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
Cathy, Sierra Vista, AZ
Then Christ will make his home in your hearts, as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and will keep you strong.
Ephesians 3:17 NLT
Laura H. Albuquerque, NM
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:17, ESV
Deana Koehl, Montgomery, TX
2 Corinthians 7:1 (ESV) “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.”
Valerie from Boise ID
Praise be to the name of God forever and ever, wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons, He sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things, He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him. I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers, You have given me wisdom and power, You have made known to me what we asked of You, You have made known to us the dream of the king. Daniel 2:20-23 NIV
…that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:8
Marilyn Gillis, Florence,AL
EPHESIANS 3:15 NIV
From whom HIS whole family in Heaven
And on earth derives its name.
Nancy English, Laramie, Wyoming
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Kristi Schnipke, Dayton, Ohio
John 10:10 ESV
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Justine Crawford, Las Vegas, NV
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. (Psalms 143:10 NLT)
Sherry M.
Russellville,AR
And looking at them Jesus said to them, “with people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26 NASB
Cindy Wilbur from Clifton, VA
Micah 6:8 “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.” NIV
Sarah, Simms, TX
“She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.”
Proverbs 31:26 NKJV
Joy Billson, Bryant, Ar
Ephesians 6:10-11 (KJV) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Tangila, Pearland TX
The LORD’s home reaches up to the heavens, while its foundation is on the earth. He draws up water from the oceans and pours it down as rain on the land. The LORD is his name! (Amos 9:6 NLT)
Hannah Rodriguez, Dallas, Tx.
“Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary: praise Him in the firmament of His power.” -Psalm 150:1 (KJV)
Janet Allen, Huron, Ohio
Trust in The Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3: 5&6
Cheryl Swanson, Tulsa, OK
The path of the righteous is level; O upright One, you make the way of the righteous smooth. (Isaiah 26:7, NIV)
J Canon- New Braunfels, TX
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV)
Sarah Gleeson
New Haven MO
Ecclesiastes 3:14 NIV
I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.
Vicky Jones, Adelaide, South Australia.
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)
Claire Veronie, Tomball, TX
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, how blessed is the man who trusts in You!” Psalm 84:11-12 NASB
Jeanete Gallegos, Albuquerque NM, Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31-31 (NLT)
Rita Hipp, Lexington, SC
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, (2 Corinthians 4:17 ESV)
Stephanie Glynn, Lawrenceburg, IN Psalm 90:12 (from today’s blog) NIV “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
Pam, Pasadena, TX
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty will say to the Lord “My refuge and my fortress; my God in whom I trust.”
Psalms 91:1-2 RVS
Kristy Sanders; Madison, Ms; 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NASB)
“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
II Cor 4.13 KJV We havin the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
Britt Felix, Tucson, AZ
Psalm 103:7-8 NASB
The LORD performs righteous deeds And judgments for all who are oppressed.
He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel.
Mandy, Porter, TX
Proverbs 31:30 NLT
Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the lord will be greatly praised.
Emily, Topeka, Kansas
“I am at rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him.”
Psalm 62:1 (HCSB)
Gwyn Cummings, Rowlett, TX
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
The Lord your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.
Vanessa , Corrales NM
But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. Jer.20:9 NIV
“It emerges from the distant horizon, and goes from one end of the sky to the other; nothing can escape its heat.” Psalm 19:6 NET
Karen Anderson Minot, ND
“The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. ” Zephaniah 3:17
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;
Keep watch over the door of my lips.
Psalm 141:3 NASB
Connie Tyler, Texas
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
Kristi Braceli, West Des Moines, IA. “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” Psalm 143:10 NIV
Lisa, Abilene, TX
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
Valerie Geib Yucaipa CA. Hebrews 4:15 NKJV
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Susan Turner,Shelby,NC
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV)
Chelsea McNary, Lima, Ohio
1 John 1:7 (AMP)
But if we [really] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].
Rochelle Powers, Overland Park, KS “When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope & cheer.” Psalm 94:19 NLT
Kelsey Long, Chickasha, OK
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6:2 ESV
Keo,AR #6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6. NIV
Erika Dotto
West Palm Beach, FL
Psalms 37:23-24 ERV
“The Lord shows us how we should live, and he is pleased when he sees people living that way. If they stumble, they will not fall, because the Lord reaches out to steady them.”
Rebekah McAnally
Psalm 23: 3 NKJV
He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
Cheri, Grand Island, NE
Proverbs 31:27-28 NASB
She looks well to the ways of her household,And does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and bless her;Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
Patchogue, NY Because he loves me, says the Lord ” I will rescue him; I will protect him for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91: 14-15 NIV
Holly H., Frisco, TX
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8, NIV
Cathy Rutledge Jacksonville, Alabama
But seek first the kingdom og God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33 NKJV