Greetings, sweet Siestas. It is with the largest lump in my throat imaginable that I introduce myself and share my heart with you, a most tender and humble heart as I type these words. I’m Melanie Toups, and my husband, Jerry, and I live in Bridge City, Texas. Our son and daughter-in-law, Jerrad and Cody Toups, live in Houston and are the parents of our darling grandbaby, Cally. Our daughter and her husband, Jacqueline and Josh Elliff, live in Arlington. Besides my salvation, my sweet Father has loved me most well in the lives of my children. Most well. Jerry and I worship at First Baptist Orange; I serve as principal of Kountze Elementary School and also teach at Lamar University’s junior college, LIT, in the evenings. Facilitating ladies’ Bible studies, primarily Beth’s studies, for the past 10 years is one of my greatest joys.
In 2009, I began memorizing Scripture through this very blog and have continued for six years. I’ll never be able to fully express the profound, life-changing impact this has over me every single day. I love His Word like no other love in my life. Last fall I began asking Him with much anticipation, “Father, what do You have for us in year seven?!”
Our Connection Group recently began “Time of Your Life” by Andy Stanley, and during the first session, I whispered to a friend that Psalm 90:12 would be my first memory verse in 2015:
So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. – Psalm 90:12 (NASB)
This verse challenges me greatly in how I redeem the time He gives me. Andy discusses the cumulative value of investing small amounts of time in things of worth over a long period of time. (My first thought was the immeasurable worth of Scripture memorization.) I’d been asking for His guidance in laying aside a current commitment to better serve Him, and this verse took my breath away. When I dug deeper into ‘wisdom’ (Hebrew ‘chokmah’) in my Bible’s lexical aids, I found it specifically refers to ‘prudence’ in this passage. Prudence – wise in handling matters; skill and good judgment in the use of resources. Yes. Psalm 90:12 is for me.
This verse also speaks to me in seasons of wait. While we believe Him to be faithful as we await answered prayers for loved ones, relationships, jobs, etc., let’s serve Him and intentionally seek daily glimpses of His glory in the wait. A favorite set of commentaries by Charles Spurgeon, “Treasury of David”, contains this statement regarding my verse, ‘When the heart seeketh, it findeth, as though it were brought unto her, like Abraham’s ram.’ Ahh. Breathtaking. This is for me.
I’m in such need of His loving-kindness. Each morning, my knees hit the bedroom carpet for my Manna time (‘quiet time’ – necessary, daily nourishment from Him) and then again knees on the floor behind my office desk, desperate to live under His authority to have His anointing over whatever the day holds. (Warning: you may look like a bobble-head doll popping up if someone opens your office door without knocking. Smile!) But what carries me throughout each day is His Word, verses memorized to fill my thoughts and speak aloud while walking the halls of my campus or the hallway of my home. And on stressful days when my thoughts seem to continually cycle ‘grumble/confess/repeat’, I beg Him to please ‘work in me to will and to ACT according to His good purpose’ (from Philippians 2:13, emphasis mine).
So, let’s do this! Your heart will soar at His faithfulness! He will use you to encourage coworkers and family with verses penned to notepads and text messages. Learn verses with friends (in 2014 I invited Facebook friends to join a group and was overwhelmed at the response); recite them during your morning commute. My work commute is 90 miles roundtrip, and my spiral is my copilot. Recently I spoke at a local ladies’ retreat and discussed Scripture memorization. Today I saw the pastor of one of the participating churches, and he was excited to share the difference Scripture memory is already making in his congregation. Applause for Him alone! He. is. most. worthy.
Thank you, precious Beth, for your incredible generosity in allowing me to honor Him through your ministry. I love Him more because of your obedience to His calling. I love you.
So excited to read YOUR verses, my friends!
P.S. In case you missed it, we have a new SSMT app!! Check it out here: SSMT App Launch
Blaire C
Mountain View, CA
“If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8 NASB
Rebecca Brown. Cumming, GA
I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me , and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:5 NASB
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 i good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2, ESV
Tami G. Franklin, TN
Romans 5:8New International Version (NIV)
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Carolyn West Ringgold GA “And he answered, Fear not, for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” 2 Kings 6:16 KJV
Diane, Harker Heights, TX: “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV)
Ellen, Fort Worth, TX
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
Proverbs 3:13-15 NIV
Harlene, Coshocton,Ohio 2Corinthians 5:6-7 Therefore being always of good courage,and knowing that while we are home in the body we are absent from the Lord- 7 for we walk by faith,not by sight.
Tigi
Montgomery Village MD
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident
to all . The Lord is near.
Philippins 4: 4-5 NIV
Robin Sandlin , Denver city Texas—I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being. Ephesians 3:16 (NIV)
Suzy Adams, Wheelersburg, OH – So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Gretchen, McKinney, TX
Deuteronomy 3:22 NET
Do not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God will personally fight for you.
Melody West Ringgold GA “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters.” Psalm 18:16 NIV
Judy Mullins
Maple Valley, WA.
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble
Psalm 32:7 NIV
Meagan, Port St. Lucie, FL – Hebrews 11:6 ~ “Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him.”
Carolyn O., Cypress, TX
from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.
Ephesians 3:15 NIV
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always: pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
NIV
jackie moore, brookville, ohio
I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the LORD; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the LORD’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.
Psalm 34:1-3 NLT
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have over come the world.” John 16:33 ( NIV)
Vanessa from Victoria, TX
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV)
“The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord. Psalm 45:11 NIV
Evelyn Anne from Macon, Ga
Colossians 3:12 ,13 ESV
” Put on then,as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as The Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive.
linda, colorado springs
“for this reason i bow my knees before the father.” ephesians 3:14 (esv)
Leigh, Toronto, ON
It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
Lamentations 3:26 (ESV)
April Butcher Boone, NC
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope. Psalm 130:5 NIV
Christine Vaughan, Ozark, MO
A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory
To overlook an offense.
Proverbs 19:12 (NIV)
Jennifer Brosdahl, Menahga, MN
“You turned my wailing into dancing,
You removed by sackcloth & clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing to You & not be silent.
O LORD MY GOD, I WILL GIVE YOU THANKS FOREVER!!!”
Psalm 30:11 & 12 (NIV)
Ronelle Neill Sioux Falls South Dakota
My soul also is greatly troubled. But you oh Lord -how long? Psalm 6:3 ESV
Candie Grimstad – Waterloo, Iowa
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)
Sharon Mills
Henderson, Nv
Deut. 31:6 NIV
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Kim De Sha, Louisville, KY Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12, NIV
Norma Jean
Medford, Oregon
“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”
Galatians 5:18 NKJV
Kaitlynn, Nixa, Mo
“Parise The Lord and call out his name! Tell everyone what he has done and how wonderful he is.” Isaiah 12 4-5 ERV
Pendleton IN
Use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm.
Ephesians 6:13 NLT
MB Cypress, TX
The words of the reckless pierce like swords,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Prov 12:18 NIV
Joy Mast
Charlotte, NC
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the
world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Cor 10:4
“Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.” Romans 12:12 HCSB
Leslie Hudson
Corvallis, OR
And the remnant shall yet again take root downward,
and bear fruit upward. 2 Kings 19:30 KJV
Make me understand what you want; for then I shall see your miracles . Pslams119:24 CLB
Doris Ann Barnes, Manchester, GA
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life: and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. John 10:27-28 KJV
Judy, Bayport, NY
Philippians 3:12-NKJV
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that
for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
Suzanne
Tenaha, TX
Psalm 90:12 NIV
Teach us to number our days,that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalms 90:12 NIV
Vivian, Birmingham, Alabama
Teach me how to do Your will, for You are my God. Allow Your good Spirit to guide me
on level ground, to guide me along Your path. Psalm 143:10 The Voice
Becky, Springfield, MO
“Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.” Romans 12:12 HCSB
Lindsey Barnett
Sevierville, TN
Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.
Ephesians 6:24 ESV
Deb Dinnen
Springfield Ohio
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12 NIV)
Psalm 46:5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God will help her, and that right early.
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.
Psalm 143:10 NIV
Powell, TN
For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not: I will help thee. Isaiah 41:13 KJV
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:18 NIV)