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
Carmen, Fergus Falls, MN
One thing God has spoken,two things I have heard:
that you, O God, are strong,
and that you, O Lord, are loving.
Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done.
Psalm 62:11-12 NIV
Lori, Friendswood, TX
“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Prov. 12: 18 (NIV)
Lorraine, Marysville, WA
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 NET
Lillian, Vermilion, OH
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for man.”
Colossians 3:23 (NIV)
Brea B. Gardendale, AL
“I will praise you as long as I live and in your name I will lift my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.”
Psalm 63:4-5 (NIV)
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
Ann. Centerville,
May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. Ii Peter 1:2. NLT
Emily from Birmingham, AL … “But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)
Lynda, Monterey:
“He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.”
~Proverbs 2:7 (NLT)
Melissa
Grand Junction, CO
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe youroselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” Colossians 3:12-14 NIV
Elaine ~ Powder Springs ~ If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.
Psalm 139:9,10 ESV
Stephanie, Irvine, CA
“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” (Psalm 94:19, NIV)
Colleen Duebber. Cincinnati, Ohio.
Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD evil is avoided.
Proverbs 16:6 NIV
Tabitha Schenkel
Liberty, NC
Colossians 3:23 NLT
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”
Michelle Baylerian, Waukesha, WI
For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory 2Cor 4;17 HCSB
Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
“The death He died, he died to sin once for all, but the life he lives, He lives to God” Romans 6:10 NIV
Jessie
Grayson, Ky
James 1: 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
KJV
Patrice, Elm Grove, WI
Psalm 55:22
Our Lord, we belong to you. We tell you what worries us, and you won’t let us fall.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
Terry, Carbondale, IL
Whoever brings blessing will be enriched and one who waters will himself be watered.
Proverbs 11:25 (ESV)
Stephanie Colucci
Dallas, Texas
NIV
Romans 4:21
Being fully persuaded that God has power to do what he has promised.
Debbie, Greenback, TN
Prov. 20:5 NIV
“The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but the one who has insight draws them out.”
Susan N. Birmingham AL
Rejoice in hope, patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 ESV
Laura, Houston: “In Him we live and move and have our being.” Acts 17:28a (N.I.V.)
Dedra Vick
Weatherford texas
“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
Ali C., Pleasanton, CA- And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9 ESV)
Nancy, Versailles, Ky
In my effort to memorize psalm 71, this week’s scripture doesn’t quite apply to my life… but…
“For my enemies speak against me; those who want to kill me conspire together.”
psalm 71:10 (NIV)
Keri Lee Robbins from Las Vegas, NV
“Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called a friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:22-26 NKJV
Amy; Milton, WA
“I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness through all generations.”
Ps. 89:1, NIV
Lauren, from Demopolis, AL: “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.” Proverbs 28:1 ESV
Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30
Sally, Columbus, OH
” Then He opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures.”
Luke 24:45 NIV
John 6:35 NIV
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
Terry
Louisa, VA
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:30-32
Mary in Sartell, MN – 2nd Corinthians 4:7 (NIV) But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
Brenda, Winnipeg Canada
I missed verse 8 so will learn this for verse 8:
“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)
(will also post in Verse 8 posting if I can find it)
And this for Verse 10
“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 (NLT)
Josie, Salem, OR
“Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,” Ephesians 6:14 ESV
Sarah, Colorado Springs, CO
You have made your way around this hill country long enough; now turn north. Deut 2:3 NIV
Marilyn – Seattle
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:12 NIV)
2 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
Jenny, Des Moines, IA
Wisdom brightens a man’s face and changes its hard appearance. Ecc 8:1b NIV
Linda Ney from Gahanna, Ohio
Some of my verses may not make sense by themselves at times because I am memorizing all of Psalm 139.
even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
Psalm 139:10 NIV
Michelle ~ Watkinsville
For Christ also suffered once for sins,
the righteous for the unrighteous,
to bring you to God.
He was put to death in the body
but made alive in the Spirit.
I Peter 3:18 NIV
Dawne, Nampa,ID
Psalm 111:6-7 NLT
He has shown His great power to His people by giving them the lands of other nations. All He does is just and good, and all His commandments are trustworthy.
Cyndy, Columbia, SD
Though He brings grief, He will show compassion, so great is His unfailing love. For He does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.
Lamentations 3:32-33 NIV
Tami, Brighton, CO:
All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenanat and his testimonies. For your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt for it is great. Ps. 25:10 & 11 (ESV)
Judy Sommerville, Fairmont, MN
From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another. John 1:16 (NIV84)
Cyndi, Centreville, VA
“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 (NIV)
Vicki, Lubbock, TX– He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.
Psalm 91:1-2 NIV
donna huneycutt, mt. pleasant, nc
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 NASB