Ants

Posted on September 29, 2016 by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: You got to come over here quick and see what I found?

Me: What did you find?

Prodigal: I found a ton of ants and they are working so hard together just to carry this grass away from the ant hill.

Me: I was just reading some facts about ants.

Prodigal: What did you learn.

Dr. James P. Gills writes in his book Exceeding Gratitude for the Creator’s Plan

Were you aware that there are about twenty thousand different species of ants, or that they live almost anywhere on the planet in large colonies or groups? There are three types of ants in each species: the queen, the sterile female workers, and males. The male ants only serve one purpose–to mate with future queen ants: they do not live very long. Therefore, the only ant we could observe working above ground is the female ant. When the Bible instructs us to “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways,” (Prov.6:6), it is amazingly accurate.

The truth of God’s power and knowledge is all around us everyday we just have to open our eyes to it!

When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

John 16:13

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

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When This Passing World Is Done

Posted on September 27, 2016 by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: I am on top of the world!

Me: Prodigal I am not the least surprised to find you on top of the world!

Prodigal: I might be in space next!

Me: You just never know.

Prodigal: What do you have today?

Me: A story about this world.

When this passing world is done,

When has sunk yon glaring sun,

When we stand with Christ in glory,

Looking o’re life’s finished story,

Then, Lord, shall I fully know–

Not till then–how much I owe.

When I hear the wicked call,

On the rocks and hills to fall,

When I see them start and shrink

On the fiery deluge brink,

Then, Lord, shall I fully know–

Not till then–how much I owe.

When I stand before the throne,

Dressed in beauty not my own,

When I see Thee as Thou art,

Love Thee with unsinning heart,

Then, Lord, shall I fully know–

When the praise of Heav’n I hear,

Loud as thunders to the ear,

Loud as many waters’ noise,

Sweet has harp’s melodious voice,

Then, Lord, shall I fully know–

Not till then–how much I owe.

Chosen not for good in me,

Wakened up from wrath to flee,

Hidden in the Savior’s side,

By the Spirit sanctified,

Teach me, Lord, on earth to show,

By my love, how much I owe.

Robert Murray McCheyne, 1837

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 3:18

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Holy Spirit

Posted on September 25, 2016 by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: Howdy, Prodigal!

Prodigal: I was just thinking, what is the Holy Spirit? You hear people talk about it all the time.

Me: I was just reading a book that shows how it can help you.

Beth Moore’s book Believing God talks about the Holy Spirit

The primary reason God’s Word can have such an effect on a believer’s daily life is its vital association with the Holy Spirit. When we receive Christ as our Savior, the actual Spirit of Christ or the One we call the Holy Spirit takes up residency in us. First Corinthians 6:19 refers to us as temples of the Holy Spirit. This Holy Spirit living with in us has a very strong connection to the Word of God that can easily be viewed in John 14:17 and 2 Timothy 2:15. The former calls the Holy Spirit the “Spirit of truth,” While the latter calls Scripture the “word of truth.” In the same way sin quenches the Holy Spirit within us, Scripture quickens the Holy Spirit within us.

See we can fool ourselves that we are doing pretty well but the Word of God reminds us that if we have anger, lust or pride in our hearts then that is sin. I know you might not want to hear this right now, but what is blocking your connection to the Holy Spirit is your sin in your heart. Go the the Lord in prayer and ask Him to reveal your sin to you.

2 Samuel 7:22

Therefore you are great, O LORD God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

The Storm While In Your Boat

Posted on September 23, 2016 by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: Nice boat, Prodigal!

Prodigal: Yes, I just came back from taking it out and I ran into a mighty storm, but I was able to get back safely.

Me: Glad you are safe!

Prodigal: Thank you! What story do you have for me today?

Debra Evans writes

“Come to Me.” When the circumstances of life are beyond our ability to bear them, where there seems to be no way for things to work out, when rapids hit and the boat threatens to capsize at any moment, when a sudden change in life plans cancels our dreams and reroutes the future, Jesus stands before us, and with His arms opened wide, extends this incredible invitation. Surrendering our burdens at His feet and placing each heavy parcel before the cross, we can choose to close our ears to competing commands and confusing directions, and listen for God’s voice alone.

Right now it is important to listen to God’s voice only and not the world. The world can be negative and hopeless but our true source of hope comes from the Lord.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 11:28-29

Jennifer Van Allen

www.faithincounseling.org

www.theprodigalpig.com

A Fast Answer to Prayer

Posted on September 21, 2016 by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: Wait up Prodigal!

Prodigal: I have to hurry to catch the trolley! I am late!

Me: Let’s get seated and then I will share a story with you while we wait for the next stop.

This story is from the Voices of the Faithful by Beth Moore

I was scheduled to meet American volunteers for dinner. Planning to take a taxi into town. I left about 15 minutes before the meeting time. As I closed the door behind me, my heart sank as I realized that I had locked my money and keys inside. Walking into town would take 45 minutes, so all I could do was pray for the Lord’s help to get there on time.

I jogged my way to the road and heard a sound clamoring behind me. Whoosh! An old man riding a motorcycle with a rickety sidecar attached, flew past me down the narrow road. Then, for no apparent reason, the man roared to a stop about 20 feet in front of me. He turned in his seat, looked me straight in the eyes and waved for me to come.

My heart pounding, I heard him shout, “Where do you want to go?” “I don’t have any money,” I shouted back, fairly sure he would drive off. The driver gave me a toothless grin and replied. “No problem. Where do you want to go?”

I told him my destination, and the man pointed at his empty sidecar. I hopped onto the little seat and white-knuckled the handle as the man took off toward town. Ten minutes later, we arrived in town. As I rushed to the meeting place, the team was walking up. I couldn’t stop smiling the entire evening, thankful to serve a real God who hears and answers even our smallest requests.—A worker in East Asia.

I love the Lord, because He hears my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live.

Psalm 116:1-2

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Our Solar System

Posted on September 19, 2016 by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: Howdy Prodigal! Watcha doing?

Prodigal: I am outside with my friend and we are looking at the stars.

Me: I always enjoyed studying about the stars and planets. I just read some interesting facts about our universe.

James Gills, M.D. writes in his book Exceeding Gratitude for the Creator’s Plan

The level of precision of the universe is 10 to the 10 to the 27th, a number that is humanly impossible to describe. The minute details of every movement of the stars, every element of the planets, every formative attribute of the Earth are precisely what is needed to sustain life, to the unfathomable degree that the most brilliant scientist could never begin to reproduce. The sheer magnitude of the universe that has been discovered to date is beyond our comprehension.

The planet Venus is the size of the Earth. But is has very long days because it takes eight months to rotate one time. And it is the only planet that is retrograde–it rotates in the opposite direction of all the others in our galaxy. As a result, its atmospheric pressure is ninety times greater than the Earth’s. The upper clouds of Venus drip sulfuric acid, and there are surface hurricane winds constantly, along with deafening thunder and lightning strikes, and a one thousand degree Fahrenheit surface temperature.

Jupiter, the largest planet in our galaxy, could hold one thousand Earths. It rotates so fast that one day is only eight hours long. It has surface winds of one thousand miles per hour. while it cannot sustain any known form of life, it performs a very important role for our Earth. If Jupiter were not placed precisely where it is, comets would strike the Earth one thousand times more frequently than they do, threatening our very existence. Saturn is the beauty queen of the Milky Way’s planets. Its gigantic rings are exquisite to behold. It contains seven hundred fifty times the volume of the Earth. Two of its moons perform an extraordinary feat. Every four years they shift in their orbits, looking as though they are about to crash into each other. But then, at the last “moment” they do a kind of “dance” and switch orbits.

You were thinking God is small and is unable to handle the demands that are on you. Well he is protecting us from comets by using Jupiter right now. He is protecting you right now by using someone else.

Romans 1:20

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Obey

Posted on September 17, 2016 by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: Prodigal, I think you should obey that sign and not enter.

Prodigal: Why, do you think I should obey that sign?

Me: You can see it right now, but you are going to get hit by a big yellow trolley if you do not obey!

Prodigal: I guess I should obey even if I don’t understand.

Me: I think you should.

Rachel Sinclair rights about obedience in her book Above Average For God

Obedience to the Lord is not about living a perfect life so that you may be considered religious or a good Christian. Obedience is an attitude of your heart in which you desire to honor God in all areas of your life by submitting to His authority, which means obeying His commands and doing life within the guidelines He has given us. Of course, you will make mistakes along the way. When you do , the Holy Spirit will correct you and redirect you back to the right path.

I know the direction that the Lord is leading you does not seem to be leading you to a nice peaceful rest. In fact it seems to be leading you in the path of a train, but God sees all. He is not limited with our vision. So move forward a little and submit to the Lord all you have.

1 Corinthians 16:13

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Wild Justice

Posted on September 15, 2016 by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: Howdy Prodigal! What are you doing this morning?

Prodigal: I am doing some weeding before it gets to hot.

Me: Here, take a break and I will share with you some words from Sir Francis Bacon.

Revenge is a kind of wild justice; which the more man’s nature runs to, the more ought law to weed it out…certainly, in taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; but in passing over it, he is superior, for it is a prince’s part to pardon.

Revenge is sweet or is it bitter? Or is it bitter-sweet? Revenge seems to be always the theme in those action movies that we love to watch. Revenge consumes people. Revenge defines some people’s life. Revenge seems normal. It is only by living in obedience to God that we will try His way which is different. “Vengeance is Mine” says the Lord.

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

Romans 12:17-19

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Expect A Response

Posted on September 12, 2016 by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: Prodigal I am surprised that you are out here in the rain.

Prodigal: I just wanted to take a quick walk and trying not to get stuck in the mud.

Me: I thought you liked to walla in the mud? You are a PIG?

Prodigal: Shh! Of course I do, but now is not the time to enjoy all that mud between the toes.

Me: Well I can share a story for you about some others who found themselves out in the rain.

Voices of the Faithful by Beth Moore shares this story.

As a two-year worker in India, I find that God continually reveals my need to have a life of prayer. My partner and I spent a week visiting a remote village and praying for every family. Traveling up and down the steep terrain in monsoon season often left us in the mud. Out of desperation, I prayed that God would keep our feet from slipping. Neither of us slipped the rest of the week. He showed me that I should pray through even the small things.

With this insignificant prayer answered. I decided to pray for my asthmatic partner’s lungs. Hiking was hard enough without breathing difficulties. Upon reaching another village, my astonished partner said that she didn’t use her inhaler once during our climb. God showed me that I should always expect a response.

At the end of our stay in this village, we were exhausted. I prayed that God would bring someone to pray for us. At the first house we visited, God not only led someone to pray for us, but He gave a word to us through a believer. She told us to continue to travel to remote villages to share the gospel without fear because many would be saved. Through this He showed me that I should never be afraid to pray big.

Pray through even the small things, for He governs all aspects of our lives, pray always expecting a response, for He answers; and finally, never be afraid to pray big, for He displays His awesome power.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful

Colossians 4:2

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org