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
“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His Promises to her.” Luke 1:45 NIV
Christa, Denver, CO
So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. – Psalm 90:12 (NASB)
Jamie, Dallas, TX.
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.”
Psalm 27:13-14 NIV
Jami
Shelby, NC
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit. Psalms 34:18
Carla A, Ava, Missouri
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father..
Ephesians 3:14 ESV
Isaiah 41:10 (NkJV)
vs. 10 “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Lori Johnson Auburn MA So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. – Psalm 90:12 NASB
Libby, Fortville, IN
2 Corinthians 5:7(NIRV)
We live by believing, not by seeing.
1 Chronicles 16:11 NASB Seek the Lord and His Strength; Seek His face continually.
Kathryn Wolff from Pawnee, TX:
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, and the flame will not burn you. Isaiah 43:2 NAS
Amberley – Pasco, WA
“I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.”
~~ Psalm 116:9 ~~ HCSB
Beckie Potterfield, Florence, SC
Finally, brothers, 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)
Mary, Lilburn GA. But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. Ps 13:5 NIV
Alicia Thompson – Davao City, Philippines
Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. – 1 Peter 1:13 NIV
DeeDee Martin. Katy, Texas
Proverbs 15:4. The Message
Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim.
Courtney Turner from Griffin Ga.
I wait for the Lord, I expectantly wait, and in His word do I hope. (Psalm 130:5 AMP)
Melisse, Slippery Rock, PA
Psalm 103:2(NLT)
Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.
Debra Forbes – Houston, TX
The LORD is slow to anger and rich in unfailing love, forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. Even so he does not leave sin unpunished, but he punishes the children for the sins of their parents to the third and fourth generations.
Numbers 14:18 NLT
Kathy, Austin, Tx.
Ps.130:5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.
Rebecca in Durham: The sovereign Lord has given me His words of wisdom, so that I may know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning He wakes me and opens my understanding to his will. Isaiah 50:4 (NLT)
Heather, Louisville, KY
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4 (NIV)
Heather, Tallahassee He was has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 10:39 NASB
Shelagh Garry, Newcastle upon Tyne,England
‘If you plant goodness, you will harvest faithful love. Plough your ground, and you will harvest with the Lord.He will come, and He will make goodness fall on you like rain.’ Hosea 10:12 (ERV)
Carol, Sewickley, PA
Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast.
Deb Mott, Bradenton, FL. 1 John 4:16 (KJV)
16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 1John 4:16 (KJV)
Tara McCann, Pleasant Plains, Illinois “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.” Proverbs 15:1 NLT
Becky, Roswell, GA
“The Lord your God who goes before you will Himself fight for you, just as He did for you in Egypt before your eyes.”
Deut. 1:30, ESV
Cherie, Savannah, GA
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God.
Philippians 4:6 NASB
Philippians 2:12 (NIV)
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Leilani Esmond Smyrna, GA
Do nothing from selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.
Phillipians 3:2 NIV
Heather from Andrews, Indiana
Search me, oh God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting live. Psalm 139:23-24 NLT
Lynn Bennett, Stowe, Vt.
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. (Isaiah 41:13 NIV)
Marilyn, Houston , TX: ” And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us”. (Romans 5:5 NASB)
“Thous will show me the path of life; in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11
Linda Smith, Little Rock, AR. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7. ESV
Karen Glisson, Kennesaw, Georgia For this very reason make every effort to add to your faith goodness and to goodness knowledge. 1 Peter 1:5 NIV
Ashley Stearns KY. NKJV
Colossians 3:13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
Diana,Round Hill,VA The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:5 NRSV
Tammy Martinez, Burleson, Tx, “Look at the nations and watch and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. Habakkuk 1:5 NIV
Sara Altmyer
Gulf Shores, Alabama
“…judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” James 2:13 (NIV)
Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lotd is your strength. Nehemiah 10
Margaret, Kingsport, TN
If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.
James 3:13 NLT
Mandy Daniel, LaGrange, GA. “But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away.” James 1:9-10, NASB
For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after mky skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another, though my reins be consumed within me. Job 19:25-37 KJV
Maria from Tallmadge Ohio
so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ
Phil. 2:10 (NIV)
Pam from Kitchener, ON, Canada:
“Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” 2 Peter 1:4 (NIV)
Ann Wagers West Chester OH So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do,do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians. 10:31 NIV
f anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living waters. Jn 7:37b,38 ESV
Rebecca M., Clifton, NJ. “O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1, ESV
Toni, Greer, SC — “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7 NIV