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
Laurie, Gibsonville, NC
“In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” Judges 21:25 NASB
Colossians 1:18 (NIV)
” And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy.”
Karen from Westminster, MD
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4 NIV
Ashley, Petersburg.
Religion that God our father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:26, NIV
Amy S. in Saint Cloud, FL
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:10
NIV
Hannah, Miramar Beach. 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
Joy, Sutherland
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7, NIV
Nina
Moore, OK
Job 1:21b The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Jessica. Nicaragua. Psalm 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the world of his hands.”
Melissa from Goshen, KY…
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James 1:22 (NIV)
Alesha, Charlotte…..
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.
1 Corinthians 9:24-26 NIV
1 Thessalonians 5:24, NIV
“The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.”
Andrea from Burleson, TX:
“Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
Tanis, Terrace
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
Deedi
Kodak, TN
1 Peter 3:3-4
Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is so precious to God.
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.
1Peter 5:8-9
Ina from Lancaster, PA
Jordin, Albuquerque
“By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the One who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence.”
2 Peter 1:3, NLT
Debbie Laureen, New Port Richey, FL.
“If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your right hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”
Psalm139:9-10
Chris, Seattle, WA
Judges 6:14 NIV
The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”
Matthew 10:32 (NRSV)
Everyone who acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.
Debbie from Amarillo, Texas
“Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths;
Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God, my Savior,
And my hope is in You all day long”
Psalms 25:4-5. NIV
Lindsey from Dubach, LA…”Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” -2 Thess. 3:16 (NIV)
Cheryl, Midlothian, Va
my flesh and my heart may fail
but God is the strength or my heart
and my portion forever
Psalm 73:26 NIV
“The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacle of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.” Psalm 118: 15 KJV
Rosalie Cincinnati
Susie, Columbus, Ohio Jesus wept. John 11:35 (NIV) This is so simple but it is so meaningful when I feel like crying to know Jesus had the same feelings.
Megan, Stow, OH “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26, NIV
Tracy from Aurora, CO
Ephesians 6:13-14=Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle, you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. (NLT)
Sheryl Blake- Niles, MI
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time” II Timothy 1:9 NIV
Jenna, Sandusky. Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life. James 1:12 The Message
Susan Pittsburgh, PA
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
Amy; Milton; WA
“My dear brothers take note of this, everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”
James 1:19-20, NIV
Ashley, Memphis TN. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24 ESV
Barb, Medina
Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the Name that is above every name,
Phil 2:9 ESV
Staci
Corona
{esv}
Galatians 5:1
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Linda Jewell
Sedona, AZ
Philippians 4:4-5 NIV
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
1peter 4:9niv. ” offer hospitality to one another without grumbling”,
Soni in Gulfport, MS Psalm 56:3-4 RSV
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in thee. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust without a fear. What can flesh do to me?”
Sacha, Midland, TX
2 Corinthians 1:20 (ESV)
“For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him. That is why it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory.”
Cindy, Kearney NE
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. (Psalm 5:3 NIV)
Alyse Woodstock, GA
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1 NIV
Tomi, Des Moines. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. 2 Timothy 2:15-17a ESV
Sharron Steele
Hartselle, Al
NIV II Corinthians 12:9
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness so that Christ’s power may rest on me!
Stephanie, Irvine, CA
“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
(Isaiah 41:10, NIV)
Kim, in Duncan, SC:
The tongue holds the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 18:21 NIV
W.Richland
You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.
Acts 2:28 NIV
Janae – Riverside, PA Romans 16:20(NIV) “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of or Lord Jesus be with you.”
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
Janice – Conroe
My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them! Prov. 1:10 NLT
Linda Gammon, Blue Springs, MO
Proverbs 31:22-24 ESV
22. She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23. Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.
24. She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.
Jeri, Draper UT
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.
For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10