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
Nicole//Dallas//NLT “Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:6
Jas 2:1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.
James 2:1. ESV
1peter 5:6,7
Humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up
in due time .
Cast all your anxiety on Him because
He cares for you.
Inez Barnes
Hamburg AR
Matthew 7:12. NIV
So in everything do to others what you would have them do to you for this sums up the law and the prophets
Unionville Tennessee
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV
shelby, nc
“I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay; And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. And He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear, And will trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:1 NAS
“But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness ,and
all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
“He was despised and rejected- a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on Him and looked the other way. He was despised and we did not care.” Isaiah 53:3 NLT
Aretha Gearhart, Council Bluffs, IA Ephesians 1:19, KJV. and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power
Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Stacy, Greenfield, Indiana
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me -the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
Acts 20:24 (NIV)
Donna Mina, Norman, OK
Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you.
Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. (Psalms 143:8 NLT)
“from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,”
~Ephesians 3:15 ESV
Hollie
Granbury, TX
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
Cindy
Sulphur, LA
James 1:7-8 (HCSB)
That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. And indecisive man is unstable in all his ways.
Aimee – Highland, IN
Psalm 1:1b NIV “…or stand in the way that sinners take or set in the company of mockers.”
The sovereign Lord has given me His words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning He wakens me and opens my understanding to His will. Isaiah 50:4 NLT
Missouri city, TX
“Do not let your adorning be external- the braiding of the hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear- but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands.” (1 Peter 3:3-5 ESV)
Lindsey Gibson Soddy-Daisy,TN, Psalm 3:3 NKJV,But you, O Lord, are a shield about me My glory, and the ONE who lifts my head.
Lori
Bangor, Maine
The Lord you 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)
Meleah Spencer, Springfield, MO. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12. NIV
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalms 51;10
Vanessa Peacock Augusta, Georgia
God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you. 2 Thessalonians 1:6
Kim H., McKinney
Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV)
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
Winder, GA
Colossians 3:6 “For it is because of these things go that the wrath of God will come on the sons of disobedience.” The verse seems out of place unless I quote verses 1-5!
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us.
Ephesians 3:20. NIV
Kristi from Anchorage Alaska:
Colossians 1:12, NLT
May you be filled with joy,[a] 12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.
Linda Grantham from Raymond, MS
ESV James 1:12
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life,” which God has promised to this who love him.
Michelle Weihing Frisco, TX
Colossians 1:17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Laurie – Albany, Ga.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:21 NIV
for the mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. NIV Romans 8:6
Suzanne Allan, Alix, Alberta, Canada
It will no longer be said to you, “Forsaken,” nor to your land will it any longer be said, “Desolate”; but you will be called, “My delight is in her,” and your land, “Married”; for the Lord delights in you, and to Him your land will be married. Isaiah 62:4
Regina Nations,Lancaster, Ca
NIV~ Ephesians 4:31Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger,brawling and slander along with every form of malice.
Rhonda. Anderson, Indiana
Psalm 19:7-8
The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
NIV
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
2 Cor. 5:7 ESV
Charlene, Waterloo, ON
Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
John 17:3 (NIV)
Our days on earth are like grass;like wild flowers we bloom and die.
Psalm 104:15
The wind blows and we are gone like we had never been here.
Psalm 104:16
Liliana Potenza, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL The eyes of the LORD run through the earth, to show himself strong for those who trust him.” (2 Chronicles. 16:9 ESV)
Matthew 10:28 ESV, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
1 John 2:16
For all that is in the world- the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions. Is not from the father but is from the world!
Libby Montez
Lake in the Hills, IL
“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you. Not as the world gives do I give unto you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
John 14:27, ESV
isaiah 30:21 NIV
whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “this is the way; walk in it.”
Sarah Moen Fairfield Me
Those who trust in the Lord are like mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
Psalm 125:1 NIV
The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Whitney Payne, LaGrange, GA: James 1:26 (NIV84) – If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
Laura Naiser, Georgetown TX
John 16:33, NIV
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
Allison Bayles, Katy,
Hebrews 4:14,niv
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace,Whose mind is stayed on you. Because he trusts in you.NKJV
Liliana Potenza, Ponte Vedra Beach, fl “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)
Rebecca & Emma Jamerson, Hallsville, TX
Emma
” LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.” Psalm 131:1, KJV
Rebecca
“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Romans8:11, KJV