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
Kandi Miller; Colton, SD
Ephesians 1:19-20 ESV
“and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,”
Ashley Phillips, McKinney, TX: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”(Hebrews 13:8 ESV)
Kristi B.
Houston, TX
(Good grief — realized today (4/1) that I never submitted my 3/15 verse though I’ve memorized it–oops)
Hebrews 4:13 NLT
“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes, and He is the one to whom we are accountable.”
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding
Proverbs 3:5
Shari Valdez from Long Beach, California
But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)
Connie Windham
Trout, LA
Psalm 29:2 ESV
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.
Davina Denny San Diego, CA Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done. 1 Chronicles 16:8 (NIV
207 K Pleasant Valley Road
I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.
Psalm 16:8. ESV
Jamie Cormier, Lufkin Texas
“For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and at the last he will stand upon the earth.”
Job 19:25, ESV
Rita Koch, Upland, IN
Romans 6:7 (HCSB)
…”since a person who has died is freed from sin’s claims.”
Romanos 6:7 (RVC)
“Porque el que ha muerto, ha sido liberado del pecado.”
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. ” Galatians 5:1 KJV
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2Tim 1:7
Melissa | Lancaster, PA
Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, (Philippians 2:14-15 ESV)
Denise, Winfield, MO
Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.
Jennifer Watson, Ruston, LA
Hebrews 13:5 (NASB) Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.”
“Little children, let no one deceive you! The one who does what is right is righteous, just as He is righteous.” I John 3:7 HCSB
Emily in Puyallup, WA
Isaiah 38:16 NIV
“Lord, by such things people live; and my spirit finds life in them too. You restored me to health and let me live.”
Marsha T Jupiter FL
Be joyful always; Pray continually. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17
Elke Ingersoll – Lake Geneva, WI: “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” -Proverbs 3:3 & 4 (NIV)
Dawn Deare – Lafayette, LA
Ezekiel 36:26-27 NLT
And I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new obedient heart.
And I will put my spirit in you so you will obey my laws and do whatever I commanded.
Barb, Urbandale, IA
For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh… Romans 8:3 NASB
Monica Pribe, Blacklick, OH “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6 ESV
You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
Isaiah 26:3 ESV
Lesa Ritter, Lubbock,Tx
I am behind, but I’m still memorizing! Here’s my verse 6:
Ps 104:33, ESV: I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
6 Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!
7 It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,
8 yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.
9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard?
When will you get up from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest —
11 and poverty will come on you like a bandit
and scarcity like an armed man. Prov 6:6-11 NIV
Lisa Vaughn Ripley, WV
“Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.”
1 Samuel 12:24 ESV
Kristy Foster Strongsville, OH
“Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.”
1 Samuel 12:24 ESV
Karen G.
Trussville, AL
“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.”
Lamentations 3:25 (NIV)
Leah from Athens, GA
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,”
Ephesians 3:14 (ESV)
Jackson, TN “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” 1 Peter 2:11 ESV
Karen Thiessen, Everett, WA
Psalm 62:2 (HCSB)
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will never be shaken.
Lindsay McDonald Casey, IL ““The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3: 24
Zara, Seoul, South Korea
“For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name!” Luke 1:49 ESV
Romans 1:20
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes,
His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen,
being understood through what has been made,
so that they are without excuse.”
NASB/IISB
Clancie Speck, Elizabehtown, KY, “The steps of a (good) man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies himself with his every step].” Psalm 37:23 (AMP)
Beaumont, Texas
When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.
John 19:30 NAB
Annette- Reno, NV
God is within her she will not fall:
God will help her at break of day.
Psalm 46:5 NIV
The highway of the upright avoids evil;
the one who guards his way protects his life.
Proverbs 16:17 (HCSB)
Lori
Bangor, Maine
The Lord your God is in your midst; He is a warrior who can deliver. He takes great delight in you; He renews you by His love; He shouts for joy over you.
Zephaniah 3:17 NET
Sandra Roberts, Fort Worth, TX psalm 19:13 “keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.”
Dametra S, Fort Worth, Texas
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
Jennifer D, Fort Worth, Texas
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
Rebecca S, Fort Worth, Texas
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
Karen from Shelton, Wa
And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace:
Ephesians 6:15 NKJV
Ashley Ehrlick – Billings, MT
March 15 – “I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.” (3John1:4 NLT)
April 1 – “Your greatest glory will be that you belong to Him.” (2Thess.1:12 Living Bilble)
Kristin Johnson, Owasso, OK
“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,”
Ephesians 6:14 NIV
Brigitte from Newark, Ohio
And I tell you, ask and it will be given you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Luke 11:9 ESV
For memory verse 5 I picked a long one. I still don’t have it memorized and I got a bit discouraged and skipped posting in mid-march. But through teaching my 3 year old we memorized Psalm 119:60 and I am going to use it for verse 6 because it applies to me too!
Patty Vandaveer; Lake Jackson, Texas
Psalm 119:60 (ESV) “I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments.”
Heather H Pflugerville, TX
Psalm 103:17 (NASB)
But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him and His righteousness to children’s children.
And my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19