Hey girls! Lindsee here! By now you know that our dear Beth is teaching her heart out this week, taping her next Bible study in Tennessee. So, when I realized that SSMT would fall right smack dab in the middle of the taping, I told her that if she trusted me, she was welcome to release this to me and I’d try to do it as much justice as she does. She happily obliged, so here I am. What makes it easy is that I’m memorizing right alongside y’all, however, this time around I feel the pressure to make it a good verse. Of course, I’m both kidding and laughing.
Actually, my scripture memory verses don’t always come easy to me, but this week was a different story. You see, this past Sunday at church was an all hymn Sunday. Typically we’re a little more contemporary and certainly throw in a hymn every now and then, but this Sunday every last song was one you could find in a hymnal. Truth be told, I kind of loved it.
Among the selection of hymns, we sang “I’d Rather Have Jesus”. I’m not sure if you’ve listened to those lyrics lately, but what a convicting song it is and rather vulnerable if you ask me.
You tell me:
I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands;
I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand.
Than to be the king of a vast domain

And be held in sin’s dread sway;

I’d rather have Jesus than anything

This world affords today.
I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;

I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame;

I’d rather be true to His holy name
Whoa. I’d Rather. What is your rather? What do you want so bad, but you’d rather have Jesus? I could name countless things. But really, what rubbish each of those things are compared to knowing Jesus as my personal Lord and savior. What rubbish they are compared to being known and loved perfectly by Jesus himself, who gave His life for you and didn’t expect anything in return, lest we even think we have anything to offer in return. I know it in my head, but I want to fully grasp it in my heart.
That led me to Phillipians 3:8, which is my scripture this go around:
“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.” Philippians 3:8 (NLT)
Isn’t is so true, that the more time we spend getting to know our Jesus, the more the things of this world grow strangely dim? I think it is true. The more I learn that Jesus is the ONE faithful and trustworthy thing, the less I worry about worldwide fame, men’s applause, riches or anything else my flesh cringes for.
Jesus is simply better.
Have I achieved it? Hardly.
“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.” Philippians 3:12
But I press on. I put my focus on one solitary thing.
“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.” Philippians 3:13
Because after all…
“He’s all that my hungering spirit needs;
I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead.”
Jesus is better. Let’s hear yours! (And that’s three options for you, ladies! Should you choose to use one of those. Grin.)
On a not-so-different, yet different note, our sweet siesta mama did just tell me to tell y’all, “I love them so much and feel their prayers and to keep them up!”
Oh, and one more fun and important thing, be sure to hop back on tomorrow (Thursday) for the announcement of our summer Bible study! The suspense!
Y’all are priceless.
Tags: Scripture Memory 2013
“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.” Philippians 3:8 (NLT)
Kelly P. , Concord, NC
Teri, Corpus Christi, Texas
Romans 12:14 (NIV)
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
King James Matthew 22:37
Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart with all your soul and with all your mind.
Castle Pines, Colorado
Candace, East TN
Phil. 4:7-8
7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ
Anna Kristina from Wilmore
Isaiah 30:15 ESV
For thus said the Lord God,
the Holy One of Israel,
“In returning (repentance) and rest
you shall be saved;
in quietness and in trust
shall be your strength.”
Julie
Arkansas
I have sought your face with al my heart,
be gracious to me according to your promise.
Psalm 119:58
AdeleAlys Spil from Matthews(Charlotte) NC
“Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets,invigorate me on the pilgrim way.”
Psalm 119:37 The Message
Ohio
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.
Phil. 3:13 NIV
Kristy from Tallahassee, FL
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, ” (2 Timothy 3:14 NIV)
Becky Parrish, Lynchburg, VA
“Is this really the kind of fasting I want? Do I want a day when people merely humble themselves, bowing their heads like a reed and stretching out on sackcloth and ashes? Is this really what you call a fast, a day that is pleasing to the Lord?”
Isaiah 58:5 NET
Kristin, Panama City, FL
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Col. 3:1-3 NIV
Debbie, Marion, IN “even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.” Psalm 139:10 NIV
Erin in Euless, TX
Vickie, Baytown, TX
So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. 1 Corinthians 14:12 ESV
Traci from Evansdale, IA
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
I Peter 5:8 NIV
Erin in Euless, TX
James 3:7-8 (MSG)
“This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can’t tame a tongue—it’s never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer.”
Alicia, Mesa, Az
But if Christ is in you then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. Romans 8:10 NIV
Camille Taylor. Starkville, MS.
“And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
Luke 9:23 NIV
Isaiah 26:3 NLT
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You.
Pauline, Eau Claire “if I take the wings of morning and dwell in the
Uttermost parts of the sea , even then Your hand shall lead me
And Your right hand shall hold me” Psalm 139:9-10 NKJV
“Who am I, Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?” 2 Samuel 7:18
Laura, Southaven, MS
The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream. Proverbs 18:4 NIV
Casey, San Antonio, TX. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 NIV
Karen H., Stephenville, TX
Romans 12:7 (NASB)
if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;
Alesa from Malvern, Arkansas: Proverbs 14:16 (KJV)
A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but a fool ragith and is confident.
Ezekiel 36:26
New Living Translation (NLT)
And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.
Lisa, Mauldin, SC
To Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,…be glory. Ephesians 3:20-21 (NKJV)
“3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.”
1 Peter 3:3-4 | ESV
Catherine, Monahans, Texas:
“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” (Psalm 94:19, NIV)
(much anxiety coming in the next few weeks…)
Cindy, Roanoke, TX
Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain in Christ.
Phil. 3:8 (NLT)
Jessica, Sioux Falls, SD
Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.”
Sandy from Cedar Rapids, Iowa
I forgot to post last time but my verse was:
Psalm 94:19
When my anxious thoughts multiply within me,
Thy consolations are my delight.
Number ten is:
Proverbs 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
Alison from Southport, NC. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4. NKJV.
I will meditate on Your precepts and think about Your ways; I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. Psalm 119:15-16 HCSB
Cheryl, Le Chesnay France
The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. Psalm 121:5-6 NLT
Kim from Huntington, WV
“For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:5 NIV
Riverside, CA
Patti from Tampa: Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.
Philippians 3:8 (NLT)
I would like to add verse 9, so here it is: For His sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I can gain Christ and become one with Him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with Himself depends on faith.
Philippians 3:8b-9 (NLT)
Leslie, Central Asia
“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits and in His word I hope.”
Ps. 130:5 ESV
Melanie Toups
Bridge City, TX
Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath. — Psalm 116:2 NLT
Riverside, CA Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT
Ginger, Phoenix, AZ
“…When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139: 15b-16, NIV1984
Cyndy from Huntingdon, PA He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to out inquities. Psalm 103:10 NIV
Zeph 3:17 The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save, he will rejoice over you singing he will quiet you with his love
Kristi, Pensacola, FL:
I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
Psalm 119:15 NIV
Beth, Gig Harbor
Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.
I Thess 5:16-18 (MSG)
I like that!!
Jill
Plano, TX
Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.
I Thess 5:16-18 (MSG)
Julie, Texarkana- “Be silent before the Lord and wait expectantly for Him; do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way, by the man who carries out evil plans”. (Psalms 37:7 HCSB)
Sarah Miller. New Palestine, IN
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
(Psalm 107:8 NIV)
Marcia Jordon Fulton, MO
Deuteronomy 30:19 (NIV84)
“This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live”
Debbie, Simi Valley, CA. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ. Philippians 3:8 NLT