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
Linda, Bartelso, IL. Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may overflow with the hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans15:13 HCSB
LaGlace, Alberta, Canada
“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (NIV)
Christine, St. Louis Park, MN Therefore with minds that are alert and sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.
I Peter 1:13 NIV
John 4:14 HCSB
But whoever drinks the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again-ever! In fact, the water I will give him will become a well of water springing up within him for eternal life.
Faye…Ocala,Fl
“How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.” Psalms 36:7
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
2 Peter 1: 3-4 (niv)
God made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 1 Cor 5:21 – NIV
“Therefore, He is able to save
completely and forever
those who come to God through Him,
because He always lives
to intercede for them.”
Hebrews 7:25
Linda, Fort Collins, CO
Patty, Granite Bay, CA Ephesians 3:20 NIV
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”
Julie Bauguess, Chesterland, OH
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.
Philippians 3:8 ESV – I am with you girl!
Margaret Ann, Pacific Junction
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 ESV
Laurel Tatum- Loop, Texas
“Shout to the LORD, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy!” Psalm 98:4
Lisa Braun
Warman, Saskatchewan Canada
So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord’s work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is never useless.
1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT
So thankful for what Beth is doing for the Lord this week!
Kristi, Midland TX
“For you have been called to live in freedom-not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13
Cindy K, Rock Hill, SC
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6 (NIV 2011)
Angela, Warsaw
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
Psalm 107:8 (NIV)
Kelly from Denver..
The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent….
Exodus 14:14
NASB
Carol From Kansas City
Ruth 1:16-17, New Living Testament
16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. 17 Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!”
Cheryl, Everett , Galatians 5:25 NLT , “Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirits leading in every part of our lives.”
Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
Romans 12:12 (NLT)
He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.
Psalm 18:19
NIV
Carrie Jones
Ontario, Canada
Lindsey from Dubach, LA…”May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” -Psalm 19:14 (NIV)
Laura from Canton, MI
Psalm 92:4
For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing
for joy at what your hands have done.
Julie…Hanford, ca. They worshiped together at the temple each day, met in homes for the Lords supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity. Acts 2:46 NLT
Deborah, Hartsville, SC “Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.” Psalm 37:5 NASB
Angie Marlow (Orlando, FL)
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”
Ps. 51:17 (NIV)
Laci F.
Ferris, TX
“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ and become one with Him.”
Philippians 3:8 (NLT)
Connie, Pickerington, OH “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.” Colossians 2:8 The Message
Megan, Stow, OH, I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray.
~ Psalm 17:6, NLT
James 1:10
TNIV
Beth
Liberty Lake, WA
But the rich should take pride in their humiliation-since they will pass away like a wild flower.
Jacqui…lemoore, ca. I know that my redeemer live sand in e end he will stand on earth after my skin has been destroyed yet in my flash I will see God. I myself will see him with my own eyes and yet not another. How my heart yearns inside of me. Job 19:25-27
Kim B. Thatcher, Az
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Isaiah 40:29
Heather, Memphis, TN
“I know that whatsoever God doeth it shall be forever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it: And God doeth it, that men should fear before Him.” Ecc. 3:14 KJV
Nicole Hudnall, Lynchburg, VA
I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. (Psalms 34:4 NLT)
Carolyn, Austin, TX
“How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!” Proverbs 16:16 NIV
Molly, Cypress, 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 Christ.” Philippians 3:8 (NLT)
Karen, Dallas, TX:
There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed,
or hidden that will not be made known.
Luke 12:2 (NIV 1984)
Ally, Houston.
“Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.”
Isaiah 52:2 KJV
Paula, Maine
This saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways and see and ask for the old paths, where is the good way and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.
Jeremiah 6:16 KJV
Cindy Gandy
Hazlehurst, MS
Matthew 5:11 NIV
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Stephanie, Scottsdale, AZ
“Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6 NIV
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You. Isaiah 26:3 NLT
Vicki from Ann Arbor MI
That though the wicked spring up like grass
and all evil doers flourish,
they will be forever destroyed.
Psalm 93:7 NIV
Marla from Dixon: NIV Galatians 5:24
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh
with its passions and desires.
jacqueline M, Lancaster Co. PA
Luke 12:25-26
And which of you by worrying can add an hour to his life? So if you cannot do such a very little thing as this, why do you worry about the rest?
Sherry
Indianapolis
“But God does not take away life; instead, He devises ways so that a banished person may not remain estranged from Him.”
2Samuel 14:14b. NIV
Jo Ann, Philadelphia. “For my father and my mother have forsaken me, But the Lord will take me up.” Psalm 27:10 NASB
Robbie
Michigan
So lets not get tired of doing good. At just be right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
Gal 6:9 NLT
Jeanette, Tualatin, psalm 119:18
Open my eyes to see the miracles in your teachings.
Shera- Lynchburg, Va.
And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God.
Deuteronomy 28:2. (ESV)