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
Tracy – Andice, TX
“For the sake of Your name, O Lord, revive me.
In Your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.”
Psalm 143:11 NASB
from Colorado
He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn,and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. Psalm 37:6 NLT
Clancie Speck, Elizabethtown, KY
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. Psalm 63:3-4, NIV(1984)
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 NLT)
Kelley, Des Moines WA Isaiah 43:18-19 / Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
The LORD your God is with you, He is might 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
Taryn from Corinth, TX
“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”
James 1:19-20
Crystal, Phoenix AZ
Phil. 3:8 NIV
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…”
My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.
James 2:1 ESV
Sharon Allen, Redmond,WA
Brenda Hayden, Auburn, Washington
“So even to old age and gray hairs, Oh God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation.”
Psalm 71:18, ESV
Beth Schwartz, Lititz, PA
“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)
Shaci- Aztec,New Mexico
Psalm 94:14 NIV
For the Lord will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance.
Susan, St. George UT
“You will know that I am the Lord; those who hope in Me will not be disappointed.” Isaiah 49:23b
Cindy, Madrid, Spain
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
Heidi in Whitefish, MT
“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 5:29
Ann, San Antonio, TX
Este es el mensaje que hemos oĂdo de Ă©l, y os anunciamos: Dios es luz, y no hay ningunas tinieblas en Ă©l. 1 Juan 1:5 (RV1960)
Shannon from Surrey, BC Canada
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27 NIV
Michele Powell, Nampa, ID
Hebrews 11:1
(NRSV)
11Â Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Tolu, Boston MA
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 NKJV)
Kathy from Aiea, Hawaii
“A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”
Proverbs 17:17 NIV
Lesley, Clinton, MS
Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything is worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
Phil 4:8, NASB
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
J.J. from Longmont, CO Psalm 4:1 NIV
Answer me when I call to you,
my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
Emily Byrd; Baton Rouge, LA
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;”
Philippians 2:3, New American Standard
Gerri Des Moines, WA
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stuble, he will not fall for the Lord upholds him with His hand.
Psalm 37: 23-24 NIV
Denise, Stillwater, Oklahoma
Phillipians 3:8, which I’ll grab from you.
“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)
Sherie
The Woodlands, TX
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.” Psalm 91:14 NIV
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)
Kym from Morrison, CO
Esther 4:14 NIV
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this.
Kira, Ray, MI
Matthew 11:30 ESV
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Lisa from Arlington, Tx:
The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 NASB
Janice
Bridge City, TX
For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and no to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Kelley, Olive Branch, MS
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:8 NIV
Nicole///Dallas///Romans 11:33
“Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! “
Ps 139:5 (HCSB). You have encircled me, You have placed Your hand on me.
Lindy I. White of Oklahoma City
Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of ths age, he should become a “fool” so that he may become wise.
1 COR 3:18 (NIV)
W.Richland
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 NIV
Hannah, Fort Worth
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. (Colossians 1:16 NIV)
Bryn, Frisco
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. ” Joshua 1:9, NIV
Michelle, New Richmond: For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:4-6 ESV
Rebecca, Las Vegas. “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)
Vanessa, Rio Rancho NM
A man’s discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook as transgression.
Proverbs 19:11 NASB
Jennifer M.~ Moore,OK~ “The Lord will keep you from all harm-He will watch over your life.” Psalm 121:7 (NIV)
Whitney Janzen
Edmond, Ok
The light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it.
John 1:5 NLT
Christine, Chandler, AZ
“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Matthew 6:27,33 ESV
Carol, Santa Maria CA, Romans 12:12, NIV, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
CHRISTIE – Graham, WA
“in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
Philippians 3:11 NASB
Sharon, Riverside, Ca.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be
pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 NIV.
Nicole, Tucson: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7 NIV
Heather G.
Fredericksburg, VA
Psalm 139:13-14 NLT
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.