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
Sarah
San Diego, CA
“Test me Oh Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind.”
Psalm 26:2
NKJV, John 11:35- Jesus Wept
Tina
Waxahachie, Texas
James 15:11 (NIV)
” As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. “
Paula, Houston, TX
i seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:10, 11 NIV)
Kim from New Port Richey, FL
Proverbs 3:19 NLT
“By wisdom The Lord founded the earth, by understanding He established the heavens.”
Annie, Alabama
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)
Melissa in Greer, SC!!
Delight yourself also in the
Lord,
And He shall give you the
desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4 NKJV
JoAnn, Columbus
Ps. 16:9
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. NIV
Dimy from Griffin, Ga:
“But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.”~Proverbs 14:22b (NIV)
Judy-Taylors, SC
I love you, Lord; you are my strength. (Psalms 18:1 NLT)
Lisa from Waycross, GA
Donna from Albany, GA
“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)
I Peter 2:1-3 NIV
Therefore rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk! So that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good!
Sharron
Spring, Texas
I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.
Phil 4:13 (NIV)
Mary
Woodway, TX
“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)
Shirleen, Greenville,SC
Psalm 51:10(NKJV) Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Cyndi, Lexington KY
Rather, worship the Lord your God; it is He Who will deliver you from the hand of your enemies.
2 Kings 17:39 NIV
Vicki
Smithwick/Marble Falls, TX
“I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.”
Psalm 69:30 ESV
Kathy Willis
Huntington, WV
Colossians 3:2-3
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ESV
Kari Flom
Amery, WI
for May 1: Philippians 4:13 NIV I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
for May 15: 1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always
On the day I called you answered me; my strength of soul increased. Psalm 138:3. EVS
Amy Embree
King, NC
Hebrews 4:13
NIV
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God`s sight. Everything isuncovered.and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
“I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summoned you by name.” Isaiah 45:3
Dawn
Silver Spring, MD
Col. 3:14 (NIV)
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Jennifer, Cullman, AL
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 NLT
Jodi, Perth, Western Australia
Romans 14:17 NKJV
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Beth, North Royalton, OH
Phil. 3:13 RSV
Brethren, 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.
Pam in Texas
Pam In Texas (Having trouble posting, sorry!)
Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified;
do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God
will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Angela, McKinney TX
Numbers 6:26 (Easy-to-Read)
“May the Lord answer your prayers and give you peace.”
Pam D., Hendersonville, TN “Be joyful because you have hope. Be patient when trouble comes,and pray at all times.” Romans 12:12 (NCV)
The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right
Proverbs 84:11 b, NLT
Dorinda, O’Fallon, MO How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:9,11 NIV
Judith, Orillia, Canada
By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. (2 Peter 1:3 NLT)
Kelly in Katy, Tx
Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6b ESV)
Galatians 5:22-23
English Standard Version (ESV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. kjv
2 Corinthians 1:8 (NIV)
8b We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.
Lea from Granger, IN: Col 3:16: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (ESV)
Sue, Oktaha, OK
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. Psalm 30:5 NLT
Bologna, Italy
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus.” ESV Acts 3:19-20
Carol
Burlington, MI
Preserve me, O God; for in thee do I put my trust.
Psalms 16:1 KJV
Lisa Walden from Grand Prairie, Tx
1 Corinthians 15:57 NIV
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Lord is there to rescue all who are discouraged and have given up hope.” –Psalm 34:18[CEV]
Rachel from Jackson, TN
“Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his dwelling place.”
1 Chronicles 16:27, NIV
Lisa in Cary, NC
Romans 8:38-39 NLT
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Summer J., Crystal, MN
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19, ESV
Paula, Conway,SC
Holy,holy,holy is the Lord God Almighty. He was,He is, and He is coming! Rev 4:8 NIV
Freeland, MI “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 NIV
Debbie, Fairfax, VA
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” – Ephesians 6:11(NIV)
Gina Webster, “she will bear a son and you shall
Call him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins [that is, prevent them from failing and missing the true end and scope of life, which is God.” Mathew 1:21, NIV