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
Ashley P; Colorado Springs: 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.
Nicole T,
Blue Springs, MO
Psalms 92:2 (NASB) “to declare your loving kindness in the morning and your faithfulness by night”
Margie Allen,TX
He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. John 1:8-9 NIV
Susan
Jersey Village, TX
“And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.”
2 Thessalonians 3:2
NIV
Darla, Pittsburgh (and SHE IS CLOTHED WITH STRENGTH & DIGNITY)
Isaiah 58:8 NIV
Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
J.J., Longmont,CO
Zephaniah 3:15 NIV
The Lord has taken away your punishment,
he has turned back your enemy.
The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you;
never again will you fear any harm.
Katelyn O’Quin from Fort Worth, TX
O Lord , you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. (Psalms 139:1, 2 NLT)
Deborah, Nashville TN
Show me your ways, Lord,
 teach me your paths.Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 25:4-5 (NIV)
Addison Lee, Jackson, TN
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!
Luke 1:45 (NIV)
Sue, Texarkana,TX Psalm 33:4 “For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does.” NIV
Anisha S, McKinney Texas
Look to The Lord and his strength; seek his face always
1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV
Lori, Knoxville, IOWA
Colossians 2:11-12, ESV
In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
Johnnie, Hammond, LA
12Â 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 NIV
Hannah, Fort Worth, “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.” 1 Peter 5:10 NIV
Charlene, Waterloo, ON
But the wisdom that comes from above leads us to be pure, friendly, gentle, sensible, kind, helpful, genuine, and sincere.
James 3:17, CEV
Katie Davila, 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 minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV)
Colossians 3:12 NIV
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Abby from Colombus,tx
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.
Psalm 32:8 niv
Lisa from Arlington, Texas:
James 3:17 ” But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” NIV
Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. (Psalms 143:8 NLT)
Lindsey Crawford, Dubach, La. Also pray that God will give me the right words to say. Then I will speak boldly when I reveal the mystery of the Good News. Because I have already been doing this as Christ’s representative, I am in prison. So pray that I speak about this Good News as boldly as I have to. (Ephesians 6:19, 20 GWT)
Rachel in Huntsville, AL
Psalms 23:4, ESV
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for you are with me, your rod and your staff they comfort me.
Rachel ~ Nashville, TN
“Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”
~ Colossians 2:7 (NLT)
Vickie, Spokane, Wa.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
We’re I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake, I am still with you.
Psalm 139:17-18. NIV
Fran, Gulf Shores, AL
Colossians 3:12 NIV
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Rebecca, Las Vegas. “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.” Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
Holli, Corona Calif ” But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.
Titus 3:4-5a NIV 84
Christina Frailey Modesto, Ca
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23 NKJV
Jeanie
Spencer,IN
“I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”
John 12:46 NIV
Desta, Trinchera, Colorado ~ but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life is His name. John 20:31
Diana, Temple City Ca
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Phil. 4:6 (NKJV)_
Aimmi Adams, La Russell, Mo
Seek The Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually.
Psalm 105:4 ESV
Sandy from Anaheim, CA
Let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. Psalms 139:13 NIV
Amy in Hawaii
Keep asking, and it will be given to you; keep seeking, and you will find; keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps asking receives; she who keeps seeking finds; and to her who keeps knocking, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8 CJB (Complete Jewish Bible)
melanie
edina, minnesota
1 thessalonians 5:16-17
niv
“always be joyful. never stop praying.”
Ps. 86:13 (NIV)
For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.
Janet, Longmont, CO,
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, 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.”
Jude 24 & 25 (NAS)
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:12 NIV)
Dawn Rowden, Astoria Oregon, You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. James 2:24(NIV)
Sondra, Lincoln, California
I am going to send what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high. Luke 24:49 NIV
Cindy, Tucson, AZ
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (Psalm 23:5 NIV)
CHRISTIE – GRAHAM, WA
“But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.”
Philippians 3:7 NASB
Megan from Goodlettsville, TN
“Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.” – Deuteronomy 4:39 (NIV)
Lori , Concordia, KS
Psalm 91:2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust. NIV
Golden, CO
Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Sammie Knight, Flagstaff AZ: “For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay.” Habakkuk 2:3 NASB
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 ESV
“Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ”. II Cor. 10:5. NKJV
Carol – Woodbridge, CA
O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.
Psalm 130:7 NIV
Elise — Newark