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
Debbie, from Key West
Exodus 20:20 NIV
“Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.’ “
Kim
NewPortRichey, FL
Psalm 95:1 NLT
“Come let us sing to the Lord. Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our Salvation.”
Debi Detroyer Emmett, MI
“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Bonny Hansen, Mitchell SD
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 NIV
Tricia, Converse, IN:
“Yahweh your God is among you,
a warrior who saves.
He will rejoice over you with gladness.
He will bring you quietness with His love.
He will delight in you with shouts of joy.”
Zephaniah 3:17, HCSB
James 1:5 NIV
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
Donna Rose. Jayess, MS. So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT.
Chris, Seattle, WA
Proverbs 15:1 NIV
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Kristy McIntyre, Eugene, OR
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
James 3:17 NKJV
Vickie Barbee, Poplar Bluff, MO., “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 NIV
BAM……”those who listen” period.
Kris, Treasure Island, Fl
For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose
Philippians 2:13 (NIV)
Linda O’Neill, Elk Grove, CA
He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. (John 3:30 NLT)
Meg League City TX
I will praise You,Lord,with all my heart;before the “gods” I will praise You.
Psalm 138:1 (NIV)
Vicki in Greeley, CO
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 – KJV)
La Chiel-Portland, Tn
I will be your God throughout your lifetime until your hair is white with age. I made you and I will care for you, I will carry you along and save you.
Isiah 46:4 NLT
Dacia Edmonson, Bullard, Texas
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
Edelle Simmons, Long Beach, CA
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1John 1:9 ESV
Sue in Duncanville, TX — “Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts.” Psalm 119:2 NLT
Natalie Dawes, Calgary, AB, Canada
Your fasting ends in quarrelling and strife,
and ion striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
and expect your voice to be heard on high.
Isaiah 58:4 (NIV)
Jenna, Ft Worth, TX
Teach me to do your will; for you are my God; may your good spirit lead me on level ground.
Psalm 143:10 NIV
Gina Campbell, Katy, TX.
Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. Psalms 62:5-6 NLT
Margaret
Jackson, TN
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. NLT
Paula, Houston, Tx
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
(Psalm 143:10-11 NIV)
Ellen Ratcliff, Sevierville, TN
But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:6 NIV
Robin Spires, Pendleton, IN “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Romans 8:37 (NIV)
Laura, Apopka FL,
Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Psalm 51:1, NLT
“finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10 (NIV)
Jane, Waukee, IA
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15 NASB
Be still, and know that I am God.
Delores, El Cajon, CA: “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)
Kathy Porter, Las Cruces, NM
“No wonder my heart is glad & I rejoice. My body rests in safety.”
–Psalm 16:9 (NLT)
Ariana McKee, Boise ID. Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him. Psalms 147:1 N IV
Lori, Kodak, TN
According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. Phil 1:20 KJV
Judy, Oswego, NY
1 Peter 1:5-7 HCSB. You are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to struggle in various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith — more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire–may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
René Adee, Canyon, TX
Psalms 119:1 NIV “Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord.”
Deby Allen
New Carlisle, OH
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NIV
Kelly in Lees Summit, MO
James 2:1
My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.
Nikki Gack, Park Rapids, MN
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
Darcy – Albuquerque, NM
In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him. -Ecclesiastes 7:14
Julie
McKinney, TX
Exodus 14:14. The Lord will fight for you; yiou need only to be still.
Charlotte, NC Galatians 5:22-23 NKJ
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self control. Against such there is no such rule
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.”
Prov. 25:11 (ESV)
Heather Gray, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” Philippians 4:5 (NIV)
Teresa Wilson, Starkville, MS.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. Philippians 4:13
Sheryl, Danville, KY
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. Luke 1:38 (NIV)
Sarah, Montrose, CO
Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV)
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
Amy T., York, PA
“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.” Psalm 139:6 NIV
Leah Haughton, LA
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 3:17 NIV
Judy Pauley
Norfolk, Va.
Ps. 147:5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power,
His understanding has no limit.