Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-November 27, 2023-

Good morning beloved, happy Cyber Monday,

“If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

(1 Peter 4:11).

It is hard to get by without technology nowadays. It changes our ways of doing things and overall makes our lives better. Many of us older folk have had to learn how to use it. Kids grow up with it and often are much more proficient with it. There is an old expression that says, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” We need to learn new tricks as it were. We should never stop learning, growing, adapting, changing, and improving.

Today is Cyber Monday and experts tell us that billions of dollars will be spent on line today; all from the convenience of home, office, school, or wherever we are. Cyberspace is in everyplace. Technology can be good as long as it is used for good purposes. As believers we should use it but not abuse it.

Our communication today is instantaneous, whether by phone, text, or email. I started my verse of the day to some coworkers and friends at church, and then at the suggestion of my friend Randy, set up a blog that has reached hundreds of people, most of whom I have never met, but I consider like family to me now. You are all my friends. My friends Gilbert and Gene post quotes everyday on Meta, formerly Facebook. It is a real blessing.

I am thankful that the gospel can reach people all over the world. Social media and the internet play a big part in our lives. Peter mentions both speaking as the oracles of God, and serving with the strength God which God supplies. I am blessed and thankful to do both. Each person has their own spiritual gifts and ministries. Most people in our church have at least one ministry, and some have several. We should always be seeking to do things better for the glory of God.

Covid changed so many things. We couldn’t see each other and had to rely on technology to stay in touch. Our church website is fantastic and we can do so much on line to give, to hear messages, music, to have tools for Bible Study, and to communicate of upcoming events. My friend Randy is the developer of the website and does a great job with it. My friend Gilbert and his wife Gene post updates to our church prayer list.

Let us then use whatever tools and resources God gives us to serve Him. May He be glorified in all things. Have a blessed day serving in person and on line also. It is also important to remember though, how important personal, face to face contact is. Nothing can be as good as that. Stay safe and healthy.

Being cyber friends in cyberspace, helping each other grow in grace,

Dean

-November 26, 2023-

Good morning beloved, happy Lord’s Day,

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined” (Isaiah 9:6).

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend (or overcome) it” (John 1:4-5).

Isaiah wrote of Christ hundreds of years before His birth in Bethlehem, speaking of a great light who would shine in the darkness, bringing hope, peace, and joy to those walking in darkness. John wrote of Him after His birth speaking of the life and light He brought into this dark world as the Light of the world.

John writing of John the Baptist, said, “This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through Him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world” (John 1:7-9).

Everyone of us before salvation was in darkness and the shadow of death. Sin, Satan, and world ruled our lives. We were in chains of darkness, without God and without hope in this world. Then Jesus the Light of the world came to save and deliver us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into kingdom of the Son of His love. Just imagine being transferred from darkness to light!

In 1991 I got a personalized license plate: JOHN812. I have kept it ever since. I also have a license plate frame around it that says, “Follow Jesus the light of the world.” John 8:12 says, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” People who are unsaved in the world hate the light because their deeds are evil; we who believe love the light because our deeds are clearly seen that they have been done in God.

Jesus is our light; we are children of light who walk in His light. We must let our light so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.

Have a blessed Lord’s Day following Jesus the Light of the world. Stay safe and healthy.

May we walk in the light by day and by night,

Dean

-November 25, 2023-

Good morning beloved, happy Saturday,

“The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.”

(Proverbs 13:4).

Solomon wrote the Book of Proverbs, a collection of wise sayings to instruct us on how to live in this world. He was the wisest man and king this world has ever known other than Jesus Christ our Lord. There is so much we can learn from Proverbs.

One of the best traits we can have is diligence. The definition of the word diligent is, “characterized by painstaking, earnest, and energetic effort: painstaking; having or showing care or conscientiousness in one’s work or duties.” It is the opposite of laziness and procrastination.

It should be our daily desire and pursuit in all things. Christians should always be characterized by it, known for it, and consistent in it, whether in school, work, church, or in anything big or small. The diligent person works hard, never gives up or gives in, and finishes what they start, Diligence helps us get thing done and done right, with care and attention to detail.

Proverbs 12:24 says, “The hand of the diligent will rule, but the lazy man will be put to forced labor.” When we are diligent we get up and go, do things that need to be done without having to be told, and when asked for help, gives it. Everyone appreciates diligent people and want them on their team. The diligent person is resourceful, creative, and successful.

May the the Lord help us to be diligent in all things. Let us be examples of diligence to others. It is important to remember that the Lord sees and hears everything we say and do. Have a blessed day in all diligence. Stay safe and healthy.

Being diligent to always get things done, will be a blessing to everyone,

Dean

-November 24, 2023-

Good morning beloved, happy Friday,

“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.’”

(Isaiah 6:8).

God pulled the curtain back so that we can see and hear the words of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The voice of the Lord is the Father speaking, the Us, is the Godhead, and the answering voice is the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

God predetermined to send His Son to be born into the world, to become God manifested in human flesh. He became like us, yet without sin, in order to die in our place, bearing our sins. Only Jesus was and is sinless and able to redeem us and save us.

Jesus was the perfect volunteer. He said, “Here am I! Send me.” He knew there would be great sorrow, suffering, pain, rejection, and humiliation. He was willing to do the Father’s will in order to save us. He was prepared, ready, willing, and able. He knew what He would go through and made the commitment to do it.

Sometimes it is very difficult to get volunteers in the world to do difficult, dangerous, and deadly missions. Soldiers sometimes volunteer knowing going in that they many not be coming back. It is much easier to get volunteers if the assignment is easy or pays very well. Servants in the Lord’s service seek no earthly awards or rewards, they serve the Master in His strength and for His glory. Are you willing to say, “Here am I! Send me?” There are rewards and crowns in heaven, but we serve the Lord Jesus because we love Him.

Our army in the U.S. is an all-volunteer army. There is no draft. So too, the Lord never forces us to serve Him against our will. The Lord is pleased when we show up, give our all, and finish the task. Andrew Murray said, “God is willing to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him.” The hymn writer Frances R. Havergal wrote, “Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord to Thee; Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of Thy love, at the impulse of Thy love.”

Have a blessed Friday. The world calls it Black Friday because of the great sales for the businesses as the Christmas holidays begin. Stay safe and healthy.

When we make ourselves available to the Lord, He can use us in amazing ways for His glory,

Dean

-November 23, 2023-

Good morning beloved, Happy Thanksgiving,

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance.”

(Psalm 33:12).

This nation was founded on the Word of God. Many of our founding fathers believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and established schools to educate our young people, laws to protect and support us, and defend our us from threats both foreign or domestic, and to decree freedom and justice for everyone.

The first people landed at Plymouth Rock in December 1620. They risked their lives to get here; many died in the voyage and others after arriving. The pilgrims paused to give thanks to God and shared a meal with the native Americans. We carry on this tradition to this day. The problem is: so few today really understand and appreciate the true meaning of Thanksgiving Day. We have shared these last two days about the blessing of thanksgiving collectively and individually among believers. Today it about thanking God as a nation.

Sadly, Thanksgiving has become about food, family, and football. We are good at feasting and having a good time. There is nothing wrong with any of those three things, but let us not forget to thank God first and foremost. He is the Blesser, the Giver, and the Source of everything we have. He has blessed America, but we as a country have turned from far from Him. The Doxology says, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly host, praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.”

So when you gather with family and friends today, take some time to read from the Bible and share with each other what each one is thankful for. He has done so much for us, given so much to us, and promised so much for us for all eternity. Have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving. Stay safe and healthy.

Let us thank Him on this day, and do the same from day to day,

Dean