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
Darcy – Edwardsville, IL
“But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it – he will be blessed in what he does.” -James 1:25 (NIV)
Sheri
Portland, Oregon
“You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.”
James 5:6 NIV84 (Still working on James.)
Tane Mcgehee Uvalde, Texas. May 16, 2013
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NIV
Sarah for Jay, Ok
“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)
Pat B in Water Valley
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 NIV
Fredericksburg, Va
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. ” – Psalm 40:1 ESV
Emily, Shreveport, LA
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 NIV)
Katie, Kentucky
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. – Ephesians 2:10 NKJV
Vickie Henderson
Russellville Ar
HCSB
Proverbs 10:22
The Lord’s blessing enriches and struggle adds nothing to it
Sherry – Deer Park
Hebrews 6:18
“…we how have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.”
Cindy, Longmont, CO
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Philippians 4:5, NIV
Colossians 3:15 NIV. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Paola, Pinellas Park, Fl
to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and unfading, having been kept in the heavens for you,
I Peter 1:4 ISR98
Vickie Pella, Iowa
Let us acknowledge the LORD;let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear;he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth. Hosea 6:3(NIV)
Jones Creek
Jesus said”I am the resurrection and the Life.
He who believes in me shall never die.”
John 11:25 (NIV)
Sahar Catharpin,VA
From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. V. 27 God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. Acts 17:26-27 NIV84
Ange & Bitsy Girl, Idaho: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. Isaiah 41:10a
Nancy D., Round Rock, TX
“Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.”
(Proverbs 29:11 NLT)
Moreen, Sydney Australia: Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:11, 12 ESV)
Marcia – Portland, Or
Philippians 2:14-15A Do everything without grumbling or arguing,so that you may become blameless and pure. NIV
Psalm 37:5 NLT
Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him and he will help you.
Careese. Amarillo TX
Sarah, Elkhart, IN
Galatians 6:9
And Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not grow weary.
Eph 2:8 NIV
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.
“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6, ESV
Jane, Bakersfield, CA
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
Hebrews 13:16 NIV
Lamentations 2:19 HCSB
Arise, cry out in the night from the first watch of the night. Pour out your heart like water before the Lord’s presence. Lift up your hands to Him for the lives of your children who are fainting from hunger on the corner of every street.
Jeanne San Antonio, TX
Psalm 9:10 NIV Those who know your name trust in you,
for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you
Christa from AZ
Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)
“But those who trust in he Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint”.
Caitlin Long
Demopolis, AL
“for our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:29 NASB
Shannon Pate
Little Rock, Arkansas
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7 (AKJV)
NIV Romans 8:10 I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death.
Then King Favid went in and sat before the Lord,and he said Who am I O Soveregin Lord, and what is my family,that you have brought me this far. 2 Sam 7:18NIV
Noreen
Calgary, AB
“My gracious favour is all you need. My power works best in your weakness. So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)
“If my people, who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people, who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14
Jill Hsieh, Aurora, IL – Psalm 27:7 – “Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me.” NIV
Sarah, Lincoln, NE
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone. James 1:13 (NIV)
Marilyn, Mission Viejo, CA
2 Timothy 3:16 ESV
All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness.
Psalm 71:19, 20 NIV
Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens,
you who have done great things.
Who is like you, God?
Though you have made me see troubles,
many and bitter,
you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
you will again bring me up.
Cheryl, Redlands, CA:
1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”
Mary, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
“You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)
Kelly west Richland,
But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. (2 Corinthians 2:14 ESV)
Shellie P.
Spokane, WA
O LORD, our God, other lords besides you have ruled over us, but your name alone do we honor.
Isaiah 26:13 NIV
Dawn, Pottsville…He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Revelation 21:4 (NIV)
Heather
Little Rock, AR
Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. (Psalms 103:1-4 NLT)
Joy, Altadena, CA
Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath.
Psalm 116:2 NLT
Kendall- Tulsa, OK
Indeed you are our glory and joy. 1 Thess. 2:20 (NIV)
Emily, Coralville IA Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. Psalm 71:20 NIV
Olympia, WA
“It works with the same mighty strength he used when he worked in the Messiah to raise him from the dead and seat him at his right hand in heaven”
Ephesians 1-19b-20 Complete Jewish Bible
Jenny, Tulsa, OK
Be still, and know that I am God;I will be exalted among the nations,I will be exalted in the earth!
Psalm 46:10, NKJV
Maryjo, Chandler, AZ
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his spirit in your inner being.
Ephesians 3:16, NIV