Vintage Gwen Chapel-Scripture Spotlight

This past Monday SheReadsTruth started a new reading plan, This Is The Gospel. 

{SheReadsTruth is an online community where we study the Bible together, it's quite awesome!}

Man has it been good!

In Friday's reading one scripture just completely tore me up and I couldn't help but let the tears fall.

1 Corinthians 15:14

"And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith."

This is how the Amplifed reads....

"And if Christ has not risen, then our preaching is in vain [it amounts to nothing] and your faith is devoid of truth  and  is fruitless (without effect, empty, imaginary, and unfounded)."

Useless, vain, devoid of truth, fruitless, without effect, empty, imaginary, unfounded.

One necessary thing negated those words...

The Resurrection.  

He did rise! He didn't stay dead!

Just let that sink in.

It was probably more the Christ didn't stay dead words that led to the waterworks. I rely a lot on my faith to get me through....right now it's the struggle of being a good parent...it's rough business being a toddler let me tell ya! And so for me to read that my faith is not in vain because He is risen...well it was like a breath of fresh air...like God was saying  "It's all going to be ok".  And at just the right moment that I need to be reassured.  

Will you be reassured with me?

Go HERE to read Friday's devotion.

Be blessed!

Vintage Gwen Chapel-Scripture Spotlight

I read this scripture this last week and so needed it. 

When you start the day out having to spank your 3 year old within the first 10 minutes of being up well chances are your stress level will be a challenge to manage the rest of the day.  

When I read this scripture it was like God was saying..."just because the day started off bad doesn't mean you've lost ground." And so I'm holding on to dear life what is positive right now. 

Even though it may not be much, I'm still holding on!

Thank you Lord!!

Have a blessed weekend!

Vintage Gwen Chapel-Scripture Spotlight

Matthew 17:19-21 NASB

And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."

I mentioned this past week that I've joined my church in our annual beginning of the year 21 day fast.  I believe in fasting because I believe Jesus tells us to do so.  Have a mountain in your way? The answer? 

Faith plus prayer plus fasting.  

I see fasting as a way to tell God I'm serious about moving a mountain.  

Making a goal poster and fasting are how I like to start the year off.

I'm thankful and give all glory to God that my beginning of year refocusing has produced results.

How do you move a mountain?

Vintage Gwen Chapel-Scripture Spotlight

Psalm 31:19 NIV

"How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you."

I was reading through 'refuge' scriptures on my bible app this last week and came upon Psalm 31:19.  And God showed me something about this verse.  A lot of times when we find refuge in the Lord we're content with just knowing "Ah I found a safe place".  But through this verse God is saying He has an abundance of good things for us as well as a refuge.  He wants us to be recharged, renewed, restrengthened, all our needs met plus finding rest and peace in Him.  

I'm thankful today to have a new vision of 'refuge'.  

♦

Happy Weekend!

Vintage Gwen Chapel-Scripture Spotlight

Proverbs 30:5 NIV

"Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him."

I was needing to encourage myself a couple days ago and I brought up the search option on my You Version Bible app on my phone and typed in 'refuge'.

Proverbs 30:5 came up.   And funny, it wasn't the refuge part of the verse that spoke to me...

"Every word of God is flawless.."

I immediately thought all the promises of God.  They are flawless...perfect.  Then I thought about the times He's spoken to me and I know I heard His voice....flawless.  

His word doesn't return to Him void.  They have purpose...always.

I'm thankful today for the flawless words of God...every.one.of.them.

Happy Weekend!