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
Brenda, Houston, Tx
I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely.
Psalm 63:8 (NLT)
Stephanie from Carmichael, CA
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
Kay Harms, Sierra Vista, AZ
Psalm 115:1 (NASB)
Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
But to Thy name give glory
Because of Thy lovingkindness, because of Thy truth.
Elena, Elma, NY
Isaiah 54:13 NLT
“I will teach all your children, and they will enjoy great peace.”
Laura, Prairieville, LA:
Teach me knowledge and good judgment for I trust Your commands. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey Your commands. Psalm 119:66 and 67 NIV
Nehemiah 8:10
Do not grieve for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
GOD LOVES YOU!!;)
Stephanie West Haven, CT
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” I John 4:18 KJV
Cheryl’n West Haven, CT
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Cor. 5:7 NKJV
Colossians 3:12 NIV Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Jessica, Houston, TX
“Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8
from Colorado
John 8:32 And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. NLT
Elizabeth, Wasco, CA
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
1 Peter 5:10 ESV
Olivia, Puyallup WA
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 whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14, NIV
Katera, Kentwood, LA
I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:9&10
Loretta from Albuquerque, ” O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you”. Psalm 84:12 ESV
Deborah, Pinewood, TN
James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: To the 12 tribes in the Dispersion. Greetings. Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trails, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
James 1:1-3, HCSB
“Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Mark 10:9 NIV
Hebrews 7:25 NIV
Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
Since we live by the spirit, let us keep in step with the spirit. Gal 5:25. NIV
Laurie, Naperville, Illinois
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins” 1 Peter 4:8
Allison Dalke, Edmond, Oklahoma
She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she laughs without fear of the future.
Proverbs 31:25 (NLT)
Kolene
Enola, PA
1 Peter 5:5-7
God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God and He will exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for he cares for you.
Kristin, Archbold, OH
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Colossians 3:12 (NLT)
Alison, Richmond, VA
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV
Kelly Ayers
Denton, TX
“Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
Deuteronomy 6:7 NIV
Melissa, Sulphur, LA
But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. 1 Samuel 12:24 (NIV)
My heart is fixed O God,my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise.
Ps 57:7 KJV
Sarah, Nashville Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go,for to you I entrust my life. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord,for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will,for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. Psalm 143:8-10 NIV
…The Lord does not look at the things man looks at.
Man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7b
For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Oh LORD of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You! Psalm 84:10-12 (NKJV)
Megan, Northlake, TX
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7 NIV)
Finally,(sisters), whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.
Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Julie in Easley, SC
Nora – Huntington, WV – Colossians 3:13 “Make allowances for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, The Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” (NLT)
Katie from Sharpsburg, GA
And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to unfruitful. [Titus 3.14 esv]
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. (Matthew 7:7, 8 ESV)
Rhonda
Winchester, KY
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Michele, Naperville, Illinois
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.”
– 1 John 3:1 NIV
Elizabeth, Lakeland, FL Deuteronomy 32:4
“He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.”(NIV)
Chelsia, Waverly MN
“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’S purpose that prevails. ” Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Sara, College Station, TX:
Fix these words of mine into your mind and being, and tie them as a reminder on your hands and let them be symbols on your forehead.Â
(Deuteronomy 11:18 NET)
Debbie
Millen, GA
2 Corinthians 12:10 NIV
10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Lisa Riley fom Sussex, WI
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
James 1:5 (NIV)
Ceffie Bridgeport, WV Phillippians 4:6 NLT don’t worry about anything:instead, pray about everything. tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Desiree , Plano, Texas
“I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I the Lord, do all these things.” Isaiah 45:7, Niv 2011
Bevra, Midland, Tx,Proverbs 16:24
NIV)
“Gracious words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
“Enlarge the place of your tent,
stretch your tent curtains wide,
do not hold back;
lengthen your cords,
strengthen your stakes.” Isaiah 54:2 NIV
Julie, Prescott, AZ
“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
Mark 8:34 (NIV)
Sherri Moore, Pueblo West, CO
1 Samuel 12:24, ESV
Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.
Jess, Dickinson, ND
2 Timothy 2:16 NIV
Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.