God Does Not Change by Nina Keegan

God Does Not Change, He is still on the throne... 

 A recent get together with some childhood friends sparked a longing for the nostalgia of " good ole days" ..when days seemed endless and carefree and when summer itself was by all accounts infinite.

When I was a kid, we had only 3 television channels, all of which aired family friendly programs and never did our parents have to monitor what we watched..  we practically lived outside and at the first glare of the street lamps we knew that was our cue beckoning us home. We drank out of the hose, caught fire-flies in jars, rode on the handle bars of bikes, lived at the municipal swimming pool and played games like flash-light tag, .. "not it" and hide and seek and built endless snow forts.  No cell phones, video games, or lap tops ...instead, we played records and collected posters for our walls from Tiger-Beat magazine. 

Our hang out was the little league baseball park or the A&W where everyone showed up at dusk for ice cream and root-beer floats after the games. Inside our few square miles of a tiny Illinois town were endless memories of a place that seemed larger than life and more spectacular than I could ever imagine.  A tiny patch of wholesomeness carved from the midst of a cornfield canvas. We felt safe, you knew everyone in town and saw everyone in church on Sunday mornings. No one locked their doors.. There was no need.

It seems nothing is more real or carries a more enormous guarantee than change. It's coming.. Like it or not.. We are living and breathing change at an alarming pace.

There is an old adage that says ~The more things change, the more things stay the same~.. 

 After thinking about the statement I decided that it really wasn't true ..virtually nothing has stayed the same! Except..that is for one thing, our one constant, our infallible, unchanging, brilliant, Creator and Heavenly Father!  He's our one guarantee!  God! HE is still on the throne HE is omniscient, divine, always has been and always will be! He reigns supreme for all eternity! We can count on that!

No matter what changes and no matter what causes us fear and pain as the world teeters on the brink of its very existence as we know it; we don't have to fear anything because God is unshakable! Watching the news can send our anxiety levels through the roof as we witness war, crime, hatred, terrorism and cruelty like we have never seen before in our lifetime.... Yes...God is still on the throne! 

The Bible has many scriptures providing proof and evidence that God is unchanging and that He is and always will be who He says He is. It is important to listen to what God's Word says but it is much more important to obey it and do what it says.  We can measure the effectiveness of our time spent with God by the effect it has on our behavior and attitudes. So no matter what is constantly changing... trust that our God never will...

 Spend time reading The Word, and being in the presence of God. As you seek a lasting and intimate relationship with Our God and Father.. You will see His character and you will see,~ The more things change, the more God stays the same~

Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever 

(Heb. 13:8).

Ps. 119:89

God's word is settled in heaven; it will not change.

Ec. 3:14

Whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to or taken from whatever God does (cf. Deut. 4:2; Rev. 22:18-19).

Heb. 6:17

God's counsel is immutable (i.e., does not change).

 

Jas. 1:17

There is no variation or shadow of turning with God. There is absolutely no change with God.

Wanting it All! by Nina Keegan

  If someone were to ask you right now what is it that you wholeheartedly want in life and where you realistically see yourself in the next 5-10 years; what is your absolute dream, your defining goal and your personal quota of happiness, What would your answer be? Would you even know the answer to that ? Or do you ignore the  long-term commitment required in striving for future goals only to replace them with an " I want it all now or nothing perspective ?"

 What is behind the crazy psychology of perpetually wanting what we can't have? Society as a whole these days just seems to have the innate opinion that the grass is always greener in our neighbor's backyard. Why is it that we can never be fully satisfied right where we are? We are incessantly feeling like we're missing out.. there is an anxiousness and a restlessness that keeps us in a constant inner battle and in search of the next best thing and the world's latest and greatest and for certain, an instant gratification. 

Our prolific yearning that something is missing and our unceremonious need to have more creates in us an insatiable pit that by the world's standards can never truly be filled.

We are so far away from a"bloom where we are planted" attitude. We live in the absolute antithesis of that!  We indulge the adversary of why would we even entertain putting roots down and be planted anywhere?  No.. We are moving on, moving up and moving fast! This is life in the fast lane and we are so caught up in the whirl wind of the "I gotta have it now" band  that we are losing our very souls in the desire to have the materialistic" things of this world !

Mark 8:36For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 

 It would seem that we are missing the whole point of having the blessed life that the Bible says we are to have and enjoy continuously! That means NOW.. We should be inhabiting a divine peace no matter what or where we are on our timeline of the exhaustive search to have it all!  Maybe, just maybe we ought to stop and just be present, be here... be in it today.

So many of us spend our time pining away for the glory of the good old days or looking ahead to the "I can't wait" and "if only " or "I wish I could "and "maybe someday" that we are undoubtedly missing out on God's daily dose of blessings , supernatural gifts and divine appointments! 

Are we too busy to even notice the subtle Godly nuances that He's so lovingly spreads across our paths?  Are we stumbling over our own selfish desires and simultaneously tripping over the good stuff  and missing out on the enormity of the beautiful blessings He has for us today?

Psalm 118:24,  This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Ephesians 5:15-16, Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity…

God wants us to enjoy every moment, to live in the present! We can pray and ask God to let us make wise choices according to His brilliant Word; that we might have and enjoy this very day to the absolute fullness of His grace. We should live like there is no guarantee of tomorrow ! We should focus on seeing the world the way God sees it so that we would also bask in the glory and enjoy God's presence and the beauty surrounding us every single day! 

Tomorrow is still coming, it's still out in front of us! There is always going to be things to strive for and of course we should always want to better ourselves and look forward to an exciting and glorious future in Christ but that all comes with first appreciating and enjoying all God has set before us today! 

We must be a truly grateful for the here and now! Praise and thank God every morning for His mercies are new. The blessings that are ours to have and enjoy should be appreciated each one in its own right, one simple, glorious blessing at a time!

Don't despise the day of small beginnings, when you appreciate all that you have and where you are and enjoy this very space and time; that's when God can trust you and truly bless you with more of His brilliant and unending glory and give you the grace you need to fulfill  your divine purpose through and for Him!

Matthew 6:33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Beauty For Ashes by Nina Keegan

 Job 42:12

So God blessed the Latter part of Job's life more than the former.

The  long and winding security line at the airport seemed to be holding steadfastly in a complete standstill. What was the hold up? The international terminals seemed to take quite a bit longer than domestic and I could sense the growing frustration and impatience in many of my fellow travelers as we baby stepped our way through the winding line. As I was going through my mental check list, I again made sure I had my passport, my wallet filled with the proper exchanged currency, phone charger including the international outlet converter... etc. I guess checking these things one last time made me feel better as I contemplated the chaos of possibly missing my flight. 

This Trip would be very significant for me for several reasons.

One reason being , A few months ago I finalized a very long, difficult, and tumultuous divorce that left me feeling sucker punched to say the very least. 

Feelings of abandonment, betrayal and the pain sped through the most diabolical year I have ever faced. Daily were the constant arrows and firey darts aimed recklessly and with acute accuracy at my already scorched heart and soul. As these prolific bullets clamored to extinguish any last morsel of peace, I would receive a word, a prayer, a call, a voice, a standout scripture.. all imploring me to trust God and to not give up or give in. I would read the promises of restoration, peace , joy and double portion of blessing. I would stand on these promises that in the natural  seemed impossible and intangible and let them consume me... 

 Coincidentally, and even more significant was the fact that I just so happened to have been flying on my Birthday, there was just something very metaphoric about that to me... I was jetting off in a sense to that latter part of my life forgetting what lies behind and looking forward to all the future blessings that God has been stock piling for me.. The pile containing my beauty for ashes and the double portion for all the enemy tried to steal from me... I had a new hope and a new excitement knowing that God was in charge and He was so brilliantly faithful... He was knitting me back together but when He restores, He always multiplies. His mercies and grace are new everyday ...  This promise alone makes me  fall to my undeserving knees in praise for How Good our God is! He is never not Good!!!

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME! 
James 1:16-18

Romans 8:28

And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Finally after a 10 plus hour flight, I arrived in Scotland.. The beauty of this

land  is unmatched in the glorious creativity of our Heavenly Father. Breathe! Time to breathe! This was it... I felt the promises of God everywhere saying "Here you go my daughter! This will be a time of restoration and rejuvenation."

 During the dificulties the past year embellished upon my life I could not have imagined the unsurpassed greatness of joy and peace  and favor that would follow. 

My travels this trip also took me  to London, the English countryside, and to Paris.  I was joined sometimes by my amazing sons and sometimes by my wonderful friends. God's peace was in every laugh, tear, train, plane, cab and every glorious croissant or cafe O lait.. I encountered. As I gazed upon the city of Paris from the summit of the Eiffel Tower I gasped as I perhaps could visualize God smiling... His radiant love ...

I am reminded that we sometimes must go through the tough times in life to get to the good stuff. God has to prune things away from our lives that rob us of all He has for us , the joy stealers that leach onto us and keep us from God's best. He really does turn ALL things around for the good! 

The Bible says that we must share in God's suffering that we might also share in His glory. We are never immune to heartache, to trials or devastation.. But what we do have is a Loving Father that will never leave us, He will be there through it all promising to restore you and give you a new hope and a future!

His blessings have no deadline, no expiration date... They are infinite, endless and beyond comprehension..He will perfect ALL of your concerns!

Speak victory over your life, rise above your circumstances and surrender it all with praise and thanksgiving!

 Let all that hurts you be covered forever in the blood of Jesus! Through His blood shed.. We Win!! He always causes us to be victorious even when it seems utterly impossible!! He is the God of possible!!

God is who He says He is!!! Hold On!! Your Good is coming and your BEST days are still out in front of you!! Receive it!

Isaiah 61:1-3

The Year of the Lord’s Favor

61 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bindup the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3     and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor.

Get Connected To God by Nina Keegan

  Matthew 19:26

But Jesus looked at them and said,  “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

   As we move through our busy, hectic lives as if on a synchronized mission of daily events that are plotted out in bold headlines on our calendars and "to do" lists, we realize the importance we have placed on functioning technology to pull us along and keep us gripped to our everyday schedules while allowing us to efficiently manipulate and accomplish many tasks in our daily lives. 

Without our little electronic gadgets we'd be lost!  We've become so reliant on these mini strongholds that without them we would feel as though we've lost all coping methods and links to the outside world! How did humans ever function without  a smart phone ? What would we really miss if we were unplugged for just a day? Try an hour... 

Our cell phones, and computers require charging and to be plugged into a power source so that they will fully function. We need cell towers, Data plans, internet providers, power surge protectors, fire walls, and secure passwords and that's just to be able to be linked to everyone and everything immediately.  It's all for the purpose of making the busy even busier by allowing us to cram more into our 86,400 seconds we have in a day.

 Instant gratification at our constant disposal without giving it second thought..  Many of us do not even own a relic paper version of a calendar any more, and without the electronic reminders and our (see your week at a glance) apps on the glass screen, we would not have a clue what day and time we are to be when and where and with whom.

Have you ever thought about how much trust  and reliance we place in these devices to run our lives?  

How  many times have we  let panic mode set in as our cell phone was losing its charge right when we were expectiing an important call?  Worse yet, have you left home without it?  The horror...

I'm being sarcastic of course... Maybe just a little.

John 15:5

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

This Bible verse arrests me in my thinking and gives me great reason to rethink everything.

What if we would place even the smallest amount of trust in our Lord every day to help us handle everything that the day will bring? What if we stay plugged in and connected to our Creator with unmatched enthusiasm? What if we were to give God the same dedication, reliance and trust that we give to our small plugged in "know-it-alls?"

Would we not have the most amazing life if we started our days supercharged in the Lord and completely connected to the ultimate of all power sources? The connection that is always reliable, the one that will never make mistakes, the one that is never subject to error, the one that can't break down or become obsolete.The one source that can never be hacked, breeched, or compromised! The highly functional, trustworthy, super intelligent, miraculous, knowledge filled, omniscient Creator of our minds, kind of  connection that  can conclusively never fail! 

The one who made us knows us better than we could ever know ourselves. He knows our thoughts and needs and can take care to bring resolution, answers, and peace to our days . We can cast our cares on Him and trust Him to see us through triumphantly.

Apart from God, we can do nothing.. Zilch, NOTHING!!  This means we are incapable of accomplishing anything on our own. We require God in our lives to even breathe. HE is our oxygen, God is necessary! We must rely on Him to do undoubtedly anything else. 

When John 15:5 declared that God is the vine and we are the branches; it proves we must stay connected to our main source. Branches cannot live without a tree or a vine as their host. They need to be attached to a mainstay. They, like us need a place where we are fed, nourished, recharged, made equipped to bear fruit, accomplish, serve and live out our divine purpose. 

God is the power source and by us being the branches stemming from the vine we are plugging into God and simultaneously we become filled up with all that we need. We as humans and Children of God require the recharging so to speak that we get from being connected to our very own Creator in the same way we must plug in a lamp in order for it to give off light!

Without it's power source what good is a lamp? It is just a useless piece of metal glass and wire incapable of functioning in the purpose for which it was created.

Likewise what good are we? What purpose are we serving if we aren't fully charged and plugged in to our power source every day?  We need to be fully charged in The Lord to work properly and in the direction of our divine purpose through Him. We also need to be a light!  With out our source we too will be a broken lamp in the darkness.

God wants a “yes” from you.

Sometimes the greatest battle is not fought against external opposition but rather in our own decision making to yield our will to God’s word.  We must start our days filled with the word of God, seeking God and his righteousness first and before anything else. Then we will be anointed and equipped  to handle all things through Christ. He is unfailing. 

Jeremiah 17:5-9 

   Thus says The Lord, " the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

Stay fully connected to the divine love and wisdom of your Heavenly Father, the one who created you by wholeheartedly trusting in Him. By praying, reading The Word and following His deep and divine purpose for your life, you will stay rooted in Him. Worship Him and surrender your days to Jesus Christ. Without our main power source we can do nothing, we are nothing. Like a branch pruned from the vine, it will surely die.

Stay connected to God and LIVE!

I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me – Philippians 4:13

BUT GOD....by Nina Keegan

As for you, you meant evil against me, BUT GOD meant it for good...  (Genesis 50:20)

 There are few experiences in life that are more universal than disappointment.

 I have recently walked through the most difficult of personal trials I have ever experienced, and for what it's worth I have been through a lot... Suffice it to say  if I were to write my autobiography it would most likely read like a fictional novel because my story is quite unbelievable.

I know sadly that I am not unique in any way to gut wrenching trials and all too often we all suffer tribulation that takes us to our knees and beckons us to go so much deeper in our faith. Through broken promises, unfulfilled expectations, and shattered dreams we are invited to a place that without the turmoil we would never know the enormity of the Lord's pure sweetness. Is this not the very reason for a trial? 

 This trial in my life that blew in like an unexpected thunder storm on a sunny day, has been so profoundly lined with such close parallels of the bitter sweet. The closeness and the presence of God have never been more absolute, miraculous and so supernatural; while simultaneously the blindsided feelings of betrayal, abandonment, and rejection have achingly pierced my very soul. 

Hurt, pain, lies and mistrust can level our lives and can change our worlds in an instant. This life.... It can certainly throw us a curve ball and cause you to want shout,"I quit, I'm done, I'm out... I GIVE UP!"

 But... Yes there's a  but... BUT GOD, yes there it is," BUT GOD," those 6 letters that can change ashes into beauty. They arrest me in my tracks, penetrating my self righteous, pity party and they command me to NEVER GIVE UP!  They cast a profound shadow and ignite the flame of my sorrow to be a light. Those words reel me back in, stretch my faith, strengthen me, guide me, hold me and bring me to my knees in abundant thanksgiving and paralyzing praise.  My eyes as if with blinders on stare straight ahead in laser focus on my very Creator in whom I can always trust with confident expectancy and hope.

 The ampleness of comfort 

 He shows us when we are downtrodden goes unsurpassed in comparison. He does not ever waste anything but contrarily He will use our pain as a catalyst and a testimony to demonstrate His love and tenderness. He is so close to the brokenhearted, never have I known anything to be more sure or more absolute than this.

The vastness of what I have learned about my heavenly Father's character, love, faithfulness and ultimate devotion to His children is nothing short of  miraculous. His glory is beyond measure. We can and will have what our faith expects. God will meet us at our level of expectancy.

 In our fleshy sorrows we utter, But God where are you?

But God, why are you allowing this?

But God, it hurts so much.  But God, if you loved me then why oh Lord am I having to suffer like this?

Those are the questions we frantically pour out as we lobby, and litigate on a quest for answers better than any high priced, ivy league lawyer ever could.

Faith is what we cannot see! What we must remember ...

 But God... 

But God will never leave you or forsake you! 

But God will turn all things around for your good! 

But God is a good and just God and He longs to pour out His blessings on us.

 But God knows your suffering and your pain and wants to comfort you.

 But God knows who's hurt you and He will rescue you.

But God's plan is immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine, wait on Him BE STILL.. And know without hesitation that He is GOD!

 But God...yes He is here.. Always....winning all of our battles!

I have seen Him supernaturally fight on my behalf. He has led me to the scriptures outlining what His brilliant plans are for me and how He intends to deal with the one who has hurt me.

"We must never worry about the judgement of the Godless." He warns, as He wants us to keep our eyes steadfast on Him alone. God's wrath far outweighs any vengence we could ever seek. We must forgive in the measure He has forgiven us and leave the punishment to God. God does not lie and His word will hold true for the obedient and disobedient alike. He is no respecter of persons. We can count on His word, He is not a God that should lie!

 I know that as He has led me through it all, He has drawn me closer and not allowed me to look back at the treachery He has rescued me from. We must always look ahead to where HE is. Seek His face first. We as Christians are called  to a higher standard of love, we must FORGIVE our enemies. Let the scab heal, move on and set the example. He will take care of the rest! His promises are glorious, unfailing and divine in truth.

We need to wholeheartedly trust and lay claim to the nearness of God, cling to His character and believe He is who He says He is. 

His will for us is Holy, perfect and unchanging. We must always let His Word trump our emotions.

 We will never be where God is not! 

 NEVER! 

He is closer than our breath! Walk valiantly through the trials of life knowing that Heaven's army will never let the righteous fall and that the blessings on the back side of obedience are enormous.

He's Got this, you're going to be OK!  You really are...It's not going to be easy, it's not going to be painless! Things will change! It will get better! Joy is on the way! Let His praises always be on your lips!... BUT GOD!! You make everything glorious!!

Job 36:17 But you are too obsessed with judgment on the godless. Don't worry, justice will be upheld!

Psalm 44:7-8

But you will give us victory over our enemies and we will praise your name forever

Psalm 38:18. 

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

God Will Provide by Nina Keegan

I was barely tall enough to peer over the  shiny, yellow, laminate, countertops in my grandmother's  immaculate kitchen, but it was homemade noodle making day, and  I was overjoyed as I took my rightful place next to her on a worn, red, metal foot stool. "Always make sure the eggs are at room temperature," she reminded me as we  took turns cracking them into the bright blue earthenware bowl .

The smells of that wonderfully cooked Italian food, glorious food, lovingly prepared  by my tiny grandmother in her homespun kitchen are still unmatched  today, and those memories remain some of my most cherished!

 Being from a very large Italian family, all of my most favorite and thoughtful memories involve my grandmother's  brilliantly prepared food. Banquets and feasts were the centerpiece of every holiday, birthday and even simple Sundays. My grandmother wanted to feed everyone. She loved people with food. Making others happy with food gave her unspeakable joy.  She would bring food to all her friends, cook for those who were shut in or just in need of a little TLC. She was always prepared. To her it was a crime to not have a freezer full of  "just in case" lasagnas, and canolis for company...

I believe that this is a "no getting around it", inherited trait of just being Italian, at least in my family. I too love to feed everybody and everything. The ducks on the lake outside my home know that all to well.

To me there  could be no worse feeling than to not be able to provide food for my family or being unable to feed my children.

I thought about the children of Israel being led out of their homeland by Moses. While they were endlessly wandering in the wilderness, they needed to fully rely on and trust God  completely to provide food, manna, for them each day.  They were not allowed to take any more than a single day's portion, if they did it would immediately rot. There would be no "Just in case" food, no what if God forgets to send it tomorrow rations. They had to have blind faith in what they did not see and wholeheartedly trust that they would be able to go out each day and  collect fresh food for their children. They had to believe that a new day's supply would  be sent to nourish them by God from Heaven. 

Can you imagine  the vulnerability of being a parent of young hungry children and having no stocked pantry or extra food at all?  You would have no choice but to trust that God would provide and that you would be able to feed your  family.

 Mark 10:36  "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked.

God is so simple in His love for us. He just wants us to trust him, He asks us to tell him what we need? He says we have not because we ask not.

By Him commanding that the Israelites  not collect any more food than they needed for one day, God was asking them to take a leap of faith and to totally rely on His merciful grace. The grace that can only come from Him, His grace is sufficient to take care of all we need on any given day..

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Sometimes we look ahead and the mountains we face and the trials and storms that engulf us seem overwhelmingly impossible to manage. But then God shows up again with a daily helping of His amazing grace, and a fresh batch of heavenly manna and says,  "trust me, we will get through this together today, I will be here tomorrow and we will handle tomorrow then." When we  are weak, He is strong! He always shows up.

Matthew 6:25-34

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

Heavenly Father thank you that you provide for us all, you give us food for our body's and  grace for our souls every day!  You are all we will ever need

Help us to trust you, you will never leave us or forsake us! 

In Jesus name we pray!

Amen