Prodigal: Are you going to finish today?
Me: If I get a notion.
Prodigal: I think it will turn out well.
This is a short video devotion on Proverbs
Proverbs 7:2
Keep my commands and live, and my law as the apple of your eye. (NKJV)
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
Prodigal: I am leading the way!
Me: Ok, it looks tough, but I will follow.
This is from the book And the Angels Were Silent by Max Lucado
The procedure for being recognized as a religious teacher in Palestine was simple. Originally, rabbinical candidates had been ordained by a leading rabbi whom they respected and under whose teaching they served. This, however, led to variance in qualifications and teachings as well as widespread abuses. So the high Jewish council, the Sanhedrin, took over the responsibility for ordination.
At his ordination a man was declared to be a rabbi, elder, and judge and was given authority to teach, express wisdom, and render verdicts.
Fair procedure. Necessary safeguard. And so we aren’t surprised that the religious leaders asked Jesus, “What authority do you have to do these things? Who gave you this authority?” Had their questions stemmed from concern for the purity of the temple and the integrity of the position, there would have been no problem. But they wanted their territory: “We are afraid of what the crowd will do.”
Had they really cared about the future of the nation, they wouldn’t have worried about what the people thought. They would have taken the matter of the rabbi into their own hands rather than worm away from him and eventually turn him over to a foreign government. They hadn’t learned the first lesson of leadership. “A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd.”
Psalm 118:1
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
Prodigal: Those people were talking about you.
Me: I am leaving them to the Lord.
This is from the book A Man of Grace and Grit: Paul by Charles Swindoll
Someone has said, “An authority is anyone who’s one hundred miles away from home.” Because I’m fairly well known, when I travel, people show up thinking they’re going to be impressed. If they were around me more, they’d know better. When you travel, occasionally you’ll meet folks who will almost worship you. (It happened to Paul). Don’t let them. On the opposite extreme, others will reject and mistreat you. Don’t be derailed by naysayers. A few may even conspire against you. Keep your eyes on the goal. Focus on the Lord and none of that will get you down.
Some of the best people who ever lived have been mistreated, misunderstood, and maligned. It’s part of what God uses to prepare His servants. I don’t wish it on anybody, but I’m not the director. That’s the Lord’s work.
God sometimes I look around but I see things of the world instead of you and what you bring to the world. The things and people of the world, tend to bring discouragement. It isn’t long before I am questioning. Instead I should look at you and that brings me joy.
Matthew 6:34
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
Me: Whatcha doing?
Prodigal: Just trying to see if I can tell what is going on.
Me: The Lord will show you, don’t worry.
This is a short video devotion on proverbs
Proverbs 7:1
My son, keep my words, and treasure my commands within you. NKJV
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
Prodigal: Your looking a mite skinny, so I will cook while you share.
Me: I think I got the good end of the stick on that one.
This is from the book The Quest for Character by Charles Swindoll
There is no more significant involvement in another’s life than prevailing consistent prayer. It is more helpful than a gift of money, more encouraging than a strong sermon, more effective than a compliment, more reassuring than a physical embrace.
I need your prayer today. Just a quick prayer that I will continue to follow the Lord. At times the enemy of God would like us all to doubt. That enemy would like us to become distracted. Prayer helps ourselves and helps others to fight in this battle. So as I continue today, I need a prayer from you.
Psalms 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
Me: Today I have everything because I have Christ.
Prodigal: Amen!
This is from Sunrays of Help by Dr. Albert Garner
Christ is the way–Men without Him are like Cain, wanderers, vagabonds.
He is the truth–Men without Him are liars, like the devil of old.
He is the life–Men without Him are dead in trespasses and sins.
He is the vine–Men who are not in Him are withered branches prepared for the fire.
He is the rock–Men not built on Him are carried away by the flood of judgment.
He is the bread and water of life–Men without Him will hunger and thirst through all eternity.
Ephesians 5:15-16
See then that ye walk circumspectly, redeeming the time because the days are evil.
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
Prodigal: I love all your scraps!
Me: Yes, I put them together and now they are going to make a quilt.
Prodigal: I love the process.
This is a short video on proverbs
Proverbs 6:35
He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts. (KJV)
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
Prodigal: I am plum tired after that walk.
Me: We can take a break then.
This is from the book When God Whispers Your Name by Max Lucado
I was mulling over a recent conversation I had with a disenchanted Christian brother. He was upset with me. So upset that he was considering rescinding his invitation for me to speak to his group. Seems he’d heard I was pretty open about who I have fellowship with. He’d read the words I wrote: “If God calls a person his child, shouldn’t I call him my brother?” And, “If God accepts others with their errors and misinterpretations, shouldn’t we?”
He didn’t like that. “Carrying it a bit too far,” he told me. “Fences are necessary,” he explained. “Scriptures are clear on such matters.” He read me a few and then urged me to be careful to whom I give grace. “I don’t give it”, I assured. “I only spotlight where God already has.”
Didn’t seem to satisfy him. I offered to bow out of the engagement (the break would be nice), but he softened and told me to come after all. That’s where I am going today.
I hope to see him today. If the subject resurfaces, I’ll say it. But in case it doesn’t, I’ll say it to you. Just one sentence:
I’ve never been surprised by God’s judgement, but I’m still stunned by his grace.
We have all been given grace when we did not deserve it. You can remember. It really was not that long ago you needed grace in a major way, or things would not be as they are today. Now maybe grace needs to be given to others. There are plenty of people to give judgement, but who can step up to give grace?
Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
Me: This is a perfect place of solitude.
Prodigal: I think it is a great place to pray!
This is from the book The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer
Lord, teach me to listen. The times are noisy and my ears are weary with the thousand raucous sounds which continuously assault them. Give me the spirit of the boy Samuel when he said to Thee, “Speak, for thy servant heareth.” Let me hear Thee speaking in my heart Let me get used to the sound of Thy Voice, that its tones may be familiar when the sounds of earth die away and the only sound will be the music of Thy speaking Voice. Amen.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.
Hebrews 12:2
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
Prodigal: Your looking fine and dandy!
Me: So are y’all! You don’t have to be fancy to listen to this video though.
Prodigal: That is good. Let’s watch.
This is a short video devotion on proverbs.
Proverbs 6:34
For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. (KJV)
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
