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
Kim Baker, Louisville KY
1 Corinthians 3:9 ESV
For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.
Kathy from Chandler, OK “In the morning You hear my voice, O Lord; in the morning I prepare a prayer for You and watch and wait for You to speak to my heart.” Psalm 5:3 AMP
Amy
Oklahoma
Seek the Lord and His strength; yearn for and seek His face and to be in His presence continually!
(1 Chronicles 16:11 AMP)
James 1:19-20 (NIV) My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
Kari, Frisco, TX
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8
Tammy, Fairhope, AL. “But you will receive 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
“So remember this and keep it firmly in mind: The LORD is God both in heaven and on earth, and there is no other.”
Deuteronomy 4:39 NLT
Amber B., Vicksburg, MI. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God. Isaiah 43:2-3 (NLT)
Karen from Shererville, IN
Love the Lord your God with all you heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV
Britney– Concord, NC
He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. -John 3:30 [NLT]
Jill, Austin
And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
Revelation 5:8 esv
Kate K.
Lafayette, Indiana
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”
Psalm 32:8 NIV
Cory Anna, Atlanta
“Brothers and sisters, I can’t consider myself a winner yet. This is what I do: I don’t look back, I lengthen my stride…”
-Philippians 3:13 (GWT)
Kim Beechem from Center, TX:
“Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.” Psalm 103:1-2 (NIV)
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Proverbs 16:24 (NASB)
“For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:30 (NIV)
Julie, Boerne, TX
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
Sabrina
Lincoln Nebraska
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Irene, Clarksville, TN
Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
And let those who love Your salvation say continually, “Let God be magnified.”
Psalms 70: 4 (NASB)
Holli from Corona, Ca “O LORD be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. Isaiah 33:2 NIV 84
Tammy, Lawrenceville Psalm 86:11 NIV Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name.
Connie, Kingwood, TX
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 such things. Philippians 4:8 NIV
Amy Leonardtown, MD
“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)
Laura from Prairieville, LA:
But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him. Psalm 103:17 NIV
Susan, Wynne
5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV)
Kathy, Lake Jackson, Texas
LORD, the earth is filled with your faithful love;
teach me Your statutes.
Psalm 119:64 (HCSB)
Angie M
Purcellville, VA
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
Linda, Longview: 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
Carolyn
Kearney, Nebraska
Jeremiah 29:11 CEB
I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the Lord; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope.
Heather, from Frisco, TX:
“He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.” – Psalm 37:6, NIV
Danyelle
Dayton, Ohio
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. NKJV
James 2:15 – 18 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” ¶ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. (NIV)
cara from Houston
No, the LORD has told us what is good.
What he requires of us is this:
to do what is just,
to show constant love,
and to live in humble fellowship with our God.
Micah 6:8 (GNT)
Shauna, Aurora, NE: Proverbs 13:3 “He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.” NIV
Tracy F.
Lake St. Louis, MO
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 NIV
Joyce Grimes
Pace, FL
For the grace of God has appeared with salvation for all people, (Titus 2:11 HCSB)
Michelle, Warner Robins Ga
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19 NIV)
Susan
Jersey Village, TX
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; Apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5
NIV
Heather
McDonough, GA
“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.” Ephesians 6:13 (NLT)
Kaci; Moultrie, Ga
“Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.”
2 Corinthians 7:1 ESV
Deborah from Calgary – Isaiah 40:29
(NIV) “He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.”
Brenda, Collinston
Those who fear the Lord are secure; He will be a refuge for their children. Proverbs 26 NLT
Rebecca Alburn
Salem, OR
“Remind them to… speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” Titus 3:1a,2 ESV
Delight yourself in The Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart Psalms 37:4 ESV
Becky (Fairfax, VA):
“Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
Hannah from Mt. Holly, NC
Psalm 130:5 (ESV)- “I wait for the Ord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope”
Dana Nance
Blue Ridge, TX
Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:7 NLT
Amanda Cross, Van Buren, AR
His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3 HCSB
Carrie Gill, Tyler, TX, “When I am afraid I will trust in You.” Psalm 56:3 NIV
Cindy from Nevada, IA
“And don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.”
Ephesians 4:26-27 NLT