Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-September 13, 2023-

Good morning, happy Wednesday,

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

(2 Corinthians 5:7).

The Christian life is based on faith. From the time we got saved by grace through faith until we reach heaven, our’s is a walk of faith. Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is rewarder of those who who diligently seek Him.”

In the world we believe what we can see and hear, but that is not faith. Faith believes first, then it sees, not the other way around. Jesus told Martha in John 11:40, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God.” Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Faith is composed of belief, trust, and obedience.

Paul tells us, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” Faith is unaffected by circumstances. Even when things seem impossible, all things are possible with God. Faith moves mountains. Faith must have a strong object. The object of our faith the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word. Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Our faith is not pie in the sky, it is based on what God said in His Word.

We can’t trust our feelings or experiences. I learned years ago that faith is like a train: faith is the engine, then follows the cargo car, and the caboose at the end is our feelings. We tend to try to pull the train by the caboose, and that never works. It is no wonder the apostles said to the Lord Jesus, “Increase our faith” (Luke 17:5). Faith knows God is in control. Faith in Christ calms the stormy seas of our lives.

Let us then walk by faith, not by sight. Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.

Walking by faith, day by day, trusting our Savior each step of the way,

Dean

-September 12, 2023-

Good morning, happy Tuesday,

“The first one to plead his cause seems right, until his neighbor comes and examines him (Proverbs 18:17).

“He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly to him” (Proverbs 18:13).

There are always two sides to every story: the right one, which is truthful, and the wrong one, which is not truthful or completely honest. In the judicial system, judges and juries must listen to witnesses and evidence and decide for innocence or guilt. Some witnesses lack credibility. It takes much discussion and deliberation by the jury.

King Solomon, the writer of Proverbs, was the wisest king ever, for God gave him wisdom. He used the wisdom rightly in his early reign over Israel before his wives influenced him to worship idols. One such incident occurred when two harlots brought a case before him that seemed impossible to decide. These two women were roommates and each had a child out of wedlock. One night the first woman rolled over and crushed her baby and the baby died. She then took the dead child and placed him with the other woman in the night. In the morning the second woman found him dead, but realized he was not her son. An argument ensured with both claiming the living child was her’s and the dead one belonged to the other woman. Solomon had to decide who the real mother was of the living child.

How would you like to decide that one? Both argued their case fervently. There were no witnesses. What would Solomon decide? He called for a sword and said he would cut the child in two and give each one half. The real mother loved her son so much she didn’t want any harm to come to him. She was willing to let the other woman have him. The first woman, not the real mother said to go ahead and cut him in two, that neither would have him. Solomon then proved who the real mother was. He heard both sides and made his decision.

So many times we hear something, a rumor, and make up our minds without hearing both sides. It can lead to horrible or even fatal results. In the days of the Old West, there were times when lynch mobs hung people by taking the law into their own hands. Sometimes they hung innocent people.

We tend to believe and side with people whom we like or love, believing them above others. This is why we are to not answer before we hear both sides. Many false witnesses can sound so convincing, but be so wrong. The late Paul Harvey wrote true stories by stating all the background and facts. He would then end it by saying, “Now you know the rest of the story.” The truth never changes, lies are always evolving. One lie leads to another and another.

May the Lord help to keep our minds and hearts open and not make hasty decisions based on one side of the story. It will keep us out of trouble and avoid coming to the wrong conclusions. Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.

Seeking the truth by hearing both sides,

Dean

-September 11, 2023-

Good morning, happy Monday,

“Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you were coming out Egypt.”

(Deuteronomy 25:17).

Amalek was the aggressor. They attacked Israel, especially in their rear guard. Joshua commanded Israel to fight them and defeat them. When Moses raised his hands, Israel prevailed, and when his hands became weary, and he let them down, Amalek prevailed. Aaron and Hur held up his hands and they gained the victory. God declared perpetual war against Amalek for all generations.

Today is Patriot Day, also called Remembrance Day, or just 911. It was 22 years ago to the day that we were attacked by terrorists in planes. I still remember as if it were yesterday. It was horrific. It is estimated about 3,000 people died that day. We should never forget what happened. We fought back in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Osama Bin Laden was killed as were many other terrorists. There are terrorists who are still incarcerated to this day.

There have been other times in the history of country when we were attacked by an enemy in an unprovoked manner. The British attacked us in 1812 and burned down the White House. On December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in another unprovoked attack. We fought back and won the war, just as we did against the British.

These are events we should remember and never forget. They brought our country together in a show of unity, strength, and resilience. I am proud to be an American. As Christians we are taught to love our enemies and pray for them. We do need to defend ourselves and our country.

There were many heroes on 911. Police officers, firefighters, emergency personnel, and citizens on the ground and in the air who took decisive actions. Let us remember them forever. Many gave their lives to save others. The Statue of Liberty still stands tall for our freedom; our flag still flies over the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Let us take a moment of silence for those who died on 911 or in the days afterward. May we pray for the protection of our nation and that we will return to God. Have a blessed day remembering. Stay safe and healthy.

Still the United States, united as one people,

Dean

-September 10, 2023-

Good morning, happy Lord’s Day,

“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”

(Proverbs 16:9).

When we know the Lord Jesus as Lord and Savior, He promises to lead us, guide us, and direct us in the way we should go. We make plans in life for school, work, vacations, marriages, and all things in life, but it is the Lord who directs our steps. It is a blessing to let the Lord lead us according to His will and plan for us. His ways are always best.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not our your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” To acknowledge Christ is to obey, follow, and trust the Lord in and for everything. This represents both a command and a promise.

We need not fear, worry, or be troubled, for the Lord goes before us and is with all through the journey of life. There are many trials, but the Lord sees us through them all. The word direct can be translated, “make smooth or straight.” John wrote in 1 John 2:6, “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk as He walked.”

The great hymn writer Fanny Crosby wrote, “All the way my Savior leads me—Cheers each winding path I tread, gives me grace for every trial, feeds me with the living bread. Though my weary steps may falter and my soul athirst may be, gushing from the Rock before me, Lo! a spring of joy I see; gushing from the Rock before me, Lo! a spring of joy I see.”

Let us walk in peace, joy, comfort in Jesus Christ our Lord. Have a blessed Lord’s Day. Stay safe and healthy.

When the Lord directs our steps in His way, we are blessed both night and day,

Dean

-September 9, 2023-

Good morning, happy Saturday

“He who walks with the wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.”

(Proverbs 13:20).

We choose our friends, and we should choose them wisely. They can either encourage us and build us up, or they can discourage us and tear us down. Solomon tells us, “He who walks with wise men will be wise…” People tend to rub off on us, whether in good ways or bad. When we walk with the wise, we will be wise. This is why older men and women usually have more wisdom and make the best mentors. They have the experience and maturity in Christ.

As believers, we should listen to godly counsel and follow it. It is the wise and prudent thing to do. Proverbs 3:13 says, “Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding.” Solomon also wrote, “A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain (or acquire) wise counsel” (Proverbs 1:5).

There is an old expression that says, “A word to the wise.” God’s wisdom comes from above to help us below. Proverbs 9:9-10 tells us, “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a just man, and he will increase In understanding. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Let us the walk with the wise to be wise. May we encourage, uplift, and strengthen one another. Have a blessed day in Jesus. Stay safe and healthy.

Being wise in unwise world,

Dean