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
with God all things are possible Matthew 19:26 NIV
Deb Cordell, Tampa, FL. “The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.” Psalm 121:5-6 NLT
frim whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named
Ephesians.3:15. nKJV
Alicia, Edgewater Fl
Ephesians 3:20-21
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
NIV
JaneS, St. Louis, MO
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 NIV
“Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”
Psalm 119:105
Fran
Opelika, Alabama
Vickie F, Madison, MS
Hear my cry, O God: Attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed, Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever: I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Psalm 61:1-4 NKJV
I have some cathing up to do, so these verses will be my 4,5 and 6.
1 John 4:19 (Amp)
“We love Him, because He first loved us…”
Sheree, Phoenix, AZ “But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called today so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” Hebrews 3:13 NASB
Karin, Medina, MN
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Isaiah 30:21
NIV
Kaitlin W. Rockwall, Tx. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8 NIV)
Tery Sarver, N Chesterfield, VA
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9 NIV
Duvall, WA
If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. (James 3:13 NLT)
Mary Beth Cleveland, Georgia
Ephesians 5:17 NKJV
Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Becky Schuck Isaiah 41:10 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
Bartlett TN
The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
Proverbs 18:10 NIV
Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
Ephesians 5:4 NIV
…the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1John 4:4b
Bethany, huntington, wv
May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience wth joy – col 1:11
Lori, Beaumont, Texas
Show yourself over the heavens, God; may your glory appear above all the earth.
Psalm 57:12 (NAB)
I thrilled to see your verse, my sister and best friend ever! (My sister in Christ AND my real live, shared-a-bedroom-with-growing-up sister!) 🙂 I love you.
Melissa Stevens, Kingwood TX
Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
Luke 22:42 (NIV)
Belinda Smith, Smithfield, NC
and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the [a]saints according to the will of God.
Romans 8:27 NASB
Danna, Atlanta, TX. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me. Psalm 13:6 (NIV)
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
Psalm 51:2 NIV
Cris – New Lenox, IL
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin
Psalm 51:2 NIV
Cindy – Houston, TX
“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 hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16 (NIV)
Jewel from Florien, LA.
For brethren, you have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. Galations 5:13 KJV
You dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
I John 4:4. (NIV)
Kari H
Grand Rapids, MI
So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. – Psalm 90:12 (NASB)
Deneen Horne, Jacksonville,Florida
“For this reason I kneel before the Father,”
Ephesians 3:14 NIV
Andrea Thibodeaux, Carencro, LA
“But you, O LORD, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. “(Psalms 3:3 NLT)
Psalm 119:75
I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.
Kelli Swisher, Beavercreek, OH
Becky Orin, Sugar Land, Texas. Psalm 98:4 KJV, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth, make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
“I know what it is to be in need, and i know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Phil 4:12 NIV
Jackie Jenkins, Youngstown, Ohio (for Grannie) 🙂
Psalm 98:4 KJV “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth, make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise”.
Jan Clifton from Clinton, MS: “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
Galatians 6:14 NIV
Lisa Markley, Cary, NC- Watch over your heart with all diligence, for out of it flow the springs of life.
Proverbs 4:23 NASB
Kathy, Birmingham, Alabama
I Samuel 12:24 ESV
Only fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things He has done for you.
Titus 2:7 NLT
And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.
Becca, Nacogdoches TX
Stacy, Taylor, Texas
“The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.” Proverbs 14:8 (NIV)
Katie, Pittsburgh PA, “Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits” Psalm 103:1-2 NIV
Jennifer – Milford, OH
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.. pslam 143:8 (NIV)
Rebecca Stedman – Houston, TX – Mark 4:39 NASB
And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.
Barbara Q, West Point, Georgia
Matthew 22: 36-39 NIV
36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
Allison Brown
Austin, Tx
but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. (1 Peter 1:19 ESV)
Laura D, Cleveland, OH
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. (Job 23:10 NIV)
Emily Emberson Wichita KS
In the same way, the Spirt helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
Romans 8:26
Maggie Mackriell, Blantyre, Malawi
So then, let us stop judging one another.
Instead, you should decide never to do anything that would make another stumble or fall into sin.
Romans 14:13 GNB
“I praise God for what he has promised; yes, I praise the LORD for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?” Psalms 56:10-11 NLT
Terrie Taylor, Pensacola,Florida
“Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first”,
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel ” 1 Corinthians 13:5 MSG
Aimee Wodkowski, Bay City, MI
“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10(KJV)