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
Cindy, Nashville, TN “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)
Sandy, Glendale OR
Luke 7:47-48 (KJV) Wherefore I say unto thee, her sins which are many are forgiven for she loved much, but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And He said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
1 Peter 5:10-11
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen
Susan, Tallahassee, Fla.
For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2 NIV
Lisa, Fairbanks,AK
“He makes winds His messengers, flames of fire His servants.”
Psalms 104:4 (NIV)
Laura, Jefferson, ME
Psalm 25:13 ESV
His soul shall abide in well-being; and his offspring shall inherit the land.”
(great verse, in context- I’m memorizing the whole chapter!)
Sue, Wellington
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 NIV 84
Kristi, Austin, TX
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
Dianne Walters – Hartselle, AL
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not faill, for the Lord upholds him with His hand.
Psalm 37:23-24 (NIV)
Kelly Haigler, Wingate NC
You have given me a shield of victory. Your right hand supports me. Your help has made me great. Psalm 18:35 NLT
Marilyn Dale, Fort Pierce, FL, If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing. 1 Corin. 13:1-3
” The GRACE of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.”
Last line in the Bible, REV 22:21 (NIV)
Kim, Corning, NY. Psalm 32:10-11(NIV) “Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him. Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing all you who are upright in heart.”
Marisa, Michigan
James 5:16
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
Linda, Spring, Texas – Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Ephesians 6:11 NIV
Linda, Olympia, WA Ps. 91:1 NKJV “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”
Wendy Plano, TX
So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.
Hebrews 12:12-13 NLT
Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness sake, o LORD. Ps. 25.7 KJV
Natalie Dawes, Calgary, AB, Canada
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
2 Peter 1:3 (NIV84)
Julie, Hawaii
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because He has annointed me to preach good tidings to the poor, He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
Isaiah 61: 1
Jenni, San Diego. Still working on Psalm 37:1-11 NKJV!!
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Matthew 5:8 (NRSV)
Michelle Dyck, Okc
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” Psalm 143:8 NIV
Auneca in Donalsonville, GA
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good spirit lead me on level ground. Psalms 143:10 NIV
Sandra, Rock Hill, SC
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Psalm 46;1 NIV
“Oh that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the dawn or the coming of the rains in early spring.”
(Hosea 6:3 NLT)
Georgana, Leo, Indiana:
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:8-10, NIV 1984
Janice, Arkansas Luke 12:48b NASB
And from everyone who has been given much, much shall be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.
Donna Pritchett Arab, Alabama
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5, 6 ESV)
Darlene from Maine:
Phillipians 4:11 KJV
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content
Katie
Houston, TX
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalm 139:13-14
I Corinthians 9:24-25 NIV
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”
Sharon, Arlington, Texas
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” Ephesians 4:15 (NIV)
Lyndsey, NC
“The Lord will command His loving-kindness in the daytime, And in the night His song shall be with me-
A prayer to the God of my life.” NKJV
Psalm 42:8
“God is our strength & our refuge. An ever present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1
She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. Proverbs 31:16 NIV
Gray, TN
“He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.” Rev. 5:8 NIV
Judy, Beaumont, California
Your eyes have seen my unformed substance, and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.
Psalm 139:16 NAS
They will make wr on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of the lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful. Rev. 17:14 ESV
Argyle, TX
Marrissa, Orlando, FL
Philippians 3:8
“Yes, everything else is garbage when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus as my lord. For His sake, I’ve discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ” (NLT)
Amanda, Surrey, B.C., Canada, “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” James 1:22 NLT
Taylor, Temple, TX
But now, this is what the Lord says- he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”
Isaiah 43:1 (NIV)
Christy, Zionsville, IN:
Colossians 1:9, NI
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
Lisa, West Columbia, TX
“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. Ps. 20:7
Tatiana, Geneva IL
“For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh” (Phil. 3:3, ESV)
But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God, my Savior, my God will hear me. ~Micah 7:7
Heather, Morristown, TN
Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. (James 1:15 NASB)
Yolanda, Lumberton. 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
Meagan, Bedford,TX
I’ll anticipate their prayers and respond before they know it; even as they speak, I will hear. Isaiah 65:24 (The Voice)