A Recent Conversation

Posted on July 19, 2021 by Jennifer Van Allen

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

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To Listen

Posted on July 17, 2021 by Jennifer Van Allen

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

Women Lovin’ Jesus

Posted on July 15, 2021 by Jennifer Van Allen

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.

click here to watch the video

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

Selling Cattle

Posted on July 13, 2021 by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: I brought some mooo friends…

Me: Very funny, but I think they will like this story.

Shortly after (Dallas) Seminary was founded in 1924, it almost folded. It came to the point of bankruptcy. All the creditors were ready to foreclose at twelve noon on a particular day. That morning, the founders of the school met in the president’s office to pray that God would provide. In that prayer meeting was Harry Ironside. When it was his turn to pray, he said in his refreshingly candid way, “Lord, we know that the cattle on a thousand hills are Thine. Please sell some of them and send us the money.”

Just about that time, a tall Texan in boots and an open-collar shirt strolled into the business office. “Howdy!” he said to the secretary. “I just sold two carloads of cattle over in Fort Worth. I’ve been trying to make a business deal go through, but it just won’t work. I feel God wants me to give this money to the seminary. I don’t know if you need it or not, but here’s the check,” and he handed it over .

The secretary took the check, and knowing something of the critical nature of the hour, went to the door of the prayer meeting and timidly tapped. Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer, the founder and president of the school, answered the door and took the check from her hand. When he looked at the amount, it was for the exact sum of the debt. Then he recognized the name on the check as that of the cattleman. Turning to Dr. Ironside, he said, “Harry, God sold the cattle.”

by Henry Hendricks

2 Timothy 1:8-9

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

All Those Converts

Posted on July 11, 2021 by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: God’s hands of creation are all around us.

Me: Praise God for what He gives us daily.

This is from the book The Revolution That Changed the World by Dr. David Jeremiah

Josh McDowell and Sean McDowell ask,

Do you believe for a moment that the early church could have survived for a week in its hostile surroundings if Jesus Christ had not been raised from the dead? The resurrection of the one on whom the church was founded was preached within a few minutes’ walk to Joseph’s tomb. As a result of the first sermon, in which Peter asserted that Christ had risen, 3,000 people believed (see Acts 2:41). Shortly thereafter, 5,000 more believed. Could all these converts have been made if Jesus had not been raised from the dead.

Sometimes numbers speak truth. Sometimes they represent what God is trying to do. God is working and you will begin to see, when you look around. May God remind you of His truth today.

Romans 7:11

For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Women Lovin’ Jesus

Posted on July 9, 2021 by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: It looks like it will be a great shindig!

Me: I agree, and I am going to enjoy it.

This is a video devotion from Proverbs

click here to watch the video

Proverbs 6:33

He will get wounds and dishonor, and his disgrace will not be wiped away. (ESV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

These Signs

Posted on July 7, 2021 by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: I am glad you brought a friend today.

Prodigal: Yes, he needs encouragement also.

This is from the book Jonathan Edwards by David J. Vaughan

Though it is plan that Christ has given rules to all Christians to enable them to judge professors of religion whom they are concerned with, so far as is necessary for their own safety, and to prevent their being led into a snare by false teachers and false pretenders to religion; and though it be also beyond doubt that the Scriptures do abound with rules which may be very serviceable to ministers, in counselling and conducting souls committed to their care in things appertaining to their spiritual and eternal state; yet it is also evident, that it was never God’s design to give us any rules by which we my certainly know who of our fellow professors are His, and to make a full and clear separation between sheep and goats.

Judge not unless you be judged.

Proverbs 12:1

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Looking in Retrospect

Posted on July 5, 2021 by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: I love your friends!

Prodigal: Yes, they are two peas in a pod!

Me: Hope that they are encouraged today.

This is from the book The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey

Looking in retrospect on my years at Bible college, I see that, despite all the devotional intimacies, Jesus grew remote from me there. He became an object of scrutiny. I memorized the list of thirty-four specific miracles in the Gospels but missed the impact of just one miracle. I learned the Beatitudes yet never faced the fact that none of us–I above all- could make sense of those mysterious sayings, let alone live by them.

Understanding and relationship are two different things. We seek understanding, but we do not try seeking relationship. Jesus is more than just facts, or a historical figure. He is instead the son of God, who craves relationship. Remember stillness helps increase this relationship.

Matthew 12:50

For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Women Lovin’ Jesus

Posted on July 3, 2021 by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: There ain’t no grass growin’ under Brady’s feet.

Me: I can see that, he can’t wait to take off running again.

Prodigal: Let’s watch the video first.

This is a video devotion on proverbs

click here to watch the video

Proverbs 6:32

Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; He who does so destroys his own soul. (NKJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

A Circle

Posted on July 1, 2021 by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: You are in a perfect circle!

Prodigal: Yes, I am surrounded by the circle.

This is from the book Reaching for the Invisible God by Philip Yancey

Roberta Bondi tells of a sixth-century monk overseeing a community in turmoil. Our irritable brethren are getting in the way of a proper love for God, some of the monks complained. You have it wrong. Dorotheos informed them. Visualize the world as a great circle with God at the center and human lives out on the circumference. “Imagine now that there are straight lines connecting from the outside of the circle all human lives to God at the center. Can’t you see that there is no way to move toward God without drawing closer to other people, and no way to approach other people without coming near to God?”

You are viewing that person wrong today. God wants you to visualize a circle with God in the center. Your attitude needs to change. Stop thinking that they need to change. Look at yourself and look at God.

Proverbs 2:20

Thus you will walk in the ways of the good and keep to the paths of righteous.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincouseling.org