All Those Converts

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

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

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

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

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

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