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
Cody Toups
Lufkin, TX
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — His good, pleasing, and perfect will. — Romans 12:2 NIV
Kristi Riverside,Ca
Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth! Psalm 47:1-2
Julie
Ft. Wayne, IN
“As a prisoner for the Lord then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
Ephesians 4:1-2
Erin, Maysville, KY
Colossians 2:12-13 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.
Colossians 3:12-13 The NET Bible
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.
Lori, Atlanta, Georgia
Let us strive to know the Lord. His appearance is as sure as the dawn. He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the land. (Hosea 6:3 HCSB)
Paula, Brownwood, Tx
“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and His rule
“You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
Matthew 5:3-4. MSG
Barbara Severns, Eagle, ID
And now may The Lord show loving kindness and truth to you; and I also will show this goodness to you, because you have done this thing.
2 Samuel 2:6. NASB
Hilary from Langley, Canada, says:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Heb. 12:1 (NIV)
Kassie Dulin from Southlake, Texas
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.'” Matthew 28:18-19, NKJV
Proverbs 31:26 ESV
She opens her mouth with wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Jana, San Angelo, TX
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. Proverbs 12:19 NIV
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
Colossians 3:12
ESV
Jennie, Beaverton, OR
Vicki, Smithwick/Marble Falls, TX
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
Michelle, Clanton, AL
But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
Isaiah 43:1 NIV
Teri in Corpus Christi, TX
All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Proverbs 16:2 (NIV)
Erica, Huntington, IN
“to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:21 (NIV)
Hannah from Winter Haven, FL
Psalm 119:13-16 (NKJV)
13-With my lips I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth. 14-I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies as much as in all riches. 15-I will meditate on Your precepts and contemplate Your ways. 16-I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.
“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.” ~ Luke 24:49 NET
Lu, Cadillac, Michigan
“And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:4 (NASB)
Anita; Purcellville, VA
For he knows how we are formed,
He remembers that we are dust.
Psalm 103:14 NIV84
Lynette, Nashville, TN
The Lord your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness;
He will quiet you by His love;
He will exult over you with loud singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 ESV
Julie H. Corpus Christi, TX
Proverbs 21:30 “There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.” NIV
Britt, Burlington. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NIV
Linda, Tallahasee … to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, Isaiah 61:2
Sandy Harmer, Ft. Gibson, OK
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
Laura Griffiths, Auburn, AL, Matt. 4:4 (ESV) But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”
Peg, Naperville, Il
“The Lord reigns, He is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and is armed with strength. The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved. Psalm 93:1 (NIV)
Desiree Calgary, Alberta
And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10
Tammy, Fredericksburg, VA
Col. 3:12 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” NIV
Sallie from Tallahassee
“And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
James 1:4 NASV
Col 3:12-13 NET
THEREFORE AS THE ELECT OF GOD, HOLY AND DEARLY LOVED, CLOTHE YOURSELF WITH A HEART OF MERCY, KINDNESS, HUMILITY, GENTLENESS, AND PATIENCE, BEARING W 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.
Connie, Pleasanton, CA Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. (Galatians 3:13, 14 ESV)
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
Joan, Portage, MI
“Whoever guards his mouth & tongue, keeps his soul from troubles.” Proverbs 21:23 NKJV
Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together!
I sought The Lord, and He answered me and delivered me
from all my fears..
Ps. 34:3-4 ESV
Beth
Vancouver, Canada
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13 NKJV
Lisa Snyder
Montgomery, TX
Genesis 21:22B NIV
“God is with you in everything you do.”
Chantel, Watson, LA – You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3, NIV
Nicole Graves-Keller
LOVE it!!
Col 3:12-13 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. NET
Marsha R. Lexington Park, MD
For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!
James 2:11-13 NIV
Erin Sheldon
Savannah, GA
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalms 23:5-6 NLT)
“My grace is all you need for My power is greatest when you are weak” 2 Corinthians 12:9
Vicki
Murfreesboro, TN
Psalm 73:26 (HCSB)
“My flesh and my heat may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.”
But do no overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day
2 Peter 3:8
Kim, Huntington, WV
Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Corinthians 4:1
Kim , Columbus, Oh area
“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;
Keep watch over the door of my lips.
Do not incline my heart to any evil thing-
Psalm 141:3-4a NKJV
Amanda Grasza, Calgary, Alberta
“He has made all things beautiful in its time.”
Ecclesiastes 3:11a NIV
Jennifer; Waco, TX
Proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night.
Psalm 92:2 NIV
Stacy, MN
Zeph.3:17 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.