Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-March 21, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Thursday,

“After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: ‘Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel.”

(Joshua 1:1-2).

Moses was dead, Joshua was called and equipped by God to be the new leader of Israel. Can you imagine taking over for Moses? Those were some big sandals to fill! Now is the time for younger men to be trained to be leaders and serve the Lord.

God told him, “Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses” (Joshua 1:3). “Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which My servant Moses commanded you; do not turn to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go” (Joshua 1:7).

Joshua was his own man, he didn’t try to be a copy of Moses, though he learned so much from him. God prepared him for his role, his ministry. It is not about us, it is all about the Lord and His power through us. The Lord said to Zerubbabel, “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).

May the Lord help us to take on new responsibilities, trusting God for the results. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.

Leading by example in a spirit of love, helps point others to our Savior above,

Dean

-March 20, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Wednesday,

“But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.”

(Deuteronomy 34:10).

Moses was a special man of God, a great leader of Israel. He led the people out of Egypt and to the outskirts of the Promised Land. Then he passed the torch to Joshua to lead them to victory and to possession of the land. Before he died, the Lord took him up to Mount Nebo, high up to the top of Piscah, across from Jericho, so that he could see land which the Lord was giving to Israel.

He could not enter the Promised Land because he did not hallow the Lord when instead of speaking to the rock, he struck it in anger. Other than this his resume was excellent. He was arguably Israel’s greatest leader, the meekest man on the face of the earth. Moses, like all of us was not perfect, but he was a great servant of God.

When it came his time to die, the Lord personally arranged his death and funeral. To this day, no one knows the exact burial site of Moses. We do know that according to Deuteronomy 34:7, “Moses was one hundred twenty years old when he died. His eyes were not dim (i.e. eyesight was not weakened) nor his natural vigor diminished (i.e. weakened).” How amazing was that!

What can we learn from Moses? He was a man of faith who lived a life worth living. The Lord took him home to glory in His timing. I like to think of his life as “a life well lived.” He had a special relationship with the Lord. He knew the Lord face to face.

As believers today we have a blessed and personal relationship with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Though we do not see the Lord with our natural eyes, we see him with the eyes of our hearts; though we can’t hear His voice audibly, we hear Him in our hearts through His Word. We like Moses have a mission on earth to finish until the Lord takes us home. Just like Moses we can have a great impact on those we come into contact with. I have friends at the bank and grocery store I see each week and seek to be a testimony and blessing to them.

Have a blessed day living for the Lord and serving Him faithfully. Stay safe and healthy.

It’s not the quantity but the quality of life that defines our legacy,

Dean

-March 19, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Tuesday,

“So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?’ He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.” He said to him, ‘Feed My lambs.’”

(John 21:15).

A story is told of a father and his young daughter. At times in his business, he had to be away to various places and he would always bring his daughter a special gift to give her upon his return. He bought her a string of imitation pearls which she absolutely adored. She wore them everywhere and even slept with them.

One day the father went to her room and asked her, “Do you love me more than your pearls? “Yes daddy, she replied I love you?” He then asked her if she would give him the pearls. She answered, but daddy, I love my pearls.” The next day, after thinking very seriously about, she went to her father and told him, she loved him more and he could have them.

Her father said he had a gift for her, and inside was a strand of genuine pearls. God’s gifts to us outweigh, outshine, and outlast anything we possess in this world. He wants us to love Him for who He is not just what He gives us. He desires our hearts more than anything in this world.

Peter had vehemently pledged his willingness to follow Jesus even to death, but He denied Jesus three times, just as Jesus had predicted he would. The Lord forgave a repentant Peter and used him mightily to preach the gospel and teach and build up the believers. Jesus entrusted him to feed His lambs and tend His sheep. Jesus loves us far more than we love Him, it’s not even close. Nevertheless we should love Him more and more; draw closer to Him day by day; and serve Him more faithfully in every way.

Have a blessed day with Jesus, loving Jesus, the lover of our souls. Stay safe and healthy.

Our love for Jesus is greater than our love for anyone else,

Dean

-March 18, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Monday,

“Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:11).

We must come to the inescapable conclusion that we need each other; for none of us can make it on our own. Our fellowship with one another is of vital importance for our spiritual growth and development.

By coming to church and having fellowship we do two necessary things: comfort and edify each other. Being an encourager is simple to do, and it carries a huge weight of blessing to those in need. We can’t all be preachers or teachers, but we can and should be encouragers.

• Comfort each other – The word for comfort can be rendered encourage. We have all been encouraged by someone at just the needed time; and I’m sure we have been on the giving end as well. Encouragement can come in many forms: a smile, a handshake, a hug, a word, offering some help.

Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much more as you see the Day approaching.” As a nation, church attendance is declining, and it is so sad. On line church is good if we are sick or out of town, but it can’t replace the fellowship of in person services.

• Edify one another – The definition of edify is to build up. It takes a long time to construct a building. Many workers under the supervision of a contractor make it a reality. Christ is the builder and we are all part of His crew building up the building of Christ. The church is the body, the building, and the bride of Christ.

In the church there are those who build up and those who tear down. There are also many who do neither. They just come, hear the sermon, and don’t get involved in the lives of others. The word edify is found five times in the Bible: Romans 14:19; 1 Corinthians 10:23; Ephesians 4:12; Ephesians 4:16; and 1 Thessalonians 5:11. There are all some references to edification which is the process of edifying.

In Romans 14:19 Paul says, “Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify one another.” Building up others is of the chief missions of the church.

Are you an encourager? Are you building up others? As the writer of Hebrews says we see the Day approaching, the day when the Lord will come. Time is short. Let us use our time, talents, and treasures to bless others. Paul knew the Thessalonians were doing it and he urged to continue and abound.

Have a blessed day being an encourager to someone today. Stay safe and healthy.

It takes effort and love to point people to Christ above,

Dean

-March 17, 2024

Good morning beloved, happy Lord’s Day,

“But as it is written, ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’”

(1 Corinthians 2:9).

Heaven is God’s home and our home as well. It is called the Father’s house. All believers in Christ are citizens of heaven. Jesus promised in John 14:2-3, “In My Father’s house are many mansions; If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again to receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

Heaven is fully prepared, fully furnished, ready for us to come. As much as we know about heaven it will be better than our greatest dreams and our highest expectations. If this earth is beautiful, heaven will be far better. There will be no more pain, sorrow, tears, sickness, pain, death, and best of all no sin.

Someone recently asked the question, “What is the first thing you want to do when you get to heaven. There are so possible answers: walk on streets of gold, view the pearly gates, drink from the river of life, or eat from the tree of life. All good things! All great things! But as for me, the first thing want to do is to see Jesus in all His glory and fall on my face before Him. Someone once said, “Where Jesus is, ‘tis heaven there.” A slum where Jesus is, is better than a paradise without Him. Fortunately for us, heaven is paradise and Jesus is there. The angels will be there, and all the saints.

So let us dream of heaven, long for heaven, and live for heaven. My second cousin has on her license place: “Livin 4 Heaven.” We will have all eternity to bask in the Sonshine of Jesus, worshiping and serving Him. Have a blessed Lord’s Day. Stay safe and healthy.

As the songwriter said, “Heaven is a wonderful place, filled with glory and grace; I want to see my Savior’s face, for heaven is a wonderful place.”

Dean