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.)
12Â Therefore, as Godâs chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Â 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, âGod opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.â
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.â
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
John 15:4 (NLT)
Remain in me and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine and you cannot be fruitful apart from me.
Janice, Tulsa. …to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night. Psalms 92:2 (ESV)
Cindy – Gilbertsville, KY
1 Thessalonians 5:15 ESV
Make sure that no one pays back wrong for wrong. But always try to do what is good for each other and for all people.
Vicki, Ann Arbor Michigan
14 They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green,
15 proclaiming, âThe Lord is upright;
he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.â
Psalm 92:14 & 15 NIV
“Be still and know that I AM God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.” Ps. 46:10 NIV
Baker city oregon. As each of us has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as vood stewards of Gods varied grace…1 Peter 4:10 EST
Renee, Atlanta, Daniel 2:21(NASb)and it is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men and knowledge to men of understanding.
Marissa in Wisconsin:
“Jesus said, “Let the little children come unto me and do not hinder them, for to them belongs the kingdom of Heaven”.”
Mark 10:14 (NLT)
Amanda The Colony, TX
Colassians 3:16 NIV Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Nicki, Worcester, UK, ENGLAND
đ đ đ
Revelation 3:5 NLT
[5] All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine.
Lori S from Elgin, TX
Proverbs 4:23 NIV
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”
The poor man cried and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. Psalm 34: 6 nkj
But you, LORD, are a shield around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
I call out to the LORD,
and he answers me from his holy mountain. Psalm 3: 3-4
Oh Lord, you are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent, glorious, and sovereign over all the sky and earth! You have dominion and exalt yourself as the ruler of all. 1 Chronicles 29:11 NET
Abilene, TX
in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:6 NIV
Jude 6 NIV
And the angels who did not keep there positions of authority but abandoned their own home,—these He has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great day.
Vicki, Ann Arbor, Michigan
âWhatever you do, work at it with all your hart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.â
Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)
Patti from La Porte
“He has shown his people the power of his works,
giving them the lands of other nations.”
Psalm 111:6 NIV
“My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.” 2 Cor 2:4-5
Allyson
League City TX
Psalm 86:4
“Gladden the soul of your servant, for to You, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.”
Rachelle / Starkville (late, late đ )
Psalm 138:3 NKJV
In the day when I cried out,
You answered me,
And made me
Bold with strength in my soul.
Baker city, oregon. Do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take…proverbs 3:5-6. NLT
Emily from Ooltewah, TN:
2 Samuel 22:29 – For You are my lamp, O Lord; And the Lord illumines my darkness (NASB).
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3: 16 KJV
Kathy French, Austin,
“To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul; in You I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one whose hope is in You will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.” Psalm 25:1-3 NIV
Natasha, Pearland, TX
Psalm 3:3 NASB
“But thou, oh Lord, art a shield about me, my glory and the One who lifts my head.”
Vicki Ann Arbor, Michigan
The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take delight in you, he will quiet you with his love;he will rejoice over you with singing.â
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Ashley, Kingwood
“Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Col 3:12 NIV
Karina
Baton Rouge, La.
“May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.”
Numbers 6:25
NLT
Sandy from Hygiene, CO Colossians 3:15 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (NIV)
Allison, Jersey Village
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.
Ephesians 2:8 ESV
Lynchburg,VA.
Jeremiah 29:14 (English Standard Version)
14 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.
Vicki, Ann Arbor, Michigan
You are the light of the world. a city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Matthew 5:14 NIV
Thus I will bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
Psalm 63:4 NKJV
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe the he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him
Hebrews 11:6
“Listen and understand. What does into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean.’ Matthew 15:10-11 NIV
Savannah, Arkadelphia AR
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Matt 5:7, NIV
Austin.
Luke 11:1-4. It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, âLord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.â And He said to them, âWhen you pray, say:âFather, hallowed be Your name.Your kingdom come.âGive us each day our daily bread.âAnd forgive us our sins,For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.ââ
NASB
“But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Ex 9:16/NIV
Shannon Houston, TX
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel. Phil 1:27 NIV
Ruth, Odin, IL
“The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace”
-Romans 8:6 (NIV84)
Lucette from Thunder Bay, Ontario
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Phil. 4:13 (NKJV)
Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good. Listen to me and you will eat what is good you will enjoy the finest food. Isaiah 55:2 NLT
You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. (Psalms 139:5 NLT)
Selina, Aberdeen. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23 KJV
Stacy, Greenfield, Indiana “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:23-26 NIV
For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. Romans 2:13
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33 NIV
And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV
Mechanicsville, VA
‘Hold onto instruction; don’t let go. Guard it, for it is your life.’ Proverbs 4:13 NIV