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
Heidi, Amarillo, TX
There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Jesus Christ appears. Phillipians 1:6 Message
Sue Palmer Elkton, MD “The one who peers into the perfect law of liberty and fixes his attention there, and does not become a forgetful listener but one who lives it out – he will be blessed in what he does.” James 1:25 NET
Juley Metcalf, Spicewood, Texas:
“Search for the LORD and for His Strength; continually seek Him.”
~Psalm 105:4 (NLT)
Vicki Mendell, Talala, OK
Do everything without complaining and arguing. Philippians 2:14 NLT
Ramona Gellick
Medina, Ohio
Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Leslie Jordan, Rochester, MN
“Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.”
-Joel 2:13 ESV
Amy, Crown Point, Indiana
“You are The Lord, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you”.
Nehemiah 9:6. ESV
Romans 8:6 (ESV)
6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Linda Reno, NV
Zephaniah 3:17 ESV
The Lord your God is in your midst,
a might one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.
Karen, Saint Petersburg, Florida
He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. -Psalm 103:4, NLT
Cassie, Seattle, WA
“Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgement, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.” Psalm 1:5 NIV
Kim Hayes, Rio Rancho,NM
“But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.” Hebrews 3:6. NIV
Polly Wright, Bixby, OK
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding WILL guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:7
Kyleene Anderson, Yucaipa, CA all of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. Ephesians 2:3 NIV
2 Corinthians 2:14 NIV
But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.
I want to be a sweet smelling aroma of Christ where ever I go
Julie Walker, Noblesville, IN
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God does not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self-discipline.” NTL
So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. – Psalm 90:12 (NASB)
Gina Shipley, San Angelo, Texas
“Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, “They will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”
Revelation 14:13 NIV
Ceffie Bridgeport, WV
Ps 5:3
In the morning ||O Lord you hear my voice,in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectaion.
Kara Vargo
Streetsboro, Ohio
“Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Romans 6:3-4
Lori Boone, Renton WA
Psalm 90:12 NIV
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Shelly Hurst. Leachville, AR. “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.
Linda Hammett from Wake Forest, NC says:
Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am
God, and there is none like me.” (Isaiah 46:9, NIV)
Erika, celebration florida
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27 ESV)
Carol Crabtree, Farmers Branch, TX
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10, NKJV
Paula Rodgers, Norfolk, VA: Numbers 6:24-26 The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you,And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance on you,And give you peace.’ (NASB)
Stephanie Rafferty, La Habra, CA “So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” Psalms 90:12 NASB
Allison Crook – Albuquerque, NM
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
Romans 12:12-13 (NIV)
Sandy Bowers, Bryan, Ohio
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12 (ESV)
Vikki, Jeffersonville, Indiana, Isaiah 55:2, NIV
“Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and you will delight in the richest of fare.”
Kathy Anderson Neosho,MO
“…for you have cast all my sins behind your back”.
Isaiah 38:17c
Lori Fisk, Springdale, AR. Psalm 90:12 NLT
Teach us to realize the brevity of life, st o that we may grow in wisdom.
Robin Wickman, Merriman, NE – And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:27 ESV)
Kristin Smoot – Wahiawa, HI
Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Mande Brightwell. Longview, Tx
I can do all things through him you gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NIV
Shelby Johnson
Glenville, NC
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7
Shari Valdez from Long Beach, California.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. Psalms 130:5 (NKJV)
Sherrie Bell, San Antonio, TX
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.
Romans 8:14
Shonda Vielbig, Ventura, CA Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is –his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV
Lisa Jones, St. Louis, Mo
“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see”
Hebrews 11:1
Kristi- Clovis, CA
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13
Caroline-Broken Arrow, OK
“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose”. Philippians 2:13 NIV
Ginger, Shelby Twp., MI ~ “Wear My yoke – for it fits perfectly – and let Me teach you; for I am gentle and humble, and you shall find rest for your souls;” Matthew 11:29 (Living Bible)
Susan, Statesville, NC
I have made your very being known to them-
Who you are and what you do-
And continue to make it known,
So that your love for me might be in them, exactly as I am in them.
Jonhn 17:26 – The Message
Harmony – Moncton NB Canada. Col 1:11. We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy
Karen from Powell, Ohio,
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me,’.
Matthew 25:40 (NIV)
Forest, VA
“Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God.”
–2 Corinthians 3:5
I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14 KJV
Tess
Cartersville, Ga
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. (John 17:17 ESV)