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
Shannon, Mandeville “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 10:10 TNIV
Tiffany, Summerville, SC “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
Susan Bymaster, Ames, OK
13Put your heart right, Job. Reach out to God.
14Put away evil and wrong from your home.
15Then face the world again, firm and courageous.
16Then all your troubles will fade from your memory,
like floods that are past and remembered no more.
17Your life will be brighter than sunshine at noon,
and life’s darkest hours will shine like the dawn.
18You will live secure and full of hope;
God will protect you and give you rest.
19You won’t be afraid of your enemies;
many people will ask you for help.
Job 11: 13-19
GNB
Melanie Miller, Nampa, ID
Psalm 25:9 NLT
He leads the humble in what is right, teaching them his way.
Vickie, Poplar Bluff, MO. Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” John 14:23 NIV
Judy, Littleton, NC
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles,
they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 KJV
Ashley, Petersburg.
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11, NIV
katie g; Knoxville, TN
“Be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”
Deuteronomy 4:9 (NIV)
Meggie, Winnipeg, Canada
“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full – pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” Luke 6:38 NLT
Heather from Hayden, al: For The Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. Psalm 1:6 KJV
Phyllis, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
Romans 15:13 ESV
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Annette; Richmond, TX; John 15:6 (ESV)
If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
Megan from Potlatch, Idaho: Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Psalm 111:2 (NIV).
Jo Anne Chicago
An anxious heart weighs a man down,
but a kind word cheers him up.
Proverbs 12:25 NIV
James 1: 19-21 NIV
My Brothers and Sisters take note of this. everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry because human anger does not produce righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you which can save you.
Jane, Milton, GA. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3 NIV
Beth from Niamey
Beth from Niamey
Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Kelly Charlotte, NC
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV
Indianapolis, IN
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, (Colossians 1:9 NIV)
Gail, Phoenix
But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
Philippians 3:7-9 NIV
Karlys, La Place, LA
Long life is in her right hand,
and in her right hand are riches and honor.
Proverbs 3:16 ESV
Shannon, Columbia, SC
“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 61:2 (NKJV – because I so feel that word “overwhelmed”)
Cheryl, Huntington, WV My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for He will pluck my feet out of the net. Psalm 25:15 ESV
For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O Lord, You surround him with favor as with a shield. Psalm 5:12 NASB
Kathy Cupit Hazlehurst, Ms
It is for freedom that Christ has
set us free. Stand firm, then, do not
let yourself be burden again by a yoke
of slavery. Gal 5:1 NIV
Martha from Corpus Christi
For if we are faithful to the end,trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.
Hebrews 3:14 NLT
Debbie Jackson from Amarillo, Texas
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower. The righteous run to it and are safe.”
Proverbs 18:10 NIV
Lisa, West Des Moines, IA “For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” James 1:3 NLT
Vicki, Surprise AZ
You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
abounding in love to all who call to you.
Psalm 86:5 NIV
Jeremiah 29:12-13 HCSB
You will call to me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find Me when you search for Me with all of your heart.
Margo from Littleton, CO:
“Show me your ways, Lord,
Teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior
and my hope is in you all day long:
Psalm 25:4-5 NIV
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13, NIV
Rachel H, Alabama
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)
Using your verse this time around. Definitely one I need to add to my memory bank.
James 1:14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. NLT
Tanya, Whitewater, KS
“Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or in order that I may glory, but have not love (God’s love in me), I gain nothing.”
1 Corinthians 13:3, Amplified
“[And I pray that you] may have power, together with the saints, to grasp how wide and long and deep is the love of Christ,” Ephesians 3:18 NIV
Melissa, Katy, Texas, Psalm 126:5 NIV
Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.
Malachi 4:2 (ESV) But for you who fear My Name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.
Karen from Westminster, MD
Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Matthew 28:19-20 NIV
Melissa Irwin; Franklin, TN
2 Corinthians 3:18 (The Message Bible)
“And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like Him.”
Ps. 139:11 NKJV
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me”,
Even the night shall be light about me
Margaret Coeur ‘d Alene, ID
Elizabeth, Gilbert, AZ
He delivered us from there so that he could give us the land he had promised our ancestors.Deuteronomy 6:23 NET
Susie from Carmel, IN
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life”
Psalm 143:8 (NIV)
Sharon, Mineola, Texas
5-15-’13
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 and become
one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness
through obeying the law; rather, I became righteous through
faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself
depends on faith. Philippians 3:9-10
Pam Houston, Buena Park, California
“Even there Your hand will lead me and Your right hand will lay hold of me.” Psalms 139:10 (NASB)
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him
endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2 NIV
Brittany, Norfolk, NE “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Philippians 4:6 NIV
Gena, Rowlett. Tx
“Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.”
Psalm 119:133 NIV
Kimberly from Amarillo, TX
“Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. ” Isaiah 43:4
Lindsey Buchanan, Saint Augustine, FL
“As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.”
Ecclesiastes 11:5 NIV
Hi Lindsey! I’m still praying for you.