See the Good in the Bad

Posted on August 5, 2024 by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: Are you havin’ a fuss.

Me: Yes, I am not happy with how I did this.

Prodigal: Maybe you need to see the good.

Pray to see the good in bad things that happen. None us likes pain, uncertainty, strife, or frustration. We want things the way we want them. But the challenging and miserable times are not without their aspect of good. There are things that happen to us in those times that are as precious as diamonds. It’s during difficult times that we have the opportunity to experience the Lord’s presence in a deeper way. When we cling to Him, He will reveal the good things that are right in front of us. God often allows hard things to happen in our lives in order to bless us in some way. If we are willing to allow for that possibility in everything that happens, it keeps us from being devastated by people and situations that are ultimately going to be used for God’s glory. When we ask Him to show us the good in our difficult situations, He will.

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer. (1 Peter 3:12)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodgialpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

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Contentment

Posted on August 3, 2024 by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: She’s so sweet sugar wouldn’t even melt in her mouth.

Prodigal: I agree

This is from Charles Swindoll

We’ll miss contentment if keeping rather than releasing becomes our objective. We too often love things and use people, when we should be using things and loving people. We are most content when we’re grateful for what we own, satisfied with what we make, and generous to those in need.

1 Peter 3:12

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodialpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Women Lovin’ Jesus

Posted on August 1, 2024 by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: It’s been a long road in this.

Me: Yes, but you have that protection.

Prodigal: Amen.

This is a short video devotion on Proverbs

click here to watch the video

Proverbs 13:10

By Pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well advised is wisdom. ( NKJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Sell-out to God

Posted on July 29, 2024 by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: I just started.

Prodigal: I think it will look great!

This is from the book The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer

Let no one imagine that he will lose anything of human dignity by this voluntary sell-out of his all to his God. He does not by this degrade himself as a man; rather he finds his right place of high honor as one made in the image of his Creator. His deep disgrace lay in his moral derangement, his unnatural usurpation of the place of God. His honor will be proved by restoring again that stolen throne. In exalting God over all he finds his own highest honor upheld.

Romans 8:38-39

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

The UnGodly

Posted on July 27, 2024 by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: Tough day?

Prodigal: I’d sooner dive into a bed of poison ivy than do that again.

Me: There is hope still.

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

Christ died for the ungodly when they were yet without strength. Maybe you have heard these words hundreds of times, and yet you have never before perceived their meaning. There is a wonderful thing about them. Jesus did not die for our righteousness, but He died for our sins. He did not come to save us because we were worth saving, but because we were utterly worthless, ruined, and undone. He did not come to earth out of any reason that was in us, but solely and only because of reasons that He took from the depths of His own divine love.

The apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

Luke 17:5

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Not To Rule

Posted on July 25, 2024 by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: I reckon it is time.

Me: Yes, and I am ready.

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

Thou camest to serve, not to rule. Know that thou wast called to suffer and to labour, not to be idle, and spend thy time in talk. Here therefore men are proved as gold in the furnace. Here no man can stand, unless he be willing to humble himself with his whole heart for the love of God.

1 Peter 2:2

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

God’s Truth

Posted on July 23, 2024 by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: I don’t know if I can really make this.

Prodigal: Think about God’s love and His truth.

This comes from The Evangelical’s Guide to Spiritual Warfare by Charles H. Kraft

Because I have accepted you as you are, you can accept yourself

I love and accept you for who you are, not simply for what you do or don’t do

You are forgiven. You don’t need to feel guilty anymore

I chose you. Don’t argue with My choice

I have made you worthy and adequate

I will never leave you or forsake you

Don’t fear. Cast all your cares on Me, for I care for you.

Romans 12:2

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

There Are Many Things

Posted on July 19, 2024 by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: Look at all I am doing!

Me: Yes, you are doing a lot, what does God think of all your doing?

This is from the book Have a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver

I realized then that, while there are many thing that need to be done, things I’m capable of doing and want to do, I am not always the one to do them. Even if I have a burden for a certain need or project, my interest or concern is not a surefire sign that I need to be in charge. God may be calling me to pray that the right person will rise up to accomplish it. What’s more, I may be stealing someone else’s blessing when I assume I must do it all.

Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

Proverbs 16:3

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

O God

Posted on July 17, 2024 by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: Whatca’ think of them?

Prodigal: Didn’t give a plugged nickel for the fella.

Me: There is always hope in Christ.

This comes from the book Saint Augustine Confessions

O God of hosts, restore us to our own; smile upon us, and we shall find deliverance. For wherever the soul of man may turn, unless it turns to you, it clasps sorrow to itself. Even though it clings to things of beauty, if their beauty is outside God and outside the soul, it only clings to sorrow.

Psalms 86:4-5

Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org