Nicki's Blog

Hi friends & families – There are a few phrases that come to mind when I think of the word goodness. Goodness knows what will happen next. Oh my goodness! This is the one I love because I automatically think of a child or someone being pleasantly surprised by family, friends or someone special to them. I am certain that God wants to use families to spend His goodness around and have a great impact in our world.

My friend Reid the Scroll is here to talk about the Fruit of the Spirit and GOODNESS

Remember – The Lord can accomplish so much when we are mindful of goodness. The word goodness means the quality of being good, righteous or virtuous. Goodness can be represented with a kind word, a small but meaningful gesture like a card, a smile or listening to a friend. Parents, when we are deliberate about showing goodness, our children will be greatly influenced by this behaviour. Just think of that last time you opened a door for someone or said thank you so much to someone who served you. Your kids are watching and it is having an impact.

Review – Review Galatians 5:22-23 with your family.

Receive truth today – The Lord Jesus is the author of goodness. Let us remember the other Fruit of the Spirit like love, joy and kindness and how they could work together with goodness.

Respond in prayer – Dear Lord Jesus, Show my family and me how to display acts of goodness. Please use our family to surprise someone this week with an act of goodness. We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Hi friends – There are many different ways that God can use kindness to impact your life. I would challenge each of you to remember this the next time someone expresses kindness to you. An act of kindness can be an impactful and unique way for God to get your attention and show His love. Some might say that the Lord is distant and disconnected from us. I would say the opposite and that perspective is very important especially when we are the recipient of kindness. I have been surrounded by people who have been kind to me throughout my life. I think it is pretty amazing how God can use any given situation to show kindness and at the same time speak into our hearts in a deep and meaningful way. Jesus is the author of kindness and He is at work all the time. Just something to think about my friends. Review Galatians 5:22-23 and receive truth today.

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

Hi friends – As I have been preparing to create more posts about the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) alongside my friend Reid the Scroll, my mind has been drifting back to kindness. This has prompted me to dig a little deeper into the word and idea of kindness.

Meaning of kindness – The quality of being friendly, generous and considerate. There is so much value packed into the word kindness and the related acts. Let’s keep digging!

Blessed by kindness – Years ago I had a boss who was all about kindness. At the time I would have labelled her as a hardworking, supportive, knowledgeable person who was extremely good at her job. Over twenty years later looking back at her, she had a tremendous impact on me. She had many great qualifies and was a great boss. I realize the reason I still think fondly of those days is because of her kindness. She cared, she listened, she coached, she always trusted me and she always had my back. She was in my opinion one of the ultimate examples of kindness that has never left me. She cared deeply about me, my family and my success.

The other side of kindness – So I have had people dismiss my kindness. I truly believe that most of the time they don’t mean to dismiss the act of kindness but they do. A phrase I have used often in my life has been “Please receive the blessing”. Most people pause and have to think for a moment but ultimately they receive the blessing offered to them. I want to encourage each of you to not focus on the reaction of the person but on the motivation behind what you are doing. Our world has changed and people have changed too. Sometimes people will not respond the way you think they should to your act of kindness. We are to deliver the gift of kindness and leave it with the Lord Jesus to do the rest.

Quote – To kindness and love. The things we need to do more – The Grinch

The Lord Jesus is the author of kindness. God is love. When we express an act of kindness love is often a motivator. God is the author of love and kindness is a beautiful partner.

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

Hi friends & families – I am enjoying some beautiful sunshine as I am writing today. The sunshine reminds me of how kindness can be a ray of sunshine in a person’s life. As families, we can have a great impact in our world in the name of Jesus.

My friend Reid the Scroll is here to talk about the Fruit of the Spirit and KINDNESS

Remember – The Lord can accomplish so much when we are kind to others. The Greek word for kindness means honesty and goodness of heart. Acts of kindness have an impact but I believe they have an even greater impact when done in the name of Jesus with an honest and good heart. Whenever there is love and kindness the Lord Jesus is there.

Review – Review Galatians 5:22-23 with your family.

Respond in prayer – Dear Lord Jesus, Show my family and me how to display acts of kindness. You are the creator of kindness and love. Thank you for revealing ways to be kind to others in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hi friends & families – Now it is time to focus on PEACE from the Fruit of the Spirit. Peace can be a wonderful gift from God, especially for young families

This is my friend Reid the Scroll and his mission is the following:

I want to help young families learn the Bible together, pray together and build strong faith.

Reid the Scroll – Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit of the Spirit and starting with PEACE.

Remember – True peace comes from the Lord Jesus. Remember that God will give you peace that surpasses understanding every day.

Review – Read Galatians 5: 23-23 as a family.

Respond in prayer – Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you for filling our family with peace. Let us always look to you for true peace. Thank you for filling our family with peace that will impact the world. Amen

Hi friends & families – Let’s focus our attention on the Fruit of the Spirit and JOY. My ongoing desire with this blog is to invest & connect with young families.

This is my friend Reid the Scroll and his mission is the following:

I want to help young families learn the Bible together, pray together and build strong faith.

Reid the Scroll is highlighting Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit of the Spirit and starting with JOY.

Remember – True joy comes from the Lord. God’s joy is deeply rooted in our hearts. Ask God to fill you with the joy of the Lord every day.

Review – Read Galatians 5: 23-23 as a family.

Respond in prayer – Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you for filling our family with the joy of the Lord. Let us reflect your joy every day. Use our family to joyful impact the world. Amen

Hi friends & families – Part of the reason for my blog is to invest & connect with young families. This is my friend Reid the Scroll and his mission is the following:

I want to help young families learn the Bible together, pray together and build strong faith.

Reid the Scroll is highlighting Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit of the Spirit and starting with LOVE.

Remember – God is the meaning of love. Whenever we show love Jesus is right there!

Review – Read Galatians 5: 23-23 as a family.

Respond in prayer – Dear Lord Jesus, Help our family be an example of your love everywhere we go. Show us how to be an example of your love every day. Amen

Hi friends – There is nothing more beautiful than the gift of encouragement. I am highlighting Hebrews 10:24 again and focusing on encouragement.

The word spur means to prompt someone, inspire or encourage someone. When you partner this meaning with encouragement, love and good deeds we open up a heavenly door of opportunity for God’s love.

Encouragement goes a long way in God’s economy. Those words of encouragement could be the difference between someone acting out in God’s love or not. That word of encouragement could inspire that person to move forward in God’s calling and who knows where that could lead. Taking the time to talk through something with someone when they are uncertain could end up being that gesture of love (God’s love) that is needed. When someone is uncertain encouragement could be the missing link to move forward. Just take a moment to think about the impact of encouragement and God’s love on our world.

Hebrews 10:24 – And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.

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

Hi friends – There is something so wonderful about being connected to a church family. Church has always been apart of my life. My church experience as an adult is different from what I experienced growing up but the same goodness is rooted in both.

Church – Scripture – Community – Connections

Recently my Bible app Hebrews 10:24 was highlighted this morning. The scripture reviews a few very important truths. Do not give up meeting together. Spur each other on towards love and good deeds. Let’s encourage each other.

We are a little over a month into 2023 and I want to encourage you to stay connected. Stay connected to a church family. Lean into good teaching and cover your faith journey in prayer. If you don’t have a church family pray and ask God to open the door to one for you. God is listening and wants to help. Most churches have small groups or Bible studies so get connected. Small groups are a great place to start. As you get involved I believe you will find that the investment in your faith will open up other doors to make connections. There is something so beautiful about having a church family where you can grow and develop in your faith and stay connected to a community of friends.

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

Hi friends – As we approach the end of January 2023, I have to tell you am feeling a bit sluggish. I am likely not the only person that is experiencing this and I want to provide some encouragement. The meaning of sluggish is not being alert or not making progress. A lack of motivation or moving forward. I believe we all have times when we have felt these feelings and quite frankly that is ok. We all have seasons that we go through and we just don’t have the motivation or energy to do what we need to do.

What I do know is the Lord knows exactly what you need and what you are going through.

I am so grateful for the Lord and how much He cares for me. God understands your feelings, emotions and every part of your life journey. He knows I am going through a season of loss and He certainly knows what you are going through. Back in January 2020 just before COVID hit I believe the Lord Jesus placed some scriptures on my heart. I call them my anchor verses and I say them almost everyday. They keep me focused, on track and moving forward (even in those sluggish seasons). As a believer in Jesus Christ I need His word as my firm foundation and an anchor to guide and direct me. God is my refuge and strength.

Here are the scriptures that give me hope and encouragement:

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

John 15:16 – I have called you to bear fruit. Purposeful, meaningful, valuable fruit….fruit that will last.

James 1:2-4 – Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^[ whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Isaiah 43:19 – See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

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