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
Heather W, Nederland, TX
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:15 NIV)
Chelsie, Farmington, MI
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:26, ESV
Liz from Hilliard, OH:
“You, God, are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
where there is no water.”
Psalm 63:1 (NIV)
Jessica from Rockvale, TN
Psalm 139:14 “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Philippians 1:6 (NASB)
For I am confident of this very thing; that He that began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
Erin in Euless, TX
Ephesians 1:4 – 5 (NLT)
“Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.”
Whitney from Cape Girardeau, MO
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Julie, Houston, TX. “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thanksfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)
Christi-Clinton, UT_
“O Lord, be gracious to us;
we long for you.
Be our strength every morning,
our salvation in time of distress.”
Isaiah 33:2 (NIV)
Amen and amen!!!
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15 (NIV)
Aubree, San Antonio, TX.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalms 51:10 ESV
Olive branch, ms
They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! Lamentations 3:23 hcsb.
Patti McConville, Salem OR
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.
James 3:17 NLT
Nancy Rose -NN,Va-Prov14:22 – NLT -If u plan to do evil u will b lost. If you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness.
Toma, Antelope, CA
“He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 1:8 NIV
Jesus looked at them and said,with man this is impossible,but with God all things are Possible. Matthew 19:26 NIV
Joy, Clyde, OH
The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.
Deuteronomy 31:8 NASB
Christina from Waukee, IA
He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
Ephesians 1:5-6 ESV
Janet, San Diego- “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Proverbs 16:9
Dayna Vaczi, Overland Park, KS
Here is my latest “peace” verse:
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15 (NIV)
I am learning that peace and thankfulness are often closely linked in scripture.
Stephanie from St. Catharines, ON – second part of Philippians 3:7,8 NIV
But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ
Karen from Schererville, IN
I lift my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
Tina, Cincinnati, OH -I Thessalonians 5:23-24 – May your whole, spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. (NIV)
Zoe L, Oklahoma City, OK
For what you have done I will praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.
Psalm 52:9 NIV
1st Corinthians 13:11
When I became a man, I put the ways of childhoon behind me.
NIV
Karen from Powell, Ohio
Isaiah 54:10 NIV
“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.
Laura
Auburn AL
I Chronicles 29:11
Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to You. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom, and You are exalted as head over all. ( HCSB)
Katie Swaney (McDonough, GA) – May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. – Psalm 141:2 (NIV)
Mound City, KS
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.
John 3:36 NIV
Austin
Psalms 90:14 CJB
Fill us at daybreak with your love,
so that we can sing for joy as long as we live.
Amanda, Plano TX
Putting my large chunk of Ephesians from the past month all together…
Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT
Cindy L. – Madison, AL
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives dtrength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Isaiah 40:28-29
Jean – Lebanon, Tennessee
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1John 1:9 NASB
Kimberly from Amarillo, TX
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ESV
Jan, Denton,TX “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!” Psalm 66:18-20 NIV
He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
Ps. 91:4 NLT
Abby- St. Louis
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
Amber, Norman, OK
James 4:10 (NIV)
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Nedrea from Hoover, Alabama
Acknowledge and take to heart this day that The Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. Deuteronomy 4: 39. NIV
Misti from Houston to Katy to finally for good Kingwood, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1 NIV
Denise, San Antonio TX
But he said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
(Luke 18:27 ESV)
Paula from Denver, Co
Joshua 1:9 n.i.v.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.
Do not be terrified or discouraged, for the Lord your God
will be with you wherever you go.
Norka – Mississauga, ON Canada
Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
2 Tim 3:12 (ESV)
Danielle S.
Garden City, KS
Proverbs 3:3 (NIV)
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
Mary beth from Tenn, Phil 1:9-10 NIV
I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment so that you can know what really matters and be pure and blameless in te day of Christ.
Allison from Scottsdale, AZ
“For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.”
Deuteronomy 30:16
New International Version
Paige, ATL, NIV Prov. 4:21
Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart.
Lou Ann Smith, McAllen,TX
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save;he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will quiet you by his love, he will exult over you with loud singing. Zeph. 3:17ESV
Stephanie McKenzie
Red Deer, Alberta
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)
Prov 4:7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. NIV