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
Deb, Loveland, CO – “Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.” Psalm 119:8 (NKJV)
Kimberly Waller, Moultrie, Georgia
Psalm 37:7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. (NIV)
Shirley Williams, Greenville, MS
“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.” I Corinthians 16:13 NLT
Cat Thorpe from Cicero NY
The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. Psalm16: 5-6 NKJV
Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. Proverbs 1:8-9
Merideth Colvert from Conroe, TX….
I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
Psalm 9:1
Vicksburg, MS
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.
Psalm 118:8
NIV
Suffolk, VA
I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you (me) will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6 ESV
Tish Evans, Ashland, KY
“Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart.”
Psalms 26:2 NKJV
Ashley, Statesboro GA “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:10 ESV
Debra Taylor, Madison, MS
“I love you, O LORD, my strength.
The LORD is my Rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God,
my rock, in Whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.” Psalm 18:1-3 (ESV)
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10 niv
Allison L. Tulsa, OK
Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; (Philippians 1:27 NASB) and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. (Philippians 1:28-30 ESV)
Tisha
Pilot Mtn, NC
“For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.”
Psalms 5:12 NIV84
Stephanie
Harrisonburg, LA
May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed.
Psalm 20:4 (NLT)
Denise, Arkansas
“But when they became fully awake, they saw His glory.”
Luke 9:32NIV
Audra, Flemingon MO
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.
Psalm 94:19
So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12 NASB
LINWOOD, PA I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in HIS WORD I put my hope. Psalm 130:5 (NIV)
Amy from Big Lake, MN
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2 (NIV)
Tara-Rockwall Texas
Watch and pray so that we will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
Matthew 26:41
Kayla Card, Gainesville, FL
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV
Sharon, McKinney, TX
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Melanie Wilson, New London, PA
God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.
Psalm 46:5
Cindy, Deming, NM
“Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 5:5 HCSB
Ashley from Stephenville, TX
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15
Susan Sarver, St. George UT
“Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.” Philippians 4:5 HCSB
Agnes Romer from Tulsa, OK
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was 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 NKJV)
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him”. Lamentations 3:24
Punky Tolson, Dallas, TX “…from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,” Ephesians 3:15, ESV
Connie Salmen, Longmont, CO
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.”
Ephesians 1:3 NASB
Rachel from Cleveland, OH
Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
Hebrews 7:25 (NIV)
Lisa Scarrow from Ohio: Jeremiah 33:3
“Call to me, and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”
Jennifer, New Boson, TX
James 5:8 NASB
You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
Natalie-Austin, TX
1 Timothy 2:8
I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer without anger or disputing.
Walker, LA:
My mind and my body may grow weak, but God is my strength; he is all I ever need. (Psalms 73:26 GNB)
Betty Murphrey, Wendell, NC
James 4:12 ESV
Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you.
James 4:12
Jami, Olathe, KS:
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Laura Reimer
Decatur IL
Psalm 94:19 NLT
When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.
Cheryl, Concord, NC
“Then
you will experience
God’s peace
which exceeds anything we can understand.
His peace will guard
your hearts and minds
as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4.7 NLT
Glynis Cozza. Berthoud, Colorado, “For God has NOT given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
I know that You can do all things, and that no thought or purpose of Yours can be restrained or thwarted.
Job 42:2 Amplified Bible
Delaware Ohio. Niv. Psalm 62:1-2
My soul finds rest in god alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress. I will never be shaken.
Cathy
Newark, Ohio
So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12 NASB
Sue Goldberg Rockford,Il Heb10:23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope that we profess, for He who promised is faithful.NIV
Gina Fernandez, Wilson, NC
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12 NIV
Jenny Fridge, Richmond, TX
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me, and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20 ESV
Angie Vernon. Harrah, OK.
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. Psalms 62:5 NIV
Cathy Morris Sedona, AZ
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”
2 Cor 5:10 ESV
Deb Hartman, Newnan, GA. ,So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. – Psalm 90:12 (NASB)