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
Haley
Russellville, AR
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 ESV)
Clancie Speck, Elizabethtown, KY, “Show Your marvelous lovingkindness, O You Who save by Your right hand those who trust and take refuge in You from those who rise up against them.” Psalm 17:7 (AMP)
Mary Beth Nickerson, Lascassas, TN
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.” Romans 8:5 NIV
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Col 3:14 NIV
Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness — without it no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14 HCSB)
Kerry L , Durham NC
NIV Galatians 4:7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.
Albany, GA
1 Peter 3:17
For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.
(NASB)
Isaiah 1:17 ESV
“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.”
Jen S. Tehachapi, CA
Jude 1:24-25 ESV
“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”
Kelly Barb, Jefferson City, MO
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
Paula Hale, Brownwood, Tx
When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,
Ephesians 3:14 NLT
Shannon, Shelby, MT
“But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.'” Isaiah 43:1
Isaiah 43:1 (ESV)
Devina San Angelo TX And He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the first born from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent. Colossians 1:18 ESV
Exodus 14:14 The Lord will fight for you you need to be still
NIV
Deb from Aledo, IL
Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of his knowledge by us in every place. 2 Corinthians 2:14 KJV
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.James 4:10
Let all who seek Thee rejoice
And be glad in Thee;
And let those who love Thy
Salvation say continually,
“Let God be magnified.”
Psalms 70:4
NABS
Vicky
Haysi, Va
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
James 5:16 NIV
Dori
Meridian, ID
John 10:10
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.
I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
NKJV
The angel of the Lord encapsulated around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Psalm 34:7 (NIV)
Leah, Austin, TX:
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7 NIV
Kelly P., Concord, NC
“And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:5 NLT
Angel Stovenour, Brentwood, TN. That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with his might through his spirit in the inner man. Ephesians 3:16
Karen from Goodyear, AZ. “You chart the path ahead and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am.” Ps. 139:3 NLT
Tasha Jeffcoat… Edmond, OK… “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5:11-12 NIV
Daniela Elliott Abingdon, MD
The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.
Exodus 14:14 New Spirit Filled Life Bible
Krista Fehr, Chickamauga, GA
2 Corinthians 4:16 (NASB) Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
Bethany Stephens, Garland, TX
HABBAKKUK 2:3 ESV
“For still the vision awaits its appointed time, it hastens to the end – it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.”
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him and he delivers them. Psalm 34:7 (NIV)
Emily L.
Arlington, VA
“Don’t be impatient for the Lord to act; keep traveling steadily along His pathway and in due season, He will honor you with His blessing.” Psalm 37:34 (Living Bible)
Heather Jallad, Douglasville, GA
Acts 20:24 NLT But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
Costa Mesa,Ca-Ephesians 6:13 “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” NIV
“This God-his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.” Psalm 18:30 ESV
Joyce Grimes – Pace, FL
But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. (Luke 24:2-3 NKJV)
Mandi Autry… Edmond, OK… “So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12
Scarlett Nokes – Savannah, GA
Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually!
Psalm 105:4 (ESV)
Laura Harris, Montgomery, AL Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. Psalms 143:10 NIV
Sue Starling. Modesto, CA
Psalm 23:1-2 ESV
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
Katelyn Lee, Mitchell, IN. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. […] Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5, 7, NLT.
Hannah, Mantua, OH
“Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.” I Peter 3:14b-16 ESV
Jacqueline Thrash from Louisiana
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
1 Peter 5:7 NLT
Hannah Pruitt
Russellville, AR
Genesis 50:20- “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”
Lisa from Huntsville TX
Eph.4:29 NKJV
” Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”
Robin, Tuscaloosa, AL
Isaiah 44:3-4
For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring; They will spring up among the grass like willows by the watercourses.
Mariely Sanchez, Miami, FL: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” Psalm 34:18 NLT
Becky from Vicksburg, MS
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10 NIV
Jennifer Edwards AlabamaJohn
14:27 NIV
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Ali C, Pleasanton, CA- 16“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:16-18 ESV)
I Peter 4:7 NIV
“The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.”
Diane S., Macungie, PA
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. (Colossians 1:19-20 NIV)
(Amazing teaching/worship from Beth & Travis this weekend in AC! God bless your ministry!)