Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-February 25, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Lord’s Day,

“Now when the people complained, it displeased the Lord; for the Lord heard it, and His anger was aroused. So the fire of the Lord burned among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp.”

(Numbers 11:1).

What struck me about this verse is that the Lord heard their complaints and was displeased and angry. The Israelites were chronic complainers. They complained against God and against Moses and Aaron. Nothing seemed to please them.

The Lord did so much for them in delivering them from their bondage in Egypt, parted the Red Sea so they could pass through on dry ground, and killing Pharaoh and his entire army. He provided water to drink from the rock, manna and quail to eat. Still they complained, and complained, and complained some more.

We are no different, in fact we have more to be thankful for, and we have the whole Bible and we should know better. Paul wrote in Philippians 2:14, “Do all things without complaining or disputing.” The word complaining can be rendered grumbling, and the word disputing can be translated arguing.

God hears us when we complain. He even hears the thoughts of our hearts. Instead of complaining we should be thanking the Lord and trusting Him in everything. The Lord sometimes tests us to see how we handle difficulty, hardship, sorrow, pain, and disappointment.

Being around a chronic complainer is both odious and obnoxious. Worse yet being a chronic complainer ourselves. If we could just listen to a recording of our thoughts and words would be eye opening and shocking.

Let us then be cognizant of our own complaints and turn them into praise to God instead. Have a blessed and thankful day without complaint.

Thanking God proactively prevents complaining reactively,

Dean

-February 24, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Saturday,

“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

(Psalm 16:11).

Psalm 16 is a rich and beautiful psalm written by David. Today’s verse is at the end of the chapter, a very fitting conclusion indeed. The path of life is a path of truth and righteousness. It is the narrow way which leads to everlasting life.

The path of life is both physical and most of all spiritual. Physically our path began at conception and birth and ends at death or the Rapture whichever comes first. The spiritual path begins when we are born again.

We have life in Jesus Christ, life abundant and eternal. To be walking in God’s path is the best terrain for spiritual gain. When we walk according to God’s we experience peace and joy on a daily basis.

We experience God’s presence on earth by walking with Him by faith. It gives us fulness of joy and pleasures forevermore. This will be fully fulfilled when we get to heaven. Psalm 119:35 says, “Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it.” Do you delight in God’s path?

We often hear the expression, “the right path.” The right path is God’s path. We will never go wrong. Have a blessed day walking in God’s path. Stay safe and healthy.

The path of God is plain and brings great gain,

Dean

-February 23, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Friday,

“He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.”

(Mark 12:30).

Jesus made it crystal clear: one is either with Him or against Him. Every person must make his or her own decision. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life; the only way to salvation and eternal life.

The Pharisees and Sadducees were clearly against Jesus; the chief priests were against Him, and there were others as well. The common people loved Him; they flocked to hear his teaching and be healed by Him. There were some religious leaders like Nicodemus and few others that believed in Him and followed Him, but they were in the minority.

In the days of the Israelites in the wilderness, there were rebels who sinned against the Lord and were unrestrained. Moses asked the question, “Whoever is on the Lord’s side—come to me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him. And he said to them, ‘Let every man put his sword on his side, and go in and out from entrance to entrance throughout the camp, and let every man kill his brother, every man his companion, and every man his neighbor” (Exodus 32:26b-27). The Levites stood with Lord and Moses.

We are on the Lord’s side; we stand with Him and for Him. There is no middle ground, no gray area. Jesus tells, “Follow Me.” When Jesus spoke some hard sayings, there were many who went back and followed Him no more. Jesus turned to the twelve and asked, “Do you also want to go away?” Peter spoke up for himself and all of them, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. And we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:68).

Let us then be on the Lord’s side no matter what the cost. Have a blessed day following Jesus. Stay safe and healthy.

There are only two sides: choose wisely, choose Christ,

Dean

-February 22, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Thursday,

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

(Luke 12:32).

There are such benefits and blessings for the child of God. Jesus is our Shepherd and we are part of His little flock. This phrase little flock is used also of Israel in 1 Kings 20:27, “And the children of Israel were mustered and given provisions, and they went against them. Now the children of Israel encamped before them like two little flocks of goats, while the Syrians filled the countryside.”

We may be a small number, a little flock, compared to the vast numbers of unbelievers in this world, but we are mighty. In fact, the Lord said, …it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Think of that for a moment, God has promised us the kingdom.

Christ is the King and we are part of the kingdom and we have the kingdom. Not just a little part of the kingdom, but all the kingdom, the whole enchilada. This kingdom is vast, immeasurable, and eternal.

Hebrews 12:28 says, “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” With such an unshakeable kingdom, we cannot be shaken.

Have a blessed serving the King in His kingdom. Stay safe and healthy.

Kingdom men and women have no fear, when Jesus our Savior is very near,

Dean

-February 21, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Wednesday,

“And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, ‘Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother. ‘“

(Mark 3:34-35).

Jesus is our Savior, our Brother, our Friend. When we get saved we become part of the family of God. He adopted us and made us His children. That makes each of us brothers and sisters in Christ.

One day Jesus was gathered with a group of disciples sitting in a circle listening to His word. Just then His brothers and mother came and stood outside, sending word to Jesus that they wanted to see Him.

They brought word to Jesus, saying, ‘Look Your mother and your brothers are outside seeking You’” (Mark 3:32). Everyone assumed that Jesus would stop everything and to speak to His family. Jesus looked around at His followers and made the wonderful statement, “Here are My mother and brothers! For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother,”

We are closer to the Lord and His people than our natural families. Jesus loves everyone but has a special love for His people. He wants to be close to us, and we want to be close to Him. Jesus puts a high priority on those who do the will of God.

The hymn writers Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote, “I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God—I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood! Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod, For I’m part of the family, the family of God.”

Mary of Bethany sat at Jesus’ feet; John reclined on His bosom. Will you draw closer to Jesus and spend more time with Him?

Let us stay close to Jesus. Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.

When we draw near to God, He draws near to us,

Dean