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
Sue, Groveport, OH
Psalm 91:13-14 NIV
You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him. I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.”
And this is the confidence we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 1 John 5:14 ESV
Dawn – Pampa, TX
“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits and in His word I hope.”
Ps. 130:5 NIV
Lacie | Seattle
I wait for the Lord, my shoe being waits, and in his word I put my hope.- Psalm 130:5
Pamela New Bern NC
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Jody from Traverse City, MI
You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day.
~Psalm 91:5 (NIV)
Jan Horne
Bossier City, LA
1 Peter 2:9 NIV
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a people belonging to God, that you may delcare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Jessica from Clare, MI
You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day.
~Psalm 91:5 (NIV)
Judy from Gladwin, MI
You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day.
~Psalm 91:5 (NIV)
Patti San Rafael, Ca.
Ps. 36:1 NIV
I have a message from God in my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked:
there is no fear of God before their eyes.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. KJV
Brea Rich from Ripley, MS
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23 NIV84
Melanie, Armuchee, GA
“Wait for the LORD and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land;” Psalm 37:34a
Kristi Rogersville, TN
NIV Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever
Wendy, Harrodsburg Kentucky
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. Psalm 103:8-18 NASB
Dianne Jones, Fairfield, CA – “Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.” – Psalm 105:4 (NIV)
Lauren, Malvern, PA
Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up. Hosea 6:1 (ESV)
Janice, Harrison, AR
“And this I pray: that your love may abound yet more and more and extend to its fullest development in knowledge and all keen insight (that your love may display itself in greater depth of acquaintance and more comprehensive discernent)
Philippians 1:9 AMP
Delanie from Spring Hill, TN
Luke 1:37 “For nothing is impossible with God”
Linda W. from Tomball, TX
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1 & 2 (ESV)
Raleigh, NC
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
Psalm 84:11 NIV
Janice – Topeka, KS
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails, and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls; yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be joyful in God my Savior.
Habakkus 3:17 and 18 NIV
Whitney Caves
Clinton,MS
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us
Ephesians 3:20 NIV
Lauren from Conyers, GA
Romans 12:2 NLT
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.
I have been an avid learner in Beth’s Bible Studies for several years. Have even been a facilitator in some. I got her book “Praying God’s Word Day by Day” about 5 years ago and have been “grown up” in scripture as a result. However, the other day (and I know I have read this particular now several times)I noticed something that is bothering me. On the May 5 day, Beth begins by saying that “Love is not a spiritual gift.” She says it is a priority calling but my question is: Is it not also a spiritual gift? It is listed as the first of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Please give me some peace in this inquiry.
In His Love,
Charlotte
Toni, Greer, SC — If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9-13 NIV
Judy, Hoover, AL – “Yes, evertyhing else is worthless when compared with the infinite valve of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. for his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I can gain Christ.” Philippians 3:8 (NLT)
Jana, San Angelo, TX
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 NIV
Julie, Madison, GA
So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. Col 1:9-10 NLT
Joy – Georgetown, TX – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 niv
DaWanna
Orange, Tx
Psalm 37:7 NLT
Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.
Deb in Windsor, CT:
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” – Colossians 4:5-6, NIV
Michelle K., Warner Robins, GA
“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)
Giovanna Kerr, Holbrook, NY
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34-35 (NIV)
Stacey- Morocco,In
Proverbs 3:5 -7Trust God from the bottom of your heart;don’t try to figure out everything on your own.Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;he’s the one who will keep you on track.Don’t assume that you know it all.Run to God! Run from evil!
Stacey, Omaha, NE
Luke 24:45 (NIV) Then he opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures.
Emily (age 13)
Revelation 21:5 (NLT) And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.”
Ally (age 11)
John 3:16 (NIV) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Debbie, Cumming, GA. “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” II Corinthians 4:18 NIV
Adrienne, Valdosta, GA
“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.”
James 1:5 NLT
Nicole Turnquist – Selden, NY
“‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:20-21 (NAS)
I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4
NIV
Mary Lou, Franktown/Nassawadox, VA
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchants ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.
Proverbs 31:13-15 (NIV)
Betsy from Westerville, Ohio
John 16:33. NIV
” I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Kesley from Rome, GA – “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things.” Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
pamela t., Fairmont, NC
Psalm 68:19 (NIV)
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.
Leverett, MA
The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; but they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing.
Psalm 34:10 NASB
Lynette, Nashville, TN:
With a long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation. Psalm 91:16 NIV
Lisa, Enterprise, AL
~ When I said, ” My foot is slipping,” Your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought me joy.
— Psalm 94:18-19 (NIV)
Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. Revelation 22:12 NLT
Susan, Durango
“We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his wor, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” 1 John:2:3-6, NIV
Karen Miller, Reading PA
“But as man as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” NKJ John 1:12-13
Typo “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” NKJ John 1:12-13