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
Kathy, Madison, CT
Romans 1: 19-20
since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
Chandel in Chiang Rai, Thailand:
Psalm 27:8 My heart says of you, “seek His face!” Your face, LORD I will seek. AND I am adding Ps. 27:13 to claim the end of this- I am confident of this I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
The next time I write my verse I will be in AMERICA for the summer. I know my time in Thailand has not been wasted, but this has been the toughest season ever. I am asking God, pleading with Him. That I will be able to fully recover and rest from this year before entering the next year. LORD set your captives free in Thailand. Holy Spirit remove the spirit of the enemy in this country. Be with the believers here and thank you that little children and young girls are being rescued each day from trafficking. Bring healing and draw these souls to You. I love you LORD.
Linda from Wake Forest, N.C.
Nahum 1:7(NIV)
“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him>”
Sabrina Starnes
Morristown, Tennessee
“But there’s so much more. Let’s get on with it!”
Hebrews 6:3 The Message
Joni, Littleton CO
“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 garbage, so that I could gain Christ.”
Phil. 3:8 NLT
Aleta Westfield, IN. NIV Psalm 145:3. Great is The Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.
Kimberly Orr
Zionsville, Indiana
I pray that he will use his glorious riches to make you strong. May his Holy Spirit give you his power deep down inside you. Then Christ will live in your hearts because you believe in him.
Ephesians 3:16-17 NIRV
Melody
Myrtle Beach, SC
“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
Suzy from San Antonio, TX Do not be wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to you bones. Prov. 3:7-8 niv
Holli
Bryan, Texas
John 14:15
“If you love me, keep my commands.”
Elaine, New Orleans, LA
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Dawn, Dubuque, IA
“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)
Rachel – Texas
Lamentations 3:24
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!” NKJV
Audrey from Cimarron, KS – 1 John 5:11-12 “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 1 John 5:11-12 (NIV)
Sandi Starnes from Morristown, Tennessee
Verses #10/#11
Luke 12:29-32 (MSG)
“What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.”
Johnnie. Hammond, LA
Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your GOD,
I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10. NKJV
Lisa, Simsboro, LA
“even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” Psalms 139;10 NIV
Rita – Alva, Florida
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”
I Peter 4:10 NLT
And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose, (Romans 8:28 NET)
Nancy, North Little Rock, AR
Search me O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Psalm 139: 23-24 NIV
Pam, Brighton, CO
Colossians 3:11 ESV
Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Susan, Houston, Col. 2:9,10 – For in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. ESV
Johnnie. Hammond, LA
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer!
Romans 12:12
NIV
Tammy, Merryville, La
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 NKJV
Wynell, Athens GA
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. James 1:2-3 NKJV
Katie Davila, Tomball, TX:
For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112:6-7 (ESV)
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”
1 Cor. 13:4, NIV
Mona, Rome, GA
“The grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.”
1 Timothy 1:14 (WEB)
“Come near to God and he will come near to you.” James 4:8a
Sandi, Lewiston, ID
Matthew 7:24 NIV
Matthew 7:24 NIV
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Jamye L., Greenbrier, AR
Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope.
Psalm 119:49 NIV
Kosciusko
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19, 20 ESV)
Cherry B., Conway, AR
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:11, NIV
Karen Houston Ephesians 1:4 He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. NAS
Holly Novak, Amarillo, TX “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
Matt 5:14 NIV
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
Lisa from NY
Connie says: “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12 NKJV
Connie Kempf, Eugene, OR
Erin from Kansas City, MO
Psalm 19:14 ESV
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
1 peter 5;7 Cast all your anxiety on him,because He cares for you.
Robin, Oak Harbor, Washington
Ephesians 6:19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel (NIV)
Sarah Spencer, Marion, KS
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:3, NIV
Susan, Charleston, SC
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 1Peter 5:7
Maria – Katy, TX
Teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
Colleen ~ Frisco, TX
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
Galatians 5:13, NIV
Sally, St. Paul, MN (raising 3 sons) “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
Kay S
Lake Lure, NC
Psalm 84:11 The LORD God is a sun and sheild: The LORD gives grace and mercy. No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. (NKJV)
Susan, Knoxville, TN
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining 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 ESV
Deborah from Seward, Alaska
I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1&2 HCSB
Elizabeth M., Greenbrier, AR
“Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.” ~ 1 Samuel 12:24 (NKJV)
Kristy from Cedar Park, Texas: Test all things. Hold on to what’s good. Stay away from every kind of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 HCSB