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
Tammy, Deer Park, WA
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
II Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV
NASB James 1:4
“And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
DeQuincy, LA.
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:7 NKJV
Becky Van Verst, Bend OR
“Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”
Hebrews 12:3 ESV
Stephanie Conroe TX
If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
Psalms 37:23-24
Alicia, Oregon, “This I know well, that God is for me!” Psalm 56:9b ESV
Susan in Grand Rapids, Michigan
To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!
Proverbs 15:23 ESV
John 1:6 – NIV
There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John.
TCobb, Texas
Psalm 102:12-14, NLT
But you, O LORD, will sit on your throne forever.
Your fame will endure to every generation.
You will arise and have mercy on Jerusalem –
And now is the time to pity her,
Now is the time you promised to help.
For your people love every stone in her walls
And cherish even the dust in her streets.
March 1, 2015 verse:
Psalm 122:6-7, NLT
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
May all who love this city prosper.
O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls
And prosperity within your palaces.
Nancy from Newmarket, Ontario Canada
(Oops I’m late by a day!!)
And He also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega – the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life.
Rev 21:6 NLT
Darcy Arnold, Elizabethtown, KY. “Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.” Micah 7:8 ESV
Christy
Fayetteville, AR
John 6:63 NIV
The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
John 6:63 NIV
Martha Blacklock
Lubbock, Texas
Romans 12:12 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
NIV
Cherie, Poulsbo Wa
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 Niv
Shiela Meert
Elkhart, IN
Psalm 86:11-12 NLT
Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever.
Janis Alling. Decatur. Texas
Psalms 1:5
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,nor sinners in the congregation of the rights.
Jenny Werth, Grand Ledge, MI:
“For Wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you and understanding will guard you.”
Proverbs 2:10-11 ESV
Courtney. Spring,TX
“When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,and she always says it kindly.”
Proverbs 31:26 MSG
Maria Cristina Bruschi
Orlando, Florida
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
Patty Royal
Orlando, FL
“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.”
Proverbs 11:3, NIV
South Bend In A day LATE!
1 Corinthians 9 :19-23 ESV
For Though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jew I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law (though not myself being under the law) that I might win those under the Law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God, but being under the law of Christ.) that I might win those outside of the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all my means I might save some. I do it for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessing.
Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. ESV. Lorrie. Rutledge. GA
Bonnie from Bellaire, TX. Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. Jeremiah 17:14 NIV84
Jackie,Mobile,Al.
“How great is Your favor, which You store up for Your loyal followers! In plain sight of everyone You bestow it on those who take shelter in You.”
-Psalm 31:19 (NET)
Angela Scott, Lexington,Tn
My help comes from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. Psalms 121:2
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” Matthew 25:23 (NIV)
Beth Lewis, Story City, Iowa
“that you make walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;”
Colossians 1:10, NKJ
*may
Peggy, Orange City, IA
Psalm16:5
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely, I have a delightful inheritance.
Kristen Fowler, Marble, NC
Share with God’s people in need. Practice hospitality. Rom 12:13 NIV
Margaret, Falls Church, VA
The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV)
Denise Ciofani, Lexington, NC. “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.” Ephesians 5:22.
Rhonda @ Jefferson City MO. But the Lord’s love for those who respect him continues forever and ever, and his goodness continues to their grandchildren. Psalm 103:17 NCV
Nancy Denver
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,” Ephesians 3:14 ESV
Shawn in AZ
But what things were gain to me,
these I have counted loss for Christ.
Philippians 3:7 NKJV
Three things will last forever —faith, hope, and love— and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NLT)
Psalm 34:5 They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed. NKJV Karen, Richardson, TX
Clare, Bucks, UK
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles: they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint
NLT Isaiah 40:31
Tracie Wheeler, Huntington WV The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. Proverbs 31:11 ESV
Shirley Barry, Mooresville, NC
Ephesians 3:15- from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.
Cheri VerMurlen, Bothell, WA
“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
Colossians 3:12 NLT
Donna,Oklahoma City Ok
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
Philippian 4:4 ESV
The spirit of the sovereign lord is on me, because the lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor, he has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
Isaiah 61:1. Lori Wichita KS.
Tillie, Spring Branch, TX
“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)
James 1:11 ESV
For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass;its flower falls,and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
janice -Topeka KS
Ephesians 3:15
From whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.
ESV
Jacki Roche, Jacksonville, FL
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31 NIV)
Rachel, Kelley, Mikayla, Pamela, Emily, Jami, Hannah, Renee, Laci and Kasi- Rowlett, tx “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” Hebrews 12:6
Chris
Canton, NC
So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12
(NASB)
Danielle Hart, Cadillac, MI
“All the ways of a man are pure in his own
eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.
Proverbs 16:2 ESV
Lisa Mottin, Davidsville, PA
But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”
Matthew 14:27 NLT