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!Ā You have dominion and exalt Yourself as the ruler of all. 1 Chronicles 29:11Ā 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 fittingĀ 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
Ashley
Collierville Tn
Philippians 2:3-5 (NLT)
Don’t be selfish. Don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t just look out only for your own interests, but take interest in others too. You must have the same attitude Jesus Christ had.
Julie- Cincinnati, OH
Proverbs 13:3 NIV
Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.
Melody, Jefferson, 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 The NET Bible
Alison from Southport, NC. “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.” Psalm 23:5. NKJV.
April Lopez, BonneyLake,Wa
For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.
2nd Chronicles 16:9 NIV
Emmilianna Ferreria, BonneyLake,Wa
Now may the Lord of Peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.
2nd Thessalonians 3:16 NIV
Karen, Florence KY
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it
again: Rejoice!
Philippians 4:4 NIV
Shelly, Portland, OR
“Look to The Lord and His strength; seek His face always.”
1 Chronicles 16:11 (NIV)
Dianna, St. Louis
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18 ESV
Christina McClain, Nampa, ID, HCSB, James 1:10 “but the one who is rich should boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field.”
Kathy, Jay, Oklahoma
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:9 NIV84
So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.
Hebrews 12:12-13 NLT
Jana, Brenham, TX
Romans 12:11-12, HCSB
“Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.”
Melissa, Denham Springs, La. ” let your light shine before men and see your good deeds, that they may praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 NIV
Kalonni, Van Meter, Iowa: Romans 8:3 NIV “For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering.”
” Jesus told them, ‘ I assure you, even if you had faith as small as a mustard seed you could say to this mountain, move from here to there and it would move. Nothing would be impossible”Ā -Matthew 17:20(nlt)
Andi, Lincoln NE
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.”
2 Tim. 1:7 NLT
Cheryl, Concord, NC
“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Matthew 5.12 ESV
Sue,Texarkana “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 NIV
Sara, Sioux City ~
Oh that You would slay the wicked O God! Depart from me therefore you bloodthirsty men. Psalm 139:19 NKJV
Emily, Topeka, Kansas
Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
James 5:10-11 (NIV)
Cyndy, Huntingdon, PA, For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; Psalm 103:11 NIV
Dee Dee Fernandina Beach, Florida
“No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29 HCS
Angie
Albertville, AL
“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.” John 15:12 NASB
Laura from Houston, TX
Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,
Titus 2:9 NASB
Megan, St. Louis: 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 rule of all. 1 Chronicles 29:11, NET
Valerie
Sparks, Nevada
The Lord gives His people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace. Psalm 29:11 NLT
Amanda, Lexington, KY
“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” Romans 8:24-25 NIV
Eva, Knoxville- (cont.) In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. James 1:11b (NIV)
Teresa, Peoria, IL
Romans 12:9-13, NIV
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Patti – Colorado
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 City, “They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities,the devastations of many generations.” (ESV)
But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more
Psalm 71:14 ESV
Kristi B.
Houston, TX
Psalm 111:10
“Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever!”
Beth, Story City, IA
“I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”
Galatians 2:21, NKJ
Shout for joy to The Lord all the earth.
Karoletha from Longview TX
Psalm 100:1
Jennifer, Fairfax VA; James 1:5 (NIV)
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
(Beth – your tips were awesome and will help as I continue to tackle James! Just cracked myself up as I got a visual of me tackling a historic Jewish dude. My brain is weird.)
OĀ Lord, You are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent, glorious, and sovereign over all the sky and earth!Ā You have dominion and exalt Yourself as the ruler of all. 1 Chronicles 29:11Ā The NET Bible
Karen, Springdale, Arkansas
Pamela from Shelby Township MI
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 NIV
Kara C, Aurora, IL
Psalm 18:32-33 (NLT)
āGodā¦makes my way perfect. He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights.ā
Kimberly, Fresno, CA
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
Colossians 4:2. NIV
Kellye, Las Vegas. I am The Lord your God. I am holding your hand, so don’t be afraid. I am here to help you. Isaiah41:13 (CEV)
Christy, Conifer, Colorado
Job 1:20-22 NIV
20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said:
āNaked I came from my motherās womb,
and naked I will depart.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
may the name of the Lord be praised.ā
22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
Brandy, San Angelo, TX
Be confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 NLT
Jana, San Angelo, TX
Be confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 NLT
For all men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of the Lord stands forever. And this is the word that was preached to you.
I Peter 1:24 NIV
Ashleigh, Lewistown, MT “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20 (NIV)
Beth, I’m so relieved to know that someone else memorizes Scripture exactly the way that makes sense to me! I’m sure you have helped many people with that method…
Julie, Texarkana-“I say to myself, āThe Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.ā (Lamentations 3:24 NIV)
Amanda, Rockhampton QLD, Australia: I’m going with Beth’s verse & adding on the last sentence from my bible the NLT you will love it!! “O Lord, You are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent, glorious & sovereign over all sky & earth! You have dominion & exalt Yourself as the ruler of all…We adore You as the one who is over all things. 1 Chronicles 29:11
Cheryl, Huntington, WV The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Isaiah 40:8 ESV