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
Sharon, Barrington
“And we know that in all things God works for the good for those who love him and are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 NIV
Jamie, Coupeville WA
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.
Psalm 139:23-24
Dripping Springs, Texas
Psalm 8:1:
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth. You have set your glory above the heavens.
Addy Cianciotto, Dickinson, TX “The true light which gives light to everyone was coming into the world.” John 1:9 ESV
Kristie Larsen, Mesa, AZ
“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be Still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” Mark 4:39 NIV
Mary
Florida
Psalm 90:12. NASB
“So teach us to number our days, that we may present to you a heart of wisdom. “
Ps. 56:9 niv
Than my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this they will know that God is for me.
Darlene J.
New Carlisle, OH
So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
Colossians 1:10 ESV
Heather Evans, Bryan, TX
Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God”?
Isaiah 40:27(NIV)
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1 ESV
April Jsckson, Lagrange, GA
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:18 NIV
Psalm 55:22 NIV
“Give your burdens to The Lord and he will take care of you. He will not permit the Godly to slip and fall.”
So teach me to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12 NASB
Emily York St. Paul, MN “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)
Pattie Breningstall – Orlando, FL
Above all else guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Kathryn, Oceanside, “Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18 NLT
Shelley, Lebanon, TN
A friend loves at all times.
Proverbs 17:17
Jessica B, North Potomac, MD
We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.
Proverbs 16:9 (NLT)
Paula, OKC, OK: We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. James 3:2
Thank you Beth, Melanie and LPM for sharing God’s love and yours with us through your testimonies and His word!
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1 NIV
Liza – Monmouth Junction, NJ
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12 NIV)
Sheli, Blaine MN
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.
Col. 3:23. ESV
Terry
Washington, IL
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?
Psalms 56:11 NLT
O Lord of Hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth thee
Psalm 84:12 KJV
Andree – Evansville, IN
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. Eph. 2:6 NIV
Lisa, West Columbia, TX
“nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,nor the plague that destroys at midday.” Psalm 91:6(NIV)
Working on Psalm 91 as a whole, v. 6 kind of weird all by itself 🙂
Rebecca Alread, St. Simons Island, GA. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
Sara Rogers, Murray, KY
“For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending His own son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh”
Romans 8:3, ESV
Jen … Fort Worth, Texas
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, (Colossians 3:23 ESV)
Kelsey Baker, Milledgeville, GA
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 1:6, NIV
Mathew 15:24-28 Amplified
24 He answered, I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
25 But she came and, kneeling, worshiped Him and kept praying, Lord, help me!
26 And He answered, It is not right (proper, becoming, or fair) to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.
27 She said, Yes, Lord, yet even the little pups (little whelps) eat the crumbs that fall from their [young] masters’ table.
28 Then Jesus answered her, O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you wish. And her daughter was cured from that moment.
Tina from Eaton Colorado
“If Your revelation hadn’t delighted me so, I would have given up when the hard times came.” Psalm 119.92, The Message
In honor of Nancy and her dear Kyle.
Beautiful, Pam.
Colleen Robinson- Dennison, Ohio
II Thessalonians 2:14
Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Colossians 4:2
Devote yourself to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13 NIV
“For He Himself is our peace….”
Ephesians 2:14a NIV
Sherri, Indian Trail, NC
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Romans 5:3 (NAS)
“And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope”
Carolyn
Wheaton, IL
That which was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life…
And the Life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us.
1 John 1:1-2.
~Suzie, Fort Mill, SC
“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.” Psalm 50:15 NAS
Brigette Brock
Morehead, Ky
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14
NIV 84
Annalee
Morehead, Ky
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14
NIV84
Natalie, Jonesboro, AR
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Romans 8:25
Sarah Miller, Melbourne, Florida ‘He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. He counts the stars and calls them all by name.How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension!”Psalm 147:3-5
Austin, TX
Pray without ceasing. I Thessalonians 4:17 The Living Bible
Lichelle Austin Texas Deuterony 6:23
But he brought us out from there to bring us in and give us the land that he promised on oath to our forefathers NIv
Gwen B, Edina, MN
“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father.”
Eph 3:14 (ESV)
Lindsey Gibson, Soddy-Daisy, TN… Psalm 26:2 Examine me, Oh Lord, and try me; Test my mind and my heart.
Galatians 5:13New International Version (NIV)
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
Eucha, OK
Psalm 121:7
The lord will protect you from all harm; He will protect your life.