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
Theresa
Pace, Florida
NIV
Luke 11:28
Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.
I look to the hills, from where does my help come from. My help comes from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and Earth.
Ps 121:1-2 (NIV)
Rowena – Gulfport, MS
To you, O Lord I lift up my soul;
Brigette Brock
Morehead, Ky
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1Cor. 13:6-7
NIV 84
Chrissie from Aurora, CO
“People who do what is right may have many problems. But The Lord will solve them all.” Psalm 34:19 (ICB)
Sharon from Gainesville, GA
Col 3:2 NiRV
Think about things in heaven. Do not think about things on earth.
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. Is. 41:10 The Message
Laura. Katy, TX. I went through fire and water but you brought me to a place of abundance.
Ps. 66:12. NIV
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.
1 Corinthians 2:9. NIV
Abilene, TX
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. Matthew 6:19 NIV
Emma, Conifer, Colorado
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV)
1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill(C) and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent(D) and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
Ivy Morrison
Willis TX
“‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ AS some of your poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.'”
Acts 17:28 NIV
Jude 10 NIV
Yet these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals—these are the very things that destroy them.
Patti from La Porte
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise.”
Psalm 111:10 NIV
Dawn, Lafayette LA
Ezra 7:10 NIV 1984
For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the law of The Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.
Allyson
League City TX
Psalm 86:8 ESV
“There is none like You among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like Yours.”
Lauren Morton, Decatur, TX – Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. forgive as the Lord forgave you. – Colossians 3:13 NIV84
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5 ESV
Sara, Plymouth, IN
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
1 John 4:12
Karen from Woodstock Ontario
Philippians 4:7 “…and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” NIV
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she laughs without fear of the future. Prov 31:25, NLT
Becky Scherle
Waddell, AZ
1 Peter 4:19 (NLT)
Trust your lives to the God who created you for he will never fail you.
Amber, Huntington, IN – They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:23 ESV
So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life-your sleeping, eating, going to work, and walking around life- and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Romans 12:1 The Message
Psalm 103:7-8
He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Esv
Kaci from Norman, ok
“For the sake of Your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, thought it is great. Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him. He will spend his days in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land.” Psalm 25:11-13 NIV
Diana Yarborough, Gallatin, TN
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 NIV
Karina
Baton Rouge, La.
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”
Hebrews 6:19
NIV
Jana, Tampa, Fl
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:5 NIV
Allison, Jersey Village
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV
Anna in Mobile, AL
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Gal. 1:10 NIV
Lynchburg, VA.
Matthew 7:7 (English Standard Version)
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Ashley, Kingwood
“Trust in The Lord with all of your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all of your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB
Miriam from Granby, CT
Luke 12:29 (ESV)
And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried.
Deborah, Katy, TX
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
“For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.”
Amanda, Katy, TX
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
“For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.”
Kara, Houston, TX
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
“For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.”
Cyndi, Katy, TX
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
“For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.”
Allison, Katy, TX
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
“For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.”
Tiffany, Katy, TX
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
“For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.”
“For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness but one of power,love, and sound judgment.”
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
Joy, Bethlehem, GA
Jeremiah 29:11 (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.
Stephanie
Hamburg, Ar
Proverbs 16:9 NIV
In their hearts humans plan their course, but The Lord establishes their steps.
Worcester, England, UK
Joshua 1:9 NLT
[9] This is my command-be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
krystal ward
Teague, tx
“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.”
Phil. 3:8 NIV
Lori S from Elgin, TX (now College Station, TX)
Psalm 95:3 (NIV)
“For the LORD is a great God,
The great king above all gods.”
My soul follows close behind You;
Your right hand upholds me.
Psalm 63:8 nkjv
Monica Pribe Blacklick Oh, ” for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
For you, O Lord have made me happy by your work. I will sing for joy because of what you have done
Psalm 92:4 NET
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
I can’t remember if I posted this one or not.