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
Jennifer
Erie, CO
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, (Romans 8:1 NIV)
Stephanie McKenzie
Red Deer, Alberta
And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:17 NIV)
Katie R., Atlanta, GA
Nehemiah 4:15 (NIV)
Don’t be afraid of them. Rememeber the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.
Joyce Davidson, Big River,SK, Canada
“All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant.” Psalm 25:10NIV84
Sacha
Midland, TX
James 4:5 (ESV)
“Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, ‘He yearns jealously over the spirit that He has made to dwell in us’?”
Where can I go from your spirit? Where can I go from your presence? Psalm 139:7 (NIV)
Elise–Newark
Donna
Franklin, TN
“For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” James 3:16 (NIV)
Dana from Cimarron, KS 1John 5:11-12 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
Susan from Greensburg:
“I will pour out my spirit on your offspring, and my blessings on your descendants.”
Kathryn, Oceanside, “The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to Him and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10 NLT
Kate from Cheney, WA
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them,that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Psalm 5:11 NIV
Kathi Johnson Spartanburg SC
O my people,
Trust in Him at all times.
Pour out your heart to Him,
for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8 NLT
Brittany, Griffin, GA “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1, NIV
Debbie Moultrie,Ga
KJV Ps 103:3
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;
who healeth all thy diseases.
Mary Ellen in Laurel, MT
“You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.” James 5:8 NIV
Kelli, Apex NC
He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:17 NASB
Laura
San Antonio, TX
James 2:18-23 NASB
“But someone may well say, ‘You have faith, and I have works; show me your faith without the works and I will show you my faith by my works.’ You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you will to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 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.
Blanche, Pearland, TX
Blanche, Pearland, TX
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
2 Peter 3:18 NIV
Kim, Pearland, 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
Krista from Midlothian, VA
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do: I will not forsake them.
Isaiah42:16 NIV
Connie
Greene, IA
The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Prov. 12:18
NIV
“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”
Psalms 55:22 KJV
Amherst, VA
James 4:7
Submit therefore to God……….
Kim -Trenton, TX
But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:4 NKJV
Mandy
Watkinsville, GA
Psalm 55:22 Holmam Christian Standard Bible
Cast your burden on the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.
Soozi, Lexington, KY. I’m continuing mine from May 1 – Col.3:12-13 (HCSB)
Newport News, VA
“Don’t worry about anything, instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Phillipians 4:6 NLT
Taylor
Elma,NY
Isaiah 43:13 (NLT)
“From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can snatch anyone out of my hand. No one can undo what I have done.”
GOD LOVES YOU SO MUCH!!!;)
Marilyn, McKinney, Tx: Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 NKJV
Donna, Loganville, PA
1 Corinthians 14:12 ESV
So with your selves since you are eager for manifestations of the spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
Denise, Hernando Beach
Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help and He will say: Here am I. If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk…
Isaiah 58: 8-9
Dawn, Clever, Mo
Psalm 121:7-8
“7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
8 The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.”
Elena from Elma, NY
John 13:7 NLT
Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.”
Debi, Alva,FL – 1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (NKJV)
Angie W., Federal Way, WA
” But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” job 23:10 ESV
Thank God for His Son – a gift too wonderful for words. 2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV
Melisa-Waco, Texas
“The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” John 10:10 (NIV)
Kristi from Gardner, KS
Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
Colossians 3:14 (NLT)
Cindy, Columbia
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil withgood.”
Romans 12:21 (ESV)
Brandi, Fort Worth, TX
Psalms 19:14 NASB
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, o Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Ephesians 1:3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.
Jana, Brenham, TX
“Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” Deuteronomy 4:9 NIV
Barbara, Fredericksburg,VA
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Prov 3:5 NIV
Beth C
Huntsvile, AL
and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Col 1:20 (NIV)
What time I am afraid I will trust in You.
Ps. 56:3 (NIV)
Julie, Easley, SC
PerryLove, Gallatin, TN
Live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
1 Thessalonians 2:12 NIV
So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. 1 Corinthians 14:12 ESV
Melissa J from Houston, TX
Proverbs 31:30-31 NIV
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a womn who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Tracy, Medicine Lodge, Ks
James 5:16 NLT
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.