Saying No

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

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

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

Rough Terrain

Me: That looks pretty tough and difficult to walk through.

Prodigal: It is and that is why I am taking a break.

Me: Let me encourage you during this part of the journey.

This is from the book Just Enough Light for the Step I’m On: Trusting God in Tough Times by Stormie Omartian

His desire is that we become more and more dependent upon Him for every step. That’s because He wants to take up to places we’ve never been. To heights we can’t even imagine. In order to do that, we have to go through the low valleys, treacherous mountains, rough terrain, and narrow paths of life- places where we could easily get lost or off the track. And there is definitely no way we can just head off on our own and expect to arrive safely in the place He has planned for us. And, quite opposite of the way we teach our children, we will never now the joy of true freedom until we understand we cannot take a single step without His help.

1 John 5:7

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodialpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Women Lovin’ Jesus

Prodigal: What to watch tonight?

Me: Maybe we can skip the old tube and instead spend time with the Lord.

This is a short video devotion on Proverbs.

click here to watch the video

Proverbs 11:21

Though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished; but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. (NKJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org

Full of Joy

Prodigal: I have something to say.

Me: I’m listening.

This is from Colin Urquhart

My dear child, I want to tell you how much I rejoice in you. It grieves Me that so many of My children do not believe I enjoy them. They are so constantly distracted by their inadequacies. They imagine I look at them with a frown instead of a smile.

Think of the joy a father and mother have when their child is born. What great joy I had when you were born again! I caused all heaven to rejoice.

I want My joy to be in you and your joy to be full. Many of your inhibitions have gone, haven’t they? I love to break through all that stuff. It’s great when you want to skip and dance and rejoice with Me. This is My joy in you. Don’t you realize I was already rejoicing before it even occurred to you?

Joy is not emotional response to situations. I am not an emotion; I am spirit. Joy is a fruit of My Spirit in your life. I don’t want to see that joy suffocated by problems and cares that concern you.

I never take My joy away from you. It is always within you and can always be expressed in your life.

For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. Isaiah 66:2 (KJV)

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org