Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-September 13, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Friday,

“But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.”

(2 Corinthians 4:3-4).

Today’s text explains why so many unsaved people do not receive Christ as Savior: they are blinded by Satan. He is a master deceiver, manipulator, scammer, liar, and thief. His main mission is to keep people from getting saved.

What chance then do people of forgiveness and eternal life? The Holy Spirit continues to work in their lives to touch their hearts and point them to Jesus.

Jesus spoke of three types of soil in the hearts and minds of the unsaved: seed that fell by the wayside, seed that fell on stony ground, seed that fell among thorns, and seed that fell on good ground. Jesus in his parable explained how the devil comes along and steals the seed before it can take root; the stony ground represents shallow ground where the seed cannot take root; the thorny ground speaks of the cares of this world that choke the word; but praise God for the good ground, the fertile soil that produces good fruit.

Every soul saved is a miracle of God’s grace. God desires each person to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. A good example is the proconsul Sergius Paulus who sought to hear the Word of God from Saul, latter called Paul. There was a certain sorcerer, a false prophet named Bar-Jesus, who withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul from the gospel. Paul called on the Holy Spirit to strike him with blindness, very fitting for an emissary of the devil who had tried to blind the proconsul who did get saved. Bible scholars believe that Saul took the name Paul after this encounter with Sergius Paulus.

Let us be courageous in proclaiming the gospel. God is responsible for the results, we just need to be faithful. All sinners are blind spiritually. Only God can open their eyes so they can be saved.

Have a blessed day sharing the gospel with the lost. Stay safe and healthy.

There is rejoicing in heaven over every soul who is saved. Thank God when Christ wins, the devil loses.

Dean

-September 12, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Thursday,

“If the axe is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but wisdom brings success.”

(Ecclesiastes 10:10).

When I was working in my career, I remember the adage: “work smarter, not harder.” There is wisdom in that saying. It doesn’t mean we should stuff off, it just means should use our time wisely, be more proficient and productive.

In the old days when tree cutters used axes, they had to be keep them sharp. It makes the tough job easier and faster. I always try to do things better, faster, more proficiently. I also look for short cuts while driving.

I always pray for a profitable, productive, and prosperous. Of course the best way to sharpen our axes is to pray. Without the Lord we can do nothing.

So let us sharpen our axes to work smarter and more efficiently in all that we do, especially for the Lord. Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.

Working for the greatest Master,

Dean

-September 11, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Wednesday,

“Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you were coming out of Egypt, how he met you on the way and attacked your rear ranks, all the stragglers at your rear, when you were weary; and he did not fear God.”

(Deuteronomy 25:17-18).

We tend to forget and need reminders. Today is Patriot’s Day, a day of reflection and remembrance. Twenty-three years ago, terrorists attacked our country in surprise, unprovoked attack.

Over 2,000 people were killed in New York, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania. This included police officers, firefighters, and many innocent people working in two tall skyscrapers known as the “Twin Towers.” Terrorists crashed commercial airliners into them in a savage act.

Though I wasn’t alive in 1941, the Japanese attacked our naval forces based at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii. It was a surprise and devastating attack and many were killed. Pearl Harbor is forever remembered as a day then President Franklin Delano Roosevelt called “a day that will forever live in infamy.”

The Jews had their own Remembrance Day when the Amalekites attacked them on their way out of Egypt. God told them to remember this. These people lashed out against the Israelites attacking them in their rear ranks when they were weary and tired. In Scripture, Amalek represents our sinful flesh and how the devil uses it against us.

Moses told them the words of the Lord, “Therefore it shall be, when the Lord your God has given you rest from your enemies all around, in the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance, that you blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. You shall not forget” (Deuteronomy 25:19).

The Holocaust in Europe during WWII and the events in Israel on October 7, 2023 were also horrific. May we never forget and let us pray for God’s protection over His earthly people Israel and the church around the world. I still remember September 11, 2001 and the graphic images and the days that followed how the country came together and many people flocked to churches across the country. Our country was united and committed; many young men joined the military.

As a nation we lost our innocence and our vulnerability was exposed. Many protective measures were enacted to protect us from terrorists. We are still subject to attacks, and we must remain vigilant and prayerful.

Have a blessed and somber day of remembrance. Stay safe and healthy.

Jesus said to watch and pray; to be on guard against the devil in every way.

Dean

-September 10, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Tuesday,

“For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.”

(2 Corinthians 1:8).

Have you ever been burdened beyond measure? There are certain trials the press us to the limit, to the breaking point. Sometimes we don’t know if we can endure it and make through or not. The Lord knows how much we can handle, and gives us His sufficient grace for whatever we are going through.

Paul and his fellow servants went through so much that they even despaired of life. It reminds me of what Elijah and Job went through in their day. They both wished to die. Sometimes we suffer physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. We think about giving up. None of us are exempt from it.

We must bring our burdens to the Lord and cast them upon Him. He never wants us to bear our own burdens alone. Paul learned a great lesson through what he went through.

2 Corinthians 1:9-10 says, “Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us.”

Paul had many great hardships in his life and ministry, and was victorious in Christ. The lesson is that if Paul could make it, we can too. It is all by God’s mercy and grace. Let’s not give up but trust in the Lord.

Have a blessed day casting all of your burdens on Jesus. Stay safe and healthy.

We may face discouragement, depression, or despair; but always remember God’s love and His care.

Dean

-September 9, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Monday,

“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

(Luke 12:32).

It is impossible for us to plumb the depth of the Father’s love for us. He takes care of us in every way, every day. The context of today’s verse is under the general heading in Luke 12:22-34, “Do Not Worry.”

If you’re like me there are times when I worry; like all the time. Yet, we are told not to worry, not to be anxious, not to fear. Prayer with thanksgiving is the best elixir in life. Someone once said, “Feed your faith, and your fear will starve to death.” We do not have to be worry worts.

Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6-7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Jesus tells us that we are part of His little flock. Believers will not be in the majority. We are little in number compared to the masses; yet we have God’s mighty power in our lives. He is with us, makes us overcomers, more than conquerors. Nothing can separate us from His love.

Jesus is our Good Shepherd, our Great Shepherd, and our Chief Shepherd. He laid down His life for us, lives to intercede for us, and will one day take us home to heaven to be with Him.

Our Shepherd has made this tremendous promise of the kingdom. Not for some us, but for all of us. In fact it is the Father’s good pleasure to give it to us. He doesn’t give us a small share or portion like in the stock market, He gives all the whole kingdom. That is awesome! It is not something we receive when we enter heaven, we have it now and will enjoy it forever.

We may feel like little sheep, and we are, but we are God’s little sheep. Jesus said in John 10:16 in referencing us, “And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.”

Have a blessed day little flock following our Shepherd, trusting in Him. Stay safe and healthy.

Flocks that together and are protected without measure.

Dean

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