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
Carol, Cashion, OK “Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.” II Corinthians 4:1-2 NIV
Leslie
Oakland, MD
Fear not for I am with you,
Do not be dismayed, for I am your God,
I will strengthen you, Iwill help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand
Isaiah 41:10. NIV
My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness, KJV
“If you abide in My word, you are My disciplesvindeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
John 8:31-32 NKJV
Ronda Fowler, Tallahassee, Florida “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:” Philippians 2:5,6 (KJV)
Angi, Pelham, AL
I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repeant in dust and ashes.
Job 42:5-6 KJV
Robin LeGrand – Winfield,Kansas
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)
Cathy, Rhinebeck, NY
All your children will be taught by the LORD, and great will be their peace. Isaiah 54:13 (NIV)
Whitney Hazzard, Little Elm, TX
So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 NASB
Charity Verlander
Cardiff, Wales
We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure,,so that we despaired even of life. Indeed in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But…this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.
2 Corinthians 1:8-9
Lynn Hartselle, Huntsville, AL
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.
1 John2:15 NIV
Avoid godless chatter because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
NIV 2 Tim 2:16
Stephanie and daughter Madison, Louisville, KY
Eph 3:15 RSV
from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named
Robin, Orange City, Iowa….. Psalm 63:5 NLT “You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise You with Songs of Praise.”
Stephanie Reynolds, Austin, So teach us to nmber our days, that we may present to you a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 NASB
“O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.”
Psalms 84:12 NIV
Neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God, that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:39
Job 5:8,9. HCSB
I would appeal to God and would present my case to Him. He does great and unsearchable things, wonders without numbers.
Melissa, Durham NC
The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble;
and he knoweth them that trust in him. Nahum 1:7 KJV
Nancy Oliver, Centerville, OH
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
I John 1: 9-10 NIV
You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:3 NKJV)
Valerie Finch, Warrensburg, MO
Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4
Tanya from Raleigh, NC
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do and He will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3 NIV
Sallie E, Gatesville, NC
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV)
Sandra
Keller, TX
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:3
Carolyn Burke, Hermitage TN
But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!
2 Chronicles 15:7 NKJV
Andrea Roberts, Kingsville, MO
“My dearly loved brothers, understand this: Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.” James 1:19-20 (HCSB)
Kari, Wheaton, IL — “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
Yipee.
Janice Euless, Texas
So we do not loose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 4:16 ESV
Robyn Conners Olathe, KS
So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 NKJV
Janet, Holmes Beach, Florida
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
I John 3:18 NIV
Cher Goeder – Toledo, OH
Psalm 25:14 NIV
“The Lord confides in those who fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them.”
Kayla N., Jacksonville FL
I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. (Psalm 138:2 ESV)
Beth C, Hunstville, AL
Proverbs 3:5 &6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.
Cheryl Melton, Fort Worth TX
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
(2 Corinthians 12:9 a ESV)
Gabby Cianciotto-Dickinson Texas
“The Lord loves the righteous.”
~ Psalm 146:8 NIV
Pam Jackson, Blue Springs, MO
“From whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,” Ephesians 3:15 ESV
Luke 1:37 KJV
For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Kristen, Long Island, NY.
“Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand.”
Philippians 4:5, ESV
Sara Morris Alpharetta, GA
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”
Psalm 143:10 NIV
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything with thanksgiving make your requests known to God and the peace that transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6-7 NIV
Stacy Fountain
Kate Fountain
Mary Dean Fountain
Bess Fountain
Dothan, AL
The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.
Mark 12:31, ESV
Faith from Waynesburg KY- “Fear not for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. ” Isaiah 43:1 ESV
ooops! I had surgery this past Monday so can’t remember if I posted my # 6 verse, but if not, here it goes (but if I did, here it goes again!)
Psm 67:4 NIV
May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for You rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth.
Kate from Cheney,WA
Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others too. Philippians 2:4, NLT
Karen H, Conway AR –
I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My cell show Mike it’s boast in the Lord. The humble show here and rejoice. Magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt his name together.
Psalm 34:1-3 NASB
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28
NASB
Melinda Brown, Olive Branch, MS “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. Matt. 11:29 NASB
Shaci Tillman- Aztec,NM
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:9 NIV
from Pearland, TX
PSALM 90:12. NASB
So teach us to number our days, that we present to You a heart of wisdom.
Marilyn Brown in The Plains, OH says:
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
Jas.1:19-20 NIV