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
You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.
I Thessalonians 2:10 (ESV)
Lydia, Gadsden, Alabama
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV
Tammy, McKinney, Tx
“He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them His way.” Psalm 25:9 NLT
Lisa Hamilton, Kingsport, TN
“He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor His anger forever; He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” Psalm 103:9-10 NIV
Jane from Snow Camp, NC: Proverbs 62:1 (NIV)
“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him.”
Karla Columbus OH
Mark 11:24 NIV
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Molly Legg, Gainesville GA
“It will be healing to your body, and refreshment to your bones.” Proverbs 3:8 NASB
Celeste, Thompson’s Station, TN:
My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness.
2 Cor. 12:19 (NIV)
Riche L, Irving, TX
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8 NIV
Vicki Smith, Cleveland, TX But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. I Samuel 12:24 NIV
Brielle Haggerty
Loma Linda, CA
Zephaniah 3:17(NIV)
17 The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Search me,O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See is there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24 NIV
Micki,Prairie Village,KS
Linda, Bartelso, IL. May God give you more mercy,peace, and love. Jude 1:2 NLT
Jennifer Johnson, Keller, TX “So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 NAS
1Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
Michelle, Alberta, Canada
“Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.'”
-Exodus 14:13 NIV
Dione Harjo, Moore, OK; “But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus Christ his son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7 NKJV
Jen, West Palm Beach, FL
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
Psalm 143:10 NIV
Deanna – Oklahoma City
But You O Lord will sit on Your throne forever. Your fame will endure to every generation. You will arise and have mercy on Jerusalem, and now is the time to pity her. Now is the time you promised to help. Psalm 102:12-13 NLT
Marcy in Texas RENEWING OF YOUR MIND Beginning some verses on How To….
Let love be without hypocrisy.
Abhor that which is evil;
Cleave to that which is good.
Romans 12:9 (ASV)
Dawn Moore Buford, GA
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control; against these there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23. ESV
Becky, Stromsburg, NE
Philippians 3:12 The Living Bible
“I don’t mean to say I am perfect. I haven’t learned all that I should even yet, but I keep working towards that day when I will finally be all that Christ saved me for and wants me to be.”
Michelle, North Little Rock, AR
“Be not wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your body
And refreshment to your bones.”
~Proverbs 3:7-8 (ESV)
Mary, Scottsboro, AL “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15 KJV
Dana Johnson, Waterford WI
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, he also glorified.
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Ro 8:29-31 NIV
Trust ye in the Lord forever; for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength
Isaiah 26:4 kjv
Martha, Pelican Rapids, MN For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, no any powers, neither height, nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Bobbie Head, Radium Springs, NM
I have been criucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me, and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Galatians 2:20
Lori McGahey, Nashville, TN
“Cast your burden on the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22 NKJV
Sam Hyle, Katy, TX – fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed; for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ISAIAH 41:10 ESV
Jodi Alley, Humble, TX
But if anyone loves God, he is know by Him.
1 Corinthians 8:3 HCSB
Kaylee Schlabach, Tampa, Florida
14 Satisfy us in the morning with Your steadfast love,
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad for as many days as You have afflicted us,
And for as many years as we’ve seen evil.”
Psalm 90:14-15 ESV
Debbie Stovall from Gardendale, AL
Psalm 121:7-8
“The Lord will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
Staci Adams, Harrisburg, PA
Therefor, Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1 NIV
Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you
Mary Rosevear McNeal
Roswell, Georgia
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” James 4:8
Melanie Jennings Starkville, MS NKJV – Colossians 3:6 – for which things’ sake te wrath of God comets on the sons of disobedience.
Catherine, Fort Wayne, Indiana,
“So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.”
Psalm 90:12 (NASB)
Sue, Groveport, Ohio
Psalm 37:10-11 NIV
A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.
Laura K, Spearfish, SD
Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Eccl 7:8 ESV
Leslie, Kansas City, Missouri
He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. (Job 9:10 NIV)
Muriel in Ontario Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Donna Garvin, Eldorado,Texas
1 Corinthians 13:6 (NIV ’84) Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
Hebrews 4:12 ESV
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Brentwood, TN –
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 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.
Hab. 3:18-19 (NKJV)
Carrie, St. Paul, MN
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29 (NRSV)
For the Lord gives wisdom, from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6 NIV
Dede Mitchell Jacksonville FL
2 Tim 2:21 NAS
Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
Brianne Leonard – greenwood, ar
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. (Galatians 6:9 NLT)
Valerie, Columbus, GA
He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. Revelation 21:4 NLT