Nicki's Blog

Hi friends – As I mentioned in my previous post I am in the middle of a difficult season and yes I firmly believe it is how you choose to respond that is so important. I want to take a closer look at the word hope. The meaning of words can help us gain understanding and perspective. When you understand the meaning of a word and receive the truth from the Bible, it will impact you and your life in a fresh new way. John 8:32 says you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. As we gain understanding of scripture we are set free. What a beautiful promise from Jesus through scripture.

The meaning of hope is to anticipate something good. To be optimistic about the situation or circumstances you are in and see the light at the end of the tunnel. There is another scripture from Hebrews 6:19 that says I am anchored in hope. God will always provide support and encouragement through scripture.

As I write this blog I can’t help but feel hopefully. I am deliberate about being hopefully and remembering there is goodness in every situation and season. There was something else that has occurred to me while I create this post. It is a bit of a stretch but I am going to share it with you anyway. Take a look at words that have the root word of hope. Hopefulness – There is more to come. Hoping – You are still hoping for more. Hopeless – This word is still rooting in the word hope so hope is still present. Ultimately you will have moments or periods of time when you have less hope but hope is still present.

I am so thankful that God has planted hope in my heart. When I look back at my faith journey, I now know that Jesus planted that hope and I nurtured the gift of hope. So having said all that I hope (there it is again….lol) you will consider the meaning of hope, the scripture Romans 15:13 about hope, receive God’s truth today and don’t give up on hope.

Until next time my friends remember you are known and loved by the Lord Jesus.

Hi friends – I am writing about a difficult season I am facing right now. The details are not important but how I choose to respond in this season is very important. I know the Lord Jesus has prepared me for this time in my life. This is not a fun season to navigate but I am reminded that the Lord is not surprised or shocked at anything we experience. I hope the following thoughts will help you and inspire you to think differently about the next difficult season you face. I am choosing to receive God’s comfort when I am weary. I am choosing to receive the Lord’s strength when I am weak . I am choosing to receive Jesus’ peace when I am overwhelmed. As mentioned my current circumstances aren’t easy but as the attached scripture says God is close to the brokenhearted. The Lord cares deeply for me and He cares deeply for you and your circumstances. This is a special scripture from a very personal God who loves each of you so much. I hope and pray this scripture will encourage you today. I have included some other scriptures that I hope will encourage you as well.

Until next time my friends remember you are known and loved by the Lord Jesus.

Jesus = Strength – Psalm 28:7

Jesus = Joy – Nehemiah 8:10

Jesus = Comfort – Psalm 23:4

Jesus = Peace – Philippians 4:6

Hi friends – I believe most of us would agree that when it comes to relationships, in order to have stronger meaningful friendships you need to spend time together. You need to be purposeful about investing in that relationship. The same is true when it comes to our relationship with the Lord Jesus. Seeking His face through prayer and pursuing Him will strengthen you. As mentioned in part 1, when you navigate difficult seasons, turn to the Lord Jesus in prayer. Your faith will be strengthened when you connect with Jesus.

God loves. God cares. God wants to connect with you and restore you through prayer.

Remember – The Bible is a guide book for us. Just like we often need GPS for a journey, we need scripture to guide and direct us through our life journey and prayer time.

Review – Take some time to review 1 Chronicles 16:11. I would also encourage you to review verses 8 to 10. These verses highlight singing to God, praising Him and glorify His names. Restoration occurs when we focus on God in our prayer time.

Receive – The scripture is guiding and directing us to seek God’s face. God knows what we need when we need it.

Restore / Prayer – Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you that no matter what is happening in my life you are always there for me. Help me to seek your face in every situation and wait for your guidance and direction. Amen.

Hi friends – I hope each of you are enjoying your summer and able to enjoy some rest. I believe an important part of rest is connecting with God through prayer. Depending on how your summer is going, you could be creating wonderful memories, times of connection and joyful moments. However, that might not be your story this summer. Some of you could be facing challenges, uncertainty and unsettling situations. Let me encourage you in whatever you are facing, turn to the Lord Jesus in prayer. God knows everything about you, He wants to spend time with you and support you.

God loves, God cares, God wants to connect with you #prayer #connection #support

Remember – God is available 24 hours a day – 7 days a week. You are never bothering the Lord Jesus when you pray. He is always listening.

Review – Take some time to review 1 Thessalonians 5:17. I would also encourage you to read a few verses before (I would suggest verse 12) and see what God may reveal to you.

Receive – God wants to support and help you navigate through life.

Reflect & Prayer – Dear Lord, Thank you that you are always listening to me and caring for all things related to me. Help me to be restored through the power of prayer. Amen.

Dear friends & families – This post is about a promise that God makes for your family in the Bible. The scripture that I am highlighting today is from Jeremiah 29:11. The image below talks about the plans God has for you. I believe it is worth mentioning that these plans are a declaration from the Lord. In my opinion when the Creator of the universe declares something like that, we all need to stop, listen and receive. Families as you end your weekend and start your week, remember this promise from the Lord for your family.

Remember – The word plans means to take time and care to schedule something. It is important to remember that God has had your life plan worked out from before each of you were born. God cares deeply for your family and His plans for all of you are good.

Review – Take time to read through Jeremiah 29:11 as a family.

Recognize – In this scripture God declares He has great plans for your AND to give you hope and a future. Please recognize this beautiful promise from the Lord Jesus.

Reflect / Pray together – Dear Lord, Thank you that you have great plans for my family. I am grateful that the plans you have for us are unique, special and specifically for our family. Thank you Lord for how much you love our family. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

Hi friends & families – So many of us rely on google maps as a tool to get from point A to point B. With so many added features and benefits to google maps, using this tool can make your travel experience amazing. Let’s face, who wants to get lost on their vacation….lol. Ultimately it is our decision if we wish to use google map or not. This same principle applies to our life journey. We can do this life journey on our own or we can connect with the Lord Jesus who provides us with direction, guidance and instruction. The Lord Jesus never expected any of us to do this parenting journey on our own. Always remember that God is right by your side caring for you as a parent and for your children.

Remember – The word guidance means to provide direction or instruction. Everyone receives guidance or advice from someone. When that guidance comes from a person who cares for you that can have a great impact on your life.

Review – Take time to read through Psalm 32:8 as a family.

Recognize – That God is always listening. He cares for you and your family. He wants to provide guidance, counsel and direction.

Reflect / Pray together – Dear Lord, Thank you that you are available, you are listening and you will provide guidance and direction. Your word is the truth so help us (our whole family) to listen to your counsel and follow your lead. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

Hi friends & families – Our heavenly Father wants to connect with you and your family. We need to stay connected to our heavenly Father. There is a saying that says ” A family that prays together stays together”. There is something so beautiful and powerful when a family can come together and pray.

Remember – The word prayer can mean spending time with the Lord. There are a variety of ways to pray. Eyes open or closed. Standing or sitting. Whenever you call on the name of the Lord Jesus, He is always listening and ready to connect with you.

Review – Take time to read through I Thessalonians 5:17-18 as a family.

Recognize – Prayer is our connection to the Lord Jesus.

Reflect / Pray together – Dear Lord, Thank you that you want to connect with us through prayer. This quiet time with you helps us get to know you and hear your voice. Thank you for being a God that cares, loves and wants to connect with us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

Hi friends – This is another simple truth that I want to share with you. Some of you may already know and understand that you are loved by the Lord Jesus. If that is you, I pray that you are reminded again of this truth everyday. If this is new information to you, I pray you receive this truth in your heart today. The scripture I want to highlight is Ephesian 3:16-19:

¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Lets take a moment and loop back to verse 18 that says to grasp how wide and long and high and deep it the love of Christ for you. These words are words from the Lord Jesus for you to receive. Remember that God loves, God cares and God wants to connect with you!

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

Hi friends – Here is another truth that I want to share with you. It is a beautiful scripture telling us that God knit you together in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). Just take a moment to think about that verse. The Creator of the entire universe calls out in scripture that you were knit together by God. In verse 15 it also says that you were intricately and skillfully formed by God. What an amazing truth to receive into your heart today.

So in my opinion, knitting is pretty complicated and the end result is often a beautiful and unique creation. I know people that love to knit and enjoy the whole process. Once they determine what they will create, they often consider the pattern and the yard to use for their creation. They also have to consider the time, effort and energy involved. It may or may not be a time-sensitive project. If it is a time-sensitive project, you know there is a level of love and care behind what is being created. As I think about all these details, I can’t help but think about the Lord Jesus, the Creator of the entire universe who carefully and lovely knit you together. I would encourage you to read through Psalm 139 and take in all the amazing details about you. Be reminded that you are a beautiful and unique creation.

Until next time my friends, remember you are unknown and lobed by God. Blessings!

Hi friends – I wanted to share a simple but powerful truth with you today.

You are awesome! You are amazing and wonderful. Don’t ever forget that the Lord Jesus has a great plan for you. In Ephesians 2:10 it says that you are God’s masterpiece. What an amazing truth that God outlines in scripture for you to receive.

We live in a world where there are so many voices and those voices can have a variety of opinions. Sometimes those opinions can be directed at us. Those voices can be filled with goodness, kindness, and love. Other times those voices can leave us feeling hurt and wounded. What is harder is when the ladder voices overshadow the voices of encouragement that God wants you to hear. In Proverbs 18:21 it says the power of life and death is in the tongue. There is so much truth in this scripture. We need to be so careful about the words we use and the words we receive.

I will loop back to my original statement that says you are awesome! I pray that the other voices that can be so hurtful are not received. I also pray that God’s blessing and the truth that you are awesome stays deeply rooted in your heart.

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