Author Archives: Jennifer Van Allen

Take the Apple

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: You are the apple of my eye!

Prodigal: Well thank you!

Me: I also have a story with an apple.

This is from the book All of Grace by C.H. Spurgeon

The child’s hand dos not make the apple nor improve the apple nor deserve the apple; it only takes it. And faith is chosen by God to be the receiver of salvation because it does not pretend to create salvation or to help in it, but is content to receive it humbly. “Faith is the tongue that begs pardon, the hand that receives it, and the eye that sees it; but it is not the price that buys it.” Faith never makes itself its own plea. It rests all its arguments on the blood of Christ. It becomes a good servant to bring the riches of the Lord Jesus to the soul because it acknowledges from where it drew them and admits that grace alone entrusted it with them.

It is of faith, that it might be by grace. Romans 4:16

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Why Is It?

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: Days of rest are too be enjoyed.

Prodigal: Yes, they are.

This is from C.H. Spurgeon

Why is it that some people are often in a place of worship and yet they’re not holy? It is because they neglect their prayer closets. They love the wheat, but they do not grind it; they would have the corn, but they will not go forth into the field to gather it; the fruit hangs on the tree, but they will not pluck it; and the water flows at their feet, but they’ll not stoop to drink it.

We sometimes are deceived by Satan that his artificial fruit and temptations are so much better than what God wants to give us. We think God takes too long. We think that God has not figured out everything like we have. We forget God sees our weakness more clearly than we do. Satan sees our weakness also. So it is then we trust God and follow after His fruit even when it seems we are suffering by doing so.

Psalms 23:4

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Women Lovin’ Jesus

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: Her tart words just drip with honey.

Me: Don’t pay her no mind.

This is a short video devotion on Proverbs.

click here to watch the video

Proverbs 11:24 One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. (ESV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

True Contentment

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: Looks like you are just getting started.

Me: I am, but I am not alone.

This is from the book Imaginations: More Than You Think by James P. Gills, M.D.

But it didn’t matter because Paul had discovered the key to true contentment: he knew this Jesus who had died on the cross for him. He knew this Jesus who rose from the dead for him. He knew this Savior who walked with him every day through the power of the Holy Spirit. He knew this Jesus who had given him a home in heaven!

Paul had faith in God’s eternal promise that He would provide for him all that he needed in life. Paul knew, in his head and in his heart, that God would give him strength to meet all his needs. And he could rejoice, regardless of his external circumstances, because he had faith in God’s provision, not just for a moment, but for all eternity. That faith-filled imagination is what gave the apostle Paul God’s perfect peace and satisfaction.

Come, all you who are thirty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

Isaiah 55:1-2

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

The Difference of Grace

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: I like your pumpkin.

Me: It is a little different, but still I like it too.

Prodigal: What are you going to share today?

This is from the book The Reason for God by Timothy Keller

There is, then, a great gulf between the understanding that God accepts us because of our efforts and the understanding that God accepts us because of what Jesus has done. Religion operates on the principle “I obey–therefore I am accepted by God.” But the operating principle of the gospel is “I am accepted by God through what Christ has done–therefore I obey.” Two people living their lives on the basis of these two different principles may sit next to each other in the church pew. They both pray, give money generously, and are loyal and faithful to their family and church, trying to live decent lives. However, they do so out of two radically different motivations, in two radically different spiritual identities, and the results is two radically different kinds of lives.

1 Peter 5:8-9

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Women Lovin’ Jesus

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: Been runnin’ all over tar nation.

Me: Sometimes we have days like that.

This is a video devotion

click here to watch the video

Proverbs 11:23

The desire of the righteous is only good, but the expectation of the wicked is wraith. (KJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

You Created All

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: Praise God for the obedience to God of others.

Me: Amen!

This is from the book Out Live Your Live by Max Lucado

God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, you created all that exists, and you sustain all through your infinite wisdom and boundless power. Yet you invite me to come to you in prayer, boldly and with the expectation that you will hear and answer me. Teach me, Lord, to take full advantage of this privilege, especially in regard to reaching others with your love. Give me a heart for those who have yet to experience the fullness of your grace, and prompt me to pray for them and for their welfare, both in this world and in eternity. Lord, bring me to the front lines of this battle. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. (Col 4:2-3 NLT)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Saying No

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: I don’t think I like that ghost.

Me: It is ok to tell them that. If they care, they will understand.

This comes from the book Seven Seasons of the Man in the Mirror by Patrick Morley

When someone asks me to do something, I no longer feel obligated to say yes merely because I have unscheduled time. Instead, like my friend said to me, I reserve the right to answer, “I’m sorry. I can’t do it. I have to be realistic.”

How do you respond when someone asks you to do something? Do you tend to feel guilty saying no if you have any unscheduled time on your calendar?

Instead of feeling guilty about not meeting everyone else’s needs, be realistic. If you don’t, you will end up as a wounded warrior, helping people who care the least, shortchanging those who need you the most, but still under a lot of pressure.

Matthew 6:1

Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Women Lovin’ Jesus

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: There ain’t no flies on him.

Me: Sure ain’t

This is a short video devotion on Proverbs

click here to watch the video

Proverbs 11:22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman without discretion. (ESV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodialpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Great Reverence for God

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: I like what you are making.

Me: This does not even compare to the works of the Lord.

Prodigal: Amen!

This is from the book Grace Abounding over Abounding Sin by Charles Spurgeon

O God, what a noble being thy grace has made man to be! I have felt great reverence for sanctified humanity, when I have seen how men could sing God’s praises in the fires. What noble deeds men have been capable of, when the love of God has been shed abroad in their hearts! I do not think angels, or archangels, have ever been able to exhibit so admirable an all-round character as the grace of God hath wrought in once fallen men whom he has, by his grace, inspired with the divine life. In human character, “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” I believe God looks out of heaven today and sees in many of his poor, hidden people such beauties of virtue, such charms of holiness, that he himself is delighted with them. “The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him.” These are true jewels that the Lord has a high estimate of them, and sets them apart for himself: “They shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels.”

Proverbs 18:12

Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org