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
Nancy Dal Pian, Port Charlotte, FL
Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong. Job 6:24 NIV
Marsha Lee’s Summit, MO
in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience. Ephesians 2:2 NKJ
Judy Williams, Round Hill, Virginia
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”
Ephesians: 4:31. NIV
Cassie Roth Tunnel Hill, GA
Ephesians 3:15 NKJV
from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
Ruth B Herrera, San Antonio, Tx. “Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.”
Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)
Linda S, The Woodlands, TX
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”
2 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)
Chandler, OK
2 Peter 2:5 (NKJV)
5 and [God] did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly;
Rebecca Stern – Austin, Texas
“O Lord, God of my salvation; I cry out day and night before you. Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry.” Psalm 88:1-2 ESV
God is working in you giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do the things that please him. Philippians 2:13. NIV
Christina Fort Worth TX
Also, from today on I am He alone, and none can deliver from My hand. I act, and who can reverse it? ” Isaiah 43:13 HCSB
Kelly, Charlotte, NC
And so from the day we heard we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding
Colossions 1:9 ESV
Linda Lorring, Reno, NV
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15 (NIV)
Vicki, Howell, MI: And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV)
Sarah Whitt, Fort Worth, TX
“My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.”
Psalms 62:5-6 NASB
Beth Heneghan; Chelmsford, MA “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” Proverbs 24:3-4 NIV
Lisa Lucik
Sugar Land, TX
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.
Isaiah 43:2 NIV
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”[a]
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 5:5b-11
Stephanie Flake Louisville MS
As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103: 13-14
So in Christian we who are many forms one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Romans 12:5. NIV
Pamela DeStefano, Schwenksville, PA, “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:17 (NKJV)
Terri Assael – State College, PA
21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
John 20:21-22 NIV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
Lisa
Norco, California
Psalm 119:9 “I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.”
NIV
Katy, TX
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1 ESV)
Tara Hollingsworth, Loganville, GA1 Thessalonians 4:1 HCSB
Finally then, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus, that as you have received from us how you must walk and please God — as you are doing — do so even more.
Romans 8:1
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Rita Martin, Prague, OK
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. Psalm 13:5 NIV
Patti In Birmingham, Alabama
Psalm 130:5-6
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
And in His word I do hope.
My soul waits for the Lord
More than those who watch for the morning-
Yes, more than those who watch for the morning.
Missy – Fuquay Varina, NC
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”(Colossians 3:23-24, NIV)
Lori Smith Little Rock Ar
This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. (1 Corinthians 2:13 NIV)
Pushkala, Louisville, KY – “we all, with unveiled faces are reflecting the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2Cor3:18 HCSB
Lisa, Huntsville, AL:
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
— Romans 8:26, NIV 84
Theresa Dau, Chesterfield, MO
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-14
rhonda
gilmer
Luke 24:44 (NKJV)
Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”
Tobi Tate – Frankfort, KY
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” – Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV
Jamie Wichita, KS
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others…
1 Corinthians 13:5 The Message
Amy Kluemke, Sherman, IL
But you, child of God, run away from all those things. Instead, live in the right way, serve God, have faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, grabbing hold of the life that continues forever. I Timothy 6:11-12a NCV
Katelyn Kraft, Columbus, OH
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” – Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)
Tara Condon, Madisonville, LA
Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Isaiah 58:7 NIV
Mary Jayne Fincher, Holcomb MO “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matt. 6:34 NKJV
Dana Penley, Chicago IL
Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. (Psalms 143:8 NLT)
Vickie Henderson
Russellville, Ar
Psalm 96:8-9
Ascribe to Yahweh the glory of His name; bring an offering and enter His courts. Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness. Tremble before Him, all the earth.
HCSB
Debbie
Murfreesboro,TN
And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to do. Romans 4:21
KJV
Jackie Baumgarten, Bettendorf Ia
1 Peter 2:9 NIV
But you are a chosen people a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God that you may dclaire the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Amber Ball, Nicholasville, KY
I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand and say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid; I will help you.’ Isaiah 41:13 GWT
Lynne VP
Des Moines, Iowa
Trust in the Lord and do good;dwell in the land and enjoy safe pastures. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give each you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:3-4
NIV
Susie, Northville, MI
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life
in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 NIV
Angie, Bentonville
But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. (1 Thessalonians 5:8 NIV)
Sue Heth Elk Run Heights, IA Is 45:3 NLT
And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness— secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.
Lisa Hill, Flagstaff, AZ Psalms 73:25-26
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. 26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.