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
Barbara Severns, Eagle, Idaho
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.
Isaiah 55:8 NASB
Billie, Franklin,TN
Colossians 3:12 NIV
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Danielle Beaver Dam, WI
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
Philippians 4:4 (NIV)
Karina
Baton Rouge,La.
“God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before Him.”
Psalm 18:20 (MSG)
Lou, Jenison, MI
The Lord will give strength to His people: The Lord will bless His people with peace. Psm. 29:11 NASB
Leslie Bishop, Cedar Grove, NC
“And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your strength.”
Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV
Jaime ~ Wilson,NC
1 John 4:10 (NIV)
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Rochelle Hoffman Smiths Grove, KY “He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3
Lisa
Hendersonville,TN
I have told you these things,so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart I have overcome the world.
John 16:33. NIV
Robin, Lenoir City, TN
It is the same with my word. I send it out and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to and it will prosper everywhere I send it. You will live in joy an peace.
Isaiah 55:11-12a NLT
Martha, Asheville, NC
“It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.” Phil. 2:13 NIV
Carmen Ashford.
Okla City Ok
~ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, ~Colossians 3:23 NIV
Dionne Crawford
Chicago, Il
” I have made you, and I will carry you, i will sustain you & I will rescue you.”
Is. 46:4 (NIV)
Thank you, Jesus for this promise!
Amy – Rapid City SD:
So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.
Psalms 90:12 NASB
Plano, Texas
Proverbs 18:10 NIV
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
Ann, Springboro, OH
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV)
Diane, Durham NC
Lamentations 3:21-23 (NIV)
21 Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceivd, no eye has seen any God besides You, who acts on behalf of those who waits for HIm. Is 64:4 NIV
Mariposa, Albuquerque NM
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Joshua 1:8 NIV
Philippians 2:3-4 ESV
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Candace, Ella and Annalise – Flower Mound, Tx
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Danielle Rye,
Cedar Park, TX
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” Psalm 34:17 NIV
Kathy Rye,
Cedar Park, TX
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” Psalm 34:17 NIV
Anja Drenth, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands,
Laat mijn onderricht niet los,houd het vast,
vergeet het nooit, het is je leven.
Spreuken 4:12 NBV
Debbie Pell, – Rogersville. MO
Daniel 9:9. NIV
The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him;
Ooltewah, TN “Wash away all my iniquity and cleans me from my sin.” Psalm 51:2
Martha from Corpus Christi
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8 NIV
Megan S.–Kansas City, KS
1 Peter 1:18-19 NIV
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers…
Sherry Lee, Owensboro Ky
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid.
Psalm 27:1 (KJV)
Blue Springs, MO
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
Ephesians 3:16
Sarah Houston, TX
Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Psalm 96:1 NIV
Sharon Curfman, Owasso, OK Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3 (NIV)
“May the favor of The Lord our God rest on us; Establish the work of our hands for us – yes, establish the work of our hands.”
Psalm 90:17 NIV
Susan C.
Altamonte Springs, Florida
Debbie Sullivan, Springfield MO
The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.
Psalm 28:7 (NLT)
Psalm 145:5 NIV
They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
Crystal & Reese, Canton MI
Psalm 84:6 – NLT
When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.
Pamela, Mechanicsville, VA.
14″For this reason I bow my knees before the Father.”
Ephesians 3:14 ESV
Lisa Snyder in Montgomery, TX
2 Timothy 1:7A New English Translation (NET Bible)
For God did not give us a Spirit of fear
Jennifer Tunstall Deer Park, TX
Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? Romans 6:16 NLT
Angie W., Federal Way, WA
For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6b ESV
Nancy Parks
Houston, TX
“[H]e saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.”
Titus 3:5a
Imelda H.-Toledo, OH
Job 8:21 (AMP)
He will yet fill your mouth with laughter [Job] and your lips with joyful shouting.
Tiffany Boles
Wheeling wv
Into your hand I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.
Psalm 31:5 NIV
Romans 8:29
For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Donna Gantt, Athens, Louisiana: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8, KJV
Escondido, CA
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing”. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)
Terrie Cash~~Pensacola, Florida.
Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. (Hebrews 2:1 ESV)
Andrea, San Diego, CA
“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.” -Psalm 13:5-6 NIV
Angel Turnbow, Haughton, Louisiana: “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.” Psalm 100:1-5, KJV
And I will betrothed you to me forever
I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the Lord. Hosea 2:19-20 ESV