Stephanie welcomes Jodie Niznik, a precious, sweet personal friend, to carve out time to make God the priority in our lives. In a world filled with hustle and bustle, it's easy to neglect our personal relationship with God. However, Jodie Niznik's unwavering zeal for Scripture meditation brings a refreshing perspective to our faith. Through her wisdom and personal experiences, Jodie emboldens listeners to embrace the journey towards a slower, more contemplative faith, making space for divine encounters and profound transformation.

Jodie Niznik highlights the significance of resting in the love of God. By delving into scripture meditation, she emphasizes the profound impact it has in seeking God's guidance and understanding familiar passages in newer, deeper ways.

Jodie Niznik's transition from vocational ministry to a more behind-the-scenes, home-based ministry serves as a poignant testament to faith's dynamic nature. Her candid reflections on both the challenges and joys of this shift offer a relatable narrative that inspires resilience and adaptability. Jodie's experiences provide solace for those navigating significant changes, demonstrating the beauty that can emerge from embracing divine opportunities for growth.

Jodie and Stephanie delve into personal hopes and aspirations for Easter, conveying a deep yearning to comprehend the sacrifice of Jesus on a profound level. Their shared desire for personal revival mirrors the heartfelt sentiments of many, encapsulating a collective anticipation for renewal and spiritual awakening.

Jodie's thoughtful reflection on the purpose of Lent offers a fresh perspective. She discusses how this period of preparation leads our hearts towards Easter, embracing guided meditations and reflective spiritual moments. Through her series of guided meditations for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Resurrection Sunday, Jodie invites us to embark on a soul-stirring journey, nurturing our spirits in the lead-up to Easter. Addressing the perplexing emotions of grief and confusion experienced by the disciples during the Easter narrative, Jodie also accentuates the paramount role of women in the resurrection account. By exploring the significance of these days leading up to Easter, Jodie infuses renewed meaning into this sacred season.

As the episode draws to a close, Jodie's gentle and heartfelt prayer for the audience's renewed awakening to God's word and love, along with a rejuvenated joy for salvation during Easter, will bring you hope and joy!

CONNECT WITH JODIE NIZNIK

Best is her website: https://www.jodieniznik.com/

Also, her Instagram: @creatingspaceforgod – I highly recommend it!

Jodie says, “My passion is to help you create space for God in your life. One of the ways I do this is through my Scripture meditation and Lectio Divina podcast So Much More: Creating Space for God. My Bible studies are another way I hope to help you create space for God in your life. They are filled with sound biblical truth, practical application, and spiritual practices that aim to help you grow in your walk with Jesus. You should also know that I’m a pastor by training and by heart. I served on the pastoral team at a large church in the Dallas area for over 12 years. And I have a master’s degree from Dallas Theological Seminary. I love to teach God’s word by connecting spiritual truth to real life. If you need a Bible teacher who is encouraging, inspiring, and engaging - I’m your girl.”

Jodie is a seminary trained, lover of God’s Word. She would love to craft a message just for your group. You can also invite Jodie to lead Scripture meditation experiences live for your group. This is a powerful way to interact with God’s word in community. It can either set the tone for a conference, or stand alone as a way for your group to experience God’s Word in a fresh new way.

We invite you to check out the first episode of each of our series, and decide which one you will want to start with.

Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog

Identity in the battle | Ephesians

https://www.podcastics.com/episode/74762/link/

Centering on Christ | The Tabernacle experience

https://www.podcastics.com/episode/94182/link/

Shades of Red | Against human oppression

https://www.podcastics.com/episode/115017/link/

God's glory, our delight 

https://www.podcastics.com/episode/126051/link/

 

You are invited to join us on the Gospel Spice Prayer Bible Study, titled "The heart behind prayer" starting September 20, 2025! Details and registration here: https://www.gospelspice.com/prayer 

There are a few things in our Christian life that we know we should do more, or at least better – and prayer just might top the list. Prayer is a mystery. Why would a conversation with a human have any influence on God’s eternal, sovereign plan? It defies logic, and beckons love. How can God, the Almighty Lord of Hosts, be this close, this personal? It defies understanding, and beckons involvement.

But, lack of time, inspiration, and discipline, combined with the ruthless tyranny of our busy lives, push prayer to the periphery, to the “one day I’ll get to it” pile. And yet, we can excel at what we endeavor to undertake. So, why isn’t prayer more of a spiritual priority? Could we develop a mindset around prayer that made it attractive, inspiring, even maybe delightful? What if we attuned our spiritual ears to listen to God, and our spiritual eyes to see His provision?

As an unassuming student, I’m going to humbly offer to share the little I have learned from others about the joy of prayer. I will give us theology, practical tips, and useful resources, sharing what works for me as we, together, learn to pray.

If you find prayer intimidating, or if your lack of prayer makes you feel guilty or “less than,” then this is the place for you! If you have been a student of prayer for many years, this is the place for you too! If you have breath in your lungs, then prayer can become one of the deepest joys of your day. Don’t miss out!

A PERSPECTIVE ABOUT PRAYER

To pray is to believe that God not only hears, but that He responds. It is to stand in the gap for a broken world, wielding the authority of Christ, empowered by the Spirit, and trusting in the goodness of the Father. The question is not whether prayer works, but whether we are willing to pray the kinds of prayers that invite God’s Kingdom into the darkest places of the earth—and of our own hearts.

We may never fully understand the mechanics of prayer, or how it intersects with God's sovereignty, but we are not called to understand everything. We are called to be faithful. And faithfulness means showing up—in prayer, in persistence, in expectation.

So today, let us pray not only for the comfort of our hearts, but for the transformation of the world. Let us take our place as image-bearers, co-laborers, and co-heirs. Let us believe that God is still listening—and still acting. Because He is.

There’s only one way to find out what might happen when we truly pray like this.

Let’s begin.

THE MINDSET BEHIND THIS COURSE

Before we begin, let me tell you the obvious: I don’t really know how to pray. I’m a humble student and absolute beginner at the holy endeavor that is prayer. So, this course isn’t really about what I’ve learned, or any wisdom I might have gathered. But, I’ve sat at the feet of many prayer warriors over the decades, through books and teachings.

So, I’ll share what I learned from them. Humility is going to be our primary heart posture! With each lesson, I will offer a few thoughts, practices, and ideas – with much humility, and not taking myself too seriously. I will also share her favorite books and resources about prayer. FInally, I will introduce you to some of the most influential prayer warriors of our history as the Body of Christ.

Most importantly, I will invite YOU to pray! Learning to pray comes from praying. Our humble ambition is to inspire you to pray, and to give you a few tips on how to do that. Then, it’s up to you! Prayer is a lifelong endeavor. Let’s make it delightful together!

So, let’s get started.

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