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. 2951
    k&c's mom says:

    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

  2. 2952
    Nancy Garringer says:

    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

  3. 2953
    Kathy Walden says:

    And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:7 NIV

  4. 2954
    Lori Justice says:

    Lori Justice Ostrander, Ohio I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. Jeremiah 31:25 NIV

  5. 2955
    Jan says:

    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.

  6. 2956
    Allison Hughes says:

    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.

  7. 2957
    Margie says:

    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

  8. 2958
    Diane Miller says:

    Diane Miller, Longmont, CO
    He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. Proverbs 21:23 NIV

  9. 2959
    Dana Dorsey says:

    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

  10. 2960
    Sheri Vreugdenhil says:

    Sheri Vreugdenhil, South Bend, IN

    “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12:34 (NIV)

  11. 2961
    Maureen Chabot says:

    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)

  12. 2962
    Meredith Cox says:

    Irmo, SC
    Colossians 1:17 (NIV)
    He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

  13. 2963
    Teresa Gunderson says:

    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

  14. 2964
    Mischia says:

    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

  15. 2965
    Jeanne Park says:

    Jeanne, Floyds Knobs, Indiana

    The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
    But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

    -Proverbs 1:7

  16. 2966
    Amy R. says:

    Amy R., Fort Collins, CO

    “God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before Him.” ~ Ps. 18:20 (MSG)

  17. 2967
    Cynthia Woodhouse says:

    “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness” 2Cor 12:9 ESV

  18. 2968
    Marcy says:

    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

  19. 2969
    Tammy says:

    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

  20. 2970
    Brenda K. Orlow says:

    Brenda K. Orlow, Jordan, MN
    Psalm 57:1 NLT “My heart is confident in you, O God.”

  21. 2971
    Eliana Kernodle says:

    2 Timothy 2:23 NIV Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.

  22. 2972
    Chris J says:

    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.

  23. 2973

    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

  24. 2974
    Gennie Coe says:

    “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

  25. 2975
    Marianne Gignac says:

    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.”

  26. 2976
    Melissa says:

    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

  27. 2977
    Janet Norwood says:

    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

  28. 2978
    Cindy Seale, Tomball, TX says:

    “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)

  29. 2979
    Connie Dildine says:

    Connie Dildine, Hiram, Missouri

    Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)

  30. 2980
    Tracy says:

    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.

  31. 2981
    Johnnie says:

    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)

  32. 2982
    Sherri Frey says:

    Sherri
    Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.
    Psalm 37:4 (NIV)

  33. 2983
    Elizabeth says:

    But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.
    2 Thessalonians 3:3 (ESV)

  34. 2984
    Mikayla Marler says:

    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)

  35. 2985
    Rebecca S says:

    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)

  36. 2986
    Donna Pippin says:

    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

  37. 2987
    Shelly says:

    Shelly
    Eufaula, AL

    The Lord executeth righteousness and judgement for all that are oppressed.

    Psalm 103:6 KJV

  38. 2988
    Kim Williams says:

    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

  39. 2989
    Ann Hanna says:

    Ann, Pawleys Island, SC
    from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. Ephesians 3:15 NIV

  40. 2990
    Linda McMorris says:

    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.

  41. 2991
    Kelly Poole says:

    Kelly, Auburn Al, from whom his whole family in heaven and earth derives its name. Ephesians 3:15 NIV

  42. 2992
    Lisette-St.Petersburg,FL says:

    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.”

  43. 2993
    Elizabeth Miller says:

    Elizabeth Miller, Cullman, Alabama,
    Jesus replied, ” What is impossible with man is possible with God.” Luke 18:27 NIV

  44. 2994
    Katie Allen says:

    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

  45. 2995
    Misty Dildine says:

    Misty Dildine, Glenallen, Missouri

    For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth. Psalm 33:4 (KJV)

  46. 2996
    Sarah says:

    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

  47. 2997
    Lynda Asby says:

    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

  48. 2998
    Brenda Peters says:

    Ephesians 3:14 (NIV)
    For this reason I kneel before the Father,

  49. 2999
    Cheryl says:

    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

  50. 3000
    Karen Veillon says:

    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

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