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
Wendi
Kathleen, 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)
Amber Bowers; Houston, TX; Colossians 2:6-7 NIV; “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
Bonnie from Dacusville, SC
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 6:18. NIV84
Mary, Frisco, “My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart.” Proverbs 3:1 (NLT)
Jennifer Craven in Winston-Salem, NC
“Listen to Me… you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”
Isaiah 46:3-4 NIV
Diera – Austin, TX
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Romans 12:10 NIV
Joan from Dousman, WI
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
2Peter 1:3. NIV
Julie, Gresham, OR
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
Elvira , Grande Prairie, Alberta
Exodus 14:14 NIV
“The Lord will fight for you,
you need only be still.”
Cheri, Savage, MN Proverbs 19:21 ESV
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.
Mary Beth ~Abilene TX
John 10:10 NIV
The thief comes only to kill, still, and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.
Psalms 20:7-8 NIV
Rebecca, Louisa, VA: So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter. Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey. ~Isaiah 59:14-15a (NIV)
Orlando, FL
“And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,” Revelation 21:10 NKJV
Jessie
New Palestine IN
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
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.
Lindsey, Tucson, Arizona
“If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” -1 Peter 4:11 NKJV
Cheryl, Houston. Psalm 34:8 (NIV)-
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!”
New Living Translation:
Colossians 1:9-10
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.
Marti Loganville, ga
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands you sinners and purify your hearts, you double- minded. James 4:8 ESV
Beth, London ON
“So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.”
1 Corinthians 14:12 ESV
Barb from Carlsbad, NM. We live by faith, not by sight. 2 Cor. 5:7 NIV
Liz Ruston,Louisiana
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 NIV
Charmaine, Miami — “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.” Psalm 130:5 NIV
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV
Melanie Fort Worth “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the head, that is, Christ.” Ephesians 4:15 TNIV
Sarah P. Martinsburg, WV {building on my verse 9} “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” Ephesians 6:14-16 (NIV)
Anne, Simpsonville, SC (13)”Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. (14)Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.” Ephesians 6:13-14 NLT
Erika from McKinney, TX
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”. Numbers 6:24-26 NIV
Wendy
Ft Walton Beach,FL
Psalm 138:8, NLT
As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength.
T. Nutt, Mansfield, Tx. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 ESV)
Diane, Corbin, KY
Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. (Romans 8:34 ESV)
Rejoice always! Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NASB
Leslie G- Warner Robins, GA
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Carolyn, Williamston, MI “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life…but this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” II Corinthians 1:8-9, NIV
Candace – Narvon, PA
Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV – The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid;do not be discouraged.
Kelly Gorbold, Longmont, CO “He has shown you o man what is good and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 NIV
Kristen, Indianapolis, IN
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. ~Psalm 18:2 NIV
Michelle from Waterloo, ON, Canada
“The angel of the Lord stands guard around those who have respect for him. And he saves them. Psalm 34:7 NIVR
emi, white house: “Go to the ant, you slacker! Observe its ways and become wise. Without leader, administrator, or ruler, it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food during harvest.” Proverbs 6:6-8 HCSB
Cris from Mooresville, IN
Jeremiah 29:11
New International Version (NIV)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Andi C, Rockwall, TX
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
I Corinthians 10:13 NIV
Jane W., Charlotte
Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? 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. James 2:5-9 NIV
Ruth, Westerville, Ohio
“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13 NIV
Ericka, Tampa, Fl: “What you decide on will be done, and light will shine on your ways.” (Job 22:28 NIV)
Danita Tippet, Lake in the Hills, IL
2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
Susan in Decatur, IL
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
Shawna, Longmont, CO
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)
Kelly Snodgrass
Rogersville, TN
Revelation 17:14 ESV
They will make war on the Lamb and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and Kings of kings, and those with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
Barbie
Powell, Ohio
“But the Lord is faithful and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”
2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV)
Kasey, Newnan, GA. “”For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV