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
Lori ~ Port Arthur, TX
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. ~Hebrews 10:23 (NLT)
Tami
Platte, South Dakota
Psalm 143:6 NIV
“I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.”
Monica – Abbotsford, BC
Is 26:3
I will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in Me.
JoLee, Arlington, TX
1 Corinthians 15:10 (NIV) “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect…”
Anyone who does the will of my Father in Heaven is my brother and sister and mother NLT Matthew 12:50
Katie-cypress
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy, and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Niv
Colossians 3:12
Lori
Bangor, Maine
But He said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me.
II Corinthians 12:9 (NET)
Sarah, Tacoma WA
Romans 12:12 (NIV)
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Kimberly – Houston, TX
Ephesians 4:22-24
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desired; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Kori from Lenoir, NC
I will teach all your children, and they will enjoy great peace.
Isaiah 54:13 NLT
Kelly Collett, Buckhannon, WV
Isiah 61:2 NLT
He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD’S favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.
Janet in Amarillo
Psalm 92:1-2 (NIV)
It is good to praise the LORD and make music to Your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night,
Cheryl, Austin, TX
But You, Oh Lord, are a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. Psalm 3:3 Amp
Lisa from Boonsboro, Md
James 1:3 NIV84
…because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
NIV Ps 18:1
“I love you, Oh Lord, my strength”
Rockwall Tx.
Shaminder
Toronto,ON
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 NIV
Lora
Mooresburg
Colossians 4:4 “Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.” NIV
Jen in Exton
Romans 8: 37-38
37 Yet amid all theses things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us.
38 For I am persuaded beyond doubt that neither death nor life, noe angels nor principalities nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers…
Andrea from Brush Creek, TN: Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. Philippians 2: 14-16a NIV
Heather
Gloucester, VA
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” Colossians 3:12 The NET Bible
Midland TX
“So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.”
Galatians 5:1 NLT
Meredith, Locust Grove, GA
But the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam; instead the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loved you.
Deuteronomy 23:5, NKJV
Kristin
Clearwater, FL
“You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.” Paslam 139:5 niv
Kelei. Iowa Park. NIV
Phillipians 1:6
being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus
Andrea S. from Fresno, CA. “Be but doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22 (ESV)
Lynn from Alpharetta, GA
But the word of the Lord endures forever. 1 Peter 1:25 (NKJV)
Stephanie, Riverside, MO
Colossians 3:12-13 NET
Therefore as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with 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 must forgive.
(I had the flu last week…I am a little behind!)
Jessica
Westminster, MD
O Zion, messenger of good news, shout from the mountaintops! Shout it louder, O Jerusalem. Shout, and do not be afraid. Tell the towns of Judah, “Your God is coming!”
Isaiah 40:9, NLT
“The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV84)
jenny
white hall, ar
“the people I love, I call to account – prod and correct and guide so that they’ll live at their best. up on your feet, then! about face! run after God!”
revelation 3:19 (msg)
Jessica, York PA
Romans 12:12 (NIV)
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
-Exodus 14:14 NIV
Heather Smith, Visalia, CA
Psalm 128:6 NIV
“May you live to see your children’s children….”
(I am clinging to this as I fight breast cancer….)
Sarah, Conroe, Texas
Colossians 3:12-13
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 grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 NIV
Sarah from San Angelo, TX
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
Romans 5:6 ESV
Vickie in Louisville
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34 NKJV
Jenna Lupo
Huntsville, AL
“Since we are living by the SPIRIT, let us follow the SPIRIT’s leading in every part of our lives.” Galatians 5:25 (NLT)
Sheila in Katy
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thess 3:3 NIV
Paula Schaper, Dickinson ND
But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
-John 3:21 NIV
Mansfield, Tx
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -” Ephesians 2:8 NIV
James 2:6 NLT
But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court?
Paula, OKC, OK: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11 NIV
Sarah Doll, Chattanooga, TN
Romans 6:23 ESV
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”.
Janice, Arkansas Psalm 139:1-2 NIV O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
This poor man cried and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. Ps.34:6 ESV
Central, La
And when He brings out his own sheep, he goes before them and the sheep follow him for they know his voice.
John 10:4
Lanie Beth, Locust Grove, GA’ He brought me out of darkness and the shadow of death and burst their bonds apart’ Psalm 107:14 ESV
Kelly from Hollidaysburg, PA
“I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.”
~Joshua 1:3
Debbie
Colorado Springs, CO
Micah 7:18-19 NIV
Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.
You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and will hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.