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
Cathryne, Fayetteville NC
“And I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:28 NASB
Carol
Carthage, NY
[“Carol, Carol”] Martha, Martha, you are worried & upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.”
Luke 10:41-42a NIV 1984
Kelly From Laurens, SC
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4 (NIV)
Coral, Jacksonville, Florida
Luke 18:19 NIV
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good- except God alone…”
Susan Knowles, Bradenton, FL
Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage so that I may have Christ.
Phil. 3:8 NLT
Karen from Powell, Ohio
Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.
Psalm 54:4 (NIV)
Joyce, Wahpeton ND
Romans 8:36 ESV
As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all day long;
We are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
Vicki, Wilmington NC
He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully.
Psalm 24:4 NKJV
I just found you blog and want to be part of the scripture memorization team. How does it work and have you provided suggestions for how to memorize scripture?
Sara, Ft. Worth
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrew 13:8 NASB
Sophie – Birmingham, AL
“But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.” – Deuteronomy 30:14, ESV
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 NIV)
Katie Cincinnati Ohio
Melissa, LaGrange, GA. Psalm 54:10 (NIV). “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says The Lord, who has compassion on you.”
Tessie. El Dorado Springs, MO.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10NIV
Cami, Murray, KY
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
Proberbs 31:25 NIV
Cathy Morris Sedona, AZ Psalm 2:11 NIV
“Serve the LORD with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling.”
Jennifer Doucet
Sulphur, Louisiana
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everyrhing, to stand.
Ephesians 6:13 NIV84
Amy- Miamisburg, OH
How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
Psalms 36:7 ESV
Sandy, Rock Hill, SC
“He is your contant source of stability. He abundantly provides safety and great wisdom. He gives all this to those who fear Him.”
Isaiah 33:6 NET
Celeste, Thompson’s Station, TN:
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him.
Psalm 62:5 (NIV 84)
Sara
Currently in Tanzania
Galatians 5:1[NIV] It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18
Blair from Harrisburg, NC
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
Julie from Granbury, TX
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.” (Psalms 23:1-6 KJV)
Sandy-Dodge City, KS
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Luke 6:37 NIV
Kristen from Allen, Tx
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord . “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8, 9 NKJV)
Correction:
Mine is 1 John 4:16 (not 4:18)
Sarah ~ Appleton, WI
I refresh the humble and give new courage to those with repentant hearts.
Isaiah 57:15, NLT
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Provers 19:21
Barbara, Tomball, TX:
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.” Acts 17:24-25 (NIV)
Olivia- Tennessee
Im not saying that i have this all together, that i have it made. But i am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Philippians 3:12 msg
Michelle, Colorado Springs
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Romans 12:12 (NIV)
Beth Aldrich
Cary, NC
Isaiah 61:1 (NCV)
The Lord God has put his Spirit in me, because the Lord has appointed me to tell the good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort those whose hearts are broken, to tell the captives they are free, and to tell the prisoners they are released.
“The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.” ~Psalm 37:14 NIV
Psalms 23: 3-4 NLT He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
Robin
Snohomish, WA
Trish of West Linn, Oregon
“Many are the plans in a Man’s heart, but The Lord’s purpose will prevail.” Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Julie, Sugar Land, TX
2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
Shawna, Bates City
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 NIV
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. Hebrews 6:10 NIV
Wendy, Mechanicsville, VA
Atlanta, GA
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.’
1 Peter 5:7 NIV
Stacy — Kimberly, WI
Psalms 62:7-8 NLT
My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.
Susan, Atlanta, GA
In his defense, Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.”
John 5:17 NIV
Tara
Greensboro, NC
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
Psalm 23:2-3
NKJV
James 1:22
“Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
Sandy from Vienna, VA Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
Mitzi from Long Beach
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Proverbs 31: 25-26 NASB
Laura from Nokia Finland:
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (Philippians 4:6 NLT)
Kristine, Welland, ON
“Remember this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously (that blessings may come to others) will also reap generously and with blessings.”
2 Corinthians 9:6 (AMP)
When you said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, O LORD, I shall seek.” Psalm 27:8 (NASB)
Stephane from Pickerington, OH
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalms 51:10 KJV)