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
Shannon, Mandeville. “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love”. Gal. 5:6 TNIV
Christi Bruecher – Houston, TX
This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.
Psalm 119:50 ESV
Sarah, Marion, KS
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Isaiah 58:7, NIV
Cindy
Hesperia, CA
Psalm 91:1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. NIV
Sara, Sugar Land, TX
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power[a] is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.
2 Cor. 12:9 (HCSB)
Philippians 3:8a ESV “indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing WORTH of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” Laura Johnson kennewick, WA
Brenda, Ottawa, ON, Canada
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
John 16:33 NKJV
Janice Parent, Waynesburg, KY
Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. Deut. 4:9 NIV
I Corinthians 13:5 (NKJV)- “does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;…”
Julie Kunz,Seattle, WA.
If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.
1 John 2:29 ESV
Leslyn, Houston, TX
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Psalm 32:8, ESV
Courtney
Seattle, WA
Romans 5:7-8 (ESV)
For one will scarcely die for a righteous person–though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die–but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Karen Riekeman
Coffeyville Kansas
Romans 8:31 ESV
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Tina Crouch
Waxahachie, Texas
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Rejoice always,
pray continually,
give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for your in Christ Jesus.
Tami
Platte, South Dakota
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
“You will keepin perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”
Kari Ellis, Bloomington, MN: “But I do not count my life of any value to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the good news of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24 NRSV
Better late than not at all….Diane w, Troutdale, or….Ephesians 4:29 NIV, 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.
Veronica Harvey
Colorado Springs CO
So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. – Psalm 90:12 (NASB)
Luke 21:36. HCSB But be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man.
Logansport, IN But be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man. Luke 21:36. HCSB
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ehpesians 4:32
Nikki James; Maumelle, AR
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
James 3:13 NIV
Margie Snyder
Groveland, Florida
Revelation 19:6b-7a (NIV)
Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!
Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it.
Ecclesiastes 12:7 NKJ
Rebecca, Ft Wayne IN “It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; & while they are still speaking, I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24, NASB
Kristin Blatz, Kettering, Ohio
Ephesians 4:2-3 (NIV)
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Jennifer, Topeka, Kansas
“Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.”
Psalms 27:14
NASB
i love this verse!!!
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14 NASB)
Annette, Columbus, OH
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John
John 1:6 ESV
Kolette, Denbigh, ND- “He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are young.” Isaiah 40:11 NKJV
Wanda
Osborn, Missouri
The steps of the godly are directed by the LORD.
He delights in every detail of their lives.
Psalm 37:23 (NLT)
Michelle Vardeman, Russellville, AR
The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18 NIV
Diane, Nowata OK. 1 Corinthians 10:31. NIV
“So whatever you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Janet Mc, Crystal Lake, IL –
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 NIV
Karin Peters, College Station, Tx
Though you have not seen him you love him. Though you do not see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peters 1:8-9 ESV
Richelle, Kingston, TN
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want,
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside still waters,
He restores my soul,
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies,
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Psalm 23 ESV
I have this memorized, but feel like God wants me to focus on this for now. 🙂
Kim from Mary Esther, FL
1 Samuel 12:23a RVR1960
Así que, lejos sea de mí que peque yo contra Jehová cesando de rogar por vosotros
1 Samuel 12:23a ESV
Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you
Lisa V, Washington, NJ Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:12-14, ESV
Jennifer, Melbourne, FL
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, (Colossians 3:23 NIV)
Sheri Martens, Fairview, OK
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5: 16 – 18
Naperville, IL
but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
James 3:8 ESV
Sandy – Dodge City, KS
1 Corinthians 14:33 New International Version (NIV)
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.
Naperville, IL
To him who is able to keep you from falling & to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy. To the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord before all ages, now & forevermore! Amen.
Jude 24-25 NIV
Jackie Adington – Waynesburg, KY – 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)
Mitzi in Long Beach, CA
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
Hebrews 10: 23. NIV
Melinda, Montgomery, AL
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
Eph 3:14
Miranda Oliver, Grand Lake, La
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalms 139:23-24 KJV)
Karen – Greer, SC: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)
CeCelia, Houston, Texas
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 (NIV)
Dean Jones, Barbourville, Ky
Psalm 9:10 NIV
Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lors, have never forsaken those who seek you.