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.
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.
================
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
Danielle, Evansville IN
“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.” Zeph. 3:17 (NIV)
Terri, Papua New Guinea. “If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galations 1:10b, NIV.
Is. 46:11 NIV From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do.”
Christine Andrews, Texas
Psalm 32:8 (NIV)
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Ann. Centerville. All your sons will be taught by The Lord and great will be their peace.
Isaiah 54:13. NIV
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” NIV Isaiah 53:5
Kelley from Houston, TX
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Colossians 3:13 (NIV)
Janna Hoving, Frisco
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 NIV
Nia Stivers, Bridgeport, Alabama–“This includes you, who were once far away from God. You were His enemies, separated from Him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now, He has reconciled you to Himself through the death of Christ in His physical body. As a result, He has brought you into His own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before Him without a single fault.”–Colossians 1:21-22 NLT
Beth, Lititz Pa
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.
Jennifer, Tomball, TX “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Col. 3:12 (NIV)
Ann, SC
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
Bobbie
Danville, Ky
Incline my heart to Your testimonies,
And not to covetousness.
Psalm 119:36
NKJV
Laura – Parma Ohio
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8 – NIV
Jennifer from West Palm Beach, FL
“For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He knows your going through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you. You have lacked nothing.” Deuteronomy 2:7 ESV
Stephanie Floyd. Danville Ky
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalms 137:3. NIV
Sue, Kingsport, TN. “To declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night.” Psalm 92:2 ESV
Christie from Plano, Texas needs to memorize this encouragement for our LORD:
“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT)
April Weatherspoon
West Palm Beach
James 1:13-15 ESV
“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”
Theresa from Tenaha, Texas
Cast your cares on The Lord and he will sustain you;
He will never let the righteous fall. Psalms 55:22 NIV
Dusti Pugh, Carthage, TX
1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV
Look to the Lord and his strength;
seek his face always.
Connie from Carterville, IL
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:25-26 (ESV)
Patti, Tampa, FL
Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?”
Romans 15:1-2 (MSG)
And we know that in all things Gods works for the good of those that love him,who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV
Shawna – Denver, CO
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Exodus 14:14 (NIV)
Wendy, Amarillo The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:3 NIV
Hannah- Houston
1 Peter 3:3-4 ICB
it’s not fancy hair, or fine clothes that make you beautiful, no your beauty should come from within you, the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. This beauty will never disappear and its worth very much to God
I Peter 3:9 NIV
“Do n
Kristi Tomlinson, Athens, TX “Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. And his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him.” Revelation 17:14 NLT
Stephanie, valrico, FL. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12 NIV)
I Peter 3:9 NIV
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you have been called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
Tara, Kosciusko, MS
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
Lauren, Charlotte, NC: “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45 (ESV)
Debbie, Higden, AR ~ He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17 NAS
Emily, Topeka, Kansas
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
James 2:14-17 (NIV)
Elisca, Alexandria, LA
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (KJV)
lynn , Louisville,
for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.
II Peter 1:11 (NASB)
Anna – Conroe, TX
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”
Ephesians 3:16-17a, NIV
Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine by His power at work within us. Ephesians 3:20 (CEB)
Genesis 1:31 (KJV)
And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Mia from Burlington, Vermont
“He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you.
god in peace and be freed from your suffering.'”
Mark 5:34 NIV
Traci Wood, Shreveport, LA
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. (James 1:2, 3 NASB)
Nicole, Tucson: “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3 (NIV)
oops….GO IN PEACE…
Laurel, MS
Jude 1:25 (NASB)
..to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Vicki, Ann Arbor, Michigan
It is good to praise the Lord
and make music to your name, O Most High,
to proclaim your love in the morning
and your faithfulness at night,
to the music of the ten-stringed lyre
and the melody of the harp.
Psalm 93:1-3
Alesha, Charlotte, NC
Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. Colossians 3:10 NLT
Sharon, Riverside, Ca.
Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; Proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
Psalms 96:1-3 NIV
Melanie Mathews, Johnson City, TN
Colossians 3:12-13 (ESV)
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Stephanie from Woodward , OK
James 4:17 NIV
If anyone then knows the good they should do and doesn’t do it, it is so for them.