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
Natalie Dawes, Calgary, AB, Canada
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
Rom. 12:1 (NIV)
Patti, Shalimar, FL. “O Lord, you are Great, Mighty, Majestic, Magnificent, Glorious, and Sovereign over all of the earth and the sky. You have dominion and exalt yourself as the ruler of all. ! Chronicles 29:11 NET
Leah, Houston, TX
You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.
NIV 84
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
Psalm 143:8 NIV
Lynette -Aurora,CO 1 Peter 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. NLT
Kathi Nitzsche
Lexington, OH
For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. 1 Peter 1:23 (NLT)
Shellie P.
Spokane, WA
I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
Romans 7:18 NIV
P.S. By the way that was me screaming, NO!!! Anything I have to work that hard at to get in my brain just isn’t going in….period!! If I can’t get it in by repeating it over and over again, just the words themselves, it didn’t fit at the time. That’s all! That’s just me!
April, Lake Charles, LA
“For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” ~Matt. 11:30 (NASB)
Kathleen, Tallahassee, FL:
“Yours,O LORD is the greatness, and the power, and the
glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is
in the heaven and in the earth is Yours; Yours is the
kingdom, O LORD, and You are exalted as head above
all.”
1 Chronicles 29:11 (NKJV)
Lydia Eymann, Warman
A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
Proverb 15:13 NIV
Keri
Little Rock, AR
Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment
I Timothy 6:6, ESV
Cindy Franklin, Graceville, FL
Nehemiah 4:6 KJV
So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work .
Jovin, Houston 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 NET
Sarah, San Diego “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
Love this.
Deborah, Nashville,TN
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
Bev van Vuuren – South Africa – Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15 (NIV)
Patty, Shelton, WA
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
Nicole from Lewisville TX
Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. (Colossians 1:22 NLT)
Terry from Jasper GA 1 Chronicles 29:11 NKJV
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory. The victory and the majesty;
for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord and You are exalted as head over all.
“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43:18, 19 NIV)
Jan, Athens, Ga.
“Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Psalm 23″6, NIV
Jeri, Lynchburg, VA. Deuteronomy 6:23 ESV “And he brought us out from there, that he might bring us in and give us the land that he swore to give to our fathers.”
Lisa, Mauldin, SC
And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender responsive heart.
Ezekiel 36:26 (NLT)
Nancy, Grand Haven, MI
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
Mark 12:30 KJV
Sara from Garden City KS: And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:14 NIV)
Erika, Hampden MA
Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3-4 NAS
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.
I Chronicles 29:11
Caty from Stockbridge, GA – Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. ~ Ephesians 4:29, KJV
Beckie Potterfield, Florence, SC
Praise the LORD!
How joyful are those who fear the LORD and delight in obeying His commands.
Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.
Psalm 112:1-2 NLT
Brittnie, Sugar Land, Texas
Psalm 4:8 NIV I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Vicki, Wilmington NC
He shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Psalm 24:5 NKJV
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 what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Jennifer, Chattanooga;
But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-he will be blessed in what he does. James 1:25 NIV
Menomonee Falls, WI
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Linda, Johnstown. Pa.
I Chronicles 29:11, The NET Bible
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.
Lila, Salem, OR “And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 HCSB
Colleen, Cape Town, South Africa
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Col 4:6 NIV
Debbie from Universal City, Texas.
Ephesians 2:4-6 NASB
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”
Deborah. Elgin, Texas
You are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent,glorious and sovereign over all the sky and earth! You have dominion and exault Yourself as the ruler of all. 1 Chronicals 29:11
Becky from Vicksburg, MS
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. I Corinthians 16:13 NIV.
Gena
Elgin, 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
But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded. 2 Chronicles 15:7 NIV
Joyce
Sparta, NJ
“When I am afraid I put my trust in you.” Psalm 56:3 (ESV)
Big lake, Mn
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
Romans 12:9-10 NLT
Linda
Belton, TX
He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.
Psalm 62:2. (ESV)
Jan, Palm Bay, Fl
“He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.”(Isaiah 33:6 NIV)
Verse 11 and 12. Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. (James 1:2, 3 NLT)
Nancy Beda, Boardman,Ohio
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Ephesians 4:29 NLT
Pam Bryant
Kountze, Tx.
I sought the Lord and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4 NKJV
Kristi, White Pigeon, Michigan – “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 NIV