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
Mary, Spring TX
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
Nicole, Portland OR
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” (Psalm 143:10 NIV)
Jill
Winter Haven, FL
“Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
Colossians 3:5 NKJV
Kari, Katy TX
“But be doers of the word and not hearers only deceiving yourselves” James 1:22 ESV
Speak UP for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed, Yes, speak UP for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. Proverbs 31:8,9 ( NLT )
Leslie Tatum Habakkuk 3:19 “The sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.”
Faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17 (NIV)
“Show proper respect to everyone: love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.” 1 Peter 2:17 NIV
Jenna from Liberty NC
“For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! “(2 Corinthians 4:17 NLT)
Erika, NH
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22, NIV
Vicki, Ann Arbor, Michigan
The senseless man does not know,
fools do not understand.
Psalm 93:6 NIV
When pride cometh, thencometh shame;but with the lowly is wisdom.
Proverbs11:3 NIV
Jamie Potter, New Palestine, IN
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
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.
Lee from IN- Eph 1:5-6 ESV “In love He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the beloved”
Michelle De Leon from San Antonio, TX
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV)
He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross,… Refining them like gold and silver.
Malachi 3:3. NLT
Robbie borders, Baker City, OR
But He knows the way that I take: He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. JOB 23:10 NKJV
Kendra, Spokane, WA
“The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25 (NLT)
Diane Wadsworth, Pleasant Grove, AL
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.”
Connie, Hendersonville, TN Not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:9 NIV
Ruby, NC
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24 (NIV)
Ann, Morelia, Mexico “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” Psalm 103:8
Marilyn Gadsden, Al
Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God
Matt 6: 7-8
Fairborn, oh
For anything that becomes light is visible, therefore it says, Awake, oh sleeper arise from the dead, for Christ’s light to shine upon you!
Ephesians 5:14
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV)
Sorry this is so late. I actually may have already posted.
Kimberly
near Luwero in Uganda
‘Ephesians 5: 13-14a ESV
“But in everything exposed by the light becomes visible for it is light that makes everything visible”
Suzette from Fredericksburg, Tx: for April 15th
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. Matthew 6:19 NIV
May 1, 2013 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,where moths and rust will not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6: 20-21 NIV
Kelly, The Hills, Tx. You God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1 NIV
Gina Tompkins, Tulsa OK, The lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Bonnie J. Faile
Livingston, AL
“I love you, O Lord, my strength.” Ps 18:1 NASB
Erica Voss
Stafford, VA
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, with 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 4:4-7 NIV
Steph Fruhling Scottsdale AZ
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”
Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV
Warner Robins, GA
“…But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 ESV)
Rhonda, Anderson, IN
Romans 8:10,11 (NLT) And Christ lives within you so even tho your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
Lindsay Garlington-Bend, Oregon
“My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.”
James 2:1 (NIV)
So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For The Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you or abandon you. Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT
Sarah Vint
Ames, IA
On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” –John 7:37-38 NIV
Laura Hagedorn, Wausau, WI., The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Hebrews 1:3 NIV
Lori, Salisbury, MD “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.” Psalm 56:3 ESV
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 NKJV
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ!
Ephesians 1:3
Fairborn, Ohio
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.” I Peter 4:8 NIV
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. Phil. 4: 6-7 (NIV)
“Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.”
– Psalm 105:4 NIV
Danaye
Spencer, IN
Baker city oregon;; the fear of the lord is to hate evil. NKJV
Lee from IN – Colossians 2:9 ESV “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily”
Isaiah 54:13 All your children will be taught by the Lord,
and great will be their peace.
Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe”.
John 20:29
Emily
Maryville, MO
“Search me, oh God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxieties.”
Psalm 139:23
NKJV
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to given an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15