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
Jeremiah 33:3
“Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”
Joan Wetzel, New Orleans, Louisiana, Jeremiah 33:3 (NASB)
Cindy Miller, Granite City, IL – “And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else” Acts 17:25 NIV
Isaiah 44:9 (RHM)
The fashioners of an image -all of them are emptiness, and the things they delight in cannot profit.
Susan, Blacksburg, Virginia
“Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.” Psalms 91:5-6 KJV
Terra Haisley, Albany, Indiana: “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
Cindy Franklin, Graceville, FL
Psalm 145:1
I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.
Jill Steele, Bridgeport, WV
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what
Is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what
Is unseen is Eternal.
2 Cor. 4:18 (NIV)
robin in Colorado Springs
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Amy Libdan, Westminster, MD “Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. ” Isaiah 11:5 NIV
Sara, Greenfield, Indiana
So teach us to number our days
that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12 (ESV)
Denise Smith, Wilmington, NC
Psalm 1:1-3 NIV
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. But his delight is the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season, and its leaf does not whither; and in whatever he does he prospers.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds, in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
Rachel, Vancouver, Washington. “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 NIV
Kasey Madison Heights, VA
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” Colossians 3:12 NIV
Martha Leone
March 16
Search me,O God,and know my heart;
Test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Psalm 139:23
Cheryl Wright, Everett Washington
Philippians 2:1b The Message (MSG)
2 1b) if his love has made any difference in your life
Jessie Y., Jackson, MO. NIV Hebrews 12:2 “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Coriena Buckaway from Wainfleet, Ontario, Canada
Proverbs 31:26 NKJV
“She opes her mouth with wisdom and on her tongue is the law of kindness”
From East Helena, Montana
“For I am the Lord, your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13 NIV
Leviticus 19:18 NIV
Do not seek revenge out bar a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am Lord.
Erica Maynard: Quincy, Illinois “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7 NIV)
Kelli Gatewood, Avon, IN
Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl our iniquities into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:18-19 NIV
Hebrews 11:1 ESV
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Elaina from Heber Springs, AR
Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth, shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:18,19 (KJV)
Anne Greski, Cupertino, CA
“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.”
Psalm 107:1 (NIV)
Marie
Kinard, FL
Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)
For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me. Acts 26:17,18 (NIV)
Jennifer T., Fairfax, VA
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Psalm 56:3 (ESV)
1 Peter 2:16 NASB
“Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.”
Angie Keener, Bella Vista, Arkansas
Romans 8:7,8 ESV
For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Yvonne Green from Western North Carolina “But he who listens to me shall live securely And will be at ease from the dread of evil.” — Proverbs 1:33 NASB
My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
Psalm 27:8, NLT
Cara, Oswego, IL. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ” John 15:5 NIV
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
NIV Deuteronomy 6:5
Virginia Beach, VA
Acts 3:19 NIV
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.
Proverbs 16:1 (NIV)
To humans belong the plans of the heart,
But from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.
Lesa
Garden City, Kansas
John 1:16-17 HCSB
“Indeed, we have all received grace after grace from His fullness, for the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
Exodus 20:1-3 “And God spoke all these words: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.” (NIV)
Renee D.-Kennesaw,GA-How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. (Psalm 139:17-18 ESV)
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 heats to God.
Colossians 3:16
Emily Hayes. Conway, Arkansas. “I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.” Psalm 9:1. NIV
Sarah, Brookhaven, MS
Isaiah 30:21(ESV)
And your ears shall hear a word behind you saying, “this is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.
Johannah McNulty, Woodhaven, NY. “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Hebrews 10:36 NIV
Sheri Evans, Round Lake, IL
For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. 1 Corinthians 3:9 NIV
Prattville, AL
Proverbs 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Angie Brown, Taylors, SC
“If your presence does not go” Moses responded to Him, “don’t make us go up from here.”
Exodus 33:15 (CSB)
Emily, St. Paul, MN
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
~Psalm 90:12
Jana, Quitaque, Texas
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 NIV
Misty Schoephoerster. Abilene, TX.
1 Thessalonians 5:17- “pray without ceasing.” (ESV)
JOYce Partridge
Leola, Arkansas
Romans 12:9 NIV
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.