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
Sharon Meekins
Charlotte, NC
“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)
Becky, The Woodlands, TX
In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come,
Prov 31:25, NIV
Nicki
Nashville TN
“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
She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes
Making my way through Proverbs 31
Gigi, Tyler – With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever.
Psalm 86:12 NLT
Tami KC, MO
James 5:16 NLT
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
Proverbs 18:21 ESV
Brynn in Rogers, AR
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is His faithful love
toward those who fear Him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has He removed
our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.
For He knows what we are made of,
remembering that we are dust.
Psalm 103:11-14 HCSB
Quita from Trenton, Tx
KJV
He.13:20-21
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead
our LORD Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ. To whom be praise forever and ever. Amen.
Jennifer, Dallas Texas,” Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8 NASB
In JESUS’ name the nations will put their HOPE.
Matthew 12:21 NIV
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7 NIV
Georganne, Piedmont, Oklahoma Luke 1:37 NIV
For nothing is impossible with God.
Dawn, West Monroe, LA
“Wait for the Lord, be strong & take heart & wait for the Lord”. Psalm 27:14 NIV
8 Christian brothers, keep your minds thinking about whatever is true, whatever is respected, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever can be loved, and whatever is well thought of. If there is anything good and worth giving thanks for, think about these things.
Phil. 4:8
Cindy, Fort Worth, TX
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)
Carolyn
Orofino, Idaho
…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
Anita, Big River, Saskatchewan, Canada
“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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
2Corinthians 12: 9 ESV
Mandy
Tallahassee, FL
Isaiah 91:14-15 (gender switch to female my own)
“Because she loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue her. I will protect her, because she acknowledges my name. She will call out to me, and I will answer her; I will be with her in trouble, I will deliver her and honor her.”
Kelly, Glenwood, MD ” Be careful, then, how you live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil . Therefore, do not be foolish but understand what the Lord’s will is. ” Ephesians 5:15-17. NIV
Ashley, Dallas, Georgia
They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” Finally, they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” John 1:21-22 (NIV)
Jennifer, Chattanooga;
But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 2 Corinthians 1:9 NIV
Karen S, Austin, TX
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14 NAS
Michelle Alosa Concord, NH
John 14:27 NLT
“I am leaving you with a gift- peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
Julie-Ozone, AR
“I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead. I want to suffer with Him, sharing in His death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead.” –
Phil. 3:10-11 (NLT)
Linda, Anderson, IN. NKJV Psalm 27:5
For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.
Cathy: Jackman, ME: ” “But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mt. 20:26-28 NLT
Sheila, Beckley, WV (Daniel) said: Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. Daniel 2:20 NIV
Carin, Greenville, KY
I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27 NLT
Margie, San Angelo, Texas
Exodus 20:9 KJV
9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
Carol, The Woodlands, TX
James 1:13 – When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone. NIV
Christina, Lancaster, CA
Hebrews 12:1-3 ESV
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Mary, Indian Head, MD
If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction .
I will never forget your precepts,
For by them you have given me life.
Psalm 119:92-93 (ESV)
Virginia from Elgin
Psalm 121:8 NIV
The Lord will watch over your coming & going both now & forevermore.
Lori Behrens
Granbury, Tx
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with
this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for
all the saints,
Ephesians 6:18 NASB
Lisa, Greensburg, Pa
“Through Thee we push down our foes; through Thy name we tread down our assailants.”
Psalm 44:5 (RSV)
1 Corinthians 15:31
NIV
I die daily.
(2nd verse from 2 weeks ago)
Proverbs 20:13
Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. NIV
Isaiah 40:29 (NASB) “He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power.”
Annette, Stouffville ON Canada
Isaiah 43:10 “You are My witnesses,” says the LORD, “And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me.” NKJV
Michelle, Alberta, Canada
“This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,” declares The Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my people.”
– Jeremiah 31:33 NIV
1 Peter 3:12
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are open to their prayer, But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. NIV
Update:
Carol in Kansas City:
But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Ruth 1:16 NLT
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
1 Peter 4:10 NIV
And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 1Timothy 1:14 NKJV
Staci
Corona
Romans 11:33-36
[esv]
33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?”
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
Debbie, Rochester, MN
My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.
James 5:19-20 NLT
Conyers GA
Psalms 51:10 KJV
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Deb, Littleton, Colo: ” …but the rich in his humiliation because as a flower of the field he will pass away.” James 1:10 NKJV