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
Christy L., Royal Palm Beach, FL
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)
1 Peter 1:13 NIV
Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.
Samantha from Texarkana, AR
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43:19 NIV)
Lauren Larsen
Tulsa, OK
Matthew 26:23 NASB
“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.'”
Lynn from Leonardtown, MD.
‘”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)
“Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.” Proverbs 23:4-5
Jeremiah 32:17
“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens & the earth by your great power & outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.”
Tracy
Fort Mill, SC
Kristin, Carlsbad, CA “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple.” Jonah 2:7 (NIV)
Tracie, Albuquerque, NM.
But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:25 NIV
Susan Norfolk,VA Who is wise and understanding among you? Let Them show it by their good life, by deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:13 NIV
Rachel, Fort Smith, AR
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord ’s purpose that prevails.” (Proverbs 19:21 NIV)
If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? I John 3:17 niv
Sandra Borgen, Lidgerwood, ND “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20 KJV
Amy from Noble, OK
“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)
Crystal, Livonia, Michigan
“But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice, let them ever shout for joy”
Psalm 5:11
Carolyn R.
Houston, TX
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 NIV
Landry, Georgetown,TX
John 12:46 NIV84
“I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”
Dawn, Pottsville…He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Revelation 21:4 NIV
Karen Edlund
Rochester, MN
Psalm 100:4 “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” (NIV84)
Debra, Many, La.
“Be strong and courageous, don’t be terrified or afraid of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
(HCSB)
Rosalind, Charlotte, NC
Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!
Psalm 27:14 NKJV
Alissa, Spring, TX
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.
Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
John 15:16 NIV You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit- fruit that will last- and whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.
Lisa in Montgomery TX
Isaiah 41:13 NIV
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.
“In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?” Psalm 56:4 NIV
Muriel, Ontario, Psalm 13:5&6 NIV
But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me.
Esther Joy, Mountain Home, AR
“”…Seek the LORD your God at the place of worship He Himself will choose… the place where His Name will be honored.” and “Your pattern of worship will change…” Deuteronomy 12:5,8a
Valerie – Clinton, ME
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
Becca, Camp Pendleton, CA
“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”
1 John 2:17 NIV
Laura Jackson
Humble, TX
Proverbs 15:4 “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.” KJV
Vivian
Birmingham, Alabama
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)
NIV84 “that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…”
Kelly, Jackson, MI
Philippians 3:14 “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Laura Humphreys
Savannah, GA
Philippians 2:17 “But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.” (NIV)
Stephanie – Tampa, FL Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Linda Peel Lexington, KY
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
Praying with great anticipation for the work God will do through Beth’s newest Bible Study “Children Of The Day”.
Susie – Garland, TX
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Eph. 2:10 (NIV)
Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
Psalm 141:3 KJV
“Let your gentleness be evident to all; the Lord is near”
Philippians 4:5
Mildred, Montserrat
Do everything without complaining or arguing. Philippians2:14 (NIV)
Heather, Ooltewah TN
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. (Isaiah 46:4 NIV)
Melissa, Scarborough, ME: “Dear Children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your heart.” 1 John 5:21 (NLT)
Sue, Kingsport. The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade. Psalm 121:5 NLT
“And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come again and receive you to myself;
that where I am, there you may be also!”
John 14:3 NKJ
Tori, Robinson, TX
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” James 1:2 NLT
Beth, Robinson, TX
“Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourself were suffering.” Hebrews 13:3 NIV
Karen from Redmond
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3 NIV
Debra from Calgary Alberta,
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yuorselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 3:12-14
Debra from Calgary Alberta,
Debra From Calgary, Alberta
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 3:12-14 (TNIV)
Keri
Little Rock, AR
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalm 73:26 ESV