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
Annette, Tomball, TX, But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing at all. Yet what is due me is in the LORD’s hand, and my reward is with my God.” (Isaiah 49:4 NIV
Jennifer H.
Story City, IA
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” – Matthew 5:44 (NIV)
Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked? Ecc 7:13
Geri
Deer Park, TX
2 Cor. 4:8,9 ESV
8)We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;
9)persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed;
Chandler, Arizona
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, The LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them upon your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you rise up.” (Deuteronomy 6.4-7; NIV)
Michelle, Seattle, WA: “But now, O Lord, You are our Father, We are the clay, and You our potter; And all of us are the work of Your hand.” Isaiah 64:8 (NASB)
So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.
James 2:17 NRSV
Nicola in Calgary. My app is not working, hence the tardy verse post.
Luke 1:78-79. Because of and through the heart of tender mercy and loving kindness of our God a Light from on high will dawn upon us and visit is, to shine upon us and give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to direct and guide our feet in a straight line into the way of peace.
Proverbs 19:21
May are the plans in Man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that provails.
Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans of man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Kathi Nitzsche
Lexington, OH
You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart. (1 Peter 1:22 NLT)
Patti McConville Salem, OR
Finally Brothers, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.
Philippians 4:8 NIV
SSMT #10: Wven there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. Psalm 139:10 NLT
Debbie, Calgary Alberta (but on Vacation in California so am really late….)
Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.
Psalm 147:5, NIV
Megan JOY – Calgary, AB Canada (in California) – Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit. -Psalm 147:5 (NIV)
Kirbi – Houston, 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)
Melissa // Lancaster, PA
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV)
Bev van Vuuren – South Africa –
I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living: Wait for the Lord: be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27: 13 – 14 NIV)
Erin Sheldon
Savannah, GA
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”
Psalm 139:23-24 NLT
Matthew 10:32
If anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will openly acknowledge that person before my father in heaven. NLT
Skeet from Monroe, GA.
I Cor. 13:9-10 (NIV)
For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.
Lindsay, Albion, IL ‘And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and truth.’ (John 1:14 Amplified)
Amy, Austin – I Corinthians 3:6-7 “Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perserveres.” NIV
Courtney Head, Little Rock AR
John 1:38 NIV “Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “what do you want?”
Aimee, Houston, TX
Colossians 3:2 NIV
“Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.”
Jodi, Sundown TX, As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord ’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. (Psalm 18:30 NIV)
Susan H
Lady Lake Fl
Romans 12:15, rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those wo weep. NIV
Sorry ESV not NIV
Laura Beth, Jackson
Psalm 139: 23-24, NLT
Search me, Oh God, and know my heart; test me, and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Becky Bell
Westerville, Ohio
Praying this for my adult children (inserting him, her & them):
“Guard me and deliver me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in You. May integrity and righteousness watch over me for I wait for you.”
Psalm 25:20-21 NIV
Austin, Tx
1 Corinthians 14:1 Follow the way of love. You should also want the gifts the Holy Spirit gives. Most of all, you should want the gift of prophecy.
Concetta, White Oak, Galatians 5:1, (MSG)
“Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.”
Tina from Chesapeake, VA – “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” I Peter 5:7(NIV84)
Leigh from Fairhope
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
Colossians 3:16 NIV
Erin
Chippewa Falls, WI
So I say, live by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Gal 5:16 NIV UK
Dianna
Moneta, Virginia 24121
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord life up HIs countenance upon you, and give you peace.
Numbers 6: 24-26 NKJV
Connie Willis, Knoxville, TN
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5 ESV
Amanda-Clinton, MO
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 NIV
suzanne, houston
“The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and helivers them. Oh taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” Psalm 34: 7-8
De Anna- Greenville SC
1 Peter 2:1-2 NIV
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Connie, Shipshewana, He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will…
Ephesians 1:5 NIV
“In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings. And He who searches the hearts knows the Spirit’s mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27 HCSB
Brandie, Kearney NE:
“And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them…” Luke 22:19a, NIV
Hudson, NC
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Pet 5:7 NIV
Elizabeth, Gainesville, GA
“Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”
Romans 8:5, NIV
Romans 8:8 NKJV
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
the word must be working. satan is fighting me hard to complete this.
Debbie – Indiana
“Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.” ~ Psalm 125:1 NIV
Sonya Dickerson, Chesterfield, VA
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words. No sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out inot all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.” Psalm 19: 1-4 (NIV)
Sorry for the delay! Been on vacation!
Missy S, Winston-Salem
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”
~ Titus 2:11-14 (NIV)
Riverton UT
Do everything without grumbling or arguing,
Philippians 2:14 NIV
Kristin, Austin
“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
Psalm 90:12 NIV
Tiffany, Chester:
And also the Holy Spirit adds His testimony to us [in confirmation of this]. For having said, This is the agreement (testament, covenant) that I will set up and conclude with them after those days, says the Lord: I will imprint My laws upon their hearts, and I will inscribe them on their minds (on their inmost thoughts and understanding,
Hebrews 10:15-16, AMP