only difference was the place. The focus shifts in verse 23 back to John the Baptist. While John was still baptizing, there arose a concern amongst his disciples. This concern came about because of an argument that John’s disciples had with an unnamed Jew (v. 25). We don’t know the content of that argument but it was probably a question over whose baptism was superior, John’s or Jesus’ baptism. Who should people be going to now to be baptized? John had already told some of his disciples that Jesus was the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world, and encouraged them to follow Him (John 1:35-37). If you had been a loyal disciple or follower of John watching more and more people going elsewhere, wouldn’t it have concerned you? They said: “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him” (v. 26). 

The ministry of John the Baptist was now on a decline. There was something new in town and people were leaving, and following Jesus. Obviously John’s disciples were concerned about what they saw as a departure from all that John was seeking to do. There was some competition all of a sudden.  If we were to put ourselves into their situation perhaps we would be wondering what strategy could be done to draw them back. While in England, I remember hearing of a minister that was faced with something similar in his church. People were leaving and going elsewhere to another church. His strategy was to put on a mask like a famous comedian of the time and tickle people under the arms with his “tickling stick”. He hoped to draw people back, mimicking Ken Dodd, who did something similar in his comedy routine. While Ken Dodd made people laugh, this misguided minister made many shake their heads in amazement. How can we bring a compelling message to others about the love of Christ if we have no message that burns in our hearts? Unfortunately there is a competitive spirit amongst many churches. This reveals a motive that is misguided, and therefore, the ministry is misguided as well. Many times as I have attended Pastor’s conferences, I have noticed that within a few minutes of sitting down conversing with one another, pastors will often say, “How big is your church?” The unspoken question behind the question is; “are you worthy of my time?”, or “in what way will I be able to profit by spending time with you?” This is obviously the wrong attitude to have.  John the Baptist had no such ambition or false motive for ministry. His desire was to point men to Jesus. That should be ours too.