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
Patti – Auburndale, FL
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well
Psalm 139:14 KJV
Cynthia, Brooklyn Park, MN
Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children.
Psalm 90:16 ESV
“Give the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness.” Psalm 29:2 Wendy, Barrie.
Leslie Westmoreland, Franklintin, LA “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” Psalm 90:14 NIV
Oviedo, FL
But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. (Colossians 3:8 ESV)
Allison – Fort Worth, TX
Cease striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm 46:10 (NASB)
Debra P., Kingwood,Texas. “and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you,” 1 Thessalonians 4:11 NIV
Galatians5:6 & 14 NIV
The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. . .The entire law is summed up in a single command: “love your neighbour as yourself.”
Kay, Sierra Vista, AZ
Genesis 50:20 NASB
And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.
Barrett, Plano, TX
Deuteronomy 31:6 (KJV)
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Edmonds, Washington
Matthew 5:5 NIV
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Joy, Altadena, CA
“God saves me and honors me. He is that mighty rock where I find safety.” Psalm 62:7 CEV
ESV Psalm 62:7
On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
Kimberly Turman, Montgomery, AL
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10 (NIV)
Been working on my verse but realized I forgot to post it!
Abby T., Ferndale, WA:
“…And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.” –Isaiah 58:10
Susan Balkau, Waxahachie, TX “”God made great and marvelous promises, so his nature would become part of us., Then we could escape our evil desires and corrupt influences of this world.” @nd Peter 1:4 (CEVUS06)
Laura Proctor, Madison, MS
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world-the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he does-comes not from the Father but from the world. I John 2:15 & 16 NIV
Amy, Cedar Rapids, IA
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
I John 1:9 KJV
Carrie Foreman, Horatio, Ar.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. Romans 12:12
Juliana
Livermore, CAMarch 15
Psalm 27:14 – NASB
Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.
Barbara – Atlanta, GA
Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but, the Spirit gives birth to Spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear it’s sound, but, you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” John 3:5-8 (NIV)
Beth Pleasant Plains, IL
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:24 ESV
Mildred, Montserrat
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Psalms 100:2 (KJV)
Jenni from Des Moines Is: 14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.[a] This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” exodus 3:14
James 4:12 ESV
There is only one lawgiver and judge, He who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
Cathy Bay, Webb City, MO
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13 NKJV
“Sing to the Lord a new song, play skillfully on the strings with loud shouts!” Psalm 33:3 NKJV
Patrice, Midland, TX
Matthew 21:22 (NIV)
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.
Renee Miracle – Westfield, IN
Daniel 2:22 NIV
“He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.”
March 28,2015; Marble Falls, Texas
“As the father has loved me, so I have loved you. Now remain in my love.” John 15:9
Lynda – Jacksonville, AR
“The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 (NIV)
Angie- Farina, IL: Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshipping him with holy fear and awe. Hebrews 12:28 NLT
Pamela, Houston, TX
Proverbs. 4:23 NIV
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the well spring of life.
Bethany S.
Modesto Ca.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (ESV)
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
Pamela, Kansas City, MO
Prov 4:23 (NLT)
Tricia
Southern California
2 Thessalonians 3: 1-3 (ESV)
Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.
Rita Ford, The Woodlands, Texas “It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.” Psalm 19:6 NIV
Diana Robbins, Cicninnati, Ohio. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. 1John 4:16 NIV
The Lord will fight for you. You need only be still.
Exodus 14:14 NIV
Lisa , Moyock , NC
NIV Gal. 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
“Let your speech always be with grace; as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. ” Col 4:6 ( N AS)
Claire Anderson, Cedarville, OH
Ephesians 3:12 NIV
“In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”
Keri C. Canton, Michigan
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your sould, with all your mind and with all your strength.”
Mark 12:30
Janey Palmer from Naples Florida.
“This I know, that God is for me.” Psalm 56:9 ESV
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2
Jenni Thomas
Tionesta , PA
Jesus answered, “if I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”
John 21:22 NIV
Susan Stevens, Huntsville, Arkansas
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22 NASB
Debbie Ebert, Joplin, MO
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. Psalm 28:7 NIV
I just realized that I posted my 6th verse on the wrong post, so I am reposting it here:
Missy S, Chapel Hill, NC
“Yet you are he who took me from the womb;
you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts.
On you was I cast from my birth,
and from my mother’s womb you have been my God.” ~ Psalm 22:9-10 (ESV)
Rebekah Dindak
Allen, TX
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.”
-1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (ESV)