Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-February 20, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Tuesday,

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God through Him.”

(Colossians 3:17).

Paul practiced what he preached. He did all in the name of the Lord Jesus, and taught us to do the same. There is power in the name of Jesus; there is love in the name of Jesus; there is forgiveness in the name of Jesus; there is peace in the name of Jesus.

As believers in Christ, we speak and live in the name of Jesus. We represent Him in the way that glorifies Him, points people to Him. There are two key words in today’s text: whatever and all.

• Whatever you do in word or deed – The word whatever covers the gamete of our lives. It simply means in every circumstance and happenstance we glorify the Lord. Whether in what we say or what we do, it is for Jesus. It is a great challenge and responsibility we carry in this world. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

• Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him – This is our mantra, our motto, our life’s mission: to spread the gospel, serve the Lord, and be pleasing to Him daily. It cuts to the chase, are we doing things for the Lord or for ourselves? Everything we have belongs to Him and we must use them for His glory. Without Him we can do nothing; with Him we can do all through Christ who strengthens us.

As we go back to work, school, or our regular daily activities today, let us reflect on who we are doing things for: the Lord Jesus. This will make our days joyful, meaningful, and useful to Him. We are Christians first before anything else. Christ Jesus is our Rock and we stand on Him and for Him.

Have blessed day doing all in His name. Stay safe and healthy.

When we are centered in Christ we will never lose our focus on Christ,

Dean

-February 19, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Monday, happy Presidents’ Day,

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.”

(1 Timothy 2:1-2).

Today is Presidents’ Day, a day to remember our past presidents and how they served our country, in particular George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. It is also a day to honor all presidents, including our current president.

The best thing we can do for our president is to pray for him. It doesn’t matter whether the individual is a Republican, Democrat, or Independent. It is God’s will to support them in prayer. We also need to pray for our next president in this election year.

The job of the president is the most difficult one in the world. The president works 24-7, is responsible for and millions of people. His life is not his own; we hold him to a higher standard, and rightfully so. The president always takes way more blame than credit, and are overworked and underpaid. The president is the most scrutinized and criticized in our country.

Despite how heavy the load, there are still many who seek the office. The president needs spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional strength to exercise his duties.

Have a blessed Presidents’ Day. Let us pray for our president today and every day. Stay safe and healthy.

Instead of criticizing and blaming, let us be praying and supporting,

Dean

-February 18, 2023-

Good morning beloved, happy Lord’s Day,

“Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.”

(Mark 1:18).

The first two disciples that Jesus called were two brothers Peter and Andrew. Jesus saw them and spoke to them, saying, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Mark 1:17).

Andrew and Peter, James and John were all fishermen by trade. Fishing was their livelihood, their passion; but when Jesus called them they all to follow Him without delay or hesitation. Only Jesus knew their potential for the kingdom of God. They won many souls to Christ and established and strengthened the church.

• Immediately they left their nets – For them they left the physical nets of the fishing business, but they also left a lot more. Peter asked the Lord in Matthew 19:27, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have? The Lord promised them all to sit in twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. But He also promised them and all believers, “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life” (Matthew 19:29).

What have we given up to follow the Lord? What nets have we left behind? Nets catch the fish by entangling them. There are nets that can hinder us and trap us. In those cases, we must cut the nets. No sacrifice is too great for the Lord! It may be friends, family, jobs, a cushioned lifestyle.

• They followed Him – Jesus said, Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” To follow Jesus takes faith, commitment, dedication, and devotion. He wasn’t calling them to mere religion, but a personal relationship with Himself. The anonymous hymn writer wrote, “I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.”

Have a blessed day following Jesus. Stay safe and healthy.

Where Jesus goes, we go; what Jesus says, we say; what Jesus does, we do,

Dean

-February 17, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Saturday,

“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil.”

(Hebrews 6:19).

We live in troubled times. As believers our hope is in Jesus Christ our Lord. This hope is based on His finished work on the cross and His glorious resurrection. This hope is eternal; this hope is reliable. The writer of Hebrews describes it as both steadfast and sure. It is like an anchor of the soul.

The anchor is very important to the ship. It is held by strong cables allowing the anchor to keep the ship from moving until it is ready set sail to its destination. Hope is an immovable object in times of storm.

• Steadfast – The definition of the word steadfast is, “firmly fixed in place: immovable; not subject to change; firm in belief, determination or adherence: loyal.” Our hope in Christ keeps us grounded, balanced, and stable. Paul writing to the Corinthians said, “And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation” (2 Corinthians 1:7). In Christ we cannot be moved.

• Sure – Our hope in Christ is not only steadfast, it is sure. The simple word sure carries the connotation of confidence. We often use the expression, “It’s a sure thing.” Not many things in this world are sure things. What may look good now can turn bad very suddenly. Things are always changing; but the Lord never changes. We can always count on Him. He fulfills all His promises. Psalm 93:5 says, “Your testimonies are very sure; holiness adorns Your house, O Lord forever.”

There is a beautiful hymn that says, “We have an anchor that keeps the soul, steadfast and sure as the billows roll. Fastened to the rock which cannot move, grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.”

Have blessed day, steadfast and sure. Stay safe and healthy.

With Christ as our hope we are anchored for whatever may come,

Dean

-February 16, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Friday,

“O Lord, I know the way of man is it in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.”

(Jeremiah 10:23).

About six years ago I switched from running to fast walking and it has been a real blessing ever since: no more injuries and missed workouts. When I started walking I put in the same effort and form I did while running. I now walk every day, four miles unless I have to get to the church early, then three miles.

I was shocked when i saw how many steps I walked between my exercise walking and my everyday walking combined over the last year: 3,674,686 steps! That’s correct, over three and half million steps, as tracked by my Pacer app.

It is no wonder the work walk is used in Scripture as a metaphor of the Christian life. Job said, “Does He not see my ways, and count all my steps” (Job 31:4). In today’s verse we notice that the Lord directs every one of our steps. We are not in control, the Lord is. We follow Him and walk in His steps.

The Lord never makes mistakes; He directs our steps over mountains and valleys; through heat and cold; through victories and defeats; through successes and failures; through ups and downs. Everything happens for a reason, for our good, our growth, and His glory.

So let’s keep walking spiritually and physically. Doctors agree walking is the best exercise for the body and mind. Satan attacks us and tries to hinder our walk, but he is limited on what he can do. For our walk to be strong in the Lord we must include pray, worship, read and study the Word, and be a blessing to our brothers and sisters in Christ, and to witness and testify to the lost.

Have a blessed day walking with the Lord one day at a time, one step at a time. Stay safe and healthy.

One step closer to heaven,

Dean