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 Kearns, Jefferson City, MO
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:9 NIV
Bambi Phillippe. Campbell, CA. Deuteronomy 20:4
For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.
Amy Conine, Corinth, TX
Numbers 23:19 NIV
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?
Christina Drewry, Decatur, TX
Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.
1 Corinthians 14:1 ESV
Beth P, Roswell, GA
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”….You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:11, 13 NIV
seeing this afresh
Bless those who persecute you;bless and do not curse.
-Romans 12:14
JA, St Charles, IL
Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you;
he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
Psalm 55:22, ESV
Lora Leftwich, Indian Land, SC Ephesians 3:14-15 (ESV)
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father.
from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,”
Tapanga Bois, Bradenton Florida. 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. John 3:16 NIV
Megan Flora, Oak Ridge, TN.
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” -Proverbs 31:30 (NIV)
Beth D, Madison, MS
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 NIV84
Debbie Salmonson, Reno, Nevada
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Romans 3:23 NASB
Shelley from San Angelo
O Israel, put your hope in the LORD,
for with the LORD is unfailing love
and with Him is full redemption.
Psalm 130:7 NIV
Light shines on the godly, and joy on those whose hearts are right. Psalm 97:11
This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone,… Romans 4:22-23 NIV
“The Lord has given me a well-trained tongue that I may speak to the weary- a word that will rouse them.”
Isaiah 50:4
Jessica -Cumming, GA
Verse 6
Deuteronomy 32:3 NIV
“I will proclaim the name of the Lord, O Praise the greatness of our God”
James 1:12 NIV
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Jennifer T, Grove City, Ohio
Abby Smith in Troy, OH
“Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” ~Psalm 9:10 (NIV)
SteshA Clayburgh, Las Cruces NM
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
-Proverbs 31:30 (NIV)
Shelly Verley
Apache Junction, AZ
“And now Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,” Deuteronomy 10:12, NASB
Gwen McVey – Longview, Tx – “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33b ESV
Sheba
St. Pete. FL
Romans 12:12
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. ESV
Amanda; Queen City, TX
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self control. 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
“Look to th Lord and his strength; seek his face always.”
1 Chronicles 16:11; NIV
Greta, Denton, TX
Jenn Walker, Sarver, PA “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,…” Ephesians 3:20 NIV
Hendersonville, TN
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent and praiseworthy think about such things.”
Phil 4:8 (NIV)
Tammy, Monroe, IA. Wait for the Lord. Be strong and don’t lose hope. Wait for the Lord! Psalm 27:14 NIrV
Siabhon N. Richards
Phenix City, AL
“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives it’s name.”
Ephesians 3:14-15,NIV
Tonya Devine, Bryant, AR “Do everything without complaining or arguing.” Phil. 2:14 NIV
But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life…….
Matthew 7:14 NIV
Missy
Humble, Texas
“That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by Spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the date of Christ is at hand.”
II Thess. 2:2 KJV
Gering, Nebraska
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
John 15:6
If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
Psalm 40:1
I waited patiently for the Lord and He inclined me and heard my cry for help.
Tammy Gillmore
Charlotte, AR
“Teach me to do Your Will, for You are my God; may Your Good Spirit lead me on level ground.”
Psalm 143:10 NIV
If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 NIV
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:25-6 NIV
They are more desirable than gold, yes than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Ps 19:10 (series) NASB
Genesis Eakes – San Antonio, Tx
“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am He. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.” Isaiah 43:10 ESV
Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us that we may be saved. Psalm 80:19 NIV
Lanise Sachse, Texas
In Him and through Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Ephesians 3:12 NIV
LaVonne Beale, Peachtree City, GA
The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
Jeremiah 31:3
Kim – Katy, Texas
Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed;
Save me, and I shall be saved,
For you are my praise.
Jeremiah 17:14 ESV
Mandi Bulen-Licking,MO
You shall have no other gods before me Exodus 20:3 NIV
Tina Cincinnati OH – The rain came down, the streams rose, and the wind blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall down, because it had its foundation on the rock. Matthew 7:25 NIV
Tapanga Bois,Bradenton Florida. My dear brothers,take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:19 NIV
Arlington, Texas
1 John 4:4 NLT
But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.
Debbie, Sherwood, OR, “To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1
Tammy- Alexander, NC
Behold how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity.
Psalm 133:1 (ESV)