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
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.”
Annabel, Whitewater, KS
“I trust in God. I will not be afraid. What can mere men do to me?”
Psalms 56:11,NIrV
Lisa~ Bethany, OK
Sorry I got so excited yesterday was the start of spring break I forgot it was the 15th!
“But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?”
James 2:6 NIV84
Julia, Whidbey Island, WA: “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.” Luke 24:49 NET
“But as for me, I trust in You, o Lord; I say, You are my God.”
Psalms 31:14 NKJV
O God . . . I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.”
– Psalm 57:1 (NIV)
Ashley&Ava-VanAlstyne, TX
Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. (Romans 12:12 NLT)
Jolie – Cottage Grove, MN
“And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”
Luke 24:49 NLT
Whitney Caves
Clinton, MS
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving, make your requests know to God.
Philippians 4:6 NIV
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 NIV
Kim, Deer Park
Wanda
North Canton, Ohio
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?
James 4:1 NIV
Becky
Willowick, OH
1John 3:18
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
NIV
Carolyn
Kearney, Nebraska
1 Thessalonians 5:15 AMP
See that none of you repays another with evil for evil, but always aim to show kindness and seek to do good to one another and to everybody.
Anne, Minneapolis
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17, NIV
Saige, Shreveport, LA
“Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” Hebrews 12:3 (ESV)
Donna Marina, Ca
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32 (KJV)
Karen, Dallas,TX: So we fix our eyes not on what is seen,
but on what is unseen.
For what is seen is temporary,
but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV 1984)
Riverton Ut
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23 ESV)
“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.”
James 3:17-18 NIV
Crystal City, MB, Canada
1 John 1:6 (ESV)
If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
Kathy from Hawaii:
“So then, dear brothers and sisters, be firm. Do not be moved! Always be outstanding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
1 Cor. 15:58 NET
Elizabeth W., Syracuse, NY, Proverbs 13:12 NLT “Hope deferred makes the heart sick,but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.”
Esther, Lancaster My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. James 2:1 NIV
Kathy M., Biloxi, MS
So, as those who have been chosen of God,
holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
Colossians 3:12 NASB
Susan, Canton Mi
“Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.” I Chronicles 29:12 (NIV)
Nicole, Ocean Springs, MS
Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom. (Psalms 51:6 NASB)
Margo, Laramie WY
2 Cor 4:4,5 NIV
For God who said “Let light shine out of the darkness” has made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is from God not from us.
Emma, Flowood, MS
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.”
Philippians 2:3-4, NIV
Hayley–Corpus Christi, TX
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:21 (NIV)
James 3:7-8 NIV1984
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man. But no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
Carol, Cashion, “Looking at them, Jesus said, ‘With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.'” Mark 10:27 NASB
debbie, Auckland, NZ
“Bear one anothers burden, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 NKV
Michelle, Colorado Springs
Galatians 5:1 “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” NIV
If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, you righteousness like the waves of the sea.
Isaiah 48?18 NIV
Megan, Houston “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NASB *note* same verses as my last two weeks; loving getting to meditate on this for a month!
Ps. 73:26-28
My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
For behold, those who are far from you will perish
You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You.
But as for me, the nearness of God is my good.
I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works. (NASB)
Nancy Coffey
Barboursville WV
“HE heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Psalm 147:3 NIV
Kristin, Lexington, Kentucky
“Do you think you can explain the mystery of God? Do you think you can diagram God Almighty? God is far higher than you can imagine, far deeper than you can comprehend . . .” Job 11: 7-8
The translation is from The Message. (Job 11:7-8)
June
Collinsville, IL
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourself with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Colossians 3:12 NLT
Cathy, Fridley. 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. Collosians 3:12-13 NIV.
Danyelle, Dayton, OH
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
John 15:9-11 NIV
Tesa
Perry, GA
But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken
Matthew 12:36
Stephanie; Ogden; “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
Shannon, Warner Robins
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope that we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Karla, Broomfield
Jesus said to her, “Dd I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
John11:40 NASB
Jessica, Carlsbad, CA, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess. For the one who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)
Cathryne, Fayetteville NC
For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” Romans 8:15 NASB
Emily from Glenn Heights, TX
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. -Ezekiel 36:25
Kim in Victoria, TX
“‘If you can’? said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Mark 9:23 NIV
Dianna from St. Louis,
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and over-flowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6