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
Beverly
Baskin, Louisana
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
Romans 16: 20 NIV
Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in al circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians: 5: 16-18
Candy from St Louis, MO
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. (Ephesians 3:14-15 NIV)
Ruth Stephenson, Milan TN
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, oh Lord, My Rock and My Redeemer.” Proverbs 19:14 NIV
Dear sister, I really love the verse you chose! I am going to be using this verse also. I hope you see that it’s Psalm 19:14 Just happened to notice when looking it up. 🙂 Blessings to you!
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God
Jennifer Frisbie, Jefferson City, MO
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28, NIV)
Lori, Friendswood, TX
Isaiah 5: 20 (NIV)
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.”
Connie, Dallas, TX. (Double-dipping from last time,need another run at it!)
“Jesus answered,’Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed,the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'” John 4:13-14,NIV
Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Philippians 4-6
New Living Translation (NLT)
Karen Sanders, Burleson, TX. “This is the one who came by water and blood–Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies because the Spirit is the truth.” I John 5:6 NIV
Sherry Page
Elizabeth, CO
Psalm 55:22 NIV
Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you; He
will never let the righteous fall.
TONI GRAY, MANSFIELD,TX
JEREMIAH 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (ESV)
Lois Wheeler, Des Plaines, IL
Ephesians 3:16-17a (NIV)
“I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”
Kathy Jackson, Memphis, TN
“Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.” (Psalms 143:10 NLT)
I Timothy 2:1 KJV “I exhort therefore that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.”
Cathy Pernsteiner Clarkston, WA “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Debra, Ocoee, FL, “I will praise the name of God with a song. I will magnify him with thanksgiving.” Psalm 69:30 ESV
Stephanie, Cordova, TN
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5
Brittney, Kirkland
“Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalm 73:25-26 ESV
Sue Meigel East Meadow, NY
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:2 NIV
Patricia from Richmond, Texas
Psalm 118:5 “Out of my distress I called on the LORD ; the LORD answered me and set me free.” (ESV)
Lacy, Eugene, OR
“And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:11 NIV
Melody, Jefferson Ga.
“So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 (NASB)
Sherri, Albuquerque,
Colossians 3:15, NLT “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”
Peggy Watson, Whitby Ontario “And his compassion is, generation after generation, upon those who fear him.” Luke 1:50 (Weymouth)
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, oh Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer.”
Proverbs 19:14. NIV
Correction……Psalms 19:14
Kristi S. Rogersville, TN
EPHESIANS 6:17 NASB
And take the helment of salvation and the sword
of the Spirit, which is the Word of God
Melanie, Your “heart” message was wonderfully encouraging and uplifting for me today. Your love for God’s Word shined through. Thank you for sharing a part of your life.
Grace and Peace
Vickie Arthur
Student minister
McClendon Baptist Church
West Monroe, La.
Terry, Odessa, FL
“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” NIV
Sorry – forgot my verse Psalm 119;18
Tricia, Huntington Beach, CA
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:2, 5-6
Brenda McGurk, Medina, Ohio
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what
Is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what
Is unseen is Eternal.
2 Cor. 4:18 (NIV)
Ann, Mandeville, LA
1 Chronicles 16:11 Look to the Lord and His strength; seek his face always. (NIV)
Lea Ann Frank, Hales Corners, WI
Romans 8:28~
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Mary, Westfield, NJ
Ephesians 3:15 (NIV). ” from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.”
Debbie Lane, Cypress, Texas
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 NIV
So happy to see your name, my sweet friend! 🙂
Michelle Mardis, Scottsboro, AL
Ephesians 3:15, NASB
“from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,”
Guinevere,South Bend, IN
Matthew 19:26 NIV
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Rita Koch, Upland, IN
Romans 6:6 (HCSB)
For we know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that sin’s dominion over the body may be abolished, so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin.
Romanos 6:6 (RVC)
Sabemos que nuestro antiguo yo fue crucificado juntamente con él, para que el cuerpo del pecado sea destruido, a fin de que no sirvamos más al pecado.
How precious Rita!!
Jan Todd, Marion, IA
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:9 NASB
Shinae, Owasso, OK
“And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach”
Col 1:21-22 NASB
Jill Clearwater FL
You foolish man , do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless ?
James 2:20 NIV
Eutawville, SC
He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from troubles. Proverbs 21:23 NASB
Isaiah 41:13(NIV)
13 For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear;I will help you.
Tiffani Bessonette, Ruth MS
Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
Mark 4:40 NLT
Morgan Murphy, Muscle Shoals, AL “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 ESV
Lesley, Oceanside, CA.
“Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!” Psalms 100.2 ESV
Olivia, Chichester, UK “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
Nancy Turner, Woodbridge, VA
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!
24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! (Psalms 139:23-24,ESV)
Jamie Wagner, Billings MT
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2: 3-4, NIV)
Psalm 46:10 NIV
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” St. Louis, MO
Karen, Minneapolis,MN
The Creator of everything in heaven and earth. Ephesians 3:15. NLT