Nina Keegan’s 100 Days with God Devotional
100 Days with God
Nina sensed that God was directing her to start writing a devotional blog in 2011, which she named “God Cake.” Her blog spread to other countries via the internet, and soon she was writing two devotional pages on Facebook as well. In 2014, Nina and Michelle Humphreys launched their inspirational talk show Grace Grace, and often discuss topics addressed in those devotional pages. After writing for years, Nina decided in 2020 to compile 100 of her daily devotions into a book. Her hope is that the relatable stories will cause readers to feel more hopeful, inspired, and deeply connected to God.
One of her favorite devotions is called, “Happiness is a Choice.” “Material things cannot cause lasting, meaningful happiness,” she says. “Eternal happiness only comes from having a close, personal relationship with our loving Creator.” Nina supports this conviction with 1 Peter 1:8: “You love Him even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see Him now, you trust Him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.” By making the choice to be happy, Nina believes, we can start seeing ourselves the way God sees us, and respond accordingly. “Happiness does not depend upon what you own. You have unique gifts and certain talents that that no one else has. By keeping Him as our primary life source, we can remain focused on the good and stay joyful.”
Another entry that Nina finds especially meaningful is: “Overcoming Self-Appointed Limitations.” She says people who think negatively live up to those low expectations. “We can set major limitations in our own lives, and the lives of our families, by thinking this way,” she says. “We become products of our surroundings. If you grew up in a very unhappy household, chances are you have carried those habits of limited thinking straight through into your adult life.” She points to Romans 5:17: “For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and His gift of righteousness. For all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.” She challenges us to see ourselves as God sees us and says positive changes will be the fruit in our lives.
Her Own Battle
When Nina makes reference to those who’ve had unhappy childhoods, she includes herself. A family member was quite abusive to her, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Adding to that trauma was the unkind treatment she received from some of the teachers at schools she attended. Fear and anxiety became constants in her life well into adulthood. “I was afraid of everything it seemed. Panic attacks were becoming more and more the norm. I worried about absolutely everything. I asked the Lord, ‘Why do you hate me?’ Why am I worthless?’” Though Nina was rescued at age 13 by her Christian grandmother, she battled fear, insecurity and anger for many years. In her early 30s, divorced and raising two boys on her own, Nina was saved in church and her mind began to be renewed. Through counseling and learning to take every thought captive to God’s Word, Nina was finally able to believe the truth that she was loved, she was worthy, and she didn’t need to be afraid.
