Following Hard After Jesus

I woke up this morning after a fitful and headache-filled night of sleep. I woke up at 1 a.m. with a terrible headache. I took some ibuprofen and headed back to bed. I woke up several times in the night still battling the headache and woke up with my head pounding. All I wanted to do was curl up on the couch with Buddy and a blanket with my eyes closed and a heat pack on my head. But it was Sunday morning - my favorite time of the week. I love gathering together with my brothers and sisters in Christ and worshiping our Father together. I love listening to God's Word being taught knowing that God uses His Word to speak to me when I listen with a receptive heart. I know there are times when we are sick and need to stay home, but this morning I strongly felt I needed to go no matter how much my head was throbbing. So, I took some more medication and made myself an iced coffee and took off for church.

I walked in and was greeted with hugs from sweet girls and had good conversation with friends before the service. I was blessed by our time of worship - I can't wait for Heaven when we will be singing praises to God for all of eternity. He is truly worthy of all my praise and I just love to sing to Him. It is such a sweet time where I personally really connect to the heart of my Heavenly Father.

It was Missions Sunday today and a representative from our church camp gave a short talk and a leader from a mission organization which supports Pastors in their native land gave the message. I was greatly challenged by both but want to share what Ryan, the camp representative shared with us as it challenged my heart.

Ryan had 4 points from Hebrews 12:1-3:

• Realize the support you have built around you - the family of God.
• Throw off all that hinders you: sin, distraction, worry, stress, and more.
• Believe and trust that God simply loves you and desires to care for you.
• Follow with intention hard after Jesus.

He challenged us to not just say we are a Christian, but to be a Christian. God has really been working in my life lately. His Spirit has been working in my heart and in changing my behavior. I have seen clear evidence of the Spirit's work in my life and others have noticed too. My boss at work made a comment the other day that he was proud of the way I had handled a situation. He noticed a difference in how I had handled the same situation in the past. I can honestly only attribute it to the Spirit's work and that I have been seeking to "Follow hard after Jesus". I really like that phrase and it stuck with me. 

We ended the service with a song that has been such a blessing to me when I've heard it on the radio. It was a sweet time of worship, hearing from God, and fellowship with my Family. I'm so thankful I didn't curl up on the couch like I wanted to this morning.

10,000 Reasons - Matt Redman: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll9jgD565TU

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore

[Chorus x2]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
Lord, I'll worship Your holy name

Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
I'll worship Your holy name