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
Debbie, Corpus Christi, TX:
“Trust in The Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely;”
Proverbs 3:5 NAB
Nancy, Lee’s Summit, MO
Let all the earth fear the LORD. Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. Psalm 33:8 NKJV
Kristi B.
Hebrews 13:6 HCSB
“Therefore, we may boldly say:
The Lord is my helper;
I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?”
Lori; Odessa, TX
Psalm 73:26 (ESV)
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Memory verse 9… (missed last time)
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Phil 3:13 NIV
Memory verse 10…
“Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men.”
Eph. 6:7 NIV
Lisa A, Frisco, TX
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:19 NIV
Jill, Export, PA
Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.”
I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 ESV
Do not be afraid. I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You are mine. Isaiah 43:1
I Cor. 13:6-7 NLT
It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance
Judy, Maple Valley, Wa.
“You the God of grace, who called me to your eternal glory in Christ, after I have suffered a little while, you will restore me, make me strong, firm and steadfast.
1Peter 5:10
Psalm 55:22 (NIV)
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
Carmela, Forney TX: My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; (Proverbs 2:1-6 NKJV)
Courtney, Houma, LA
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)
Lindsey
Scenery Hill, PA
Ephesians 4:7 (ESV)
But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
Shawna Stephenville, Tx.
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalms 46:10 ESV)
Rochet, Kennesaw, GA
“But He gives us more and more grace (power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully). That is why He says, God sets Himself against the proud and haughty, but gives grace [continually] to the lowly (those who are humble enough to receive it).”
James 4:6 AMP
I do not consider brethren that I have captured and made it my own (yet) but one thing I do it is my aspiration) forgetting what lies behind & straining forward to what lies ahead .Phillipians 3:13 Amp. San Bernardino. Ca.
Desta, Trinchera, CO ~ I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. Behold, I would wander far away, I would lodge in the wilderness.” Psalm 55:6-7
Patty, Ada, OK
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”
1 John 1:7 (NIV)
Sherri – Galena, OH
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Tammy, Van, TX I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 (NIV)
Carol, Belleville, ON:
Everyone who acknowledges me [Jesus] publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.
Matt 10:32 NLT
(Giving my testimony Jun 2!!! )
Hannah
Lake Charles, LA
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God- this is you true and proper worship.
Romans 12:1 NIV
Lisa, from Huntsville, AL:
The the LORD said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock.” – Ex. 33:21 NIV 84
Eileen
Lompoc, CA
The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you, the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.
Numbers 6:25-26 NKJV
Heather from McKinney, TX “Teach me your ways, O LORD, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, that I may honor you.”
Psalm 86:11 NLT
Stephanie King – Richardson, TX
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Isaiah 40:29 NIV
Kim, Marysville, OH
Ephesians 4:29 (NLT)
Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them
Kathleen, Georgetown,TX
Proverbs 19:21 NIV84
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Carol, Cashion, OK “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)
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” 1 Peter 3:3-4
Heidi, Victoria, British Columbia
Isaiah 1:17 (NIV)
Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.
Melanie, Johnson City, TN
Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV)
1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Kristi – White Pigeon, Michigan – “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone, my hope comes from Him.”
Alyssa, Tom Bean, TX
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Ephesians 4:29, NIV
Janet Long
Clinton, MO
For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. ~ Psalm 84:11a, NLT
Cathi, Morristown TN
We pray that you’ll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us. (Colossians 1:10-12 MSG)
Kristi Hudgins, Bogota, Colombia
O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” (2 Chronicles 20:12 ESV)
NIV
Psalm 56-3
When I am afraid I will trust in you
Stacy D Iowa
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
Matthew 6:25 NIV
Diane, Longmont, CO
Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, not will they come to mind. Isaiah 65:17 NIV
So we do not look at what we can see right now, the troubles all around us, but we look forward to the joys in heaven which we have not seen. The troubles will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever. 2Cor. 4:18 LB
Jen Smith
Clearwater, FL
“The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love, O Lord, endures forever – do not abandon the works of Your hands.”
Psalm 138:8 NIV
My Bible study group and I will be memorizing…
Ecclesiastes 11:5 (NIV)
As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.
Connor, Madrid, Spain
Philippians 4:13 NKJV
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Carolyn from Nashville, TN
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
Jean Midland Tx
Exodus 15:13 niv
In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.
Amy from Custer,SD
13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Matthew 9:13 NIV
Emily, Topeka, Kansas
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
James 4:10 (NIV)