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
Shari, Vail, AZ “The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.” Romans 8:7 NIV
“…as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.”
Philippians 1:20 (ESV)
” Do nothing from selfish ambition or vain conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important that yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”
(Philippians 2: 3-4 NASB)
Jamie Lee Roanoke VA,
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.”
Beth Love Warminster,PA
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.”
Caroline, Houston, TX
“Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the LORD God is my strenth and song, And He has become my salvation.”
Isaiah 12:2 NASB
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them while you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
Deut. 6:6-7 (ESV)
Brenda, Allen,TX
Colossians 3:12 NIV
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience,.
Natalie from Nashville
“Peace I leave with you; My own peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. ( stop allowing yourselves to be agitated or disturbed ; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.)
John 14:27 AMP
Kaye Taft Manassas, VA
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 17:22 NIV
Caroline, Knoxville, TN
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:6-7
Kathy Skidmore MO
So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary beholding your power and glory
Psalm 63:2 ESV
Donna, Norwood, MA
Proverbs 16:9
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
A man’s heart plans his way,
but the Lord determines his steps.
“Of this gospel, I was appointed a herald, and an apostle, and a teacher.” 2 Timothy 1:11
Cheryl, Kokomo, Indiana
But they who wait upon The Lord will get new strength. They will rise up with wings like eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not become weak.
Isaiah 40:31 (NLV)
“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am He.” IS 43:10 NIV
The Lord your God is with you; The Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
Shellie, Modesto. “And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord ; and great shall be the peace of thy children.” Isaiah 54:13 KJV
Eucha, OK
Let all that I am praise The Lord; may I never forget all the good things He does for me.
Psalms 103:2
Charlene, Houston NKJV Isaiah 64:8
But now, O LORD, You are our Father we are the clay, You are our potter, we all are the work of Your hands.
Nicki, Bowling Green, KY
“Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”–James 1:21 NKJV
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
Ephesians 2: 8-9 NLT
Nicole Latta from Leonard Texas
“Many adversities come to the one who is righteous, but The Lord delivers him from them all. He protects all his bones, not one of them is broken.”
Psalm 34:19-20 (HCSB)
Beth, I read your Scripture references on clothes and I wanted to thank you for this. I have had two mastectomies nine years apart with two different plastic surgeons. Needless.to say my new breasts are funny looking and are not as “twin fawns”. I look nice in my clothes but I feel bad for my husband who likes healthy women. I read your book on insecurity and that helped somewhat but our marriage has been strained by this. I am glad to be alive but sometimes I feel half a woman. Is there a woman in the Bible that I can relate to? I know that Jesus healed a crippled woman but I do not know how to feel about this. I know that I am not alone. Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Mary Jo
Just wanted to let you know I identify with you. I found Psalm 91 helpful when I was going through my cancer & treatment. I will pray specifically for you.
Kristi, from Campbellsville, Kentucky
“And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”
Revelation 12:11 (ESV)
Katy, TX
Colossians 3:12
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Rebecca New Orleans, LA
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12, 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.”
Colossians 3:12-13 NIV
Tracy
Fort Mill, SC
Proverbs 31:15
She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and protions for her female servants.
NIV
Nicole
Stanford, KY
Colene, Antioch, CA
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Marie; Manchester, ME
Titus 1:15 (NLT)
“Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are defiled.”
Caryn from Fort Worth,
“I will bless my people and their homes around my holy hill. And in the proper season I will send the showers they need. There will be showers of blessing.” Ezekiel 34:26 (NLT)
Cindy, Alton NH Luke 24:49 NET Bible
And look, Iam sending you what my Father promised. But stay in thecity until you have been clothed with power from on high.
Stephanie from St. Catharines, ON, just back from El Salvador!!!
Psalm 86:11 NKJV
Teach me Your way, O Lord;
I will walk in Your truth;
Unite my heart to fear Your name.
“fixing our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2 (NASB)
This is verse 2 of a two-verse section I wanted to memorize from Hebrews 12.
Nikki, Covington, GA
I Peter 1:15-16 KJV
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy, for I am holy.”
Deuteronomy 4:7-9 NIV
“What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near to us whenever we pray to him? And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today? Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”
Kiana ~ Fairfield, TX
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 NIV
Penny Pikaart Nircross, GA
Hebrews 13:6
So we say with Confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
Staci, Bismarck, ND. “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart”. Hebrews 12:3 (NIV)
Adara Pikaart, Norcross, GA
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. NIV
A fool shows his annoyance at once but a prudent man overlooks an insult. Proverbs 12:16 (NIV)
Annette, Wylie, TX “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have live.” 1 John 5:12 NIV
Meggie, Winnipeg, Canada
“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.” Habakkuk 3:17-19 NLT
Knoxville, Iowa
John 16:33
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
ESV
Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
Matthew 7:9-11 (NKJV)
Kary, Toledo, Ohio
No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, god lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
1 John 4:12 (NIV)
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12 NIV
Stephanie hamburg
You realize don’t you, that you are the temple of God, and God himself is present in you?
1 Corinthians 3:16 MSG
As they were walking along, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated them. Elijah was carried up to heaven in a whirlwind.
2 Kings 2:11 NIV
If ever a writer of the Old Testament needed an exclamation point – this is it!
Lisa Rose
Moyock, NC