Scripture Memory Lost

Scripture memory has almost become an impossibility for me. In 2011, I started this blog to motivate me to stay committed to scripture memory with Beth Moore's Living Proof Ministries Siesta Scripture Memory. The ministry offered spiral note cards to record and review memorized Scriptures. I decided to purchase several and use them to write my biweekly Scripture choices multiple times. It was a great ministry tool to share encouraging Scriptures with people God placed in my path who needed encouragement from God's Word. There was even a Siesta Scripture Memory app for my IPhone. I surrounded myself with Scripture memory tools.
In 2012 I wanted to continue this habit even without the encouragement of Beth's ministry; Siesta Scripture memory will be offered again in 2013. Beth had mentioned in one of her blogs that Psalm 63 was one of the first complete Psalms she had memorized. That was a good enough endorsement for me, so I purchased a new spiral note card and copied the first two verses of that Psalm. Here it is the end of October and I'm still struggling with those first two verses! Christine Smith started a Scripture memory accountability group on her Facebook page, Women's Bible Cafe. My former student, Angel Shaffer Haynes continued Scripture memory accountability with her women's ministry blog, Living with Moxie.
Yesterday, I found my 2001 spiral and quickly flipped through the cards, only to discover, I couldn't say a single Scripture by memory without looking at the card several times. My memory is failing me again. I guess this is just one of the effects of growing older. In spite of this difficulty, I'm going to commit to Siesta Scripture Memory in 2013. If you want to join me, I would welcome the company.

Psalm 63:1

Psalm 63:1
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.

2012 Scripture Memory

Beth Moore's Living Proof Ministry has not mentioned that the Siesta Scripture Memory Team will continue for 2012. As i shared in my last post, this past year's commitment to memorize 24 passages of Scripture has been an incredible experience of spiritual growth. I'm already committed to continue this process and activity. Last year,  i sought guidance during my quiet time and daily devotional time to find Scripture passages that would encourage my life in present circumstances and also help me to have Words to share with people and situations i might encounter in my daily life. God was faithful in both accounts. During the last half of the year, i choose to memorize longer passages of Scripture and found it to be easier recall the verses in context. So, as  i contemplated my Scripture memory for the coming year, God's Holy Spirit has led me to Psalm 63. It contains 11 verses; i plan to memorize one verse each week to begin this year, and set my goal to memorize 52 verses in 2012.
Thank You Lord for Your Word! Help me as i attempt to memorize these Scriptures and hide these Words in my heart and mind. May these Scriptures encourage and guide my life. Amen

Scripture Memory Experience

What an amazing spiritual experience this accountability process has been for my life. Scripture memory has always been an important part of my Christian life; I have been blessed to be encouraged to commit Scripture to memory from my earliest recollections of Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Girls Auxiliary, youth activities, Baptist Student Union during college, and Women's Missionary Union during my adult life.  Siesta Scripture Memory Team with Beth Moore and Living Proof Ministries has challenged me to be consistent in committing Scripture to develop and encourage my daily walk with the Lord...it has and i am so thankful for the way these Scriptures have not only given me personal strength, but have been readily available to share with people who God has placed in my life. I'm so thankful for this experience and plan to continue this process in the coming year. 
Thank You, Lord for Your Holy Word and the Scriptures that You have placed in my path and the ability to commit portions of Your Word to my memory. Guide my heart and mind with Your Word. Thank You for loving me. Forgive my sins and shortcomings. You are an awesome God and i praise Your Holy Name! Amen

Week 24

Ephesians 6:18
"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."
Complete passage Ephesians 6:10-18 NIV

Living Proof Ministries with Beth Moore

Week 23

"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God."
Ephesians 6:17 NIV
Complete passage: Ephesians 6:10-18, The Armor of God


Siesta Scripture Memory Team, Living Proof Ministries with Beth Moore

Week 22

Ephesians 6:16 NIV

"In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one."

Complete passage Ephesians 6:10-18, Armor of God

Siesta Scripture Memory Team, Living Proof Ministries with Beth Moore

Attitude of Gratitude

Luke 17:11-19 records Jesus healing 10 men with leprosy. Jesus told them to go and show themselves to the priests (vs. 14). Only one man came back to thank Jesus. 
"Am i one of the nine? From now on, when i pray, i'm going to look for God's answer. i'm going to expect the unexpected, because sometimes God's answer doesn't look the way i think it should. When He does answer, i will immediately return to say, "Thank You," even if it's not the answer i want. Will you join me in an attitude of gratitude?"
adapted from November 2, 2011 daily devotional from Journey Magazine.

Week 21

Week 21
Ephesians 6:14&15 NIV
"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of Peace."
complete passage: Ephesians 6:10-18


2011 Siesta Scripture Memory Team with Beth Moore and Living Proof Ministries

Week 20

Week 20
Ephesians 6:13 NIV
"Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground and after you have done everything, to stand."


Complete passage: Ephesians 6:10-18

2011 Siesta Scripture Memory Team with Living Proof Ministries & Beth Moore

Week 19

Week 19
Ephesians 6: 10-18 (complete passage)
Ephesians 6:12
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

2011 Siesta Scripture Memory Team with Beth Moore's Living Proof Ministry

Week 18

The Armor of God
Ephesians 6:10-20 (complete passage)
Ephesian 6: 10-11 NIV
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."

Siesta Scripture Memory Team with Beth Moore's Living Proof Ministries

Week 17

Romans 12:13
"Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality."

2011 Siesta Scripture Memory Team with Beth Moore, Living Proof Ministries

Week 16

Romans 12:12
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

2011 Siesta Scripture Memory Team with Beth Moore, Living Proof Ministries

Week 15

Romans 12: 9-13 complete passage
9)"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10)Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."

Romans 12: 11
"Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord."

Beth Moore 2011 Siesta Scripture Memory Team: Verse 15

Prayer for USA

2 CHRONICLES 7:14

I remember reading about the children of Israel who turned from
God time and time again, only to realize their mistake and pray
for forgiveness. Each time, God would forgive them and they would
walk with him for a time. So, I am going to ask you to join me in
praying for our nation every day.. Please read the email below. God is
in control.
May God Have Mercy On America - Protect Our Troops.
When my friend was in Atlanta last week, there were signs in people's
yards that said, " America , prayer is our only hope" - with 2
Chronicles 7:14 underneath...  We certainly need God's help!

I have no idea who started this, but I certainly agree with
this e-mail. I heard a preacher on TV tonight who said if we pray for
our nation things will turn around.

After a day of contemplation and soul searching, I have decided
to reach out to my friends and relatives and ask you to do
something that has been troubling me for a long time.
Our nation is/has been on the slippery slope for a long time. If
you look around you will find corruption, greed, moral decay, and
a steady move away from the things that made us great. The
principles upon which this nation was founded are no longer our
backbone. However, we can reverse this trend.
2 Chronicles. 7:14... In God's Word, He states, "If my people who are
called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and
turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will
forgive their sin and heal their land."
I am convinced that we must pray for our nation and its leaders and ask
for forgiveness...  So, I ask you to join me in this plea to our Lord.

Would you please forward this to your friends?  Ask them to
pray EVERY DAY.  (25 to the 5th power is 9,765,625 people.)

IMAGINE if each person reaches TEN others... Or all TWENTY FIVE!
If you do and they comply, we will lift up millions and millions
of prayers a day to our Creator. He will hear us, and will answer.

Here's a quote from Ronald Reagan: "If we ever forget that we are one
nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under."
I truly believe this is why the United States of America is in
the shape it's in today.
Most people have forgotten that we are ONE NATION UNDER GOD!  Let us
stand up and remind people of this.

May God Bless you all!

Waiting for God

Last week, I was listening/watching "In Touch" with Dr. Charles Stanley. He was discussing how to have an effective prayer life and communicating with God. I have always believed that God answers my prayers; sometimes His answer is not what I'm seeking, but He does hear my petitions and directs my life according to His perfect plan. I've always thought God's answers were multiple choice: Yes, No, or Wait. Dr. Stanley stated that God always answers your prayers in two ways: "Yes" or "Wait for something better that God has planned." WOW! What a concept! When God doesn't answer my prayer as quickly as I want Him too, He is working on a better answer and only desires that I exhibit faith and patience in anticipation of His plan. Praise the Lord! I'm believing God! He wants the best for my life if I will just wait for His perfect timing.
Several people I know and pray for are going through a difficult season in their life. As I was reading my Bible and studying a devotional message, I was referred to Psalm 40: "I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. 3) He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. 8) I desire to do you will, O my God; Your law is within my heart. 11)Do not withhold your mercy from me, O Lord; may your love and your truth always protect me. 17) Your are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay."
The theme of this Psalm of David is: Doing God's will sometimes means waiting patiently. While we waiit, we can love God, serve others, and tell others about Him. The commentary of my new Bible, The Life Application Study Bible, by Tyndale House Publishers stated the following: "Waiting for God to help us is not always easy, but David received four benefits from waiting: 1)God lifted him out of his despair, 2) God set his feet on a rock, 3)God gave him a firm place to stand, and 4) God put a new song of praise in his mouth. Often blessings cannot be received unless we go through the trial of waiting.
It is my prayer that God will help me to wait patiently on His best for my life.
Lord, hold me close and help me. Give me peace and strength. Thank You for always being available to hear my prayer and meet my needs. You are an awesome God! Amen

Week 14

Romans 12: 9-13 complete passage
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good."

Romans 12:10

"Be devoted to one another in sisterly love. Honor one another above yourselves."


Living Proof Blog - Siesta Scripture Memory Team with Beth Moore

Week 13

Beginning with this week, I am going to memorize a longer passage of Scripture over a period of several weeks. I will break this passage down into memorizing one verse per two week period. I have been struggling with retaining the verses I have previously memorized. Hopefully this will help me retain these longer passages.

Romans 12: 9
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good."

Lving Proof Blog - Siesta Scripture Memory Team with Beth Moore 

Week 12

Psalm 33: 20-22

"We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His Holy Name. May Your unfailing love rest upon us. O Lord, even as we put our hope in You."
Living Proof Blog - Siesta Scripture Memory Team - Beth Moore