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
For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. Romans 10:10 NLT
Adrianne S. – Atlanta, GA
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight…” Philippians 1:9 (NIV)
Cindy Franklin
Ps 25:5 KJV
Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
Donalda Reimer, Osler SK
Psalm 59:9-10a (NIV)
You are my strength, I watch for you; you,God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.
Leslie, Spartanburg, SC
Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ana from Tampa, Florida
Isaiah 40:28-31
“Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”
Pat from Birmingham, Al
Proverbs 17:22 The Message
A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom & doom leave you bone tired.
Tara
Columbia, SC
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the well spring of life.
Proverbs 4:23
NIV
Amanda Benson, Eagle Butte, SD 1 Timothy 2:1-2 NIV
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
Romans 8:39 (ESV)
nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Lethbridge, AB
They do not fear bad news;
they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.
Psalm 112:7 NLT
Kelei Liggett. IowaPark, Texas. NIV.
Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
John 14:27 ESV
Kristi
Charlotte, NC
Amber from Manor, Texas: Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. NIV
NIV: Ps. 54:4
Surely God is my help. He is the One who sustains me.
Mary Jane S., Wilmington, DE
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not now what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” Romans 8:26 NIV
Reeder
Auburn, AL
Phil. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Bowie, MD
Ephesians 3:19 KJV ” And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.”
Alicia, New Market, AL “Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” Psalm 115:1 (NIV)
Ryann, New Market, AL “Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” Psalm 115:1 (NIV)
I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.
Psalm 143:5 NIV
1 John 3:18 NIRV
Dear children, don’t just talk about love. Put your love into action. Then it will truly be love.
Sam, Rowley, IA
Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be white as snow, Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.”
Kate DeWys, Zeeland, Michigan
“But as for me, I watch in hope for The Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”
Micah 7 vs. 7 TNIV
Michelle, Carver, MA
Matthew 5:6 (NIV)
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be completely satisfied.”
Valerie M.
Evart, MI
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT
Cindy L., Brooklyn Park, MN
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” Romans 8:15 (HCSB)
So late this month..yikes!
Katherine from Nipomo, Ca
Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. James 1:15, 16; NIV
Behold, I am the LORD, The God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for me? Jeremiah 32:27 NIV
Linda, Westport
To this he called you through our gospel so, that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Thessalonsians 2:14
Glenna, Cumberland House, SK “Guard your heart above all else for it determines the course of your life” Prov 4:23 NLT
Amy, Washington DC, “The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.” Psalm 84:11 NLT
“Why are you in despair, o my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, for the help of His presence.” Psalm 42:5 NAS
Beckie Potterfield, Florence, SC
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:11
Stephanie Shelbyville, Indiana “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Wanda
Osborn, Missouri
Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)
You will keep “her” in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on You: because
“she” trusts in You.
Kimberly, Watha, Philippians 4:13 NKJV
13Â I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Rhonda in Winchester, KY
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8 NIV
Deborah, Markham, VA
“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, Who is the Spirit.”
-2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)
Jennifer, Fairfax VA
James 1:19
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry
That (very late submission) is from the NIV.
Shelley, from Bolivar, MO
“Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to you, when my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
Psalm 61:1-2 NKJV
Lauren, Asheville, NC Psalm 139:14 NLT “Your workmanship is marvelous.”
Vicksburg, MS
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
1 John 3:1
NIV
Jennifer, Nashville, TN
“For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen” Romans 1:25 NASB
Shelley, Fort Walton Beach, Fl
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Col. 4:6 (NIV)
Jina, Leawood, KS
He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.
Proverbs 2: 7-8 (NIV)
Sharon, Barrington
“This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
Beth S. in LaGrange, GA
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:13 KJV
Natalie Patton, Leawood, KS
Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties. Psalms 139:23 NKJV
Cindy
Salt lake city
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.
1Peter 1:22
NIV