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.
12Â Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13Â 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
Hartley, Iowa
Ephesians 4:2
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. NIV
Michelle Baylerian
Waukesha, WI
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great if your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-24 NIV
Alyssa Mochen
Rio Rancho, MM
Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don’t miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out. Colossians 4:5-6 MSG
Melissa, Augusta, GA
I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
John 16:20, NIV
Tracy from Kentucky
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 ESV
Donna
Eldorado, Texas
Isaiah 26:3 (NIV-84)
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You.
Suzanne Bailey, Harrisville, RI
For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.
Luke 12:23 NIV
Ha! Good one and appropriate I’d say!! 🙂
Tracey Knight ~ Arkadelphia AR
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ~Colossians 3:12 NIV
Ganise, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
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.
Great post, Beth! Really quickly, I’m reading a book right now that I’m finding quite helpful, maybe someone will too (from Joyce Meyer) : Approval Addiction Overcoming the Need to Please Everyone.
Julie from Bristol, Tennessee
Isaiah 61:4-9(abbr)
NIV
They will rebuild, renew, and restore the places long devasted. They will be called priests of the Lord, ministers of God. Instead of shame, they will receive a double portion. Instead of disgrace, they will rejoice in their inheritance. God will reward His people. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed.
Tanis, Terrace
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. Galatians 5:22-23 NET Bible.
Hannah, Perry, MI
“Thank God! Call out his Name!
Tell the whole world who he is and what he’s done!
Sing to him! Play songs for him!
Broadcast all his wonders!”
1 Chronicles 16:8-9 (The Message)
Anita
Amarillo, Tx.
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and
certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1
NIV
Psalm 27:7-9 ESV
“Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud,
Be gracious to me and answer me!
You have said, “Seek my face.”
My heart says to you, “Your face, LORD, do I seek.”
Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant
away in anger, O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation.”
Janet
Bemus Point, NY
Proverbs 5:21 (NOV)
For your ways are in full view of the Lord,
And He examines all your paths.
Elaine, New Orleans, LA
I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart. Psalm 40:8 NIV
Job 23:10-11
But He knows the way I take, when He has tested me I shall come forth as gold. My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside.
New King James
Darlene Nampa Idaho
Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God; also believe in Me.
John 14:1 NASB
Deanna – Frisco, TX
Zephaniah 3:17Â (NLT)
For the Lord your God is living among you. Â
He is a mighty savior.Â
He will take delight in you with gladness. Â
With his love, he will calm all your fears. Â
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.
Diana
East Peoria, IL
God has purchased our freedom with his blood
and has forgiven all our sins.
Colossians 1:14 NLT-96
Alicia Keswani, Orlando, FL – “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1 (ESV)
Galatians 6:9-10 NLT
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing, if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone–especially to those in the family of faith.
Ps. 34:7
The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.
NASB
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.
Colossians 4:2 NLT
Carrie, Wentzville, Mo.
Yes, I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 NLT
Vickie, Poplar Bluff. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trust, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:6-8 NIV
I just did what I suggested to another Sister not to do. Three verses….I just can’t split these up…Sorry Debra!
Terry
East Peoria, IL
Mark 12:17 (NLT)
“Well then” Jesus said “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and give to God what belongs to God”
Lindsay: Warrior, AL
“In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.” Psalms 22:4-5 (ESV)
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
And all flesh shall see it together,
For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
Isaiah 40:5 KJV
Corinne in Chehalis, Washington
Perfect.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts,God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.
NIV Psalm 139: 17-18
Linda R. Springfield, MO
Where is the man who fears the LORD? God will teach him how to choose the best. Psalms 25:12 Living Bible
‘Where is the man who fears the LORD?’ This just does something to me. So good.
But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.
Jeremiah 17:7 – NIV
Pam Houston, Buena Park, CA
“Such knowledge it too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it.” Psalms 139:6 NASB
Sandy from Centennial, CO “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:5 NIV
Isaiah 53:5 NIV
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Cortni Hoover, Mobile, AL, “Cast all your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you’ he will never let the righteous fall.” Psalm 55:22 NIV84
Bambi-Houston, TX
We are often troubled, but not crushed; sometimes in doubt, but never in despair; there are many enemies, but we are never without a friend; and though badly hurt at times, we are not destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
Good News Translation (GNT)
Psalm 25:6 NLT
Remember, O Lord, your unfailing love and compassion, which you have shown from long ages past.
Cindy, Uvalde, Texas
“The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.” Job 33:4 KJV
Betsy Roberts – Antwerp, OH
Psalm 62:2 (NASB)
“He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.”
P.S. Your clothing theme is just the smile that I needed this week … I love you to pieces!
Lauren from Magee, MS: “In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” ~1 Peter 5:5 (The NET Bible)
continuing from last week….
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:30 NIV
Ginger
Wetumpka, AL
James 1:9-10 (NLT)
Believers who are[a] poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field.
Beth,I love your “clothing verses.” I am on a goal to memorize James and so need to stay on track. But I love the jackets, well, maybe not the orange one but all the rest are trendsetters!!
Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Jaime ~ Wilson, NC
I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”
Psalm 16:2 (NIV)
Yes!
Big Rapids, MI
Colossians 3:12 NASB
And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
Stormy, Lynchburg, VA. Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, NIV
Nancy–Yonges Island, SC
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8: 38-39. NIV
Amanda U, Knoxville, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain it.” Psalm 139:6 NASB
Jan
Hawkinsville, GA
Psalm 103:6 (NKJV)
The Lord executes righteousness
And justice for all who are oppressed.
Bowie, MD
“That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love and unto all riches of he full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” KJV, Col. 2:2-3
Tshaka; Fort Knox; I love the Lord because He hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!
Psalm 116:1-2 NLT