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
Sandy – Ft. Gibson, OK
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord…
II Timothy 1:7-8a
Stephanie-Morgantown, WV
No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God (1 John 3:9 ESV).
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.” James 5:13 ESV
Kim Emmerich
Dickinson, ND
Stephanie Corley
Quitman, TX
“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)
Allie, South Pasadena CA
but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NRSV
Come to me all ye who are heavy laden and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
Valerie, Omaha. I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 NLT
Cyndi Munson, Oklahoma City, OK
“My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hiding places on the mountainside, show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.”
Song of Songs 2:14, NIV
(I just realized I posted the same verse on May 1 and 15. I am so sorry! Crazy, busy days I am living! Thank you!)
Beth Love from PA
Matthew 6:34 (ESV)
“”Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Bethany, Evart, Michigan For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as Children of light Ephesians 5:8 NIV
Beverly, Vicksburg, MS
Psalm 18:16 NET
“He reached down from above and took hold of me; He pulled me from the surging water.”
Cottonwood, CA
“You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.” Psalm 139:4-5 NLT
Jen Evans, Seville Ohio
Philippians 4: 6-7 NIV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God 7 And the peace of God, which transends all understanding, will guard your hears and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Jana, Quitaque, TX
1 Cor. 13:4-7 NIV
Love is patient, love is kind. Id does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perserveres.
Terry from Jasper, Georgia
Psalm 139: 13-16 NKJV
For You formed my inward parts:
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
i will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed,
And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me,
when as yet there were none of them.
Cindy from Sisters Or
Acknowledge him in all your ways and he
will make your paths straight.
Prov 3:6 NET
Tarah, Camdenton,MO
“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalms 46:10 (NIV)
lynn, Louisville,
For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
II Peter 1:16 ( NASB)
Joy from Iowa~ “Post this at all the intersections,dear friends.Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue and let anger straggle behind in the rear. God’s righteousness doesn’t grow from human anger. So throw out all spoiled virtue & cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our Gardener, God landscape you with the Word, making a salvation garden of your life.” James 1:19-21 (Msg)
Lynn in Brandon, MS
For you are my lamp, O Lord, and my God lightens my darkness.
2 Samuel 22:29 (NIV)
Emily Mechanicsville, VA
But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do. What God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbors, be compassionate and loyal in your love and do not take yourself too seriously- take God seriously. Micah 6:8 MSG
Marie Franklin, TN
For I am The Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13 NIV
Joy, Clyde, OH
And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.
Luke 1:45 NASB
Hebrews 4:12. for the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two edged sword . nab
Matthew6:33 ” But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.” NIV
Amy from Florissant
“And more so, I now realize that all I gained and thought was important was nothing but yesterday’s garbage compared to knowing the Anointed Jesus my Lord. For Him I have thrown everything aside—it’s nothing but a pile of waste—so that I may gain Him.” Philippians 3:8 (The Voice)
Leslie Crawley, Flagstaff, AZ
“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4 (The New King James Version. 1982 (Ro 6:4). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.)
Andrea, Pottstown
This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it.
Hebrews 4:15-16 NIV
Proverbs 19:21(NRSV) The human mind may devise many plans, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established.
Theresa from Boaz, Al
1Peter 3:15 NET “But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you posess.”
Nancy from Evansville, IN writes
Now what I’m commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. Deuteronomy 30:11 NIV
Jill, Sterling Heights, MI
But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regards to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you. ~ 2 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
Phyllis Twilley- Salisbury, MD
“Do all things without complaining and arguing.” Philippians 2:14 NLT
Kristi, Piedmont,Al
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalms 46:10 ESV)
Kathy Leamington Ontario Canada
Hebrews 4:12
…the Word of God is living and active…”
“This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.” 1 John 3.19 (NIV)
Poorna Diaz
Arlington, VA
Patty Pierce
Searcy AR
Matthew 11:28
NIV
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest
I just have to say after getting my daughter married this past weekend I need some rest
I posted on 5-15-2013 at 9:58 pm but was unable to find the post, so here goes again.
Cindy Cannon, Otterville, il
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; he loves endures forever.
Psalms 107:1 (NIV)
Watauga, TX
Isaiah 60:4 (VOICE)
“Don’t be shy; don’t be doubtful; lift up your eyes and look around. They have gathered all around you, eager to come and be close to you. And your children will come back to this land: your sons from the farthest places of wandering and your daughters gently carried home.”
Susan, Carbondale, IL
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (Romans 12:12, 13 NIV)
Gina
Johnstown, Colorado
Do everything without complaining or arguing.
Philippians 2:14
Shelly
Golden, Colorado
Do everything without complaining or arguing.
Phillipians 2:14
Robin, Tracy CA
Hebrews 13:15 NIV
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that openly profess His Name.
Arlington TX
Psalm 100:4-5 NIV
4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to HIm and praise HIs name.
5 For The Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.
Jaclyn From Naperville, IL: “But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.” Nehemiah 4:9, NIV
Deborah, Nashville, TN
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Anita Livingston – Odem, TX
Psalms 8:3,4,9 TEV
When I look at the sky, which you have made, at the moon and the stars, which you set in their places – what are human beings, that you think of them; mere mortals, that you care for them? O Lord, our Lord, your greatness is seen in all the world!
sorry, missed posting verse 9…will post two now
Johnnie, Wake Forest, NC
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD, strong and mighty,
the LORD, mighty in battle!
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD of hosts,
He is the King of glory!
Psalm 24:8, 10 ESV
“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
Michelle – Austin
“I have come to set the captives free.” Luke 4:18