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
Hamburg, AR
16 “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
Hebrews4:16 NLT
Christina, Decatur, TX
Proverbs 18-21 NIV
She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
Shelly Story
Wausa, Nebraska
Mark 9:23&24 NIV
“`If you can`?”, said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief.”
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.Make allowance for each others’ faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Colossians 3:12-13 (NLT)
Catherine S.
Grants Pass, Oregon
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 NIV
Dianna R. Of Aiken, SC. They will make war against the lamb but the lamb will overcome them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings – and with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers. Rev. 17:14 NIV
Lacie | Seattle
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. -Col 3:12-13 NLT
Linda Olympia, WA 1 Cor. 2:9 NKJV “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
“BEHOLD, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
Isaiah 59:1 KJV
Elisabeth, Houston:
“In my Father’s house there are many rooms . . .
if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come agani and take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”
John 14:2-3 (ESV)
HEATHER, ABERDEEN SD
PHIL. 4:7
THEN YOU WILL EXPERIENCE GODS PEACE
WHICH EXCEEDS ANYTHING WE CAN UNDERSTAND.
HIS PEACE WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS AS YOU LIVE IN JESUS CHRIST.
Thanks Beth for sharing this verse. I think I really need to memorize it too. 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. Twyla McAmis, Cleveland, Tennessee.
Kathie Mullins, Chino Hills
James 1:12-15 (NIV)
12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Mei, Easley SC:
Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Romans 4:7
Jennifer
Collierville (near Memphis), TN
Psalm 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
NIV 84
Erin from Kansas City, MO
Romans 15:13 NIV
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.
Tina from Chesapeake, VA: “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(NIV84)
Ashley from Knoxville, TN
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him and rescues them.
Psalm 34:7 NASB
Charlotte, Easley SC:
“Don’t be afraid, because the LORD your God will be with you everywhere you go.” Joshua 1:9b NCV
Lindsay, Austin, TX: “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” James 4:17 NIV
Kayla Siler, Edmond, OK
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16 (HCSB)
3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,
5 He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of the rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
6 whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
Titus 3:3-7, NIV
Vs 6&7 are for the month of March!
Becky James, Stillwater, OK
…to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
Luke 4:19 NIV
Tiffany, Chesterfield:
And you who were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh (your sensuality, your sinful carnal nature), [God] brought to life together with [Christ], having [freely] forgiven us all our transgressions,Having cancelled and blotted out and wiped away the handwriting of the note (bond) with its legal decrees and demands which was in force and stood against us (hostile to us). This [note with its regulations, decrees, and demands] He set aside and cleared completely out of our way by nailing it to [His] cross.
Colossians 2:13-14, AMP
Susan in Decatur, IL
But the truth of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galations 5:22 NIV
Cindy
Chandler, OK
For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 NIV
Shay
Dallas, Texas
Psalm 119:50, NIV
“My comfort in my suffering is this:
Your promise preserves my life”
Victoria – Salt Lake City, UT – Romans 15:13 (ESV)
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
Brooke, Fewdericksburg VA
Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my father, and I too will love him and show myself to him. John 14:21 NIV
KariAnn – Houston, TX
Psalm 13:5-6 NLT
“But I will trust in your unfailing love.
I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
I will sing to the Lord, because He is good to me.”
Lori, Owasso, OK
Galatians 1:10 NLT
“Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.”
McKenzie Ellis
Portsmouth Ohio
“The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life;the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
Psalm 121:7-8
Katherine, Akron, PA
Psalm 92:2 ESV
[it is good…] “to declare your steadfast love in the morning,and your faithfulness by night,”
LaGlace, Alberta, Canada
“Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.” Psalm 34:5
Jessica – Whitby, ON
James 4:17 (NIV)
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Sharon Stiglic Boca Raton, Fl.
“Yes, I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much friut. For apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5 (NLT)
Remember the former things of old: for I am God and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me. Isaiah 46:9 KJV
Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Psalm 143:8 (NLT)
Shelley from San Angelo
I have been crucified with Christ;
and it is no longer I who live,
but Christ lives in me;
and the life which I now live in the flesh
I live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
Galatians 2:20
The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 1 Cor 1:18 NLT
Starr, Panama City, FL
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28 NIV)
Whitney N., Nashville, TN ,”Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” -Colossians 3:15, NIV
1Thessalonians 5:16-19
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
NIV
Danette
Melber. KY
Carin Stewart, Greenville, Ky
I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry, He lifted me out of the slimey pit, he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
Ps 40:1-2
Mariposa Sivage, Albuquerque New Mexico
Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his rightousness and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matt 6:33 KJV
I am going with the verse in Colossians 3:12-13. Therefore, as God’s chosen people,holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves(myself) with compassion,kindness,humility,gentleness,and patience.
13.Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you(me)has grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you(me).
Carolyn, Terrace BC Canada
Proverbs 25:28 (NIV)
Like a city whose walls are broken down,
is a man who lacks self-control.
Gina, Waynesville, NC
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!
Matthew 6:30 NASB
“Find rest, Oh my soul, in God alone. My hope comes from
Him.” Psalm 62:5
Mandy
Tallahassee, FL
“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.”
Psalm 94:19 NIV