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
Irmo, SC … fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 (NASB)
Rachel H., Salem, IN
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
Romans 5:8 NLT
“Pride ends in humiliation,while humility brings honor”
Proverbs 29:23
NLT
For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
Zephaniah 3:17 NOV
Meagan from St Augustine
Cheryl Cash Fort Portal, Uganda
“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced; burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.” Psalm 40:6 (NIV)
Romans 4:20 & 21 NASB
“yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what He had promised, He was able to perform.”
i know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out – plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for! Jeremiah 29:11 The Message
Beverly, Glasgow, KY.
1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. (NIV)
Struggling with this truth right now.
Danelle Howard, Lamar, Missouri
Ps 62:6 ” He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.” (NLT)
Kristy, Louisiana
Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2 NASB
DeAnne, Talmage, KS “not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:9 NIV
Longview, Texas
Ephesians 3:14
For this reason, I kneel before the Father
Jill, Oak Ridge, TN
The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
Laura Wassink Brantford, Ontario, Canada “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 NIV
Dawn Winslow, Clever, MO
Colossians 4:5 (NLT) “Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.”
Joy
Ontario, Canada
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30 (ESV)
Katie G., Crawford, Tx “The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NIV)
i urge, then, first of all that requests, prayers, intercessions be made for everyone. 1 Timothy 2:1 NIV
Janet Caldwell, Katy,Texas
Psalm 90:12 NSRV
So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart.
Tonya Hamilton
North Richland Hills, TX
Lord, I wait for you; you will answer, Lord my God. (Psalm 38:15 NIV)
Trust in the LORD, and do good;
dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:3 – 4 (New King James Version)
You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Psalm119:4 ESV
since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16 ESV
Kimberly Orr
Zionsville, Indiana
Love this quote from Jerry Bridges in his book~The Transforning Power of the Gospel
“We need to be clear in our minds that the pursuit of holiness – that is, seeking to be holy as God is holy – is no light, incidental matter. It is central to the Christian life. The Psalmist wrote, “You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently.” (Psalm 119:4). Diligently! That is the way we are to respond to God’s command “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16)”
Jennifer M, Dayton, OH “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will prefect it until the day of Christ Jesus” NASB
Ann Jones, West Palm Beach, FL
Galatians 5:25-26 KJV
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Shannon Hoots Greensboro, NC “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” Ephesians 1:4 NIV
And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
James 5:15-16 (NIV)
Tammy, Monroe,Ga.
The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. (Ecclesiastes 7:8 NIV)
Jennifer, Tomball, TX “. . . for you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:5 NIV
Susan Swindell, Oneida, TN
1 Timothy 6:6
But godliness with contentment is great gain. (KVJ)
Elaine from Greenville SC
Colossians 3:15 – Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Dawn
Silver Spring, MD
Psalm 19:8 ESV
the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
Lara Lee Bugeja from Royal Palm Beach, FL
Ephesians 6:10-12 (ESV)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rules, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
~working on and praying the armor of God for me and my family and friends . . . . 🙂
Matthew 7:7 NIV
Ask and it will be given to you, seek, and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Nikki R, Alexandria, LA,
“May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.” Psalm 20:1( NIV)
Susan Chung, Long Island, NY
And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:27-28 NIV)
Ruth Kitchener, ON
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6 (NIV)
But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
Psalm 13:5 ESV
Linda Dameron
Cape Canaveral, Fl
“Therefore. I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me”.
2 Corinthians 12:9b
Lisa Powell, Martinez, Georgia
You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
1 Corinthians 6: 20
Lara Lee Bugeja, Royal Palm Beach, FL
(sorry!!! I posted the NIV verse instead of the ESV – here’s the right one!!)
Ephesians 6:10-12 (ESV)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
~working on and praying the armor of God for me, my family and my friends . . . and anyone else who might need it!!! 🙂
Gale Fox
Montgomery TX
Be joyful 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 w, east Liberty, oh
Those who answer before they listen are foolish and disgraceful.
Proverbs 18:13 (CEB)
Susan, Wynne, AR
“Teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
Psalms 90:12 (NIV)
“This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.”
-Psalm 118:24 (New Living Translation)
Pickerington, Ohio
Perri Lee, Shallowater, TX
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 NLT
Lisa, Granville, Ohio
The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good,
your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is
that darkness! Matthew 6:22-23 (NIV)
Michelle Cheney, Bossier City, LA
2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV)
3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.
Tracey, Margaree Valley, NS
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, oh Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14
Psalms 90:12
So teach us to number our days, so we may present to You a heart of wisdom.
NASB
Chris Robertson from Fort Wayne, IN
“from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. Ephesians 3:15 (NIV)