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
In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. (NIV)
Barbara, Prospect, KY: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 9:38 NIV
Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this. To visit orphans and widows in their trouble and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. James 1:27 NIV
Blessed be the name of the Lord now and forever.
Everywhere – from east to west – praise the name of the Lord. Psalm 113:2,3 NLT
Jenn H, Medford OR
For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said, “In repentence and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength.”
Isaiah 30:15 NASB
Linda from Holts Summit,MO
Psalm 37:23-24 NIV
If the Lord delights in a man’s way, He makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand.
Eva, Knoxville – (cont) For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. James 1:11a (NIV)
Jeri, Salt Lake City, UT
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 NIV
Pamela, La Ceiba, Honduras
Phil 4:6-7 NKJV
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus
Nancy, Sanger TX
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading kept in heaven for you who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Peter 1:3-5 (ESV)
Julie- Queen Creek, AZ: “Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6 (NLT)
Portland,TN
James 2:13 – “because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgement.” NIV
I am behind on memorization, so I am also choosing a short James verse —
James 1:20 “because our anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires” NIV I know I will be saying this one over and over.
Psalm 84:10, NIV:
Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be
a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
Deb Knepp in Bremen, IN
even ther Your hand would guide me, your right hand would grab hold of me.
Psalms 139:10 NET
Hilary, Columbus, GA
“Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.” Galatians 6:10
NLT 🙂
Maureen, Utah:
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Fran, Jackson TN
Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. (Proverbs 18:12 NIV)
Mary Anne, Osler, SK Canada “Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.” Isaiah 40:26
With Phyllis from Cleveland, OH, we chose:
If our minds are ruled by our desires, we will die. But if our minds are ruled by the Spirit, we wil have life and peace. Romans 8:6 CEV
Connie from Carterville, IL
“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
Romans 5:5 ESV
Michelle, Minot, ND
James 4:7b-8a ESV
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.
Cynthia, Virginia
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Rom 15:13 ESV
Michele, In finally WARM Minneapolis, MN 🙂
Test all things. Hold on to what’s good. Stay away from every kind of evil.
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 HCSB
Nancy, Lakewood CO
“He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.”
Prov 14:26 NIV
Rebecca
Owasso OK
1 Corinthians 8:1-3 NIV
“…We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up but love builds up. The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. But the man who loves God is known by God.”
Alice, Marietta GA
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 (NIV)
Eva from Wichita, KS
As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103:12 NIV
Janet, West Linn, OR
“Blessed are those who mourn,
For they will be comforted.”
Matthew 5:4 NIV
Cindy, Kearney NE
Philippians 4:6(NLT)
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Abbie, Katy: “Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NET
Corley in Conway, Arkansas:
“For the Lord is a sun and shield;
The Lord gives grace and glory;
No good thing does He withhold from those
who walk uprightly.” Psalm 84.11, NASB
Dawn Kornelson- Airdrie Alberta Canada
For his anger lasts only a moment,but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.
PSALM 30:5 NIV
Teresa Landreth, Chadron, Nebraska.
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:2 NIV
Allison Perrine, Spokane WA
“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)
Love Lindsee’s verse!
Trae Kendrick, Crawford, Texas: “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His loved endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story.” Psalm 107:1-2a NIV.
Britt, Burlington, NC. Love is patient, love is kind. Love is not jealous, or boastful, it is not arrogant or rude. 1 Corinthians 13:4 Unknown translation.
Kate Chalker
Highland, CA
Proverbs 4:25 NLT
Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
“Get all the advice you can and be wise the rest of your life.” Prov. 20:20 Living Bible
Jeannie, Nashville, Tn.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Don’t be anxious about anything,but in everything,by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil.4:4-7. NIV
Julia, Whidbey Island, WA: “His power at work in us can do far more than we dare ask or imagine.” Eph. 3:20 CEV
Jeanni, Westland
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Ephesians 4:29 KJV
Mary, Houston TX
Mary
Houston, TX
Psalm 77:4 NIV You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak.
Jennifer, North Charleston, SC:
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.
1 Peter 1:22, NIV
Kelli, Southeastern Colorado
Restore unto me the joy of your salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Psalm 51:12 KJV
Kristen- Moose Factory, Ontario
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
Kathy, Birmingham, AL
Isaiah 26:3 ESV
You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
And now dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on whatever is true, and Honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and Worthy of praise.
Philippians 4:8 NLT
Do not judge,and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Luke 6:37 (NIV)
Melissa, San Antonio, TX
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 (NIV)