Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-November 2, 2023-

Good morning beloved, happy Thursday,

“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God was pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God”

(2 Corinthians 5:20).

As believers we have a responsibility to represent Christ to the world as ambassadors for Christ. An ambassador is defined as, “an accredited diplomat sent by a country as its official representative to a foreign country.” This describes us: we represent the Lord Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God in sinful world.

We are living in hostile, enemy territory. God has called us to be citizens of heaven while living on earth. Heaven is our home. We live in the world but we are of the world. We have different values, different priorities. God wants us be represent Him in our character, conduct, and conversation. We are role models pointing others to our Savior.

• Character – Our character reflects who we are. Man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart. David was a man after God’s own heart. Our Lord is concerned about our honesty, integrity, sincerity, and willingness before Him and others. Paul said in Acts 24:16, “This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.”

• Conduct – Our conduct is how we live our lives in a godly and practical way. If we are Christians we need to live the life of Christ. Our walk should match our talk. Peter wrote, “And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout your stay (or sojourning) here in fear” (1 Peter 1:17). People around us are watching our behavior, which is a reflection on our Lord. Our testimony is so important important; it takes years to build it up, but we can lose it in a moment.

• Conversation – The words we speak are vital. Foul language, empty words, course jesting, and gossip can ruin our testimony very fast. We have to speak the language of heaven, which is the language of love. Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is necessary for edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” Colossians 4:6 tells us, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, so that you know how you ought to answer each one.”

Let us then be ambassadors for Christ in our character, conduct, and conversation each day in every way. Have a blessed day representing Christ our King. May others see Christ in us. Stay safe and healthy.

Living like Jesus by day and night, being His servants, living right in His sight,

Dean

-November 1, 2023-

Good morning, happy Wednesday,

“When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.”

(Matthew 17:8).

The account of Jesus’ transfiguration is found in the three synoptic gospels: Matthew 17:1-8, Mark Mark 9:1-8, and Luke 9:27-36. Jesus took Peter, James, and John to a high mountain by themselves and was transfigured before them. They were privileged to see Him in His glory. His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as the light, like snow, whiter than any launderer can whiten them.

Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus. Luke tells us the topic of which they discussed, His decease or as it can be rendered, departure, which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. He would die on the cross, be buried, and rise again. Then 40 days later He would ascend back to heaven. It must have been a such a glorious scene! It had to be such an overwhelming sight. So much so, that Peter, not knowing what to say, suggested they make three tabernacles or tents, one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. Moses represented those who die, and Elijah represented those who are taken straight to heaven without dying. Enoch was the only other person who did not die, for the Lord took him. Just then God intervened.

A cloud overshadowed them, God spoke from the cloud, saying, “This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him! As great as anyone is in this world or in heaven, no one can compare to Jesus. He is the Son of Man and the Son of God. He is God incarnate, perfect God and perfect Man. It was at that moment, Moses and Elijah disappeared and the disciples saw “no one anymore, but Jesus only. They kept quiet and spoke nothing about this until after the resurrection in obedience to Jesus.

There are many people and events that are amazing and attract our attention, but nothing and no one can compare to Jesus. When we look at Him, gaze at Him, look to Him, we have salvation, eternal life, and the forgiveness of sins. Hebrews 12:1 says, “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

The hymn writer Helen H. Lemuel wrote, “O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There’s light for a look at the Savior, and life more abundant and free! Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”

Have a blessed day looking on Jesus and looking to Jesus. Stay safe and healthy.

When we look on Jesus, everything else will diminish, decline, devalue, and disappear,

Dean

-October 31, 2023-

Good morning, happy Tuesday,

“Then He said to them, ‘The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.’”

(Luke 10:2).

On two different occasions Jesus sent out His disciples out with the gospel message. He sent out the twelve and here in today’s passage in Luke 10:1-20, He appointed seventy others to send them out to all the places He would be going as a preparation for the outreach.

The Lord always lays the groundwork for the gospel and brings forth the results. Only the Lord can save souls. We sow the seed and either we are others will reap. Jesus said in John 4:35-36, “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest?’ Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.”

Every year we celebrate our Harvest Festival on October 31 in lieu of Halloween, which is evil and promotes it among our children and many adults also. At our time together we have dinner, a puppet show, games, prizes, and treats for the kids. We always have a great time. We rent a hall and decorate it. It takes a lot of work, but it is a wonderful time for all and a good outreach.

Carl, our missionary to Spain, reported that they recently distributed 20,000 tracts in Seville, Spain. Outreach can take place to the masses, to small groups, and to individuals. We should all be part of the harvest. As Jesus said, “The harvest is great, but the laborers are few.” We need to pray for laborers and be laborers ourselves. The Lord is coming soon, the need is great for many are still unsaved.

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3:6-8, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor is he who waters, but God gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.” We are all on the same team, working together for the cause of Christ.

Are you involved in the harvest? How can you be more involved? God can use each one of us to further the kingdom of God. Be a laborer, a volunteer, a servant where you are. Our workplaces, our schools, our neighborhoods, and our communities compose our mission fields. Just share with others how you came to Christ and what He can do for them. The hymn writer wrote, “Now in the harvest field now ripened, there’s a work for all to do; Hark, the voice of God is calling, to the harvest calling you.”

Have blessed day laboring in God’s field. Stay safe and healthy.

Sharing, sowing, and serving in the great harvest of souls,

Dean

-October 30, 2023-

Good morning, happy Monday,

“The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; but when he arrived in Rome he sought me out very zealously and found me. The Lord grant him that he may find mercy from the Lord on that Day—and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.”

(2 Timothy 1:16-18).

Onesiphorus is not exactly a household name among God’s people, but he had an outstanding testimony and was a godly example. Paul also mentioned him in 2 Timothy 4:19, “Greet Prisca (Priscilla) and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus.”

Because Paul speaks of the household of this dear brother, friend, and servant of the Lord, Bible scholars believe he may have died and gone to be with the Lord. Hence, the phrase, “The Lord grant him mercy from the Lord in that Day…” Whether he was alive at this time or not isn’t important, it’s how he lived his life that counted. He was a likely an elder in the church in Ephesus. Timothy was a pastor in Ephesus and was very familiar with him.

His name means, “bringing advantage.” Every believer should bring an advantage to the saints in the local church, serving the Lord, helping and encouraging those in need, and being a blessing. This is exactly what Onesiphorus did. Are you bringing an advantage to others and showing Christ to them? He did just that in several ways: often refreshing Paul, not being ashamed of Paul’s imprisonment, and actively seeking out Paul in Rome until he found him, and ministering to him in Ephesus.

What a privilege and blessing to be mentioned by Paul in four verses in the Scriptures! What a great example he was! I have attended many funerals over the years. When a godly man or woman departs this world they leave a legacy to their family and church family. It is such an inspiration and encouragement to hear of their lives, even in a time of grief and loss.

May we live our lives fully for the Lord, using every opportunity to serve Him. What do people say of you? What is your reputation? How are you perceived in the home, at school or work, and in the neighborhood and community? A cement company used to have a slogan on their trucks: “Find a need and fill it.” When something needs to be done, do it; when someone needs help, help them; when volunteers are needed, lend a hand.

Have a blessed day being a blessed example wherever you go today. Stay safe and healthy.

Living for Christ is living like Christ,

Dean

-October 29, 2023-

Good morning, happy Lord’s Day,

“One basket had very good figs, like figs that are first ripe; and the other basket had very bad figs which could not be eaten, they were so bad.”

Jeremiah 24:2).

God brought judgment on the people of Judah and Jerusalem for their rebellion, idolatry, and disobedience. These two baskets of figs symbolize the two types of people in that day: those whom He sent to Babylon for their own good would be assured of God’s care and their return to their homeland after seventy years, and those who stubbornly remained in the land and or those who fled to Egypt would perish.

There are seven different fruits mentioned in the Bible: figs, apples, pomegranates, grapes, olives, dates, and melons. It is interesting to note that Paul refers to the fruit of the Spirit, which are composed of seven fruits. Figs in particular play an important role in prophesy.

Jesus spoke of the fig tree bearing its fruit in summer. He said in Matthew 24:32-33, “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near —at the doors!” Jesus told His disciples of His coming that it was near. He listed so many signs: wars and rumors of wars, nation rising against nation, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes. These are the beginning of sorrows right before His coming. Israel, His earthly people, are right in the middle of it now taking center stage.

The lesson for us is to be like the good figs, which were very good. God promised to take care of His people in Babylon. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Esther, Mordecai, and Nehemiah were all examples of the good figs. Our lives here on earth are good with the Lord in spite of what is happening in the world today.

The bag figs were the disobedient, rebellious people such as King Zedekiah of Judah, his princes, and others who perished by sword, famine, and pestilence. Wherever they went these would strike them and kill them.

We can ask ourselves are we like the good figs, fresh, sweet and juicy or are we like the bad figs that want our own way and refuse God’s way? Only when we do good, obey, and serve the Lord can God use is where we are. The Holy Spirit will produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, self control. Others around us will see Christ in our lives. Let us be full of mercy and good fruits as we abide in Christ.

Have a blessed day bearing fruit for the glory of God. Stay safe and healthy.

Living a fruitful life in all that we do, being a blessing all the day through,

Dean