Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-May 1, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Wednesday,

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

John’s vision of heaven in Revelation 21 and 22 is amazing; it is something to look forward to for every believer. Today we are going to consider the “no mores” of heaven. The heading in my Bible for chapter 21 is: “All Things Made New.”

When we receive Christ, He makes all things new for us spiritually. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” Our sins are forgiven, our names are written in heaven, we have eternal life, we have passed from darkness to light, death to life, we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, we have become children of God, and so much more.

Our position in Christ is so magnificent right now, yet we have even greater blessings awaiting us in heaven when we are with the Lord forever. The angel who spoke to John in his vision of the future is so exciting and encouraging.

There are five things which we call “The Five No Mores” which will be no more. Before sin entered the world these five things never existed. Once sin is done away with for good everything will be perfect, the way God originally intended: no more tears, no more sorrow, no more crying, no more death, and no more pain.

1. No More Tears – Just think how many tears you have shed in your life. Though sometimes we cry when we are very touched and happy, much of our weeping is when we are hurt and feeling deep inner pain. God himself will wipe away our tears, like a mother does her child’s.

2. No More Death – Can you imagine a place where no one grows old, no one ever dies, no one even gets sick. The Bible says, “The last enemy that will be destroyed is death” (1 Corinthians 15:26). Even though we don’t fear death because it is our transition or bridge to heaven, it still is an enemy we do not like.

3. No More Sorrow – Sorrow comes when we feel inner trauma, especially for the loss of someone close to us. There will be none of that anymore. It will be our “Happy Place.” Disneyland may be the happiest place on earth, but it can’t in any way compare to heaven.

4. No More Crying – With no more tears there is no more crying. We will be eternally joyful, perfectly happy, and completely peaceful. We will happy nothing to cry about, nothing to complain about.

5. No More Pain – The older we get the more aches and pains we experience. Injuries happen now: broken bones, sprains and strains, torn ligaments, pulled muscles, arthritis, and many other maladies. Some people live in chronic pain. Hallelujah, we will have no pain in heaven.

Let us rejoice as much in what won’t be in heaven as what will be there. Of course, our greatest joy in heaven is seeing and being with the Lord Jesus and all the saints and angels.

Have a great day of anticipation of heaven. Our sufferings here and now can’t compare to glory in heaven. Stay safe and healthy.

New bodies likened to our Savior’s body are so great to look forward to.

Dean

-April 30, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Tuesday,

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

(Matthew 6:33).

Today is the last day of April, the 120th day of the year. Time is moving along so quickly. It is a good time to reflect on our priorities. We should ask ourselves: what is my highest priority?

Some would say family, country, health, education, business, or something else. Jesus tells us where our priority should be, on the kingdom of God and His righteousness. When do this, all things will be added to us.

Seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness alleviates our worries. God is our King, and we are kingdom disciples focused on His kingdom. God’s kingdom is vastly different from the kingdom of this world in every way.

We need not fear nor worry, for our future is in His hands. God promises to meet our needs and to take care of us. In order for us to obey this principle of kingdom priority and authority, we must deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow the Lord. Pastor Greg Laurie wrote in his book entitled, Every Day With Jesus, “You cannot pray ‘Thy kingdom come’ until you first pray ‘My kingdom go.’”

Unless we let go of our will, our ways, and our wisdom, we are doomed to confusion, frustration, disappointment, and failure. When we seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness, He will take of our marriage, our family, our friends, our relationships, our business, our health, and everything else. As long as Jesus is Lord of all, all will be well.

Have a blessed day seeking first God’s kingdom and righteousness. Stay safe and healthy.

The Lord Jesus is first in the universe, is He first in your life?

Dean

-April 29, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Monday,

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

(1 Corinthians 15:10).

Paul was a great apostle and servant of the Lord. He knew he was unworthy, but that God made him worthy through the death of Christ on the Christ. He left the old life behind, but never forgot what God delivered him from.

Paul used to persecute Christians, then after being saved he preached Jesus Christ and Him crucified. What a change! His testimony was so powerful that he shared how he got saved with many people. Grace made all the difference in his life. He labored more abundantly than any of the apostles, all by God’s grace.

God wants us to leave the old life and follow Christ. We shouldn’t dwell too much on our past, but we should never forget what He saved us from. Each of us is a treasure of God, a vessel of His grace. No two people are exactly alike, we are all unique and special in God’s eyes.

One of the pitfalls we can experience is trying to be someone else. It never works. Paul wrote, “But by the grace of God, I am what I am… All of us have different personalities, different mannerisms, different experiences. This should humble us, yet it encourage us. God loves us the way we are, but He wants us to grow and be more like Christ.

All of us are a work in progress; God isn’t finished with us yet. We have strengths and weakness, we make mistakes, we sin. We have losses and gains, ups and downs—all by the grace of God. How we respond to our trials is very important; God uses them for our growth in Christ.

Let us be ourselves by the grace of God and be a better version of ourselves each day. Just as a sculptor takes a stone and turns it into a work of art, so God is doing with us. You are God’s masterpiece.

Have a blessed day by His grace. Be light and salt for Jesus. Stay safe and healthy.

The army slogan is, “Be the best you can be.” Our slogan should be, “Be all God wants you to be.”

Dean

-April 28, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Lord’s Day,

“So He said, ‘Truly I say to you, that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings to God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”

(Luke 21:3-4).

Jesus taught many parables, but this not one of them. The events surrounding this poor widow happened in right front of their eyes. Our Savior used what this dear lady did to teach His disciples a valuable lesson on dedication and sacrificial giving.

This widow, like many in the Bible is unnamed. God has a special love for widows and orphans. We can think of many widows, such as Naomi, Ruth, Anna the prophetess, Mary, the mother of Jesus, and many unnamed ones such as the widow of Zarephath who fed Elijah, the widow of Nain, and others.

Psalm 68:5 says, “A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation.” Many widows, like the one in our text today, were poor. God constantly reminded the Israelites to care for the widows and the fatherless.

One day Jesus and His disciples were sitting near the temple treasury. Jesus took note of each person that gave: some rich, others not as much. Our Lord knew what each one put in and how much money they had left. He also recognized their motives. All the others gave out of their abundance, but this poor widow out of her poverty.

She put in just two mites, two very small copper coins. They might be equivalent to a penny each. Most people would ridicule her for such a small offering, but she put in all she had to live on. Which one of us would give their entire monthly check to the Lord? Jesus commended her for her heart, not just her gift.

Jesus doesn’t require us to give all our money, though it all belongs to Him; but He does require our whole heart. As believers we should give from the heart willingly. We should tithe, which is 10%. It is the minimum we should give. I am the treasurer at our church and I collect the offerings, and deposit them into our account to pay our bills and support the ministry of the church. We have so many faithful and generous givers. Giving is part of our worship.

May the Lord help us to give of from ourselves first then our money. Have a blessed day worshipping and giving to the Lord. Stay safe and healthy.

God sees not only how much we give, but how much we have left. We can’t out give the Lord.

Dean

-April 27, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Saturday,

“He also put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became David’s servants. And the Lord preserved David wherever he went.”

(2 Samuel 8:14).

God preserves His people; He preserves His servants. He takes care of us, watches over us, and works on our behalf. He never leaves us nor forsakes us.

The word preserve is defined as, to maintain (something) in its original or existing state.” God preserved David through his battles, exiles, and hard times. God gave David victory after victory. It was not in his own strength or military prowess. He had faith in God Almighty.

We, like David, need to trust the Lord in every trial and circumstance. He fights for us, vindicates us, and lifts us up. When we try to do things we fail, we fall.

The hymn writer Civilia D. Martin wrote, “Be not dismayed what-e’r betide, God will take care of you; beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you. Through days of toil when heart doth fail, God will take care of you; when dangers fierce your path assail, God will take care of you. All you may need He will provide, God will take care of you; nothing you ask will be denied, God will take care of you. No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you; lean, weary one upon His breast, God will take care of you. God will take care of you, through every day, o’er all the way; He will take care of you, God will take of you.”

No matter what you may be facing today, God will take care of you; He will preserve you, He will see you through. Have a blessed day of peace in Jesus. Stay safe and healthy.

When we can’t, God can; His grace is sufficient for us.

Dean