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
Shari says:
Shari Valdez from Long Beach, California
I delight to do Your will, O my God. And Your law is within my heart. Psalm 40:8 (NKJV)
Karen, Lynnwood, WA
“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)
Norma Frances
Leander, TX
And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
Hebrews 10:10,11 ESV
Michelle, New Richmond: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” John 15:16 ESV
Julie, Gresham, OR
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14 (NLT)
Julie. Hanford, ca. So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. Galations 5:1. NLT
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all he has done.” Phil 4:6 (NLT)
Beth Gig Harbor, WA
I will lead the blind by a way they do not know, in paths they do not know,I will guide them. I will make darkness into light before them and rugged places into plains. These are the things I will do, and I will not leave them undone.
Isaiah 42:16 (NASB)
Christine Friend, Flagstaff,
My sacrifice, O God, is [a] a broken spirit;
 a broken and contrite heart
 you, God, will not despise.
Psalm 51:17 New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 34: 4-5 NIV
I sought The Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
Debbie from Universal City, TX
“The Lord your God is in your midst; he is a warrior who can deliver. He takes great delight in you; he renews your by his love; he shouts for joy over you.” Zephaniah 3:17 (NET)
Lori Behrens
Granbury, TX
Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
Ephesians 6:14 NASB
Kaci; Moultrie, GA
“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God.”
Philippians 4:6 HCSB
Joslin ~ Seminole, FL
Proverbs 3:5&6 (NLT)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
Michaela, Overland Park, KS
“For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” (Zephaniah 3:17 NLT)
Dana Nance
Blue Ridge, Tx
But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV
Heather Wilkinson
Springfield, VA
Eph 6:16-17 (NIV)
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Jacqui..lemoore, ca. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we. Are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 2 Timothy 3:16 NLT
Stephanie Volkmer
Tulsa, Ok
*Call to Me and I will answer you, I will tell you great and mighty things which you do not know. (Jer 33:3, nasb)
Cami, OKC,OK – and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, (1 Thessalonians 4:11 NIV)
Polly
Inola, OK
Colossians 3:12 (NET)
“Therefore as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. “
Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Shy so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise Him,
my Savior and my God.
Psalm 42:5 (NIV)
Cheryl R. Midlothian Va
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience
Col 3:12 NET,
Peace I leave you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid
John 14:27
NIV
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” Proverbs 15:1 NIV
“For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;” (James 1:7 ESV)
Jill, Amarillo, Texas
“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
Luke 1:45 NIV
Lea from Granger, IN “put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness and patience” (ESV)
Lydia, Warman
Rom. 15:13 NIV
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.
Emily from Coralville, IA When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:2 NIV
Zephaniah 3:17 Message
Your God is present among you, a strong Warrior there to save you.
Kalee Fort Worth, TX
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12 NIV
Deborah from Calgary Alberta Canada -Ephesians 15:16-17a “16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”
Be strong and courageous, Do not be afraid or terrified of them, for the Lord your God goes with you, he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deut 31:6 (NIV)
Shantha, Lincoln, RI
Heather from Owasso, Ok
Ps 84:11 NKJV
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory, no good thing will He withholdfrom those who walk uprightly.”
Shannon Thies from Pekin, IL
“He must become greater and greater and I must become less and less” John 3:30
Tricia, Conroe, TX
“People with their minds set on you, you keep completely whole, steady on their feet, because they keep at it and don’t quit. Depend on God and keep at it because in the Lord God you have a sure thing.”
Isaiah 26:34
The Message
Commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts will be established. Proverbs 16:3 NKJV
Ephesians 2:8 NIV
“For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith- and this is not from yourselves it is the gift of God.”
Emily, Shreveport, LA
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”
Romans 8:1-2 NIV
Allison Crook – Albuquerque, NM
I’m continuing with the one I started on March 1st:
“I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the Lord. How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust, And has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood. Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which You have done, And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count.”
Psalms 40:1-5 NASB
Ashley from Kingwood, TX
The faithful love of the LORD never ends! Lamentations 3:22 NLT
Janice Coulter
Russellville, Ar
To Him be the power forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:11 NIV
Taryn from Corinth, TX
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8 (NIV)
Sara ,
Downey, CA
Psalm 127:1 NIV
“Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain”
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
Trina
Midland, Texas
The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:6 NIV)
Erin in Euless, TX
Psalm 65:11-13 (NLT)
“You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. The grasslands of the wilderness become a lush pasture, and the hillsides blossom with joy. The meadows are clothed with flocks of sheep, and the valleys are carpeted with grain. They all shout and sing for joy!”
Julie, Boerne TX
Psalm 33:20-22 (NIV)
We wait in hope for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
even as we put our hope in you.
Fay, Ozark,MO
Isaiah 41:13
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.