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
Judy, Lancaster, PA
Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him! Ps 34.8 nlt
Brandi K
Cape Girardeau, MO
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control”
Galatians 5:22
Laura, Little Rock. “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
Emily from Houston~
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 17:22 NIV
Lynette – Aurora, CO
Micah 7:7 – NLT
As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.
Cayla
Gray Court, SC
“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God stands forever.”
Isaiah 40:8 NIV
Kim Hickory N.C.
Psalm 25:14 NIV
The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.
Gail, Jacksonville, FL. “Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35, NIV
Ashley Pointer from Spring, Texas
All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Psalms 139:16 NIV
Shannon, Jacksonville, FL “Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35, NIV
BECAUSE YOU KNOW THE TESTING OF YOUR FAITH PRODUCES PERSEVERANCE.
JAMES 1:3
Tammy
Cincinnati
Sheila, Katy, TX
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)
Amy in Eagle, Idaho
As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.
Ecclesiastes 11:5 NIV
Sandy, San Antonio, Tx
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV
Hear, my son, your father’s instruction and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck. Proverbs 1:8-9 ESV
Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and He will establish your plans.
Proverbs 16:3
Kathy Hawkins, Festus MO Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:10 NIV)
Cat
San Antonio, Texas
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.”
“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Romans 12:10 NIV
Steph
Ontario, Canada
“Unseal my lips, O Lord,
that my mouth may praise You.”
Psalm 51:15
Andria, northern Va
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”
Psalm 91:2 NIV
D’Anne, Loganville, GA I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:2 NIV)
Esther – Alburquerque, Spain
You turned my lament into dancing; You removed my sackcloth
and clothed me with gladness,so that I can sing to You and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise You forever.
Psalm 30:11-12 HCSB
Linda
Holland, Ohio
I John 5:14 NIV
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
Nitsa, Eugene, OR. “My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken.” Psalm 62:5-6 NAS
Ronda, Murfreesboro, Tennessee :
“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)
Allison from Cincinnati
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20 NIV
Christy from Holland, MI
“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18, NLT
Michelle O’Banion, Grandview, TX – 2 this time 🙂
2 Kings 11:8 HCSB
You must completely surround the king with weapons in hand. Anyone who approaches the ranks is to be put to death. *You must be with the king in all his daily tasks.”* ( I love this * 🙂 !)
John 3:21 HCSB
But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”
Kim, Dimmitt, Texas
Psalm 27:14 NIV
“Wait for the Lord: be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
Kitty
Fishers, IN
John10:27 (Message)
My sheep recognize my voice. I know them and they follow me.
Lauren from Magee, MS –
“This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel says: ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.'” ~Isaiah 30:15 (NIV)
Susan Marie from Houston TX
The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.
Psalm 34:7 NKJV
Tracey from Shawnee, Kansas
Titus 2:11-12 (NIV)
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.
Jaime Turner from Nederland, Texas
“For the eyes of The Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” ~ 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NIV)
Jan, Marion,IA 1 Corinthians 8:1a,3 NASB “Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. [3]Â but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.”
Kristie Nanes, Clearfield, UT
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves.”
2 Corinthians 4:7 (NASB)
Wrentham, MA
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV) 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.
Carla, Pierre, SD
Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garage, so that I could gain Christ. Phil. 3:8 NLT
Thanks, Lindsee. I am too busy this month to search out my own verse but love this one!!
Proverbs 19:21 The human mind may devise many plans, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established. (NRSV)
Ashley Taylor
Lawrenceville, GA
I am the Lord, the God of all humankind. There is, indeed, nothing too difficult for me.
Jeremiah 32:27 NET
Kim from Cincinnati, OH
“These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (NIV)
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love. (1 Corinthians 16:13, 14 NIV)
Aghhh! Late but I’m here 🙂
Psalm 57:7 My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident.
No wonder I can sing your praises!”
A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
Proverbs 15:13a NIV
Holly, Glendale, AZ:
“The Sovereign Lord has given me His words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning He wakens me and opens my understanding to His will.”
Isaiah 50:4NLT
Timi, Neenah WI
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight,O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 ESV
Kristen, Largo, FL Ps. 34:13-14 “Do any of you want to live a life that is long and good?” Then watch your tongue! Keep your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Work hard at living in peace with others.”
Andrea M – Okotoks, AB
Psalm 139:10 – even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
Erica G., Denver
If you say, “The Lord is my refuse,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
Psalm 91:9-11, NIV