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
Beth – Wynnewood, OK “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 NIV
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Col 3:12 NIV
Dawn
Mt. Olive, NC
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.”
Thanks, need His power everyday:)
Judy
Panama City, Fl
2 Chronicles 16:9a (NLT)
The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully commited to Him.
Phyllis, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
John 11:25 & 26 NIV
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoevery lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
Becky Jo
Chesterfield MI
Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? James 4:11-12 ESV
Christy- Jonesboro AR
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12 NIV)
Carolyn, from Catonsville, MD: “Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits–” Ps 103: 1-2 NIV
Aubree, San Antonio, TX.
And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Mark 2:17 ESV
Megan from San Diego
“Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders.” Deuteronomy 33:12 NIV
Nora, Shreveport, LA
Humble 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.
1 Peter 5:6-7, NIV
Romans 3:21-23
NASB
“But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
Kimberly, Lawrenceburg, KY. “You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands.” Psalm 119:73 (NLT)
Lauren, Dedham, MA: “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:5 (NIV)
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
Col 3:12-13 NAS
Christina, Winter Haven
“O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.”
Jeremiah 10:23, NKJV
Kelly, Charlotte, NC
Now the Lord is Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
2 Corinthians 3:17 ESV
Ruth Hency from Oran, Mo. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his rightousness: and all these things shall be added unto you” Matthew 6:33 KJV
“But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You.”
Psalm 5:11, NKJV
Emily H. from Mount Hope, WV
Gay
Round Rock, Texas
“Even to your old age and gray hairs
I am He, I am He who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”
Isaiah 46:4 NIV
Sarah Miller, New Palestine, IN
It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. (Psalm 18:32 NIV)
Pauline Richardson, Eau Claire, “For there is not a word on my
tongue,But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon
me” Psalm 139:4-5 NKJV
Anne B. from Hot Springs, AR:
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)
Susie, Carmel, Indiana
This is what the Lord says—
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:

“I am the Lord your God,
who teaches you what is best for you,

who directs you in the way you should go.
If only you had paid attention to my commands,

your peace would have been like a river,

your well-being like the waves of the sea. Isaiah 48:17-18 (NIV)
Rene’, Cape Girardeau, MO
In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9 NIV
Jennifer from Georgetown, TX
John 16:33 NIV
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
Kyndra, Houston, TX
Psalm 100:2 “Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.” NIV
I will greatly rejoice in my Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation; He hath clothed me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with jewels.
Isaiah 51:10 (KJV)
Crystal, Gridley, IL
Karen Salvato
Lubbock, TX
2 Timothy 1:7 (HCSB)
For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgement.
Emily Harris, Arkadelphia AR
“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.”
Psalm 73:25-26 (NIV)
Emily, Loveland, CO – “He gives power to the weak and to those who have no might, He increases strength.” Isaiah 40:29 (NKJV)
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV
Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am alone and afflicted. The distresses of my heart increase; bring me out of my sufferings. (Psalms 25:16, 17 HCSB)
Shelby from Athens, GA – “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10 NASB
Don’t copy the behaviors and customs of this world but let
God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 NLT
Deb, Loveland, CO – “may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height…” Ephesians 3:18 (NKJV)
Angie, Hot Springs, AR
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Romans 12:9 NIV
The righteous will flourish like the palm tree. They will be long lived, useful and fruitful. They shall grow like a cedar tree in Lebanon-stable, durable and incorruptable. Planted in the house of the Lord, they shall flourish in the courts of our God. Growing in grace they shall bring forth fruit in old age. They shall be full of spiritual vitality and rich in love, trust, and contentment. They are living memorials to show that the Lord is faithful to keep His promises. He is my rock and there is no unrighteousness in Him Psalm 92:12-15 Amplified
Kay Martin
Tupelo, MS
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone,”
Colossians 4:6 (NIV)
Peggy, Corpus Christi, TX
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
Julie
Holland, Michigan
So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, catastrophes, persecutions, and in pressures, because of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:20 HCSB
Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in You.
Ashley from Indianapolis, Indiana
“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” -Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)
Linda S
McCalla, Alabama
” So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.”
Matthew 5:23-26 ESV
Cindy, Biloxi, MS
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings line eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Sandra Torrance, CA
To  declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night, (Psalms 92:2 NKJV)
Elisabeth
Modesto, Ca
“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 24:29 NIV
Thanks! More perfect for my life’s current season than you can know.
Lori, Syracuse
When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?
Psalm 56: 3,4
Sarah, Christina and Esther May; Wenatchee, WA
“The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.'”
James 3:6 NIV
Psalm 51:12 (NLT)
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.
Tami
Columbus, Ohio