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
Michelle, West Des Moines, IA
So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.
1 Corinthians13:3b (The Message)
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12, NIV
Patrice Mcmurtrey, Louisville KY
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Tara Nelson, Vista, CA
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4:4 NIV)
Mindy Seekford Stonewall, La
Teach us to realize the brevity of life,
so that we may grow in wisdom.
Ps 90:12 NLT
James 1:2 Amplified
Michelle, Anchorage, Alaska
Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.
Emily Menard {New Orleans, LA} “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Romans 12:1 ESV
Psalm 63:8-9 HCSB
I will follow close to You, Your right hand holds on to me. But those who seek to destroy my life will go into the depths of the earth.
Psalm 63:8-9 HCSB
Amanda Aikin
Pittsburg, KS
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8 NIV
Megan, Salisbury, MD. The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? Psalm 27:1 NASB
Gwen Ziegler Washington, IL “Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other” 1 Thessalonians 5:13 NIV
Beth, Andover, MN: “He has shown you, O mortal, 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 (NIV)
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of Love and of self- discipline
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips. Psalm 141:3 NLT
Lindsay Loper, Chattanooga, TN
“Look to the LORD and His strength; seek His face always.”
Psalm 105:4, NIV
Danielle M. Plano, Tx. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:2 NIV)
Kim ~ Greenfield, IN ~ “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4 ESV
Stephanie S. From Richardson, TX
ISAIAH 42:16 ESV
“And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and do not forsake them.”
Jane from Calgary, Alberta “and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” Ephesians 6:15 (NIV)
Brandy Trahan, Port Neches, Tx
Ephesians 4:25 “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” (NIV)
Locust Grove VA
2 Corinthians 3-5 NIV
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 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.
Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15 NKJV
Kari Hawkins Canton, Ga
Philippians 4:19 NIV
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus”.
Jenny- Shelby Township, MI
Hebrews 13:5-6, NIV
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence,”The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me.”
Laura D. San Antonio, TX “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.” Psalms 130:5 NIV
Fay, Springfield, MO
Philippians 2:13 NLT
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
Donna Stephens, Wylie, Texas, You were shown these things so that you might know that the LORD is God; besides Him there is no other. Deuteronomy 4:35 NIV
“Then Jesus replied, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted. And her daughter was healed from that very hour.” Matthew 15:28, NIV
Amanda M, League City, TX
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”
Proverbs 31:25 NLT
Jennifer Wilson, Brentwood, CA
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 (ESV)
Regina coke Chester,virginia
NASB
“In him we have redemption through His blood,the forgiveness of
our trespasses,according to the riches of His grace.”
Ephesians 1:7
Proverbs 10:19New Living Translation (NLT)
19 Too much talk leads to sin.
Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.
Ann from Odessa, Fl.
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6 ESV)
Hannah, Niantic, CT: Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. Proverbs 31:25, ESV
Suanne McDonald from Archibald, LA
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs12:18. NIV
Laury, San Clemente, Ca
So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 (NKJV)
Yael Hernandez, New York, NY
Ephesians 3:14
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father. NASB
Susan Smith, Helena, MT
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2
Lisa in Little Rock, AR
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)
Lynn Schneider from Lucas KS.
Luke 24:46-47 (NIRV)
46 He told them, “This is what is written. The Messiah will suffer. He will rise from the dead on the third day. 47 His followers will preach in his name. They will tell others to turn away from their sins and be forgiven. People from every nation will hear it, beginning at Jerusalem.
adina
Pittsburgh ,pa
This extraordinary knowledge is beyond me. It is so lofty I am unable to reach it. Psalm 139:6 HCSB
Christine, Bozeman, MT. Ps 86:5 ESV
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon You.
Lana Coffee
Denison,Tx
Philippians 2:13 NAS
“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”
Deb Marcus, Iowa
That if you confess with your mouth,”Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that your believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”
Romans 10:9-10 NIV
Beth, Lansing, MI
Psalm 90:12 ESV, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”
Chris Floyd, Kokomo, IN
Matthew 10:12-13
12 As you enter the house, greet it. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.
Leighann Holloway, Longview, TX
So we may boldly say:
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?”
Hebrews 13:6
Tina Dill, Biloxi, MS
Is 43:1 (niv)
Fear not for I have redeemed you, I have summoned you by name, you are mine.
Connie Johnson, Pittsboro, NC
“but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
Proverbs 1:33 NIV
Kristen, Hide-a-way Hills, OH
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 ESV. “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”
Fairborn, OH
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
1 Corinthians 16:6 (NIV)