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
Rayeanne (Round Rock, Texas):
The Lord your God is in your midst
The Lord of all who saves
He will rejoice over you with love;
He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.
Zephaniah 3:17
Nancy. Redkey, IN. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8. NIVc
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:7 NIV
Lori Justice Ostrander, Ohio I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. Jeremiah 31:25 NIV
Jan in Fulshear
I John 2:1 ESV My little children, I am writing these things to you os that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
Deuteronomy 20:4 For the Lord your God is the One who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.
Margie, Camdenton MO: And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13 ESV
Diane Miller, Longmont, CO
He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. Proverbs 21:23 NIV
Dana Dorsey, Stillwater, MN
I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14 / NASB
Sheri Vreugdenhil, South Bend, IN
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12:34 (NIV)
Maureen Chabot, St. Clair Shores, MI. “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24 NIV)
Irmo, SC
Colossians 1:17 (NIV)
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Teresa. Orange City. Ephesians 1:4 …even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be hold and blameless before Him, ESV
Mischia from North Carolina:
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.”
1 John 1:5
Jeanne, Floyds Knobs, Indiana
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
-Proverbs 1:7
Amy R., Fort Collins, CO
“God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before Him.” ~ Ps. 18:20 (MSG)
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness” 2Cor 12:9 ESV
Marcy T. Euless, TX
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
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. James 3:9-10 NIV
Brenda K. Orlow, Jordan, MN
Psalm 57:1 NLT “My heart is confident in you, O God.”
2 Timothy 2:23 NIV Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.
Chris J from St. Louis – Psalm 90:17 “May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us — yes, establish the work of our hands.
Tempa Babington, Palm Bay, Fl “So teach us to number our days, that we may present to you a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 NASB
“When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” John 10:4
Marianne from Houston, TX
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Melissa, Augusta, GA
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Acts 17:11, KJV
Janet, Lenoir, NC: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 (ESV)
Connie Dildine, Hiram, Missouri
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)
Tracy, Holland MI
Philippians 1:6 ESV
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Johnnie, Wake Forest, NC
The Lord spoke to Moses: Speak to the entire Israelite community and tell them: Be holy because I, Yahweh your God, am holy. Leviticus 19:1-2 Holman (HCSB)
Sherri
Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 (ESV)
Mikayla Marler, Glenallen, Missouri
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 2 Timothy 4:7 (KJV)
6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 NIV)
Donna, Raleigh, NC
I forgot to submit my last verse…memorized it, but didn’t post it…oops!!! So I am going to post 2 this time :))
for March 1 – “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14 NIV
for March 15 – “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Shelly
Eufaula, AL
The Lord executeth righteousness and judgement for all that are oppressed.
Psalm 103:6 KJV
Kim Williams, Colmesneil, TX
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12. NIV
Ann, Pawleys Island, SC
from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. Ephesians 3:15 NIV
Linda, Holts Summit, MO
Jude 1:24 NIV
To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault AND with great joy.
Kelly, Auburn Al, from whom his whole family in heaven and earth derives its name. Ephesians 3:15 NIV
John 8:31-32 (ESV) “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Elizabeth Miller, Cullman, Alabama,
Jesus replied, ” What is impossible with man is possible with God.” Luke 18:27 NIV
Katie Allen, Fuquay-Varina, NC
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
-Lamentations 3:22-23, ESV
Misty Dildine, Glenallen, Missouri
For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth. Psalm 33:4 (KJV)
Sarah Timmerman, Durham, NC. In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years. Isaiah 63:9 NLT
Lynda Asby, Kansas City, In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. Psalms 18:6 NIV
Ephesians 3:14 (NIV)
For this reason I kneel before the Father,
Cheryl, Harleysville PA “His name shall endure forever; His name shall continue as long as the sun. And men shall be blessed in Him; all nations shall call Him blessed. Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only does wondrous things! And blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.” Psalm 72:17-19, NKJV
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 NIV