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
Jen, Houston
“But be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you.” – 1 Samuel 12:24 (NIV)
“But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.” 1 Samuel 12:24 NIV
Amber Moon, Lincolnton, NC
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters.
Psalm 23:2 (NIV)
Lisa Andalusia, AL
Philippians 2:5(NASB)
“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,”
Lindsay: Warrior, AL
“Many are the sorrows of the wicked,but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.” -Psalm 32:10 (ESV)
Mary, Chandler, OK
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26 NIV
Kay, Tucson AZ
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
“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.”
The God of grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you
1 Peter 5:10
Ashley from Indianapolis, Indiana
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)
Michele ~ Kenosha, WI
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)
“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)
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
As for man, his days are like grass — he blooms like a flower of the field; when the wind passes over it, it vanishes, and its place is no longer known. But from eternity to eternity the Lord ’s faithful love is toward those who fear Him, and His righteousness toward the grandchildren of those who keep His covenant, who remember to observe His precepts. (Psalms 103:15-18 HCSB)
Janet – Columbus, GA: “Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” -Psalm 55:22, NLT
Frances, Orange, TX
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV
Cami, OKC, OK. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” -Colossians 3:12 NIV
Melissa, St. Mary’s County, MD “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,” Philippians 3:13 KJV
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. ~ Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)
Amy from North Plainfield, NJ (Sorry…)
Becky, St. Augustine, Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Isaiah 58:1a. NIV
Melissa, Columbus, OH
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. Ps. 118:8 ESV
Joy from Sutherland, VA
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1 NKJ
Sarah, Colorado Springs CO
Psalm 57:1-2
Be good to me, God – and now! I’ve run to you for dear
life. I’m hiding out under your wings until the hurricane blows over. I’ll call out to High God, the God who holds me together. Psalm 57:1-2 (MSG)
Psalms 63:1 KJV
O GOD, thou art my God;early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
Susie, Columbus, Ohio Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands give me delight. Psalm 119:143 (NIV)
Sarah Sykes, Arkadelphia, AR
Nahum 1:7 (ESV)
The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him.
Adrienne
Jasper, TN
“Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Rom 12:13 NIV
P.S. LOVE your choice of Phil 3:8!
Melissa, Augusta, GA
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:1-3, NIV
“The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24
Julie S. From Menomonee Falls, WI
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
Psalm 23:1 NASB
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV
E’Von,Houston, Romans 12:12 (NIV)
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Love your verse! I’ve heard it so many times but needed the reminder. Plan to add it to my list. Thanks for sharing.
Dawn Rowden, Astoria Oregon, You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. James 4:4(NIV)
Sheryl Blake- Niles, MI
“Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.” Romans 12:12 NLT
DeeDee in Tallahassee, FL – “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ” – 1 Thessalonians 4:16
Fareen
Las Vegas, NV
“You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,” and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.”
James 2:22-26 NASB
As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. Ecclesiastes 11:5 NIV
Gretchen, Gahanna, OH– May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 NIV
Mandee from Gilbert, AZ
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
But when you ask, you must believe, and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
James 1:5-6 (NIV)
Marilyn Wirsz Odessa, FL
As soon as I pray, You answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength.
Psalm 138:8 NLT
Erica, Chicago
Psalm 19:11 (NIV)
“By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”
Lisa Brouwer
Sioux Falls, SD
I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.
I Kings 3:12 (NIV)
Eugene, OR
“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.”
Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.”
Proverbs 19:21 (ESV)
Amy from Frisco, Texas
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1 NIV
I will praise you, Oh Lord, with all myu heart; I will tell of your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise in your name, O Most High.
PSALM 9:1-2 NIV
“In a loud voice they sang: ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise’!” Revelation 5:12 NIV
Kay Martin
Tupelo, MS
Isaiah 65:24 Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear
Susan, Fort Worth, TX
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom,
and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”
Col 3:16
Darcy, Houston, Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on earth. Genesis 9:16 NIV
Yvonne, Riverside, CA
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
~Hebrews 13:8 (NASB)~
Maria Cristina Bruschi
Orlando, Florida
You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
1 Thessalonians 5:5, NIV
Mary from Columbia, PA
Ecclesiastes 11:5 New Living Translation (NLT)
Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb,so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things.