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
Jennifer Pickering, ON
“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
Psalm 46:10, ESV
Pushkala, Louisville, KY – Stop quarreling with God! If you agree with him, you will have peace at last, and things will go well for you. Job22: 21 NLT
Erin from Murfreesboro TN
There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides on the heavens to help you and on the clouds in His majesty. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.
Deuteronomy 33:26-27a
Molly, Lawrence, KS
There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.
Deuteronomy 15:11 NIV
Jaclyn, Houston, TX
I will bless The Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Psalms 34:1-2 ESV
Susan from Greensburg PA
“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalms 100: 4, 5 NIV
Melissa. Midlothian, VA
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”
Proverbs 31:25. NLT
Laura, Fort Worth, TX:
Proverbs 3:3-4 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in sight of God and man. NIV
Robyn
Plano,TX
‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’ (Isaiah 55:8, NIV)
Diane from Charleston, IL:
“He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”
Daniel 7:14 NIV
Becky, Stromsburg, NE
Psalm 3:5-6 MSG (verses 3-4 on March 1st)
I stretch myself out. I sleep. Then I’m up again-rested, tall and steady, fearless before the enemy mobs coming at me from all sides.
Lanny, Inverness
“I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10b NIV
Libby, Littleton CO (ESV)
2 Corinthians 4:16-17
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things seen but the things that are unseen.
Ginger, El Paso, TX: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 NIV
James 4:8 NKJV,
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Paige
Plano, TX
Exodus 14:13-14 (NIV)
Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will know the deliverance The Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still.”
John 15:16 (EV)
You did not choose me but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear much fruit, the kind of fruit that endures.
My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone turns him back,he should know that the one who turns a sinner back from his wandering path will save that person’s soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
James 5:19-20 NET
Lindsay from Boston, MA: “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. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 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 40:28-31 NIV
Allison, Rancho Cucamonga, CA:
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility,(AB) gentleness and patience.
Colossians 3:12
John 6:63 NLT
The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
Teach me your way, O Lord , that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. (Psalms 86:11 ESV)
“A gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Prov 15:1 (NIV)
Kimberly Mason, Tuscaloosa, AL:
“I eat my fill of prime rib and gravy; I smack my lips. It’s time to shout praises.”
Psalm 63:5 MSG
Psalm 119:37 NIV
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.
Heidi, Fayetteville, GA
Sara, Goddard, KS
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
Colossians 3:12-13 (NIV)
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.
Phyllis, Irvine, CA
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body by death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation. Colossians 1:21-22 (NIV)
Dawn
Dallas, GA
“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.”
1 John 2:1 NIV
Pam, Corydon, IN
“I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies. ”
2 Samuel 22:4
NIV
Teri in Tampa
Colossians 1:13 (NKJV)
13Â He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love
Naomi – Colorado Springs
If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. Psalm 119:92 NIV
Pam, Campbellsburg In. Psalm 93;1 The Lord reigns His is clothed with majesty. The Lord is clothed.. He has girded Himself with strength Surley the world is established so that it cannot be moved… NSFL NKJV
Colossians 3;12 Therefore as Gods chosen people, holy and dearly loved,clothe yourselfs with compassion, kindness,humility,gentleness, and patience. NET
Anna, Huntington IN, Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. Romans 8:5
Maggie, Tulsa
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.Colossians 3:12 NIV
Chris, Kokomo, IN
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
Mollyanne from Athens, GA
“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.”
Psalm 139:6 NIV
Kari, Charlottesville, VA
“She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:” (Proverbs 31:27, 28 NIV)
Dawn W – Batavia, OH
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Colossians 3:12 NLT
Patrice in Albuquerque
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Col 3:12 (NIV)
Sheila from Florida
But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Dueteronomy 4:29 NKJV
Hot Springs Village, AR
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lor Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Chrisr from the dead
1 Peter 1:3 NLT
Johnette Littleton,CO
“Without having seen him you love him; though you do not now see him you velieve in him and rejoice with unutterable and exalted joy.” (RSV)
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
Isaiah 43:18
Denise from Lenexa, KS
And He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in and give us the land that He swore to give to our fathers.
Deuteronomy 6:23 (ESV)
(From Beth’s study of Deuteronomy)
Ann Gilliam, Lexington, TN. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. (Psalms 19:14 KJV)
Kat -Tyler, TX
Proverbs 15:28- (NASB)
28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,
But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
Renada Sedalia, CO
Since you have been chosen by god who has given you this new kind of life, and because of his deep love and concern for you, you should practice tenderhearted mercy and kindness to others don’t worry about making a good impression on them but be ready to suffer quietly and patiently. Colossians 3:12
the living bible
Janet from St. Louis
Philippians 2:6 (NIV)
“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,”
Lisa, Houston
Matthew 7:7 niv
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.