Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-October 18, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Saturday,

“Am I a God near at hand, says the Lord, and not a God far off.”

(Jeremiah 23:23).

Does God sometimes seem so far away? This is especially true when we are going through fiery trials, and God is silent. He is still near to us and working in us for the good and His glory.

Jesus came from far, heaven, to bring us who were far, near to God through His blood. Ephesians 2:13 says, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once far off have been by brought near by the blood of Christ.”

Though He is always near to us, He calls us to draw near to Him. James wrote, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (James 4:8).

The nearness of God is based on His promises, not on our feelings which fluctuate. It says in Psalm 145:18, “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.”

He is always there for us. Though He is the God of the universe, He is with us and cares for us. Fanny Crosby wrote in her wonderful hymn,”Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord, to the cross where Thou has died; Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord, to Thy precious, bleeding side.”

Let us then rejoice in the nearness of God and draw near to Him today. Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.

We have nothing to fear when Jesus is near.

-October 17, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Friday,

“That you also aspire to live a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.”

(1 Thessalonians 4:11).

It is good to have aspirations in life. There are important things that we hope to live up to. This is especially true of believers in Christ.

You know me, I love definitions. The word aspire is defined as, “to direct one’s hopes or ambitions towards achieving something; to seek to attain or accomplish a particular goal.”

As Christians, we should have high aspirations to live for the Lord and serve Him; to speak of and glorify His name. Paul gives us the simple recipe to living a quiet life. A quiet life is not a silent life, instead it is a life where you walk matches your talk.

There are many voices, noisy voices all around us. The voice we want to hear is the voice of the Lord. Solomon wrote in Proverbs 17:1, “ Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.”

Paul encourages us to mind our own business and to work with our own hands. Both of these two things will keep us out of a lot of trouble.

• Mind your own business – There is always the temptation to involve ourselves in things that we shouldn’t involve ourselves in, like into other’s personal business. If they If they don’t ask for our advice, we shouldn’t give it. Proverbs 26:17 says, “He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a dog by the ears.” It is never good for the dog or for the person.

• Work with your our own hands – We used to call people “freeloaders” who don’t work and just live off others even though they are quite capable of working and supporting themselves and their families. Work never hurts anyone; it just takes effort.

May the Lord help us to aspire to live quiet lives by minding our own business and by working with our own hands. We can do it with the Lord’s help. Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.

When things are not your own, just leave them alone; when there is work to be done, we should not from it shun.

Dean

-October 16, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Thursday,

“Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and time again—but Satan hindered us.”

(1 Thessalonians 3:18).

What is wonderful about the Word of God is how practical it is. Paul suffered great persecutions, trials, and afflictions, but he pressed on, no turning back.

Here Paul shares with the Thessalonians how loved them and he wanted to visit them but Satan hindered him. Hindering Christians is on of Satan’s tools to hurt us and hinder the work of God.

The word hinder is defined as, “create difficulties (for someone or something) resulting in delay or obstruction.” If Satan could hinder Paul, he will hinder us. Thank God He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.

Hindrances are part of life; let us keep our eyes open.

Dean

-October 15, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Wednesday,

“The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write.”

(2 Thessalonians 3:17).

Going down the road of nostalgia, before the advent of the personal computer and printer, we actually wrote letters by hand. Of course we could also punch the keys of a typewriter or pick up the phone and make a call. Young people today are unfamiliar with these, instead they use the smart phone for calling, emailing, or especially texting.

Paul was very personal in his writings to both individuals and churches. He greatly loved those whom he wrote to. In the early years, we would write love letters to those we cared for.

Three times Paul used the word salutation by his own hand: 1 Corinthians 16:21; Colossians 4:18; and 2 Thessalonians 3:17. Bill MacDonald commented on this by writing, “Paul’s usual habit was to dictate his letters to one of his co-workers. However, at the end he would take pen in hand, and add a few words in his own handwriting, and give the characteristic salutation.”

The word salutation is defined as, “an expression of greeting, goodwill or courtesy by word, gesture, or ceremony.” Paul would give a wonderful greeting and beautiful conclusion to his letters. Salutations were very important to him.

What is the lesson for us? We should greet people with love, courtesy, and respect. We should also bid them farewell in the same manner. Our salutations to our beloved brothers and sisters in Christ should be the best of all. After being sick, I am looking forward to be back at church and seeing all the saints.

Have a blessed day in your personal contacts with people. Stay safe and healthy.

Be a blessing to someone today, leaving them better in every way.

Dean

-October 14, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Tuesday,

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

(1 Corinthians 15:58).

None of us want to do anything in vain. Sometimes we feel we have tried but saw no positive results. We feel useless; why not just give up? There have been some missionaries who have labored for years and seen little fruit for tireless work. It might after they’re gone that the fruit ripens bountifully.

Nothing we do in the name of the Lord is in vain. We are to labor and leave the results to God. We may sow the seed and others may water it, and still others reap it.

The phrase in vain means, “marked by futility or ineffectualness; unsuccessful or useless; having no real value.” The Lord wants us to keep going, keep pressing on, and He will use us for His glory.

Isaiah 49:4 says, “Then I said, ‘I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and in vain; Yet surely my just reward is with the Lord, and my work with my God.” We may feel what we do for the Lord is small and not that important, but He sees what we do for Him and will reward us.

The hymn writer Kittie Louise Suffield wrote the hymn, “Little Is Much, When God Is In It.” Verse two says,”Does the place you’re called to labor seem so small and little known? It is great if God is in it, and He’ll not forget His own.” Paul wrote, “Remembering your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father.”

Have a blessed day laboring for the Master. Stay safe and healthy.

Good sees what we do for Him and will reward us in His time.

Dean