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
Dr. Wilma Arant, Swartz, LA:
“Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” Mark 9:24b
Katrina Casey, Chandler, OK
Psalm 139:23-24
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me. And lead me in the way everlasting.”
*This is my verse 6. I have it memorized, but I honestly don’t remember if I ever posted it and can’t seem to find it. So here it is.
Susan from Madison,MS
There I will go to the altar of God, to God-the source of all my joy. I will praise you with my harp, O God, my God!
Psalm 43:4 (NLT)
Sheryl, Rocky Mount, NC. “I will teach all your children, and they will enjoy great peace.” Isaiah 54:13 NLT
Traci, Parkersburg, WV
“But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory,
and the lifter of my head.”
~Psalm 3:3 ESV
” May the Lord of peace give you peace at all times and in every way. May the Lord be with all of you.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Paula, Atlanta Tx
“For I satisfy the thirsty person and feed all those who are weak”.
Jeremiah 31:25 NKJV
Holly Belt
Spring Hill,TN
Ephesians 3:15
from whom every family in heaven and earth derives its name.
Donna from Allen, TX
John 3:16 NKJV
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Hannah Marks, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Romans 5:16 ESV
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.
Pace, Florida
Micah 5:5
And He will be their peace.
“Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life.”
Isaiah 43:4 ( NIV)
This verse is so meaningful to me…for most of my life I had been abused by parent who sex u ally abused me, got into marriage that was abusive: emotionally, spiritually, and sexually.
Now , close to retirement, after being divorced for 12 + years, I feel like the daughter of the King ( Jesus Christ,
my Lord ). I Truly KNOW Deep Within My Spirit THAT Jesus lives in me and I am a priceless love in His sight.
Oh, precious Maggie. I have your name on a sticky note today and am praying for you. You are indeed most precious in His sight. He see you. He hears you. And He loves you beyond measure!
Julie Springfield, IL
And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.
2 Thes 3:13
Leslie Robison from Elkhart, IN
Ephesians 3:15 (ESV)
from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
Cedar Hill, TX
And every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world. 1John 4:3 (NAB)
Jeanmarie, Archbald, PA
Show me, O Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man’s life is but a breath. Selah.
Psalm 39:4-5. NIV
Dawn, Beavercreek, OH
Psalm 31:7 (NLT)
“I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for YOU HAVE SEEN my troubles, and YOU CARE about the anguish of my soul.”
Karen Collier from the Eastern Shore of Maryland
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
I totally forgot to add my verse to the blog. Ugh. Here goes.
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
“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.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Terri Lopez Cedar Grove, WI
from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. Ephesians 3:15 NIV
Mona – Rome, GA
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)
Heather Miller, Greensburg, LA
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6 ESV
Emily Miller, Greensburg, LA
1 I raise my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? 2 My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. Psalms 121:1-2 HCSB
Jennifer Miller, Greensburg, LA
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Philippians 3:12
Jenny Manis, Glen Rose, TX, For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23 NIV)
So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. – Psalm 90:12 (NASB)
Angelina Eger, Capistrano Beach, CA
1 Peter 5:7New International Version (NIV)
7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Ephesians 6:14-15 NIV
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
Kimberly Mason, Tuscaloosa, AL:
John 14:18 ESV
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”
Stephanie Smith, Sioux Falls, SD
“Teach us to number our days, that we m arty gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalms 90:12 NLT
Allison from Richmond, TX: “You who sow in tears shall reap with joy.” Psalm 126:5
Lise Ode, Cumming, GA. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 NASB
Becky, Alberta, Canada
Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings. Ps. 17:8 NIV
Molly
Paris, KY
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you & not to harm you, plans to give you hope & a future.”
Christy Brey, Jackson, MO
‘That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. An indecisive man is unstable in all his ways.’ James 1:7-8 hcsb
Jamie
Corbin,Ky
1 Peter 3:2 AMP
When they observe the pure and modest way in which you conduct yourselves, together with your reverence [for your husband; you are to feel for him all that reverence includes: to respect, defer to, revere him–to honor, esteem, appreciate, prize, and, in the human sense, to adore him, that is, to admire, praise, be devoted to, deeply love, and enjoy your husband]. (1 Peter 3:1-6 goal)
Jami
Fayetteville, NC
“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Ephesians 5:21. NIV
SHERI, Austin TX
Nahum 1:7 ESV
The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble;
he knows those who take refuge in him.
Mandy Helm
College Station, TX
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.
Ephesians 4:29 ESV
Leah Kirksey, Camden, Arkansas
“He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. ” Psalms 112:7 NKJV
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (ESV)
Hannah, La Grange,TX “are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?” Galatians 3:3 NIV
Kelly Womack, Fort Smith, AR
“Haven’t I commanded you:be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 HCSB
Fort Worth, TX
Hebrews 13:16 (ESV) Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Ruth, Odin, IL
“because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”
-Romans 8:14 (NIV84)
Angie Miller, Macon, Mississippi
To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of His calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by His power.
2 Thessalonians 1:11, ESV
Sara Langone, Santa Fe, NM “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine” Isaiah 43:1 ESV
Katelyn J, Colo Spgs, CO
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27 NIV
Janelle, Irving, TX
“Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:4 ESV
Carrie Hammons – Arlington, TX – “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay.” Matthew 28:6
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Heidi Nielsen, MA. “Finally Brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4: 8-9 NIV