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
Those who look to Him are radiant ; their faces are never covered in shame.
Psalms 34:5 NIV
Lili Potenza, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, Hebrews 11:1, NIV, “Now faith is confidente in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your request to God. Philippians 4:6 NIV
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.
GA
…”I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” Isaiah 49:16NIV
Galatains 5:22-26,niv
But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Tera
Gardendale, Alabama
Psalm 119:16 NIV
I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
Catasauqua, PA
Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV)
You must love the Lord your God with all of your heart, all of your soul and all of your strength
Stacey, Tomball, Psalm 25:1-2 NIV
To you O Lord I lift up my soul, In you I trust, O my God do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.
Lili Potenza, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Stephanie B.
Augusta, GA
Ps 73:25-26
Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth the I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Laura Willard, Cedar Park, TX
Not to us, O Lord, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. Psalm 115:1 (NIV)
Therefore I urge you brothers in view of Gods mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy & pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.
Romans 12:1 NIV
Father, I thank you that you have heard me.
I know that you always hear me. John 11:41-42
Debbie LeBlanc, Rockledge, Fl
1Thess 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ.
Bonnie O’Shields, Dacusville, SC
But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
James 1:6 HCSB
Heather Hoch Pflugerville, TX
from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name
Eph 3:15 (NASB)
DLynn Miracle, Argyle TX
Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;
they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
Psalm 25:3 ESV
Tammie Head, Houston, TX. “to knowledge, self-control; to self-control, perseverance; to perseverance, godliness;” 2Peter 1:6, NET
Ashley Kurtz, Kingwood, TX, “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.” Romans 8:26 NLT
Kirby Ray, Parsons, KS. “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” Galatians 5:6 NIV
Do not comform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test & approve what Gods will is – His good pleasing & perfect will.
Romans 12:2 NIV
But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
James 1:6
In your struggle against sun you have not yet resisted to the point is shedding your blood.
And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as children—
“My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, or lose heart when you are or lose heart when yo are punished by him; for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves, and chastises every child whom he accepts.”
Hebrews 22:5-6 NRSV
Lili Potenza, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl, Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” Luke 16:10 NIV
Tina from San Antonio Dear children this is the last hour and as you have heard that the antichrist, even now many antichrist, have come this is how we know it is the last hour. NIV 1john 2:18
Diane – Spring, Texas:
“that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.” (1 John 1:3) ESV
Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back – given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.
Luke 6:38 (MSG)
Louanne Collins
Portage Mi
1 Cor. 2:9
“But, as it is written, what no eye has seen, or ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.”
July 15, 2015 Buda Tx. NKJV Psalm 9:10 Those who know your name will put their trust in you: for you Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.
Sheri, Austin TX
Nahum 1:17
The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him.
For though we live in the world we do not wage war as the world does.
2 Corinthians 10:3 NIV
Lili Potenza, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, “The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him;” Daniel 9:9 NIV
Dorla in Lincoln Ne
with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.
Eph 1:10 NASB
1 Thes. 5:16-18 NIV
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Covington, LA
“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction” II Timothy 4:2
Tremont, IL
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! Do not let my heart incline to evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies!
Psalm 141:3-4 (ESV)
Anna, Tx
God is spirit, and His worshippers must worship Him in spirit and truth.”
John 4:24 ESV
Lili Potenza, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL “The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.You will be like a well-watered garden,like a spring whose waters never fail.” NIV Isaiah 58:11
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of this world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
II Corinthians 10:4
Tara Ford, Beech Creek, KY
1 Thessalonians 5:17 NIV
[17] pray continually
Little Elm, TX
I can do everything through Him who gives me strength
Philippians 4:13
Lili Potenza, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—” Ephesians 2:8 NIV
Leanna Reynolds, Southlake, TX. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and Patience. Colossians 3:12 NIV
We demolish agruments & every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God; & we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
II Cor. 10:5 NIV
Sheri New Atlanta, TX
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.
Psalm 37:23 NKJV
Susan
Tyler, TX
October 8, 2015 at 4:31 p.m.
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.”
2 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV)
Natalie, Frisco, TX
“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”
Philippians 2:13 NLT
“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them,
how can the love of God be in that person?” NIV 1 john 3:17
Set a guard over my heart O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.
Psalm 141:3