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
Lauren Fancher – Marble, AR
1 Corinthians 13:13 – And now these three reamin: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. – NIV
Jessica Sanders, Broken Arrow, OK
Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 NIV
For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good work, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Eph 2:10 ESV
Abigail Dubbe, Red Lion PA, 2 Corinthians 4:7, “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.” (NLT)
Berni, Albuquerque
“You should have the same attitude toward one another
that Christ Jesus had,” Philippians 2:5 NET
For Christ is the end of the law of righteousness to everyone who believes. Hebrews 10:4
Stephanie Murphy, College Station, TX
“Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
Elizabeth Hughes, Berrien Springs,MI, “Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!” (Psalm96:9ESV).
Linda Proffitt -Louisville, KY
The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17
Judy, Apple Valley , CA
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)
Rhonda Jackson, Godfrey, Illinois
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:23 – KJV
Tracey Boynton, Kingsburg, CA
So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12
Ellen Hollenshead, Albuquerque, NM. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11, ESV.
Tracy Pratz, Las Cruces NM
I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.
Isaiah 44:22 NIV
Sue-Elise, Burkesville KY. “But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.” Psalm 71:14 NIV
Jane Lakey, Panama City Beach
Psalm 103:11
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
So great is His love for those who fear Him
“Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envyng one another” NASB
lLincoln Nebraska
Heather Hanna, Anna, TX
Matthew 6:21 NIV
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Nancy Israel, Jackson, MO
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” John 14:1
from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. Evs 3:15
Joanna Schumacher, Arlington, TX
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:5 NKJV
Bonnie Mink Hendersonville, Tennessee verse 6 A thousand years are but as yesterday to you! They are like a single hour! Psalm 90:4 TLB
Vicki C., Lenexa, KS
Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Michelle O’Banion, Grandview, TX
Psalm 139:2 ESV
You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar….
Romans 12:2
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of the world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Danielle,Pinewood, SC
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
Lynda from Ocala, FL: I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land.I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you. Genesis 28:15 NIV
Ruthie Farmer
Brentwood TN
“From whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,”
Ephesians 3:15 ESV
Evan Stratton, Charlotte, NC
“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.”
1 Timothy 6:18 NIV
Vicki Knott, Greenwood, SC
“Because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4b (NIV)
Laura Dvorkin, Los Angeles, California
Psalm 40:13 ESV
Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me!
O LORD, make haste to help me!
Andrea from Oneonta, AL
He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. Deut 32:4
North Richland Hills, Texas
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
Billie Jauss Naples, FL
“He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30 (NIV)
Janet from Odessa, TX
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
II Corinthians 10:4-5. ESV
Marie from Post Falls, Idaho:
“He is the Rock, His work is perfect;
For all His ways are justice,
A God of truth and without injustice;
Righteous and upright is He.” – Deuteronomy 32:4 (NKJV)
Shauna Long, Cape Girardeau, MO
Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews 10:22, NIV
Jenna, Fort Worth, Tx
Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;
Philippians 4:5 ESV
Alissa; Lexington, SC:
“For Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
You rule throughout all generations.
The Lord always keeps His promises;
He is gracious in all He does.” Psalm 145:13 (NLT)
Nancy Whte, Lees’s Summit, Mo: from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, Eph 3:15, NAS
Orange Park, FLORIDA
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery,fornication,uncleanness,lasciviousness,
Julie Fawcett, Round Rock, TX-
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” –
Hebrews 12:28-29 NIV
Tillsonburg, Ontario
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12 NIV
Beth Hurst, Ypsilanti, Michigan
“Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!'” Mark 9:24 NIV
Fruita, CO
“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults – unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back – given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting is the way. Generosity begets generosity.”
Luke 6:37-38 MSG
Laura, Minneapolis, MN
For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:14 ESV)
Bobbie Underwood – Jefferson City, MO
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 (ESV)
Megan, Stow, Oh, Train up a child the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Prov 22:6 KJV
Sabrina Young, Yakima, WA
“Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything He had spoken came true.” – Joshua 21:45 NLT
Sandy Lewis. Overland Park, Kansas
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”
Isaiah 26:3 ESV