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
Psalm 90:12, teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Kendra Huckabee, Seymour, Tx “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37 (ESV)
Jan Horne
Bossier City, LA
Psalm 89:1-2 NIV
I will sind of the LORD’S great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faitfulness know through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself.
Psalm 89:1-2 NIV
Tina, Zalma, MO 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)
Psalm 51:1, ESV, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.”
Lenna Chaffee, Tomah, WI
Phil. 4:5 (NIV)
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.
Amos 3:7 NIV
Metamora, IL
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17, NIV
Sarah, Greenville, MS
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8, HCSB
Carrie B, Princeton, MN
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and we take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ”
2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV
Melissa Teakell, Wichita, KS
Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12 NIV 84
(Timely with BSF and my beloved grandfathers entry into heaven!)
Leslie Young
Wisner, La.
We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.
2 Corinthians 4:7 NLT
Linda, Gaylord, MI Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. Psalm 86:11 NIV
Matthew 19:26 NIV
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Marilyn, Dearborn, MO.
So teach us to number our days that we
may get a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12 ESV
Cindy, Beaumont, TX. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NKJV
Wendy Bashor – Lone Butte, BC: Lord the God of Heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments. Nehemiah 1:5 (NIV)
For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”
Luke 9:24-27 ESV
Stephanie
Pawleys Island, SC
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear but like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail. — Isaiah 51:6 (NIV)
Bobbi Mooney, Houston, TX
Psalm 28:7 (NIV)
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him.
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Psalm 37:7, NIV
Ashley, Sugar Land, TX
“I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten…”
Joel 2:25a ESV
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.
John 15:7
NIV
Dana
Boerne, TX
I Chronicles 29:14 But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this? For all things come from You, and from your hand we have given You.
Allison, Austin
“This is I command you to love one another”
John15:17 NET
Jordan LaRoche, Kingwood, TX
Isaiah 12:2 (ESV)
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.
Kandy Hall, Huffman, TX
Isaiah 41:13 (ESV)
For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
Peggy, Sweetwater, TN
There will always be some who are poor and in need, and so I command you to be generous to them. Deuteronomy 15:11 GNT
Rene Sandifer, Overland Park, KS “Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.” (Exodus 33:13 ESV)
Sara Middleton, Kingsville, TX “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Col 3:23-24, NIV
Lou Blount Colorado Springs CO
” And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us” Romans 5:5 NIV
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight. Philippians 1:9
Phil 3:13 (NKJ) from Boise, ID
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.”
Julie McGirk, Prescott, AZ
“I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8 ESV
March 16 2015 Portland Texas 78374
Romans 13:8
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.
Nell, Gallatin,TN
Proverbs 19:21NIV
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’S purpose that prevails.
Natalie, San Diego, CA
1 John 1:9-10 (NKJV)
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
Becky – Lawrenceville, Ga
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 (KJV)
If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
NKJV
Fran Scott, Stafford TX Mark 11:25 KJV
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any; that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
Tara, Eustis, Fl So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. – Psalm 90:12 (NASB)
1 Samuel 12:22 For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own.
Beth-Northridge, CA
Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
John 16:24 NIV
Angie-Whittier
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
Mark 12:30 (NIV)
Hannah Huneycutt
Mt. Pleasant, NC
Psalm 113:2 (NIV)
Let the name of the LORD be praised, both now and forevermore.
Stephanie Tausch
Helotes, Tx
In that day their burden will be lifted from your shoulders, their yoke from your neck; the yoke will be broken because you have grown so fat. (Isaiah 10:27 NIV)
Joy, from Iowa~ “Post this at all the intersections, dear friends. Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue and let anger straggle along in the rear. God’s righteousness doesn’t grow from human anger. So throw out all the spoiled and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our Gardener, God, landscape you with the word- making a salvation
garden of your life.” James 1:19-21 The Message
Ps 1:1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
NASB
Beth Evans, Jamestown, NC
Jeremiah 30: 17 NASB
‘For I will restore you to health
And I will heal you of your wounds,’ declares the Lord. (Yahweh)
Megan Passarella, Waupaca, WI
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze” Isaiah 43:2 NIV