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
Cheryl Autry, Dunn,NC — They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. Jonah 2:8 KJV
Stephanie Morris, Norman Ok
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,
And He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand.” Psalm 37:23-24 NKJ
Nicole Carlisle Pell City, AL
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 NIV)
Julie Christensen, Palm Springs, CA
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God freely and graciously declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
Romans 3:23-24 NLT
Michelle McAnulty
Ulsan, South Korea
Be still and know that I AM God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalms 46:10 (NIV)
Ashley
Rancho Cucamonga,Ca
And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. (Ephesians 3:18 NLT)
Amanda M., Redding, CA
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2 NIV
Sherril Ann Stephens, Bountiful, UT
Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
— Proverbs 19:21 ESV
Cheryl Moses, Houston, TX
Ephesians 3:17 (NIV)
“So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,…)
Lindsay Thomas, Dallas, TX.
Psalm 119:18
New Living Translation (NLT)
18 Open my eyes to see
the wonderful truths in your instructions.
Corpus Christi, TX:
“We love because he first loved us.” NAB 1 John 4:19
Molly Baldwin – Auburn, AL
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, Holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Colossians 3:12 NIV
Norman, Oklahoma
“As Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him. And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only True God, and Jesus Christ, whom Though hast sent.
John 17:2-3
KJV
Char Manley, Marengo, IL
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. Psalm 143:10
Gabriella Houston, Rocklin CA
But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues in it – not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it – they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:25 Faith Girlz NIV
Heidi K. Phoenix, AZ
Phil 3:13-14 TLB
13 No, dear brothers, I am still not all I should be, but I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us.
Lori Northumberland, PA
Be merciful to me, O Lord,
For I cry out to You all day long. Psalm 86:3 NKJ
Lisa Griffin, Lincoln City, OR:
23. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” 24. And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you.
Mark 4:23-24 (ESV)
Patrice Swanson, Houston
“to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.” Ephesians 1:6 (NASB)
Jennifer, Saint Johns, FL – Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 HCSB
Johanna Trask, San Dimas, CA
“He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.” Psalm 147:4-5 NIV
Kary D
Irvine, CA
Call to me and I will answer you, and show you great things which you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3
NIV
Elaine-El Paso, 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
Amy, Everett, WA
Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 (HCSB)
Kristen Apache junction Az
2 Corinthians 4:9 ESV
persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
Psalms 119:105 KJV “Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
March 15,2015
Eleanor MacKay, Saskatoon,SK.Canada
‘Do not cease to give thanks for you,
making mention of you in my prayers.’
Eph.1:16 NKJV
Tensie Palmer, Los Angeles, CA
John 14:27 ESV
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
It’s still the 15th here!! (10 P.M.)
Kim Kobayashi
Monroe, Washington
Romans 15:20 ESV
“and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named lest I build on someone else’s foundation”
Loke Asing, San Clemente, CA
…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Philippians 2:12-13 ESV
Kathi Houtcooper, Phoenix, AZ
The Lord your God is in your midst,
A mighty one who will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness;
He will quiet you by his love;
He will exult over you with loud singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 ESV
Isaiah 43:19 NLT For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
Emily, Hesperia, California
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
Ephesians 1:18 NIV
Mary Bremer, Shreveport, Louisiana
But Jesus ignored their comments and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just trust me.”
Mark 5:36. TLB
Kaci W, Thomasville Ga
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”
1 Corinthiand 13:4 NIV
Georgia Wight, Tucson, AZ. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 NKJV
“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
Michelle Bentham | Granbury TX
If God is for us, who can ever be against us? – Romans 8:31 (NLT)
Jasmine Hanceville, AL
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
Richmond, TX
Romans 2:4 NIV
Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?
Gina South, Montgomery, AL
“But I trust in your unfailing love,
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord,
for he has been good to me.”
Psalm 13:5-6 NIV
Sharon Stridde Corpus Christi, Tx
This you know,my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear,slow to speak and slow to anger;
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
Psalm 56:3 (NIV)
Katherine Emerson, Livingston TX, “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father.” Eph 3:14 ESV
Karen Stetka,Rialto,Ca. Psalm 1:5-6. “They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly. For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.”
Jeri Jacobs, Hemet, CA
For man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James1:20 NIV
Richland, WA
Psalm 62:1
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. (NIV)
Priscilla H. Brentwood, CA “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” (Psalm 143:10 NIV)
Melissa, Walla Walla, Wa
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” Ephesians 6:10 NASB
Belinda S., Carlsbad, California
Hebrews 12:1-2:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfect of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”