Scripture Memory

"The practice of scripture memory is more important than a daily quiet time, for as we fill our minds with great passages of the Bible and have them available for our meditation, quiet time takes over the entirety of our lives." --Dallas Willard, The Great Omission.

Scripture memory seems to increase my ability to practice the presence of God. In the circumstances of life, the Word I have committed to memory bubbles up from inside at the calling of the Spirit of God (Jn 14:26) to remind me of who He is and of my position in Christ. God tells us to memorize scripture (Josh 1:8), and knowing scripture is mandatory if we are to be obedient to Gods commands (Jn 14:21). God gives understanding of his Word over time if we look to his Spirit as the teacher of the it's meaning (Jn 14:26, Ps 119:18). I sometimes find quiet times difficult, and to me, it is reassuring to note that working on scripture memory during dry times can be profitable.

Silence

Where do we have the best opportunity to meet God? A place of silence. Why do I not seek God there? I am lazy...I would rather sleep in. I am foolish....a poor steward of my time. Unbelief....I do not believe it matters. Distrust....I do not trust God to protect and provide for me without my help.

See http://theresurgence.com/silence

Quiet Time

Things that help me pray during morning quiet times:

1-Time. The more time I have to pray, the better the prayer time. I think this is because it is easier to listen rather than talk.
2-Quiet.
3-Coffee.
4-Praying scripture. This is new to me but has been a wonderful help. Verses from the Psalms are currently me diet. (Ps 119:36,37; Ps 119:18; Ps 86:11, Ps 90:14, Ps139:23, 24).
5-Journaling my prayer.
6-Meditating on scripture. Reading a chapter and praying when a verse convicts me to pray.
7-Sitting on the floor.
8-Listening to worship that is personal to me on my ipod.
9-Intercessory prayer last.

Time With God

It's easy for me to get angry at people for their actions. It's not something I am proud to admit. Patience is one of the fruits of the spirit of God and lacking patience says something about me. I have been tired and frustrated with work of late, feeling overwhelmed. Discontentment has been creeping into my attitude and coloring my life and relationships. The seeds of my perspective were sown more than a month ago when I started spending a lot less time with God. Slowly, since then, I have drifted more and more into the world and more and more into dissatisfaction. Funny how that happens. Like it says in Ecclesiastes, life (without God) is meaningless. But, in Christ, I have so much to be grateful for. The last two weeks I have been spending a lot more time in the morning and at night with God. And, I have found the joy, peace and satisfaction in him that can be found no where else. My impatience is beginning to wilt. My worldliness is waning. O Lord, that I may look to you all of my days for my satisfaction. May I turn my eyes away from worthless things. Give me an undivided heart for you that I may reverence your name in all things. Let me guard my time with you ruthlessly that I may not drift away.