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
Weatherford, OK
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8, 9 NLT)
Joan, Carter Lake, IA
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. (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)
Amanda in Daphne, AL
Isaiah 41:10 NIV84
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Alicia, Gulfport
even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. (Psalm 139:10 NIV)
Dina Garcia, Garden Grove, CA:
Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Sarah Wilkesboro NC
Who among the gods is like you O Lord? Who is like you majestic in holiness awesome in glory working wonders. Exodus 15:11 niv
Hannah, Miramar Beach, FL, “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)
From Stafford, Texas
Hebrews 11:3 “By faith, we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” NKJV
Heidi, Littleton
For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:8 NIV
Pamela Williams, Olive Branch, MS
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:10 NIV
Andrea P.
New Palestine, IN
Psalm 32:7
You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance. (NIV)
Audrey from Fayetteville, AR
“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him. Truly He is my Rock and my Fortress, I will not be shaken.”
Psalm 62:5-6 NIV
Susan- Berryville, VA
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. 2 Corinthians 12:9
…let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:22-23
Gay
Round Rock, Tx
“The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17. NIV
Jeannine Hale
Eagan,MN
Who, then, are those who fear the Lord? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose. They will spend their days in prosperity,and their descendants will inherit the land. The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.
Psalm 25:12-14 (NIV)
Lori Lutz, Montrose, CO
Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us.
Daniel 3:17 ESV
Neeley from Auburn, AL
James 3:10 NIV
“Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. ”
Continuation of James 3
Hannah – New Albany, IN
“let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him…” -Hebrews 10:22
One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.
Psalm 145:4 NIV
Lindsey Johnson
San Antonio, TX
Phil 4:19 NIV And my God will meet all our needs according to His glorious riches in Jesus Christ.
Lori, Flower Mound, TX
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James 1:22. NIV
Nancy Beda, Boardman,Ohio
May integrity and honesty protect me,for I put my hope in you. Psalm 25:21 NLT
Karen, Clarksville, “This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” John 15:8 NIV
Lindsey Edmond, OK
even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. (Psalms 139:12 ESV)
Mitzi from Midland,
Phillipians 4:8 (NIV) Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy– think about these things.
Shiffra Vicksburg, MI Deuteronomy 4:29 “But from there you will seek the Lord your G-d and you will find Him, if you search after Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (ESV)
Sharon from North Plainfield, NJ
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ~ John 15:5 (NIV)
Peggy, Queen Creek, “I will life up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121: 1-2 NASB
Amber, La Junta, CO
1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV)
However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” —the things God has prepared for those who love him—
Kim from Mansfield, TX
Psalm 141:3 NLT Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips. (Psalms 141:3 NLT)
Cindy Cannon, Otterville, IL
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever.
Psalms107:1 (NIV)
Emily Furda. Windber PA Psalm 37:40 NIV “The Lord helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.”
Jennifer, West Palm Beach, “For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.” Psalms 62:5-6 ESV
Annette, Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Colossians 1:16 NIV:
For in Him all things were created: things in Heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
Lesley, Newbury Park, CA –
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises if Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
Midge Atlanta Weeping my endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning. Ps. 30:5 NKJV
Lori, Plano, TX
I love you, Lord, my strength. Psalm 18:1 NIV
Chrissy
San Tan Valley, Arizona
“Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.”
2 Corinthians 4:1 ESV
Starr, Panama City, FL
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5 NIV)
Cheryl, Pensacola, FL
Proverbs 16:9 NIV
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
Rebecca, Chattanooga, TN
How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light. Psalm 36:7-9 ESV
Angela Talley, Murfreesboro TN
John 13: 34-35
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
from Houston, TX
sound in speech which is beyond reproach, in order that the opponent may be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. Titus 2:8 NASB
Brenda, Byhalia, MS
“for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
Philippians 2:13 (NIV)
Paulette
Nogalus Prairie, TX
“Give thanjks to the Lord!
Call on His name!
Make known His accomplishments among the nations!”
Psalm 105:1
Mandy, Bastrop
But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
Kathryn, Sarasota, “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 62:5-6 NIV
Psalm 27:14 NLT -“wait patiently for The Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for The Lord.”
Margo, Burlington ON
” Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
Ephesians 4:2,3 NIV