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
Judy, Oswego, NY
2 Corinthians 4:8-10 NASB
‘We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted but not forsaken, struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested In our body.’
Nell, Gallatin NIV/ESV (combined)
Phillipians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right (just), whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if there is anything excellent or worthy of praise– think about these things.
Judy, Virginia
“When I am afraid, I will trust in You.”
Psalm 56:3 (HCSB)
Melanie, Mineola, Tx. A man’s pride will bring him low. But the humble in spirit will retain honor. Proverbs 29:23. NKJ
Kathleen D
Bernardsville, NJ
John 16:20 NIV
” I will tell you the truth, you will weep and you will mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy
[The Lord has kept the promise he made
1 Kings 8:20
Beth, Dyersburg, Tn
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’S purpose that prevails.
Psalms 19:21 NIV
Kelli, Dover
And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obediant to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Phillipians 2:8 ESV
Kosciusko, MS
“You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.”
1 Peter 1:8-9
Brittany from Carrollton, TX: Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord ’s purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21 NIV)
Psalm 34:8 (NIV ’84)
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!”
Diane- Largo, Fl
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Ephesians 6:14-18 NIV
“Love has given me great joy and encouragement”
Philemon 7
Nicole from Corinth TX
let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:22 NLT)
Janet, Vine Grove, KY
Rather clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Romans 13:14 NIV
Anna Gibbany, Harrison, AR
“Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in you.”
Psalm 56:3 (NKJV)
Bridget, Cadillac, MI
Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.
James 3:5 NKJV
“Wise people use knowledge when they speak.But fools only speak foolishness Proverbs 15:2
Betty Murphrey, Wendell, NC
Psalm 73:26 NLT
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.
Kathi Vodenicker Jacksonville, Fl “So with yourselves, since you are eager for the manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.”-I Corinthians 14:12 ESV
Collierville Tn
“But you will recieve power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”
Acts 1:8
People make plans in their hearts.But only Lord can make those plans true. Proverbs 16:1
Sherri, Paris, TX
Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.
Psalm 55:22 TNIV
Lindsey, Nashville, TN. Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Deuteronomy 6:4-6 (NIV)
From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. These things should not be so, my brothers and sisters. A spring does not pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening, does it? Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a vine produce figs? Neither can a salt water spring produce fresh water. James 3:10-12 NET Bible
Lisa Diaz, Houston “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)
“She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her, “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the one who sees me.” Genesis 16:13 (NIV)
Kathleen, Saint Joseph, Michigan
So we must not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.
Galatians 6:18
HCSB
oops…. Galatians 6:9
I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!
Ephesians 1:18-19 (The Message)
Dawn in Monett, MO
Isaiah 26:3,4 NIV
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Trust in the LORD forever for the LORD, the LORD, is the rock eternal.
West Monroe, LA:
John 15:10 NIV:
“If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.”
Kristin A. in Renton, WA
(finishing up James memorization!)
“My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”
James 5: 19-20
Congratulations, Kristin!!! I made it through Chapter 3 with relative ease, but Chapter 4 has been difficult. I’m so proud of you! Your perseverance and accomplishment have inspired me to try harder!
Oh keep at it, seista! I have said a prayer for you, knowing in advance that God will fully equip you to memorize His Word if you truly desire to do it! I recited the whole book from start to finish last night for my hubby. He is proud of me, as am I, but I know this brings more delight to our Lord than I can imagine. Let’s be sure to be doers of the Word and not memorizers only. I am praying that for us as well, Terry. To HIM be the glory!
Tiffany from Georgetown, TX
When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise. –Proverbs 10:19 NASB
PSALMS 30:5 …… Weeping may endure for a night
But joy comes in the morning.
Amanda Teske, Chandler, AZ
Teach me your ways, O LORD, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, that I may honor you.
Psalm 86:11 NLT
Michelle, Fort Worth
But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 1 Timothy 6:8 ESV
Melissa, Conway, “I seek you with all my heart, do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I may not sin against you.” Psalm 119:10-11 (NIV)
Carolyn, St. Peters
“Because he loves me”, says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. Psalm 91:14 NIV84
Leslie from Kansas City, MO They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. Isaiah 61:4 (NIV)
Crystal, San Antonio, TX
Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.
(Proverbs 15:16 NIV)
Lori, Oil City, PA
“while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” Titus 2:13-14 (NIV)
Sandy Bowers, Bryan, Ohio
As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.
Ecclesiastes 11:5 (NIV)
Trina
Midland, Tx
James 3:18 NIV
Peacemakers who sow on peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
Phyllis Amarillo, TX
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Eph 6:16 NIV
” I have fought the good fight,I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Tim.4:7
Amanda, Lexington, KY
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 NIV
Elisca Roller, Alexandria, LA
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.KJV
Tonia in Meridian, ID from the NKJ
Acts 4:29
Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your Word.
Psalm 103:5-6
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
Barbara Severns, Eagle, Idaho
We give thanks to God always for all of you making mention of you in our prayers, constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, knowing, brethren, beloved by God, His choice of you; for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and in full conviction, just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.
1 Thessalonians 1:2-5 NASB