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
Meredith, Trabuco Canyon, CA
8Â The Lord will vindicate me;
    your love, Lord, endures forever—
    do not abandon the works of your hands.
Psalm 138:8 (NIV)
Watauga, TX ‘
Isaiah 59:21 (VOICE)
Eternal One: “This is my covenant promise to them. My Spirit, which rests on and moves in you, and my words, which I have placed within you, will continue to be spoken among you and move you to action. And not only you, but so it will be for your children and their children, too. And so on through the generations for all time.”
Barbara, Tomball, TX:
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:12-13 (NIV)
Laura
Auburn Al
Ephesians 6:18
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
NLT
Melissa J from Houstom, TX
Psalms 139:23-24 NIV
Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me. And lead me in the way everlasting
Pat W. green bank, wv.
And be held in sin’s dread sway;
Paula, Atlanta Tx
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.
Psalm 139:6 NKJV
Glennell Buda, Tx.
Psalm 103:4 (NIV)
Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
Kathy from Richmond, VA
James 4:17 NIV
Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.
Katherine from The Woodlands, TX
Katherine from The Woodlands, TX
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Galatians 2:20, HCSB
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” Romans 8:2 NAS
The sting Of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the Victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
1 Cor. 15:56-57
Fairborn, Oh
But you, Lord, are forever exalted.
Psalm 92:8 NIV
Elizabeth Ann Dains. Houston, Texas “For from him and through him and to him are all things.” Romans 11:36 NIV
Baker city, Oregon. The Lord is righteous in all his ways, graceous in all His works..The Lord is near to all who call upon Him…PS 145:17-18
Baker city, Oregon. The Lord is righteous in all his ways, graceous in all His works..The Lord is near to all who call upon Him…PS 145:17-18
Morgan – Bolivar, MO
John 1:1 KJV – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Beccy, Abilene
He will have no fear of bad news, his heart is steadfast, trusting in The Lord.
Psalm 112:7 ESV
Our prayers for you are always spilling over into thanksgiving. Col. 1:3 (MSG)
Shannon Wilkinson
Blacksburg, VA
“This poor man cried; and the Lord heard him and saved him from all his troubles. The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fears Him, and rescues them.” Psalm 34:6-7 HCSB
Cindy, Beaumont TX: For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 (NKJV)
Melody, Cleburne, TX
“Therefore I urge you my brothers, in view of God’s mercies, to offer your body as a living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, as your spiritual act of worship.” Romans 12:1
Palatka, FL
“I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.” Isaiah 45:2
Sharon from Gainesville, GA
Since we are surrounded by examples of faith, we must rid ourselves of everything that slows us down, the sin that distracts us. We must run the race ahead of us and never give up.
GWT. Romans 12/1
St. Catharines Ontario CANADA
Mathew 28:19
Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father the Son and Holy spirit.
March 17th I was baptized in the ocean in El Salvador in a Missions trip!
Stephanie B -Springfield, MO
“For You will light my lamp; the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop, by my God I can leap over a wall. As for God, His way is perfect; the word of The Lord is proven, He is a shield to all who trust in Him. ” Psalm 18:28-30 NKJV
Crystal, NC, “Do your best, prepare for the worst— then trust God to bring victory.” Proverbs 21:31 MSG
Jennifer – Odessa, FL
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Rev 1:8 (NIV)
Jennifer Fishers, Indiana
Psalm 119:36-37 NIV
Turn my heart toward Your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to Your Word.
Lauren, San Marcos Tx. The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because The Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and to release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance, to comfort all who mourn. Isaiah 61:1-2 NIV
10 You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox;
fine oils have been poured on me.
11 My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries;
my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes
Psalm 92: 10 & 11 NIV
Kathy, Lincoln
Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.
1 Peter 3:1-2
NIV
Karen, Ponte Vedra, FL
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Psalm 32:1(ESV)
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17 (NIV)
Mary Nell, Colorado Springs: “Therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with one another and forgiving one another; if anyone has a complaint against another, even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. -Colossians 3:12-13 NKJV
You may ask for anything in my name, and I will do it.
John 14:14 (NIV)
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:15
Pam from Celina, TX
Dana from Waterford, Ohio
(2 Thessalonians 3:3) NIV
But The Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
Hilary, Buffalo, NY
This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
Proverbs 3:8 NIV
The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. PS 145:18 (NLT)
Revelation 1:8 NIV
I am the Alpha and the Omega says the Lord God, “Who is, and Who was, and Who is to come, the Almighty.”
Ryan – Moore, OK
Isaiah 43:4b ESV
You are precious to me. You are honored and I love you.
Ola, Woodbridge:
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night
Psalm 92:1-2 (ESV)
Dawn – Lafayette, LA
Psalm 107:20 NIV
He sent forth his word, and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.
12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
13 planted in the house of the Lord,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.
Psalm 92: 12 & 13 NIV
A man’s pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor. Proverbs 29:23
Fairborn,oh
Kathy S – New Albany, OH
Psalm 92:1-2 ES
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night.
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2 (NIV)
Baker city, Oregon. For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisors. Proverbs 11:14 NIV