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
Christy from Hahira, GA
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Psalm 119:105 (ESV)
Melody in Independence, MO “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19
Tracy A from Saskatoon, SK Canada
“But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” James 1:25 ESV
donna huneycutt, mt. pleasant, nc
You will keep the mind that is dependent on You in perfect peace, for it is trusting in You.
Isaiah 26:3 HCSB
Bettie
Pasadena, TX
March 15, 2013
Psalm 34:19 NLT
“The righteous face many troubles, but The Lord rescues them from each and every one.”
Marla, from Dixon, IL… James 1:19 (NIV)
My dear brothers, take note of this:
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
Carolyn. Orofino, Idaho. One thing I ask of The Lord, this is what I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple. For He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Psalms 27:4,5 NIV
Kitty, Fishers, IN
Matthew 7:7 (NIV)
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Lisa, Andalusia, AL
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 one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:12, 13 NIV)
Melissa Emma, Scarborough, ME: “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 NLT
April Lopez, Bonneylake,Wa
You are my hiding place;you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Psalm 32:7NIV
Emmilianna Ferreria, BonneyLake,Wa
Matthew 6:9-13NIV
Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Kristin from Frisco, TX –
“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 (NIV)
Pat, Hot Springs, AR
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Joshua 1:9 KJV
Alison, Norman, OK
You shall no more be termed Forsaken,
and your land shall no more be termed Desolate,
but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her,
and your land Married;
for the Lord delights in you,
and your land shall be married. ~ Is 62:3,4 ESV
Melanie Grace (Greenbrier, TN)
Psalm 86:11-12 (MSG)
Train me, God, to walk straight;
then I’ll follow your true path.
Put me together, one heart and mind;
then, undivided, I’ll worship in joyful fear.
From the bottom of my heart I thank you, dear Lord;
I’ve never kept secret what you’re up to.
Leah Cullen – Ramona, CA
Jesus said to him, Because you have seen Me, Thomas, do you now believe (trust, have faith)? Blessed and happy and to be envied are those who have never seen Me and yet have believed and adhered to and trusted and relied on Me. – John 20:29 (AMP)
Sarah, Marietta, Ohio: Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. (Colossians 4:2 NLT)
Kendra Green, College Station, TX
“This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night so that you may observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.” Joshua 1:8 HCSB
I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, on Him I lean and rely, and in him I trust. Psalm 91:2 Amp
James 2:1-5 NIV My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?
Julianna, Gulf Shores. Taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry , but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. -Psalm 34:8-10 NIV
Bethany from Chillicothe: “The Lord your God is in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zeph. 3:17 NKJV
PerryLove from Gallatin, TN
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
Cindy Gilbertsville, KY
2 Timothy 1:7 BBE
For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of self-control.
Psalms 139:6 (NIV)
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Deanne Johnson, Laguna Hills, CA
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
Cadence from Chillicothe (who turns 9 today!!!!): “The Lord your God is in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zeph. 3:17 NKJV
Kim, Grove City, OH
1 Corth. 13:13 NIV
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.
Susan, Overland Park, KS
“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him. I will protect him for he acknowledges my name.”
PS. 91:14 (NIV84)
Tangila, Pearland TX
Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours. (Isaiah 61:7 NLT)
Jane, Houston, TX
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 NIV
Akron, Ohio
When thou passes through the waters, I will be with the; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon the. Isaiah 43:2 (KJV)
Sandy-Deming, NM
Therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindess, 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.
Col. 3:12, 13 NKJV
Kathy Bryson
Albuquerque, NM
Psalm 63:1-8 NIV 84
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
Diane; Runnells, Iowa “To the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” Jude 1:25 (NASB)
Ohio
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God you will receive what he has promised.
Hebrews 10:36 NIV
Annette, Lee’s Summit, MO — Colossians 1:13 NIV — “For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves…”
Leanne from Eden Prairie, MN
So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help. (Isaiah 30:18 NLT)
Connie, Pickerington, OH “The Lord confides in those who fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them.” Psalm 25:14 NIV
Susan, Greensburg, Indiana:
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for
and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Linda, Fort Collins, CO
Jennifer, Fort Worth
“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.” Col. 3:12-13 NKJV
Sarah, Montrose, CO
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4:6-8 (ESV)
Deborah. Burlington NC
proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, (Psalm 92:2 NIV)
Jennifer
Lexington, KY
Proverbs 31:15 (MSG)
“She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day.”
Dee, Visalia,CA
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)
Valerie, Little Elm, Texas
“Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character and to find out whether or not you would obey His commands.”
Deutoronomy 8:2 NLT
Donna Key, Pike Road, Alabama
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
Romans 12:3 (NIV)
Jessica, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5 (NIV)
Menomonee Falls, WI
“I will give thanks to your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness because your promises are backed by all the honor of your name.”
–Psalm 138:2 (NLT)