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
Debbie, Fort Thomas, KY
The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
Psalms 126:3 NIV
Naomi – Colorado Springs, CO
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical. 18 And the fruit that consists of righteousness is planted in peace among those who make peace. James 3:17-18 NET
Natalie; Leesburg, GA “You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.” (Psalm 139:5 NIV)
Amanda Grasza, Calgary, AB
And it shall come to pass, whosoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be delivered.
Joel 2:32a KJV
Louise. Atlanta.
You are my place of quiet retreat;
I wait for your Word to renew me
Ps 119:114. Message
Claire, Houston, Isaiah 58:11 NIV, The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Alison Norman Ok
But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings.* And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture Mal 4: 2 NLT
Amber, Vancleave, MS
Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God who sees”; for she said, “Have I even remained alive here after seeing Him?” Genesis 16:13 (NASB)
Karen, Hewitt
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline”.
Karen F from Unionville, PA
1 Thes. 5:17 (NIV)
pray continually,
Kris, Westbrook, Maine
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.
Psalm 143:8 NIV
Ellen, Aurora, OH
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
We demolish arguments and every pretention that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Letha. Mountain Home, Arkansas. Ephesians 1:19-20 NLT I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.
Laura from Chisago City
“Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long.”
Psalm 86:2-3 NIV
Kelley Mansfield, Sharpsburg, GA NIV
Ephesians 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Delores, Columbia TN,
But God forbid that I should boast except
in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by
the world has been crucified to me, and
I to the world. Galatians 6:14 NKJV
Debbie, Muskogee, OK
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” I Samuel 16:7 ESV
Kate
Parker, CO
“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewrads those who earnestly seek him.”
Heb. 11:6 (NIV)
Kim, Grove City, OH
2 Corth. 5:7 ESV
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Paige, ATL, NIV
Proverbs 4:20
My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. (a good one for a single mom with summer here!)
STACY, CHAPIN SC
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. PHIL3:13
Stephanie Jo
Corvallis OR
And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all…
1Thessalonians 3:12a ESV
“For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.”
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
Vicki K. from Houston
“For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Lisa from WV (posting for May 1 and May 15 – oops!!)
“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3-4 NKJV
Kristen J, Rockville, VA: Turn my eyes from worthless things and give me life through your Word. Ps. 119:37 New Living Translation
Becky, Stromsburg, NE
Psalm 141:3
Set a guard over my mouth, Lord;
Keep watch over the door of my lips.
Phillippians 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 all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.
Sara Middleburg, Florida
Hebrews 10:23 KJV
Let us hold fast to the profession of our faih without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
Janet, Holmes Beach, FL
Jesus said to her (Martha),
“I am the resurrection and the life.
He who believes in me will live,
even though he dies;
and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.
(Do you believe this?)”
John 11:25-26 NIV
Psalm 52:9 NIV
For what you have done I will always praise you
in the presence of your faithful people.
And I will hope in your name,
for your name is good.
Shirley Barry, Mooresville, NC
Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. Matt 11:30 MSG
Paige
Plano, TX
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly[a] with your God.”
Micah 6:8 (NIV)
Valerie ~ Oklahoma
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20 NIV
Haley
Conway, AR
Lamentation 3:22-23 (NIV)
“Because of the Lord ’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
MiChal, College Station, TX
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you..”
— James 4:7 (NIV)
Fort Worth, TX- “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14 (NASB)
Ryan, Sussex, WI
“Search for The Lord and for His strength; continually seek Him” Psalm 105:4 NIV
Nikki – Houston, TX
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
Kalee, Fort Worth,TX
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 15:56-7 ESV
“Cast(ing) all your anxiety upon Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 New American Standard
For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 ESV
Jennifer, Mansfield, TX
Proverbs 31:30 NIV
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
Psalms 112:7
He will have no fear of bad news;
His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord
Jennifer, Fort Worth
“Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to covetousness.” Psalm 119:36 NKJV
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NKJV
Donna, Glendale, AZ.
I am eager to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.
In this way each of us will be a blessing to the other.
Romans1:12
Kiana ~ Fairfield, TX
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8: 38-39 NIV
Lisa
Forsyth, IL
“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Romans 8:37NKJV
Melanie – Decatur, AL
James 1:21 NIV
Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the Word planted in you, which can save you.
Janet from Pearland
Acts 13: 22b
I Have found David son of Jesse, a man after God’s own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.
NIV