Radical Obedience

Posted on October 11, 2021 by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: Ain’t it a day to praise the Lord.

Me: Amen and a second Amen.

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

Berger responded with the observation that I was operating with a rather grandiose notion of radical obedience. Somewhere in a retirement home, he said, there is a Christian woman whose greatest fear in life is that she will make a fool of herself because she will not be able to control her bladder in the cafeteria line. For this woman, the greatest act of radical obedience to Jesus Christ is to place herself in the hands of a loving God every time she goes off to dinner.

Berger’s point was profound. God calls us to deal with the challenges before us, and often our most “radical” challenges are very “little” ones. The call to radical micro-obedience may mean patiently listening to someone who is boring or irritating, or treating a fellow sinner with a charity that is not easy to muster, or offering detailed advice on a matter that seems trivial to everyone but the person asking for the advice.

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I CORINTHIANS 15 : 57

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

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Pride

Posted on October 9, 2021 by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: Well ain’t I looking dandy!

Me: Don’t get too prideful!

This is from the book The Dynamics of Worship by James P. Gills, M.D.

Pride is a subtle thing and often exists where it is least expected, for one can even be proud of his humility! Pride in one’s own personal appearance leads that individual to give undue attention to himself or herself. Pride of gift leads to an ostentatious display of it and secret craving for applause. Pride of position leads its owner to adopt a condescending air to his fellow believers. Pride of possessions shows itself in self-complacency and boasting. Pride of one’s ecclesiastical position evidences itself in smugness and sanctimoniousness.

This will upset you. The problem is pride and it begins with you and me. I know that is hard to read. Start to examine your heart and spirit and we both find pride is there. So to move forward, the pride has to be dealt with. The pride has to stop.

2 Corinthians 5:9-10

So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Women Lovin’ Jesus

Posted on October 7, 2021 by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: Don’t fall!

Prodigal: I won’t.

Me: If you burn your butt, you got to sit on the blister.

Prodigal: I hear you.

This is a short video devotion on proverbs

click here to watch the video

Proverbs 7:13

So she caught him and kissed him; with an impudent face she said to him: (NKJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Grant My Prayer

Posted on October 5, 2021 by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: That just frosted me!

Me: What did?

Prodigal: My friend not showing up.

Me: Forgiveness is key and communication.

This is from the book Saint Augustine Confessions by Saint Augustine

Grant my prayer, O Lord, and do not allow my soul to wilt under the discipline which you prescribe. Let me not tire of thanking you for your mercy in rescuing me from all my wicked ways, so that you may be sweeter to me than all the joys which used to tempt me; so that I may love you most intensely and clasp your hand with all the power of my devotion; so that you may save me from all temptation until the end of my days.

Psalm 103:6

The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

A False Deduction

Posted on October 3, 2021 by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: This mountain is tough to climb!

Me: Let’s just take a break right now.

This is from the book Why Jesus? by Ravi Zacharias

First, the innocent is attracted to climb a mountain. Then the innocent draws others into her orbit to keep her company as she climbs. The she seduced the others into believing that she has attained a higher status than the mountain and now has a transcendent perspective. Finally, she make it look as if all along, the mountain should have tried to scale her heights but i couldn’t, because it is not the mountain that created the climber but the climber that created the mountain and everything around it is the climber’s creation. Now when others come to the mountain, it is to find that the mountain actually leads to her.

Do not be fooled. A false teacher will point to themselves and not Christ. They may say verses of the bible and say things that relate to God. The truth is that it always ends up you serving them, and following their commands. At any time if you choose to followi the bible and that means you don’t do want they say, a persecution will come to you. When you find yourself in this situation. Get out! This is not someone God has anointed.

Psalm 103:5

who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org