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
Susan Kreider Bird in Hand, PA
For this reason I kneel before the Father Eph 3:14 NIV
Amy Lefkowitz, Richmond,VA
So the LORD must wait for you to come to Him so He can show you His love and compassion.
For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for His help.
Isaiah 30:18, NLT
Karen Edlund, Rochester, MN
Romans 9:16 NCV
“So God will choose the one to whom he decides to show mercy; his choice does not depend on what people want or try to do.”
Dana, McKinney TX
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV)
Erin in Euless, TX
Isaiah 9:3 (NLT)
“You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice.
They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder.”
Sheila Boor, Osceola, IA, Let love and faithfulness
never leave you; bind them around your neck, write
them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 3:3
Tammy Wells, Cairo, GA
O LORD of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You! (Psalms 84:12 NKJV)
Jackye Bowen, Pendergrass, GA “Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands.” Psalm 119:66. NIV
Ann from Senatobia, Mississippi
Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts. Psalm 90:12 (HCSB)
Ashlyn Bowen, Pendergrass, GA “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
Erica, Ontario CA
Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. Proverbs 21:23 ESV
Ansley Bowen, Pendergrass, GA “knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” James 1:3, NASB
Sharice, Shelby, NC
“So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.”
Psalm 90:12 NIV
Champlin, Minnesota – “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (NIV)
Lesley
Steamboat Springs, CO
The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
John 10:3 (NIV)
Apex, NC
To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 5:11 (NIV)
Jennifer,Center Point,IA
That which was from the beginning,which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes,which we have looked at and our hands have touched-this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.
1John1:1 NIV
Valerie
Clinton, Me
“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” ~Hebrews 11:8 (NIV)
But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it– he will be blessed in what he does.
James 1:25 NIV
Rebecca. Helena, AL
Lisa Rogers, Valley Center, KS
The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. (Psalm 28:8 NIV)
Karen R. Ford, Stilwell, Oklahoma ~ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV)
Nicole
Wideman,AR
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 NKJV
Ginger Hawthorne, Houston, Texas
Patience leads to abundant understanding,
but impatience leads to stupid mistakes.
Proverbs 14:29 (CEB)
MaryBeth Sauter Mechanicville,N.Y.
But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of
Israel on that day says the Lord. I will put my instructions
deep within them and I will write them on their hearts. I will
be their God and they will be my people. Jeremiah 31:33 NIV
Barbara, Fort Wayne, IN. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2Corinthians 10:4
Kat Roemmich Fargo ND Philippians 1:27b ESV
So that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you standing firm in one spirit.
Philippians 1:27b ESV
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 NLT
Reba Warren, Wickenburg, Arizona. “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:6 NKJV
Marsha, Batesville,Ms
Hebrews 3:7-8a NLT
“That is why the Holy Spirit says, Today when you hear His(the Spirit’s) voice don’t harden your hearts.”
Terri McKeever, Katy, Tx
Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and He will say: Here am I.
If you do away with the yoke of oppression,with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
Isaiah 58:9-10 (NIV)
This is my command–be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 (NLT)
Behold, I stand at the door and knock;if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him and he with Me.
Revelations 3:20 NASB
mh, San Mateo, CA
Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;
Colossians 4:2
NASB
Mary Ellen in Laurel, MT
“So teach us to number our days, that we may present to you a heart of wisdom. ” Ps. 90:12 NASB
Sarah Barker, Greensboro, NC
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires. (Psalms 37:4 NLT)
Lori – McDonough, GA
You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into Glory. Psalm 73:24 NIV
how priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
People take shelter in the shadow of your wings. Paalms 36:7 niv
So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed , for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Shawna, Aurora, NE
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22 NIV
Amanda
West Monroe, La
Philippians 2:14 NLT
Do everything without complaining and arguing.
Boom – I love it when He doesn’t mince words!!
Alyssa Tabor
Springfield, MO
“It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me. Who is he that will condemn me?”
Isaiah 50:9a NIV 1984
Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
I Corinthians 15:58b
Debra Tillman, Zachary, LA
“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26 NIV
Darlene Selinger, Grapevine, Texas – “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 (NIV)
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love.Honor one another above yourselves.
Romans 12: 9-10
Lauren Clontz, Danville, KY
“‘And then I came by. I saw you all miserable and bloody. Yes, I said to you, lying there helpless and filthy, “Live!…”
Ezekiel 16:6 The Message
“Stand therefore having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness” Ephesians 6:14 NKJV
2 Corinthians 12:9. NIV
But he said to me, ” My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christs’ power may rest on me.
Karly Fris, Willow Springs, Mo
For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Romans 8:6
Greensboro, NC – Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed;
he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand.
Psalm 20:6 NIV