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
Nicole, Littleton, CO
1 Peter 1:8 (NLT)
“You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him, you trust him; and even now you are happy with a glorious, inexpressible joy.”
Ephesians 3:21 to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. NIV
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-14 NIV
Karon from Canton, NC
Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.
Isaiah 50:10b NIV
Bev, South Africa 2 Corinthians 4:18
So we should not fix our eyes on what we see, but we should fix our eyes on what we do not see for what we see is temporary but what we do not see is eternal. (NIV)
Annette, San Diego
Hebrews 10:14 (NIV)
For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
Dorothy – Portland, OR
3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
Hebrews 11:3
Rita Brown
Midland, TX
But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.
Galatians 5:5 NIV
O Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. Psalm 143:1, NIV
Shannon, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA
Psalm 33:22 (NIV)
May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord,
even as we put our hope in you.
Darlene, Mt. Airy, MD, NASB
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12
Cathy – Virginia Beach
Isaiah 58:11 The Lord will always lead you,satisfy you in a parched land,and strengthen your bones.You will be like a watered gardenand like a spring whose waters never run dry. (HCSB)
Colossians 3:12-13 NIV
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.
Lezli, Columbus, GA, ““A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35
Cathy,Rhinebeck,NY. It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High. Psalm 92:1 (NIV)
Tanya A., Englewood, OH
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
Jenea
Houston, TX
He forgives all your sin; He heals all your diseases. (Psalms 103:3 HCSB)
Amen!!!
Cindy
Arvada, Colorado
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
Bridget, Cadillac MI
My brethern, let not man of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgement.James 3:1 NKJV
Ashley, Duette, Fl. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 NIV)
Rhonda – Houston
For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty Saviour. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. Zephaniah 3:17 NLT
Heather, Tallahassee But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6 NIV
Valerie, Warrensburg, MO
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33, NLT
Miriam Fisk in Granby, CT
Romans 6:23 (ESV)
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Terry, Indianapolis
“In the time of my favor I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you.”
I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:2 (NIV)
Nancy Rose, Newport News. Psalm 145:19 NLT He grants the desires of all who fear Him. He hears their cries for help and rescues them.
Jill ~ Midland, Tx ~ Above all else, gurard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Michelle from Tulsa, OK
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does The Lord require of you? To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 NIV
Leigh Ann from FL
“The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NIV)
Hope I’m not too late!
Deb – Ohio
Psalm 5:11 (ESV)
“But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.”
Vicki in Lake Jackson
Col. 3:12 (NIV) Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, indness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Dana – Houston
You must serve only the Lord your God. If you do, I will bless you with food and water, and I will protect you from illness. Exodus 23:25 NLT
Connie,Amarillo
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
Danielle S.
Garden City, KS
Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)
Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it.
Caty – Stockbridge, GA ~ Woe unto the worl because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to the man by whom the offence cometh! Matthew 18:7 KJV
Michele from Cumming GA
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, (Ephesians 3:16 NIV)
Joan Fredericktown OH NIV
ephesians 1:17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know him better!
Holly, Glendale, AZ:
“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
Colossians 3:13 NLT
Danita Tippet, Lake in the Hills, IL
Psalm 30:11-12 NRSV
You have turned my mourning into dancing; You have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, so that my soul may praise You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.
Cindy – Richmond, VA
“My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” Psalm 51:17, NIV
Gena, Texarkana, AR.
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become the children of God.
John 1:12 (NIV)
Hebrews 9:12 NIV – “He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the most holy place once for all by His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.”
Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.
1 John 5:21 NLT
Isaiah 44:1-5, NIV 84
“But now listen, O Jacob, my servant, Israel, whom I have chosen.
This is what the LORD says – he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you:
Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant, Jushurun, whom I have chosen.
For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.
They will spring up like glass in the meadows, like poplar trees by flowing streams.
One will say, ‘I belong to the LORD’, another will call himself by the name of Jacob;
Still another will write on his hand ‘The LORD’s,’ and will take the name Israel.”
Kim, Austin, AR
Proverbs 30:5
Every word of God is pure; He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him.
NKJV
Mansfield, Connecticut
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing, and perfect will.
Romans 12:2 NIV
Melanie ThompsonColossians 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.
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility,gentleness,and patience. Col. 3:12
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
Vanessa from Anderson, SC: “I’m asking God for one thing, only one thing: To live with him in his house my whole life long. I’ll contemplate his beauty; I’ll study at his feet.” Psalm 27:4 (msg)