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
Kris, Lee’s Summit, MO Colossians 3:22 “Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.” NIV
Dawn, Colleyville, TX
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
Kimberly, Madison, ME: There are many plans in a person’s mind, but it is the counsel of the Lord which will stand. Proverbs 19:21, The NET Bible
Kristen, Denver, Co: “If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously!” Matthew 5:42, The Message
Alicia; Riverton, Utah Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. ESV
Patti, Monument, Co
Colossians 3:13-14 NET
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13 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.”
Tammy from Gravette, AR
I Timothy 6:12 NIV
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
June, Coarsegold, CA: “But those who wait for the Lord’s help find renewed strength; they rise up as if they had eagle’s wings, they run without growing weary, they walk without getting tired.” Isaiah 40:31 NET
Tess
Cartersville, GA
James 2:13 NASB
“For Judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment”
Stacey in Mount Pleasant
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)
Judy. Littleton, NC
Thus far has The Lord helped us. I Sam 7:12b NIV
Rebecca from Houston. Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it to completion until they day of Christ Jesus. -Philippians 1:6
Sandra Tolson Winchester, KY
Then Jesus said to her, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”
John 11:40 NCV
What then are we to say about these things?
If God is for us, who is against us?
He did not even spare His own Son
but offered Him up for us all;
how will He not also with Him grant us everything?
Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect?
God is the One who justifies.
Who is the one who condemns?
Christ Jesus is the One who died,
but even more, has been raised;
He also is at the right hand of God
and intercedes for us.
Who can separate us from the love of Christ?
Can affliction or anguish or persecution
or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
As it is written:
Because of You
we are being put to death all day long;
we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered.
No, in all these things we are more than victorious
through Him who loved us.
For I am persuaded that not even death or life,
angels or rulers,
things present or things to come, hostile powers,
height or depth, or any other created thing
will have the power to separate us
from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!
Romans 8:31-39
Jen, Houston
“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.” Psalms 63:3-5 (NIV)
“Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to
bring you to eternal life.” Jude 21. NIV
Elizabeth M. from Novato, CA
Matthew 15:28. NIV
Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
MaryClare Hill in Frisco, Texas
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
Amanda
Derby, KS
Proverbs 22:6. NIV
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
Romans 8:6: For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
ESV
Michelle, Cypress, TX
Colossians 3:12 NIV. ” Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
Leslie
Milton, GA
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.
Connie – Fulton, KY
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Wynell, Athens, GA
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12 (NET)
Heather concord nh
“always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT
Ellen Miller Montgomery, IL
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14:17 ESV
Alison from Southport, NC. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12. NIV.
Lauren from Conyers, GA
You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.
1 Peter 3:4 NLT
Andrea Nicholson, McKinney, TX
Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!
Psalm 116:2, NLT
Julie,Warner Robins,GA You make known to me the path of life;in your presence there is fullness of joy;at your right hand are pleasures evermore. Psalm 16:11ESV
Ellen White
Saint Augustine, FL
Philippians 4:6 NASB
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
Jackie, Mobile, Alabama
“Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.”
Psalm 37:7 NASB
Elaine Kiley
Naples, FL
Lexham English Bible
1 Peter 4:8
“Above all, keep your love for one another constant, because love covers a large number of sins.”
Nichole C, Nashville, TN
Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore kindness I have drawn you. – Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV
Lisa, Fredericktown
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
James 1:19, NIV
Melissa, Conway, AR.
“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV)
Karen, Wildwood, MO
“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)
Kathleen, Saint Joseph, Michigan
2Peter 1:6&7
Knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
HCSB
Sioux Falls, SD
2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV: But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Karen from Orlando,
Philippians 1:6 NIV
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it to completion until they day of Christ Jesus.”
John 8:36
NLT
So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.
Jill
Plano, TX
Colossians 3:12-14
The Message (MSG)
12-14 So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
Leeanna, Knoxville
Luke 24:49 ESV
“And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Nancy From Atlanta
Jude 4
For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord TNIV
Janie B, Poetry TX
2 Cor 4:9 NKJV
persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed
Richmond, TX
Ephesians 3:17-19
“And I pray that you being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
Christi from Cary,NC
Bless the Lord , O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord , O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalms 103:1-5 ESV)
Sue M. in Grand Rapids, MI
And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Romans 8:27 ESV
Crystal, Livonia, Michigan
“I sought the Lord and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”
Psalm 34:4