Siesta Scripture Memory Team 2015: Verse 6!

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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

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4,994 Responses to “Siesta Scripture Memory Team 2015: Verse 6!”

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Comments:

  1. 2551
    Angie Call says:

    Angie Call; Belleville, IL
    Matt. 7:7 MSG
    “Don’t bargin with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need.”

  2. 2552
    Amy Adams says:

    Amy Adams
    Middletown, Delaware

    I John 5:14-15 (NIV):

    This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of Him.

  3. 2553
    Pam says:

    Pam Willis
    Centerville, Texas
    Romans 10:9 (NIV)
    If you declare with your mouth “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

  4. 2554
    Mary Burge says:

    Mary Burge
    Fredericksburg, VA

    Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
    reviving the soul.
    The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple. NIV

  5. 2555
    Karen Kaiser says:

    Karen from Fort Dodge IA – “Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” Colossians 3:12 NIV.

  6. 2556
    Nancy says:

    Nancy, Hamilton, OH
    “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”
    Psalms 94:19 NIV

  7. 2557
    Jean Schlosser says:

    Jean Schlosser, Rubicon, WI

    1 Peter 4:8 NIV

    Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

    I

  8. 2558
    Mary Williams says:

    Mary Kay Williams, Redding, CA

    I no longer call you servants because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead I call you friends, for everything I have learned from my Father, I have made known to you. John 15:15 NKJV

  9. 2559
    Jaime Cornelius says:

    Jaime
    Tyler, Texas
    Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
    Romans 12:12 NIV

  10. 2560
    Janet Saxon says:

    Janet, Springfield MO, Psalm 25:4 NLT
    “Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow.

  11. 2561
    Katrina Blackwell says:

    Katrina B – Chandler, Ok

    James 1:9-10
    “Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation,
    and the rich in his humiliation,
    because like the flower of the grass he will pass away.”

  12. 2562
    Renea Harrison says:

    Renea Harrison
    Howe, TX
    Seek the Lord and his strength yearn for and seek his face and to be in his presence continually 1 Chronicles 16:11
    Amplified version

  13. 2563
    Tracey says:

    And He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. 1 Peter 2:24-25 (NASB)

  14. 2564
    Kim says:

    Kim, Prague

    “That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.” James 1:7-8 NIV

  15. 2565
    Debbie Liggett says:

    Debbie Liggett, Colleyville, TX
    “who satisfies my desires with good things so that my youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.”
    Psalm 103:5-6 NIV (personalized)

  16. 2566
    Wendy Puckett says:

    Wendy Puckett, Mayfield, KY:

    Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
    John 17:17 (ESV)

  17. 2567
    Faye Waraksa says:

    Faye Waraksa, Franlkin, TN:

    In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

    John 1:1 HCSB

  18. 2568
    Jill Sanders says:

    Jill Sanders, Leachville, AR

    When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father. Ephesians 3:14

  19. 2569
    Karen Wright says:

    Karen Wright, Shelton WA

    Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness.

    Ephesians 6:14 NKJV

  20. 2570
    Ellen Kittredge says:

    Ellen K., Chester, VA

    My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭32‬:‭18‬ ESV)

  21. 2571
    Cindy Goree says:

    Cindy San Angelo, TX

    1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV

    Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

  22. 2572
    Melonie Blackwell says:

    Melonie B. Sparks, OK

    Jas 1:9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation,
    Jas 1:10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away.
    Jas 1:11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

  23. 2573
    Pamela Shaw says:

    Pamela Shaw, Bangor, Northern Ireland
    Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls. Hab 3:17 (NIV)

  24. 2574
    Susan says:

    Susan, U.K.

    “Yet He has now reconciled you in his fleshly body through death, in order to present you before him holy and blameless and beyond reproach” Colossians 1:22 (NASB)

  25. 2575
    Pam says:

    Pam – NC

    2 Samuel 24:24 KJV (partial)

    Neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing.

  26. 2576
    Kyleigh Porter says:

    Kyleigh Porter Raleigh, NC
    “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

  27. 2577
    Stacie K says:

    Stacie K Springfield, VA
    Hebrews 10:22 a (NIRV)
    So let us come near to God with an honest and true heart.

  28. 2578
    Johanna says:

    Johanna, Carlsbad CA

    John 10:10 NIV
    “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

  29. 2579
    Lauren says:

    Lauren K, Nashville, TN

    “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9 NLT

  30. 2580
    Debbie says:

    Isaiah 61:1 ~ ” The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives, and freedom to prisoners.” [NASB]

  31. 2581
    Bekah says:

    Bekah
    Minneapolis, MN

    I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, (‭Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ NIV)

  32. 2582
    Dawn says:

    Dawn – Pampa, TX

    For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid,but
    gives us power, love and self-discipline.
    2 Timothy 1:7 NIV

  33. 2583
    Cindy says:

    Cindy, Fort Worth, TX
    Quiet down before God, be prayerful before Him. Psalm 37:7a MSG

  34. 2584
    Megan Allen says:

    Megan Allen – Hillsboro, OH

    I delight greatly in the LORD; my souls rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garmets of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. – Isaiah 61:10

  35. 2585
    Alyssa Neal says:

    Alyssa Neal
    Houston, TX
    “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
    2 Timothy 1:7 NIV

  36. 2586
    Rachelle. says:

    Rachelle Honohan, Cedar Park, TX – 1 Thessalonians 5 : 6, So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. 1 Thessalonians 5 : 6 (NIV).

  37. 2587
    Lily Green says:

    Lily Green, Madison, AL

    “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 (NIV)

  38. 2588
    Rachel says:

    Rachel Patterson – Clover, SC:

    “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

    ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

  39. 2589
    Kathrine Springer says:

    Kathy Springer, Chula Vista, CA: “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,” Ephesians 3:16

  40. 2590
    Laura Deibel says:

    Laura ~ Plainfield,IN

    I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

    Psalm 104:33 NIV

  41. 2591
    Emma LaBossiere says:

    Emma L., Pittsburgh, PA:

    “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” Phillipians 2:13, ESV

  42. 2592
    Amy Cobb says:

    Amy Cobb, Murfreesboro, TN. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John‬ ‭14‬:‭27‬ NLT

  43. 2593
    Jennifer Mosher says:

    Luke 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.” Luke 15:18 ESV

  44. 2594
    Sheila Johnson says:

    Sheila Johnson, Beckley, WV “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

  45. 2595
    Nancy A says:

    Nancy A -Versailles, Ky

    a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
    a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.
    -Ecc 3:7-8 NIV

  46. 2596
    Monica says:

    Monica, Abbotsford, BC Canada
    Col 1:29 ESV
    For this I toil, struggling with all His energy that He powerfully works within me.

  47. 2597
    Peggyann Calderwood says:

    Peggyann Calderwood
    Crestview. Florida

    Dear Friends, let us LOVE one another, for LOVE comes from God. Everyone who LOVES has been born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7 NIV (1984) JESUS LOVES YOU

  48. 2598
    Kim Bulles says:

    Kim Bulles, Yorktown VA
    He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously gives us all things? Romans 8:32 ESV

  49. 2599
    Jan Novak says:

    Jan Novak, Newport, Oregon John 14:13-14 (NIV) And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

  50. 2600
    Jennifer Jones says:

    Jennifer Jones from Coweta, OK
    Colossians 3:16
    Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

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