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
Fran, Jackson TN
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. (Psalm 105:4 NIV)
Susie Bloomington, IN
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:12 NIV
Karen, Dover, NH “Yet I am always with you, you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Ps. 73:23-28 (NIV)
Delanie, Spring Hill, TN
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 the power from on high.
Lindsey from Temecula
“He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church: he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. – Colossians 1:17-18 (NIV)
Cathy, Easley, SC
John 15:12 (Good News Bible)
My commandment is this: love one another, just as I love you.
Karen H., Stephenville, TX
Romans 12:3 (NASB)
For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.
Kathy, Wake Forest, NC
Phil. 1:9-10 – And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and discernment, so that you may approve (discover) the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ. (NASB)
Paula, Moorefield WV
2 John 1:2 NIV
because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever:
Indianapolis, IN
Psalm 63:3 (NIV)
“Because your love is better than life my lips will glorify you.”
Tiffany Fling Kansas City, KS
Psalm 105:4 NCV. Depend on the Lord and his strength; always go to him for help.
Johnston, Iowa
Don’t sin but letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent.
Psalm 4:4 NLT
Kristy Dorminy, Woodstock, Ga
Luke 21:1-3 “And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. And He said, ‘ Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them.'”
Hockley,TX
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. (James 1:19-21 ESV)
Sue, Kalamazoo, MI
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.”
Kathy, Festus MO For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. (James 2:26 NASB)
Alicia
League City, TX
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me.
He has anointed me
to tell the good news to poor people.
He has sent me to announce freedom for prisoners.
He has sent me so that the blind will see again.
He wants me to free those who are beaten down.
And he has sent me to announce the year when he will set his people free.”
– Luke 4:18-19 NIRV
Southlake, TX “You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light” Psalm 18:28
Kate from Parker, CO
Col. 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.
Colossians 3:17 NKJ
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Dayna Vaczi, Overland Park, KS
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives inall godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Savior
I Timothy 2:1-3(NIV)
Amber Moon, Lincolnton, NC
Your salvation requires you to turn back to Me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves. Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on Me.
Isaiah 30:15, The Message
Brooke: Princeton ME:
If you pour out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in the scorched places and make your bones strong…
Isaiah 58:10,11a
Jennifer Grayson
Wilmington DE
“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:13
(NIV)
Kelly Garcia, Perris, CA. “Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of Man; and those who hear will live.” John 5:25, NKJV
April, Magnolia, TX. “…that your charitable deed may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” Matthew 6:4 NKJV
Gail, Houston
“For I will pour water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground I will pour out my Spirit on your offshpring and my blessing on your descendants”
Isaiah 44:3 NIV..(offshpring should read offspring).
April, Lake Charles, LA
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. ~ Luke 12:6-7 (ESV)
West Monroe, LA:
If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
John 15:6
NIV
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalms 37:4 ESV)
Kathy, Hendersonville, TN
“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; He took it away, nailing it to the CROSS. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the CROSS.” Colossians 2:13-15 NIV (emphasis mine).
Above all else guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Achara, Jacksonville
Seek The Lord and his strength, seek His presence continually. (Psalm 105:4 ESV)
Diane J, Wood River, IL
And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. (NKJV)
Three Rivers, MI. “Give me an understanding mind so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between what is right and what is wrong. For who by himself is able to carry such a heavy responsibility.” 1 Kings 3:9 The Message
Jennifer from Jackson, Tn
Colossians 3:12 NIV
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Annette, Stouffville ON Canada
To keep with the clothing theme:
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. Romans 13:14 NKJV
Rhonda, Hattiesburg 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.” Col. 3:12-13, NIV
Paige, Flowood, MS
It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening.
Psalm 92:2, NLT
Polly, Houston, “Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people both now and forever.” Psalm 125:2 NLT
Dina Garcia, Garden Grove, CA
Proverbs 27:19 NLT “As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.”
I John 1:5 NIV
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
2Cor 3:18
ESV And we all with unvieled face beholding the glory of the Lord are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit
Robin, Scottsdale, AZ
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Galations 6:9 (NIV)
Let it be, Lord!
Amber in Goshen, IN
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.
Romans 14:17-19 (NLT)
Jeanette- Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
Deuteronomy 33:26
There is no one like the God of Jeshurun who rides across the heavens to help you and on his clouds in his majesty. NIV
Mary from Brookfield, CT
And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
Hebrews 6:15 KJV
“For judgement is merciless for the one who has shown no mercy. But mercy triumphs over judgement.”
James 2:13 (NET)
Carrie Jones
Ontario, Canada
Amy, Pratt, Ks
” May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Pslam 19:14 NIV
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 in singing!
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV