Hey, all of you lovely things! It’s nearly Spring and we’re all the way to verse 6! You are doing fabulously, Sisters. We are still THOUSANDS strong on this Scripture memory team. Thousands of Swords drawn and in the hands of women who want to love and not hate, build up and not destroy, rejoice because our God is faithful and not throw ourselves in the nearest ditch because life is hard. And, boy, is it.
I think God has given me something that could be a tad fun to do this time around. Since we started off the week here on the blog talking about clothes, what do you say we end it that way? For those of you who want to come alongside this theme with me, I’m throwing out three different Scriptures about clothing ourselves. You are still welcome to do your own selections as always but, just in case some of you were still in decision-mode and this sounded fitting (pardon the pun), come along with me into the closet of Scripture and let’s come out some well-dressed women of God! I’m offering the first two selections to you in two different versions so you can choose which one resonates most.
Colossians 3:12-13 (NIV) — (As you can see, this one includes two Scriptures. You’d only need to choose one of these for Verse 6 but I thought just maybe somebody could use a fresh, strong exhortation to forgive as you’ve been forgiven. I don’t know about you but that verse is never wasted on me. If you’d like, you could do the first verse for #6 and the second verse for #7.)
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if someone happens to have a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others.
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Now for the second set of verses on clothing ourselves. Sometimes we need to clothe ourselves in humility before we try clothing ourselves to no avail with compassion. Our pride is usually reason #1 that we don’t feel compassionate. At least it has been for me.
1 Peter 5:5 (NIV)
In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
1 Peter 5:5 (The NET Bible)
In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
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And you’ve just GOT to love Luke 24:49 in view of our clothing theme this week! Here’s the third selection out of the closet of Scripture, straight from the mouth of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Luke 24:49 NIV
I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.
Luke 24:49 The NET Bible
And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. But stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Power from on high! Bless His most holy Name.
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So there you have it! Three gorgeous jackets to wear. Which one do you need to wrap around you most right now? Do you need to be clothed with compassion? Humility? Power?? He’s got you covered. But just like we do each morning, we’ve got to get dressed on purpose.
Here’s what I’ve been thinking about in view of our clothing theme. Remember all those jackets in my 5+ Year Club? Several of them I’d had for ten solid years and I’m still wearing them. When it comes to tangible clothing, that can be good stewardship. But sometimes we can do the same kind of thing spiritually and emotionally and it’s not pretty. We can keep wearing the same old jacket…
…of anger
…or of bitterness
…or of negativity
…or of chronic disappointment
…or of sensuality
…or of desperation
and we’re so used to wearing it that we throw it on automatically, without giving a thought to the fact that we really could have a whole new wardrobe. It might be time we changed the way we dressed. And this whole new incredibly expensive wardrobe of compassion, humility, and anointing has already been paid for. And it’s in your size and mine.
Yep. I’m in the mood for some new clothes.
Beth, Houston. Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if someone happens to have a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others. Colossians 3:12-13 The NET Bible
OK, Sisters! Let’s have it! What are you memorizing this time around???
PS. LifeWay Women’s All Access Blog did the funniest thing. They dug into the Living Proof Live archives and pulled out pictures of every single one of those jackets in Monday’s post. Some of you might get a kick out of it. Here’s the link: The Proof Is In The Jacket.
Tags: Scripture Memory 2013
Col 3:12 NIV. Cindy, Houston
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Alycia from Greenville, TX. “(She) will have no fear of bad news; (her) heart is steadfast, trusting in The Lord” -Psalm 112:7 (NIV), emphasis added.
Rebecca
Boise, ID
Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.
Mark 9:37 NLT
Matthew 25:40 NLT “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’”
Stay with what you heard from the beginning, the original message. Let it sink into your life. If what you heard from the beginning lives deeply in you, you will live deeply in both Son and Father. This is exactly what Christ promised: eternal life, real life! (1 John 2:24, 25 MSG)
But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love forever and ever. Psalm 52:8
Heidi, Columbia, MO
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Colossians 3:12 NIV
Taylor
Elma, NY
1 Peter 3:4 (NLT)
You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.
GOD LOVES YOU SO MUCH! 🙂
Charlotte, Tomball, TX, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me., Galatians 2:20, NKJV
Krista, Chicago
so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11 NIV)
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. Isaiah 58:12 NIV
Blessed are those who have not seen yet have believed.
John 20:29 NIV
Granite Shoals, TX ”The tongue has the power of life and death and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
(Prov. 18:21 NIV)
Katie in San Antonio
(Philippians 2:3-4 NIV84) “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility consider others above yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of the others.”
Crystal Buffalo NY
A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook the offense.
Proverbs 19:11 NIV
Katie G., Crawford – “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.” Colossians 1:28 (NIV84)
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Ps 61:2 (KJV)
Emily
Maryville, Mo
“How precious is your steadfast love, oh God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings”
Psalm 36: 7
ESV
Melissa , Granbury Texas
Proverbs 31:25(nkjv)
Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come
Amy Adams
Middletown, DE
Philippians 4:7(NIV) – And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard ou hearts andyour minds in Christ Jesus.
Annalee in Houston
Humble yourselves,
therefore, under God’s mighty hand,
that he may lift you up in due time.
I Peter 5:6
Lynchburg, VA
Jeremiah 29:14 (English Standard Version)
I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.
Heb. 11:3 NIV
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
Edmond, OK
Psalms 139:7 (ESV)
Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?
I was working on the same verses for the whole month of March!
Danika from Tulare, CA
1 John 3:16-17 NIV
16) This is how we know what love is: Jesus laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.17) 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?
Becca, Bakersfield, CA
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 NLT)
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)
Therefore, we do nt lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our lilght and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is not seen. For what is seen is temporal but what is unseen is eternal.
Penny G
Coweta, OK
Matthew 11:30 (NIV)
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Psalm 18: 34 NLT. He prepares me for battle; he strengthens me to draw a bow of bronze. ( I am memorizing a section of scripture we picked as a life verse for my son when we dedicated him. )
Jenny, Clovis, ca
Vicki from Loveland, CO Give me back the joy that comes from being saved by you. Give me a spirit that obeys you. That will keep me going. Ps 51:12 NIRV
Vicki from Loveland, CO I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:11 NIV1984
Vicki from Loveland, CO But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Luke 2:10NIV 1984
IPeter 1:8 “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
For tous a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulders, and his name shall be called wonderful, counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Is 9:6
Ephesians 6:11 ESV
Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
Kelly, Harker Heights, TX
Cristi, Florida
Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.
Micah7:8 NIV
Col:3:12 Therefore as the elect of god holy and dearly loved clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, . San Bernardino Ca.
Alice, Hull
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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
Jessica, Hull
But you must keep a clear head in everything. Endure suffering. Do the work of a missionary. Devote yourself completely to your work.
2 Timothy 4:5
God’s Word for Girls
1 Corinthians 16:14 NIV
Do everything in love.
Julene, Cowiche, WA
Psalm 121: 1-4 HCS
I raise my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber. Indeed, the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep.
Liz Taylor, Washington D.C.
Deuteronomy 31:6 HCSB
Be strong and courageous; dont be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the Lord your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.
Matthew 10:28 NIV
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Ruth, Austin, Texas
No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.
1 John 3:6 NIV
Heidi ~ Oak harbor, WA
God Who said, “Let Light SHINE out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts, to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Christ. But we have This Treasure in jars of clay, to SHOW that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
2 Cor. 4:6-7 ESV
April-Boerne,TX
The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.
Exodus 14:14 NASB
Margaret ~ Tulsa, OK
Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.
Psalm 145:3 NIV 1984
Psalm 56:3-4 (NIV)
3. When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
4. In God, whose word I praise–
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
Amarillo, TX
Romans 8:18 (NIV)
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Shawn from Indianapolis, For you, O Lord, have made me HAPPY by your work. I will sing for Joy, because of what you have done for me. Psalms 92:4, The Net Bible