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
Lake Wylie, SC
Ephesians 1:5
New Living Translation (NLT)
5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.
Belinda from Blacklick, OH
Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (ESV)
Valerie, Northern California
“But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.”
– James 1:25 (ESV)
Rachel from Sedley, Va:
“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 (NASB)
Ashley, Calgary, Ab
Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father” he said “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Mark 14:35-36 NIV
Kathi Nitzsche, Lexington, OH
For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. NLT
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20
Nicole Z., Del Norte, Colorado – “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4;16 NIV
Samantha, London, England.
“For you are my lamp, O Lord,
and the Lord illuminates my darkness”
2 Samuel 22:29 (NASB)
I would live to be apart of this Awesome community of women!!
Angela, McKinney, TX
2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV)
“For we live by faith, not by sight.”
Liz from Hilliard, OH:
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Philippians 4:7-8 (ESV)
Lori D, Georgetown, TX
I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8 (NIV)
Sandy, Vienna,VA
This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel says,
In repentance and rest is your salvation,
In quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.
Isaiah 30:15 NIV
Laurin, Harrisburg, NC “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may left you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:5b-7
Karen..Oconomowoc WI.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrows that flies by day,nor the pestilence that walks in the darkness,nor the destruction that lays waste at noonday..Psalm 91:5-6
Shellie P.
Spokane, WA
Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.
Proverbs 19:20 NIV
P.S. I’m memorizing one that makes me bristle with irritation, because maybe it’s exactly what I need, whether I like it or not, hmmmm….
He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
Proverbs 17:9 NIV
Cayla
Gray Court, SC
Sue
Woodbury, MN
From the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.
Psalm 61:2 (ESV)
Do good wherever you go. After a while, the good you do will come back to you.” Ecclesiastes 11:1 (ERV)
Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2 NIV
Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord. Luke 1:45 (ESV)
Molly
St.Paul, MN
Kathleen; Tallahassee, FL:
O LORD, the hope of Israel,
All who forsake You will be put to shame.
Those who turn away on earth will be written down,
Because they have forsaken the fountain of living water,
even the LORD.”
Jeremiah 17:13 (NASB)
Elizabeth, from Charleston, WV (for March1)
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the Heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)
Elizabeth, from Charleston, WV
In the beginning God created the Heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 (NKJV)
Amber from Manor, Texas: Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Hannah from Lima, PERU
This is what the Lord says—
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the Lord your God,
who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go.
Isaiah 48:17 NIV84
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Philippians 4:4 NIV
Teri – Aledo, TX
Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
James 1:2-3 (NKJV)
Psalm 37: 25
I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, or his children begging for bread. He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing.
Psalm 124:8 niv
Our help is in the name of the LOrd, who made heaven and earth.
Christy, Zionsville, IN
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:6, NIV
“Any of you who does not give up everything cannot be my disciple” Luke 14:33 (NIV)
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
“Trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Tami, Mansfield, TX
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 NIV)
Juanita, Norfolk, Va
I know I am late on this verse…but better late than never.
NIV Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all your heart & lean not on our own understanding; in all you ways acknowledge him & he will make your paths straight.
Jennie from Long Creek, Oregon. 🙂 “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
Kim Megow, Valdosta, GA
Deuteronomy 11:18-21, NKJV
Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers to give them, like the days of the heavens above the earth.
Natalie from Perry, Ga. “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.” Hebrews 6:19-20a. (Sorry this is late, half my family had the flu this past week. Talk about having Jesus as my anchor because it was storming at my house!!!)
Cindy
Virginia Beach, VA
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with
compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Colossians 3:12 NIV
Ft. Pierce
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Colossians 3:12
Annie, Nebraska
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Romans 12:9 NIV
James 1:12-15
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.
13 Let no one say when He is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for He Himself tempts no one.
14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
ESV
Angie, Chillicothe, MO
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” I Peter 2:9, NIV
Kathy, Warsaw
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.
Ps 139:3-4, NIV
Amanda M., Columbus, OH – “Thus says the LORD: ‘Let not the wise man boast in His wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.’” Jeremiah 9:23-24 ESV
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55: 8,9
Kathy, Houston
“For we live by faith, not by sight.”
2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV)
Kelly, Houston TX
“At the end of the 10 days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.”
Daniel 1:15 (NIV)
My verse this week to working on my better eating habits!