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
Sheryl Ponsness, Portland OR
“My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. Psalms 121:2
Nancy Coffey
Barboursville WV
Let us not become weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9 NIV
Donna Marina, Ca
And my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 NKJV
Ally Velderman, Memphis, TN.
“We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it.” Proverbs 16:9 MSG
Libby, Strasburg VA
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
Amanda from Olive Branch, MS
“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
Colossians 4:6 (NKJV)
Melanie Bishop, Winter Springs, FL
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9(NIV)
Meagan Dowler Fairbanks, AK The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. Psalm 19:1 ESV
Sharon, San Antonio TX: “Love puts up with all things, trusts in all things, hopes for all things, endures all things.” – 1 Corinthians 13:7 (CEB)
Elizabeth Cory, from Macomb, MI
I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.
Psalm 138.2 NIV
Shiffra Kalamazoo, MI
Deuteronomy 10:12 (NIV) “And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your G-d ask of you but to fear the LORD your G-d, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your G-d with all your heart and with all your soul,”
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
1 John 4:18 NIV
Hudson Oh I Cor. 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it.
Donna Knight. Belton, KY
“Teach me to do your will for you are my God; may your good spirit lead me on level ground.” Psalm 143:10 NIV
Rachel- Cumming, GA
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
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.
Kelly A, Rogers AR. “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”” Mark 16:15 NIV
Kathleen, Ontario Canada
Then Jesus declared: I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. NIV
Jaime Weaver, Klamath Falls, OR
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
Romans 1:16 NIV
Melanie Miller, Armuchee, GA
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)
Tracy V., Danville, IN
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV
Tonsy Cheek Connersville, Indiana.
“Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:5-6 KJV
I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4
Clinton ms
April, Lexington, KY James 1:5 NASB “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
Dena K. from Columbus, OH:
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. (Psalm 25:5 NIV)
Cathi Blate. North Canton, Oh
Whoever listens to Me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.
Proverbs 1:33 NIV
Molly Brant, Plano TX
It is good to give thanks to the Lord & to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare your lovingkindness in the morning & Your faithfulness by night. Psalm 92:1-2 (NASB)
Angelia J. Poole, Charlotte, NC
“For since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, Nor has the eye seen any God besides You, Who acts for the one who waits for Him.” Isaiah 64:4 (NKJV)
Heather Boone
Hineston, LA
Though I speak with the tongues of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
1Cor. 13:1
ESV
Whitney from Russellville, TN
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am in to be content. Phil. 4:11. ESV
Robin Murray, Arlington, TX
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matt 7:7 NIV
Gay Beck, Plain City, OH
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)
Wendy P. Milwaukee, WI
Psalm 37:4 ESV “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
So sorry a day late!
Kelhe Hatfield, Larkspur, CO – Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut. Proverbs 10:19 NLT
Brooke-Deatsville, Al
Romans 8:19 NIV
For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
Sherilyn, Warsaw, IN
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.
I Timothy 4:9
(part of my verse by verse memorization of I Timothy 4:6 – 16)
Peggy Rush, Independence, MO
Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions.
Ezra 8:21 NKJV
Melissa Weseloh, St. Louis MO
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV)
Michelle, Schertz, TX
“Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous- with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit ( the humble, who rate themselves insignificant) for theirs is the kingdom of heaven! Matt 5:3-AMP
Sandra Woodard, Columbia SC
“Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct.” 1 Peter 3:1-2 (ESV)
Edmond, OK
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT)
Columbus NC. Philippians 2:14-16 ESV
“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, …..”
Bonney Lake,Wa
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His”
Daniel 2:20 NKJV
Colorado City TX “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you oh Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NIV
Vickie Heerema Pella, Iowa
Do not put out the spirit’s fire
1 Thessalonians 5:19
Romans 6:4 NASB
“Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”
Granddaughter Alisa, age 14, was baptized yesterday. Praise the Lord!
Anita Vogelaar, Ede, Holland
De Heer is mijn herder, het ontbreekt mij aan niets.
Psalm 23:1 NBV
Dana
Clarksville, TN
Hebrews 3:13 NIV
“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”
Rebecca from Oklahoma – The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:29 NIV)
Alice, Chesapeake Va.
2Corinthians 1:20 NIV
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ.
Hebrews 10:11-12 NIV
Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,