Nicki's Blog

Hi friends – I wanted to dig a little deeper into the word inspiration or inspire. The meaning of words can have an impact on what you learn and the words/phrases you are trying to understand. The Latin word for inspire means beginnings.

Review – The scriptures say in 1 Timothy 3:16 that all scripture is inspired by God. Remember the word inspired means beginnings. As you read scripture I believe you will be inspired. This will be a different and unique experience for everyone. God wants to connect with you.

Receive – God is always trying to connect and inspire us. He connects with us through His word. Let’s remember that God longs to make a connection with us in a unique way.

Respond in prayer – Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you for your inspiration. Your word says that all your scripture is God inspired so every time we read scripture we are inspiring us. Help me be sensitive to your voice. In Jesus’ name – Amen.

Until next time my friends, remember you are known and loved by God. Blessings!

Hi friends – I believe we all need a little (or a lot) of inspiration sometimes. My mother inspired me to be a mom. From a young age, I wanted to be a mom and I am so glad that God blessed me with the privilege of being a mom. My dad inspired me to work and do my best in all I do. I appreciate the value of hard work no matter what I am facing in my day. To build my life with strong character, honesty and integrity. So thankful for their investment in my life. Just like my parents invested in me, God wants to invest in you.

Here are some scriptures that I hope will inspire you.

Luke 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright guides them

Proverbs 3:5-6 ~ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Psalm 34:8 ~ Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Until next time my friends remember you are known and loved by God. Blessings!

Hi friends – Introducing Teaching Tuesdays! There are a few things to expect on Teaching Tuesday. I will be praying for you. I will also pray that the truth you read will be deeply rooted in your heart. There is so much to discover and I look forward to discovering the book of Psalms with you.

Review – Take a few moments to read Psalm 1: 1-4.

Receive – In verse two the word delight means to enjoy or find joy and happiness in something. The word meditate means to spend quiet time thinking about something. I pray that you will find delight and joy as you meditate on this scripture.

Respond in Prayer – Dear Lord Jesus, Help me find delight in your word as I spend time with you. In the name of Jesus – Amen

¹ Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
² but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
³ That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers.

Until next time my friends, remember you are known and loved by God. Blessings!

Hi friends – There is something so beautiful about hope. I have always been a hopeful person. My glass is often half full and there is always a brighter side. I am an optimist who will more often than not look for the good in people or the situation. I have told my son for many years – every day may not be good but there is something good in every day. When you are hopeful this allows your brain to discover the path of possibilities. I have come across many people in my life that are not so hopeful. I also see how they navigate life and what I see is frustration and irritation. I just can’t do life like that. I choose to have the Lord Jesus fill me with hope and for hope to be the anchor of my soul (Hebrews 6:18).

Jeremiah 29:11 says this:

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

God has great plans for you and He wants to fill you with hope. I encourage you to take a moment and think about the possibilities of what God is saying to you.

Until next time my friends remember you are known and loved by God. Blessings!

Hi friends – We are focusing our attention on the spiritual nourishment we need. The Bible is full of rich meaningful information that will guide and direct you through life. Today we will look at the scripture John 15:16. You did choose me but I have chosen you to bear good fruit, purposeful, meaningful, valuable fruit that will last.

The word choose means you have been selected. Someone has picked you out of a crowd or group. Sometimes when you picked it is because that person sees you with something of value to honour them. You have something special.

Each of you has been chosen by God. Each of you has special skills, abilities and talents that will make a difference in this world. Psalm 139:13 says you are knit together by God. What a great combination of truth this is for you to receive. Each morning decide to bear good fruit with the gifts you have and make an impact.

Until next time my friends remember you are known and loved by God.

Hi friends – Happy Manna Monday! Just a reminder that manna is divinely supplied spiritual nourishment.  Let’s continue to focus our attention on spiritual nourishment.

The word seek means to look for, discover or find. When you find something so special, you want to hold onto it and keep it safe. I believe there are so many distractions in life that want our attention. These distractions pull us away from our Creator. I challenge you to focus your attention on God. Be reminded that the Lord has a great plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11) and God knit you together in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139). When you seek God first, He promises to guide and direct your life path (Psalm 32:8). God created you and knows you better than anyone else. Prayerfully seek Him and trust Him today.

Matthew 6:33 – Seek first the kingdom of God and all His righteousness and these things will be added to you.

Until next time my friends, remember you are known and loved by God. Blessings!

Hi friends – Introducing Manna Monday! Bringing you hope, inspiration and encouragement for your Monday morning. Simple, thoughtful and meaningful.

The meaning of manna is the food that the Israelites were given in the Old Testament while they journeyed through the wilderness. The other meaning is divinely supplied spiritual nourishment. I want to give you some manna (spiritual nourishment) for your Monday morning. I hope you will think about the meaning, receive spiritual nourishment and know you can manage your week with this amazing truth from God’s word.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 –  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

God loves us so much that He has given us the truth of His word. It guides, directs and provides us through life. Just take a moment and think about that! Take this truth with you as you navigate through your day and week knowing that the Lord Jesus has equipped you for His good work. Some additional inspiration for this week – James 1: 5 – If anyone lacks wisdom ask the Lord. Friends, ask and you will receive!

Until next time my friends remember you are known and loved by God. Blessings!

Hi friends – From a young age many of us were given instructions. When you think about it, we are given instructions, listening to instructions and following instructions often. Non-verbal instructions – your alarm clock goes off or a street light changes colour. We have internal instructions – you need to be a work or you need to be at school at a specific time. We are given verbal instructions – please have this work done by the end of the day or homework has to be done by the end of the week. Many of us listened to our parents give instructions – clean your room or complete a household task. So many instructions! As adults, sometimes we get instructions from our parents because they need help, support or care. Instructions can be fun – getting ready for a celebration, birthday or a fun event. Sometimes instructions are not very exciting and more serious – please don’t wear any perfume, deodorant or cream for a doctor’s or specialist appointment. The fact is we can’t get away from instructions…they are part of life. I believe this is very important to remember as we review the story of Noah.

Things were not so great in the days of Noah. Scripture says that people were wicked and not following the ways of the Lord (Genesis 6:5-6). Scripture also says that Noah was given the task to build an ark. It would have been a challenging and awkward time for Noah to follow God’s instructions and build the ark. He was following the instructions that God gave him (Genesis 6:19) and did what he was told but many thought this was foolish and silly. God knew of the situation and solution. Noah needed to follow God’s lead and follow through with the instructions knowing God had his best interest in mind. Noah trusted God. God has your best interest in mind so there will often be instructions to follow. Noah is a great example of a person who loved and honoured God and also saw the value in listening to God’s instructions. Will you consider the story of Noah, how he followed instructions and the instructions God maybe giving you? Just a thought.

Until next time my friends remember you are known and loved by God. Blessings!

Hi friends – Where I live we are finishing up a long weekend. Extra long weekends are always great to rest, recharge and experience a little peace. If you would have asked me 20 years ago what my thoughts were on peace, I probably would have thought of the peace symbol. I am a 70’s baby so my mind automatically goes to the peace sign you form with your hand. During a time of war in our world this symbol represented victory. After hearing about the horrible tragedy of 9/11 the word peace became something I was aware of but still felt unsettled about it at times. What I think of now friends is a scripture from the book of Isaiah (chapter 26 verse 3). It says you will keep in perfect peace those minds who are steadfast because they trust in you. There is a scripture in the book of John (chapter 16 verse 11). It says I have told you these things so in me you will have peace. I love that Jesus promises that we will have peace and victory in our lives. What beautiful promises from the Lord. So thankful that God cares so deeply for us.

Until next time my friends remember you are known and loved by God. Blessings!

Hi friends – Recently I took my son out for a bike ride. He has his first summer job and he will need to bike to work occasionally. I wanted to see how long the bike ride would take. Part of the deal with this bike ride was that he would take the lead. And so our journey began. I was pleasantly surprised to observe a few things on our bike ride. He was careful and mindful of the road rules. I was impressed at how he quickly moved close to the curb in between cars whenever possible. He was cautious and responsible. The thing that stuck out to me the most was he was often looking back to see how I was doing. When we would go for family bike rides, myself and my husband would often check to see if he was ok. I believe he appreciated the thought behind our actions at the time. What was lovely to observe was him taking the time to check on me and seeing the value in that action as he took the lead.

It reminds me of how God is always watching over us. God is careful, mindful, thoughtful and intentional. God loves each of you in a way that none of you will completely understand. The love is strong, deep and meaningful. God watches over us in that same strong, deep and meaningful way. Maybe no one has ever told you this before. If you have never heard these words before, please receive this truth today.

Until next time my friends remember you are known and loved by God. Blessings!