Reflections on God's Word

by Victoria Robinson

Girlfriends, when in doubt about an etiquette quandary I always head straight to that etiquette doyenne herself, Emily Post. Aside from my collection of both antique and modern Emily Post books, there is always the Emily Post Institute to find answers to life’s etiquette questions. Their answer as to whether one should wear white clothing after labor day gives us both a glimpse into why the rule started and what we should do today.

Back in Emily’s day—the nineteen 00s, 10s and 20s—the summer season was bracketed by Memorial Day and Labor Day. Society flocked en masse from town house to seaside “cottage” or mountain “cabin” to escape the heat. City clothes were left behind in exchange for lighter, whiter, summer costumes. Come fall and the return to the city, summer clothes were put away and more formal city clothes donned once more. It was an age when there was a dress code for practically every occasion, and the signal to mark the change between summer resort clothes and clothing worn for the rest of the year was encapsulated in the dictum “No white after Labor Day.” And it stuck. Of course you can wear white after Labor Day, and it makes perfect sense to do so in climates where September’s temperatures are hardly fall-like. Even in the dead of winter in northern New England the fashionable wear white wools, cashmeres, and down-filled parkas. The true interpretation is “wear what’s appropriate—for the weather, the season, or the occasion.” So on a blistering Indian Summer September day here in Vermont, you’ll catch us wearing our “whites”.

Emily Post Institute

Spiritually speaking, a girl should wear “white” all year-round. King Solomon told us, “Always be clothed in white …” The “white clothing” he was speaking of, was not a reference to outer wear, but the purity of one’s heart. In the book of Revelation, the Apostle John speaks of people dressed in white when he says, “They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and have made them white.” This is how you can be dressed in white—through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

As well as putting on the “white clothing” of salvation, we need to always be mindful of keeping our “whites” clean. We cannot do this apart from the miracle cleansing power of our Lord. Our part is to confess our sins and allow Him to make us whiter than snow.

Girlfriends, is there something you need to confess today? If so, take time right now to ask the Lord to cleanse you from all unrighteousness and marvel at how white your clothes will be!

Dearest girlfriends, let us enjoy dressing in beautiful white clothing all year-round through a repentant heart.

by Victoria Robinson

Girlfriends, from time to time the enemy of our souls will bring accusations to us about our past indiscretions. Shame, discouragement and even depression can result which is exactly the outcome Satan is striving for. While his striving is ultimately in vain, we must not allow these accusations to overtake us. The Word of God so beautifully states wonderful truths to retort back to the enemy and bring comfort to our hearts.

The psalmist was agonizing over his past indiscretions when he said, “Overlook my youthful sins, O Lord! Look at me instead through eyes of mercy and forgiveness, through eyes of everlasting love and kindness.” His request was accurately in line with the will of our Lord. The book of Isaiah makes a comforting promise in this regard. It says, “Fear not; you will no longer live in shame. The shame of your youth … will be remembered no more …” This truth directly contradicts the accusations of the enemy.

The importance of repentance is the key that will free us of our past indiscretions. The apostle Paul said, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” If you have not repented of your sins the pain you are experiencing is a worldly sorrow. To walk in no regrets requires forgiveness. The apostle John encourages us with these words, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Dearest girlfriends, let us overcome our past indiscretions with a repentant heart and the assurance of our heavenly Father’s compassionate forgiveness.

by Victoria Robinson

Girlfriends, you were purchased at a high price and to be enslaved by sin is too high of a price for you to pay the enemy to hold you in bondage. The apostle Peter told us we are a slave to whatever controls us. All sin controls us and cost us dearly. Sin always ravages whenever we allow it in. Sounds horrible doesn’t it? Yet because of the high price that bought us out of slavery to sin and death—there is forgiveness. The apostle John reminds us that if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Now that sounds like a wonderful deal doesn’t it?

Dearest girlfriends, let us stop paying a high price for sin and run to our heavenly Father with a repentant heart and receive His forgiveness and purification.

God purchased you at a high price. Don’t be enslaved by the world. ~ 1 Corinthians 7:23 NLT

by Victoria Robinson

Chasing perfection can be an illusion. While perfection is always a wonderful goal to try to attain, it is sometimes elusive as in the case of attaining sinlessness apart from the pure grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Though when it comes to our prayer life it is possible to pray in perfection. In the book of First John the apostle John tells us that if we pray anything according to God’s will, we know whatever we ask for will come true. This is the only way we can pray in perfection. In the book of Romans the apostle Paul tells us the key to understanding God’s perfect will. He admonishes us to not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. Success in this can only come through understanding the Word of God, as this is what transforms us.

Girlfriends, do you have needs in your life where you do not know what the perfect prayer would be? If so, delve deeply into the written words of your heavenly Father and find out what His perfect will is. Then pray with the confidence that comes from the Word of God.

Dearest girlfriends, I pray (with confidence) we would desire to know our heavenly Father’s perfect will and then proceed to pray in perfection.