Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-May 26, 2023-

Good morning, happy Friday,

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

(John 3:17-18).

God in His love for the world sent His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins. He made possible our salvation completely apart from human merit, works, or efforts. We are saved by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ. It is God’s desire for every person in the world be saved. 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

There is no condemnation to us who are in Christ Jesus. He was condemned in our place so that we will never be condemned again. Romans 8:1 tells us, “There is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” We are so blessed. Our sins are forgiven, removed as far as the east from the west, they are blotted out and removed as a dark cloud. All through the blood of Christ. We will never be judged, nor will we experience the wrath to come.

Sadly, there is condemnation for those who are unsaved. They stand condemned already for they have not repented of their sins and have not believed in the name of Jesus. God did all He could, they have chosen not to believe. They have not accepted the remedy, the cure. There are many diseases in the world that have cures, but one must get them in time or they will die. When someone dies like that, it is very sad; yet it didn’t need to happen. Spiritually, we have found the cure for sin and accepted in time.

There is a wonderful praise and worship song entitled, “You Are M King,” that says, “I’m forgiven because You were forsaken, I’m accepted, You were condemned. I’m alive and well Your Spirit is within me because You died and rose again. Amazing love, how can it be? That You my King would die for me. Amazing love, I know it’s true, and it’s my my joy to honor You. Amazing love how can it be? That You my King would die for me. Amazing love I know it’s true; and it’s my joy to honor You, in all I do, I honor You.”

Let us rejoice that there is no condemnation to us and continue to reach out to those who are condemned, who have not yet come to Christ to be saved. Christ is the cure, and we must carry it to others in need. Say it in your heart, say it with your tongue, “I am not condemned because I am pardoned, forgiven, and cleansed.”

Have a blessed day and happy Memorial Day weekend. Stay safe and healthy.

Free from sin guilt and shame, all in Jesus’ name,

Dean

-May 25, 2023-

Good morning, happy Thursday,

“But the end of all things is at end; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.”

(1 Peter 4:7).

Peter learned this lesson first hand from Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus was in earnest prayer to the Father. He prayed three times that the cup of suffering on the cross would pass from Him, but the Father did not answer His prayers. The way of the cross was the only way to save lost sinners. It was God’s will, according to His plan. Men’s souls were hanging in the balance. He accepted His mission knowing exactly what He would go through: suffering, pain, agony, reproach, shame, and rejection. He paid for our sins so that we might be saved.

All the while Jesus was praying, Peter and the other disciples were sleeping. Jesus had told them in Matthew 26:38, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” Matthew 26:40-41 says, “Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, ‘What? Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The Spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak.’”

Now is not the time for ease, rest, or our own comfort; now is the time to be serious and watchful in prayer. Souls hang in the balance, believers need teaching, shepherding, and encouragement. The end of all things is at hand, the Lord is coming soon. Now is the time to pray more, to pray more seriously, and to pray more fervently.

Many believers today are sleeping spiritually, going through the motions, going to church, saying the right words but lacking the power of the Holy Spirit. We need revival! We must watch and pray. The time is short and the world is in horrific condition. Will you be a prayer warrior? Our brother Paul exhorted us, “And do this, knowing the time, that now is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.”

May the Lord help us to pray as everything depended on us, pleading with our Savior to work mightily to rescue souls and change lives. Then we can rise up in strength and faith to face whatever circumstances are ahead. Let us be serious and watchful.

Praying seriously and watchfully,

Dean

-May 24, 2023-

Good morning, happy Wednesday

“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.”

(Romans 12:10).

Philadelphia is the Greek word for brotherly love. We even have a city by this name in Pennsylvania that is still referred to as the City of Brotherly Love. So many verses in the NT speak of our love for one another. We love because Christ first loved us. The biggest hindrance to loving others is our own sinful flesh. One of the evidences of our salvation that we love others as Jesus loves us.

Hebrews 13:1 says, “Let brotherly love continue.” To do this we must forgive others and not hold grudges or seek revenge or retribution on those who hurt us. There are two ways to show brotherly love according to our beloved brother and apostle: show affection and give preference in honor to others. The term brotherly love is defined as, “Feelings of humanity and compassion toward one’s fellow humans.” For Christians, our brotherly love is best shown to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Affection is an important aspect of love: a hug, a kiss, a handshake, a fist bump, a smile, or an act of kindness offered in Jesus’ name and and for His sake. The pandemic changed our ways of showing outward affection. Paul wrote in Philippians 1:8, “For God is my witness how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.” Paul used the word all to include every believer, not just our friends and those whom we get along well with, but to everyone.

The second component of brotherly love is to give preference to one another. We honor the Lord and others by putting others and their interests ahead of our own. It takes willing sacrifice and unselfishness on our part. Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” To do this we need the mind of Christ. Before love can show it must grow, and before it can grow it must be watered by the Word and fertilized by God’s grace and mercy.

May the Lord help us to show affection and give preference to others. This is what Abraham did when he gave Lot first choice of what land to live in, leaving his own choice in God’s hands. Have a blessed day showing brotherly love. Stay safe and healthy.

Loving as Christ has loved us,

Dean

-May 23, 2023-

Good morning, happy Tuesday,

“And their brethren, the Levites, were appointed to every kind of service of the tabernacle of the house of God” (1 Chronicles 6:49).

“Now these are the men whom David appointed over the service of song in the house of the Lord, after the ark came to rest” (1 Chronicles 6:31).

In the OT, the Levites were the ones who served the Lord in the tabernacle and later in the temple. They knew their role, accepted it, and served willingly and faithfully. The priests were also from the tribe of Levi, but their ministry was in offering sacrifices. When God anoints, He appoints; and when He calls, He equips. Someone once said, “God does not call the equipped, but equips the called.” My friend at church, Shauna, still remembers me sharing this quote a long time back and is blessed by it.

We may not think that we can’t do when God leads us to do it. God just wants us to be willing and He will make us able. We can do nothing without Christ, but with Him we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Just as the Levities served, sang, and rejoiced in the Lord, so should we. We must remember that God gives us the power to do His will through the Holy Spirit.

When God called Moses at the burning bush, Moses made so many excuses why he couldn’t do what God asked him to. God answered his every excuse. Exodus 4:10-12, says, “Then Moses said to the Lord, ‘O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of tongue.’ So the Lord said to him, ‘Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord? Now therefore, go, and I will be your mouth and teach you what you shall say.’”

God used Moses in a great way to be a great leader, and to do great things. He can use each one of us too. When He does, He brings forth the results and He gets all the glory. If we speak, speak for the Lord; if we teach, teach for the Lord; if we encourage, encourage for the Lord. The Lord doesn’t ask can we, He asks will we.

May we serve the Lord for His glory, using our gifts, talents, skills, and abilities that He has given us. Have a blessed day, serving in His way, according to His will. Stay safe and healthy.

Using what He has given to serve Him fully,

Dean

-May 22, 2023-

Good morning, happy Monday,

“The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.”

(Psalm 118:22-23).

This was written hundreds of years before Christ was born into this world but had its fulfillment in Him. In fact, Jesus applied this prophecy to Himself. This is found in Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10, and Luke 20:17. Jesus said in Luke 20:18, “Whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to power.” The chief priests and scribes sought to kill Him since they recognized that He had spoken this parable against them. They were right about that, but it also applies to all those who have rejected Christ.

To those who are unsaved and have rejected our Lord Jesus Christ, there is judgement and damnation. The stone will fall on them and grind them to powder. However, to those who are saved who have fallen on Him, there is brokenness leading to salvation. It is a choice that every human being must make for themselves. No one can make it for us, and God will not force anyone to believe and to receive Christ.

Both Peter and Paul referred to Christ as our foundation, our chief cornerstone. The word cornerstone is defined as, “a stone which forms the base of a corner of a building, joining two walls; an important quality or feature on which a particular thing depends or is based.” All this true of our Lord Jesus Christ. Peter wrote in 1 Peter 2:4, “Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, and chosen by God and precious.” Our Lord is precious to us. He is our Chief Cornerstone.

We have built our lives on Him. He is the Head of the body, the church and each of us are living stones. 1 Peter 2:5 says, “You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” What a glorious privilege and responsibility we have. As the psalmist wrote, “This is the Lord’s doing. It is marvelous in our eyes.”

When times are tough, and things are falling apart, let us fall on Christ, our Chief Cornerstone. He will support us. The hymn writer Edward Mote wrote, “On Christ the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.” Christ is our Rock that cannot be moved, thus we cannot be moved. Years ago, Prudential Insurance company had a great slogan, “Get a piece of the rock.” As believers, we don’t just have a piece of Christ, we have all of Him!

Have a blessed day standing on Christ, our Rock, our Chief Cornerstone. He is immovable, impenetrable, and indestructible. Stay safe and healthy.

Finding Christ as the right foundation for every situation,

Dean