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
La Plata, MD “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1, KJV
Juanita
Boston, MA
For the word of God is living and active
Hebrews 4:12a ESV
Eleanor
Memphis, TN
Psalm 105:3-4English Standard Version (ESV)
3 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
4 Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
Psalm 18:30 NIV
As for God, his way is perfect: The Lords word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in Him.
Dana Aden, Cape Girardeau, Mo
“Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him to help you do it and he will.”
Psalms 37:5 TLB
Kathleen, Georgetown, TX
Psalm 90:12 NIV
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Forest City, IA
So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
1 Thessalonians 2:7-8
Julie Kopanke from Leonardtown, MD
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God”
Philippians 4:6 NIV
Jennifer Crider Madisonville Ky He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10 NIV)
Carla Seeley, Georgetown, TX
“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
2 Corithians 13:14 ESV
Marleeta, Florence, CO
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace
Ephesians 6:15, NASB
Christy, Cape Girardeau, MO. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18 (NIV)
Mary Beth, St. Louis, MO
“Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive[a] so that you will have the right response for everyone.”
Colossians 4:5-6 (NLT)
Fairfield, Ca.
Look to the Lord and his strength, seek his face always.
Psalm 105:4
Brenda Heiselt, Bullhead City, AZ.
Hebrews 4:3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,“So I declared on oath in my anger,‘They shall never enter my rest.’”And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world. NIV
Danielle from Cedar Park, TX
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.
Hebrews 1:3 (ESV)
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1 (NIV)
Kristen
Liberty, MO
We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, Colossians 1:9b NIV
Cassia from Spring, TX
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Colossians 3:16 NKJV)
Vicki Hendricks, Cape Girardeau, MO
“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the training of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings; With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory”. At the sound of thier voices the doorpostes and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me! Isaiah 6:1-8
Michele Zamora-Lubbock, TX
Luke 11:13
“If ye being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall
our heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” (KJV)
Toms Brook, VA
“But for us, there is one God, the Father, by whom all things were created, and for whom we live. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created, and through whom we live.” 1 Corinthias 8: 6
Liz Millinor
St Johns, FL
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith..” (Ephesians 3:16-17a NIV)
Jacquie Engbrecht, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! (Psalm 143:10 ESV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
John 3:27. John responded, “No one can receive a single thing unless it’s given to him from heaven. (John 3:27 HCSB)
Carolyn, Terrace BC Canada
Psalm 120:1-2
I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me.
Save me, O Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues.
Judy, Simi Valley, CA
Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.
Psalms 119:36 & 37 NIV
Anita Moore Fort Worth, TX
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.
John 10:27 NIV
Colleen Duebber. Cincinnati, Ohio.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Psalm 23:5 NIV.
Tomi Taulbee, Des Moines, Iowa. Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands give me delight. HCSB
Julie, Gahanna, OH
“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12 NET
Liz from Round Rock, Tx
For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
Psalm 84:11 NASB
Kathy Kaherl, Burlington, CT
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1John 4:4 (NIV)
Leanna Reynolds, Southlake, TX For this reason I bow my knees before the Father. Ephesians 3:14 ESV
Amanda, Washougal, WA
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
Isaiah 43:1-3 NIV
Francine Thacker, Burnet, TX
Avoid Godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 2 Timothy 2:16 NIV
Adrienne, Valdosta, GA
“Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion…”
Psalm 103:4 NIV
Cullman, AL
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. (Psalms 143:10 NLT)
Heather McKinstry
Greendale, Wi
So let us seize and holdfast without wavering the hope we cherish and confess and our acknowledgement of it, for He Who promised is reliable, sure and faithful to His word.
Hebrews 10:23 AMP
Denisha Bonds, Boynton Beach, FL: And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17 ESV
Sharen, Platte City, MO
Eph 3:16 HCSB
I pray that He may grant you,according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power in the inner man through His spirit,
Lorri Phoenix City, Am. Psam 18:30-31 the Living Bible
What a God he is! How perfect in every way! All his promises prove true. He is a shield for everyone who hides behind him. For who is God except our Lord? Who but he is as a rock?
Malia Roman, Oceanside, CA
And they have conquered him by the blood of the lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
Revelation 12:11 ESV
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.
Lam. 3:24-25 NKJV
Rachael Sol from Marietta, GA
Psalm 105:4-5, NLT: “Search for the Lord and for His strength; continually seek Him. Remember the wonders He has performed, His miracles, and the rulings He has given.”
Ellen from Bad Axe Michigan 1 Peter 1:6(TLB)
So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though the going is rough for a while down here.
Jennifer Cook, Pullman, WA
“Serve the Lord with gladness!…” –Psalm 100:2a, ESV
Lynne Priestley, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the faith you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:7 NLT
Angie
Albertville AL
For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you once walked, when you were living in them. Col 3:6-7 NASB