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
Kacee Storrs, CT
Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter.
Is. 5:20 NIV
I’m feeling the challenge of my surroundings! Can you tell? 🙂
lindsay from tampa, florida
I will walk among you; I will be your God, and you will be my people.
leviticus 26:12 (NET)
Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my father in Heaven.
Matt 10:32 (NIV)
Darlene, Mt. Airy, MD
In addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16. NASB
Commit your way to The Lord; trust in Him, & He will act. Ps.37:5 Holman
Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Luke 10:16 (NLT)
Amy, Fort Collins, CO
(Psalm 118:5-6) NIV
The Lord is gracious and righteous; full of compassion. The Lord protects the simple hearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.
Isaiah 41:12 NIV
Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all.
Scarlett (Round Rock, TX) “The path of the virtuous leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe.” (Proverbs 16:17, NLT)
Rhonda, Anderson, In
Romans 12:12 NIV
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Stephanie,
KC, MO
Lamentations3:22
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
Charlsie in Austin, TX
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV
Ryan – Moore, OK
Psalm 51:8 ESV
Oh, give me back my joy again, you have broken me, now let me rejoice!
Lexington, KY
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31: 30 NIV
Mary Ellen ~ Trenton,GA ~ “Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.” Proverbs 16:32 NIV
Psalm 23:1&2
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. KJ
Yes I have gotten off track. Thankfully God always provides a way out. Thank you Lord for Psalm 23!
Psalm 23: 3-6 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for YOU are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD. NKJ
“For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.”
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
Juliana
Livermore, CA
Psalm 31:24 The Message
Be brave. Be strong. Don’t give up.
Expect GOD to get here soon.
Leigh, Houston
Isaiah 43:5 The Message
So, don’t be afraid; I am with you. I’ll round up all your scattered children, pull them in from east and west.
Tami, DS, LA
Galatians 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.
Let me start by saying I am a new foster parent, and the day after we were licensed we received a 10 month old girl! I have forgotten, after 11 years how much work a baby requires- thus the late post!!!
“And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.” Matthew 18:5 (CEV)
Lori, San Angelo, Texas
Rejoice in The Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Phil 4:4 ESV
Deanna, Maytown AL
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you. Isaiah 26:3 NLT
Lara Harris Spring Hill, TN
Psalm 33:20 NIV
We wait in hope for The Lord; He is our help and shield.
May 15
1 Corinthians 10:24, Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor, ESV
Please forgive me if this is a repeat!!
1 Corinthians 1:27 ESV
“But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.”
Karin from Clinton, NJ
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 ESV
Cindy in Raleigh NC
Psalm 23:1-3 NIV
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul.
Patti – Ft. Worth, TX
Psalm 63:3 NIV
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
Take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 NIV
BROOKE- Dallas, TX
Ola, Woodbridge: It is better to live in a desert than to live with a nagging, angry wife. Proverbs 21:19 (NIRV)
Crystal in Warren, PA
Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
Cheya, Houston. “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith-that you, being rooted and grounded in love,” Ephesians 3:17 ESV
1Peter1:13 (NIV)
Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.
Anita
Justin, TX
Janice, Tulsa. Let us boldly approach the throne of our gracious God, where we may receive mercy and his grace to find timely help. Hebrews 4:16 (NEB)
Jamieb
Corbin,Ky
O Lord, You are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent, glorious, and sovereign over all the sky and the earth! You have dominion and exalt yourself as the ruler of all.
1 Chronicles 29:11 NET
Shellie, Modesto
“A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.” Proverbs 12:16 KJV
Liz, Nashua, NH
Proverbs 21:30 NIV
“There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.”
Brittney, San Angelo, TX
Ps 103:5 “Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.” NASB
Janet Anderson
Edmond, OK
16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Ephesians 6:16 NIV
Dawn, Beavercreek, OH
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know they help us develop endurance…”
Romans 5:3 (NLT)
Cheryl, Los Osos:
verse 10 – Matthew 28:20 “And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.”
Amy,. Buda, TX
“The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.”
Psalm 34:19 NIV
“This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: he has given us of his spirit…And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.” (1 John 4:13, 16 NIV)
Phoebe, Birmingham, AL. “Make me know Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, fo You are the God of my Salvation; for You I wait all the day.” Psalm 25:4-5, NASB
Sarah H.
Conroe, TX
Isaiah 40:28 NIV
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.
Annalee in Houston
And the God of all grace,
who called you to this eternal glory in Christ,
after you have suffered a little while,
will restore you and make you strong,
firm and steadfast.
I Peter 5:10
Amanda The Colony, TX
Psalm 13:5-6 NLT ” But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.”