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
Pat Tilson Fort Worth TX “Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea . . .” (Psalm 46:2 NIV)
Kim in St. Charles, IL
1 John 3:17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 1John3:17 KJV
Heather R Boulder, CO
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you, he will never leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Deut 31:8
Ashleigh, Terre Haute, IN: “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11, NIV
Stephanie O., Alexandria, VA. The Redeemer will come to Jerusalem to buy back those in Israel who have turned from their sins, says the Lord. Isaiah 59:20 NLT
Michele Powell, Nampa, Idaho
Philippians 4:9 (NIV). Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Adria A. Jackson TN
“The LORD strengthens and protects me;I trust in Him with all my heart. I am rescued and my heart is full of joy;I will sing to Him in gratitude.” Psalm 28:7 (NET)
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” Romans 1:12
Anna, Little Elm, TX
For we do not have a kohen gadol who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been temped in all the same ways – yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15 (TLV)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:6-7 (NIV)
Crissy Wright, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12 ESV)
Meredith B
Collierville Tn
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence,oh Lord. They rejoice in your name all day long. They celebrate your righteousness . Psalm 89:15-16 NIV
Hernando Beavh, FL
For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:6
Lori, Toledo
Isaiah 50:4,5 NLT
“The Sovereign LORD has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will. The Sovereign LORD has spoken to me, and I have listened. I have not rebelled or turned away.”
Felicia, Fort Pierce FL
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord , whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Mona Boyd, Spokane, WA
Matthew 9:20-22King James Version (KJV)
20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
Jeannine Hale
Eagan, MN
Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.
Proverbs 14:4 (NLT)
Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain. (Psalms 127:1 NKJV)
Lori Benson, Paris, TX
“Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.”
Isaiah 40:31 NASB
Wendy Buttrey Acworth, GA
Fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that. Proverbs 29:25 MSG
Ashley Richcreek, Columbus, Ohio
“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever — do not abandon the works of your hands.” Psalm 138:8 NIV
Connie Cox-Fulton, KY
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.
1 Corinthians 16:3-4 NIV 1984
Marie Markward Van Wert, OH
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited,provoking one another, envying one another. Gal. 5:25,26 ESV
Sherry
Indianapolis
“The LORD Almighty has sworn, ” Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen.”
Isaiah 14:24 nIV
Toni Sidler – Argyle, TX
I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does nor bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit.
John 15:1-2, NASB
Kristin Kellett, West Monroe, LA. The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:3 (NIV)
“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” -Psalm 139:23-24 ESV
Brooke Walburg, Grand Rapids, MI
Samantha Zumbro, Golden, CO
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
1 Peter 5:10 (ESV)
Patty Pierce
Searcy AR
1john 4:4 ESV
little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater then he who is in the world .
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God;
May your good spirit lead me on level ground.
Psalm 143:10 NIV
Kim Cook, Valley, Al.
Guide my steps by your word so I will not be overcome by evil. Psalm 119:133 NLT
Catherine Thomas
Texarkana, TX
“This is the day The Lord has made, let us REJOICE and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 ESV
Allison, Pittsburg, Tx
Psalm 19:14 NLT
May the words of my mouth and the
meditations of my heart be pleasing
to you, O Lord, my Rock and my
Redeemer.
Holly Cox, Greenwood, SC
“But if you’re content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.”
Matthew 23:12 (MSG)
It is written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah,son of God. John 20:31
Tammy Decker
Mount Pleasant, SC
“But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.”
2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NLT)
Sheri Matsumoto, Riverside, CA
Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.
Psalm 27:14 (AMP)
Laurie Watkins
Arlington Tx
Psalms 42:1 KJV
As the heart panteth after the water brooks, So panteth my soul after thee O God:
Heidi Duffield; DeWitt, AR
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7 ESV
Moulton, Alabama: “And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us,” 1 John 5:14 ESV
Tamara – Highfalls, NC
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
She draws on her own strength and reveals that her arms are strong. Proverbs 31:17
Jamee Miller, Sanford, FL
“When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.” -Isaiah 43:2 NIV
Sue Noel, Houston, TX: The Spirit of the Lord, the Eternal, is on me. The Lord has appointed me for a special purpose. He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to repair broken hearts, and to declare to those who are held captive and bound in prison, “Be free from your imprisonment!” Isaiah 61:1 THE VOICE
He will cover you with His feathers; you will take refuge under His wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield.
Psalm 91:4 HCSB
Jenny
Covington, KY
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Phil. 1:6 (NIV)
Sherri Huff, Mechanicsville, VA
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12
Dani Turner, Greer, SC – Consider great joy, my brothers, whenever you face various trials James 1:2 HCSB
LouAnne, Evans, CO
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)
Lillian Anderson – Florence KY
1 Peter 4.16 – However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.