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
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to Him. Proverbs 2:8 NLT
Jennifer Olmstead
Janesville, Wisconsin
Hosea 11:4 (NIV – slightly modified)
I led them with cords of loving-kindness ; I lifted the yoke from their neck, and bent down to feed them.
[I still recall hearing Miss Beth use this passage in one of her Bible studies, or Sunday School lessons for the first time – as a very new believer in Christ Jesus – back in 2003-2004; and remember in great detail how she had described the verse : “I, (THE GOD of the Universe, the King of Kings; mind you), “Led them with Cords of Loving-Kindness ; AND, THEN, BENT Down to Feed THEM ! ! !” ]
I NEED to KNOW that right now ! Hallelujah !
Teena, Cypress, TX “The church, which is His body, the fullness of the One who fills all things in every way.” ~ Ephesians 1:22c-23 HCSB
Tami, Denham Springs, LA
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:6-7 ESV
Kay Tucker, Elyria, OH
“Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.” Jeremiah 17:7, KJV
Cindy
Rising Sun In
“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”
(2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT)
Colossians 1:29 to this end I labor,struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.
Sue, Hendersonville NC
Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” NIV
Mary Ann, Chicago. I’m new to this site and am just starting out with SSMT 2015. I’m working on memorizing my chosen verses from Jan., Feb., and this month. I believe it’s no accident the Lord led me to LPM.
Hebrews 10:24-25: And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Dawn
Boston, Massachusetts
2 Co. 3:17 (NIV)
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is,
there is freedom.
Kelly Snodgrass
Rogersville, TN
Psalm 143.10 ESV
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God!
let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!
Cary, NC
Isaiah 30:1, NIV
“Woe to the obstinate children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin;
My prayer, “Lord, let me follow your plans and make alliances that are led by Your Spirit.”
Tracy Randol – Archie, MO – Colossians 3:17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. (NASB)
Sharon Toth, Lincoln Park, Mi.
Therefore do not lose heart. For outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV
“So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.”
ESV
Kathy, Chesapeake VA
So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory
Psalm 63:2. ESV
KathySo I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.”
ESV
Janice from Wisconsin
“It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. ”
-Lamentations 3:26 (NIV)
Brenda from Waldorf, MD
that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, Ephesians 3:16-17 ESV
Megan White, Lafayette LA, “for the anger of man does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” James 1:20 NIV
McCall Norton
Atlanta, TX
“Since God is in her midst, she will not be shaken..” Psalm 46:5
He (Moses)regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. (Hebrews 11:26 NIV)
Stephanie Jo
Crane OR
God yes God is my strength and song, best of all my salvation!
Isaiah 12:2b MSG
Denise Wilkin
The Woodlands, TX
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you mat be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
Ephesians 6:11 HNV
Laura, Clay Center, KS
2 Peter1:6-7 (ESV)
…and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
Clarksburg, MD
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. John 17:17 (NIV)
Cam, Albuquerque, NM
My help comes from theLord,Who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:2 NKJV
RaeLeen – Bloomington Indiana:
I will put my Spirit into your children. My blessing will be like a stream of water flowing over your family.
Isaiah 44:3b NIV
Ginny Vancouver, BC
“The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still” Exodus 14:14 ESV
Shelly Wilson, Fort Worth, TX
Philippians 1:20 (HCSB) – My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all boldness, Christ will be highly honored in my body…
Lori Anthony, Pine River MN
“On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.’ ” John 7:37-38 NIV84
Whitesboro, TX
John 3:16-18 (NIV)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he does not believe in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
Terri, College Station, TX
Psalm 46:10
Be still and know that I am God
Benita Parker, Highlands Ranch, CO,
So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I AM he. I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me. And the one who sent me is with me—he has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him.” (John 8:28-29 NLT)
Terry, Granbury
Psalm 19:14, Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer. Holman
Mary Beth Wilson – Fredericton, NB (Canada)
“For you were called to freedom, brethren;
only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity
for the flesh, but through love, serve one another”.
Galatians 5:13 (NASB)
Proverbs 2:9-11
Then you will understand what is right and just and fair – every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you and understanding will guard you.
Kasi – Tacoma,Wa
Anita from Eagle Hill, Alberta, Canada
“from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,” Ephesians 3:15
Rene’, Mineola, TX
Ezra 7:10 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.
Jennifer Olmstead
Janesville, Wisconsin
Hosea 11:4 [NIV; slightly modified]
“I led them with cords of Loving-Kindness; I lifted the yoke from their neck, and bent down to feed them.”
I love this verse because I know that the One who is speaking is our God Almighty, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords !!!
And, I NEED to Know in my life right now !
Love in Christ Jesus, Jennifer
Janie, Lawton
Galatians 5:16
I say the, Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Brentwood, TN
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)
Carol White, Vian, OK
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
Amanda Miller Lafayette, LA
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
Harmony, East Helena, MT
Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you.
Psalm 55:22a
“In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” Titus 3:7b-8 (NIV)
Lynda from Dallas, Tx.
…”from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,”
Eph. 3:16 ESV
Oak Harbor, WA
Hebrews 10:22 (NIV)
Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
Chrystal – Coachella CA – “Hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5)
Christina Luther, Roseburg Oregon
Psalms 32:8 NLT
The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.