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
Karla
Katy, TX
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…”
1 John 4:18 NIV
Michaela
Loganville, GA
Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
1 Peter 2:11 NIV
Gabriela chicas ,Jacksonville FL
My son do not despise the LODS discipline and do not resent his rebuke .
because the LORD discipline those the loves as a father the son he delights in.
Proverbs 3:11-12
Kerri Eyler, Woodsboro, MD
Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. Ephesians 5:4 NIV
Julie, Calgary AB
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
Psalms 91:1 (NIV)
Melia
Loganville, GA
To be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
Titus 2:5 NIV
Lois, Centerton, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says The Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Revelation 1:8 NKJV
Belinda, Chesapeake, VA – For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. Ephesians 5:8 HCSB
Jan P.-Orlando, FL
Psalm 42:5 NKJ
Why are you cast down, Oh my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.
Jan, I so needed to hear this verse today and when I was typing in my verse for today, there yours was. Praying for you my dear sister! I am so grateful for your verse and to have seen it as it was a balm to my soul today.
Kyli Hoskins
Sarasota, FL
“For we are his creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 HCSB
Maggie Atlanta, GA
This is my command- be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NLT
Kristen R.
Burbank, Ca
Galatians 1:15 NIV
But when God, who set me apart from my mothers womb and called me by grace, was pleased.
Lisa Moss
Lancaster, Tennessee
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land.”
II Chronicles 7:14 NKJV
Roxanne, Houghton Lake, MI
Psalm 143:1
O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NIV
Charity, Cohutta, GA~ “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT
Laura, Jefferson, ME
O my Strength, I will sing praises to you,
for you, O God, are my fortress,
the God who shows me steadfast love.
Psalm 59:17 ESV
Liz Allen, Wooster, OH
“Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
-Ephesians 5:17, ESV
Psalms 98:4 Amp
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth and sing for joy, yes, sing praises!
Miranda
Loganville, GA
Jesus wept.
John 11:35. NIV
(I chose this because this passage of scripture spoke to me so much. To be loved so much that Jesus wept over Lazarus. I want to always remember so that I would be enough like my Lord and He would mean so much to me and I to him that He would weep over me)
Psalms 29:11 NIV
The Lord gives His people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.
Susie Popp
Lancaster, CA
Gigi Parisi
Mullica Hill NJ
I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.
Job 23:12
I put my entry in yesterday but didn’t see it on the web page so I’m trying again.
Cyndi Hobgood, Chandler AZ John 15:12. This is my command: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.
Audrey, Monongahela, Pa.” Believe on (trust in) the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” Acts 16:31 KJV
Anna Lynch, Greensboro, NC
…from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named
Ephesians 3:15 NKJV
Mary~Columbia, PA
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…”
1 John 4:18 NIV
Phyllis – Slidell, LA
“When a prophet of the LORD is among you, I reveal myself to him in visions, I speak to him in dreams”.
Numbers 12:6
Trish, Friona, TX
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 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.
Ephesians 4:29
Leslie, Decatur TX
Fear Not, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are Mine..
Isa 43:1b ESV
Julie, Albuquerque.
Romans 8:28 is a scripture most of us are already fimiliar with bit I came across this passage in the message bible & this is what I need right now in my current circumstances! I love it! Thank you Lord for this, thank you Holy Spirit for turning my sighs & groans into prayers! Amen!
Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows or pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
Romans 8:26-28 MSG BIBLE
Donna Lange, Mobile, AL, – He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.
Ephesians 1:5 (ESV)
Lynn, Divide, CO
Exodus 33:18-19
Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” And He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you My name ‘The LORD.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.”
Julie, Alliance, NE
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 NIV
Brenda, Collinston, La.
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11 ESV
2Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” NIV
Plano, TX
“This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.”
1 John 4:13-15
Janet Daytona Beach
Colossians 4:6
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Skylar, Baton Rouge, La.
“Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.” Philippians 1:15-18 ESV
Lorra Brown – Anderson, MO
“Blessed is he who reads & those who hear the words of this prophecy & keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.”
Revelation 1:3 NKJV
Nedra, Blue Springs, MO “I understand more than the aged, because I have observed Your precepts.” Psalm 119:100 NASB
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.
Ephesians 1:7 NIV
Ashlee Jones, Johnson City, TN “You make known to me the path of life, in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” ~Psalm 16:11 (ESV)
Tempe AZ (Mat 21:22 NIV) If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
Debbie Levin – Cannon Falls MN
For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 2 Corinthians 4:6-7
Shan Copeland, Salina,KS
Is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourself be burdened again by the yolk of slavery. Galatians 5:1 NIV
I.Corinthians 13: 5 (NIV)
It (love) is not rude, it is not self – seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs..
Always be full of joy in the Lord; I say it again, rejoice!
Philippians 4:4 The Living Bible Paraphrased
Melissa Sangster – Simpsonville, KY
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1 NASB
Brianna
From Jonesboro, AR
“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover up for evil, but living servants of God.”
1 Peter 2:16 ESV