Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-October 23, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Thursday,

“Thus says the Lord: ‘Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor the rich man in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me…”

(Jeremiah 9:23).

People glory in something; it may be a skill or talent, in knowledge or talent. But glorying in anyone and not the Lord. This is what we refer to as “vain glory.” It exalts self.

In our text, the prophet Jeremiah speaks the word of the Lord. He says, “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man in his might, nor the rich man in his riches.”

John McArthur once said, “When you trust in man, you see what man can do; when we trust in mechanisms, you see what mechanisms can do; but when you trust in God, you see what God can do.” Yes, God can do all things.

(in progress)

-October 22, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Wednesday,

“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”

(1 Timothy 1:16).

Paul wrote two epistles to Timothy, his son in the faith, the pastor in Ephesus. Timothy was still a relatively young man with huge responsibilities. Paul warned him of the danger of false doctrine and instructed him to preach and teach, counsel, shepherd the flock, as live as a godly example.

In today’s verse Paul emphasizes the central theme of his message: the gospel. The gospel is the life changing good news. The gospel message is worthy of all acceptance. We should preach the gospel to all people.

Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:2, “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season”Not everyone will receive Christ. There are those who reject Him and oppose the truth. Paul encourages Timothy to stand firm and live out what he preaches.

Paul never forgot his life prior to salvation. He says in 1 Timothy 1:13-14, “Although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.”

Paul considered himself the chief of sinners. Christ revolutionized his life and used him in a very mighty way. It reminds me of Luke 19:10, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Praise God we are sinners saved by grace!

Have a blessed day proclaiming Jesus the Savior of sinners. Stay and safe and healthy.

Sin ruined us, grace rescued us, a heaven received us.

-October 21, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Tuesday,

“But we command you, brethren, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.”

“Withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received.”

(2 Thessalonians 3:6).

There is no room for disorderliness in the church of God. According to 1 Corinthians 14:40, “Let all things be done decently and in order.”

Paul urges the Thessalonians to walk according to the tradition which they received from him. There are traditions that are passed down, some good and some bad. For example, the Pharisees had their own traditions which often contradicted the Scriptures, especially the spirit of the law. They added their own traditions to the law. A set of rules that were heavy and burdensome,

The Greek word for tradition is paradosis. meaning to is a handing down or over. The traditions Paul was writing about refers to the divinely inspired Word of God. God gives us principles to follow, promises to clam, and commands to obey.

May we keep the traditions of God and not of men. Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.

God’s tradition leads to a healthy heart condition.

Dean

-October 20, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Monday,

“And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.’”

(Genesis 2:16-17).

God gave Adam and Eve one clear, simple, command: not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. On the other hand, they could eat freely from every other tree in the Garden of Eden, and I am sure there were many great ones. Personally, I love many kinds of fruits. If I don’t like a particular one, I choose a different one.

By eating from the forbidden fruit there were both consequences and repercussions for Adam and Eve, their children, and every human being since. The difference between a consequence and a repercussion is the former is a direct result of our actions and the latter are unintended results that occur sometime later, usually with unwelcome results to ourselves and others.

When Adam and Eve sinned, the result was spiritual and physical death. There were also repercussions such as they knew they were naked and they were banished from the garden. In addition, God cursed the ground, causing thorns and thistles, and making them sweat in their work. To Eve, there was multiplied sorrow and pain in childbirth.

We are sinners by nature and by practice; and there are consequences and repercussions for every sin. Praise God He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for us, in our place, so that by faith in His finished work on the cross would be forgiven and washed in the blood.

Let us be aware of the consequences and repercussions of our actions. As believers we need to repent and confess our sins to the Lord and He will restore our fellowship with Him.

Have a blessed day following God’s commandments. Stay safe and healthy.

Thought to ponder: People see what we do and we can either point them to Jesus or away from Him.

Dean

-October 19, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Lord’s Day,

“And He said to them, ‘Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile.’ For there were many coming and going and they did not even have time to eat.”

(Mark 6:31).

We have all had them at one time or another, super busy days. For me, it was yesterday. It seems there fewer hours than there are things to do. For course it all depends on what we are doing.

We live in a fast-paced society. Things have to be done and there is no time to waste. This particular day in the life and ministry of Jesus and the disciples got very busy, they didn’t have time to eat. Now that is busy. When this happens we do need a rest.

Martha invited Jesus and His disciples over dinner and she had many things to do. In our modern vernacular, she stressed out. Luke 10:38-42 describes the scene. Martha got upset with sister Mary for not helping her. She asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her. What was Mary doing? She was sitting at Jesus’ feet and hearing His word. Jesus told Martha that Mary chose the good part which will not be taken away from her.

When there are busy, crazy days, we need to spend time in prayer. We need to be in the Lord’s presence before we undertake in our duties and responsibilities, our chores and errands. I call them, D’s and R’s, and C’s and E’s.

We shouldn’t let our busyness interfere with how we treat people. We must keep in mind what is really important: people over projects. It is good to prioritize our day and when the day is done, we will sleep well.

Former great UCLA basketball coach John Wooden who led his teams to 10 national basketball championships, famously told his players, “Be quick but don’t hurry.” Many times when we hurry we make mistakes, so we need the right attitude in every situation.

Have a blessed day. Stay busy for the Lord. Take time to be with Jesus and put the needs of others ahead of your own. Stay safe and healthy.

Let us work hard and smart, doing God’s will from the heart.

Dean