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
Cathi
The Woodlands, TX
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV
Terri, Pleasant Hope, MO
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6 (ESV)
Tempa Babington, Palm Bay, Florida
“It is written: As surely as I live, says The Lord, “Every knee will bow before me; every tongue confess to God.” So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore, let us stop passing judgement on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.” Romans 14: 11-13 NIV
Angie W. from Liberty, Missouri: Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:4-5 NIV84
Gwyn Tidwell of Haslet, Tx – Where these is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law. Provergs 29:18 (NIV84)
Julie from Bristol, Tennessee
Prov 3:1-2 NIV
Do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.
Linda
Belton, TX
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6. NIV
Ruth from Oran,Mo “But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus”
Philippians 4:19 KJV
Elizabeth Meagher Mechanicsville, VA
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:10, NIV
Janae – Riverside, PA Psalm 51:6 “Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.”
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God…
Colossians 1:9-10
Midland, Tx
Galatians 6:3 (HCSB)
For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he is deceiving himself.
Pam~ Moss Bluff, LA
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”
Proverbs 16:3 (ESV)
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
~2 Peter 3:9
Suzanne Bailey, Harrisville, RI
So then while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
Galatians 6:10 NASB
Sylvia, Georgetown TX
In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise–in God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?
Ps 56:10-11 NIV
Alicia OKC
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from he law of sin and death.”
Romans 8:1-2 ESV
Molly, Gainesville, GA
“He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them.”
Psalm 145:19 NASB
I came so that you may have life and live it more abundantly. John 10:10b niv
Jennifer
Lexington, KY
Proverbs 31:19 (CEV)
“She spins her own cloth.”
Roni- Demopolis “Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart.” Psalm 119:34 NLT
Bonnie Wallace
Charleston, SC
“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.”
Luke 16:10 NLT
Psalm 51:17 NAS
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
A broken and contrite heart,
O, God, You will not despise
Hammond, LA
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 ESV
Jeanine, Toronto, Canada
“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He promised.” Hebrews 10:36 NIV
Nancy from West Grove, Pa.
The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7
Jesus replied, “LOVE the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This
is the first and greatest commandment!”
Matthew 22:37-38 (NIV)
Kristi, Greenville, TX
“Dear friends, I warn you as ‘temporary residents and foreigners’ to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.”
1 Peter 2:11, NLT
Diana, East Peoria, IL
Psalm 23:1 NLT
The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
Sheryl, PA
Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits – who forgives your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psalm 103:2-5 NIV
Anne B. from Hot Springs, AR:
“Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” – Psalm 127:1 (ESV)
Jeanene – Newnan, GA
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 3:14 NIV
Susan B., Chapin, SC
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 NIV
Delanie, Fenton Psalms 111:10 (NIV) “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. All who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise”
Lorene, Lafayette, LA.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Patricia from Croton~on~Hudson, NY~ “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” ~ Job 42:2 RSV-2nd Catholic Edition
Sarah, Christina and Esther May; Wenatchee, WA
“Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”
James 3:10 NIV
Kim from Arab, Alabama
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2 NIV
Amy, Snellville GA
“does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth” 1 Corinthians 13:6 (NASB)
Tracy from Kentucky
As you do not know what is the way of the wind, Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, So you do not know the works of God who makes everything.
Ecclesiastes 11:5 (New King James Version)
Bonnie B from Florence Colorado
“Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He instructs sinners in His ways.”
Psalms 25:8 NIV
Great word Lindsee!!!
I’d rather have Jesus Too!!!
Thank you so much 🙂
Elaine, Littleton, CO
Isaiah 40:28 – 31 (NIV)
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; 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.
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Ephesians 5:1-2 NLT
Marsha R. Lexington Park, MD
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds us useless?
James 2:19-20 NIV
oops…I misspelled a word….2nd to last word *is* instead of *us*
Jenn, Orlando
Sacrifice and offering you did not desire – but my ears you have opened – burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, “Here I am, I have come – it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, my God, your law is within my heart.”
Psalm 40:6-8 (NIV)
Melody Jefferson Georgia
Ephesians 6:17&18 (NIV)
Take the helmet of salvation & the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayer requests. With this in mind, Be Alert & always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Amanda Porter. Lubbock, Texas.
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. -Hebrews 10:36 (NIV)
Rosie, Tacoma WA
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Romans 15:4 ESV
Chyrll, Memphis: If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. John 15:10 NASB
Kristin V from Greenwood, IN: Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2 NIV