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
Karey, Justin, Texas
“Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful.”
Romans 12:12 NLT
Michele, Liverpool, NY
The one who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen
Λέγει ὁ μαρτυρῶν ταῦτα• ναί, ἔρχομαι ταχύ. Ἀμήν, ἔρχου κύριε Ἰησοῦ.
Rev 22.20-21
Stephanie B. – Springfield, MO
“Do you not know that those who run a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. ” 1 Corinthians 9:24-25
Alexia- Champaign, IL
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15 NIV
Palatka, FL “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13 (NIV)
Crystal, NC, “You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you” Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Mindy B, Gloster, LA – “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)
Kathryn Salley
Greenville, SC
Ephesians 3:20 NIV
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us
“It’s not that I have already reached this goal or have already been perfected but I pursue it so that I may grab hold of it because Christ grabbed hold of me for just this purpose” Phil 3:12 CEB
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105 (KJV)
Alyson, Elgin TX
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 NIV
Theresa, Cincinnati, God, Who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of His Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that. I Cor 1:8-9.
Pamela Mendoza
Cypress, CA
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV
Jennifer Fishers, Indiana
Galations 6:10 NIV
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Terry
East Peoria, IL
Acts 3: 16 (NLT)
“Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed– and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes.
Susan
Norfolk, VA
You desire but you do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.
2 Timothy 1:12b
NASB)
12b for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.
Lauren, San Marcos Tx. God, the Master, the Holy of Israel, has this solemn counsel: your salvation requires you to turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves. Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on Me. Isaiah 30:15 The Message
Denise, Stillwater, OK catching up
10 “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)
Kim, Amarillo, TX:
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. Psalm 55:22 NIV
Debbie, Hattiesburg, MS
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.
Isaiah 61:1 NKJV
Amy, Apex NC
“That your faith should not be in the wisdom of men, but the power of God.” I Corinthians 2:5 NKJV
Catching up still:
Beth P, Roswell, GA
Psalm 107:9 ESV
“For He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fills with good things.”
Debbie ~ Alice, Texas
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
Ephesians 1: 3-4 NIV
Now if we are children, the we are heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs of Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory
Romans 8:17 NIV
Reanna, Cypress, CA
Jeremiah 33:3 NIV
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
Katherine from The Woodlands, TX
Ephesians 6:10-11 (NASB)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
Caroline Houston, TX
For not all have faith. But the LORD is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:2b – 3 NET
Emily Bravenec from Glenn Heights, TX
“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” – Romans 8:16
Kelly, Hollidaysburg, PA
“…yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.” ~Romans 4:20-21
Sarah S., McKinney, TX
1 Corinthians 13:4, NIV
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
Can’t find my post-so just in case, here it is again 🙂
Victoria M
Greenbrier AR
“Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.” Psalm 86:11-13 NIV
Sandy from Hygiene, Colorado Romans 5:1 “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1 (NIV)
Tori
Moore, OK Lam. 3:22-24 (NIV)
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed. His compassions never fail. They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness. I will say to myself,”the Lord is my portion forever, therefore I will wait for him.”
Romans 8:5
For those who live according to FLESH set their minds on the things of the FLESH,
but those who live according to the SPIRIT set their minds on the things of the SPIRIT.. ESV
Jamie in Mason, OH
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (NIV)
Connie Windham
Trout, LA
Philippians 3:8 NASB
“More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ.”
Riverton UT
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, (Philippians 2:14 NIV)
Joanne, Tomball
Yesterday, I almost decided to blow this off since I’m so late…today I’m so glad that I looked! Yea, I’m not alone, and you’re still accepting verses!
But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you…. (2 Thessalonians 3:3 NLT)
Elizabeth N., Castle Rock, CO
Heb 12:12-13, ESV
“Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.”
lissa from granbury, tx
my five year is memorizing this verse…so i am joining her! for some reason it’s always been hard for me to know in this order!
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
Beth, Paducah KY
But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Genesis 50:20 NKJV
Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you. Isaiah 41:10 The Message
Jennifer, Wilmington DE
Helping with VBS next month so here is the verse my 7-year old niece will be learning – I need the extra time on it! 🙂
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 NIV
Rebecca
Boise, Idaho
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 NIV
Tricia, Conroe, TX
“We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it.”
The Message, Proverbs 16:9
Kelly from Laurens, SC
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said “and I will send you out to fish for people”
Matthew 4:19
“Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in Your instructions.”
Psalm 119:18
Dana from Waterford, Ohio
(1 Timothy 3:4) NIV
He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect.
Hilary, Buffalo, NY
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for (she) is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.
Proverbs 3:13-14 NIV