Built for God

Posted on March 5, 2016 by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: Howdy Prodigal!

Prodigal: I was just thinking of you! As I wait for a friend, why don’t you share some encouragement with me!

Today I am sharing from Oswald Chambers

When we are young in grace there is a note of independence about our spiritual life: “I don’t intend anyone to tell me what to do, I intend to serve God as I choose.” It is an independence based on inexperience, an immature fellowship; it lacks the essential of devotion. Some of us remain true to the independent following and never get beyond it; but we are built for God Himself, not for service for God, and that explains the submissions of life. We can easily escape the submissions if we like to rebel against them, but the Spirit of God will produce humiliation if we do not submit.

I have been there and done that. I did not want to submit to God and wanted to do what I choose to do. I can also tell you that God then choose to humble me and I had to walk that walk. It was good for me to be humbled. I had to learn how not to fight against God. I know some of you are learning the same thing right now. You are learning how not to fight against God.

2 Peter 3:18

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincousenling.org

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The Rest Is History

Posted on March 3, 2016 by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: I am so glad that you stopped by!

Me: What is going on?

Prodigal: Just I am reminded of thoughts of the past couple of years and would like some insight.

Me: I can give you a story from Start Where You Are by Chuck Swindoll. I hope it helps!

Joseph after suffering years of abuse brought on by his hateful brothers’ mistreatment, he lived to see the day when the tables were turned. Joseph was powerful, wealthy, respected, and surrounded by bodyguards. His brothers were weak, broke, unprotected, guilty to the core. It was his moment to unleash his rage and retribution. And these guys had it coming…in spades!

Instead, the son of Jacob and Rachel did the unexpected.

His action shocked his brothers down to their worn-out sandals. After all those years of guilt and dread and self-recrimination, he wasn’t going to spring a get-even attack? Not even a tongue-lashing? As it turned out, those who so richly deserved hatred and retribution received love and forgiveness. And the rest is history…..beautiful, beautiful history.

I know what you did. I saw it all. I choose not tell others or you. You thought you could go behind closed doors and pull others in to do this and that for the Lord’s name. I was not naive. I choose to stay. I choose to take the suffering. Why would I do that?

For this day. This day to say that from the beginning. I have been able to see God’s love for you! God told me to stay and love you. God told me that HE wants HIS LOVE to Be SEEN! I forgive you for it all. I just want you to really see that God’s love and his grace is so MUCH MORE than rules and our own selfish plans

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved—Ephesians 2:4-5

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Glorious Sights of God

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: Howdy, Prodigal! Who is your friend with the knife.

Prodigal: He is just ready for battle that is all. His king has called him to the fight.

Me: Before he goes I would like to give some encouragement.

This is from Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer the founder of Dallas Theological Seminary.

Committed Christians are placed on the front lines of the battle. It’s the place where the enemy’s fiercest pressure is felt, but it also offers the best view of his crushing defeat. You’ll never grow beyond the power of temptation. You’ll see it in ever-new, more devious forms. But your eyes will be filled with the glorious sights God reserves for those who follow Him with the utmost devotion.

We may walk an uphill road, but we walk it with plenty of company—with fellow believers, a cloud of witnesses from the past, and with God Himself.

I am in the battle with you right now! You are not alone. Lets walk together with God in front.

Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org