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
Nikki from San Antonio
“”Therefore, house of Israel, I will judge each of you according to your ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!”
-Ezekiel 18:30-32 ESV
Susan Knowles, Bradenton, Florida
But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith pary in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Jude 20 NLT
Sara Blakely, Lavonia, GA. “Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!” Psalm 147:1 NIV
Stephanie, Irvine, CA
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7, NIV.)
Krissy Jones, Houston, TX. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4 NIV
Teresa from Georgia
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”
Proverbs 31:25 NLT
Jann Sanicola Holtsville, New York
Psalm 57:7-8 NKJV
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise. Awake, my glory! Awake, lute and harp! I will awaken the dawn.
Leigh Clemmons, Shorter, Alabama: Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 NIV
Robyn, Celina, Ohio ” For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10, NIV
Sharon Longo
Beaverceek Ohio
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 ESV
Ella, St. Augustine, FL
“God’s gifts and call for your life can never be withdrawn.” Romans 11:29 NLT
Tracie Nall, Bristow, VA
“The Lord will always lead you,
satisfy you in a parched land,
and strengthen your bones.
You will be like a watered garden
and like a spring whose waters never run dry.”
Isaiah 58:11 (HCSB)
Lisa Zink
Chickasha, Oklahoma
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6 ESV)
Kathy Welch, Tyler, TX
“It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Matthew 4:4 ESV
Veronica- Atlanta, georgia
Proverbs 24:3-4 By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. (NIV)
Sharon Lee, Riverside, Ca.
The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:4 NIV
Wewahitchka, Fl
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
Robin T. Laureldale, PA
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good spirit lead me on level ground. Psalm 143:10 (NIV)
Denise from Snowcreek ..,James 3:17 NIV…The Wisdom that comes from Heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate,submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Sherie
The Woodlands, TX
“This I declare about the Lord; He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. Psalm 91:2 NLT
Mary Thomas – Lexington, KY
Bless the Lord, who is my rock.
He gives me strength for war
and skill for battle.
-Psalm 144:1 (NLT)
Correction!!! Most recent posted verse was used previously will submit another, sorry!
Polly in NPR FL
Blesses are those who hunger &atheist for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Mathew 5:6 NIV
Natalie Hall, Anchorage, Alaska
Galatians 6:14 NIV
“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
Sarah Winslow – Durant, OK
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Allison, Santa Maria, CA
“This is what the Lord Almighty says: All this may seem impossible to you now, a small and discouraged remnant of God’s people. But do you think its impossible for me, the Lord Almighty?” Zechariah 8:6 (NLT)
Kara B., Longview, TX
Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the Nations!
Revelation 15:3
Gina, Waynesville, NC
throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.
Ephesians 4:22 (NLT)
Gail, Atascadero, CA
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow–not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.
Romans 8:38 NLT
Melissa | Lancaster, PA
We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. (2 Chronicles 20:12c ESV)
Cheryl Folkner
Woodstock, GA
Heaven and earth will pass away but My words will not pass away. Mark 13:31 NASB
Jenny Manis, Glen Rose, TX. “Lord my God, I called to you for help, and You healed me.” Psalm 30:2 NIV
Rebecca, Murfreesboro, TN “If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge,and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love,I am nothing.”
1 Corithians 13:12 NIV
Correction to Mathew 5:16 verse, should read “hunger and thirst for” ……
Yates Center, KS
Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
Isaiah 40:28 NIV
Dallas, GA
“But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.” Hebrews 10:39 NIV
Stacey Belton, TX Romans 8:28 NIV
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Emily Bowden, Augusta, Georgia
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers,they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” Isaiah 43:2 ESV
Tina, New Hope , MN
Creat in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 NIV
Christy Richardson. Portageville MO
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26 NIV ❤
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path.
Proverbs 3:6
Terrie Morrilton, AR
Julie Webb City, MO
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I fear? Ps 27:1
Carla Langley – LaFayette Al.
Teach us to number our days; that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 NIV
Kristi B.
Houston, TX
Hebrews 4:13 NLT
“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.”
Stacey, Omaha, NE
“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”
Proverbs 31:26 (ESV)
Emily (age 14)
“We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer.” Proverbs 16:1 (NLT)
Ally (age 13)
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
Psalm 90:12 NIV
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Andi, Lincoln NE
“Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you”.
Matt. 7:7 NIV
Liz Kester
Keller, Texas
“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” Matthew 6:27 NIV
Vickie Gainous, Cairo, GA
“He brought me out into a broad place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.” 2 Samuel 22:20 NRSV
OH, PRAISE HIM!
Melissa Dulaney, Circleville, OH
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18, NIV
Elizabeth Marchman
Blue Ridge, GA
Just as you do not know the path of the wind or how bones develop in the womb of a pregnant woman, so you don’t know the work of God who makes everything.
Ecclesiastes 11:5 hcsb