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.)
12Â Therefore, as Godâs chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Â 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, âGod opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.â
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.â
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
Jenny C, Houston
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. -Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)
Wendy Couper Peterborough , Ontario Canada
For merely listening to the law doesnât make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight. (Romans 2:13 NLT)
Christine, Stephens City. If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable Proverbs 28:9 NIV
Amy, Albemarle, NC
Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.-Romans 8:8-9, NIV
Debbie, Los Angeles
Isaiah 61:3 NASB
To grant those who mourn in Zion,
Giving them a garland instead of ashes,
The oil of gladness instead of mourning,
The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting.
So they will be called oaks of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
Cami, Murray, KY
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Col 3:15 NIV
Stephanie Kilper, Stow, Ohio
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Brenda Cousino, Frisco, Texas
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. (Zephaniah 3:17 ESV)
For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourself, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Ephesians 2:8,9 NKJV
Karen
Greenfield, OH
1 John 1:9 NIV
If we confess our sins,
He is faithful and just
and will forgive us our sins
and purify us from all
unrighteousness.
Loved the clothed ideas but already committed in Spirit to this one. Acts 17:11
Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Amen!
LORD, make me like a Berean.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion and kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:12-13
Megan eldridge, IA Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. NIV
Marcia Calhoun Carmel, IN
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Psalm 100:1-2 NIV
Tami, Palm Coast
Psalm 25:3-4
Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
Make me to know your ways, O Lord;teach me your paths. (ESV)
I said to the Lord, âYou are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.â
Psalm 16:2 (NIV)
Psalm 92:2. NIV
…proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night.
Lesley, Cypress, “No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those that hear.” Ephesians 4:29, HCSB
Sibley, LA
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father, which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 KJV
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2 NIV)
Pamela from Belmont, NC
To declare your steadfast love
in the morning, and your
faithfulness by night
Psalms 92:2 ESV
Christy, Waco, TX
For God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 NET
Dee from Portland, OR
English Standard Version (©2001)
But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 1 Cor. 9:27
Psalms 133:1Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!
Clothe yourselves therefore, as God’s own chosen ones (His own picked representatives, who are purified and holy and well beloved (by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by)tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, and patience, (which is tireless and longsuffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper).
Colossians 3:12 Amplified Verson
Psalm 133:1 NIV
How good and pleasant it is when Godâs people live together in unity!
Cindy, Pitsburg, OH
I respect and reverence my husband. I notice him, regard him, honor him, prefer him, venerate him and esteem him. I defer to him, praise him, love and admire him exceedingly.
Ephesians 5:33 (AMP)
Michelle, Bossier City, LA
Zephaniah 3:17
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 with singing.â
Rogers, AR “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Rom 8:6 NKJV
Deborah Davis
Elgin, Tx
Never give up. Eagerly follow the Holy Spirit and serve the Lord.
Romans 12:11 (CEV)
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
– Romans 3:23 NIV
Sheila, Bethesda, MD. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 (NASB)
Mindy, Rowley IA
James 4:6 NKJV
But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: âGod resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.â
Eva-Lynn, Jakarta, Indonesia:
For I know what I have planned for you,â says the Lord. âI have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope. Jer. 29:11 NIV
..and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I might open my mouth boldly to make know the mystery of the gospel. Eph 6:19
Cody – Houston, TX
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
Ephesians 6:14-15, ESV
Paula Stemple, Marlinton, WV
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20, 21 NLT)
Lisa from El Dorado, AR
Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spiritâs leading in every part of our lives. (Galatians 5:25 NLT)
Concetta, White Oak, TX, Proverbs 3:6, NLT, “Seek His will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
Gloria in Houston says:
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour JESUS CHRISTI. To Him be glory both now and for ever.
Sarnia ON Canada
He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” Mark 5:34 (NIV)
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
-Psalms 133:1-
Rose, Kansas City:
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Col.3:12 (NIV)
Becky, Chattanooga, TN
You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD.
Psalm 139:3-4
Rachelle, Cedar Park TX: The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” (Luke 17:5, NIV)
Bombey, Bellaire, TX
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. NIV84
Mika S, Dallas, Col 3:12 “Therefore, as Godâs chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (NIV)
Jill, from Lewisville. Collasians 3:12-13. ” Therefore, as Godâs 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.”
Sarah Farish
Champaign, IL
Psalm 91:1 (ESV)
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”
Beth Aldrich Cary, NC
“Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.” Deuteronomy 4:39 (NIV)