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
Conyers, GA
Psalms 139:5-6 KJV “Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
Sally Heydlauff from Sturgis, MI
This is what the LORD says—–your Redeemer,the Holy One of Israel:
I am the Lord your God,who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go.
Isaiah 48:17(NIV)
Cathy from Loxahatchee, Florida
Ezekiel 36:26 NLT
And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart, and give you a tender, responsive heart.
Natalie- Austin, TX
John 16:33
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have Peace! In the world you will have trouble but, take heart I have overcome the world!
Ingrid, Oldfield, MO
Psalm 103:13-14 ESV
As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.
Lynne – Telford, PA
“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”
Psalm 90:12 ESV
Tracy McGee, Creal Springs, IL
I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free. Psalm 119:32 NIV
Lisa Cummings, Joaquin, TX
“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Romans 8:17 KJV
Nancy, Westfield, IN
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, Ephesians 3:16 NIV
Cynthia McCutcheon
Hackett, AR
“My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me” and my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
Psalm 27:8 NLT
Jill Greer , Medina, TN
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles;
they shall run, and not be weary;
and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 KJV
Sherry Wright Mill Creek, Indiana NASB John 15:9
Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.
Terri, Orange TX
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”
Psalm 20:7
I love finding your name and verse, precious friend!
Leah from Westerville, OH
“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
Kristi Martin, Milton, FL
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32-NIV
Alexis, San Angelo, TX
“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life” Matthew 6:27 ESV
Bonnie Tolson, Outer Banks, NC.
“Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.”
Philippians 3:13-14(MSG)
Mary James, Orangeville, Ontario
Matt. 28 1-4 NIV
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, and going to the tomb, rolled back to stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes or white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
Psalm 116:2 NLT – Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!
Molly, Macon, GA
In my distress I called upon the Lord, to my God I cried for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry to Him reached His ears. Psalm 18:6 ESV
LeEllen Phillips, Nashville, TN
“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” – John 15:13, NLT
Kelli Furgason, DeWitt, MI
“Every day I will bless you; and I will praise your name forever and ever” Psalm 145:2 NASB
Lindsey, Scenery Hill, PA
Exodus 34:5 esv
“The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord.”
Psalm 139:6 NAS
“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it.”
Cynthia, Russellville, AR
“He has showed you, O man, 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
Janet,Torrington,WY
“We wait in HOPE for the LORD;
He is our help and our shield.”
Psalm 33:20 NIV
Chris- Thousand Oaks, CA
The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand. (Psalm 37:23-24 ESV)
Debbie Smith Westerville, Ohio
God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered: and those who hate him shall flee before him!
Psalm 68:1
ESV
Jill Kuykendall, Kyle, TX
When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid.
Psalm 56:3-4, NASB
Barbara, Fisherville, KY: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approved what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 NIV.
Casey Hale, Roanoke, Texas
“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 – NIV
Carol McAlisterville, PA
I pray that God, the source of HOPE, will fill you completely with JOY and PEACE because you trust him. Then you will overflow with confident HOPE through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 (NLT)
Eileen, Lancaster, PA
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1: 8-9 (NIV)
Christi Beerley, Denton, Tx.
“Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.” Psalm 63:3 ESV
Tonya Thibodeaux, DeQuincy, Louisiana
II Timothy 1:7 – “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
Houston, TX. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10 NIV.
Sharon Floyd from Spokane, WA
“Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” James 5:13-14 KJV
Kathy, Bryant AR
“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you saying, ‘Destroy him!'”
Deuteronomy 33:27
Letha. Mountain Home, Arkansas.
“Yes, you have been with me from birth;
from my mother’s womb you have cared for me.
No wonder I am always praising you!” Psalm 71:6 NLT
Jodi, Sweetwater, TN – Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. – Ephesians 5:21 (NIV)
Highlands Ranch, CO
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Philippians 2:3 NKJV
Margie Rodriguez, San Angelo, Texas
There was a man sent from God whose name was John. (John 1:6 NIV)
Betsy Roberts – Antwerp, OH
Ephesians 3:15
“From whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,”
Valerie, Kennewick WA
Hebrews 2:18
Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Carol from Wheaton, Il
For this how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NLT
Vickie Kalinovich
Greenville, SC
Delight yourself in the Lord and he wilol give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
Robin Ridenour from Chambersburg, PA
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1 NKJV
Michele S. Edmond,OK
“Rejoice in hope,be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Ro. 12:12 ESV
Dallas Tausch, Helotes, Tx
Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:3 KJV)
Casey, Cheney, WA
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
James 3:17 (NIV)