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.
================
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.
===================
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.
==============
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
Robin A.
Fairfax, Virginia
Isaiah 40:8 NIV
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”
Tasha, Malvern,AR
“The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.”
Psalm 23:1 NLT
Ezekiel 34:26
New International Version (NIV)
26 I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.
Kim, Pearland, TX
The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
Isaiah 41:13 Amp
For I the Lord your God hold your right hand; I am the Lord, Who says to you, Fear not; I will help you!
Blanche, Pearland, TX
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.
Psalms 31:24
Nehemiah 8:10 The joy of the Lord is my strength.
Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.
Psalm119:105
NIV
Jamie ~ Mobike, AL ~ Hebrews 2:18 NIV
“Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”
Do not let any unwelcome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Romans 8:6 (NIV) The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace:”
Avayd Ann Kansas City, KS
…”In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength”… Isaiah 30:15 KJV
Caitlin
Demopolis, AL
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
Galation 5:25 NASB
Vivian, Birmingham, Alabama
Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. Â You guard all that is mine.
Psalm 16:5 NLT
Kris
Medina, WA
Psalm 32:8
The Lord says, “I will make you wise and show you where to go. I will guide you and watch over you.”
Maria, Katy
Proverbs 31:10-13 (ESV)
An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. Psalm145:20 NIV
Georganne, Piedmont,Oklahoma Proverbs 25:16 NIV
If you find honey, eat just enough-too much of it and you will vomit.
Esther 4:14 NIV
Who knows, perhaps you have come to your royal position for such a time as this
Rachel – Texas
Romans 5:8 NKJV – But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Lisa Diaz, Houston. “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 The NET Bible
Lichelle Austin NIV
Psalm 138:8 The LORD will perfect that which concerns me, your mercy, O LORD, endures forever.
Ramona Gellick
Medina, Ohio
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually,18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus
Bree, Newport KY. How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1 NIV)
Nancy, St. Petersburg FL, 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
Judith, Orillia, Ontario
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord , “and will bring you back from captivity.” (Jeremiah 29:13, 14 NIV)
I’m believing God!!
Angie W., Federal Way, 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 The NET Bible
Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Colossians 3:12 NIV
Debbi – Littleton, CO
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Colossians 3:12 NIV
Heidi~Lindale, Texas
Psalm 92:2 ESV
“…to declare Your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night.”
Marcee H., Gilbert, AZ
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
Kendall- Tulsa, OK
“Some trust in chariots and some trust in horses, but we trust in the name of The Lord our God.” -Psalm 20:7 (NIV)
Jenna, Morro Bay CA
Hebrews 13:5 ESV
5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Kelley Mansfield, Sharpsburg, GA
Prov 17:22 NIV
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Beth, London, U.K. “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)
Jessica Coons, Conifer CO
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Angie, Aberdeen, SD: Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your loving kindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. Psalm 51: 1-2 (ESV)
Rachel Cleveland, Jackson, TN
Col 3:12 “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,”
Leslie, Spartanburg, SC, Psalm 139: 13-14 “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. ” NIV
Audrey, Ohio
Micah 7:8-9 TNIV (continuing from March 1st)
Do not gloat over me, my enemy!
Though I have fallen, I will rise.
Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.
Because I have sinned against Him, I will bear the LORD’s wrath,
until He pleads my case and establishes my right.
He will bring me out into the light; I WILL SEE HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS. (emphasis mine)
Traci, Cedar Bluff AL
Colossians 4:6 NIV
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Laurie in Oklahoma City, “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.” (2 Corinthians 1:20 ESV)
Debra from Calgary Alberta,
Don’t copy the beahvior 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 pleaasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2 NLT
Springdale, arkansas
James 3:17 kjv
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
James 3:17
Joy, Caldwell
“…took some bread and gave thanks to God for it.” 1 Corinthians 11:24 NIV
Second of my verse this month.
Melissa Crutchfield
Bologna, Italy
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.” Jeremiah 17:7
Kym, Morrison, CO
Colossians 4:6 (NIV)
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Ainslie, Columbia SC
“A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.” ~Psalm 37:10 NIV
Betsy, Lincoln Park, NJ
“to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night,” Psalm 92:2 ESV
Heather, London, ON
“I thank you and praise you, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and power; you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream if the king.” Daniel 2:23 NIV