Yearly Archives: 2021

Why Are You So Fearful

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: Well dab burn it!

Me: What?

Prodigal: I forgot to get cash.

Me: I can help you.

This is from the book Joy in Christ’s Presence by Charles Spurgeon

“Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?” (Mark 4:40). Faith and calm go together. If you believe, you will rest; if you will simply cast yourself upon your God, surrendering absolutely to His will, you will have mercy, joy, and light. Even if we have no faith, the Lord will sometimes give us the blessing that we need, for He delights to do more for us than we have any right to expect of Him. However, usually the rule of His kingdom is, “According to your faith be it unto you’ (Matthew 9:29)

Do not be afraid just because you do not understand what is happening. The plan will unfold step by step and you will see the Lord’s hand in it. You will see the people that will be involved and what you will have to do. Right now it is more about a stillness. Right now is more about some rest and quiet.

1 Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marveous light.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Women Lovin’ Jesus

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: These have turned out well.

Me: Yes, I like how they look.

This is a short video devotion on Proverbs

click here to watch the video

Proverbs 7:20

He has taken a bag of money with him, And will come home on the appointed day. (NKJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Man’s Redemption

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: Sometimes the day is good and sometime the day is way too busy.

Me: Yes, and we need help when we are overwhelmed.

This is from the book Vocabulary of Faith by Hampton Adams

Man’s redemption cannot come from what man can do for God but by way of what man, though faith in Jesus Christ, will allow God to do to him.

Right now in this moment you cannot understand all that God would like to do for you. There has been hurt and mistrust from people in your family. There has been suffering because they have been hurt and with out realizing it have hurt you. God wants healing to take place. He does not want you withdrawing so that you try to avoid the emotions and hurts. He wants to expose them so that He can heal them. The Lord Jesus is a good, good Father and He wants to show you what that means.

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

PHILIPPIANS 4 : 5

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

From Our Unbelief

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: I was just going to talk with you about that book!

Prodigal: Let’s dive right in.

This is from the book Joy in Christ’s Presence by Charles Spurgeon

I think I have known some of Christ’s disciples who have appeared to doubt the wisdom or the love of their Lord. They did not quite say that He was mistaken, but they said that He moved in mysterious way. They did not quite complain that He was unkind to them, but they whispered that they could not reconcile His dealings with His finite love. Alas, Jesus has endured much from our unbelief! May this illustration help us to see our spots, and may the love of our dear Lord remove them!

It is difficult for me. I know the Lord loves me and He has put this desire in my heart. I know He has confirmed over and over again it will happen. As the days, months and even years go by, nothing has changed. The world would say I have been forgotten. The word says He will never leave me. The world says give up hope. The word says that all things are possible with God. As time goes on sometimes it gets harder. I know as I seek God, though He wants to grow my faith. He wants me to walk by faith. Lord help my unbelief today and do not let me believe with the faith of the world. Help me believe with the faith of a mustard seed!

Hebrews 13:1-2

Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Women Lovin’ Jesus

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: Looks at the path in front of us.

Me: Yes, there is light shinning the way.

This is a short video devotion on Proverbs

click here to watch the video

Proverbs 7:19

For my husband is not at home; He has gone on a long journey.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

A Small Cathedral

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: Your friend might be a little sweet on you!

Prodigal: That is fine with me.

This is from the book The Applause of Heaven by Max Lucado

A small cathedral outside Bethlehem marks the supposed birthplace of Jesus. Behind a high altar in the church is a cave, a little cavern lit by silver lamps.

You can enter the main edifice and admire the ancient church. You can also enter the quiet cave where a star embedded in the floor recognizes the birth of the King. There is one stipulation, however. You have to stoop. The door is so low you can’t go in standing up.

The same is true of the Christ. You can see the world standing tall, but to witness the Savior, you have to get on your knees.

So…

while the theologians were sleeping

and the elite were dreaming

and the successful were snoring,

the meek were kneeling.

They were kneeling before the One only the meek will see. They were kneeling in front of Jesus.

1 Peter 2:3

If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Get Out of the Judgement Seat

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: How are you?

Prodigal: I feel like something the cat dragged in.

This is from the book In the Grip of Grace by Max Lucado

We condemn a man for stumbling this morning, but we didn’t see the blows he took yesterday. We judge a woman for the limp in her walk, but cannot see the tack in her shoe. We mock the fear in their eyes, but have no idea how many stones they have ducked or darts they have dodged.

Are they too loud? Perhaps they fear being neglected again. Are they too timid? Perhaps they fear failing again. Too slow? Perhaps they fell the last time they hurried. You don’t know. Only one who has followed yesterday’s steps can be their judge.

Not only are we ignorant about yesterday, we are ignorant about tomorrow. Dare we judge a book while chapters are yet unwritten? Should we pass a verdict on a painting while the artist still holds the brush? How can you dismiss a soul until God’s work is complete? “God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again” (Phil 1:6).

1 Peter 2:1

Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Women Lovin’ Jesus

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Prodigal: It is peaceful here.

Me: Yes, it is and I enjoy feeling God’s presence with us.

This is a short video devotion.

Click here to watch the video

Proverbs 7:18

Come, let us take our fill of love until morning; Let us delight ourselves with love. (NKJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

An Act of Redemption

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: She is so beautiful and wonderfully made.

Prodigal: Yes, I am glad I have had this time with her.

Vocabulary of Faith by Hampton Adams

God accomplished in Jesus Christ an act of redemption for all time and eternity. Man’s separation from God is due to man’s pretension that he is sovereign. All evil results from this conceit. Because of the separation man sooner or later comes to know that his life is without power and without meaning. And because of the separation he has deprived himself of the source of power and meaning. He is unable to bore through these affectations to the wellsprings of his own life. It is at the depth where deep calls out to deep, that he can know God.

Lord we need you to give us the strength to handle those people and situations that challenge us to sin with our words. We need to to show us how the enemy would like to distract us with those people and situations. Lord we need you to remind us of who we are and not what these people say we are.

The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

MATTHEW 6 : 22

Jennifer Van Allen

On Our Knees

Posted on by Jennifer Van Allen

Me: You have a climb to make.

Prodigal: Yes, and I am not going to do it alone!

This is from the book God Will Make A Way: Stories of Hope

A young mountain climber was making his first climb in the Swiss Alps, accompanied by two stalwart and experienced guides. The young man was well-prepared for the climb physically, and although the ascent was steep and hazardous, he felt secure with one guide ahead of him and the other following.

For hours they climbed. Breathless and weary, they finally reached the rocks protruding through the snow at the summit. The guide leading the way stepped aside for the last few yards of the ascent so that the young mountain climber might have his first glimpse of the view–a wonderful panorama of snow capped peaks and the bright, cloudless sky.

Clamoring up the rocks, the young man leaped to the top. The guide quickly grapped hold of him and pulled him down. The young man had no way of knowing that fierce gales often blew across the summit rocks, winds, strong enough to push him off balance. The guide quickly informed him of the dangers, saying, “On your knees, sir! You are never safe here except on your knees!”

How true for us!

The safest and most secure place we can find on this earth in the Lord when we are on our knees before Him. There is no room for pride, for there is nothing about the glory of God that we can earn or for which we can take credit. To glorify God is to exalt Him without any other thought in our mind or motive in our heart other than pleasing Him with our praise and worship. He becomes our everything, and the very atmosphere we breathe is God’s presence.

Come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. Psalm 95:6-7

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org