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
Kay, Sheridan
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 NIV
Gay Beck, Plain City, OH
Romans 8:38a (Common English Bible) – (CEB)
I’m convinced that nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus our Lord:
kathy from leesville, la Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Colossians 3:11 NIV
Bambi-Houston, TX
You have seen me tossing and turning through the night. You have collected all my tears and preserved them in your bottle! You have recorded every one in your book.
Psalms 56:8 The Living Bible
Julie, DeWitt, MI
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NIV
Matthew 6:33 KJV
Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you.
Loris, SC
Aubree, San Antonio, TX.
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Galatians 5:16 ESV
Tina, Knoxville: “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32 NLT)
For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. (Matthew 6:32 NIV)
Katie Melton from Loganville, GA
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Galatians 5:13 ESV
Jenni, Murray, KY:
“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” Joshua 1:8 NLT
Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews10:24,25 NLT
James 1:12 NIV
Blessed is the man who perseveres under
trial, because when he has stood the test,
he will receive the crown of life that God
has promised to those who love him.
I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from Him. Psalm 62:1 NLT
Phyllis
Gilmer, Tx
Psalm 12:6 NIV
“And the words of the LORD are flawless like silver, refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)
Abbie, Omaha, NE
Psalm 71:14 “But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more.” (ESV)
Leah from Athens, Georgia
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NKJV)
“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
Deb, West Fargo, ND
They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. Psalm 145:5 (NIV)
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment! James 2:8-13 NIV84
Tracey Moyers from Loganville, GA
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
3 John 1:4 NIV
Carrie, Atlanta. “Be joyful always” 1 Thessalonians 5:16 NIV
Kay Stambaugh, Plainview, TX
“Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.”
Psalm 62:8 NIV
Katie Euken
Muscatine, IA
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,” Hebrews 10:24 NIV
Tshaka; Fort Knox; O Lord, I give my life to you.
Psalm 25:1 NLT
Helen Wall Crystal City, Manitoba, Canada
1 John 1:10 (ESV)
If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Amy Gossen
Carthage, MO
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. (1 Peter 5:6 NIV)
Mimi Versailles, Ky
“But as for me,I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.” Micah 7:7
Schel, Bayou Vista, “For we brought nothing into this world and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that” 1 Timothy 6:7-8 (NIV)
Pam, Springfield, MO
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving The Lord.” Romans 12:11 NIV
Shelley, Birmingham, AL: “For the Lord gives wisdom; From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6 NKJV
Tracy A from Saskatoon, SK Canada:
“Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.” James 5:11 ESV
Lori, Owasso, OK
A Wife of Noble Character
10 [a]Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?
She is more precious than rubies.
11 Her husband can trust her,
and she will greatly enrich his life.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
Proverbs 31:10-12
Janene from Sibley, LA
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.
Ephesians 4:31 KJV
Carole from Webb City, MO: For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)
Wendy Couper Peterborough, Ontario Canada
Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. (Lamentations 3:23 NLT)
Deanna, Houston Psalms 62:5 (NIV)- yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him.
Michelle, from Carthage, TX
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have does, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:2-3, ESV
Vicki
Murfreesboro, TN
Psalm 34:18 (HCSB)
“The LORD is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit.”
Jen Lee, Ames, Iowa: “Since ancient times no one has heard or perceived,no eye has seen any God besides you,who intervenes for those who wait for him.” Isaiah 64:4 (NET)
Val, Ann Arbor, MI
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. – James 1:17 (NIV)
Carol, Jena, LA
(7) But whatever was to my profit I now consider lost for the sake of Christ.
(8) What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ.
Philippians 3:7-8 (NIV)
Pat C South Burlington, VT
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come near to
God and he will come near to you. James 4:7 & 8a
Debbie, Kokomo, IN
Yet The Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For The Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him. Isaiah 30:18. NIV
Stormy, Lynchburg, VA Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Colossians 4:5 NIV
“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 NIV
Amanda, Durham, NC
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one anther with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:15-16
Angie, Lee’s Summit,
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.
James 3:9 NIV
Sue, Texarkana, “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)
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 NLT