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
Nina
Moore, Ok
Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! (Psalms 126:5 ESV)
May 15
Psalm 119:165 NIV
165 Great peace have they who love your law,
and nothing can make them stumble
Holly, Ramona,CA
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30. (NASB)
San Ramon, CA
“Rely on the LORD! Be strong and confident! Rely on the LORD!” ~ Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
Peggy from Homer, IL
James 1:5 NIV
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
Phil. 3:7 ESV
Mandeville
For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not parish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16, NIV
Stephanie Kilper, Stow, OH
“but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Megan Grants Pass, Oregon
Let you speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person. Colossians 4:6 (NASB)
Linda from Birmingham, Alabama
“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”
–Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)
Maria Oxford, MS
Psalm 62:1, “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.” (NIV)
Kendra Green, College Station, TX
“God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 HCSB
Pam Hamilton, OH
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Isaiah 53:11 (KJV)
Connie,Tyler The mind of a sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. NIV
Angela; Covington, GA
“He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.”
Prov 14:26 NIV
Rhonda, Niles, MI “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12 ESV
Marsha from lufkin
Better is one day in your court than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house if my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
Psalm 84:10 NIV
Cathi, North Canton, Oh
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.
Ephesians 1:17 NIV
James 1:14-15 ESV
14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
Barbara Moran, Celebration, FL
For we will be counted as righteous when we obey all the commands the Lord our God has given us.
Deuteronomy 6:25, NLT
Joanne, Callahan, FL
For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.
2 Corinthians 1:20 (ESV)
Sherilyn R, Warsaw, IN
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12, ESV
DeAnne W., Bothell WA
Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5
John 14:23 Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” John 14:23 NIV
Jennifer, Canfield, OH
Judy Heindl – Cottageville, WV Eph.5 9&10 KJV
9.”(For the fruit of the spirit is in all goodness and rightousness and truth;)”
10.”Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.”
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold, the new has come.
2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12: 5 NIV
Mary Nelle Jones, Youngstown, OH
Madeleine,Corrales,NM: For the word of God is living and powerful,and sharper than any two- edged sword. Hebrews 4:12 NKJV
Stefanie, Moses Lake, WA
Psalm 73:26 ESV
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Amanda from Huntington-
“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.”
Psalms 37:4 (NLT)
Amber, Goshen, IN
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.
Hebrews 12:1-4 NLT
Margo, Laramie WY
Psalm 19: 7 NIV
The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
Valerie
Sparks, Nevada
I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me. Psalm 16:8 NLT
By His wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:5)
Leslee of Columbia, SC
For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do goo works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph 2:10 NIV
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Philippians 4:5 ( NIV Study Bible)
Suzy – Orlando, FL
So sorry, two at once for May 1 and May 15 :).
Lamentations 3:2223 (NIV)
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed. For his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Eze 36:26 (NIV)
Becky, Oklahoma City
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
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
New Living Translation (NLT)
16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Christine, Atlanta, GA – For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:2 NIV
Cathy Blount
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given you. John 15:7 NIV
Peg Magers
Wakarusa IN
Philippians 3:14 “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Leah, Georgia, NIV, Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Esther from Jonesborough TN
The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult. Proverbs 12:16
2 Cor 4:18 NIV So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal.
Xan, Cullman, AL
Psalm 119: 114
You’re my place of quiet retreat; I wait for Your Word to renew me.
MSG
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouths; but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
Ephesians 4:29 NKJV (Geneva)
Belinda from Blacklick, Ohio
Psalm 141:3-4
“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth, keep watch over the door of my lips. 4. Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds”. (ESV)
Andrea, Spring Branch, Texas
2 Corinthians 3:12, ESV
Since we have such a hope, we are very bold,