Ministry

Posted on March 31, 2021 by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: Lord be with us today.

Me: Yes, that is my prayer also

This is from Making Sense of the Ministry by Warren and David Wiersbe

The foundation of ministry is character.
The nature of ministry is service.
The motive of ministry is love.
The measure of ministry is sacrifice.
The authority of ministry is submission.
The purpose of ministry is the glory of God.
The tools of ministry are the Word of God and prayer.
The privilege of ministry is growth.
The power of ministry is the Holy Spirit.
The model for ministry is Jesus Christ.

Psalms 107:1

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

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Women Lovin’ Jesus

Posted on March 29, 2021 by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: There’s a crowd here today!

Prodigal: Yep, we need some truth.

Me: Well, the word of God can be some great truth!

This is a short video devotion on Proverbs

click here to watch the video

Proverbs 6:16

These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: (NKJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

In the Hands of God

Posted on March 27, 2021 by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: What do you see?

Prodigal: Something beautiful and full of love.

This is from the book With Christ in the Garden by Lynn James Radcliffe

The ultimate event is in the hands of God. His purpose will finally win through. When eternity speaks, God will be seen to be victorious. This is the tremendous faith in which a Christian lives. We are confident that nothing is too hard for God. Evil events can hinder His purpose, but they cannot stop it. The omnipotence of God will never be overwhelmed by tragedy. The mountain torrents may rage with foam and fury, but the slope on which they run is in the hands of God.

It was the perspective of the eternal which was most real to the Master in His last prayer. Earlier, in the Upper Room, Jesus had said, “Ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice.” If we are limited to the events of earth, life does not make sense; but if man has eternity in his heart, then we can dare to believe that in the wider boundaries of immortal life the purpose of God will find fulfillment.

Ephesians 4:25

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

What May Edify

Posted on March 25, 2021 by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: What do you think of my friends?

Me: They are as cute as buttons!

This is from the book The Imitation of Christ by Thomas Kempis

Desire to be familiar with God alone and His Angels, and avoid the acquaintance of men. We must have charity towards all, but familiarity with all is not expedient. Sometimes it falleth out, that a person unknown to us waxeth bright from the good report of others; yet his presence darkeneth they eyes of the beholders. We think sometimes to please others by our company, and we begin rather to displease them with the wickedness which they discover in us.

Psalms 24:7-8

Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle!

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Women Lovin’ Jesus

Posted on March 23, 2021 by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: Sometimes we don’t grow straight, but more in a circle.

Prodigal: We grow with the sun though.

Me: Yes, we grow with the son.

This is a short video devotion on proverbs.

click here to watch the video

Proverbs 6:15

Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. (KJV).

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

The Doors to Peace

Posted on March 21, 2021 by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: There are two doors to go in.

Prodigal: I am not sure which to take.

Me: Maybe this will help.

How do we find the peace and simplicity we crave in our lives? I think the answer lies in patience and prayer.

We all like to be busy, active, doing; we want to be in control of our lives. But sometimes circumstances force us to accept that we can do nothing. All we can do is be patient and pray.

But notice that life has to force us to this point. We speak as though patience and prayer were a sort of last resort for people who are too weak or too desperate to do anything else. We turn to prayer only when we are alone and undisturbed, and we practice patience only when we have to. After all, most of us would rather have what we want now, not later, and we’d rather be able to get it through our own efforts, rather than wait on God. And so we strive and strive, and our lives become more and more hectic and complicated.

In reality, though, patience and prayer should be our first resort, for they are the tap lines that enable us to find peace even in the midst of life’s busyness and noise. They are the doors that lead us into God’s peace. And they are the lessons that teach us simplicity.

from Keep It Simple by Ellyn Sanna

In your patience possess ye your souls.

Luke 21:19

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

A Fulfilling Life

Posted on March 19, 2021 by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: Is your friend happy?

Prodigal: I think so?

Me: Sometimes we need direction.

This is from the book Paul: A Man of Grace and Grit by Charles Swindoll

I’m convinced there are at least three essentials for a fulfilling life: a clear sense of personal identity, a strong sense of mission, and a deep sense of purpose.

Over the years, I’ve observed that people who know who they are, who possess a clear sense of their mission, and who understand God’s plan and purpose for their lives, are people who experience genuine fulfillment. That doesn’t mean they don’t face extreme obstacles. Rather, it means they have learned to face those challenges in ways that transform obstacles into opportunities. Rather than stumbling over them, they press on through them.

Some days have surprises. The Lord gives surprises and so does the enemy but remember the Lord’s surprises are filled with blessings!

Psalm 37:4

Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Women Lovin’ Jesus

Posted on March 17, 2021 by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: Time to sew!

Prodigal: You reap what you sew…..

Me: I am not doing that sewing….or maybe I am…

This is a short video devotion on proverbs.

click here to watch the video

Proverbs 6:14

who plots evil with deceit in his heart–he always stirs up conflict. (NIV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

A Limp

Posted on March 15, 2021 by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: Your friend looks like he has a little wear and tear.

Prodigal: That is perfectly fine with me.

This comes from the book Overcoming Spiritual Blindness by James P. Gills, M.D.

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” ( 1 Pet. 5:6). The familiar maxim “no pain, no gain” is as true of our spiritual life as it is of our sporting life. Jamie Buckingham was humbled by the pain of his sin when, as a very young minister, he plummeted from a first-class act to a man without a job, respect, or fellowship. As a result, he learned that we can only become strong after we have been made weak. Jamie, like all of us, had trusted in his own intelligence and his abilities as an entrepreneur to achieve what he wanted and what he felt his church needed. He trusted in himself. It was only after he had suffered that he learned to depend fully upon God. Then he found himself and his destiny–in God alone. Jamie Buckingham needed to be “crippled” to become strong; he learned to walk with a limp. It was his firm conviction that you cannot trust anyone that does not limp. One who does not limp, who does not exhibit a wounding, may not have withstood sufficient misery to have become completely prostrate before the Creator in humility–to have been brought under the mighty hand of God through suffering.

We cannot explain or understand what God is bringing about from the suffering, we have had to endure. The Lord will bring good, but until then worship Him and have trust.

John 15:12-14

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no other than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org