A Lady of Refinement
Jan 19
by Victoria Robinson
What are the requirements to be considered a lady of refinement? Is it wealth … a noble heritage … good breeding? All of these are essential to be a refined lady. So what if you did not have a pedigreed upbringing? First, recognize your heavenly Father has all the wealth in this world and the world to come. Who else could afford streets of gold? Second, understand you are part of a royal lineage. Third, good breeding is available at all times through the greatest finishing school of all time—the Word of God.
Do not assume that if you grew up with all these assets, you are guaranteed to be a refined lady. In the book of Amos we see some who relied on their earthly riches and lifestyles and yet were not considered to be refined because of the condition of their hearts. A true lady of refinement has the character qualities of her heavenly Father.
Do you desire to be a lady of refinement? If so, accept that you have been adopted into royalty and immerse yourself in the words of your heavenly Father and allow Him to purify your heart. Your heavenly Father desires you to live a life of refinement worthy of His calling.
Dearest girlfriends, let us become ladies of refinement who live up to our noble heritage.
You lie on beds inlaid with ivory and lounge on your couches. You dine on choice lambs and fattened calves. You strum away on your harps like David and improvise on musical instruments. You drink wine by the bowlful and use the finest lotions, but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph. Therefore you will be among the first to go into exile; your feasting and lounging will end. ~ Amos 6:4-7 NIV
You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. ~ Revelation 3:17-18 NIV
The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass. ~ Revelation 21:21 NIV
Silver and gold are purified by fire, but God purifies hearts. ~ Proverbs 17:3 TLB
Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the spiritual blessings that Christ has brought us from heaven! Before the world was created, God had Christ choose us to live with him and to be his holy and innocent and loving people. God was kind and decided that Christ would choose us to be God’s own adopted children. ~ Ephesians 1:3-5 CEV
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. ~ Hebrews 4:12 NIV
.. live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. ~ 1 Thessalonians 2:12 NIV
Tags: calves, character qualities, couches, earthly riches, finishing school, good breeding, harps, heavenly father, ladies of refinement, lambs, lotions, noble heritage, refined lady, royal lineage, salve, true lady, upbringing, Victoria Robinson, Word of God 
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Who You Really Are
Dec 13
by Victoria Robinson
One of the most endearing characters in the classic movie, Gone With the Wind, is Mammy. This precious woman had some great character qualities and wise words as well. When Rhett and Scarlett are on their honeymoon, Rhett says to Scarlett, “Don’t you think it would be nice if you bought something for Mammy too?” To which Scarlett replies, “Why should I buy her a present when she called us both mules?” As Rhett responds, “Mules? Why mules?” Scarlett then repeats the wise words of Mammy, “Yes, she said we could give ourselves airs and get ourselves all slicked up like race horses and we were just mules in horse harness, but we didn’t fool anybody.” Rhett is left to agree with Mammy and says, “I never heard anything more true. Mammy’s a smart old soul. And one of the few people whose respect I’d like to have.”
So girlfriends, are you just a mule in a horse harness? In the book of Matthew, Jesus described Mammy’s sentiments when He said, “Outside you look good, but inside you are evil and only pretend to be good.” Are you putting on a “good show” or are you being genuine? Is the person others see, who you really are? If you are a mule in a horse harness, you are fooling no one except yourself.
Dearest girlfriends, I pray our hearts would truly desire the purity that only comes from our heavenly Father and not be a mule in a horse harness.
That’s what you are like. Outside you look good, but inside you are evil and only pretend to be good. ~ Matthew 23:28 CEV
You Pharisees and teachers are in for trouble! You’re nothing but show-offs. You’re like tombs that have been whitewashed. On the outside they are beautiful, but inside they are full of bones and filth. That’s what you are like. Outside you look good, but inside you are evil and only pretend to be good. ~ Matthew 23:17-28 CEV
People with hate in their hearts may sound pleasant enough, but don’t believe them. Though they pretend to be kind, their hearts are full of all kinds of evil. While their hatred may be concealed by trickery, it will finally come to light for all to see. ~ Proverbs 26:24-26 NLT
But evil people who pretend to be what they are not will become worse than ever, as they fool others and are fooled themselves. ~ 2 Timothy 3:13 CEV
Tags: airs, book of matthew, character qualities, endearing characters, gone with the wind, hearts, heavenly father, honeymoon, horse harness, Mammy, mule, mules, precious woman, purity, race horses, Rhett, Scarlett, sentiments, show offs, Victoria Robinson, wise words
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