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
“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.
We love because He first loved us.”
1 John 4:18-19
Linda, Fort Collins, CO
Sheila, Splendora, TX
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.
Psalm 143:8 (NIV)
My friend! Excited to see your name and verse! Sending much love and hugs.
Kimberly Atkins, Garland, TX. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.
Heb. 12:14 NKJ
Diane
Wichita, KS
Philippians 4:6. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Inman,KS
Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do you will have no reward from your father in heaven.
Matthew 6:1 NIV
Sandy Woffard, Rio Rancho, NM
Deuteronomy 30:6 (NKJV) And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.
Diane, Mesa, Arizona
Isaiah 44:3 (NASB)
For I will pour out water on the thirsty land,
And streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring,
And My blessings on your descendants;
Erin Hogan, Arkansas
“I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that fall away: it shall not cleave unto me.” Psalms 101:3 (1599 Geneva Bible)
Kari, Sikeston, MO
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 KJV
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.
Psalms 37: 23-24 NLT
Jamie Raborn from Ooltewah, TN
Romans 15:13 NIV
[13] 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.
Ephesians 2:10 ESV For we are God’s handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Karen. Nesbit, MS
Ephesians 3:15 ESV “from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. “
Kathy, St. Louis, MO
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2 (NIV’84)
J.J. Molstad, Arlington, WA
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
-Colossians 3:1, NIV
Teresa, Chadron NE. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Psalm 16:11 NIV)
Rosemary Forney, Tx. For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him A-men, unto the glory of God by us. 2nd Corinthians 1:20 KJV.
Justina, AB, Canada
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
Luke 9:23 NIV
Helotes, TX
“because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
James 1:20 NIV
Katie Logsdon Houston, TX – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)
Missy Roberson, Franklin, TN:
The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45 ESV)
Mary Wood, Fort Worth, TX
John 16:22 NASB
Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.
Vickie Czlapinski, Farmington, NM
As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength. (Psalm 138:3 NLT)
Annette Escondido Ca Give unto The Lord the glory due his name;worship The Lord in the beauty of holiness Psalm 29:2 NKJV
Sarah N Dallas, tx 1 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,
2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct.
1 Peter 3:1-2 (esv)
Krissy Flynn
Incline Village, Nevada
HCSB Mark 11:24 “Therefore I tell you, all things you pray and ask for– believe that you have received them, and you will have them.”
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5
For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak and it will not lie. Though it tarries wait for it; because it will surely come. Habakkuk 2:3 (NKJV)
Janice, Slidell, Louisiana. “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 KJV
Waco, TX
Romans 8:5 (NKJV)
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
Lisa S.
Kinston, NC
Phillipians 1:6 NASB
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
Cindy, San Diego, CA
Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Psalm 9:10 (NIV)
Whitney Caves, Clinton, MS
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, “says the Lord Almighty, ” and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
Malachi 3:10 NIV
Amy Villa
Auburn, WA
Rejoice in hope; be patient in tribulation; be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12 (ESV)
Nicole Corey
Missoula, Montana
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8 ESV)
Christy in Muleshoe, TX
ISAIAH 53:5 ESV
But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
Dianna McFarland, Tracy CA
1Samuel 1:28 HCSB
I now give the boy to the LORD. For as long as he lives, he is given to the LORD.” Then he bowed in worship to the LORD there.
Amy, Myrtle Beach, SC. “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The sovereign Lord is my strength.” (Habakkuk 3:18-19a NIV)
Martinez, CA
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8 NIV
from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.
Ephesians 3:15. NIV
Krystn from Huntington beach, Ca
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
His mercies never come to an end
Lamentations 3:22
Kabrina Ethington, Chandler, AZ “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” (Isaiah 26:4 ESV)
Vickie Ethington, Chandler, AZ “O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water.” (Psalms 63:1 NASB)
Maggie Wolfe. Alamosa Colorado
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father
Of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:17 (NIV)
Cindy, Fort Worth, TX
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14(NIV)
Pamela. New Bern NC
7 In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our sins, according to the riches of His grace, 8 which He made made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence
Ephesians 1: 7-8 NKJV
Natalie, Houston
even though we were dead in transgressions, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you are saved! Ephaiians 2:5
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8 NIV)
Deb Avon, OH
Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not men.