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.
================
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.
===================
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.
==============
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
Heather from Hayden AL: But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Psalm 1:2 KJV
Miranda Matteson
Bellevue, NE
“Blessed are those who perservere under trial, because when they have stood the test, they 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;” James 1:12-13 (NIV)
Terri — Staunton, VA
Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Romans 12:12 NRSV
Andrea, Saskatchewan Canada
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:57-58, NIV
Renee from Rural Hall, NC: “Look to the LORD and His strength; seek His face always.” I Chronicles 16:11 (NIV)
Di, Cowpens, SC
“First wash the inside of the cup, and then the outside
will become clean, too.” Matt. 23:26 NLT
Barb, Sheridan: “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourself with Christ” Galations 3:27 (NIV)
Diana, North Attleboro, MA
Search for the Lord and for His strength;
seek His face always.
1 Chronicles 16:11 HCSB
Cynthia, Massanutten, VA
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
Sallie B Howell, Tupelo, MS
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you ay abound in hope. Romans 15:13 ESV
Melissa, Grand Junction, CO.
“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.” Hebrews 12:1 NIV
Janell – Frisco, TX. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 4:7. HCSB
Wendi, Kathleen, GA
“I am going to send to you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high”
Luke 24:49 NIV
Lisa Braun
Warman,SK Canada…..who is sending you this from Jerusalem right now 🙂
“The Lord will protect you from all harm. He will protect your life. The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever.”
Psalm 121:7-8 HCSB
Karen, Grandview, TX
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
Mary, Lexington Park, MD
“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Colossians 4:5-6 ESV
Teresa Brown, Greer SC
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:3 NIV
Gail, Jacksonville, FL “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10, NLT
Kate, Lafayette, IN
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”
Psalm 28:7 NIV
Cheryl, Los Osos: “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)
LOVE this! Thank you for your post Beth!
Lisa, Wylie,TX
12 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. Colossians 3:12-13 NET Bible
Lanita from Houston, TX
Dear friends, although I was eager to write you about the salvation we share, I found it necessary to write and exhort you to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all.
Jude, verse 3 (HCSB)
Jessica from Rockvale, TN
Psalm 126:6 (ESV) “He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.”
Rachel in Thousand Oaks, CA
“and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” ROMANS 8:17 NASB
Katie, harrisonburg, Isaiah 61:1 “the Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has tanointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and uthe opening of the prison to those who are bound” esv
Nicole Newton, Iowa
Yahweh your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will bring ⌊you⌋ quietness with His love. He will delight in you with shouts of joy.” (Zephaniah 3:17 HCSB)
Mansfield, OH
let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.
Hebrew 10:22 & 23 NLT
Ontario, OH
And we all, who with unveiled faces reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV).
Sheri. Morrisville, MO
All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 4:15-16 (NIV 84)
Shannon, Jacksonville, FL “For You have rescued me from death; You have kept my feet from slipping. So now I can walk in Your Presence, O God, in Your life-giving light.” Psalm 56:13, NLT
Gina. Portsmouth, Ohio
I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. (Psalm 40:1-3 NIV)
Leah Godley from Norman Park, GA
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
I Peter 3:15 (NIV84)
Marsha, Knoxville, TN
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 (NIV)
Charmaine, Miami — “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.” Psalm 62:5 NIV
Natalie, Grand Prairie, TX
The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still
Exodus 14:14. NIV
from Lorraine in Corpus Christi, “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7 (NIV)
James 1: 23 – 24 (NIV)
Anyone who listens to the word, but does not do what it says, is like a man who looks at his face in
a mirror and after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
Muncie, Indiana
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
Vicki, Lubbock, TX
You will keep the mind that is dependent on You
in perfect peace for it is trusting in You.
Isaiah 26:3 HCSB
Tara ~ Loganville, GA
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
Cathy, Russellville, AR
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
Wendy, Cary NC:
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3,4 NIV ’84)
Neeley from Auburn, AL-
James 3:6- NIV ” The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”
Brenda from Santa Rosa Beach Florida
Try to help those who agrue against you. He is merciful
to those who doubt. Jue 1:22 Amp
Carolyn, St. Catharines, ON
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight. Phil 1:9 (NIV)
Carol, Santa Maria CA, Philippians 4:5-6 NIV, “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The LORD is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Andi from Rockwall, TX
Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Psalm 100:3 NIV
Marcy T.
Euless, TX.
Isaiah 26:4 (NIV)
Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Colossians 3:12 NIV
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phi. 1:6 NIV