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
Jodi Dalton, Dothan,AL
“Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”
Psalm 51:2 NIV
And to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of Christ.
Ephesians 3:19 NIV
Katie from Greensboro, NC
I am the vine; you are the benches, if a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5 NIV
Kelly, Spanish Fort, AL “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.” John 15:5 NIV
Portia Jordan, Hendersonville, Tn.
Psalm 62:7 ” In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God”.
Philippians 2:13 ESV
For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Shelley, Brigham City, UT
Vanessa Lipsit, San Antonio, TX
Philippians 1:6 NLT
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
Shelly Albertville MN
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of it’s own!
Matthew 6:34 NIV
Marilyn Gadsden Al
No one has ever seen God but if we love one another God lives in U.S. And his love is made complete in U.S.
1John 4:12
Sierra Skowhegan Maine
Romans 8:26-27
“Also the Spirit helps us with our weakness. We do not know how to pray as we should. But the Spirit Himself speaks to God for us, even begs God for us with deep feelings that words cannot explain. God can see what is in people’s hearts. And He knows what is in the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit speaks to God for His people in the way God wants.” NCV
Dee, Prescott, AZ For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:21, ESV
Laura from Oklahoma says:
The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalms 18:2
Phyllis Norwich, CT
2 Corinthians 4:6 (NIV)- For God who said let light shine out of darkness made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
Brenda Rowland, Mint Hill, NC 5/15/15
2 Tim. 3:16-17. NKJV
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for righteousness that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Emilie Eaton, IN
2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)- Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Becky Morrison, Marietta, GA
For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Isaiah 55:12 ESV
I pray that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power in the inner man through His Spirit, and that the Messiah may dwell in your hearts through faith.
Ephesians 3:16-17 (HCSB)
Romans 4:20-21 ESV
No unbelief made him (Abraham) waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.
Vanessa Peacock, Augusta, GA
I lift up my eyes to the mountains where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
Linda Grantham from Raymond, MS
Psalm 61:2 King James Version
“From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
Debbie Baker, Las Vegas, NV
“Look at the nations and watch and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.”
Habakkuk 1:5 NIV
Rita Koch, Upland, IN
Romans 6:8 (HCSB)
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him,
Romanos 6:8 (RVC)
Así que, si morimos con Cristo, creemos que también viviremos con él.
Michelle Weihing Frisco TX
Psalm 62:6
He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense and my fortress, I will not be moved
The lovely and crazy talented Natalie Grant thinks it too!! ; )
Diane PerkinsRockford Mi
So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you being rooted and established in love. Ephesians 3:17 NIV
Kristi, Anchorage, Alaska
Colossians 1:11 (NLT)
11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy,
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin
Ps 51:2 ESV
Mindy Habelt, Williamson, GA
Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
“The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. ~Psalm 19:14 (ESV)~
Mandi ~ North Carolina~
Russellville,AR.// Psalms 119:93 I will never forget your commandments, for by them you give me life
Connie Hardy, Durham, NC “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror”. ESV
Leslie Brown, Denver, Colorado
He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 17:20
Monte, Dickson, TN. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. ~Psalms 23:3~ NKJV
Judy Teague, Anna, Texas
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10 (NIV)
Debut.33:27
The eternal God is our refuge, and underneath our the everlasting arms.
Kim, Richmond, Tx, “and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 2 Peter 1:7, (NIV)
Have mercy on us,LORD, have mercyon us,for we have endured more than enough contemp.
Psalms 123:3
Let your gentleness be evident to all.
The Lord is near
(Philippians 4:5 NIV
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named
Eph 3:14-15 ESV
Patricia from Richmond, TX:
“The beloved of the LORD dwells in safety. The High God surrounds him all day long and dwells between his shoulders.”
Deut. 33:12 ESV
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:12-13 ESV
Warsaw, In.
April 15
For physical training is of some value but godliness has value in all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
I Tim. 4:8
Kristi Skeen – Katy, TX But he will be assured today that the LORD your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them, He will subdue them for you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly as the LORD has promised you.
Deuteronomy 9:3 (NIV)
Suzanne Allan, Alix, Alberta, Canada
I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Isaiah 61:10 (NASB)
Judy – Cottageville WV
“In a moment in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead in Christ shall be raised incorriptible, and we shall be changed.” 1 Cor 15:52 KJV
Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires.
Heather B., West Hartford, CT: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
-Hebrews 12:1, NIV
Ali, New York
“From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
-Psalm 61:2 NIV
Pam Jackson, Blue Springs, MO, “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith – that you, being rooted and grounded in love,” Ephesians 3:17
Lili Potenza, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL “9Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! James 5:9 NIV