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
Amy from Indiana
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 1John 4:7-8 RSV
Susan, Tallahassee. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:27 NAS
Ashley Roberts, Fort Worth, TX
Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
Psalm 86:11 NIV
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May they prosper who love you.
7 Peace be within your walls,
prosperity within your palaces.”
8 For the sake of my brethren and companions,
I will now say, “Peace be within you.”
9 Because of the house of the Lord our God
I will seek your good.
Psalm 122 NKJV
found this first on another website, used it somewhere else but without the translation, so went to my NKJV and it was different! Thanks for reminding us to list the translations. That makes a big difference in the tone and wording. GOD is just so good to give us the words we need, all of us, even in the different translations. 🙂
Jane Northfield MN NIV Psalm23:5-6. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Jill P., Ames, IA
Psalm 37:39-40 (HCSB)
The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord,
their refuge in a time of distress.
40 The Lord helps and delivers them;
He will deliver them from the wicked and will save them
because they take refuge in Him.
Psalm 73:25 New Living Translation
Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.
Ann from Indiana
Kathy Schettler
Boerne Tx
There are many devices in a man’s heart; but the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand. (Proverbs 19:21 RV1885)
“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.” Romans 5:5
Cassia, Spring, TX: Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27 NIV
Isaiah 57:15 NIV
For this is what the high and exalted one says – he who loves forever, whose name is holy: I live in a high and holy place but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit to revive the spirit of the the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.
I Peter 3: 3-4 (NCV)
It is not fancy hair, gold jewelry, or fine clothes that should make you beautiful. No, your beauty should come from within you — the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit that will never be destroyed and is very precious to God.
Kim Rushville, Ohio
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man will have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them. NIV
Psalm 34:18-19
Tilley Hawkins from Franklin, TN
“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
Kim S., Nashville, TN
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2 (ESV)
Karessa, Peoria, IL: Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Hebrews 10:23 NLT
Maureen, St. Clair Shores, “Oh how I love all you’ve revealed; I reverently ponder it all the day long. (Psalm: 119:97 MSG)
Carmen, Summersville, WV “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.” Phil 3:8 NLT
Linda, Delray Beach, FL
Keep your life free from the love of money
and be content with what you have,
for He has said,
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)
Megan, Salisbury,MD
Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Philippians 2:14-15 NLT
Barb, Kentwood MI:
“Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long”
Psalm 25:5 NIV
Becky, Chattanooga, TN
“Yes, everything 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 3:18 NLT
Betty M
Voltaire ND
Ps 139:7 ESV “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?”
To shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” Luke 1:79 NIV
Joy, Fayette,AL
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
Candi McDonald, Ft Bragg, NC
‘It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.’ Galatians 5:1, NASB
Wendy G
Anderson, IN
Isaiah 48:17
NIV
This is what The Lord says, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”
Rachel Ravellette, Lafayette, Ind.: Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. – Psalm 36:5
Allison from Chicago IL
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 The Message
Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.
Paige from Lincoln, NE
Lamentations 3:23
King James Version (KJV)
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Helena, Highlands Ranch, CO
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:26 NIV)
Kathy, Liverpool, NY
3John 1:4 (NIV)
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
Caty from Stockbridge, GA – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. ~Galatians 5:22-23 KJV
Vanessa, Calgary
Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-2 NIV
Melissa, Vicksburg, MS: “Avoid godless chatter because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.” 2 Timothy 2:16 NIV
Misty Sanders from North Charleston, SC
I will say of The Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I confidently trust!
Psalm 91 Amplified Version
Misty Sanders from North Charleston, SC
*Psalm 91:2 Amplified Version
Vanessa, Johnson City
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever. Psalm 23:1-6 NIV
Joni, Port Neches. “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, Love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing right.” James 2:8, Niv84)
Amy from Fairport NY..If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 5:1, NIV)
Kim K., Columbus, OH area
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV
Tanya, Raleigh, NC
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”. Hebrews 4.12 KJV
Rachel
Wellington FL
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. NLT Psalm 19:14
Sharpsburg, Ga
Psalm 139:23-24 NLT
“Search me, O God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”
Jane Williams, Van Buren, AR,
John 8:32
“and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (NAS)
Cathy, Houston. The Lord will open for you his rich storehouse — the heavens, to give the rain of his land in its season and to bless all your undertakings. You will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow. Deuteronomy 28:12 NRSV.
WAYNE, PA
“For the Lord is our sun&shield. He gives grace&glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in you.” Psalms 84:11 NLT
Suzy Edwards – Atlanta
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18 ESV
Susan, Greenville, SC
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. 1Cor.15:58 NASB
“”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
D
dixie, santa monica, california
This is a 2 week one, 2 verses that mean so much to me-I am celebrating a ten year freedom from a LONG addiction!
Psalm 119:147 ESV
I rise before dawn and cry for help, I hope in your words.
Psalm118:5 NIV
In my anquish I cried to the LORD and He answered by setting me free!