BIBLE REFERENCE:
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which
your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but
as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and
followed him. And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his
brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the
ship and their father, and followed him. Matthew 4:19-22
But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know
your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the
things which are Jesus Christ's. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me
in the gospel. Philippians 2:19-22
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which
your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but
as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and
followed him. And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his
brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the
ship and their father, and followed him. Matthew 4:19-22
But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know
your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the
things which are Jesus Christ's. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me
in the gospel. Philippians 2:19-22
Mrs. Rhea F. Miller - Lyrics
1894 - 1966
1894 - 1966
George Beverly Shea - Composer
1909 -
1909 -
Born: February 1, 1909, Winchester, Ontario, Canada.
HYMN HISTORY:
George Beverly Shea was born into the home of fine Christian parents in Winchester, Ontario, Canada, on
February 1, 1909. His father was a faithful minister of the gospel for the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and his
mother was a strong spiritual and musical influence in his life. As young George was growing up in parsonages
in New York and New Jersey, his friends and family became very much aware of his fine musical talents and full,
resonant voice. He began to sing regularly in his father’s church as well as for services in other local churches.
Following high school, George attended Houghton College in New York during 1928-29, but family financial
problems caused him to leave after one year and take employment as a clerk in an insurance office in New York
City. During this time, he lived with his parents while his father was pastoring in Jersey City. In his book, Songs
That Touch the Heart, Bev Shea tells this story:
George Beverly Shea was born into the home of fine Christian parents in Winchester, Ontario, Canada, on
February 1, 1909. His father was a faithful minister of the gospel for the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and his
mother was a strong spiritual and musical influence in his life. As young George was growing up in parsonages
in New York and New Jersey, his friends and family became very much aware of his fine musical talents and full,
resonant voice. He began to sing regularly in his father’s church as well as for services in other local churches.
Following high school, George attended Houghton College in New York during 1928-29, but family financial
problems caused him to leave after one year and take employment as a clerk in an insurance office in New York
City. During this time, he lived with his parents while his father was pastoring in Jersey City. In his book, Songs
That Touch the Heart, Bev Shea tells this story:
Once again Mother–my musical guardian–had apart. A lover of beauty, be it a flower, a bird, a poem, an
ennobling quotation–whatever–Mother was a collector...she loved to share poetry and she always had
some verse in hand copied from a book or clipped from a magazine. It was her practice of leaving such
writing on the piano music rack which led to my writing “I’d Rather Have Jesus” when I was twenty years old.
The same Sunday morning I read those wonderful words for the first time, I wrote music for them and used
the song that same day in my father’s church service. Of course, Mrs. Rhea F. Miller is the catalyst.
Without her inspiring lyrics, there would have been no song....Over the years, I've not sung any song
more than “I’d Rather Have Jesus,” but I never tire of Mrs. Miller’s heartfelt words.
ennobling quotation–whatever–Mother was a collector...she loved to share poetry and she always had
some verse in hand copied from a book or clipped from a magazine. It was her practice of leaving such
writing on the piano music rack which led to my writing “I’d Rather Have Jesus” when I was twenty years old.
The same Sunday morning I read those wonderful words for the first time, I wrote music for them and used
the song that same day in my father’s church service. Of course, Mrs. Rhea F. Miller is the catalyst.
Without her inspiring lyrics, there would have been no song....Over the years, I've not sung any song
more than “I’d Rather Have Jesus,” but I never tire of Mrs. Miller’s heartfelt words.
During the nearly nine years that Shea worked for the Mutual of New York Life Insurance Company, he
continued his vocal training and singing in churches and for local Christian broadcasts. One day a director
of a network radio station heard him sing and arranged for him to audition for a national program with the
Lynn Murray Singers. Bev was thrilled with the prospect of singing on a network radio program, of being heard
by large numbers of people, and having a chance to make “big money” for a change. After passing the audition
test, Bev Shea just didn't feel right about accepting this “once in a life-time” offer to be in secular work. “No”
was strange word to such an offer, as positions such as these were rare during those depression days, and
thousands of young singers would have leaped at such an opportunity.
On June 16, 1934, Bev married his teen-age sweetheart, Eram Scharfe, and together they raised two children.
The family moved to Chicago. where Bev took a position on the staff of radio station WMBI. In June of 1944,
Bev Shea realized his ambition to sing the gospel on a national radio program, “Club Time.” A well-known
aluminum firm, headed by a devoted Christian businessman, Herbert J. Taylor, sponsored Shea’s program for
the next several years, a program heard by thousands of listeners each week. Then during the 1940’s and 50’s,
Shea was active, singing in large Youth for Christ rallies throughout America and Canada. And now for more
than three decades, Bev Shea has ministered with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Team, around the world as
well as on radio and television. In 1956, George Beverly Shea was given a honorary doctorate degree from
Houghton College in recognition of his many years of effective Christian ministry.
The power that this song has had in influencing and changing lives for God will be fully evaluated only in
eternity. There are countless testimonies by individuals whose lives have been changed by the singing of
this one hymn:
continued his vocal training and singing in churches and for local Christian broadcasts. One day a director
of a network radio station heard him sing and arranged for him to audition for a national program with the
Lynn Murray Singers. Bev was thrilled with the prospect of singing on a network radio program, of being heard
by large numbers of people, and having a chance to make “big money” for a change. After passing the audition
test, Bev Shea just didn't feel right about accepting this “once in a life-time” offer to be in secular work. “No”
was strange word to such an offer, as positions such as these were rare during those depression days, and
thousands of young singers would have leaped at such an opportunity.
On June 16, 1934, Bev married his teen-age sweetheart, Eram Scharfe, and together they raised two children.
The family moved to Chicago. where Bev took a position on the staff of radio station WMBI. In June of 1944,
Bev Shea realized his ambition to sing the gospel on a national radio program, “Club Time.” A well-known
aluminum firm, headed by a devoted Christian businessman, Herbert J. Taylor, sponsored Shea’s program for
the next several years, a program heard by thousands of listeners each week. Then during the 1940’s and 50’s,
Shea was active, singing in large Youth for Christ rallies throughout America and Canada. And now for more
than three decades, Bev Shea has ministered with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Team, around the world as
well as on radio and television. In 1956, George Beverly Shea was given a honorary doctorate degree from
Houghton College in recognition of his many years of effective Christian ministry.
The power that this song has had in influencing and changing lives for God will be fully evaluated only in
eternity. There are countless testimonies by individuals whose lives have been changed by the singing of
this one hymn:
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
"For me to live is Christ."
--Philippians 1:21
The believer did not always live to Christ. He began to do so when God the Holy Spirit convinced him of sin,
and when by grace he was brought to see the dying Saviour making a propitiation for his guilt.
From the moment of the new and celestial birth the man begins to live to Christ. Jesus is to believers the one
pearl of great price, for whom we are willing to part with all that we have. He has so completely won our love,
that it beats alone for Him; to His glory we would live, and in defence of His gospel we would die; He is the
pattern of our life, and the model after which we would sculpture our character.
Paul's words mean more than most men think; they imply that the aim and end of his life was Christ - nay, his
life itself was Jesus. In the words of an ancient saint, he did eat, and drink, and sleep eternal life. Jesus was his
very breath, the soul of his soul, the heart of his heart, the life of his life.
Can you say, as a professing Christian, that you live up to this idea? Can you honestly say that for you to live
is Christ?
Your business - are you doing it for Christ? Is it not done for self- aggrandizement and for family advantage?
Do you ask, "Is that a mean reason?" For the Christian it is. He professes to live for Christ; how can he live for
another object without committing a spiritual adultery?
Many there are who carry out this principle in some measure; but who is there that dare say that he hath lived
wholly for Christ as the apostle did? Yet, this alone is the true life of a Christian - its source, its sustenance, its
fashion, its end, all gathered up in one word - Christ Jesus.
Lord, accept me; I here present myself, praying to live only in Thee and to Thee.
"For me to live is Christ."
--Philippians 1:21
The believer did not always live to Christ. He began to do so when God the Holy Spirit convinced him of sin,
and when by grace he was brought to see the dying Saviour making a propitiation for his guilt.
From the moment of the new and celestial birth the man begins to live to Christ. Jesus is to believers the one
pearl of great price, for whom we are willing to part with all that we have. He has so completely won our love,
that it beats alone for Him; to His glory we would live, and in defence of His gospel we would die; He is the
pattern of our life, and the model after which we would sculpture our character.
Paul's words mean more than most men think; they imply that the aim and end of his life was Christ - nay, his
life itself was Jesus. In the words of an ancient saint, he did eat, and drink, and sleep eternal life. Jesus was his
very breath, the soul of his soul, the heart of his heart, the life of his life.
Can you say, as a professing Christian, that you live up to this idea? Can you honestly say that for you to live
is Christ?
Your business - are you doing it for Christ? Is it not done for self- aggrandizement and for family advantage?
Do you ask, "Is that a mean reason?" For the Christian it is. He professes to live for Christ; how can he live for
another object without committing a spiritual adultery?
Many there are who carry out this principle in some measure; but who is there that dare say that he hath lived
wholly for Christ as the apostle did? Yet, this alone is the true life of a Christian - its source, its sustenance, its
fashion, its end, all gathered up in one word - Christ Jesus.
Lord, accept me; I here present myself, praying to live only in Thee and to Thee.
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.
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
Or 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 rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame.
I'd rather be true to His holy name.
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.
He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He's sweeter than honey from out the comb;
He's all than 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.
Or be held in sin's dread sway.
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.
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
Or 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 rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame.
I'd rather be true to His holy name.
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.
He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He's sweeter than honey from out the comb;
He's all than 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.
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A thousand grim marines sat on a South Pacific Island, during the days of World War II, listening to a
gospel message punctuated with gunfire in the distance. When the chaplain sat down, a marine stood
this feet to sing the closing hymn. As the shell-scarred palms swayed nearby, more than half of that
company came forward to profess faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior. The marine soloist, a former
opera singer, had just concluded singing “I’d Rather Have Jesus...”
gospel message punctuated with gunfire in the distance. When the chaplain sat down, a marine stood
this feet to sing the closing hymn. As the shell-scarred palms swayed nearby, more than half of that
company came forward to profess faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior. The marine soloist, a former
opera singer, had just concluded singing “I’d Rather Have Jesus...”
| Charles Spurgeon |
| NO PHOTO AVAILABLE |
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