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
Amy D., Thousand Oaks, CA: What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:8 (NIV)
Carrie C, The Woodlands, TX
Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
“This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; For the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20 NASV
Jessica, San Diego
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Meredith Smith, Gridley, CA
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)
Martha, Brevard, NC
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
{1 Cor.13:4-7 NLT}
Leanne
Billings, MT
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Phil 4:8 ESV
Ramona, Pasadena:
Psalms 33:5, NIV
The Lord loves righteousness and justice: the earth is full of his unfailing love.
Janna, Frisco, TX
“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
Lou Ann Smith, McAllen, TX
Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 1Cor.3:16 ESV
Jennifer Otisville, MI
The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deut 33:27
Meredith, Trabuco Canyon, CA
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Mollie from Northwest Arkansas
“Lord, set up a guard for my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.”
Psalm 141:3HCSB
Christa, Denver, CO
“When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” John 5:6 ESV
Karie-Phoenix
Take hold of my instructions;
Don’t let them go.
Guard them, for they are the
Key to life.
Proverbs 4:13
Lauren, Charlotte, NC
“For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.
I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.” Psalm 32:4-5 (ESV)
Kim C. from Franklinton, LA
Phillipians 4:8 NIRV
Finally, my brothers and sisters, always think about what is true. Think about what is noble, right and pure. Think about what is lovely and worthy of respect. If anything is excellent or worthy of praise, think about those kinds of things.
Sherree from Mansfield, TX
Oh, that we might know the Lord!
Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring. Hosea 6:3 NLT
Sarah, Oklahoma City, OK, Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord ’s purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21 NIV)
Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.
Jeremiah 33:3 (ESV)
Becky, Seminole,FL
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21
Jeanette- Fair Oaks Ranch
Phillipians 3:8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider garbage, that I may gain Christ. NIV
Mary Margaret from Franklin, TN
“May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.”
2 Thessalonians 3:5 (ESV)
Mary
Silver Spring, MD
And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” Mark 9:35 (ESV)
Lisa M., Davidsville, PA
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV
Shelley from San Angelo
Colossians 3:4 NAS
When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
Jessica from Rockvale, TN
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.”
Chrissy, Clemmons, NC
Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23, NASB
Sierra, Salt Lake City, UT
Deuteronomy 31:8
The Lord himself goes before you and will always be with you, he will never leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged. NIV
Beth, Wynnewood, OK
We live by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5: 7 NIV
Dana, Ashland, KY “The LORD who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” 1 Samuel 17:37 NLT
Faye from Calgary, AB Canada
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. 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 3:12, 13 NLT)
1.Let brotherly love continue. 2. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares
Hebrews 13:2 (NIV)
Bev Goodman
Morristown, Tn
Brandy McCombs. Jay, Ok. “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” Ephesians 6:11 NIV
Lora
Mooresburg
“Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.” 1 Peter 4:1 NIV
Kristin – Jacksonville, AL
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1 ESV)
Matt. 5:3-7
Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the gentle for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy.
Your(my)love must be real, hate what is evil, hold onto what is good.
Romans 12:9ncv
Megan
Richmond, Va
“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but shared everything they had.” Acts 4:32 NIV
Kelly, Colorado Springs, CO
“Keep your lives free from the love of money & be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5 NIV
Carol fron billings
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Phil 4:8 ESV
Melissa E
Anna, Tx
“For you formed my inward parts;you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.”
Psalms 139:13
ESV
Susan from Beverly, MA
Ephesians 1:18-19 HCSB
I pray that the perception of your mind may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength.
Laura Griffiths, Auburn, AL Eph. 4:29 (amplified version)
“Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word, nor unwholesome or worthless talk (ever) come out of your mouth, but only such (speech) as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it,”
Gina from Ruston, LA
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:4 NIV).
Missy, Lake Placid
Hebrews 11:25-26 (NKJV)
25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
Tillie, Spring Branch, TX
These commandments that I give you today are to be on 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.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NIV)
Ruth, Providence
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.
I Thes. 5:18,19 RSV
Katelyn, Fort Worth, TX
But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. (Galatians 1:15 NLT)
Teresa, Orange City. Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2 NKJV
Cara – Fridley, MN
Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns,once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. 1 Peter 5:7, AMP