In His Pursuit

TEXT JOHN 8:12-31

Key verse: “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).

Light is required to find our way. When a lamp is used, its usefulness will depend largely on how close we follow the bearer of the lamp. To follow from afar is as good as walking in darkness. And walking in darkness will make one go astray, stumble, fall and be destroyed.

To the Pharisees, Jesus declared “...I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life”. This was enough message to bring conviction and guilt upon their hearts. They tried to cover-up their guilt by accusing Jesus of boasting. The Lord however went on to justify His claims as He made them understand that the Father bears witness of Him. He appealed to their knowledge of the law in Deuteronomy 17:6. This generated further questions from the Pharisees who instead of being teachable, indulged in contentious questions in order to engender strife. Nevertheless, Christ’s purpose of giving detailed explanations of His deity and relationship with the Father was achieved as some simple-hearted Jews got saved.

Many today argue and contend God’s power to save through Jesus the only Light of the world. Many who claim they are saved dispute sound doctrine on Christian conduct and living. We cannot by wishes and personal desires, change the truth of the word of God. As we hear and read the word of God, we must receive and believe it wholeheartedly like a little child. We must choose to follow Christ and walk in the Light. True discipleship is in believing and continuing in the word of God. Are you born again? Then you must follow Christ and walk in the light.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: To follow Christ is to walk in the Light.

Popular Christian Singer: Darlene Zschech Finishes First Round of Chemo to Treat Breast Cancer

Darlene Zschech, the former Hillsong worship leader who is battling breast cancer, posted an update Friday, saying she has finished her first round of chemo and has five to go.

“I am coming to the end of round one of chemo (I have 5 to go) and all I can say is, ‘Grace, grace and more grace,’ ”

Zschech announced she had cancer at the end of December. She wrote on her blog at that time that she has experienced two miracles in her body before and has confidence there will be more to come.

Zschech served as the worship pastor at Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia, for more than 10 years before co-pastoring another church with her husband, Mark. The couple has led Hope Unlimited Church on the central coast of New South Wales since 2011.

Zschech has been writing about her journey since her announcement at the end of last year. She reported last week that she lost hair, which she says has been “very confronting.”

“It definitely makes me look sicker than I feel. In saying that, I am finding great freedom through this,” she wrote, adding that her husband and daughters have been a comfort to her.

Though it has been “quite a ride on an emotional roller,” she wrote, “I can say that through it all, I am assured of God’s love for me. Truly this has been one of the sweetest parts of the journey. My beautiful Emmanuel is never far away."

“Our Friends, family and our beloved church family are amazing every day,” she continued. “I’m ever convinced that life was always designed to be done in true community. Good days and bad days yet always better together.”

Zschech says she has been spending time writing songs and thoughts, which she will share when she is “on the other side of the mountain.”

“In fact, we are already planning a Thanksgiving service at our church in November," she wrote in her blog post, "where we will record songs birthed during this season. We simply want to fill the place with praise for all that God has done.”

The singer-songwriter says she has also been enjoying redesigning her home.

Congregation worships nud*, (Like Seriously)

SOUTHAMPTON, VA (WWBT) -

About an hour's drive south of Richmond, there's a small congregation that doesn't care about "material" things. They worship the same way we were all brought into this world, naked.

Even in February, when temperatures can average in the 20s, members show up in various forms: some fully clothed, others topless, many still completely nude.

Pastor Allen Parker says it's not about the clothes, or lack thereof. He says it's about baring his soul to Christ and leading his flock down that path of righteousness, no matter what they're wearing.

Every Sunday in the front few rows of White Tail Chapel, you'll find Katie and Robert Church. Katie wasn't a nudist when they first met, but quickly fell in love with both Robert and the resort. They married at White Tail Chapel and say the church has given them a sense of Christian community with none of the pretense of a traditional church.

"Once we were married, and we were here, this whole place became our family," said Katie Church. "I feel like I can turn to anyone in this church, or even in this park, and they will be there to help me."

"People are more open as far as hearing the word of God, and speaking the word of God," agreed Robert Church.

If you think anyone here finds church attendance titillating, you'd be wrong. They're here to find inner peace and Pastor Parker believes that starts with accepting themselves.

"There's not a feeling that you have to be better than one another, physically," Pastor Parker said. "We're humans, we have scars, and we have what we have…it's learning to love and accept that."  More wnem.com

6 Most Questions Teenager Ask About Being a Christian

Recently I began a Bible study with my oldest daughter and a few of her friends. At our first meeting, all I had were Bibles and notebooks for the girls but no Bible study book or even a topic.

My prayer going into this study was that God would reveal what these girls most need to build their faith, to understand that they are daughters of the King and what it means to have God as their heavenly Father.

After our breakfast of pancakes, we took our PJ-clad selves to the sofa. I began by saying, “I’d like this study to be more than just about the length of your skirts and dealing with boys. I’d like to really grapple with Scripture together. I’d like to grow in our faith together. So what do y’all want to study?”

Their answers blessed me. They said they wanted to understand:

• Trust because they struggle with it

• What it means to be a quiet and gentle spirit

• Modesty—not clothing, but how it relates to their heart

• Respect for themselves and others

• Words and how we handle our mouths being a reflection of what is in our hearts

• Value—how to measure it, because weren’t they worth something?

Yes! Aren’t we all trying to determine our worth?

As I begin to ponder our value in God’s eyes, I’m astounded how loved we are. I know I shouldn’t be, really, because I know the God I serve and love, but I am nonetheless taken aback by His tremendous love for me.

Today I kept thinking about the fact that God knows my name. The Creator of the universe, the Maker of all things, knows my name by heart. It is written on the palm of His hand.

"Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands" (Is. 49:15-16, ESV).

Not only does He know my name, but He also knows the number of hairs on my head—even as they collect on my shower floor.

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows" (Matt. 10:29-31).

He knows everything, absolutely everything, about me and loves me still.

The amazing fact that Jesus was willing to die for me while I was still a lost sinner is enough to confirm to me I’m valuable. Worth enough to die for.

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:6-8).

The conversations I’ve had with these precious girls has revealed a deep need in their hearts for real answers—for the ability to ask deep questions and seek difficult but honest answers. Each girl comes from a different life experience and situation. Each girl is different in her personality, her approach and her needs. I’m ready for that. God has softened my heart through adversity. I understand more what it means to suffer, what it means to doubt and what it means to struggle. I also understand the beauty of peace in the midst of challenges, joy in the midst of suffering, and hope in the midst of heartbreak.

My prayer is that God will speak through me, that He will open their hearts to the healing and hope that only Christ can offer. I’m so flawed—my poor daughter knows that intimately—and such a mess. Yesterday was our third meeting, and my youngest daughters were just plain awful. I ended up dealing with them upstairs while the teenage girls waited downstairs. I was in tears, mostly frustrated and sad that my hopes for the morning were quickly deteriorating into a mess. But as is always the case, God redeemed the time.

They were gracious as I tried to pull things together.

Again, I was reminded that, no matter what, God has the situation under His control. It might look terribly chaotic and hopeless to me, but some way or another He always makes delicious lemonade out of my lemons. Maybe that will be what I offer for drinks next time—lemonade, to remind me to share that God does indeed always make good out of the difficult.

I’m honored to be able to go on this journey with these girls. How blessed to know that the waters run deep in their hearts. That they desire deeper knowledge and deeper faith. I’m excited to dive deep into the Word and into their worlds. I pray God will speak through me. That these girls will understand that they are worth far more than any costly jewel, that they are precious and the apple of their Father’s eye.

"Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings" (Ps. 17:7-8).

And I’m thankful that as I seek out answers to their questions, God will be revealing Himself to me as my Husband and Father as well.

"For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called" (Is. 54:5).
-By Sue Birdseye

Peace Ahead

TEXT: ISAIAH 2:1-9

Key verse: “And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem” (Isaiah 2:3).

A Roman poet once said: “Sweet peace has transformed me. I was once the property of the soldier and am now the property of the husbandman.”

Wherever the latter times are mentioned in Scripture, the days of the Messiah are always meant; especially the days yet to come, to which all prophecy hastens, when “the house of the God of Jacob” namely, Jerusalem, shall be the center to which the converted nations shall flock together. The prophecy in the second, third, and fourth chapters makes one continued discourse. The first five verses foretell the kingdom of the Messiah, the conversion of the Gentiles, and their admission into it.

Of the second chapter, is foretold the punishment of the unbelieving Jews for their idolatrous practices, their confidence in their own strength, and distrust of God’s protection; and moreover the destruction of idolatry, in consequence of the establishment of Messiah’s kingdom at Jerusalem, and, like an object set on the highest hill, made so conspicuous that all nations are attracted to it.

Christ promotes peace, as well as holiness. At the establishment of His kingdom at the Millennium, great peace shall flourish through the reign of The Prince of peace on the earth. So then, like the Roman poet, great peace shall overshadow the earth as she becomes “the property of the husbandman”.

Whatever others do, let us, as believers therefore, walk in the light of this peace and daily act, talk and live our life as ‘agents’ of His peace. Let us remember that when true religion flourishes in the atmosphere of peace, men delight in going up to the house of the Lord, and in urging others to accompany them.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: O Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Worth Reading!!!

 A Psychologist walked around a room while teaching Stress Management to an audience.

As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they'd be asked the "Half empty or Half full" question.

Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired:
"How heavy is this glass of water?"

Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.

She replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter.
It depends on how long I hold it.

If I hold it for a minute,
it's not a problem.

If I hold it for an hour,
I'll have an ache in my arm.

If I hold it for a day,
my arm will feel numb and paralyzed.

In each case,
the weight of the glass doesn't change,

But

The longer I hold it,
the heavier it becomes.

She continued,
"The Stresses and Worries in Life , are like that Glass of Water...

Think about them for a while and nothing happens.

Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt.

And

If you think about them all day long,
you will feel paralyzed –
incapable of doing anything....!!!"

Remember to put the Glass Down, Don't worry be Happy.

Onion Juice for Hair Growth and Reversing Grey, With Video

Onions are more than just a healthy vegetable. They have been shown to help increase hair growth and reverse grey hair when applied to the scalp.

Onion juice has been used for hundreds of years to treat thin and greying hair.

Onion juice helps by providing nourishment and circulation to the hair follicles. It also kills germs, parasites, and is helpful in treating some fungi infections, all of which can aid in prevention of hair loss.

Onions are also high in sulfur, which helps in regenerating the hair follicles, and they are beneficial in decreasing inflammation.

A few weeks ago, a breakthrough cure for thin and grey hair was published and showed great results for the effectiveness of a topical compound called pseudocatalase (PC-KUS). The reason this topical cream was found effective was that it targeted the cause of grey and thinning hair. Research from Bradford University in the UK and several other universities have shown that grey and thinning hair is caused by a buildup of hydrogen peroxide and a decrease in the natural antioxidant, catalase. When a buildup of hydrogen peroxide occurs at the hair follicles, it causes oxidative stress resulting in greying and thinning hair.

Catalase can not only be found in the topical cream, but it can also be produced from the application of onion juice! Onion juice reacts similarly, as when it is applied, it increases the level of catalase on the skins surface, reducing the buildup of hydrogen peroxide.
Onion Juice for Hair Loss and Greying Hair

The results from the topical application of onion juice can be observed within just a few weeks.

One study from the Journal of Dermatology found that just after four weeks of using onion juice, 74% of individuals with alopecia areata experienced significant hair regrowth. Within six weeks of using onion juice, 84% of the individuals were reported to have hair regrowth.
How to Make Onion Juice

When I first started researching using onion juice for hair growth, I immediately did a search for where I could buy some. Even though you can buy it online, it is better to use the juice of a fresh onion as any juice you purchase is stored for months and the fresh juice will be more potent. It is best to make the juice in small amounts so it is does not have to be stored for a long period of time.

There are 3 Ways You Can Make Onion Juice:

1) Juicer- If you have a juicer, this is the easiest way to make onion juice. Just peel the onion, cut it in half and put it in the juicer.

2) Blender/Food Processor- Peel the onion and cut it into about 4 sections, then put them into your blender or food processor and start blending. Lastly, strain the mixture so that only the juice is remaining.

3) Grater – Peel the onion and cut it in half. Grate both halves of the onion over a dish and then strain the mixture to get just the juice.
How to Use Onion Juice for Hair

For the first application of onion juice, you may want to test it on a small area (in case you may be allergic to it) or water down the mixture. Even though it’s natural, pure onion juice is strong.

Apply the onion juice daily to your scalp and lightly massage it in, this helps stimulate the hair follicles and allows for maximum absorption.

Leave the onion Juice on for about 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Eww! The smell is powerful, but the results may be worth it! To avoid smelling like onion all day, you can apply it at night and then wash it out before you go to bed.

If you’re allergic to onions or are looking for another option, another common remedy for thinning hair is ginseng.

-Using onion-honey mixture: Take one-fourth cup of raw onion juice and add honey to it. Use this to massage your scalp on a daily basis to see the difference.

-Onion is a natural anti dandruff solution: Applying onion juice on scalp for half an hour before washing your hair with a shampoo can be very effective for treating dandruff.

-Olive Oil and Honey for Treatment of Dandruff: Take 1/4th portion of honey and mix t into 3/4th portion of Olive oil. Apply on your scalp and hair and wrap a hot towel over it and wash after some time with a mild shampoo.

See video below, By AlopeciaFreeWithJass. Enjoy healthy hair.