Prodigal: How is the work going?
Me: We are getting it done.
Prodigal: I am here with you.
This is a short video devotion.
Proverbs 6:5
Save yourself like a gazelle escaping from a hunter, like a bird fleeing from a net. (NLT)
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
Me: Prodigal, your friend has nice shades!
Prodigal: They look good on him!
Me: I agree!
This is from the book Exceeding Gratitude for the Creator’s Plan by the James P. Gills, M.D.
Charles Darwin expressed doubt regarding his own theory of origins when he considered the marvel of the human eye. He said: “To suppose that the eye with all its inimitable contrivances for adjusting the focus to different distances, for admitting different amounts of light, and for the correction of spherical aberration, could have been formed by natural selection, seem, I confess, absurd in the highest degree” The human eye, which mystified Darwin, is so sophisticated that it still eludes full explanation by modern science. All of the separate components of the body, as observed by twenty-first century scientists, would allow by equally surprising to him as indications of deep design and divinely inspired complexity.
We can look in the mirror and see the marvel of what the Lord has made. Even reading write now, is a blessing that we have and use all the time. Lord we just need to look at ourselves to see the most complex, wonderfully made, amazing piece of art every made!
In Christ we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence.
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
Me: This morning is wonderful!
Prodigal: Yes, why do you think so.
Me: The Lord is with us and guiding us.
This is from the book This is my Story This is my Song by Norman F. Blosat with Elva Blosat
“Behold, you stand on the threshold of a new day. I have great things in store for you, for I shall bring to pass a new thing. Many have cried to Me out of hungry hearts and have received My fullness and My glory. Many shall come to know Me in the reality of My power, those who up until now have not seen or dreamed of such a thing. This is the day of the preparation of the coming of the Lord. Many shall rejoice together in the Spirit’s work who are now at the sword’s point over doctrinal disputes and barriers of tradition; but let your heart be encouraged, a new day is dawning. I shall bring to pass a new thing, a day of gathering and repentance, says the Lord. I am the Lord and I shall be worshiped in spirit and in truth. The world is waiting for a robust church to minister to its needs, but how can a hurting, dismembered Body bring healing to a sick and dying world? By prophecies and by signs and wonders, and by healings I will reaffirm the veracity of My Word and bring the gospel of redemption to many who would otherwise not hear that I AM the Great I AM-the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. Be faithful regardless of apparent failures and discouragements. My Word shall surely be fulfilled. The race is not to the swift, but to the obedient. Thus saith the Lord!”
And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Luke 11:2
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
Prodigal: She could find a whisper in a whirlwind.
Me: Impressive, I could learn from her.
Prodigal: God gives her the wisdom.
This is a short video devotion.
Click here to watch the devotion
Proverbs 6:4
Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids (KJV)
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
Prodigal: Look at that young buck!
Me: Yes, he is keeping up with us out here.
Prodigal: Tell us a story as we continue.
This is from the book Voices of the Faithful by Beth Moore
As a missionary, the phrase “harvest” in this verse intrigued me. I began to examine some cross-references of what the Bible calls “harvest” or “season of fruit.” I came to Mark 11:13-14, which tells the story about Jesus cursing a fig tree. The fig tree had a lot of “showy leaves” from a distance, but when Jesus began to look for real fruit, there was none.
In Eastern Europe, there is an abundance of Orthodox churches with gold cupolas and ornate crosses atop. In fact, the casual visitor might think, Why do we need missionaries here? There are plenty of churches with crosses. These are the “showy leaves from a distance”; in reality, there is great spiritual hypocrisy and fruitlessness.
But cursing the tree? Isn’t that a little harsh? Isaiah 5:2,4 says that God expects fruitfulness. Judgement is always the case for worthless fruit. The Lord’s way is personal relationship-building, not personal kingdom-building. It’s a good reminder to examine our own lives and ministry. Are we abiding in Christ to produce real fruit, or are we producing showy leaves?
As a believer, I try to balance what I do for God and my relationship with God. In societies where 1 percent of the population know Christ, it’s easy to get drawn away from a deep walk with God.
In her book Empowered! Claiming the Power of the Holy Spirit, Esther Burroughs writes, “We are humbled when we recognize the working of the Holy Spirit in and through us. When the Spirit chooses us as a vessel to point to Jesus, we become the fruit bearers, no the fruit producers.”
B.B.H, Central and Eastern Europe
When the harvest time approached, he sent his slaves to the vine-growers to receive his produce. Matthew 21:34
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
Prodigal: This is beautiful what God made!
Me: Yes, it is and that reminds me of something else.
This is from the book In the Grip of Grace by Max Lucado
Ponder the achievement of God.
He doesn’t condone our sin, nor does he compromise his standard.
He doesn’t ignore our rebellion, nor does he relax his demands.
Rather than dismiss our sin, he assumes our sin and, incredibly, sentences himself.
God’s holiness is honored. Our sin is punished….
and we are redeemed.
God does what we cannot do so we can be what we dare not
dream: perfect before God.
Luke 11:1
And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he finished, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
Me: Mighty big of you to take care of the plants.
Prodigal: I enjoyed it, it was a treat.
Me: I hope this will encourage you today.
This is a short video devotion about Proverbs
Proverbs 6:3
So do this, my son, and deliver yourself; for you have come into the hand of your friend: Go, humble yourself, Plead with your friend. (NKJV)
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
Me: Prodigal, you need to watch out for evil.
Prodigal: How can I tell what is evil?
Me: Maybe this will help!
This is from the book Bold Love by Dr. Dan Allender & Dr. Tremper Longman III
Evil is present when there is a profound absence of empathy, shame, and goodness. Empathy involves a connectedness to the heart of another and a respect for their personal boundaries. An evil person is unmoved by the inner world of the other and has no respect for boundaries. Shame involves an ability to be exposed and disturbed about actual or perceived violations or relationships. An evil person is unaffected by exposure, so is consequently shameless. Finally, goodness involves a desire to see someone or something grow in strength, freedom, and beauty. An evil person seems to delight in stripping away purpose, individuality, and vitality.
Mark 2:4
And when they could not come near unto him for the crowd, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
Prodigal: Sometimes we have to be there for others.
Me: Yes, we all need encouragement.
This is from Encouragement: The Key to Caring
It is a mistake to think of encouragement as a set of specific words or phrases. Encouragement depends less on which words we use than the motivation behind them. Words that encourage are inspired by love and directed toward fear. These two conditions must be met for words to encourage.
Lord, help us today. Help us to stop the focus on fear today. Help us to look to You. Lord we need to give support and we need to receive support. We can only do that with a spirit of love. Love is God. God is love. So we are calling on You Lord right now to Help us.
Hebrews 9:2
A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
Prodigal: Looks like you have been busy!
Me: Yes, I have, but it has been fun.
This is a short video devotion on Proverbs.
Proverbs 6:2
You have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth NIV
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
