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
Kim, Huffman. “But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you” (1 Samuel 12:24, NIV).
Tanya, New Castle, IN
“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours…” 1 Chronicles 29:11 (NIV
Pattie Self, San Angelo, Tx
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 NIV
Belinda from Blacklick, OH
Romans 6:12 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? (ESV)
Beth Aldrich, Cary, NC
Lamentations 3:21-23 (NIV)
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Santa Rosa Beach, FL
“Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgement, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.”
Jeremiah 9:23-24 KJV
Stephanie Jo
Corvallis Oregon
And God is able to make all grace abound to you so that in all things at all times having all that you need you will abound in every good work.
2Corinthains 9:8 NIV
Sara, Greenville, SC – “I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.” Psalms 34:4 NLT
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, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Psalm 8:9 ESV
Stephanie Corley
Quitman,Texas
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. –Proverbs 13:12 (NIV84)
Deb, Lansdale, PA
The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1 NIV
Kelei Liggett. Iowa Park. 1Peter3:16 NIV
Keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak MALICIOUSLY against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander .
Susan, Atlanta, 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. I Chronicles 29:11 The NET Bible
Prov. 21:30 NIV
There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.
having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:14 (NIV84)
Laura from Prairieville, LA:
He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
Deuteronomy 8:3 NIV
Ephesians 1:13 (NIV)
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.
Angie, Macon. 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
Karen from Indianapolis
Romans 5:13 NIV
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.
Jennifer H.
Story City, IA
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” – Ephesians 4:29 (NiV)
Love this description of our Father.
Leverett, MA
Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Psalm 34:11 NASB
Lauren, Asheville, NC Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. (Matthew 6:33 NLT)
Julie, Honolulu
Isaiah 35:10 NKJV
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads, they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Lakeland, fl
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (1 Peter 1:3 NASB)
Marie Sirk, Franklin, TN
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
Proverbs 13:12 NIV
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Romans 12:9 NLT
Kimberly, Watha, Ephesians 2:10 NKJV
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Rhonda
Winchester, KY
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Eph 2:10 NIV
Susan, Carbondale, IL
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. (Romans 12:14 NIV)
Matia, Fort Worth, TX
“Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in.”
Psalm 24:7 NKJV
Traci from chandler arizona
Galatians 6:9
So lets not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
(NLT)
Caroline, Aiea
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. Phiippians 4:8 NIV
Connie, Shipshewana, …to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. Ephesians 1:6 NIV
(late due to mother’s hospitalization and recuperation in my home)
Rachel from Sedley, VA:
“Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle”
~Psalm 144:1 (ESV)
St. Catharines Ontario CANADA
Ephesians 6:10-11
Finally be strong in the LORD and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes.
Jana, Quitaque, Texas
1 John 3:1 NIV
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
Kathy, Anniston
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
Tracee, Morristown, TN
Your power is great, and your glory is seen everywhere in heaven and on earth. You are king of the entire world, and you rule with strength and power.
1 Chronicles 29:11-12a CEV
Tracy, Medicine Lodge, Ks
Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Auneca From Donalsonville,GA
Commit to The Lord whatever you do and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3
Kristin – Jacksonville, AL
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, (Colossians 3:23 ESV)
Kirsten H in Schaumburg IL
Psalm 116:7 NIV
“Return to your rest,my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.”
Yvonne
Louisville, KY
Psalm 116:12-13 (NET)
How can I repay the Lord for all His acts of kindness to me? I will celebrate my deliverance, and call on the name of the Lord.
Sadie
Louisville, KY
Psalm 103:11
For as far as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His faithful love toward those who fear him.
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed,
but of imperishable, through the living and enduring Word of God.
1Peter 1:23 NIV
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
Allison Dalke, Edmond, Oklahoma
Ephesians 3:17 NLT
Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.
Cathy from Monroe, GA. Isaiah 46:10 NIV
I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.
By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.
Ephesians 2:8 (NRSV)