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
He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle.
Psalm 107:7 (NIV)
Stephanie
Pawleys Island, SC
Becky – Clemmons, NC
Do not call to mind the former things or ponder things of the past. – Isaiah 43:18 NASB
Anna, Little Elm, TX
“For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, and My covenant of peace will not be shaken,” says The Lord who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:10 (NASB)
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.”
Shelly, San Angelo, TX
For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord! So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
Ephesians 5:8-9 NLT
I am the vine you are the branches. If you remain in me And I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5 NIV
“Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge Him. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come on us like winter rains, like the spring rain that water the earth.”
Hosea 6:3 NIV
Ginger in Camden, SC
Psalm 73 NAS
25 Whom have I in heaven but You?
And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Amber Overstreet, Vancleave, MS
We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,
2 Corinthians 10:5 NASB
Sandi, Lewiston, ID
Anxiety weighs down the heart but a kind heart cheers it up.
Proverbs 12:25 NIV
Anna, Grapevine, TX, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves wiht compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
Leah, Kansas City, MO
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
Rosi Lovell
Hopkinsville, KY
Proverbs 31:25 ESV
She clothes herself with strength and dignity and she can laugh at the days to come.
(This verse came to me before I knew this post was going to be about clothing! God is amazing!)
Oops…I forgot to post
“He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:17 NASB
Judy in Dumas, Ar
“Thy word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against thee”.
Psm. 119:11
Judy from Illinois. “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6 (HCSB)
Angie, Hampton, TN
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15(NIV)
Suzy – Orlando, FL
I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from The Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalms 121:1-2 (NIV 1984)
Temple, TX
Psalm 19:14 (NIV) “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Since we live by the spirit, let us keep in step with the spirit. Galations 5:25 NIV
Diann, Fernandina Beach, FL
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2 NASB
Liz Dunbar, Norman, OK
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! Psalm 133:1 NIV
Jolinda Ross, Yukon, OK
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer Psalm 19:14 NKJV
Gretchen Juncker
Metairie, LA
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. “Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
Malachi 3:10 NIV
For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own. I Samuel 12.22 NIV
Janet, Flower Mound, TX
I am the LORD, and I do not change.
Malachi 3:6. New Living Translation
A new heart will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you shall heed My ordnances and do them.
Ezekiel 36:26-27
Duvall, Washington
Nancy from Evansville, IN
Honor the Lord with your wealth, and with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10 NIV
Cam, Albuquerque, NM
Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32 ESV
Michele Atlanta
Do not conform to the pattern of this 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)
Connie Willis, Knoxville, TN
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9 ESV
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14
NIV Phillipians 4:8
Finally brothers whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatver is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable– if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things for peace.
Karen, Nampa,ID,”if it is encouraging, let him encourage: if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” Romans 12:8 NIV
Ronda, Tulsa: The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. Prov 15:2 ESV
Cathie – Jacksonville Florida
If you don’t take your stand in faith, you won’t have a leg to stand on!
Isaiah 7:9 The Message
Alanna, Frisco, TX
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)
Make a joyful noise to the Lord all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
Psalm 100: 1-2 (ESV)
Jennifer from Nashville, TN:
“For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.” Gen 2:24 NASB
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
Angie – Macon, MS
It was also called Mizpah, because he said, “May the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other.” Genesis 31:49, NIV
I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.
Isaiah 49:15-16 NIV
From snowy Mountain Home, AR
“Wise words satisfy like a good meal;
the right words bring satisfaction.”
Proverbs 18:20
Discretion will protect you and understanding will guard you” Proverbs 2”11 NIV.
Amy, Apex NC
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
Ramona, Pasadena James 1:21 The Living Bible
So get rid of all that is wrong in your life,both inside and outside, and humbly be glad for the wonderful message we have received, for it is able to save our souls as it takes hold of our hearts.
Myra H, St. Louis.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me- put it into practice. And the peace of God will be with you.
Phil. 4:9 NIV