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
Julie Green from Charleston, SC: “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2 (ESV)
Lisa Medinaf, Fort Worth, TX
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
Matthew 5:6, NAS
Lori
Shakopee MN
Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path. (Psalm 105:5)
Romans 15:7 (NIV)
Accept one another then just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Glenda Self
Nederland, Tx
“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. (Matthew 18:19 NIV)
Martha, Georgetown TX “Always be joyful. ” 1 Thess 5:16 NLT
Caroline
Conway, SC
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His names sake.” Psalm 23:1-3 (NKJV)
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. Ephesians 3:14-15 NIV
Sorry this is late… Crazy the past couple of days.
Janelle Fitzler – Sioux Falls, SD
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
If I speak in the thingies of men and angels, but have no love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have a gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge and if I have a faith that can move mountains but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames but have not love, I gain nothing.
Tatiana, Houston, TX: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” (1 John 3:16 NIV84)
bernadette, mtn home, Arkansas. “Post this at all the intersections: lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue and let anger straggle along in the rear. James 1:19. The Message
Esther. Jonesborough TN. “no unbelief made him (Abraham) waiver concerning the promises of God but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God. ” Romans 4:20 ESV
Sarah S from Indian Trail, NC
“Strength and dignity are her clothing and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” Proverbs 31:25-26
Wolfeboro, NH
“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires (Him!) of your heart.”
Psalm 37:4 ESV
Discipline your children, for in that there is hope;do not be a willing party to their death. Proverbs 19:18 NIV
Col. 3:13 -(nkj)
bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
Trinna, Bossier City, LA, Isaiah 58:11 NIV, “The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”
Sharon Bolton, Bowling Green, KY
God is not human, that he should lie,
not a human being, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act?
Does he promise and not fulfill?
Numbers 23:19 (NIV)
WAYNE,PA
” All praise to God, the father of our LJC. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again,because God raised JC from the dead. Now we live in great expectation.”
1 Pet 1:3 NLT
Anne Sporrer, Washington, IL
Romans 8:6 (CEB)
The attitude that comes from selfishness leads to death, but the attitude the comes from the Spirit leads to life and peace.
Jennifer, Ft. Worth, TX
as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18 ESV
Cynda
Newnan, GA
Romans 8:20-21 (ESV)
“For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.”
Tanya – Porter, TX Ps. 56:10-11 NASB
In God whose word I praise,
In the Lord whose word I praise,
In God I have put my trust,
I shall not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
Missie, Marble Falls, Texas
“O Lord, you are my God;
I will exult you; I will praise your name,
for you have done wonderful things,
plans formed of old, faithful and sure.” Isaiah 25:1 ESV
Andrea, Pottstown
Psalm 40:17 HCSB
I am afflicted and needy; the Lord thinks of me. You are my helper and my deliverer; my God do not delay.
Meghann DeLong, LAwton, OK “For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all that he does.” Psalm 33:4NIV
Hutchins, TX
Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them.
Psalm 139:16 NASB
Tina Harrell from Chesapeake, VA: “Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.” Psalm 119:133 (NIV84)
Ginger, Charlotte, NC
“But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, & so confirms His covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.
Deuteronomy 8:18 (NIV)
Vanessa Himes, Newark, OH: James 1:19B- everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry
Quakertown, pa
1 Chronicles 16:11 Look to the Lord and His strength; seek his face always. (NIV)
Kerry Devlin – Winona Lake, IN
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Ephesians 6:10 NIV
Dianne
Hendersonville, NC
Through the Lord’s mercies, we are not consumed. Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22,23 NIV
Margo, Burlington, ON “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Naomi – Colorado Springs: He escorts me to the banquet hall; it’s obvious how much he loves me. Song of Songs 2:4 NLT
Philippians 1:10 (MSG)
You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush.
Glyn Phillips-Barry,Texas
Proverbs 24:3-4
By wisdom a house is built; and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
Wanda
North Canton, Ohio
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.
Psalm 32:8 NIV
Christy, Jonesboro, AR
Luke 21:19 NIV
Stand firm, and you will WIN life (inflection mine).
Visalia, CA
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
Proverbs 10:19 NIV
Leah Eller, San Antonio, TX
For this reason I bow my knees before the father.
Ephesians 3:14 ESV
Surely the arm of the Lord is not to short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. Isaiah 59:1 NIV
Raquel Davis, Monticello, Ms
1 Corinthians 13:11KJV
When i warm a child, i spake as a child, i understood as a child, i thought
Laura Han Tyler, TX
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you, he will never let the righteous be shaken. Pslam 55:22 NIV
Karen,Norfolk, VA: Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. 1 Corinthians 13:6 (NIV)
Brittany Powell. Jayess, Ms
But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. -Job 23:10 KJV
Jenna S – Ooltewah, TN
Ephesians 1:19
“and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might”
In all your ways acknowledge him and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:6 (NIV)
Concetta, White Oak, TX
Romans 1:17 (NET Bible)
17 For the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel from faith to faith, just as it is written, “The righteous by faith will live.”
Cindi Latson, Madison, MS
“For now we live, if you are standing fast in The Lord.”
I Thessalonians 3:8 (ESV)