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
Andrea from Spring Branch, Texas
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3 ESV
Lynette, Nashville, TN
“A man’s heart plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.”
Proverbs 16:9 (NKJV)
Andrea, Brush Creek, TN: I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing! Galatians 2:21
Stephanie Parrish, Lynchburg, VA
“The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” – 2 Chronicles 16:9 NLT
“For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” Isiah 41:13 KJV
Natalie, Blue Springs, MO
Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
Annie, Gainesville FL
James 1:12 NIV
12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, she will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
Jennifer Doucet
Sulphur, Louisiana
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, (Ephesians 6:14 NIV)
Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.
Traci
Knoxville, TN
Heather King
Gloucester, VA
“By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me—a prayer to the God of my life (Psalm 42:8 NIV)
John16:33 These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye may have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer;I have over come the world. kjv
Esther, Jonesborough, TN. “Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Joel 2:12 (ESV).
Rachel Cleveland, Jackson, TN
“Why do you bring charges against me? You have all rebelled against me,” declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 2:29 NIV)
Rebecca
Owasso OK
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
I’m using your verse, Beth. Sorry it’s late, it’s been hectic in Oklahoma lately.
Amanda E
Rockwall, TX
“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Romans 8:31 (NIV)
Amy
Tyler,TX
Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.
James 5:1-3 (NIV)
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. James 2:10 NIV
Melanie Grace of Greenbrier, Tn
Jeremiah 15:16 (net)
As your words came to me I drank them in,
and they filled my heart with joy and happiness
because I belong to you, O Lord, the God who rules over all.
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 NIV
Michele, Atlanta
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
Tammy from Fort Myers, FL “The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.” Proverbs 4:18 HCSB
April, Diboll.
Open my eyes that I may see
wonderful things in your law. Psalm 119:18(NIV)
Lori, Owasso, OK
Memorizing Proverbs 31
“She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar.”
Proverbs 31: 13-14 NLT
Vicki
Longview, WA
So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba Father,”
Romans 8:15 NLT
Darlene from Maine
Thine, 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 thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. (1 Chronicles 29:11 KJV)
Mindy in Franklin, TN
“though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.” (Psalms 37:24 ESV)
Donalda Reimer, Osler, SK
Psalms 119:18
“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.”
shelli, Karalee, Katelyn; Royse City, TX: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'” Jeremiah 29:11
Fairview, TN. The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation. Psalm 145:9 NLT
Sally, St. Paul, MN “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty” Ps 91:1 NIV
Alice Wilmington,Delaware KJV John4:24
God is spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Ali S. Midwest City, OK
Psalm 91:4 (NIV)
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
Susie – Garland, Tx
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Kate from Cheney, WA
Deuteronomy 33:26-27, NIV
“There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides on the heavens to help you and on the clouds in His majesty. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, ‘Destroy him!’”
Hear my prayer, O Lord,
listen to my cry for mercy.
In the day of may trouble I
will call to you, for you
will answer me.
NIV Psalm 86:6-7
Judy, Hoover, AL O Lord, You are great, mighty, majestic, magnificant, glourious, and sovereign over all the sky and earth! You have dominion and exalt Yourself as the ruler of all. 1 Chronicles 29:11 (TNB)
I was in Duluth, still singing this verse, thank you for all you do!
Kaylenn, Temple TX
Hebrews 12:11. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on,however,it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. NIV84
Betty Clark, Ann Arbor, MI “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 NIV
Ps. 107:1, 2 KJ
1 O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good:
For his mercy endureth for ever.
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
Whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
Jenni, San Diego. Continuing with Psalm 37! This time, verses 12 and 13, NKJV “The wicked plots against the just,and gnashes at him with his teeth. The Lord laughs at him,for He sees that his day is coming.” I cannot tell you how much God is saying this to me from every angle. For the last few weeks He keeps telling me He is about to destroy my enemies. That He is my defender and a mighty warrior…that I am just to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord..that I will not have to fight in this battle…etc. I felt like I had lost some ground with SSMT because I had to spend a few extra weeks getting verse 1-11 really down; but this morning, after He told me AGAIN through the Word that He is going to handle my enemies, I pull up these next two verses to post here and….there it is again. The weapons formed against me shall never prosper. He is so incredibly faithful and His Word is so so so truly living and active! I am not exactly sure what all enemies He is about to handle but all I know is, He’s gonna do it…! Love you all, Siestas!
Sally Reed, Bellaire, Texas. James 1:9-10, NIV. Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.
Annette, Tomball, “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:12-13(NIV)
Michelle, from Carthage, 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 Bible
Leah – Driftwood TX
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Psalm 34:11 ESV
Heidi ~ Oak Harbor WA.
I can do all things through Christ Who gives me strength. Phil. 4:13 ESV
Melisa, Waco
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Laura Beth, Jackson
1 Chronicles 29:11 NET
“O Lord, you are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent, glorious, and sovereign over all the sky and earth! You have dominion and exult yourself as the ruler of all.”
Lori
Concordia, KS
Psalm 16:8 NIV I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Nora, Shreveport, LA
…For when I am weak, I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10, NIV