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
Gail
McDonough, Ga
that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
Ephesians 3:16 (ESV)
Patti, Clemmons, NC
“For with God nothing shall be impossible” Luke 1:37, KJV
Debbie
Portland, OR
Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you.
Deuteronomy 8:5 ESV
Shauna, Aurora, NE
“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12, ESV
Natalie Macek, from Damascus, MD-“Bless the LORD, all His works, In all places of His dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!” Psalm 103:22, NKJV
The first of a section I want to memorize as a rudder for my tongue. Yay!
“But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:” — Titus 2:1. NKJB
Dottie Moore, Houston TX
Susan Brown, Mandeville, LA
“For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Acts 4:20 NIV
Susan Young, Fairhope,AL- Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22 (NIV)
Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: 2 Peter 1:1
Melany Ethridge, Van Alstyne, TX
“If anyone wants to come with me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
Luke 9:23 (HCSB)
Nancy Terwilliger, Lebanon, TN
Because of the Lord’s faithful love, we do not perish, for his mercies never end, they are new ever morning; great is Thy faithfulness! I say the Lord is my portion, I WILL put my hope in Him. The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the person who seeks him.
Lamentations 3:22-25
Diane Flook, Flagstaff, AZ:
“But the Lord said, ‘My grace is all you need. Only when you are weak can everything be done completely by my power.’ So I will gladly boast about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power can stay in me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 ERV
Lourdes Minor, Decatur, Georgia. But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 ESV
Vanessa Lipsit, San Antonio, TX
Philippians 1:6 NLT
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Joyce Corvallis, OR
Psalm 119:105
” Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path”
Marilyn — Seattle
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 ESV)
Megan Scoliere- Columbus, Ohio
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Galatians 6:14
Patti, Clemmons, NC
” I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me”
Philippians 4:13, KJV
Oops, I posted # 5 earlier!
Michelle Hunter, Grand Haven MI
“Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord and He will exalt you.”
James 4:10 NASB
Jessica Hawney, San Jose, CA
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 NIV
Theresia Whitfield, Indianapolis, IN
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
Ephesians 4:2
Amanda Keith, Houston, TX
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also
Matthew 6:21 ESV
Cheryl in Fairhope, AL – “So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12 NASB)
Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23 NASV
Monica Applegate Amarillo, Texas
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Psalm 90:12 KJV
Rebekah, Fort Worth, TX. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
Ally, Houston, TX.
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice; Weep with those who weep.
Be in agreement with one another. Do not be proud, instead associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation.”
Romans 12:14-16 HCSB
Becky Douglas, Houston, TX:
“For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him? God gives wisdom, knowledge and joy to those who please him.” Ecclesiates 2:25-26 NLT
Joan Anderson, Dousman, WI
However, the Lord your God…
turned the curse into a blessing for you,
because the Lord your God loves you.
Deut. 23:5 NIV
Carol Hartley Montgomery, AL
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31
Sandy Hartley, Clatskanie OR
3 John 4 (1:4) I Have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. (KJV) 🙂
Teresa Marsh, New Bern, NC
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Lisa Vinson, Abilene TX
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Gal. 6:9 NKJ
Pam Worcester, Glen Elder, Kansas
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7 (NIV)
Jessica Lance, Shelby, NC, “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4 NKJV
Annette Baal, Stouffville ON Canada
Jude 6
And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgement of the great day;
NKJV
Tessa Clark, Jefferson City MO.
John 1:1-2
In the befinning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.
This verse reminds me today that He is!
Teri Wymore in Millington, TN
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
N. Seattle, WA
For though the lord is exalted, Yet He regards the lowly,
But the haughty He knows from afar. Psalm 138:6 NASB
Ann St. Louis, MO
Ephesians 2:4-5, NIV
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions- it is by grace you have been saved.
Lauren H., Cincinnati, OH: “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you” Colossians 1:3 (NIV)
Ephesians 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only that what is helpful in building each other up, according to their needs.
Karlys Fortner, La Place, LA
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. Colossians 3: 5 and 6, ESV
Debbie W. in Prattville, AL
Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.
Proverbs 10:19
NLT
Kay in Muscle Shoals, AL
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named… Ephesians 3:14-15
Rachel P., Suwanee, GA:
“Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” Psalm 46:2-3 (NIV)
Faye from Calgary Alberta, Canada
I am counting on the LORD; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word. (Psalms 130:5 NLT)
Cyndi, Blue Springs, Mo
And you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every authority. Colossians 2:10 NIV
Teresa Collier, Jackson TN
‘Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.’
Hebrews 12:28 (NIV)
Stephanie C. San Marcos, CA
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. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV