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
Katie MI:
NIV
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love,joy,peace,forbearance, kindness, goodness,faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Linda Jewell
Sedona, AZ
1 Peter 4:10 NIV
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
Jackie, Versailles, KY. Finishing up Psalm 23
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:5-6 (ESV)
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
27:14 NIV
Teri in Kalamazoo, MI:
“So teach [us] to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”[Psa 90:12 NKJV]
Cynthia, Missouri
When evil doers assail me to eat up my flesh; my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Psalms 27:2. ESV
theresa, Glendale AZ, 15 Mar – Ask and it will be given to you, seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Matt 7:7 NKJV
Sophia S. In Harleysville, PA
“For we live by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7
NIV
Penny Mansfield, OH
And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. 1 John 5:14 NLT
Westland, MI ~ Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. NIV
Marietta, GA
“He has shown all you people what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” ~ Micah 6:8
Sheryl, PA – Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory which far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV
Gabriella S. In Harleysville, PA
“Stop judging by mere appearances and make a right judgement.”
John 7:24 NIV
1 Cor 16:14 NIV
14 Do everything in love.
Cynthia Simmons, Mount Vernon, NY. “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Joshua 1:8 (NKJV)
Joy West Monroe, LA
For this reason I kneel before the father from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.
Ephesians 3:14-16 NIV
WAIT FOR THE LORD BE STRONG AND tAKE HEART AND WAIT FOR THE LORD. PSALMS 27:14 NIV
Nancy Slater Eagleville, PA. March 15, 2015
Psalm 46:10 NIV
Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted among
the nations, I will be exalted in the earth
April, Pleasant Garden, NC “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving kindness toward those who fear Him. ” Psalm 103:11 NASB
Vivienne B, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:1 (NLT)
“The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected.” Proverbs 18:10, HCSB
“from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,” Eph.3:15. ESV. Sharon, Bowling Green, KY
“I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.”
Psalm 13:6
NIV
Mary Goins, Bluford, Illinois
He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. (Matthew 28:6 NIV)
Debra Baker, Las Vegas, NV
Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. John 14:11 NIV
ShaNada Williams
Birmingham, AL
“For I know the plans I have for you declares the LORD, plans for peace and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11 ESV
Philippians 4:6 Do not worry about anything but pray and ask God or everything you need, always giving thanks.3
Karen M., Carlsbad, CA
“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
Beth
Broadview Hts, OH
Eph. 3:14-15 (ESV)
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
Megan, Dothan, AL
“Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the Word of God.” Titus 2:4-5
Pam G., Centreville, VA
Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Jill Jones, Westerville, OH
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27 (NIV)
In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God
Philippians 4:6 asv
Sierra Emery, Wyoming, MI.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20 ESV
Karen Beckles, Toronto Canada
“God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important” 1 Corinthians 1:28 (NLT)
Molly Hale, Billings MT
Psalm 91:4 NKJV
He shall cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you shall take refuge; his truth shall be your shield and buckler.
Brittney Zimprich Ellensburg, WA:
‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Judy, Virginia
“So that your faith may not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” 2 Corin 2:5 ESV
Wendy
Orange Park, FL
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12 NIV
Lauren, Sugar Land, TX “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.” Hebrews 6:19 (NIV)
Danyelle
Beavercreek, OH
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26 (ESV)
Keri Lynn, Macon, Ga
“By wisdom a house is built and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” Proverbs 24:3-4 NIV
Christina Hall, Brush Creek, TN
O Lord, you have searched my heart and know everything about me.
Psalm 139:1
1 John 2:27 “But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie-just as it has taught you, abide in him. ” ESV
Jan Jensen, Waterloo, Iowa.”from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.” Ephesians 3:15 NIV
Dorothy Williams
Montgomery, AL
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall run and not be weary; hey shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
Robin Myers, Salem, In. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9. NIV
John 15:5 – I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Charlotte H. Claremore, Okla.
“And whatever you do whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Col. 3:17 NIV
Gina, Thomaston
“…in returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength…”
Isaiah 30:15 ESV