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
Rebecca, Greenville, SC
You have searched me, LORD, and you know me.
Psalm 139:1 NIV
Shannon, Ladera Ranch, Ca: “For you are my hope; O Lord God, You are my confidence from my youth.” –Psalm 71:5, NASB
Eva, Knoxville: (cont) That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; James 1:7 (NIV)
Jeanelle
Houston
Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. Ps.145:16 KJV
Natalie, Paragould, AR
But he gives us more grace. That is why the scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but favors the humble.”
James 4:6 (NIV)
Kristi, Fayetteville, AR “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” 1Peter 2:11 ESV
Samantha, Roseau, MN
Psalm 3:3(NIV)
But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
Carol, Naperville:
“And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”
Luke 24:49 NLT
Ellen, Moneta VA
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 1984)
Ali – Clearwater, Florida
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15 NIV
Tamara, Katy, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourself. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3 NIV
Christine, Maryville. Matt.7 v 7. Keep on asking and you will receive keep on seeking and you will find keep on knocking and the door will be opened.
Heather S., Louisville, KY
… to declare Your steadfast love in the morning and Your faithfulness by night. Psalm 92:2 ESV
kate s | harrisonburg, va | “rejoice in the LORD always; again I will say, rejoice.” philippians 4:4, esv
Shannon, Missouri City, TX
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Colossians 3:12 NIV
Lizzie Smiley from the San Antonio, TX Siestas:
If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land. (Isaiah 1:19 NKJV)
Jana, Brenham, TX
Isaiah 30:21, NIV
“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.”
Lyndsey, Asheville, NC
“Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.”
(NLT)
Tiffany, Tyler, TX
Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always. Psalm 105:4
Psalm 37:4-6 NIV “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.”
Staci
Corona
ESV
Galatians 5:16
But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires if the flesh.
Nancy Engberg, Minneapolis
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
James 5:16 NIV
Patrice, Elm Grove, WI
And let us not get weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Galatians 6:9 NKJV
Debbie Jolley, Fuquay-Varina, NC
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
Gina, Rosamond Ca
Mark 12:30 NIV
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your mind and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
Michele, Huntington- Matthew 6:34 NIV Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Shirley, Rockwall, TX
“Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 NKJV
Beth Mellinger
Lancaster PA
“You keep Him (Her) in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because she trusts in You.”
Isaiah 26:3 ESV
Linda, Sanbornville, NH So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty. Zachariah 4:6 NIV
Austin Pulliam, Cary, NC
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, i would not be a servant of Christ.”
Galatians 1:10 (ESV)
Holly
Longmont, Co
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,
whenever you face trials of various kinds.
James 1:2 NIV
Missy of Lake Placid: Ephesians 6:11-12 (NLT)
11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Joan (Coppell, TX): The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1:9-15 NIV
Melissa, Denham Springs, LA ” guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long” Psalm 25:5 NIV
Chrissy, Aurora, IL
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear;
but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7 KJV
Debbie, Rochester, MN
What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”
James 2:14-18 NLT
Wendy – Cheyenne, WY.
Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Emily from Atlanta:
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
-Ephesians 6:31 NIV
Melanie, Armuchee, GA
“For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.” Psalm 92:4 (ESV)
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Kristin, Panama City, FL
“Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
John 6:28, 29 NIV
Mary Collier, VB, VA “The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
Exodus 14:14 (NLT)
Sharon, Mineola, Texas
3-15-’13
Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened
And I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 HCSB
Angie, Lexington
Colossians 3:12-13 (NIV)
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.
Melissa, Walla Walla, WA
“It is good to give thanks to the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your lovingkindess in the morning and Your faithfulness by night.” Psalm 92:1-2 (Verse two is my selection this time) NASB
Careese, Amarillo TX
Prov 16:3 NLT
Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.
Charlotte Gadsden, Alabama
“For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.”
James 1:23-24 KJV
Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. Psalm 86:11 NIV
Mandi from Sand Springs, OK
Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him. 1 Chronicles 16:11 NLT
Kim Eshelman Lewisburg, PA
Colossians 3:12 NET
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,