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
Maiden, NC
Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name.
Psalm 103:1
Carol Bowen, Highlands, NC
Psalm 121:1-2
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills. From whence comets my help?
My help cometh from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Sandy Shiflett, Deming, NM
There are six things that the LORD hates, seven are an abomination to him; haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to evil, a false witness who breaths out lies, and one who sows discord among the brethren.
Prov. 6:16-19 ESV
Midge Miller, Snellville, GA
Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen
Ephesians 3:20-21 KJV
Kathleen D
Bernardsville, NJ
Psalm 71:14 NIV
But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.
Charlotte Carty, Lexington,KY
So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. – Psalm 90:12 (NASB)
Psalm 33:3 (NIV)
Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.
Kathy, Missouri City, TX
Erin Beil, Sneads Ferry, NC
Galatians 6:4-5 (NLT)
Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.
Tomball, Tx
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your request be made to God.”
Phillipians 4:6 NASB
Beth Clark. Columbus, OH. Hebrews 4:13 (NIV) ‘Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give an account.’
Lisa from Waycross, GA
Donna from Albany, GA
Habakkuk 3:19 (NKJV)
“The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills.”
Robyn in San Antonio, Texas
“We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.”
1 Thessalonians 2:8 HCSB
Kymberleigh, southaven , MS
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved” (Ephesians 2:4-5 ESV)
Joel 2:13 KJV
And rent your heart and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God; for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness and repenteth him of evil.
Rachel Lancaster, Harrison AR
As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart. Proverbs 27:19 NIV
Michelle, Hart, MI
After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
1 Peter 5:10, NASB
Tracy, Medicine Lodge, Ks
Isaiah 41:8-10 NLT
“But as for you, Israel my servant,Jacob my chosen one,descended from Abraham my friend, I have called you back from the ends of the earth,saying, ‘You are my servant.’For I have chosen youand will not throw you away. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you.I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Martha McElhaney Ooltewah, TN Matthew 11:28 NIV
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Gloria, Cypress, TX – “That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double- minded and unstable in all they do.” James 1:7-8 NIV
Megan, Sydney, Australia
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self control..
2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
Jennifer Cochran, Sealy, TX
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV
Keri from Tennessee
Jesus replied “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
Matthew 22:37 NIV
Carrie. Atlanta, GA. “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 NIV
“On the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him; he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him.” Job 23:9 (ESV)
…I will sing to the Lord because He has blessed me so richly.
Psalms 13:6
Tammi Edwards, Rockford, IL “Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD.” (Psalms 31:24 NKJV)
Kristi, Telford, PA
Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but whoever gossips about it separates friends. Prov. 17:9 HCSB
Sharon Sohn, Somerville, AL May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight,O Lord,my Rock and my Redeemer.Psalm 19:14 NIV
Lisa Tereshko, Greensburg, PA
“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From whence does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121:1-2 (RSV)
Donna Banks from Franklin, TN
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
James 1:22 ESV
Ps. 85:6
Will You not Yourself revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?
Stephanie from Street, MD
“Be strong and courageous – all you who put your hope in the Lord.”
Psalm 31:24 HCSB
Sarah Tarr, Franklin, TN
For I am sure that neither life nor death, nor Angels nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 ESV
Colleen, Lyndonville, NY
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 1 Peter 3:8 ESV
Nancy- Yonges Island, SC
“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God”
Job 19: 25-26
This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid grave-tending life. It’s adventurously, expectant God with a child-like “What’s next, Papa?” Romans 8:15 MSG
Hayley Warren
Seymour Tx
For every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is subdued and has been subdued by humankind. But no human being can subdue the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people made in God’s image. (James 3:7-9 NET)
Brenda Cousino, Frisco, TX
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:14 NIV)
Evansville, IN
“Finally be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10 (NIV)
Katie Mitchell Jacksonville, FL
Galatians 5:25 NLT
“Since we are living my the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”
Utica, Ohio
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29
It can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
Pat from Keller Texas
Courtney Rohloff, Morris, MN
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4 NIV
Then I looked again at all the acts of oppression which were being done under the the sun and behold, I saw the tears of the oppressed and that they had no one to comfort them. And on the side of their oppressors was power, but they had no one to comfort them. Eccl. 4:1 NASB
Hammond, LA
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Philippians 1:27 (NIV)
Phoebe, Knoxville, TN
Eph. 6:15 ESV
“And, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.”
Thanks for the word. Sounds like a verse for me too!
Kandi – Tallahassee, Florida
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 NIV
Be intentional! Make a difference!
Linda Steriti
Littleton NH
So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the
law of liberty.
James 1:12 NASB
and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5 NASB
Kathy
Fort Smith,AR
Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us.
Eph 3:20. HCSB