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
Dahlonega
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”
~Romans 1:16 ESV
Lydia, Warman
Luke 23:43 NIV
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.
I Peter 5:6 NKJV
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time
Darcy, Edwards AFB, CA
Therefore my beloved my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58
Alisa
Clinton, MS
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”
Matthew 5:13&14
ESV
Michelle Ashburn, VA
We love each other because he loved us first.
1 John 4:19
NLT
Nicole, Manitoba, Canada
Romans 8:7 ESV
For the Mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.
Psalm 16:2 (NLT)
I said to the Lord, “You are my Master. Every good thing I have comes from You.”
Sorry this is so late. I lost track of posting due to my husband’s illness and surgery.
Phillipians 4:7
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Sarah Barker, Greensboro, NC
Psalms 145:19 NLT
He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them.
Bridget, Portland Texas
Proverbs 16:12
Good leaders abhor wrong doing of all kinds, sound leadership has a moral foundation.
The Message
Karen, Unionville, PA
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
Proverbs 22:1 (NIV)
He said to them “it is not for you to know times or seasons that the father has fixed by His own authority. Acts 1:7 (1:8 last week) ESV
Elizabeth, Easley, SC-The grass may wither and the flowers may fade but the Word of God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8 NIV
Prov 3:(3)and 4 NASB
3 (Do not let kindness and truth leave you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart.)
4 So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man.
Sheri, Fort Worth, TX
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Ps. 19:1 NIV
Cynthia – Huntsville, AL
Nehemiah 8:10 NIV
“… The joy of the Lord is your strength.”
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says The Lord. “They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
Julie Elrod, Smyrna, GA: James 3:11-12 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. NIV
Celia Kingsport, TN, Philippians 4:19 NIV
And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Blair
Chattanooga, TN
“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because Gods love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
Romans 5:3-5, ESV
Jodi, Humble, TX – “And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31 NKJV
Teri Smith
Gadsden, aL
… For I am not seeking my own good, but the good of many, that they may be saved.
II Cor. 10:33 NIV
Emily, Charleston, WV
Cast your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:17 (NIV)
Pam, Dublin, VA
Where would I be if I did not believe I would experience the LORD’s favor in the land of the living?
Psalm 27:13 NET
Amy Coxhead, Fort Collins, CO
Philippians 1:9-11, NIV
And this is my prayer, that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of Christ.
Allison Haines
Charlotte, NC
Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true, each one is fair.
Ps 19:9 NLT
Psalm 9:9-10NIV
9 The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
10 Those who know your name trust in you,
for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Nancy Miller
Greenville Ky
March, 15 Ecclesiates 7:19
Wisdom gives strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.
ESV
Michelle J
Frisco, TX
James 3:17 NIV
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere
Valerie – Seminole, Fl
2nd Timothy 2:19
“The Lord knows those who are His,” and everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn from wickedness.”
NIV
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who’s confidence is in Him”
Jeremiah 17:7 NIV
Angie
Summerville, SC
Karen, Virginia Beach, VA
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Col 3:12 (NIV)
Shugie – Newnan, GA
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73: 26
Kendal, Tulsa.
Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy. Psalm 63:3-6
Debra, Many, La
“For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose.”
Philippians 2:13 (HCSB
Skeet Shiver from Monroe, GA.
I Cor. 13:3 (NIV)
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
mancelona, michigan
Psalm 50:14-15: Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High; and call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 NIV
kaci from Norman, OK
Sarah – Newburgh, IN
” It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your steadfast love in the morning, and Your faithfulness by night.”
Psalms 92:1-4 ESV
Westport,Linda
I have come as light into the world, that everyone who beleives in Me may not remain in darkness.
John 12:46(ESV)
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14 NASB
Luke 6:36- NIV- Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Aja–Houston, Tx
James 1:27 NIV
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Arminda in Salt Lake City
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerned of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12 nkjv)
Christy, Summit, MS; “With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11
Christy
Vidor, TX
Commit your works to the Lord
And your plans will be established.
Proverbs 16:3 (NASB)
April – Fort Worth
2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense[a];he has become my salvation.
Isaiah 12:2 NIV
Jinga, West Palm Beach, FL
Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34 NIV
Suzy Highland Village, Texas
Hebrews 13:8 NIV
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.