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
Jackie Pope, Covington, IN. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; NKJV
James 1:7 NKJV. Sorry!
Rose Coulter, Orange, Tx. James 17 a. NIV
“Every good and perfect gift is from above…”
Cynthia,Springville Al KJV
1Thessalonians 5:17
Pray Without Ceasing.
Cindy Peete-Colorado Springs, Co
Ps 62:5-6
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
Sarah, Edmond, OK
“The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” Psalm 16:6, NIV
Ruth, Greenwood, MO
Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5(NLT)
Kathy Lindsey, Ellerslie GA
Psalms 126:5. Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. NIV
Tonya, Searcy, AR
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His great power.
Eph. 6:10
NCV
Laura Stevens
El Paso, Texas
Hebrews 9:14 NIV
“How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”
Angie Watson, Greenville, NC
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:8 NIV)
Kathi Nitzsche
Lexington, OH
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Phil. 2:4 NIV
Rita Quinlan – Alva, Florida
“For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.”
1 John 2:16 – NLT
Luann Hansen Harlan, IA
“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.”
Isaiah 55:6
NASB
Shelly, Rochester, MN
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Georgetown, Texas
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)
Romans 8:38,39 (amp)
For I am persuaded beyond doubt that neither death, nor life, nor Angels, nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate is from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Libby, Rochester, MN
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 NIV
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
James 2:26
NIV
“The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere.”
James 3:17. NLT
Teena Trumbo
Huntsville, AR
John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
John 15:5 NIV
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you,
you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 3:17
Because God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
Nahum ESV 1:4
“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in HIM”
betty jane pedigo
franklin ky
Eph.6:10 NIV “Finally, be strong in the Lord, and his mighty power.”
“Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!” Is. 49:15
Cindy,
Wilton, England
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
John 14:26 NIV
Emily Byrd from Monroe, LA:
Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you,
He rises to show you compassion.
For the Lord is a God of justice;
Blessed are all who wait for Him!
Isaiah 30:18 NIV
Peg Suveg, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
“So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.” 1 Thessalonians 5:6.
(ESV)
Anne-Marie, Munich – Germany
Rom 8.38-39: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Susan
Piscataway, NJ
Your word, O Lord, is eternal,
It stands firm in the heavens.
NIV
“Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as (something done) for the Lord and not for men.” Colossians 3:23 (AMP)
Lynn P., Fairview, OK “Let us not become weary doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” ~Gal. 6:9 (NIV)
Nancy, The Woodlands, TX-
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
Isaiah 26:3
Terri, Cadillac, MI “Or do you think it’s without reason the Scripture says that the Spirit who lives in us yearns jealously? But He gives greater grace. Therefore He says: God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:5-6. HCSB
Joy Wylie from College Station, TX
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3
Brenda, Greenville SC
1Chronicles 16:11 NIV
Look to the Lord and His strength; seek his face always.
Gayla McKinney
Lee’s Summit, MO
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV)
Sally Reed, Houston, Texas. Philippians 4:4, NIV. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Dawn, Bristow, VA
“But He said to me, My grace is enough for you; for My strength and power are made perfect and show themselves most effective in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9, AMP
Heather Frierson, Pelion, SC.
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” 1 Corinthians 3:16 NIV
If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 4:11 NIV
Suzanne – St. Petersburg, Florida:
“For God hath not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of sound mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
Wendy Karabensh
Vero Beach
“A sluggard does not plow in season;
So at harvest time he looks
but finds nothing.”
~Proverbs 20:4
(NIV)
Elaine, New Orleans, LA
Luke 12:32 HCSB
Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights to give you the kingdom.
Ezekiel 36:26-27 (MSG)
I’ll give you a new heart, put a new spirit in you. I’ll remove the stone heart from your body and replace it with a heart that is God-willed, not self-willed. I’ll put my Spirit in you and make it possible for you to do what I tell you and live by my commands.
(Can I get a Hallelujah?!)
“Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.” Proverbs 3:6
Tulsa, OK
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:44
Susan
Fort Worth, TX
“Have nothing to so with the fruitless deeds of dark was, rather expose them.”
EPH 5:11. NIV
Fort Worth,Tx
“For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him” John 3:17
Fort Worth Tx
“For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him”
John 3:17