Scripture Memory Techniques 12/12/2016

Scripture memory is a vital part of the transformation process.  We need to memorize scripture to transform our hearts and minds and to make us more like Christ.  Scripture memory, however, is not an easy discipline to get the hang of. Here are a few tips on memorizing scripture. I hope they’re helpful!

1.      Chose a translation that resonates with you. I really enjoy the flow of the NKJV and Amplified Bible’s. I find that I am best able to remember when memorizing in these versions.  I also find that when I use a translation that I am emotionally connected to that it is able to penetrate my spirit more easily.

2.      Don’t scripture hop- I find that working on one scripture until I know it backwards and forwards helps me in the scripture memory process. Sometimes it can be easy to jump around and half-heartedly learn parts of scriptures but in order for the word to be as effective as possible, it is vital that we fully understand and remember each verse we set out to memorize.

3.      Use tools such as index cards, scripture typer apps, etc.  There are a myriad of scripture typer tools  you can download on your computer or smart phone to help you with the memorization process. I highly suggest finding and consistently implementing any tools that help in your scripture memory process.

4.      Be consistent- taking ten or fifteen minutes every day is enough to help you memorize your scriptures effectively. The key is going over them daily or almost daily.

5.      Choose a realistic memorization number. Make sure you are realistic with the amount of scriptures you aim to memorize at a given time. I think 2-4 scriptures per month is an excellent goal, though you can memorize more or less as you feel comfortable. When I first started memorizing scriptures, I was very extreme. I would try to memorize 5 or more scriptures per week. I so desperately wanted God to transform me that I thought in order for that to happen I had to memorize copious amounts of scriptures at a time. What I have found is that God was able to transform me with completely learning one or two scriptures a month than trying to learn 20 scriptures half heartedly.

 

Love and blessings on your scripture memory journey.

XOXO,

Myah Lonye’

Being a Christian in Academia -12/1/2016

Sometimes it still surprises me that I’m in academia. I didn’t think I would ever be here, pursing a doctorate degree. Honestly, until the door opened, it was never something I was interested in doing. I didn’t care about getting an upper level degree. My story (especially post high school until now) is a true testament of the steps of the righteous being ordered. But this isn’t the space for my testimony. Instead, we’re going to fast forward a bit and talk about the things I’ve learned in the process of pursuing my PhD. I began my doctoral studies in the summer of 2014. In fact I graduated with my Master’s on Saturday and I was in my first doctoral class on Monday! In the process of pursuing my PhD here are a few of the things I have learned.

1.      Your degree, even if in a non-Christian field is for the Lord. I always felt called to do some form of ministry so when I found myself pursuing upper level degrees, especially my PhD, I was unsure of how I was going to be able to use that degree to glorify God and how it was going to move me closer to ministry. What I soon learned is that the degree in and of itself was ministry! I quickly learned that this degree is not just so I can be Dr. Myah Gary. This degree is a part of the stepping stone to wherever God is planning to take me in ministry. Thus, I have a responsibility to steward it appropriately.

2.      You’re going to feel like you don’t have enough time. And if you don’t put the Lord first, you won’t. Working on a graduate degree often feels a lot like working on a marathon, while sprinting. You’re going to have class, a full time job or a graduate assistantship, conferences, clubs and meetings. Oh yeah, and there’s this little thing you will have to do called “studying.” You will have many things pulling at your attention, but what I have found is that when I put the Lord before my school work (having my prayer time, being faithful in church, serving in church and taking some type of Sabbath) that God always redeems the time and I always get things done when I need to.

3.      You’re going to have to fight to put God first. And speaking of putting God first, you’re going to have to fight to put him first. The enemy (and people) will try to tell you that your academic journey will be all consuming. Anything that is all consuming outside of God is idolatry. Everything needs a place and God needs to be placed first.

4.      It is an incredible opportunity to be light in a valley of dry bones. Being in a predominately anti-God and anti-religion field, I often found myself in a place where I was the only Christian. My beliefs have been tested on numerous occasions. I’ve had professors and colleagues question my judgment and my radical faith. Being in academia has caused me to put no confidence in the flesh and has completely severed my approval addiction. When I first started grad school, I wanted people to like me so badly I was willing to be silent about my faith all together. Now that I am half-way through my doctorate and I have had many experiences (and tons of practice) taking a stand, I am very comfortable with taking a stand for my faith.  

5.      Pursing a PhD is about collecting resources as much as it is about collecting knowledge. You will not have enough time to disseminate all of the information your teachers will give you. You will have to learn how to skim. You will have to learn how to pick out what the important readings are and store away the rest. The goal of the PhD is that you become an “expert” in one thing (the topic you write your dissertation on) and that you have a wealth of resources on how to obtain other necessary knowledge.

6.      If you struggle with perfectionism, God is going to seriously break that down. I’ve struggled with perfectionism since I was a little girl. I hated the feeling of not being able to do everything perfectly. What God has taught me is that his grace is truly sufficient. I have often found myself in a place where I was unable to study as much as I wanted, or read as much as I needed and God has ALWAYS covered me. I could not rely on my ego and on working hard. Instead I’ve had to learn to rely on his grace covering the parts of my academic journey where I was weak, tired or behind.

This is just a glimpse into my academic journey and what the Lord has taught me in grad school. I hope it blesses you.

XOXO,

Myah Lonye’

 

Myah's Favorite Bible Study Tools- November 3rd, 2016

Studying the Bible can be daunting. Trust me, I completely understand.  To make my study time more approachable I have a few tools that I often use and want to share.

1.      Hardback Bible and/ or Bible App- You obviously need a Bible to have a Bible study. I use both a hard-back NKJV (it’s a teen edition that I’ve had since I was 11, lol) and BibleGateway. I use Bible Gateway because I can switch back and forth between versions without having to by 20 different translations.

2.      Notebook or journal- I like to write down any insights the Holy Spirit gives me.

3.      Pens, Pencils, Highlighters- to write in said journal.

4.      A guided chapter study, devotional, or Christian book. Now this is optional, but  when I first learned how to have a prayer time, I learned by reading a Christian book (Girl Talk With God) , looking up all of the reference scriptures in my Bible and applying the scriptures to my life. This really helped me learn how to create “context” for the scriptures in what they mean and how they applied to me at that time. You have to be intentional about the writers and devotionals you choose for a guided reading. Some of my favs are Joyce Meyer, Beth Moore and Dave Williams.

5.      Greek and Hebrew Lexicon: I use this when looking to find the original meaning of the words in the scriptures. The Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew and the New Testament Greek, so the meanings of words are not always as obvious at face value. That being said, I often use my Lexicon to show me, exactly what the Holy Spirit was communicating in the meaning behind the text.

6.      Concordance: A concordance is basically like a sourcebook of words where you can find where each word is in the bible. It is fantastic for topical study.

7.      Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary- I like to use this dictionary because it gives the original meaning of words in the English language before social constructionism arose and begin to change the meanings. And yes, I know some of you are thinking, “but all words are socially constructed,” but this dictionary carries a biblical world view in how it approaches the English language.

8.      Index Cards- To write out my memory scriptures or any notes I want to keep handy.

XOXO,

Myah Lonye’

How I Stayed Pure in College - November 2, 2016

Often, college is an easy time to lose your footing, on the track toward purity. No one is exempt from temptation. When I was in undergrad I felt immense pressure to be sexually active. I desperately wanted to please God by saving my body and waiting until marriage to have sex; yet I also wanted the guys on campus to like me and to fit in with the “sophisticated” women at my job. Staying pure was an emotional and social fight and in the process, I had to develop coping skills and mechanisms to assist me. Here are some of the things I did and encourage you to do to stay pure in college.

1.      Strong accountability- In order to stay pure, I came under strong accountability. I was very honest about my sexual needs and desires with my accountability partners. It was a no-shame game. I knew I had to be honest in order to stay pure. If I did not express my heart honestly, it would have been easy for me to hide and fall into hidden sin. I let my accountability get “all in my business.” And I can say it has paid off so far. At 26, I am still a virgin and I am still praying and trusting God for my purity.

2.      Find a Christian big sister who is waiting- You need at least one example of a woman who is or has waited until marriage to have sex. I actually had two ladies who were my “purity big sisters.” My Christian big sisters would call me and talk to me about purity and waiting. Sometimes they would send me resources and pray for me. Their guidance greatly helped me to grow spiritually and encouraged me that waiting was actually possible.

3.      Surround yourself with Christian friends: More often than not, non-believers are not going to encourage you to stay pure. Be sure to surround yourself with like-minded Christian friends who will encourage you to maintain your purity. Note, the emphasis on like-minded. If your Christian friends are into premarital sex, then they are not the group you will want around you on the road to purity.

4.      If you can’t find Christian friends, resolve yourself to a period of solitude. One of the prominent reasons I often hear of why people don’t have Christian friends is because they cannot find Christian friends. This is real a experience for many people and this is valid. However, it is not an excuse of why you should lower your standards and choose friends who are not godly. What we meditate on we become like. If you cannot find Christian friends, perhaps God is calling you to a space of solitude or to a time of separation to take you into deeper intimacy with him. Either way, no friends are better than a group of compromising friendships or friends who will lead you into sin.

5.      Read books on purity- Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). If you want to encourage yourself, read Christian books on purity. Some of my faves are Every Young Woman’s Battle (Shannon Ethridge) and The M Word (Debbie Adebayo).

6.      Memorize scriptures on purity- We are transformed by the renewing of our minds. (Romans 12:2). Thus, if you want to gain strength in purity, take time and memorize scriptures on the topic It will renew your mind to pursue waiting in a Godly way and will also encourage you in your journey.

7.      Be very selective with whom you date or make a choice not to date at all for a period. There were many times during undergrad when young men would approach me for dates and I knew they were unsaved. Not only does the Bible tell us to not be unequally yoke (2 Corinthians 6:14), it is unwise to date guys who are not on the same track to purity as you are (that includes in thought, word or deed.) For example, if a guy is willing to not “have sex” with you but wants to participate in heavy petting, oral sex, or other modes of sexuality (outside of penetration) he still does not have a godly view of waiting and should not be dating you.

8.      Learn how to control your sexual desires and offer them up unto the Lord. If you a human being, you have sexual hormones. It is what it is. You are going to have times when you are aroused (especially when Aunt Flo pays a visit and your sexual and reproductive hormones are heightened). Arousal is not sin. It is a chemical response that God created. It is what you do with the arousal (outside of marriage specifically) that distinguishes rather or not you honor God. Be honest with the Lord about your physical needs. Express to him what you feel. Then ask Him to help you take control of your flesh. This does not mean he is going to take that natural chemical response away, but rather it means that when you experience times of sexual arousal you will be able to practice self control and put your sexuality in the proper place.

I pray this is helpful!

XOXO,

Myah Lonye’