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
Kristin
Columbia, MO
I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Everyday I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.
Psalm 145:1-3
NIV
Cindy, Wisconsin.
Mark 14:38 NKJV
Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Fort Worth “From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.” Psalm 113:3 TNIV
“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
Jayne-Frisco, TX
Alice Ward Chesapeake, Va
Isaiah 46:4 NLT
I will be your God throughout your lifetime-until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you.
Merredith, Champaign. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him , he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 ESV
Darcy, 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
Aleta. Indianapolis, IN. NIV Psalms 44:8. In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.
Pam Olathe, KS “Therefore do not be partakers with them, for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in The Lord. Walk as children of the light.”
Ephesians 5:7-8. The NET Bible
Sarah, Lincoln, NE
“But let the brother of humble circumstances glory in his high position.” (James 1:9 NASB)
Linda, Anderson, IN. NKJV Psalm 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is my strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Jackie Bridges, Mooresboro, N.C.
You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You and hopes confidently in You. Isaiah 26:3 (Amplified)
Amber, Norman, OK
James 4:6 (NASB)
But He gives us a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Brenda, Jordan, MN Psalm 56:9b (ESV)
“This I know, that God is for me.”
Kayla from Clinton, MN
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.”
Psalm 37:5 ESV
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in Him, and He will act.
Jeannette, Land O Lakes, FL
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
Sue, Wellington. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1Peter 5:7 NIV
Monica, Draper, Utah 12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy & dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness & patience, 13 bearing with one another & 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. Col. 3:12-13 (NET)
Anita, Big River, Saskatchewan, Canada
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalms 16: 11 ESV
Trish, Dublin, Ohio
Colossians 3:12 (NIV). Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience Col. 3:12 NASB
Bridget – phoenix, AZ 1 Peter 1:13
Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Angel Bowman
Murfreesboro, TN
Be strong and courageous. Don’t tremble! Don’t be afraid of them! The Lord your God is the one who is going with you. He won’t abandon you or leave you. (Deuteronomy 31:6 GW)
Marilyn from Missouri:
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 NKJV
Taylor, Temple, Tx
“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.” Psalm 13:5 (NIV)
6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.
NLT
Becca, Camp Pendleton (Oceanside), CA
“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 whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” ~ Colossians 3:12-14 NIV
Natalie; Leesburg, GA; “Pleasant words are a honeycomb to the soul and healing to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24 (NIV)
Tracie, Albuquerque, NM
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV
Kim, St. Louis, MO – The LORD is close to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; He protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. Psalm 34:18-20
Del from Clarksboro, NJ ” But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Luke 14:14 (NIV)
Lisa V, Washington, NJ. But thanks be to God, who always puts us on display in Christ and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.
2 Corinthians 2:14 (HCSB)
Amber, La Junta, Colorado
Philippians 4:8-9 (The Message)
Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
Bernadette. Mtn home Arkansas “But Jesus immediately said to them: take courage , it is I, don’t be afraid”. Matthew 14:27 NIV
Colossians 3:12
New English Translation (NET)
Exhortation to Unity and Love
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
(Thank you Beth.)
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:37 NIV)
Philippiains 4:13 AMP
I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].
Elisa, New York
Sandy, Rock Hill, SC
“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 whatever grievances you have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:12-13 NIV
Marie Ens, Saskatoon, sk. Canada
Psalm 30:1 (voice)
I praise You, Eternal One. You lifted me out of that deep, dark pitand denied my opponents the pleasure of rubbing in their success.
Elizabeth, Castle Rock, CO
“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the LORD, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”
Col 2:6-7, ESV
Leslie from Kansas City, Mo – 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. Galations 5:1 (NIV)
Andrea, Montgomery IN
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 NIV
Lee M from IN – Isaiah 53:5 ESV
“He was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; uupon him was the chastisement that brought us peace and with his stripes we are healed.”
Toma, Antelope, CA
“Do everything without complaining or arguing”
Philippians 2:14 NIV
Sarah from Manhattan, KS:
By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
Psalm 19:11-12 (NIV 1984)
And hope does not put us to shame because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:5, ESV
Allison from Nashville, TN
“Search for The Lord and for His strength; seek His face always.”
Psalm 105:4, HCSB
Sarah, Chocowinity, NC
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
Becky, Vickburg, MS
So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. John 16:22 (NIV)