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
Cathy from Russellville, AR
“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 NLT
Janice Parent
I cling to you;
your right hand upholds me.
Psalm 63:8 NIV
Amy, Springfield
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. Psalm 28:7 NIV
Amy Storms
Santa Clarita, CA
O my Strength, I watch for you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God….O my Strength, I sing praise to you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.”
Psalm 59:9-10a, 17 (NIV)
Jeanette from Springfield, Ohio
“My eyes are ever on the Lord,
for only he will release my feet from the snare.”
Psalm 25:15 (NIV)
Katie, Clovis, CA
Ephesians 4:29 (NLT)
Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them
Jane from Geneseo, Illinois
John 7:38
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”
(NIV)
“….but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night.”
Psalm 1:2 (NLT)
Melissa
Waco, TX
Vicki, Grapevine, TX
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ~ Romans 12:18 NIV
Debbie Nicholson
Gulfport, MS
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:6 NIV
karen, Cheney, Washington
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”
Isaiah 26;3 (NKJ) 🙂
Mary Ann, Woodbury, MN
For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.
2 Corinthians 1:20 (NLT)
Debbie Torkelson, Annandale, VA
“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life – in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.” Phil 2:14-16, NIV
Amy from Everett, WA
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13(HCSB)
Elsie – Scottsbluff NE
But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
I Tim 1:5 (NAS)
Debbie W. from Prattville, AL
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.
Colossians 4:2 (NLT)
Jane Mattox from Lubbock,Texas: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 NKJV
Diane from Chesapeake, VA.
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT
Summer, McCurtain, Ok:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way. Never let yourself think that you are wiser than you are; simply obey the Lord and refuse to do wrong. (Proverbs 3:5-7 GNTD)
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” Matthew 9:37 NIV
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28
Katy
Mount Juliet, TN
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28
Lisa Curtis
Jackson, MO
If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. Jeremiah 29:13
Not sure translation:(
will keep looking
Kristi- Blair, WI
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22 (NIV)
Chelsey from Amarillo, Tx
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
Charlotte Good
Mesquite, Texas
Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”
Acts 3:6 NIV
“May the Lord give you increase more and more, You and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, Who made heaven and earth”. Psalm 115: 14-15
Karen C., Carmel, IN “But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken. Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of the wicked.” Psalm 37:15-16 NIV
Emily McAnear, Corona CA
“Trust in The Lord forever, for The Lord, The Lord Himself is the Rock eternal.”
Isaiah 26:4, NIV
Shannon, Warner Robins, GA
“Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”
Colossians 2:7 (NLT)
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. 1 Corinthians 15:58a NIV
Meredith from Columbus, OH: “I remain confident of this: I WILL see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” -Psalm 27:13-14 (NIV) *Emphasis mine 🙂
Tammy S, West Point, NE
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own because Christ Jesus made me His own.
Philippians 3:12 (ESV)
Kirby from Parsons, KS
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Elizabeth Blakeley. Escalon, CA. “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and self-discipline.” -2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)
19 You surely know that your body is a temple where the Holy Spirit lives. The Spirit is in you and is a gift from God. You are no longer your own. 20 God paid a great price for you. So use your body to honor God.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Contemporary English Version
Nicole from Newton, Iowa
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6
Ronnie from Ostrander Ohio
It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8 (ESV)
Rachel, Mt. Carmel, PA
Psalm 16:8-9, NIV
“I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand I will not be shaken. Therefore, my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure.”
Becky Mansfield, Ohio
Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
1 Corinthians 3:16 NKJV
Jody B. from Huntsville, AL
Hebrews 10:24 NIV
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
“She can laugh at days to come.” Proverbs 31:25 ESV
Amy S. from Saint Cloud, FL
“Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides You, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.”
Isaiah 64:4
(NIV)
Lois, Abilene, KS
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7
Spring, Texas
I pray that according to the wealth of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person,
Ephesians 3:16 (NET)
Beth, Troy
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6(NIV)
Nadine Fry, Morton, UK
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Proverbs 9:10 HCSB
For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.
Deuteronomy 30:16 NIV
April Lopez, BonneyLake,Wa
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Psalm 136:1 NIV
Emmilianna Ferreria, BonneyLake,Wa
You are the Salt of the earth.Matthew 5:13 NIV
Wendy – Cheyenne, WY.
You know what I long for Lord; you hear my every sigh. Psalm 38:9 NLT
Cathy,Rhinebeck,NY “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.” Deut. 32:4(NIV)