Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-December 28, 2022-

Good morning, happy Tuesday,

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:52).

“But grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18).

Today’s text is the last reference to a young Jesus. After Mary and Joseph came back from Jerusalem to Nazareth He was subject to them. Imagine, the King, the Christ, the Ruler of all, was obedient to his parents and to God His Father. He lived under the authority of His parents. What wonderful and amazing verses we find in Hebrews 5:8-9, “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.”

Jesus as a young lad increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. Bible teacher, writer, and preacher William MacDonald commented, “And we have the true humanity and normal growth of our Lord depicted: His mental growth – increased in wisdom; His physical growth – and stature; His spiritual growth – in favor with God; and His social growth – in favor with men.”

The growth that our Savior needed is the same that we as His followers need as well. Peter tells to “grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ…” Every genuine believer should be making spiritual progress every year, every week, and every day. John Bunyan wrote his beautiful allegory entitled, Pilgrim’s Progress.” In it he traces the life of Pilgrim who came to the cross and his burden of sin rolled off his back. Then he began his journey as Christian, who headed off to the Celestial City. On his way he encounters many obstacles and trials. He grows through all his experiences just as we do.

As believers we should grow in faith, knowledge, understanding, wisdom, love, humility, and obedience. Sometimes our progress may seem slow but that is fine as long as make steady progress. We must learn the lessons God has to teach us. The world is our classroom, the Bible is our text book, and the Holy Spirit is our teacher. It is a school that we will never graduate from until we get to heaven.

Let us thank God for the example of Jesus how grew and follow His same pattern. Have a blessed day growing in the Lord. Stay safe and healthy.

Growing in Lord to be more like Jesus,

Dean

-December 26, 2022-

Good morning, happy Monday,

“And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast” (Luke 2:42).

“Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers” (Luke 2:46-47).

Jesus was a child prodigy. Of course He was more than that, He was God manifested in the flesh. The definition of a prodigy from Merriam-Webster is, “A highly talented child or youth; an extraordinary, marvelous, or unusual accomplishment, deed, or event; something extraordinary or inexplicable; a portentous event.” The twelve year old Jesus fits the definition in every way. His knowledge and understanding were amazing and beyond belief. Years later when the Pharisees sent soldiers to seize Him they returned not having arrested Him. When the chief priests questioned why they didn’t arrest Him, they replied, “…No man ever spoke like this Man” (John 7:46). His words had power and authority and affected people.

Jesus was in Jerusalem during the time of the Passover. Mary and Joseph travelled there along with a large group of family. When it was time to go back to Nazareth, Jesus lingered behind. Mary and Joseph searched everywhere for Him among their relatives but to no avail. They returned to Jerusalem and found Him in the temple. He was sitting in the midst of the teachers. These men were the most learned men in all Israel. He listened to them and asked them questions. Imagine a twelve year old young man rubbing shoulders with the teachers and more than holding His own with them.

All that heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. We have seen many child prodigies in our times whether in science, math, music, acting, sports, or in other fields. It is a blessing for any parent, though it can be challenging as well. Jesus surpasses every other child prodigy in His day or at any other time. When I was 13, I used to attend the adult Bible class on Sundays. I learned so much during those studies. We sometimes underestimate what children can learn and do.

The teachers and all those who were present were astonished by Jesus’ understanding and answers. We should not be surprised by this. After all, He is the Author of the Word of God. We should teach our kids, but when they show a great aptitude for God’s Word, we should encourage them to more advance studies. Jesus went back to Nazareth with His parents and was subject them. Mary kept all these things in her heart.

May we rejoice in who Jesus is (His person) and what He done (His work). The Queen of Sheba travelled to Israel to see and hear Solomon’s wisdom. She made the incredible statement, “…it was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. However I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard” (1 Kings 10:6-8). Jesus was much greater than Solomon.

Have blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.

In awe of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Dean

-December 25, 2022 – Christmas Day

“So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

(Luke 2:7).

Jesus was born in a manger on that silent, holy night. The manger was a feeding troth for animals. Jesus created the animals as well as all people. Years later when our Savior was tempted by the devil, He was with wild beasts. Mark 1:12-13 says, “Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the the wild beasts; and an angel ministered to Him.” In the manger there were likely donkeys, cows, and camels. Mary and Joseph were unfazed by their surroundings. They were thrilled at the birth of their Son. There was no doctor, nurse, or midwife to help Mary.

This birth was special. The angel Gabriel told Joseph, “…Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to take to you Mary your wife, for that which conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20-21). This was a promise from God and it turned out exactly as the angel proclaimed. Any couple expecting their first child would be frantic, nervous, and upset, especially if there was no room in the inn.

No matter the cold, and the animals and their smells, Mary gave birth to the Christ, the Son of God. The hymn writer Joseph Mohr wrote, “Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright. Round yon virgin mother and child. Holy infant so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.” There was never a night like it before nor will there be another like it again.

Let us rejoice in the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. May we learn to face whatever circumstances that come our way. God will help us to overcome adversity with His help.

Have a blessed and Merry Christmas. It only happens every seven years where Christmas falls on a Sunday. It will be a wonderful day, it will be Christmas Sunday, Stay safe and healthy.

Dean

-December 24, 2022-

Good morning, happy Saturday,

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.”

(2 Corinthians 8:9).

Jesus was born in this world as the eternal Son of God, the King, the Prince of life and glory, the owner of the cattle on a thousand hills. He left heaven’s glory and splendor to enter this world in poverty. His earthly father Joseph was a carpenter, and He worked in father’s carpenter’s shop up until the age of thirty. He had no money, for when Peter asked about paying the temple tax, He told him to go fishing and that the first fish he caught would have a coin in its mouth; with it Peter should pay the tax for both of them.

He who was rich became poor that we who were poor might become rich. Though He was fully God, He veiled His deity in a body of humanity. He went through all that we go through, yet without sin. He took off as it were His royal, kingly garments and stooped down to our level. The hymn writer Charles Wesley wrote, “Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord! Late in time behold Him come, offspring of the virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail the incarnate Deity, Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel. Hark! the herald angels sing, ‘Glory to the newborn King.’”

Christ laid aside His glory to bring to us salvation’s story. Through His poverty, we have become rich in salvation, eternal life, the forgiveness of sins, and every spiritual blessing in Him. As believers we are the richest people on earth. Some Christians are rich in this world’s goods, others are poor, and the vast majority are right in the middle; but no money or possessions can compare to our riches in Christ. We are so blessed! The person who fears God and delights in His commandments, is blessed. Psalm 112:3 says of this person, “Wealth and riches will be in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.” Sometimes we live in spiritual poverty instead of appropriating God’s riches to the full.

Let us thank the Lord that He came, became poor, died on the cross, and rose again. May we claim all His promises and our inheritance in Christ. Have a blessed Christmas Eve. Stay safe and healthy.

Praising our Savior from beginning to end, our Blessed Master and our greatest Friend,

Dean

-December 23, 2022-

Good morning, happy Friday,

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, ‘Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him’” (Matthew 2:13).

“When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, ‘Out of Egypt I called My Son’” (Matthew 2:14-15).

There was a two-fold purpose God had to send, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus to Egypt: to protect Jesus from Herod who sought to kill Him and to fulfill the prophecy from the prophet Hosea. Both were extremely important to the life and ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. All along the way Joseph obeyed the Lord, doing His will completely. The first time an angel told him in Matthew 1:20,”…Do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And in Matthew 1:24-25, it says of Joseph, “Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.”

Very little is mentioned after Jesus’ younger days when as Luke records Mary and Joseph brought Him to the temple in Jerusalem at the Feast of the Passover, and then returned to Nazareth. This has led Bible scholars to speculate that Joseph passed away at a young age. Even so, he played his part and left a legacy of obedience. Joseph was a carpenter and Jesus worked in his carpenter shop and was a carpenter up to the age of 30.

When God spoke to him in a dream to take Jesus and His mother to Egypt, he obeyed God right away. The was no debate, discussion, or procrastination. Hosea 11:1 says, “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.” This verse refers to the Exodus from Egypt after 430 years and also to Jesus coming out of Egypt as ordained by God. Just as God loved His people Israel and sent them a redeemer in Moses, He sent His well beloved Son to be our Redeemer, and deliver us from the bondage of sin and Satan.

God protected Jesus from Herod. Joseph took Mary and Jesus right before the evil Herod killed all the baby boys two years old and under in Bethlehem and its surrounding districts. God’s timing was so perfect. We don’t know how exactly long they stayed in Egypt, but we know that it was until Herod died and brought Mary and Jesus back to Israel.

The lesson for us is: When God moves us, we should move, and not until then. When Israel trudged through the wilderness, they were not to move from one place to another unless the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night moved. Then they set out. Today, the Holy Spirit leads us through prayer, the Word of God, godly counsel, and circumstances. So often it’s hard to wait and not to take matters into our own hands. We can easily spoil God’s plans for us. Let us follow Joseph’s example and trust and obey God.

Have a blessed day and a Merry Christmas for Christ’s coming to save us from our sins. And may we let the Lord lead and guide us. Stay safe and healthy.

Thanking God for his leading and protection,

Dean