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
Miriam, Columbia, SC
Who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:5 ESV
Angie Shockney, Lafayette, IN
Philippians 1:9 NIV
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight.
Angelica (Angel) Chilton, Hillsboro, Texas
“May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” Psalm 20:4 (NIV)
Psalms 127:2
It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest,eating the bread of anxious
toil; for He gives to his beloved sleep.
Kokomo, IN
Clarette, Zurich, Switzerland – GOD is magnificent; he can never be praised enough. There are no boundaries to his greatness. (Psalm 145:3 MSG)
Donna Huneycutt
Mt. Pleasant NC
Colossians 3:13 NASB
bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
Cheryl Dulaney, Lafayette, LA
Psalms 27:14 NLT Wait patiently for the lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the lord.
Marlena Cantrell, Maylene, AL
“This God-his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.” Psalm 18:30 ESV
Boerne, TX
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6 NIV
Mona Pittsburgh, PA
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
Proverbs 4:23-24 NIV
Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God?” Isaiah 40:27, ESV
Rachel Martin, North Attleboro MA
Eron Bird, Athens, GA
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope Psalm 130:5 ESV
Melanie of Greenbrier, TN
I will praise You, O LORD, for You lifted me up, and did not allow my enemies to gloat over me. O LORD my God, I cried out to You and You healed me. Psalm 30:1-2
Rhonda Patterson, Niles, MI “The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him.” Nahum 1:7 ESV
Wahpeton, ND, “Direct my steps by your word! Do not let any sin dominate me!” (Psalms 119:133 NET)
Crystal. Livonia. Michigan
“And the Lord shall guide thee continually and shall satisfy thy soul”
Isaiah 58:11
Valencia, CA
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2: 8-9 ESV
Charlene P
Norcross, GA
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.
1 Cor 13:6
KJV
Kim, Mabank, TX
The Lord is good,a stronghold in a day of distress; He cares for those who take refuge in Him. – Nahum 1:7 ESV
Megan Delp, Barto, PA
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV
Shelly Slagle, Mount Ulla NC
Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me. (Micah 7:8 ESV)
River Falls, WI
These Commandments that I give to you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home, and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deut 6:6-7
Cheryl Patterson
Orange, TX
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)
I just love seeing your name and verse as I scroll through, praying for Siestas. I love you.
Christine of media,pa.Ephesians 4:29(esv) let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up,as it fits the occasion,that it may give grace to those who hear.
Marissa, Seattle, WA
Psalm 93:19 NET: “When my worries threaten to overwhelm me, your soothing touch makes me happy.”
“I will return her vineyards to her
and transform the Valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope.
She will give herself to me there,
as she did long ago when she was young,
when I freed her from her captivity in Egypt.”
Hosea 2:15 NLT
Stephanie Bryant, Charlotte, NC
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV
Gina G- Naperville, IL
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8 NIV
Jean Crawford – Boring, OR
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galations 5:1/NIV
Romans 12:2
“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 approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Diana McAfee, Howe TX
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -Phil 4:7 (NASB)
Destiny:
Matthew 7:24 (NLT)
Anyone who listens to my teachings and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.
Tasha:
Proverbs 18:10 (NIV)
The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;the righteous run to it and are safe.
Jodell, Frankfort, “Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving.” Col 4:2 HCSB
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his
word and healed them;he rescued them from the grave. Psalm 107:19-20 NIV
Dana Meade, Oxford, PA – “With promises like this to pull us on, dear friends, let’s make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let’s make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God.” 2 Cor. 7:1 MSG
Susan, Houston, But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Gal. 6:14 ESV
Melissa Evans, Lexington, KY
“Commit to The Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” NIV
Kyla, Tomball
My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises!
Psalm 57:7 NLT
Kendra from Fort Wayne, IN “…but now, O God, strengthen my hands.”
Valarie, Cincinnati, OH “I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being. ” Eph. 3:16 NIV
Gwyn Tidwell of Haslet, TX
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the Everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
Isaiah 40:28(NIV84)
Susan W, Carthage MO One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Eph 4:6 KJV
Jessica, Wyoming Mi
Ephesians 4:29
Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.
McKenzie,TN Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. (Psalms 46:10 KJV)
Jana Block
Huntsville, Alabama
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
Rahab,Nairobi,Kenya:
“Sitting down,Jesus called the twelve and said,”If anyone wants to be first,he must be the very last and servant of all.” Mark 9:35
James 4: 7 NLT
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
John 16:33 NIV
“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.”
Debbie, Orlando
I Peter 3:15 (NIV)
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
Kristi, Pensacola, FL:
Is this not the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and provide the poor wandered with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Isaiah 58:6-7 NIV