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
Sabine Bagyura, Surrey, UK
“For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who (earnestly) wait for him, who expect & look & long for Him (for His victory, His favour, His love, His peace, His joy, & His matchless, unbroken companionship!)
Isaiah 30:18 (Part 2)
Misti Gil
Rockwall, TX
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Acts 1:8 NSRV
Phyllis, Irvine
“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.” Colossians 2:9-10 (NIV)
Kelly, Auburn, AL – You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 NKJV
Eleanor
Memphis, TN
II Tim. 1:7 ESV
For God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self-control.
Melina, OKC, OK
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
—Romans 8:28 NKJV
Mine is from Luke 1:37 For with GOD nothing shall be impossible.
Jill, Watertown
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
Romans 12.9, ESV
Christene from London, Canada2
Thessalonians 2:15 – 17 MSG
So, friends, take a firm stand, feet on the ground and head high. Keep a tight grip on what you were taught, whether in personal conversation or by our letter. May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence
put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech.
Proverbs 15:1 NIV
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:14, 15 NIV)
Anne- Glen Allen, VA
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:12-13 NIV
Laurie fr Oklahoma City, “to proclaim the year of the Lord ‘s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:2, 3 ESV)
Put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Col 3:12
But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.
Psalm 52:8 NKJV
Maria – Macomb, MI
Isaiah 49:1(NIV)
They will neither hunger nor thirst,
nor will the desert heat or the sun beat down on them.
He who has compassion on them will guide them
and lead them beside springs of water.
Susan, Decatur, IL
Posting vs. 8,9,&10 and begging forgiveness
Vs. 8 Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath. Psalm 116:2 NLT
Vs. 9 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV
Vs. 10 Heaven and Earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. Matthew 24:35 Holman CSB
You quarrel and fight; you do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive because you ask with wrong motives that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. James 4:2-3
Barb, Crown Point, IN
“…and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b, (NAS)
Gena
Elgin, Texas
“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
By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. (2 Peter 1:3 NLT)
Mary, Concord, NC: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. Philippians 4:6 NIV
…the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.
Romans 8:6 NIV
Julie P Tierra Verde, FL
Psalms 27:13&14 NET
Where would I be if I did not believe I would experience
the Lord’s favor in the land of the living?
Rely on the Lord!
Be strong and confident!
Rely on the Lord!
Being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. Romans 4:21NIV84
Laura, Englewood,Co
Lonnie G, Omaha NE
For nothing is impossible with God. ” (Luke 1:37 NLT)
Keely from Hermann, Mo: “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.” Â – I Thess. 2:8
Lori from Athens, Ga.:
1 John 5:20 (NIV)
“We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.”
Shelley,Shiloh, IL:”Your word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11 Amplified…tried to post yesterday, but blog wasn’t ready yet
Denise from Lenexa, KS
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.
Psalm 141:3 NKJV
Alice, Dallas, TX: And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 NKJV
Romans 9:22-23. NASB
What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? And He did so to make know. The riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory!
Megan, Goodlettsville, TN
“My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.”
Psalm 130:6 (NIV)
Brenda, Midlothian, VA. “You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.” Psalm 73:24 ESV
Johanna, Carlsbad CA
Psalm 121:7,8 (NIV)
The LORD will keep you from all harm —
he will watch over your life;
the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
Lizz M, Brick NJ
The rich and the poor have a common bond, The Lord is the maker of them all.
Prv 22:2 NASB
Laura, Townsend, MA
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[a] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
Ephesians 1:17-19a NIV
Paula Schaper, Dickinson ND,
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creations. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
Linda, Mandeville, LA
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
Heather from Atlanta, GA:
1 John 5:20 (NIV)
We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
Melissa Denham Springs,LA ” If any of you lack wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously with out finding fault, and it will b given to you .” James 1:5 NIV
Jenn, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Isaiah 43:10 NIV
You are my witnesses, declares the Lord, and my servant whom i have chosen so that you may know and believe me and understand that i am He. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.
O Lord, I call to you; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to you. Psalm 141:1 (NIV)
Sallie from Tallahassee, Fl
“Therefore thus says the Lord, ‘If you return then I will restore you–before Me you will stand: And if you extract the precious from the worthless, you will become My spokesman….'”
Jeremiah 15:19a NAS
Kathy Bryson
Albuquerque, NM
1Chronicles 16:8-12 HCSB
Give thanks to Yahweh; call on His name; proclaim His deeds among the peoples. Sing to Him; sing praise to Him; tell about all His wonderful works! Honor His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek Yahweh rejoice. Search for the Lord and for His strength; seek His face always. Remember the wonderful works He has done, His wonders, and the judgments He has pronounced.
Midland, TX
But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. James 1:10 (NIV)
Bernadette. Mtn home AR. “I promise this very day I will repay 2 blessings for each of your troubles.” Zechariah 9:12. NLT
Mary Jane, Troy KS
“For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do no fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13 NIV
Stephanie
Lynchburg, VA
“He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.”
Psalm 91:4 NLT
Ann Gilliam, Lexington, TN:
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. James 1:19-20 NIV