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
Rachel, Clemmons, NC
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:13, NIV
Lindsay from Boston, MA: “Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.” Ephesians 4:15 NIV
Sue
Big Rapids, MI
NASB Psalm 91:1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
Ephesians 6:14-15 (NIV) 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place. 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
Katie, Harrisonburg. “For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.” Romans 14:8 (ESV).
Natalie, Clemmons, NC
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:13, NIV
Rachel, Frankfort, IL
“who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”
1 Peter 1:5
Beth, Mansfield, Tx
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. – Proverbs 31:25 (ESV)
Tammy from Gravette, AR
Galatians 5:17 ESV
For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit,
and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for
these are opposed to each other to keep you from
doing the things you want to do.
Abbey from Warsaw, IN
…I want you to get out there and walk – better yet, run! – on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline – not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences. ~Ephesians 4:1-3 (Message)
Selena – Cordele, GA
There is no fear in love; instead perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears has not reached perfection in love. 1 John 4:18, HCSB
Natalie – Houston, TX
“Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.”
Hebrews 13:3 (NLT)
Cari, Alexandria, LA
Abide not in the works of sinners. But trust in God and stay in thy place. Sirach 11:22
Ashlie McDonald-SLC, UT
Psalm 91:10 ESV (continuing on in my memorization in Psalm 91).
no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague come near your tent.
Faith, Houma, Louisiana
Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.
Romans 5:20
Amy, Hood River – “He will glorify me, because he will receive from me what is mine and will tell it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; that is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what is mine and will tell it to you.” John 16.14-15, The NET Bible
There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides on the heavens to help you and on the clouds in his majesty.
Deuteronomy 33:26 NIV
Carolyn
Oceanside,Ca
Rosalye
Vicksburg, MS
Through You we push back our enemies;
through Your Name we trample our foes.
Psalm 44:5
NIV
Lacey, Katy Tx
But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
James 4:6 NASB
Carolyn from Springfield, Mo
Isaiah 41:10 ESV
FEAR NOT, for I AM with you,
BE NOT DISMAYED, for I AM your God
I will STRENGTHEN you,
I will HELP you,
I will UPHOLD you,
with my righteous right hand
Katie from Mount Dora, FL
She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
Proverbs 31:20 (NIV)
Carolina Quintero – Buford, GA
“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well” Psalm 139:14 ESV
Redfield, AR
[12] Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.* [13] “Make level paths for your feet,”** so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.*
Hebrews 12:12-13 (NIV)
Emily S ~ Weatherford,TX ~ “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11 ~NIV
Linda, Stanley, WI
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Ps. 51:12 NIV
Robin. Phoenix
Jacob said, “I’m not letting you go ’til you bless me.” . (Genesis 32:26 MSG)
Dawn-Mt. Olive, NC
James 1:22-NIV
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what its says.”
Karen P. Hartselle, AL
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror, then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
I Corinthians 13:12 (NIV)
Hannah, Perry, MI
“Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 37:4, NIV
Roxie, Jerseyville, IL, Ephesians 3:19 NLT
“May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”
Jacci from Denver, CO
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Psalm 32:8 NIV)
Shawna Kent, WA
“As for me, I am in your hands; do with me whatever is good & right.”
Jeremiah 26:14 (NIV)
Jordin, Albuquerque
“The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.”
1 Thessalonians 5:24, NIV
Chris, Seattle, WA
Hebrews 10:35-36 NIV
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
Diane, Harker Heights, TX: “The wise in heart will be called understanding, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.” Proverbs 16:21, NASB
Shelly Elston, Portland, OR
“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.”
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NLT)
Dawn, Raleigh, NC, 1 Timothy 4:12, “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” NLT
Martha, Clearwater, FL
For he who said,”Do not commit adultery,” also said,”Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
James 2: 11 NIV
Andrea, Norman OK
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9 NIV
Jeanette, Mansfield – Be exalted, O Lord, in Your strength; We will sing and praise your power. Psalm 21:13 NASB
Troy, Ohio
John 1:12 The Message
But whoever did want him,
who believed he was who he claimed
and would do what he said,
He made to be their true selves,
their child-of-God selves.
Connie – Fulton, KY
Psalm 27:14 NKJV
Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say on the Lord!
Leanne
Sallis, MS
Even more, I consider everything to be nothing compared to knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. To know him is the best thing of all. Because of Him I have lost evertyghin. But I consider all of it to be garbage so I can get to know Christ.
Philippians 3:8
NIRV
Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but readily adjust yourself to people and give yourselves to humble tasks. Never overestimate yourself or be wise in your own conceits.
Rom. 12:16 (AMP)
Sherri Bennett, Huntington Beach, CA:
“The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.”
Proverbs 20:5, ESV
Suzanne, Tenaha, TX
Isaiah 40:29 NIV
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Is. 40:29
Psalm 27:14 NIV
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Nicole in Tahoka, Texas
For the glory of your name, O Lord, preserve my life. Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress.
Psalm 143:11 (NLT)
For he will order his angels
 to protect you wherever you go.
Psalm 91:11 NLT
Yvonne
Fresno
Psalm 18:25-26 NIV
To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, to the pure you show yourself pure but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd.