Niki’s Thoughts

“I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also. Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.” Romans‬ ‭16‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Growing up, I had the immense blessing of attending Christian schools for most of my K-12 (minus about 2 years). As part of our curriculum (K-8), we had a Religion class. I remember the middle school years we studied different religions, the way they were similar or different from our denomination, or world religions that have different gods, little g. Do you know what I don’t remember? Women. I don’t remember learning about women, other than Mary, the mother of Jesus.  If you know me well, or have read most of m...

“I am small and despised, yet I do not forget Your precepts.” Psalms 119:141 I know what you are thinking… Yup, I’m still in Psalms 119. I have tried to sit down to write a few times this week but it felt forced; and I don’t do well if it isn’t coming ‘naturally.’ That is why if it’s not coming out the way I pictured then I don’t keep going with it. I pray, I read more of God’s Words. Then, when His timing is right, He places it on my heart. I love when this happens, because the words just tumble right out onto the paper or the keyboard. God truly is so good and so amazing, y’all! So let’s dive back into Psalms 119 again, shall we? I had an immediate reaction to this verse the moment I read it. I had to reread it three times. Then I made this note in my Bible app:  As a Christian in this sin filled world, it is easy to feel small and despised. By many counts we are small, and there are many people who despise us. Yet it is all the more important that we remember God’s Word and His ...

“Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes." Psalms 119:67, 71 The 119th Chapter in the Book of Psalm is 176 verses long. If you are feeling inspired to read them all this week I believe you will be inspired and blessed greatly.  I’m going through Psalms 119 in my Bible-in-a-year plan currently. Today I read verses 65-72. The theme of the first 72 verses is heavily laced with the desire to keep God’s Word. “Lord teach me Your statutes,” appears over and over. The verses I pasted above really jumped out to speak to me today.  I am still a work in progress - I believe as Christians we are constantly working towards God’s Word our whole earthly existence. His work in us is not done until He graduates us to the Church Triumphant. As much as I want to confidently say to God, "now I keep Your Word," I know I am a far way off from that. However, I can definitely see that He ha...

 "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6 "But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven."" Matthew 19: 14 "Ahaziah was forty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Athaliah the granddaughter of Omri. He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother advised him to do wickedly. Therefore he did evil in the sight of the Lord..." II Chronicles 22:2-4a These are just a few of the many verse I could have quoted when discussing the different mentions of children in the Bible. Children are innocent, vulnerable, inquisitive people. It is our duty as parents, and as Christians, to guide them on a path that seeks God first.  Many people are influenced, to some degree, by their parents, extended family, and their church family. Certain traditions are car...