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
Melissa Morrow, Pike Road, AL
“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
Proverbs 22:6 KJV
Psalm 91:4 (NLT)
He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor
and protection.
“This is love for God : to obey his commands.”- 1 John 5:3 NIV
Elaine Brady, Jefferson, GA
When I think of You as I lie on my bed, I meditate on You during the night watches. ~Ps. 63:6
Michele, Cumming GA
God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. (John 1:6-7 NLT)
(Memorizing John 1)
Shannon, Churubusco,IN “Without faith it is impossible to please God. Those who come to God must believe that he exists. And they must believe that he rewards those who look to him.” Hebrews 11:6 NIRV
Shelly Higgins, Pikeville, Tennessee:
Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. (Isaiah 58:8-10 ESV)
Vicki, from Grapevine, TX
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. ~ Psalm 139:6
Highland Village, TX
“My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not.” Haggai 2:5b ESV
Delba
Dorsey,MS
” Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,but only that what is helpful for building others up according to their needs,that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:9 NIV
Rebecca. Eagle Point, OR
“But 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
Blanche Ozawkie. Kansas
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
Mark 12:30 NIV
Chandra, Centerton, AR, Isaiah 43:1 (NIV)
But now, thIs is what the Lord says–
He who created you, O Jacob
He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
Julie Fitch, Ann Arbor, MI
“But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.”
James 3:8-10 (NASB)
Kelly Aylward, Glenwood, MD ” Commit your way to the Lord . Trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Psalm 37:6-8, NIV
Elizabeth Peck, Fairfax Station, VA: Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thess 5:16-18 NIV 1984
Amy Guth Canton, MS
“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
Proverbs 31:30 ESV
Kim, Amherst, Ohio
1 Sam.12:24 NIV
But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all
your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.
Barb Wisconsin
“Nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday”
Ps 91:6 ESV
Kristen, Landisville, Pa
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Psalm 84:11(NIV)
Becky, Choctaw, OK
“I AM the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11 ESV
“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1 Corn. 3:16
Stephanie, Tucson, AZ “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,” Colossians 3:23 (NIV)
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; (Psalm 130:5 ESV)
Lori, Louisville, KY
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation
Psalm13:5
Amy Flanagan – Santee Ca. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…”
Col.3:16a NIV
Sarah Walker, Royse City, TX
Deuteronomy 10:16 (NIV)
16 Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer.
Paula, Russell, KY
2 Samuel 22:31 TLB
As for God, His way is perfect. The Word of the Lord is true. He shields all who hide behind Him.
Rebecca, Chattanooga, TN
Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great trangression. May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:13-14 NIV
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Ephesians 1:17 NIV
Ror we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Carlie Land, Jefferson City, MO:
“See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse— the blessing if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today; the curse if you disobey the commands of the Lord your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known.” -Deuteronomy 11:26-28 NIV
Christy Jones, Summit, MS; “You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you.” Psalm 118:28 NIV
“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for The Lord holds them by the hand..” Psalm 37:23-24(NLT)
McLoud, OK
James 3:13 NLT
If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.
Marla, Sparta, TN
1 John 4:4 NASB
You are from God, little children,
And have overcome them;
Because greater is He who is in you
Than he who is in the world.
Kathleen Orange, TX “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” (NIV)
Oops. Hebrews 10:23
Kaylee Vida, Anderson, IN
from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.
Ephesians 3:15 (ESV)
Bonnie Webb Cibolo,Texas. Hebrews 4:12 NLT
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit,between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
Pat – Brandon, Fl
I say to you, Ask and it will be given to you, seek & you will find. Knock & it will be opened to you.
Luke 11:9 New King James Version
Diane, Wichita, KS
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 (NIV)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27. NIV
I said to the Lord,” You are my Lord, apart from you I have no good thing.” Psalm 16:2 NIV
Let us not become weary in doing good, for in the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Gal 6:9 NIV
Behold, children are a gift of the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Psalm 127:3 NASB
Emily, Loveland, CO – “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.”
2 Thessalonians 3:5 (ESV)
Linda Hege, Reading, PA
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. James 3:13 ESV
Julie Gresham Jackson, MS
Ephesians 6:10 NIV “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”
Mary-Katherine, New Albany, OH
Psalm 51:3-5, NRSV
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me;
Against you, you alone, have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment.
Indeed, I was born guilty,
a sinner when my mother conceived me.