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
Brandy, Kingwood, TX
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead.” (Philippians 3:13 NET)
Karen, Lynnwood, WA – 2 Corinthians 4:18 NLT
So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
Tawni, Oregon
Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person. Col. 4:6 HCSB
Deanna – Frisco, TX
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
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.
Rachel in Thousand Oaks, Ca
“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 signing.
Zeph 3:17 (EXB)
Crystal Clark, Omaha, NE
I love those who love me,and those who seek me diligently find me. Proverbs 8:17 (esv)
Kristi Riverside,Ca
You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. Psalm 91:5-8 NIV
Terri, Papua New Guinea. “‘If you obey My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commands and remain in His love.'” John 15:10, NIV.
May 16
Christine watts
Branch land west va.
KJV James 1:15 then when lust hath convicted, it bringth forth sin;and sin: when it is finished bringth forth death.
Amy, Seattle, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23a NIV
Psalm 33:20 NIV
“We wait in hope for the LORD; He is our help and shield.”
Kaci, Goldsby, OK
Emily , Derby KS
My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance
James 1:2-3 NET
Sammie, Sedona AZ: “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.” 2 Corinthians 3: 14-17 NASB
Shannon Boyer, Missouri city, 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
Kellie, San Pedro Sula, Honduras
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 (NIV)
Allison Crook
Albuquerque, NM
“Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him.” (Isaiah 30:18 NASB)
Lexington, Ky
Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. (James 5:3, 4 NIV)
Richmond, TX
Psalm 61:2 NKJV
“when my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
Cindy, living in Cochem, Germany — Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 (NIV)
Lauren Mendoza, Cypress CA
The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.
Nahum 1:7 ESV
The Eungard family
Schweinfurt, Germany
If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”
Romans 10:9-10
(old) NIV–biblegateway.com gives a “different” version of NIV… who knew there was a difference! 🙂
Heather from Owasso, ok
2 Peter 1:5-8 NET
” For this reason make every effort to add to your faith excellence, to excellence, knowledge; to knowledge, self-control; to self-control, perseverence; to perseverence, godliness; to godliness, brotherly affection; to brotherly affection, unselfish love. For if these things are really yours and are continually increasing, they will keep you from becoming ineffective and unproductive in your pursuit of knowing our Lord Jesus Christ more intimately.”
Kay from Deer Park, Tx
Philippians 3:12-14
New International Version (NIV)
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, Plans for good and not for disaster.To give you a future and hope.
Jer 29:11 NLT
RaeLeen, Greenwood;
” The Lord hears the needy and does not despise his captive people.”
Psalm 69:33 (NIV)
Vilma Thomas Rancho Cucamonga, CA
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. (Psalms 139:13, 14 NLT)
Ima, Springfield, IL:
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! (Psalms 133:1 ESV)
Shawn in AZ
He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are judgement: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and righteous is He.
Deuteronomy 32:4
Charlotte, England
“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 (NLT)
Myra, London, England
“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” Jeremiah 32: 17 NIV
Jackie UK
2 Corinthians 12 verse 9 NIV
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.
Amy in Waipahu, Hawaii
But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head.
Psalm 3:3 ESV
N Fort Myers, FL
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
EPHESIANS 6: 13 NKJV
I just had to say, though I am not signed up to do this, I still read your letters. And a HUGE Thank you for this letter. It is just what this heart needed. I love this song, and this letter is just one more conformation to Press on, for somethings in my life I am trying to give over to Jesus! Isn’t He Wonderful, to work through those He loves? Thank you, Thank You, Thank you, for allowing Jesus to work through you for Me Lindsee. God bless YOU!
I’d Rather Have Jesus! Please pray for me too, my prayers for you also! ♥
k.joy from Lancaster, PA
Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him. Stepping forward he asked, “Whom are you searching for?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” and they all fell backward on the ground!
John 18:4-6 NLT
By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is in Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see. Acts 3:16 NIV – Mary, Lilburn
Terri from Mechanicsville, VA:
“Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes!”
1 Samuel 12:16 (NIV)
Erika, Hampden MA
Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 2 Peter 1:3 (NAS)
Lyn Steriti
Littleton NH
For [then] He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.
Psalm 91:3 Amplified
Julia Stevens Hill — Anniston, Alabama
Psalm 71:14 (NIV)
As for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.
Lisa from Kokomo
O that we might know The Lord! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early springs .
Hosea 6:3 NLT
But now, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand.
Isaiah 64:8NKJV
Kari
Charlottesville, VA
People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness. (Proverbs 14:29 NLT)
Donna, Huntersville, NC
“May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.”
2 Thes. 3:5, ESV
“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.”
Colossians 2:6~7 NIV
Pat S., Lago Vista, TX
“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)
Isaiah 30:15 NIV
This is what the sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel says: In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.
Unless The Lord builds the house , it’s builders labor in vain. Unless The Lord watches over the city the watchmen stand guard in vain.
Psalm 127:1
I pray that the eyes of your hearat may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hoope of His calling, what are the riches of the flory of His inheritance in the saints and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.
Eph 1:18-20 NIV
Alicia, Orlando, FL – The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe. Proverbs 29:25