I’d Rather Have Jesus

This poem was left on a piano in the Shea home by Bev Shea, hoping it would influence her son.

The words moved George Beverly Shea so much that He sat down at the piano and began singing them with a tune that seemed to fit.

George was offered a popular music career with NBC, but a few years later chose to become associated with evangelist Billy Graham, and he sang this hymn around the world.

I love playing this song on the piano at church. Usually, by the third verse I’m sniffing with tears. 

In his letter to the Philippian Church, the Apostle Paul reveals his dedication to Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:8-9  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 

[9] And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

I’d rather have Jesus.

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“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.

Chorus

“Than to be a 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 world-wide fame,   —   I’d rather be true to His holy name.

“He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;   —   He’s sweeter than honey from out of the comb;   —   He’s all that my hungering spirit needs,   —   I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead.”

Rhea F. Miller 1922

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit. 

He Giveth More Grace

The Lord promised sufficient grace to the Apostle Paul when he asked for healing the thorn in his flesh (whatever it was).

He didn’t heal him but gave him sufficient grace to endure it. 

Every day the Lord carries me through cancer treatment and it’s side effects. I pray for strength and He gives it. I’ve never felt so close to Him. 

From what I hear, it could be much worse. God is good!

Isaiah 40:29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

He giveth more grace.

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“He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater;   —   He sendeth more strength as the labors increase.   —   To addeth afflictions, He addeth His mercy;   —   To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

Chorus:

“His love has no limits;   —   His grace has no measure.   —   His pow’r no boundary known unto men.   —   For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,   —   He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

“When we have exhausted our store of endurance;   —   When our strength has failed ere the day is half done;   —   When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,   —   Our Father’s full giving is only begun.”

Annie Johnson Flint

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit. 

At Calvary

Why did the Creator come in the image of the creature, live in poverty, be rejected by those He came to save and then die a cruel death on the cross? Why?

Jesus came for you and for me and rose again for us.

When the Lord opened His mouth on the cross, it was not to condemn or revile His enemies. 

When He spoke, He did so with compassion and love. He opened His mouth to pray for His attackers. 

He opened His mouth to salvation to a lost soul. 

He spoke to give comfort to a tormented mother. 

He spoke to give peace to fallen men.

Luke 23:33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

At Calvary.

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“Years I spent in vanity and pride,   —   Caring not my Lord was crucified,   —   Knowing not it was for me He died   —   On Calvary.

Chorus:

“Mercy there was great, and grace was free;   —   Pardon there was multiplied to me;   —   There my burdened soul found liberty   —   At Calvary.

“By God’s Word at last my sin I learned;   —   Then I trembled at the law I’d spurned;   —   Till my guilty soul imploring turned   —   To Calvary.

“Now I’ve giv’n to Jesus everything;   —   Now I gladly own Him as my King;   —   Now my raptured soul can only sing,   —   Of Calvary!

“Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan!   —   Oh, the grace that bro’t it down to man!   —   Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span   —   At Calvary!”

William R. Newell

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit. 

As The Deer

What you long for in life reveals what you love and what you love reveals who's you are.

Psalm 84:2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.

There’s a very good reason why the children of God should long for the Father's House. 

It’s a place to meet God.

I realize that the Lord is always with His children, Heb. 13:5; Matt. 28:20. 

I also realize that God dwells in His children, Col. 1:27; 1 Cor. 6:19; John 14:18. 

But I also know that He has promised to meet with His people when they gather together to worship Him, Matt. 18:20. 

Psalm 42:1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

As the deer . . . . 

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“As the deer panteth for the water   —   So my soul longeth after thee.   —   You alone are my heart’s desire   —   And I long to worship thee

Chorus

“You alone are my strength, my shield;   —   To You alone may my spirit yield.   —   You alone are my heart’s desire   —   And I long to worship Thee.

“You’re my friend and You are my brother,   —   Even though You are a king.   —   I love You more than any other,   —   So much more than anything.

I want You more than gold or silver,   —   Only You can satisfy.   —   You alone are the real joy giver   —   And the apple of my eye.

Martin Nystrom

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit. 

Take The Name Of Jesus With You

We aren’t perfect, but when we allow Christ to reign in our hearts, we can expect victory..

Do you have problems? Take the name of Jesus with you as you trudge through them. 

Do you need to forgive someone? Forgiving is hard. I know. Take the name of Jesus with you. 

Are you facing decisions? Take the name of Jesus with you. 

When we take the name of Jesus with us, we have stronger faith for the valleys, for the hurts, and anything in our pathway.  

Colossians 3:17  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Take the name of Jesus with you.

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Take the name of Jesus with you,   —   Child of sorrow and of woe;   —   It will joy and comfort give you,   —   Take it then where'er you go.

Chorus:

“Precious name! Oh, how sweet!   —   Hope of earth and joy of heav'n;   —   Precious name! Oh, how sweet!   —   Hope of earth and joy of heav'n. 

“Take the name of Jesus ever   —   As a shield from every snare.

   —   If temptations round you gather,   —   Breathe that holy name in prayer. 

“Oh, the precious name of Jesus!   —   How it thrills our souls with joy;   —   When His loving arms receive us   —   And His songs our tongues employ! 

“At the name of Jesus bowing,   —   Falling prostrate at His feet;   —   King of Kings in heaven we’ll crown Him   —   When our journey is complete.”

Lydia Baxter

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit. 

All Hail The Power Of Jesus’ Name

Revelation 5:11-12 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 

[12] Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

Revelation 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

When this worship service breaks out in Heaven, every creature in the universe joins in to praise the Lamb.  Rom. 14:12; Phil 2:9-11, 

What a day that will be when a God-denying; Christ-rejecting world will praise the Lord Jesus Christ —  not praise Him for redemption for they have never experienced it.  

All of creation cannot contain itself and begins to praise the Lord Who made it and Who redeemed it.

All hail the power of Jesus’ name.

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“All hail the power of Jesus name   —   let angels prostrate fall;   —   Bring forth the Royal diadem   —   and crown him Lord of all.

   —   Bring forth the royal diadem   —   and crown him Lord of all.

“Ye chosen seed of Israel's race,   —   Ye ransomed from the fall.

   —   Hail Him who saves you by his grace,   —   and crown Him Lord of all;   —   Hail Him who saves you by his grace,   —   and crown Him Lord of all.

“Let every kindred, every tribe   —   on this terrestrial ball,   —   To Him all majesty ascribe   —   and crown him lord of all;   —   To Him all majesty ascribe,   —   and crown Him Lord of all.

“O that with yonder sacred throng   —   we at His feet may fall!   —   We’ll join the everlasting song,   —   and crown Him Lord of all.   —   We’ll join the everlasting song,   —   And crown Him Lord of all.”

Edward Perroneti; altered by John Rippon

Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit.