Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-June 5, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Wednesday,

“Now when asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, ‘The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”

(Luke 17:20-21).

The Pharisees were spiritually blind and missed the point of Jesus’ coming completely. They weren’t alone, so many Jews were looking for a physical kingdom, and a king who would deliver them from Roman rule and occupation.

The Second Coming of Christ will be to rule; His first coming was to die on the cross to save us from our sins. Even the disciples asked Jesus, “…Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age” (Matthew 24:3).

Thus there will be a physical kingdom in a coming day. Right now the kingdom is a spiritual one composed of every believer in Christ. His kingdom is not of this world. Jesus told Pilate in John 18:36, “…My kingdom is not of us this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”

It is such a blessing that the kingdom of God is within us. It is Christ in us, the hope of glory. We are kingdom disciples, kingdom men and women. We live by kingdom principles for Christ our King. He is King of kings and Lord of lords. We live in this world, but we are not of this world.

This world is broken, contaminated, and and ruined by sin. We live to speak the good news about Jesus and His power to save. We are citizens of heaven while living on this earth until we leave this world to go and be with Him.

Jesus our King is with us, in us, and for us. He gives the victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil. He has changed our lives. Our thoughts, motives, attitudes, and desires are different; our words and our actions are different. We belong to Jesus. We are part of the kingdom, the body of Christ.

Let us live for Christ, His kingdom and His righteousness, serving Him every day of our lives. We are His representatives, ambassadors, and missionaries to this world. Have a blessed day in the kingdom. Stay safe and healthy.

When can always sing, when we walk with the King.

Dean

-June 4, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Tuesday,

“For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.”

(Isaiah 41:13).

What a great promise to claim: God holds our hand and helps us in all we do, in everything we face. When we were young children, we held the hand of our mother or father while walking, especially while crossing the street. We felt safe, secure, and carefree. Then we grew older and stopped. We wanted to feel grown up and do things on our own.

As children of God, the Father holds our right hand. We live in a sinful, fearful, and dangerous world. He is with us to help us each step of the way. Our problem is when we try to do things on our own, by our own wisdom and strength instead of relying on the Lord.

The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 73:23-24, “Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.” It is interesting how God holds our right hand. Most of us are right handed. He holds our hand to remind us not to do things on our own. I wonder if God takes the left hand of the left handed people?

The word assuage is a great word to describe what God does for us. It is defined as, “to lessen the intensity of (that pains or distresses); to ease, mitigate or alleviate.” We can face anything with the Lord and by His sufficient grace.

Let us be encouraged that God holds our hand and helps us. Have a safe and blessed day.

There is no need to fear when Jesus is near; He calms our fears and dries our tears.

Dean

-June 3, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Monday,

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

(John 13:35).

There is more power in love than in bombs, even more than in words. In fact, saying we love each other is great, but showing it is even greater. Jesus set the standard for love.

John 13:1 says, “Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who who were in the world, He loved them to the end.”

Jesus gave the disciples a new commandment to love one another. How should we love? He said, “as I have loved you” (John 13:34). He had shown them love for three years; they saw with their own eyes.

By His love in us and through us, others will know that we are His disciples. Love is the strongest argument for the gospel, and the greatest proof of our salvation. Love is not a mere emotion, but an action and a commitment.

1 John 3:16-17 tells us, “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

1 Corinthians 13 is called the Love Chapter. The best definition of love is found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Paraphrasing, love is patient, kind, unenvious, humble, courteous, unselfish, truthful, and enduring. Love is all about others.

There is a wonderful song based on 1 John 4:7-8 that says, “Beloved, let us love one another, love one another. For love is of God, and everyone who loves is born of God, and knows God. He who does not love, does not know God, for God is love, God is love. Beloved, let love one another, 1 John 4:7-8.”

May the Lord help us to love one another fully, sacrificially, and unconditionally just as Jesus loves us. The world will see it and be impacted as nothing else can. Have a blessed day loving others. Stay safe and healthy.

Love is irresistible, uncontainable, and unstoppable,

Dean

-June 2, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Lord’s Day,

“The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.”

(John 1:43).

Two of the most important words spoken by Jesus were, “Follow Me.” Jesus called each of His disciples publicly and they followed Him publicly. Jesus used these words nine times in the gospels.

Jesus said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men (Matthew 4:19); “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead” (Matthew 8:22); “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27); “…let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23).

Jesus called us individually and personally to follow Him, no turning back. It is an abundant life of faith, commitment, dedication, devotion, and obedience. It is a way of life.

The call of Jesus is not to be feared, but embraced with all our hearts. No one can be a half-hearted disciple. We must be all in. Following Jesus isn’t easy, in fact it is hard. The devil will fight us, the world will fight us, and our flesh will fight us.

I am not a fan of UFC. It is brutal, violent, and bloody; but it illustrates the spiritual battle we are in life’s octagon. The devil fights dirty and rough. The blessing is Jesus is with us in the fight and will give us the victory.

Let us decide to follow Jesus every day. He is our Lord and Savior. Have a blessed Lord’s Day. Stay safe and healthy.

When follow Jesus, we can’t follow anyone or anything else.

Dean

-June 1, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Saturday,

“There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.”

(John 12:2-3).

Jesus was always welcome in the house of Martha in Bethany. Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and their brother Lazarus. He delighted to spend time with them. This incident occurred after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. On a earlier occasion, as recorded in Luke 10:38-41, Luke records that the house belonged to Martha, and Mary and Lazarus shared it.

Now Martha invites Jesus and His disciples over for supper. Martha served, Lazarus sat at the table with Him, and Mary worshiped Him, pouring expensive perfume on His feet, wiping his feet with her hair.

Each of these three family members represent three wonderful characteristics of the Christian life and home: service, fellowship, and worship. Our homes as well as our lives should be filled with these three qualities continually.

1. Martha represents service – Unlike the first incident, Martha was not distracted by her serving and did not ask Jesus to tell Mary to help her. She found a balance in her serving. She served the Lord with all her heart. We should always serve Him out of love and gratitude.

2. Lazarus represents fellowship – Lazarus was so thankful to be alive; he took advantage of the opportunity to sit at the table with Jesus. Fellowship with the Lord and His people is a high priority. Lazarus made the most of the time.

3. Mary represents worship – Mary worshipped Jesus. She took a pound of oil of spikenard and anointed His feet and wiped them with her hair. Bible scholars tell us that the value of it was three denarii, equivalent to one year’s wages. She had likely been saving it for her wedding day. We praise God for our times of worship in our homes as well as in our churches. To borrow a common expression, “She stole the show.” Jesus commended her and rebuked his disciples for considering it a waste that should have been given to the poor.

Our homes should always be open to Jesus not as a mere guest but as Lord, Head, and Master. I have a plaque in my home, that says, “Christ is the head of this house, the unseen guest at every meal, the silent listener to every conversation.”

As much as we do it to the least of His brethren, we do it unto Him. We serve others in Jesus’ name; we love others In Jesus’ name; we read and pray in Jesus’ name. Our every word and action should glorify His name. Every TV program should be wholesome, every book and magazine in good taste.

Have a blessed day of service, fellowship, and worship. Stay safe and healthy.

Make Jesus welcome and everyone else will feel the same way.

Dean