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
Jennifer R. Houston, Texas “Finally the crown of righteousness is reserved for me. The Lord, the righteous Judge, will award it to me that day – and not to me only, but also to all who have set their affection on his appearing.”
Jessica, Bellefonte, PA
Philippians 4:8 NLT
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
Suzy – Smyrna, GA
God is not man that He should lie, or son of man that he should change His mind. Has He said and He will not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it?
Numbers 23:19 -ESV
So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:26-27 ESV)
Carol from Kansas City, MO
I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. (Psalms 34:1 NASB)
Jenni, Pittsburgh, PA
Matthew 7:24-27 ESV
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. (Neh. 8:10B ESV)
Cayman Brac.
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. (Isaiah 40:28-29 NASB)
Terri, Pleasant Hope, MO
The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: we know it by the Spirit he gave us. 1 John 3:24 (NIV)
Kara Collins
Hot Springs, AR
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Colossians 3:17 KJV
Lord God, help me to always give thanks for whatsoever crosses my path – in Jesus’ Name!!
Melissa, Fort Worth,
“Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Rom 12:1-21 HCSB
Penny Burke Cincinnati, OH. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,”. Ephesians 3:20 NIV
emily lorin
atlanta, ga
“for the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being snared.” Proverbs 3:26 {niv}
Tanya from Lorton
(NIV) Galatians 5:24-25
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Raine M., Sherman Oaks CA
“But God who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us” Ephesians 2:4
Diane E. Charleston, IL
“But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.”
Jer. 18:4 NIV
Tari Hathcock, Washington, MO
1 Corinthians 9:26
So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. ESV
Sherry, Independence, Oregon:
“He has shown you, O man, What is good; And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8 NKJV)
Kim Carver Fredericktown, MO
Isaiah 53:3 KJV
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Jana, Altus, OK
Hebrews 10:24, NIV
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Cindy, Dallas TX
Mark 5:36 (NKJV)
As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.”
Deb Bryan, Topeka, KS
Psalms 34:17-19 NKJV
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all.
1 John 2:1,2 (NIV)
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.
But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father – Jesus Christ, the righteous One.
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
Alana McCullough, Lorton VA. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9, NIV
Helen Magana – San Bernardino, CA
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”
John 11:40 – NIV
Amy from Noble, OK
John 10:4 b (NIV)
“… and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.”
Dian Helgerud in Orlando Florida
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Ps 119:11 (NIV)
Lyn, Tulsa, OK
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit,soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Thessalonians 5:23 NKJV
Whitney, Atlanta
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
James 3:13 NIV
I have chosen the A S K verse from Matthew. These verses have been a spiritual lifting and awareness of the LORD’S loving Grace for my family this last week…Ask and it be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7. praises to our LORD and SAVIOR.
Patsy Parvis Kennewick, WA.
Ashley Collier, Walker, LA “[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.” (Philippians 2:13 AMP)
Mary from Tiffin
Deuteronomy 7:6 (NIV)
For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.
Ps 119:40 NLT
I long to obey your commandments! Renew my life with your goodness.
Kathy, Los Gatos. “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” James 3:13 NIV
Debbie Weaver, Cumming, GA.
“But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it – not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it – they will be blessed in what they do.”
James 1:25 NIV
So I do not run aimlessly: I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control,lest after preaching to others I myself should become disqualified.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5–6 NIV
Carol – Wilsonville, OR
Ephesians 3:16 NLT
I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit.
Charlotte Keifer, Houston, Tx “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!’ Psalm 105:4 ESV
Cindy Barnfield, Cypress, TX
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
Carol Marshall, Gilbert, AZ
I Thessalonians 5:5
For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of night or of the darkness. ESV
Wendy, Savannah, GA “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched and one who waters will himself be watered.” Proverbs 11:25
Kennedy, Savannah, GA “In you LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame.” Psalm 21:1
Susan, Norfolk. James 2:6. ESV. But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones that oppress you and drag you into court.
“If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.” John 15:10 NIV
Mackenzie, Savannah, GA ” Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Judy Hildebrant, Salem, Oregon
I Peter 5:2 “shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;
NASB
Angela Palmer, Winston-Salem, NC
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 NIV
Sandra, Anchorage, AK. 2Timothy 1:7, ESV
for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Man the 15th snuck up on me this month.
Jeanne I. Messer
Warner Robins, GA
Romans 8:8 NIRV
Those who are under the power of sin can’t please God