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
Joyce
Sparta, NJ
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7 ESV
For we are God’s masterpiece he has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Ephesians 2:10 TNIV
Pam Mayer from Apple Valley, MN: “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.” Psalm 5: 11 NIV
Val Parker DeQuincy, LA And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galatians 6:9 KJV)
Daura Crawley, Conway, AR 1 Corinthians 13:3-4
“If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful.”
Carol – Pasadena, CA
“Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” 2 Corinthians 1:9 (NIV)
Angela, 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
Sherron Watkins, Houston, Tx. “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, (Titus 3:4-5 NIV)
Margie Bray, Pretty Prairie KS
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
Pslam 139:4 KJV
Nicole Moore – Olathe, KS “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Mark 14:38 NIV
Laura Stuart, Nashville, Indiana. “…from Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named….” Ephesians 3:15, ESV
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:24 NIV)
Butte, MT
Teach me your, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. Psalm 86:11NIV
207 K Pleasant Valley Road
Jeannette PA. 15601
As I said in my prosperity,
“I shall never be moved.”
By your favor, oh Lord,
You made my mountain stand strong;
I was dismayed.
To you, oh Lord, I cry,
And to the Lord I plead for mercy;
“What profit is there in my death?
If I go down to the pit
Will the dust praise you?
Will it tell of your faithfulness?
Hear, oh LORD, and be merciful to me!
Oh Lord, be my helper!
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
You have loosed my sackcloth
And clothed me with gladness,
That my glory may sing your praise and NOT be silent.
Oh, LORD, my God, I will give thanks to you forever!
PS. 30:6-12
Kassie Dulin from Southlake, TX
But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; (Matthew 10:19 NKJV)
Kimberly on Hilton Head Island, SC
2 Chronicles 7:15 and 16 “Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.” NIV
Stacey M
Clayton, NC
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. (1 John 4:4 NIV)
Stephanie Hilton, League City, TX
“Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with
love incorruptible.”
Eph. 6:24
ESV
Tessa Oestman, Alliance, Nebraska.
It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. Titus 2:12
Carol in Salem, OR
“He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stonghold; I shall not be shaken.
Ps 62:6 NASB
Charlotte Brown, Broken Arrow, OK
I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to complete until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6. HCSB
Izora Browning Midland,Texas March 15 2015
Ps.46-1 God is our refuge and strength an ever present help in trouble. NiIV
Sarah, Jefferson City, MO
Psalms 51:10-12
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Anna, Hickory Flat, MS, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 ESV
Pam, Sioux Falls, SD
“But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;[b]
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:21-23
ESV
Madelyn Crawley, Conway, AR 2 Cor. 5:9 ESV
“So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.”
Tracey Knight ~ Arkadelphia AR
Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their misfortune and to keep oneself unstained by the world. ~James 1:27 NET
(p.s. Melanie, I work at Josh’s alma mater: Ouachita.) 🙂
Myra, Johnson City, TN
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is
steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Karen, Humble Texas
Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.
Colossians 3:2 NIV
Bobbie, Litchfield, MN
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
(Romans 10:17) NKJV
Jeremiah 2:13 – NIV – “My people have committed two sins; They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
Laura Richards, North Las Vegas, NV
The wise woman builds her house,
but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. Proverbs 14:1 NIV
Devina Varela, San Angelo, TX And He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, first-born from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent. Colossians 1:18 ESV
Debbie Alix, Valley Falls, NY
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.” Psalm 28:7 (ESV)
Annette Turner , Houston , TX “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it will be done for you”. John 15:7 (NKJV)
Nancy in Jayess, MS: I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. (Psalm 16:8 ESV)
Sharon, Little Rock Can flavorless food be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg? (Job 6:6 NKJV)
Ashley, Alexandria, La.
“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalms 91:1 NLT)
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
Roanoke Rapids,NC Colossians 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. (KJV)
Jacqueline Davidson Sarnia on,
Philippians 4:13 (web)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Lisa Neuenschwander, Grover Beach, CA
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Philippians 1:6 (NLT)
Julianne August, Orangeville, Ontario
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Ashley, West Monroe, LA
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5 NIV)
Julie, Gresham, OR
“But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” Psalm 3:3 (ESV)
Tara Vinson, Clarksville, TN
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Kelly Rodes from Anderson SC
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV
Michelle Green: Fort Worth, Texas: “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17
Jennifer, Harrisburg, PA:
“I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?” (Psalms 56:4 NLT)
Psalm 141:3 (NLT)
Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.