Hey, Everybody! I am jotting this post several days in advance because I’ll be at a Living Proof Live in Atlanta, Georgia the day this goes up. In fact, if you read this before 11:15 CST (12:15 Atlanta time) on Saturday, we’d be incredibly blessed if you’d pray for our remaining time to be so flooded with the presence of God that we can hardly bear the glory.
I’m so proud of you for making it this far in our Scripture memory process! Sisters, you have worked hard. Let yourself feel the holy nod of God. He has tremendous joy in seeing His children esteem His Word highly enough to store it like treasures in the vault of their hearts. We’ve arrived at a milestone of sorts in this journey. June is tremendously significant for our team because this is the month we come to the halfway marker. Once we get into July and August we have less memorization in front of us than we have behind us. That’s a big deal.
This time around I’m choosing a verse that I’ll be challenging the attendees to memorize at the Atlanta Living Proof Live. I’m not sure a verse could be more fitting for the pure act of praise. I love Scriptures that not only speak about God but speak straight to God. Get a load of this one:
Beth, Houston. O Lord, You are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent, glorious, and sovereign over all the sky and earth! You have dominion and exalt Yourself as the ruler of all. 1 Chronicles 29:11 The NET Bible
Any of us who memorize a fair amount of Scripture have certain go-to approaches that have helped us along. If you’ve got a method that is working, by all means, go with it! But, if you’re interested in memorizing the same verse and would like some suggestions about how to tackle it, I’ll share what works for me. Keep in mind that the methods of Blonder Than She Pays To Be could be madness to someone else so take this or leave it depending on your learning style.
With any verse, I start looking almost immediately for how I can reason out the word order. The first thing I’m going to notice in 1 Chronicles 29:11 is that there are 6 rapid-fire descriptions of God in the first sentence. In this verse, I’d reason that it’s fitting for the word “great” to be first among the descriptions because many of us are accustomed to using the terminology that God (or the Lord, in this case) is great. It’s an easy, accessible word. The next three descriptions all begin with “M”: mighty, majestic, magnificent. As I prepare for Atlanta, I’ll be saying those three words over and over in that order so that they’ll get ingrained in my thinking. They have an amplifying rhythm to them, too, because the first one (mighty) is two syllables, the second one (majestic) is three syllables, and the third one (magnificent) is four syllables. Does that help at all with the word order and how they roll off your tongue? Say them until you feel the syllables build and you might latch onto them pretty quickly.
After the beginning “G” (great) and the 3 “M’s”, we have another “G.” This time it stands for “glorious.” That’s a word I love to say so I’m hoping I can remember it pretty easily. G-M-M-M-G. Are you beginning to catch on? (I think I just heard somebody yell “NO!” Was that you?? I tried to warn you that I can make things harder than they have to be. Laughing. You might need to be the one telling your sisters here how to tackle a wordy verse. Just give me an “E” for effort here and maybe an “A” for affection. I do so seriously love you.)
The last of the 6 descriptions is “sovereign.” To me, that’s always the final word on anything that has to do with God. If I’m confused or I can’t fit in my brain why this happened or why God approached a particular thing a particular way, I finally come to a measure of peace by stating this biblical truth: He is sovereign over all things. In the exact words of 1 Chronicles 29:11, “over all the sky and earth.” I love visual language and that, Sister, is plenty visual. Span the galaxies in the universe with your imagination then put your scope on our planet and zero in. (I know I’m really pushing it right now with some of you but the way I’d keep it straight that “sky” comes before “earth” is that it starts with an “S” like “sovereign” right before it. If I’m getting on your last nerve, never mind.)
Then put the finishing touches on the verse with this: You have dominion and exalt Yourself as the ruler of all!
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not expecting that we’d have it down pat in the brief amount of time it’s taken us to walk through those few paragraphs but what about 15 days? That’s how long we’d have to get those words steeped into our souls. Could we get them down over the course of two weeks? Yes, ma’am, I do believe we can! And, if not word-for-word, just think how much we’ve meditated on descriptions of our God! That is time NEVER wasted. Let’s ask God to give us the supernatural unction to accomplish this memorization and remind Him how much glory He could receive from our being able to extol His preeminence like that over and over while we’re…
praying…
driving…
walking through our neighborhoods…
on our treadmills…
rocking our babies…
getting chemotherapy…
getting physical therapy…
sitting with an elderly loved one…
healing from a heartbreak…
or so happy that we need some way to tell Him how marvelous we think He is before we burst.
Of course, most of you have your own Scripture selections and I have just put you through the wringer for nothing! So, whether you’re sharing 1 Chronicles 29:11 or bringing your own verse to the table, let’s see them! I’m blessed almost out of my bleached blond mind to get to do this with you, Sister. You are a tremendous joy to me.
Tags: Scripture Memory 2013
Stephanie Colucci Dallas
Psalm 46:1
(NIV)
Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Alice, Chesapeake Va.
Psalm 37:4 KJV
Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee
the desires of thine heart.
Kristin Cho; Northville, Michigan
Psalm 32:8 NIV
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with my eye.”
Amen
“In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and will praise your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16 NCV
Kathleen, Phoenix
Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of the wicked, for the evil man has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.
Proverbs 24:19-20 (NIV)
Fareen, Las Vegas, NV
“Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgement. For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their body as well. Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.”
James 3:1-4 NASB
Beth, Omaha, NE
Colossians 3:23-24 NIV
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving..
Patrice, Elm Grove, WI
So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.
Colossians 3:12 The Message
karen, Cheney, Washington
“….. and build an altar to the LORD your God on top of this stronghold with stones laid in proper order.”
(When Gideon was told to tear down the altar in the high places his father worshiped idols at.)
-Judges 6:26- (AMP)
christina, Plano, Texas~
“So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts” (Ephesians 4:17-18, NIV1984).
Gretchen, Gahanna, Ohio– Send out your life and truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to you holy hill and to your dwelling! Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God. Psalm 43:3-5 ESV
Lauren Mendoza, Cypress CA
“He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm”. –Prov. 18:20
O Lord, You are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent, glorious, and sovereign over all the sky and earth! You have dominion and exalt Yourself as the ruler of all. 1 Chronicles 29:11 The NET Bible
Laurie from Oklahoma
Psalm 121:7-8 HCSB
The Lord will protect you from all harm;
He will protect your life.
The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever.
Shelley, Birmingham AL–“because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2 NIV
Norfolk, VA
Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
Romans 13:14 NIV
Juanita Perry, Raleigh, NC
And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Ephesians 1:22-23
ESV
He revels deep and hiddes things, he knows what lies in darkness and light dwells withhim. Daniel 2:22 NIV
Allison from Chicago
1 Timothy 1:5 (NET)
But the aim of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, good conscience, and a sincere faith
Steph, Scottsdale, az ” but one thing I do, forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize which god has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 NIV
Chrissy, Aurora, IL
“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.” 1 Chronicles 29:11 (NIV)
Mandi, San Angelo, TX
The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6 NIV
I never was able to post my May verses. They are:
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Phil 1:21 NIV
Do nothing out ofsfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Phil 2:3 NIV
“Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.”
I Corinthians 16:13 RSV
Jane, Bakersfield, CA
“Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.”
I Corinthians 16:13 RSV
I will sing of your strength, in the morning
I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress,
my refuge in times of trouble. (Ps. 59:16)
Amanda Cross, Van Buren, AR
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8 NASB
Carrie Guion, Wentzville, Mo.
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. Psalm 62:6 NLT
Alexis, Salem OR
“But I am trusting you O Lord saying ” You are my God”.
Psalm 31:14 NLT
Tess
Cartersville, GA
1 Corinthians 14:12 ESV
“So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.”
Yanna Westmoreland, Bryan, Texas “If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me night”, Psalm 139:11 ESV
Emily Davis, Loveland, CO – “Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.” Psalm 55:22 (NASB)
Deb Davis, Loveland, CO – “We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair.” 2 Corinthians 4:8 (NKJV)
Melissa, San Antonio, TX
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Eph 3:16 (NLT)
Gail, Tyler,TX
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12 NKJV
Brea Rich from Ripley, MS
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:8 ESV
Melissa, Greensburg, KY– “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. ” – mark 12:30, NAS
Tracy, Sidney, Ohio
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. John 13:35 NLT
Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Ashley Taylor
Lawrenceville, GA
O Lord, You are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent, glorious, and sovereign over all the sky and earth! You have dominion and exalt Yourself as the ruler of all.
1 Chronicles 29:11 NET
Lisa, Andalusia, Alabama
who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, (Philippians 2:6 NASB)
Tracy F.
Lake St. Louis, Missouri
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Amy from North Plainfield, NJ
For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? ~ 1 Corinthians 2:15-16 (ESV)
Bethany, Evart,Michigan 1 Peter 3:15 NIV
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone
who asks you to give the reason for the hope that
you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
John 7:38 ESV
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, “Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
Laura, Clay Center, KS
Hebrews 12:12-13 (ESV)
Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.
Becky, Mansfield, Ohio
O Lord, You are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent, glorious, and sovereign over all the sky and earth!? You have dominion and exalt Yourself as the ruler of all. 1 Chronicles 29:11? The NET Bible
Sharon from North Plainfield, NJ
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ~ Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
Stephanie, La Habra, CA “Oh Lord, You are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent, glorious, and sovereign over all the sky and earth! You have dominion and exalt Yourself as the ruler of all.” NET
Kim Eshelman Lewisburg, PA
O Lord, You are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent, glorious, and sovereign over all the sky and earth! You have dominion and exalt Yourself as the ruler of all. 1 Chronicles 29:11 The NET Bible
Ellen, from Chattanooga, TN
Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise His holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things He does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
Psalms 103: 1-4 NLT
Kim, Pearland, TX
O Lord, You are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent, glorious, and sovereign over all the sky and earth! You have dominion and exalt Yourself as the ruler of all.
1 Chronicles 29:11
The NET Bible