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
Shaunna, New Strawn, KS
“He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,” (Hebrews 1:3 ESV)
Proverbs 31:18 (NIV)
She sees that her trading is profitable and her lamp does not go out at night.
Kate from Cheney, WA
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world the love of the Father is not in her. The world and its desires pass away, but the woman who does the will of God lives forever.”
I John 2:15 & 17 NIV
Lonnie, Omaha NE
For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! (2 Corinthians 4:17 NLT)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 NIV)
Tamara
Kelowna, BC, Canada
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit – fruit that will last – and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.
John 15:16, NIV
Wendy
Long Island, NY
…The Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
Romans 15:4 NLT
Sharon Meekins
Charlotte, NC
…to declare Your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night. ~ Psalm 92:2 ESV
Michelle from Highlands Ranch, CO
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (Philippians 4:6 NKJV)
Julia Stevens Hill — Anniston, Alabama
Psalm 46:10 NIV
Be still and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.
Debbie — Keller, TX
“The secret counsel of the Lord is for those who fear Him, and He reveals His covenant to them.”
Psalm 25:14 (HCSB)
“For sin shall not have dominion over you. For you are not under law but under grace”
Romans 6:14 NKJV
Oops. Lisa. Forsyth, IL
Jan Witt, Rockwall, TX
Luke 24:49 NET
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.
Wendy from Abilene, TX
“looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 (ESV)
I am going to send you what my Father promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high. Luke 24:49 (NIV)
Ginny Obergfell
Olean NY
He alone is my rock and my salvation, He is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Psalm 62:2 (NIV)
Becky Curcio,
Eldred, PA
“He alone is my rock and my salvation, He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”
Psalm 62:2
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
Col 3: 12-13 NET — I do need to do some laundry. Thanks.
Stephanie, La Habra, CA “But as for me, I will sing about your power. I will shout with joy each morning because of your unfailing love.” Ps 59:16 NLT
Kristin, Searcy. 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 (NET)
Leah, Georgia-Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. (Psalm 105:4 NIV)
Betsy in Mt Olive, AL
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)
Nancy, Sanger, TX
As the father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. John 15:9 (NIV)
Test me, O Lord, and try me
examine my heart and mind;
for your love is ever before me,
and I walk continually in your truth.
Psalm 26:2-3 NIV
Jean – Midland tx
Romans 8:6 niv
The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
The Lord is in his holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before him. Habbakuk 2: 20 NIV
Romans 10:13 KJV
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Philippians 4:11-12
New International Version (NIV)
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
I forgot to put up my March 1 verse but boy have I said it this month
Jean – Midland
Romans 8:15 niv
You did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry “Abba Father.”
Fran, Stedman, NC
“I know that You can do all things and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”
Job 42:2
Humber yourselves therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. I Peter 5:6 NIV
Karen Houston Tx.
Colossians 1:11 Strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience,, joyously, NAS
Albuquerque ESV James 1:7
Such people should not expect to receive anything from The Lord .
Amy, Fulton,MO
“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 (NET)
Debbie, Nashville TN “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father’.” Romans 8:15 NIV
Brandy, Kingwood, TX
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. (Colossians 3:12, 13 ESV)
Valerie Warnick – Seminole – Because you are my help, I will sing in the shadow of your wing.
Ps. 63:7
michelle
Woodstock, VT
Psalm 92:8 NLT
But You are exalted in the heavens.
You, O LORD, continue forever!
Timi, Neenah WI
“O God, you are my God; earnestly i seek you;my soul thirsts for you;my flesh faints for you,as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1 ESV
Gloria, Martinsburg, PA.
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.” The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. Lamentations 3:24-25 (ESV)
Sahar, Catharpin, VA
“…You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.” Joshua 23:14b
Hannah, Lake Charles, LA
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entagles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV
Bethany Mowat, Evart, Michigan
By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name. Hebrews 13:15 KJV
Gina from Ruston, LA
John 2:11 (NLT)
This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
Sandra Borgen, Lidgerwood, ND “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:18 KJV
Kathi Spartanburg SC
Psalm 25:4-5 NLT
Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.
Janie, Sarah and Anna Phillips
Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Matthew 6:28-30 NIV
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Marie, Easley, SC
As the deer pants for the water, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the Living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
Psalm 42:1-2 NKJ
Emily, Elk Grove, CA
“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.” -Romans 15:13 NIV
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12 (NIV)