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
Paige Lacey, Sandersville, GA
“Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be embittered against them.”
Colossians 3:18-19 NASB
Jessica Porche, Dover, TN
For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:6 ESV)
Jen Hackler
Monroe, La
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit the orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James 1:27
Andrea*B, jefferson City MO
Consequently he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them Hebrews7:25 ESV
Verse 6
Leslie
Union,KY
Psalm 27:4
One thing I have desired of the Lord,
That I will seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life
To behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.
(NKJV)
Jennifer Harris, Jackson, MO
” the Lord your God is in your midst, The Mighty One will save. He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
Kelei. Iowa Park, Tx
Jeremiah 33:3 NIV
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
‘Teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.’
Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
Karen, Amarillo. And as shoes for your feet having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. Eph.6:15 ESV
The joy of the Lord is my strength. Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)
Diane, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Susan from Albuquerque
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph. 2:10 NIV
Karen Foster, Warsaw, IN
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13 ESV
Donna, Leonard, Tx
But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love;
For you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
Psalm 59:16 NIV
Donna, Mt. Juliet, TN
Psalm 121:7-8 HCSB
The Lord will protect you from all harm; He will protect your life.
The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever.
Angie, Markham.
Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, tomorrow can worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34 NIV
Kim Bunting, Colfax, LA
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.
1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV
Kristi, Lenoir City TN
Don’t worry about anything, instead pray about everything.
Philippians 4:6
Jean Everett ~ Lebanon, Tennessee
“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”
Proverbs 31:26 ESV
Sarah Wiginton – Claremore, OK
Psalm 27:8-You have said, “Seek my face”, My heart says to you, “Your face,Lord, do I seek.”
This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.
James 1:19 NASB
Becky Parrish, Lynchburg, VA
As for you, be calm and cool and steady, accept and suffer unflinchingly every hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fully perform all the duties of your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:5 AMP
Alaina // Tyler, TX
1 Sam 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.
Nanci, Albuquerque. “So if you have been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth. ” Col 3:1-2. Holman Christian Standard Bible.
Kristen, Binger OK
Psalm 118:24. NLT
This is the day the Lord has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Julie Grissett, Sugar Land, TX
“Then he said to them all: If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23 NIV
Praise the Lord.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Psalm 106:1NIV
He that dwells in the secret place of the Most High will abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord,He is my refuge and my fortress, my God,in Him will I trust.
[Psalm 91:1 & 2]
The 23rd Psalm over the next few weeks 🙂
I’ve always wanted to memorize it!!
But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
James 1:6. NIV
Megan – Tyler, TX
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
-Psalm 90:12
Kimberley, Seattle, Wa
“For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 ( NIV)
Leigh, Woodway, TX
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
Nancy, Junction City, AR
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself
and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23 NKJ
Beth, Troy MI “The LORD is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 NIV
Pat Rickman, Escondido, CA
Why am I so depressed? Why this turmoil within me? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:5
Cecelia Stewart Tustin, CA
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn
Isaiah 61:2 NIV
Kari, Cypress, TX.
So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. – Psalm 90:12 (NASB)
Christine Caine Sydney Australia “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes” Isa 54:2 (NIV)
Hi Chris! 🙂
Dana Plett- Gold River, BC Canada
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10 ESV)
Jo, Fremont, CA
“The LORD is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made.”
Psalm 145:9 NIV
Jayn, Sam Diego, California
I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? (Psalms 121:1 NLT)
CIndy C., WIlton, England
“But the Advocate, The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
John 14:26 NIV
But as for me, (AT)the nearness of God is my good;
I have made the Lord [ad]God my refuge,
That I may (AV)tell of all Your works.
Psalm 61:6 (NIV)He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
Kathy
Chattanooga, TN
Donna Mayfield, Archdale, NC
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death–even death on a cross! Philippians 2:8 (NIV)
Deborah Starkey; Proctorville, OH
He who dwells in the shelter of the most high will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 ESV
For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.
John 1:16 NAS Erika, Monson MA
Charmaine,Jefferson City, MO
“I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because He inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call on Him as long as I live.”
Psalm 116:1-2 ESV
Sandra Kent, Gwinn MI
Psalm 27:14 ESV: Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!
Vicki, Wilmington, NC
Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1John 2:15 NKJV