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
Vicki, Indianapolis, IN
Colossians 1:28 NIV
He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.
Sheila Bragg – Guyton, GA
“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 NASB
Alison from McKinney TX
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary and his understanding no one can fathom.”
Isaiah 40:28 NIV 84
It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O most high
Tina, Zalma, If you declare with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 (KJV)
Amy Storms
Santa Clarita, CA
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn…”
Isaiah 61:1-2 (NIV)
Kathryn, Sarasota, Florida: Psalm 91:15-16
“He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
Rebecca, Hallsville (formerly Kilgore)
“that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. ” ESV
Tajuana ~ Midland,Tx
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
Philippians 2:3
Barbie, Powell OH: “…being confident of this, that he who began a great work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 NIV
O’Fallon, MO
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, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2, NIV
Jeri, lynchburg, VA. Do not conform any longer 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
Alyson; Longmont, CO
He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. (Job 8:21 NLT)
Candace Hendrick, Texas
But as for me, the nearness of God is my good;
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
That I may tell of all Your works.
Psalm 73:28 NASB
Kim from Trenton, TX:
Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” 1Peter 1:13-16
Nancy from Knoxville, TN
“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 The NET Bible
Carolyn
Burlington ON
“It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High”
Psalm 92:1 NIV
Angela. Warsaw.
I will give thanks to The Lord because of his righteousness, I will sing the praises of the name of The Lord most high. Psalm 7:17 (NIV)
Stephanie King – Richardson, TX
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15;13 NIV
1Chronicles 16:34 “Give thanks to GOD–he is good and his love never quits.” MSG
Jazmin Horne
Tempe, AZ
Tajuana ~ Midland,TX
Philippians 2:3 NIV
Melissa from Goshen, KY…
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.
Ephesians 1:3 (NLT)
Debbie, Alice, TX
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your hart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)
Margo Burlington On
It is good to praise the Lord, and make music to your name, O Most High Psalm 92:1 NIV
Brandee from White House, TN
The one who listens to me, who carefully seeks me in everyday things and delays action until my way is apparent, that one will find true happiness.
Proverbs 8:34, The Voice
“For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (ESV)
Caylee, OKC
Because The Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son. Hebrews 12:6 (niv)
Roxanne
Hummlestown, PA
Romans 5:2-4
ESV
Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
Cindy – Fort Worth, TX
Lamentations 3:25-26 NIV
The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him. It is good that he waits silently for the salvation of the Lord.
Debbie, Simi Valley, CA:
For the honor of your name, O Lord, forgive my many, many sins. Psalm 25:11 NLT
Judy, Torrance
“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)
From Boston, Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your .
Nehemiah 8.10b. KJV
Katie Linder, College Station, TX
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
James 5:16 NIV
Dawn Maryland “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 NKJV
Hannah Huneycutt, Mt. Pleasant,NC
Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him Don’t be afraid; just believe.
Mark 5:36
Kelly, West Richland
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
Shea, Southern IL
James 1:5-6 NIV
5Â If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6Â 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.
Linda W., Tomball, TX “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV)
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 whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Col 3:12-13
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5
Robin, Orange City, Iowa Psalm 40:5b “The things You planned for us, no one can recount to You. Were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.” Ps. 40:5b NIV
Melisse from Slippery Rock, PA
We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. (Hebrews 2:1 NIV)
Terri Houston
” ‘ ” The Lord bless you and keep you ;
Numbers 6:24 NIV
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Psalms 91:5 KJV
Kim from Edmond, OK
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Philipians 4:6,7
Jessica, Elkhorn, NE
Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Kimberly from Bloomburg, May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV
Lindsey
Scenery Hill, PA
Isaiah 40:11 (NIV)
He tends his flock like a shepherd: he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
Psalm 103:17
But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him and His righteousness to children’s children.
Lyn Steriti
Littleton NH
The unfolding of your words gives light;
it imparts understanding to the simple.
Psalm 119:130 ESV