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
“The nations shall see you righteousness and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LROD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.”
Isaiah 62:2-3 ESV
Maureen, St. Clair Shores, “Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!” (Psalm 144:15 NKJV)
Kim Wilson from Plano, TX
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:12 NIV)
Karen Donoghue from Houston, TX
“In all your ways submit to him & he will make your paths straight. ”
Proverbs 3:6 NIV
Rebecca Benston, Springfield, OH.
“By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom.”~Proverbs 13:10 NKJV
NAS–Ephesians 2:18
for through him we both have our access in one Spirit unto the Father
Julie, Newton, IA
So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For The Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help. Isaiah 30:18 (NLT)
Jennifer Pearson: Nesbit, MS
Psalm 27:9-14 (ESV)
9 Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation!
10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.
12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence.
13 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!
14 Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!
Susan, Nashville
Psalm 112:2 (NASB)
His descendants will be mighty on earth; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Lori from Toledo
Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who
promised is faithful.”
Diane – Roswell, GA
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” Psalm 32:8 ESV
Vicki
Longview, WA
That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.
But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)
Romans 8:8-9 NLT
Casey Gilliam, Frisco, Texas
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37, NIV
Shawna in Virginia, “Your eyes saw my unformed substance in your book were written every one of them, the dys that were formed for me, when as yet there were non of them.” Psalm 139:16 ESV
Jodi, Perth Australia
Psalm 34:4 NKJV
I sought the Lord , and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.
Cathy from Loxahatchee, FL
Galatians 3:22. NLT
But the scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.
Tracey Moyers from Loganville, GA
” Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”
Acts 17:11 NIV
Rachel Wanzer, Owasso, OK
Jeremiah 29:12 NKJV
“Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.”
Robbie Borders, baker city,, let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. NKJV
Katelyn P, Arlington, TX
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry…
James 1:19
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phillipians 4:13 (NRSV)
Michelle, Minot,ND
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Colossians 3:23 NLT
Kristin
Forney, Tx
Colossians 3:12 NLT Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Brenda S., Pewaukee, WI – “In You, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be ashamed.” (Psalm 71:1, NASB)
Melody, Cheyenne, Psalm 25:1 In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. NIV
Laura, Townsend, Ma
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles: they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31
Tiffany-Dallas, GA
Psalm 71:20
New International Version (NIV)
20 Though you have made me see troubles,
many and bitter,
you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
you will again bring me up.
Jen, Frisco,Tx
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”
Be strong & courageous. Don’t be afraid or discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you in every place, wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NIV
Jennifer
Story City, IA
“The Lord is good, a Strength and Stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge and trust in Him.” – Nahum 1:7 (AMP)
Katie from Mount Dora, Florida
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks
Proverbs 31:17 (NIV)
Pamela Williams, Olive Branch, MS
Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But that is not what God desires; rather, He devises ways so that a banished person does not remain banished from Him. 2 Samuel 14:14 NIV
Amie, Honolulu HI
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
—Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Revelation 1:8 (NIV) “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who “is to come, the Almighty.”
Randee, Iowa 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
Jenna, Sandusky. Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? Matthew 6:26-27
Alicia, Gulfport
I’m continuing to memorize Psalm 139… Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. (Psalm 139:6 NIV)
Ps 92:2 (ESV)
Psalm 92:2
English Standard Version (ESV)
to declare your (A)steadfast love in (B)the morning,
and your (C)faithfulness by (D)night,
Donna, Willard, MO
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.”
Psalm 136:1 (NIV)
Bridgette King, Rockwall, TX
Philippians 4:13 NIV
I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you, Ish. 43:2 ESV
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
I had another one picked but this one you picked convicted me!
Amber from Columbus, OH.
Colossians 3:13NIV
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Frisco, TX
‘He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.’ -Psalm 40:3
Tami from Florida
Colossians 3:12-13 (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.
2 Peter 1:3 NIV
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.
Tammy,Ingleside, TX
PS: We love Beth’s jackets!
Gina, Bolivar, MO
“Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 124:8
Kelly, Greer,SC
“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually.” -1 Chron. 16:11 (ESV)
Michelle from Louisville, KY: Proverbs 30:5 (NIV) “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Lesley, Newbury Park, CA – “For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” Psalm 91:11-12 (NIV)