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
Christi M. Gilbert, AZ
1 Thessalonians 4:16
On that day, with a command that thunders into the world, with a voice of a chief heavenly messenger, and with a blast of God’s trumpet, the Lord Himself will descend from heaven: and all the who have died in the Anointed One, our liberating King, will raise from the dead first. (The Voice)
Kirtland, OH: But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. Psalm 13:5 ESV
Erin Beakley – Dallas, TX
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
Jan Strickler, Cypress, Texas
Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will guide you with My eye.”
Cindy M. Lusby, MD
And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, Hebrews 10:15
Martie Carter, Belton, Texas
He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
Proverbs 10:17 (NIV)
Rebekah, Wentzville, MO
So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.
-Psalm 90:12 (NASB)
Janet Nelson
Gladstone, OR
“I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
Psalm 16:8 NIV
Jackie / Plano, TX
Psalm 145:18 NIV – The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
Ritva Legacy from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Deuteronomy 20:4, NIV
“For the LORD your God is the One who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you VICTORY”!!!
Let us cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armor of LIGHT.
Romans 13:12 ESV
Kerry from Houston, TX
“But as for me, I would seek God,
And I would place my cause before God;
Who does great and unsearchable things,
Wonders without number.
Job 5:8,9 NASB
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”
John 3:16 NIV
Lorna Clemente from Walker, LA
“Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.” Psalm 2:11 NKJV
Kris C. – Westbrook, ME
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and now grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Crystal Glisson Shelby, nc
If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not in things that are on the earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:1-3 ESV
LUKE 8:48 Then he (Jesus) said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
Anita Kratz, Gilbertsville, PA
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV
Turkesshia Moore, Greensboro, NC
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 KJV
meghan dehart, hatch nm
1 Thessalonians 1:2
“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers”
Esv
Cherie, Lakeland, FL
Who among the gods
is like you, Lord?
Who is like you—
majestic in holiness,
awesome in glory,
working wonders?
Exodus 15:11 NIV
Carissa LaValle, St. Bonifacius, MN
So teach us to number our days, that we may present to you a heart of wisdom. (NASB)
oops. This is Psalm 90:12 (Thanks Melanie, for your great post and inspiration!)
donna, Tampa, FL
Psalm 25:10 NIV
All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of His covenant.
march 16, 2015 1:58 West Monroe, La Vickie
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good works.
11 Timothy 3:16-17
Cheri from Frisco, TX
Ephesians 2:7 ESV
“…so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”
Mary, Winter Park, FL
..and having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.
Rom 6:18 RSV
Khakki Bonner-Nashville, TN
Psalm 84:10a NIV
Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.
Kathleen Forbes, Katy, TX. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5, ESV
Amanda J. – Corsicana, TX – “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.” Psalm 62:1-2 (NIV84)
psalms 40:2 NAS
He brought me up out of a pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and he set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV)
Judi, Darlington, PA
Phil 2:14 NIV
Do everything without grumbling or arguing,
Helena in Paradise PA ~~
“Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” ~~ Psalm 34:5(NIV)
Emily T – Kansas City, MO
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 ESV
Lisa Lewis Santa Clara, CA For through the grace given to me I say to every man among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment as God has allotted each a measure of faith. Romans 12:3 NASB
Judy
Ps. 34:8-9
NIV
Illinois
Taste and see that the LORD is good. Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.
Kelly Duncan
Hayden, AL
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all of your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight
Julie Bock, Columbia City IN
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Matthew 6:31-34 (NLT)
Lana Zeltwanger Mishawaka, Indiana
Job 32:8 ESV
But it is the Spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.
Micki Elaine, Atlanta, Tx.
Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.
Proverbs 16:3 (NKJV)
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ESV
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Phyllis
Gilmer,TX
NIV Romans 11:36 For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen
Hap 🙂 from Heath, Ohio.
“Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.” Psalm 25:5 NIV
Samantha
Nappanee, IN
“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
Sonya Burtis, Cullman,AL
You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
Psalm 139:4 (NLT)
Christine Madison Alabama
For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back? Isaiah 14:27 NIV
Stacey, Houston, TX) He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. (Ecclesiastes 5:10 ESV)
Lynn NIckoley, Dyersburg, TN NAS
I Peter 5-10 And AFTER you have suffered for a LITTLE while, THE GOD of ALL grace, who called YOU to HIs eternal glory in Christ, WILL himself PERFECT, CONFIRM, STRENGTHEN and ESTABLISH you.
Joyce Davidson, Big River, Saskatchewan, Canada “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge.” (2 Peter 1:5 NIV)
Nicole Carpenter, Delaware, Ohio “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 ESV