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.
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13 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
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8 NAS
Marisa, Michigan
1 Thessalonians 5:2
Let us be alert and self-controlled.
Mandy, Watkinsville, GA
Phil. 4:6 NLT
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Tanya, Charleston, SC: Isaiah 43:10 (NIV)
“You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servants whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am He. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.”
Lisa (Austin, TX)
Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Susan- Nashville, TN
Psalm 27:2 NIV
“When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.”
Melody, Chelsea, AL
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. (1 John 4:18 ESV)
Nedrea Haley from Hoover, Alabama
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV
Linda from Lincoln NE. Psalm 19:13 ESV: “Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me!”
He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Cor. 5:21 HCSB
Crissy Wright
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? For if God is for us, who can be against us? Romas 8:31 NIV
Pauline, Kearney, NE
And though I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and knowledge and though I have all faith so that I could remove mountains but have not love, I am nothing.
i Corinthians 13:2 NKJV
Late bc of stomach bug :-/
Candice Childers
Ferris, TX
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits.”
Psalm 103:2 NASB
He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry, when he hears it, he will surely answer you Isaiah 30:19 NIV
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Proverbs 1:7
Malaysia
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 4:6-7 NIV
Lillian, Vermilion, OH:
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
Molly, Chicago
Isaiah 64:4 KJV
For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
Tammy, Mechanicsville, VA
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God
John 1:1 KJV
Cheryl, Pooler, GA
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. (Psalm 139:1-4 NIV)
Linda
Belton, TX
12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 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
Kelly from Laurens, SC
“For You, O Lord, have made me HAPPY by Your work. I will sing for joy because of what You have done.”
Psalm 92:4
The NET Bible
Alexis K., Waco, TX: “However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” Ephesians 5:33 (NIV)
Angel Varney Knoxville, TN (moved from Dayton, OH since last scripture)
1 Peter 5:5
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.”
NIV
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and the follow me. John 10:27 ESV
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Phil 2:4, NIV
Oops! Forgot to put location- Annandale, VA
Debi, Merrimack
“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)
Mary Grace. Bolivar MO
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:17
Misti, from Houston, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5 NIV
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
Psalm 28:7a NIV
Elizabeth, Bolivar, MO
Lord, you are my God;
I will exalt you and praise your name,
for in perfect faithfulness
you have done wonderful things,
things planned long ago.
Isaiah 25:1 (NIV)
Natalie, Frisco, TX
Be still, and know that I am God.
Psalm 46:10 NIV
Ashley Pointer from Spring, Texas
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 NIV
Eva Chancy, Derby KS
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, longsuffering;
Col. 3:12 KJV
Give and you will receive your gift will return to you in full pressed down shaken together to make room for more running over and poured into your lap the amount you give will determine the amount you get back. Luke 6:38 NLT
Michelle, Auburn, IN
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 NET
Louise. Atlanta.’ If The Lord delights in a mans way He makes his steps firm; tho he stumble, he will not fall, for The Lord upholds him with his hand’. Ps 37:23-24. NIV
Karen of Richmond, VA “We live by faith, not by sight.” Romans 5:7 (NIV)
Michelle, Livermore, CA.
“So, Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:31-32 ESV
Deborah, Katy, TX
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
(Hebrews 10:23, NIV)
Amanda, Katy, TX
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
(Hebrews 10:23, NIV)
Port Neches, TX
Psalm 32:8 (NLT)
The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”
Kara, Houston, TX
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
(Hebrews 10:23, NIV)
MacKenzie, St. Louis If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5 NIV
Tiffany, Katy, TX
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
(Hebrews 10:23, NIV)
Cyndi, Katy, TX
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
(Hebrews 10:23, NIV)
Allison, Katy, TX
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
(Hebrews 10:23, NIV)
Kim, Marysville, OH
Ps 91:1 (ESV)
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”
Amanda Frierson from Clinton, MS
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 NIV
Stacey, Houston, TX
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV