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
Jo, Columbia, Missouri: The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Hebrews 1:3 NIV
Hannah K.; Maryland;
Colossians 3:12-13 ESV
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 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.”
(I need some new clothes…) 🙂
Sandi, Drayden, MD. “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Isaiah 26:3, NLT
Leverett, MA
This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.
Psalm 34:6 NASB
Maureen, Pascoag, RI
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
Psalm 100:1 NRSV
Sophie – Birmingham, AL – “God has delivered me from going down to the pit, and I shall live to enjoy the light of life.” Job 33:28, NIV
Jenny, Elida,OH “That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.” James 1:7(NIV)
Katie g; Knoxville, TN
“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 NET Bible
Grace, Elida,OH “But I tell you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,…” Matthew 5:43 (NIV)
La Chiel from Portland, TN
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every encumberance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race set before us. Hebrews 12:1 NASB
Jennifer, Cincinnati, OH
Psalm 103:1-2 MSG
O my soul, bless God.
From head to toe, I’ll bless his holy name!
O my soul, bless God,
don’t forget a single blessing!
“O God, You know how foolish I am; my sins cannot be hidden from You. Don’t let those who trust in You be ashamed because of me, O Sovereign LORD of Heaven’s Armies. Don’t let me cause them to be humiliated, O God of Israel.” ~Psalm 69:5-6
Lori in Pine Island, MN
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 NIV
Michelle, Chester, NJ. So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 NIV
Birmingham AL
Psalm 138:8 NIV
The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love, O Lord, endures forever.
Karoletha from Longview TX
I will rejoice and be glad in Your loving kindness, because You have seen my affliction; You have known the troubles of my soul
Psalm 31:7. NASB
Melissa, Black Creek, Ga
I lift my eyes to You, the One enthroned in heaven. Like a servant’s eyes on his master’s hand, like a servant girl’s eyes on her mistress’s hand, so our eyes are on the Lord our God until He shows us favor. Show us favor, Lord, show us favor, for we’ve had more than enough contempt. (Psalms 123:1-3 HCSB)
Beth from Niamey
Psalm 34:3 NASB
O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.
Donna D,
Sarnia, Ontario
“I will praise You, O Lord with all my heart;
before the “gods” I will sing Your praise.”
Psalm 138:1
Elizabeth, Broomfield, CO
As far as the eastern horizon is from the west,
so he removes the guilt of our rebellious actions from us.
Ps 103:12 (NET)
Bonnie B from Florence, Colorado
“Show me Your ways, O LORD;
teach me Your paths.”
Psalms 25:4 NIV
Lindsey, Tucson
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.” -Jude 20-21 NASB
Sara, Arlington Texas.
“Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to Him.” Ps. 128:1 TNIV
Molly, Gainesville, GA
Psalm 145:13
“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations.” NASB
Bethany, Pittsburgh:
Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence.
2 Corinthians 5:17, GW
Marsha Lee’s Summit, MO
Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. Matthew 22:37-38 NKJ
Dawn, South Bend, IN – Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Lorene, Lafayette, LA. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
Ellen, Albuquerque. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (NIV)
Shannon Pate
Little Rock, Arkansas
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 8:1
ESV
danae | lafayette, in
he that is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much: and he that is unrighteous in a very little is unrighteous also in much. — luke 16:10 [asv]
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8
Lisha Adam, Wetumpka, Alabama
“Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Because of his great mercy he gave us new life by raising Jesus Christ from death. This fills us with a living hope.”
1 Peter 1:3 (GNT)
Betty, Wendell, NC
James 1:2-4 (NET)
My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.
Megan from Potlatch Idaho: Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.- Jeremiah 33: 3 (NIV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galations 5:25-26 NET
Judy Rainwater, Hoover, AL
“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 (NIV)
Ashley, Colorado
I sought the LORD and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4, ESV
Theresa E from Oakland Township, MI:
“No one who hopes in you
will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
who are treacherous without cause.”
Psalm 25:3(NIV)
Adrienne
Jasper, TN
Starting on Romans 12:9-21
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” Romans 12:9 NIV
Kendra Wilson, Dallas, TX:
“Commit your future to the Lord! Trust in Him and He will act on your behalf.”
Psalm 37:5, NET
Connie, Shipshewana, I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:28, NIV
Katie (Madison) “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or imagine, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Jesus Christ to all generations forever and ever.” Ephesians 3:20-21
Gretchen, Thousand Oaks, CA Col. 3:12-13
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.
Missy S, Winston-Salem, NC
LOVE the clothing theme!! Would have jumped in headfirst to that one, except that I chose my next verse a couple of weeks ago.
“Unless the LORD builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain, unless the LORD watches over a city, the watchman stays alert in vain. In vain you get up early and stay up late, working hard to have enough food — yes He gives sleep to the one He loves.” ~Psalm 127:1-2 (HCSB)
Liz Dean, Jacksonville
“She is clothed with strength and dignity,and she laughs without fear of the future.”
Proverbs 31:25, NLT
Is. 40:28 (NIV)
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
Kellye, Las Vegas. I say to myself, “the Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” Lamentations 3:24 (NLT)
Evelyn
Watertown, MA
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Cor 10:5; NIV)
Debbie from Fort Thomas, KY
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26 NKJV