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
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 (NIV)
Poorna Diaz
Arlington, VA
John 16:24 NASB
“Until now you have asked for nothing in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.” Jesus
Diane, Corbin, KY
And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. Romans 8:30 (ESV)
Mindy in Franklin, TN
Psalm 37:18-19 ESV
“The LORD knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will remain forever, they are not put to shame in evil times; in the days of famine they have abundance.”
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” ~ 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
Dawn from Jasper, IN
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” I Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV
Tara, Eustis
Ecclesiastes 3:1
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens. NIV
Ruth, Providence
Therefore shall the protection of Pharaoh turn to your shame, and the shelter in the shadow of Egypt to your humiliation. For though his officials are at Zo’an and his envoys reach Ha’nes, every one comes to shame through a people that cannot profit them, that brings neither help nor profit, but shame and disgrace.
Isaiah 30:3-5 RSV
Heather H Pflugerville, TX
Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV)
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
Jennifer from WV
Philippians 4:6 “don’t worry about anything instead pray about everything”
Crystal Clark, Omaha NE
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24 (esv)
Kaziah Prairieville, La
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16 NIV
Winnipeg, MB
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.
Colossians 3:12-13 NIV
Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life!”
Jeri Cook
Missouri City, TX
Philippians 3:20. (NIV)
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” Psalm 139: 23-24
Michelle, Bothell, WA Matthew 5:16 (NASB): “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
Rena, Tulsa. “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.” -Psalm 130:5 NIV
Linde, dallas
“Be Shepards of gods flock that is under your care, serving as overseers…not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”
1 Peter 5:2-3
Patti, Shalimar, FL, 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)
Cindy, Columbia, MO
“The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that.”
Proverbs 29:25 (The Message)
Erin, Lolo, MT “Do not merely listen to the word, and deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22
Deborah, olive branch ms. Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not conceited, (1 Corinthians 13:4 HCSB)
Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 (Amplified)
Amy, Eagle, Idaho
It is good to give thanks to The Lord and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
To declare Your loving kindness in the morning and Your faithfulness by night
Do not be afraid of sudden fear nor the onslaught of the wicked when it comes. For The Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.
Proverbs 3: 25-26 NKJ
Teri, Wellington, Ks (and a little bit Lubbock, Tx)
“Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.” Phillipians 4:13 The Message
Kay from Deer Park
“2We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1st Thessalonians 1:2-3 NIV
Sandra, ALberta. “How good and pleasent it is is when brothers live together in unity.” Psalm 133:1 NVI
Kristen from Allen, TX
Knowledge puffs up but Love builds up. I Cor 1:8b
Martha, Georgetown, TX Isaiah 30:21 NLT Your own ears will hear Him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.
Lisa S.
Kinston,N.C.
Amos 4:13 NASB
For behold, He who forms the mountains and creates the wind
And declares to man what are His thoughts,
He who makes dawn into darkness
And treads on the high places of the earth,
The Lord God of hosts is His name.
Lauren Morton, Decatur, TX
“Everything is permissible for me-but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me-but I will not be mastered by anything.” 1 Corinthians 6:12 NIV84
Pammie Hill, Southern CA, Colossions 3:12 (NIV) “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Darl, Bakersfield, CA
Psalm 51:10
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” ESV
Connie from Fairhope, AL Your name, O Lord, endures forever, your fame, O Lord, is known to every generation Psalm 135:13 NLT
Lisa, Huntsville Alabama, re-posting as the original comment had a hiccup when posted and apparently didn’t get through — Since ancient times, no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him — Is. 64:4 NIV 84
Emily, Derby Ks
So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice and no one will take your joy away from you .
John 16:22 NET
karen Cheney, Washington
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
-Psalms 19:14-
ESV
Keri
Little Rock, AR
Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
John 6:29 ESV
AnnaMarie – Pittsburgh PA
Colossians 3:12-13 (NIV)
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.
To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV)
Kellie O’Quinn
San Pedro Sula, Honduras
“Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.” Colossians 3:11 (NIV)
Nancy Standiford, Vancouver WA
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:12 NIV)
allie, south pasadena 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 one another if any of you has a greivance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:12-13 NIV
Kristie Nanes, Clearfield, UT
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NASB
Jen Smith – Clearwater, FL
Isaiah 60:1-2 NIV
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you, and His glory appears over you.”
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the
called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28 KJV
Kathy, Tempe AZ:
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember,
LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.
Psalm 25: 5-6 NIV
Those who look to him are RADIANT, and their faces shall be unashamed
Psalm 34:5 NIV