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
Teresa Maldonado, Austin, TX
Palm 103:5 NLT
He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Auneca from Donalsonville, GA
Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Gal 6:9 NIV
Laura, Bryan, TX: “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago”. – Ephesians 2:10, ESV
Lorri Sapp, Oak Grove, MO, “It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your face, for You loved them.” NIV
Miranda S • West Virginia • “a friend loves at all times, but a brother is born for adversity” Proverbs 17:7 NIV
Heather, Petrolia ON
“Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob.” Psalm 24:6 NIV
Kelly Parker, Shreveport, La
Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.
Psalm 84:12 NIV
Melissa Briggs, Brandon, MS
Soooo late this time! My verse is from Isaiah 43:18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” NIV
Ruth, Austin, Texas
“that man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;”
James 1:7
NIV
Carol Hosaflook, Abilene, TX For th wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23 KJV
Kimberley, Greensboro, NC. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4 NIV)
Jesse Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
Lynchburg, VA
“Create in me a clean heart oh God. And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation. And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will be converted to You.” Psalm 51:10-13 (NKJV)
Numbers 22-24 NIV
The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his fave to shine on you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
Mary Anne Kent, Austin Texas
I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel,
so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.
And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Philippians 1:12-14
Job 42.2 ( NKJ )
I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Your can be withheld from You.
Alicia Lee, Willow Park, TX
Psalm 90:12 NASB
So teach us to number our days, that we may present to you a heart of wisdom.
March 22,2015 (I am sorry this post is so late)
Here in is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
John 15:8 KJV
Jackie UK
Ephesians 4 16 NIV
I pray that out of His glorious riches
He may strengthen you with power through His spirit in your inner being
Patti, Shalimar, FL, “But blessed is he one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.” Jeremiah 17:7 (NIV)
Nancy Williams, Holcomb, MO,
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage, do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
Casey S Murray,Ky
For I consider that our present sufferings cannot even be compared to the glory that will be revealed to us Romans 8:18
Ruth. Bartlett, TN. In my distress I called unto the Lord, and cried unto my God; He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry came before Him,even in to His ears. Psalm 18:6 KJV
Isiah 43:18 NIV
“Forget the former things ; do not dwell on the past.”
Amy, Shiloh, IL, Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Psalm 68:19 NIV
Priscilla Nash
San Antonio
“Be in harmony and at peace with God. In this way you will have prosperity. (Job 22:21 GW)
Noralee, Texas but in El Salvador
Only fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things He had done for you. 1Samuel 12:24 ESV
Jennifer Haglund; Story City, IA: “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25 (NLT)
Anne Acker, Johnson City, TN
1 Chronicles 16:29 (ESV)
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; bring and offering and come before Him. Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.
Valerie ~ Shawnee, OK
“I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever; with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 89:1 KJV
Whitney from New Orleans
Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. (Matthew 6:21 NLT)
Christi Hudson, Newnan, GA
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NLT
Kim Safina, Central Coast California
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 4:16
a bit late on blog but never too late for Christ Jesus to know my heart.
Jessy Perzel, Lakeville, MN – “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4 (NIV)
Catherine, Forney, TX
from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth is named, Eph. 3:15 (ESV)
“We love because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 NIV
Allyson
League City TX
Psalm 86:4 ESV
“Gladden the soul of your servant, for to You, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.”
Tammy, White House, TN
When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.
Psalm 94:19 NLT
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday,, Psalm 91 6 (NIV)
Barbara
Eagle, Idaho
Look carefully then how you walk,
not as unwise but as wise,
making the best use of the time,
because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:15-16 (ESV)
Missy Newman Andersonville, TN The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. Psalm 19:8
In the same way heaven will be happier over one lost sinner who returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away. Luke 5:17 (NLT)
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
Carol Rea Midland, Texas
For in Him we live and move and have our being.
Acts 17:28a
Deborah, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
You walked through the water of the mighty sea, but Your footprints were never seen.
Psalm 77:19 (CEV – Contemporary English Version)
Melissa Beth
Murphy IL
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4 (ESV)
Debby Conway
Clinton, Mississippi
Psalm 119:37 NLT
Turn my eyes from worthless things and give me life through your word.
Lara Harris Spring Hill, TN
Mark 10:52 NASB
And Jesus said to him, go your faith has made you well. Immediately he regained his sight and began following him on the road.
brookville, Ohio
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Wendy Berenson, Mechanicsville, VA
“If you do what the Lord wants, he will make certain each step you take is sure. The Lord will hold your hand, and if you stumble, you still won’t fall.”
Psalms 37:23-24 CEVDCUS06