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
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Prov. 3:5 msg
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV
Christina, Waukee, IA
“Even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.” Ephesians 1:4 ESV
Dana – Houston – Then the 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. Isaiah 58:8 NIV
Kathie Mullins, Chino Hills, CA
(NIV)
James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror
NIV Psalm 55:3
When I am afraid, I will trust in you!
Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV
May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
“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
Lisa from Seward, Alaska, Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. (Psalm 84:5 NIV)
Sarah from Jay, OK
‘ 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.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Brooke from Ladson, SC:
Romans 8:5 NLT
Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1 NIV
Christi, Cary, NC
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalms 91:1 ESV)
Donna from Angleton, TX
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self control.
2 TImothy 1:7 ESV
Katherine, Atlanta GA
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
Luke 12:25-26 NIV
Lise, Cumming, GA, Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. HEB 12:14, English Standard Version.
I sought The Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
Psalm 34:4-5 NIV
Libby
Dallas, TX
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17 NIV
Annette, Wylie, TX, He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3 NIV)
Nichole C, Nashville, TN
1 Corinthians 13:13 – And now these three remain: faith, hope, love. But the greatest of these is love.
“This is love for God:to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world.”
1 John 5:3-4 (NIV84)
Jennifer B
Plano, TX
2 Chronicles 20:21 (NLT)
After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang:
“Give thanks to the Lord;
his faithful love endures forever!”
Lauren from Decatur, TX
“And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Acts 2:21 NIV
Rae from Greenwood, AR
“Rather clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Romans 13:14 NLT
Eva Chancy from Derby KS
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV
What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, 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 and is by faith.
Philippians 3:8-9 NIV
“But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, 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 and is by faith. I want to know Christ…”
Philippians 3:7-10a NIV ’84
Rita Brown
Midland, TX
Becky from Ohio
They will eat and lie down and no one will make them afraid.
Zephaniah 3:13 NIV
11) Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12) Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13) Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
Romans 6:11-13 KJV
Cheri
Louisville, KY
Eph. 3:20 niv “now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask oor imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Maly, Marysville, OH. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 145:17-18 NIV
Joy
Kansas
“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”
Isaiah 41:13 NIV
Matthew 5:3 NIV
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Ashley Memphis, TN. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, “Be taken up and thrown into the sea; and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Mark 11:23 ESV
Debbie Laureen, New Port RIchey, FL
” For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.” Psalm 36:9 NIV
Chisholm MN
Proverbs 7:2-3 “Keep my commands and you will live, guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart”
Sheila Miller, Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada “Now Lord, Consider their threats and enable Your servants to speak Your Word with great boldness.” Acts 5:29
Elizabeth Ann Dains, Houston, Texas. “He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord.” Psalms 113:9 (NIV)
NIV “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Mindy- Andalusia, AL
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (James 4:8 NKJV)
Bethany, Pittsburgh:
… if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
debbie jo, greenwood, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 (NIV)
Marie, Post Falls, Idaho –
“Set your mind on things above, not on things of the earth.”
– Colossians 3:3 (NKJV)
Kolene
Enola, pa
Philippians 4:6-7
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank Him for His answers.
Talia, Cincinnati Ohio
Trust God from the bottom of your heart, don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, every where you go. He’s the one that will keep you on track.
Proverbs 3:5-6 The Message
Mar Jo, The Woodlands, 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)
Allison from Nashville, TN
Psalms 37:30-31, “The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not skip.” (NIV)
Margaret
Tulsa, OK
“They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousnes.” Psalm 145:7 NIV 1984
Erin, Cheyenne, WY:
Psalm 126:3 (NIV): The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
I am not certain i posted my last verse, so I am going to post again just to be sure. (and since i am late, i will be posting from MEMORY!) PTL!!
psalm 34:4 I sought The Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears! ESV