I'd Rather Have Jesus!

Praise the Lord for this beautiful Monday morning!  My heart is still rejoicing from the blessings and encouragement my heart received yesterday as I worshiped with my own church family, and with many others across the nation.  How blessed it is to be part of the family of God!!  And in spite of every hindering or unpleasant circumstance, I just want to testify that I would rather have Jesus and be an "old-time" Christian than anything I know!!

     "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.

      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 the comb;
      He's all that my hungering spirit needs --
I'd rather have Jesus and let Him lead.

      Than to be the king of a vast domain;
Or be held in sin's dread sway.
      I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today."

When George Beverly Shea was 21 years old, he met a man who was the host of a coast-to-coast radio talent show.  When he learned that Bev (as he was called) liked to sing, he arranged an audition, and a few weeks later Bev found himself singing "Go Down Moses" to a nationwide audience on the National Broadcasting Company.  He had gotten a taste of widespread fame.

     One Sunday shortly afterwards, he sat down at his mother's organ to practice for the morning church service.  His eyes fell on a clipping she had left for him there--a poem written in 1922 by Mrs. Rhea Miller.  As he read the words, they spoke to him about his own aims and ambitions in life.  An appropriate melody came easily, almost composing itself.  In church that morning, he sang "I'd Rather Have Jesus" publicly for the first time.  He became known as "America's beloved gospel singer", and traveled with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Team.

My friend, if you cannot sing this song from the depths of your heart today; the Master is calling, and "whosoever will" may come!