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
Joy Breedlove – Serving in Kenya
for wisdom will come into your heart and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, delivering your from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech, who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness, who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil, men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in all their ways.
Proverbs 2: 10-15 ESV
Cory Anna, Atlanta
“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”
Isaiah 55:12 (NIV)
Lynne J., Gainesville VA
The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. Proverbs 15:33 KJV
Morag, Bishop, CA
“He has show you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Micah 6:8 (NIV)
Hannah | Oklahoma City, OK
Micah 7:7, NLT
“As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.”
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23
Erin – Denver
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
-Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Anna McCollister
New Palestine, IN
“And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And IMMEDIATELY they left their nets and followed him.”
Mark 1:17-18 ESV
Dee Dee Fernandina Beach, Florida
“God, pick up the pieces. Put me back together again. You are my praise!”
Jeremiah 17:14
Sara R., Slidell, LA::
For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:3, 4 ESV)
“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 [NET]
Sarah Whitt, Fort Worth, TX
“She opens her mouth with wisdom
and loving instruction is on her tongue.”
Proverbs 31:26 HSBC
Kayla – MedellĂn, Colombia
I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called – his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him.
Ephesians 1:17-19a (NLT)
Natalie Houston, TX
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.”
Matthew 6:33 (NAB)
Allison, Spokane.
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
LOVE IT, Beth!
Colossians 3:12-13 ESV
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bearing with one another and if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other as the Lord has forgiven you so you must also forgive.
Heather
Birmingham, AL
Janet, Port Orange continuing the verse from last time Eph 1:13 —
“the promised Holy Spirit,who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession — to the praise of His glory.” (Ephesians 1:14, TNiV)
Deidra – Waynesboro
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Colossians 3:12 NIV
DeAnne, Bothell, WA
“Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine. The land you have given me is a pleasant land. What a wonderful inheritance! You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever!” Ps. 16:5-6,11
Brea B. Gardendale, AL
He (Jesus) was handed over to die because of our sins, and He was raised to life to make us right with God.
Romans 4:25 (NLT)
“Just one thing: live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” Philippians 1:27 HCS
nancy
houston
Julie P Tierra Verde, FL
Proverbs 17:27
The truly wise person restrains his words,
and the one who stays calm is discerning.
Amy Seattle, WA. “For The Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17 NLT
Joanne from Bremerton,WA
Ezekiel 34:16 NIV
I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.
Colleen Duebber. Cincinnati, Ohio.
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
John 15:9-10. NIV 1984
Jane, Kokomo, IN
“Thus says the LORD, ‘Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches…'” Jeremiah 9:23 NAS
Diera, Austin
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV
Missie Ables, Marble Falls, TX:
“But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.” Psalm 69:13 ESV
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have. 1 Peter 3:15 NIV
Jennifer, Eugene, OR
“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” –Psalm 32:1, NKJV
Katherine – Baltimore: Proverbs 25:15 “With patience a ruler may be persuaded,and a soft tongue will break a bone.”(ESV)
Hopefully this will also work on my toddler.
Leslie from Highlands Ranch, CO
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Matthew 23:12 ESV
Courtney Eastman, Kingsport TN: “One thing I ask from the Lord; this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” Psalm 27:4 (NIV)
Norfolk, VA
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying “This is the way; walk in it.”
Isaiah 30:21 NIV
Susan Miles, Jonesboro, Arkansas
Colossians 1:19-20 NIV
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Emily, Thibodaux, LA ::
“Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” Nehemiah 8:10b NIV
Erin, Charlotte, NC
“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer.” 1 Peter 3:12 NIV
Melanie – Decatur, AL
James 1:25 NIV1984
But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
Adrienne, Valdosta, GA
“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”
Prov 14:30 (NIV)
Marilyn Wirsz Odessa, FL
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run & not grow weary. They will walk & not faint. Isaiah 40:31 NLT
San Ramon, CA
“Lord, help me!” ~ Matthew 15:25 (NIV)
Debbie Nicholson
Gulfport, MS
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14 NIV
Jenni from Gillette, WY
Proverbs 22:6 ESV
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Kathryn, West Palm Beach; “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:6 NIV
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 NKJV
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”
-Hebrews 6:19 NIV
Cara, Highlands Ranch, Romans 10:9: …that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved. NIV
From Grand Prairie, Texas
Psalm 92:1-2 (NIV)
It is good to praise The Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night.
Eph 3:18 NIV
may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
Andrea; Cartersville,GA: “For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.” James 2:13 NASB