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
Kimberly, Lawrenceburg, KY. You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail. Proverbs 19:21
Sally Reed, Bellaire, Tx. James 1:6-7, NIV. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
Holly from Benton, AR:
“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)
Lisa, Minnesota
James 2:10 NLT
For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.
Tracy, Tangent, OR
Col 3:13 bearing with one another, forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against one another; even as Christ forgave you, so you must also do. (NKJV).
Terry from Indianapolis, IN
This God—His way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him. For who is God, but the Lord ? And who is a rock, except our God?
Psalms 18:30, 31 ESV
Karen from Indianapolis
Romans 8:6 NIV
The mind of sinful man is death but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.
Melissa, Nicholasville, KY
“When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.” Prov. 31:26 (NLT)
Mary, Barboursville, VA
Repent, then, and turn to YHWH, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Acts 3:19, NIV
Kathy, Houston
May the Lord answer your prayers and give you peace.
Numbers 6:26 (Easy to Read)
Linda Gammon, Blue Springs, MO
Proverbs 31:19-21 ESV
19. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20. She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head. Psalm 3:3
Cheryl, Lewiston, ID “The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike!”
Isaiah 12:2 NLT
See, God has come to save me. I will trust in Him and not be afraid. The Lord God is my strength and my song; He has given me victory.
Jessica, Pewaukee, WI
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
Jill, Searcy AR “Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.'” Jonah 2:8-9 NIV
Sharon, McKinney, TX
Romans 12:5 NIV
“In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”
Monica
Cheyenne, WY
Psalm 17:6 NLT
I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray.
Caroline, Rio, WI
“Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him who loved us.”
Romans 8:37 AMP
Christy, Summit, MS; “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to The Lord, for he has been good to me.” Psalm 13:5,6 NIV
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Jer. 33:3 ESV
Ally, Searcy AR
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
April, Diboll
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.
Ephesians 6:4(NLT)
Lu, Garner, NC
1 John 4:18, NIV. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
Natalie-Austin, Tx
2Cor 12:9
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 weakness so that Christ’s power may rest upon me.
I Theassalonians 5:18,NIV give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Ambur, Fulton, MO ‘humble yourselves therefore under Gods mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time.’ 1 Peter 5:6 NIV
Jane,
Houston, Texas
“Immediately the father of the boy cried out and said, “I believe, help my unbelief!”
Mark 9:24 (NET)
Susan, Locust Grove VA
Philippians 3:8 (NLT)
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.
Melissa, Boston
“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.”
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 NIV
Michele, Cumming GA
For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NLT)
Jean Grant, Platte City MO
Psalm 38:15 (NIV) “I wait for you, O Lord, you will answer, O Lord my God.”
Rebecca from Houston. And every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5, HCSB
Bridgette, Rockwall, TX
‘The King will reply, ‘truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40
Kendra W., Dallas, TX:
“Jesus wept.”
John 11:35, NIV
Ellen
TN
So faith comes from hearing,
and hearing by the word of Christ.
Romans 10:17 NASB
Karen in Boerne, TX
Philippians 3:10-11, NIV
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
Liz, Hilliard
“Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning,
For in You do I trust;
Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,
For I lift up my soul to You.
Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies;
In You I take shelter.
Teach me to do Your will,
For You are my God;
Your Spirit is good.
Lead me in the land of uprightness.”
Psalm 143: 8-10 NKJV
Fran, Eden Prairie, MN
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.
Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV
Katherine Jonesboro, Ar
“It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn Your decrees. The Law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.” Ps 119:71-72
Lisa
Van Buren, AR
“How can I repay the LORD for all the good He has done for me?
Psalm 116:12
HCSB
Amber Comeaux
Katy, TX
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 ESV)
Menomonee Falls, WI
For your maker is your husband–the Lord Almighty is his name, the Holy One of Israel is your redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.
Isaiah 54:5
“I constantly trust in the Lord; because he is at my right hand, I will not be upended. So my heart rejoices and I am happy; my life is safe.”
Psalm 16:8-9, NET
Ellen, Chattanooga, TN
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT
Dusti Pugh
Carthage, TX
1 John 4:11 (NIV)
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your paths straight.” Prov. 3:5-6 (NIV)
Isaiah 46:4 ESV
“Even to your old age I am He,
and to your gray hairs I will carry you.
I made you and I will bear; I will carry and will save.”
Amy Adams
Middletown, DE
2 Peter 1:4 (NIV) – For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.
Philippians 3:13-14 (NLT)
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, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Tami
Columbus, OH