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
Joy Bruhnke, Ft. Myers, Fl
“Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water.” Genesis 21:19a
Glennell Strawn Buda, Tx.
Hebrews 4:12 ESV)
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Denise Gardners, PA Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 (NIV)
Deborah E. Bell — Bridgeton, New Jersey
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, fore -bearing one another in love;
Ephesians 4:2 KJV
Vicki Walters, Merriam, KS
Isaiah 40:29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. ESV
Amy, Miamisburg, Ohio
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
Psalm 9:7 ESV
Kristie Lovely, Van Alstyne, TX
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6 ESV
Barbara Ford, Troy, MO – Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises! Psalm 98:4 ESV
Ruth- Madison, GA
1 Corinthians 6:17, 19-20 ESV
But he who is joined with the Lord becomes one spirit with Him. … Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
Emily McAnear, Corona California
“I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God.”
Luke 12:8, NIV
Samantha from Texarkana, AR
Remain in me as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15:4, NIV
Bette from Danville, PA
Ephesians 3:14,15 ESV
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
from whom every family in heaven and earth is named.
Karen McCormick, Waco, Texas
“Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT
Ashley Roth, Peachtree City, Ga.
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” James 5:16, NAS
I will bless The Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1
April Hughes, Escondido, Ca.
as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” Romans 9:33 ESV
Vanessa from Calgary , AB
But the one who peers into the perfect law of liberty and fixes his attention there, and does not become a forgetful listener it one who lives it out- he will be blessed in what he does. James 1:25 NET
Anne, Athens, Greece – Proverbs 3:7 GNT: Never let yourself think that you are wiser than you are; simply obey the Lord & refuse to do wrong.
Denise from Walters, OK
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV)
Lauralee Courtney
Austin, TX
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 NIV
Julie, Madison, GA
But he who is joined with the LORD becomes one spirit with Him…Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
1 Corinthians 6:17, 19-20
Denise, Gambier Ohio: For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. Ephesians 2:10
NRSV
Debra, Baraboo, WI
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” James 1:5 ESV
Debbie, Wilmington, NC: The wise are known for their understanding,and pleasant words are persuasive. Proverbs 16:21 NLT
Fort Payne, AL
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: (Philippians 2:5 NIV)
Barbara Stone
Springfield, Mo.
If I say “My foot slips, ” Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up.
In the multitude of my anxieties within me,
Your comfort delights my soul. Psalm 94:18 &19 NKJV
Cassie Oring, Murfreesboro, TN. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 NLT
Christy Billingsley, Terry, MS
“Out of the depths I cry to you Lord;
Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.”
Psalm 130:1-2 NIV
Makayla, Nixa, MO
But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 HCSB
Pam Hendersonville, NC
“Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 KJV
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need”.
Hebrews 4:16 (ESV)
“Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Habakkuk 3:18
Merry Ashley – Alameda, CA
Be Strong and Courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 NIV
… and because the verse you chose spoke to me, I’m adding it too since I had chosen a short verse this time:
So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Ps. 90:12 NKJV
Diane Perkins Rockford MI. Whatever you do work at it with all your heart; as working for the Lord not for men. Colossians 3:17. NIV
Karen, Trenton, OH
Jeremiah 17:7 (NIV)
But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.
Barbara, Dayton, Ohio
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:33 (NASB)
Megan B.1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT
Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
Karen, Clarksville, “Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation among whom you shine like stars in the world.” Philippians 2:14-15 HCSB
Deb, Becker, MN
God our Father loves us. He is kind and has given us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope. We pray that our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father will encourage you and help you always to do and say the right thing. 2 Thess 2:16-17 (CEV)
Olda, Huntsville, AL
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21 (ESV)
Malorie Elrod – Sharpsburg GA – Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:12-17 NIV)
Alison Matthews Springfield MO For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5 NKJV
Jan B
Amarillo TX
#6 SSMT
“We … saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us, for he can even raise the dead.”
(2 Corinthians 1:9 LB)
Billie, Scottsdale, AZ
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8 (NIV)
Mary Witte, Grand Rapids, MN
For who can know the LORD’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him? But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:6 NLT
Deana Gordy
Cartersville, GA
Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on their God.
Isaiah 50:10 NIV
Stephanie Peterson El Cajon, CA “Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
Woodburn, IN #6.Ephesians 3:17b,18 And I pray that you, being. Rooted and established in love,may have power, together with all the saints,to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ (NIV)
Susan Toney, Raymond, MS
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
Kim Freeman Fort Worth, Texas 1 Chronicles 29:11-12 NIV-AMP
Yours, O LORD is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty. For everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Riches and honor come from you. You are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power and it is in your hands to make great and give strength to all.