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
Emily, Elk Grove, CA
“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” -Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Carmen from Fergus Falls, MN
Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy. Habukkuk 3:2 NIV
Lisa Christopher, Olympia, WA
“By them is Your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” (Psalm 19:11, NIV)
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
“may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep hte love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:18-19 (NIV)
Crystal- Gridley, IL
Tillie, Spring Branch, TX
For the Word of God is alive 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.
Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
Amanda from Platte City, MO
“Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:7- NLT
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” Philippians 1:27 NIV
(I missed the last one)
“
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” Galatians 5:25 NIV
Annette, Wylie, TX Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20 (NIV)
Dianne, FL
James 1:1-8 (The Message)
1 I, James, am a slave of God and the Master Jesus, writing to the twelve tribes scattered to Kingdom Come: Hello!
Faith Under Pressure
2-4 Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
5-8 If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.
Nikki, Houston
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
Teri in Corpus Christi, TX
Romans 12:15-16 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
Be happy with those who are happy.
Be sad with those who are sad.
Live in harmony with each other.
Don’t be arrogant,
but be friendly to humble people.
Don’t think that you are
smarter than you really are.
The moment I called out you stepped in; you made my life large with strength. ~ Psalms 138:3
pamela t., Fairmont, NC
Psalm 107:14 (NIV)
He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains.
Romans 12:11
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” NIV
Jennifer, Houston, TX: For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. Roman 6:10
Carin Stewart, Greenville, Ky….The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16b NIV
Mariposa -Albuquerque New Mexico
Therefore if anything is in Christ he is a new creatoin, the old has gone the new has come. 2 Cor. 5:17 NIV
De anna- Greenville SC
1 Peter 2:4-5 NIV
As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house[a] to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ
Alicia
League City, TX
Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
My month of verses (:
Joyce
Big River, Saskatchewan, Canada
“For the sake of your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.” Psalm 25:11 NIV84
Jessica B, Chapel Hill, NC
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
-Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
Gray, TN
“And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” Rev. 5:8 NIV
Donna, Albuquerque, 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)
Blanche, Pearland, TX
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.
Colossians 3:17
Worry weighs us down; a cheerful word picks us up.
Proverbs 12:25 The Message
Ruth Larkin, Shawnee, KS
Romans 8:6 (NLT) —
So letting your sinful nature control y our minds leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.
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
Kari
Amery, Wisconsin
Matthew 10:27 (NIV)
What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight: what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.
Vickie C, Baytown, Texas
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
Lori R., Knoxville, IOWA
Colossians 2:1-15, ESV
I won’t write them all here . . . I am reviewing a section. It is awesome!
Psalm 23:2-3 NLT He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
Robin
Snohomish, WA
Sierra, Salt Lake city, UT
Psalm 16:3 (NIV84)
As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.
Melanie, Arkansas
“The Lord gives His people strength; the Lord blesses His people with peace.”
Psalm 29:11
The Apologetics Study Bible
Heather, Memphis, TN
“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying,Yea,I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”
Jer. 31:3 KJV
“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exist and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6
Sharon from Van, TX
Come my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Ps. 34:11 NIV
Tami,Decatur,Tx.
“And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard you hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:7 (NIV)
Jan Horne
Bossier City, LA
Psalm 27:14 NIV
Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage: wait for the Lord.
Holly, Glendale, AZ:
“Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character.”
Psalm 105:19 NLT
O Lord, You are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent, glorious, sovereign over all the sky and earth! You have dominion and exalt Yourself as the ruler of all. (NET)
(thanks for tips on how to memorize this verse!)
Marci; Huntsville, AL
Psalm 34:8 NLT
“Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh the joys of those who take refuge in him.”
Sherry Smith from Marietta 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
O Lord, You are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent, glorious, sovereign over all the sky and earth! You have dominion and exalt Yourself as the ruler of all. 1 Chronicles 29:11 (NET)
(thanks for tips on how to memorize this verse!)
Selina , Barbourville, KY.
Seek the Lord and His strength, seek His face continually.
1 Chronicles 16:11 KJV
Hannah
Lake Charles, LA
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve of what God’s will is- his good, pleasing, and perfect will.
Romans 12:2 NIV
Melandie, Raleigh, NC “The moment I called out you stepped in; you made my life large with strength.” Psalm 138:3
Psalm 56:3-4
When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You;
in God whose word I praise,
In God I trust, I will not be afraid.
Adrienne
Jasper, TN
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”
Romans 12:14 NIV
Pam Hendersonville, NC
“Even everyone that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.” Isaiah 43:7 KJV
O give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known His doings among the peoples!
1 Chronicles 16: 8