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
Lisa Pack, Charleston
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. Psalms 119:9 (ESV)
(for May 1, 2013)
Lisa Pack, Charleston, WV
With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments. Psalms 119:10 (ESV)
Shelli, Karalee, Katelyn; Royse City, TX: He has taken me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love. Song of Solomon 2:4
Heather H from Pflugerville, TX
James 2:12 (NIV) Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom
Marcy T.
Euless, TX.
1 John 5:14 (NIV)
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
Leigh Ann
Gallatin, TN
“Ye are all children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night or of darkness.”
1Thessalonians 5:5 KJV
Robin, Scottsdale, AZ
Psalm 18:30 (NIV)
“As for God, His ways are perfect.”
Mary H. From Ardmore, AL
Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’S purpose that prevails.”
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10 NIV
This is my command- Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or be discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go!
Joshua 1:9 NLT
Katie, Nottingham, UK
Anna, Little Elm, TX
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV84)
Cindy
Flemingsburg, KY
This is my command-Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or be discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go!
Joshua 1:9 NLT
Maren from Dallas, TX
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (Psalms 19:14 ESV)
Christi Hudson, Newnan, GA
Psalm 37:5 ESV
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
Christy, Hahira, GA
He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
Deuteronomy 8:3 (NIV)
Celiac Diagnosis last week.
Ann, Cataula, GA
The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love, O LORD, endures forever–do not abandon the works of Your hands.
Psalm 138:8 (NIV)
Kelly of Niles, MI
Psalm 139:24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the part of ever lasting life. NLT
Melinda in San Antonio
“You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.” Psalm 65:11
Tami,Decatur,Tx. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Philipians 4:6
Karen in Fort Dodge, Ia. “Rejoice always, Pray continually, Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV.
Connie from Plano, TX says: “But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, ‘Let him who boasts, boast in the LORD.'” I Corinthians 1:30-31 NASB
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit , and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)
Psalm 90:12 “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” NIV
Angie M – Macon MS
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will not lack anything good.
Proverbs 31:11, HCSB
Terry
Washington, IL
Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for You.
Psalm 9:10 NLT
Donna, Plano, Ps 91:4 NIV
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
Brenda from Alpharetta, GA
An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. Proverbs 24:26 NIV
Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” HCSB
Kelly Womack, Fort Smith,AR
Sandra Barrus
Long Beach, Ca.
For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:13
Sandra Barrus
Long Beach, CA.
For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:13 NIV
Christina, Winter Haven
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love, according to Your abundant mercies blot out my transgressions.”
Psalm 51:1, ESV
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 NIV
Peggy, Indianapolis
Isaiah 40:8 NIV. “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)
Becky from Vicksburg, MS
I will bless them and the places surrounding my hill. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing. Ezekiel 34:26 NIV
Kaitlyn from Fort Walton Beach, FL
As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore. Psalm 125:2 (NIV)
Lisa S, Plano TX
(05/15/13)
But the path of the just is like the shining sun that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.
Proverbs 4:18 NKJV
San Diego, Ca
My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Ps. 73:26 (NKJV)
Romans 8:6 (NIV)
The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
Donna
Ponder, TX
Barbara, Tomball
for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Matthew 10:20 NIV
“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. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV
Kristetta, Pineville, LA
Blessed are those who have learned to shout praise to you.
Lord, they live in the light of your favor. Psalm 89:15 (NIRV)
Liz Dunbar
Norman, OK
Now faith being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Becky Elkhart, IN
Devote yourselves to prayer being watchful and thankful.
Colossians 4:2 NIV
Don’t lose sight of my words. Let them penetrate deep within your heart, for they bring life and radiant health to anyonewho discovers their meaning. Proverbs 4:21-22 NLT
Jenny, clovis, ca
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says, do not fear; I will help you. Isa. 41:13 NIV
Deb
White Lake
And one called to another and said:
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!
Isaiah 6:3 ESV
Penny G
Coweta, OK
Phil 1:9 (NIV) – And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
Sabrina~Houston,TX
Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives
1 Peter 3:1 ESV
Pat W. green bank,wv.
I would like to catch up, and use the song as my entries, one line for each week. I will go thru and record each verse from 1 thru 10. I need something to anchor me in Jesus. My Daddy just Passed Away to Be with Jesus. This is my first day in a long time on a computer.
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
My entry for today is:
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;