Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-October 28, 2022-

Good morning, happy Friday,

“Then I said: ‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth” (Jeremiah 1:6).

“Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me: ‘Behold, I have put My words in your mouth” (Jeremiah 1:9).

God called the prophet Jeremiah to proclaim His warnings and the impending judgment coming upon Judah and Jerusalem for their sin of rejecting Him and worshipping idols. God had put up with their sin for many years. Jeremiah is called the weeping prophet, for he loved his people and was heartbroken for what was coming up them in terms of devastation, destruction, and death. Those remaining alive were taken into captivity in Babylon for seventy years.

The leaders, the priests and others, rejected him and his message. He was thrown into prison, even into the mire. But God protected his life. Jeremiah was just a youth and said that he could not speak. God promised to put His words into his mouth. Humble believers always feel so inadequate in themselves. None of us are worthy to speak for the Lord. But we can’t make excuses. God calls us, empowers us, and uses us. He gets all the glory.

Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:7, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels (or jars of clay), that the excellence of the power may be of God and not us.” Moses discovered this when God called him. He told the Lord, “…‘O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.’ So the Lord said to him, ‘Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord? Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say’” (Exodus 4:10-12).

It is not about us in our wisdom, strength, or abilities — it is all about Him. When He is with us no one can be against us, and we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

Let us make no excuses. We can’t but He can. Have a blessed day and weekend. Stay safe and healthy.

Called to serve the greatest Master by His strength,

Dean

-October 27, 2022-

Good morning, happy Thursday,

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

(2 Timothy 3:16-17).

One of the greatest tools is also one of the smallest: the Swiss Army Knife. This little wonder offers many tools in one pocket knife. Whatever the one carrying it encounters, he or she is equipped to handle it quickly and easily. The term “Swiss Army Knife” was coined by American soldiers after World War II after they had trouble pronouncing the German word “Offiziersmesser,” meaning “officer’s knife.” It has acquired the usage as a figure of speech indicating applicable to more or less any scenario at hand.

The Bible, like the Swiss Army Knife, is useful for the Christian, for it prepares us for any situation that might arise. It is personal, practical, and profitable. God gave us His inspired Word to help us make it through this life. It is profitable for “doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness.” There are promises to claim, commands to obey, and precepts to apply to our lives. The Scriptures, like Swiss Army knives, are only useful when taken out and utilized. Just carrying it is not enough.

Paul wanted Timothy, his faithful son in the faith to always be prepared for any situation, any person, friend or foe. We have to know our tool and how to use it. When we do, we are ready, prepared, and equipped for every good work. How well are you equipped by the Word of God? Paul wrote to Timothy, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Let us then “sharpen our skills” in using the Scriptures, from both the New and Old Testaments. When Jesus was in the temple, He was given the chance to speak. He quoted from Isaiah. Paul was afforded a similar opportunity to speak when the rulers of the synagogue asked him, “Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on” (Acts 13:15). He seized the opportunity to preach the gospel.

Have a blessed day staying ready by being prepared and equipped for every good work. Stay safe and healthy.

Equipped and ready to be used,

Dean

-October 26, 2022-

Good morning, happy Wednesday,

“I called on the Lord in distress; the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.”

(Psalm 118:5).

Psalm is 118 is an anonymous psalm. The title is: “Praise to God for His Everlasting Mercy.” We all need God’s mercy each day of our lives, especially in our times of distress. The Psalmist uses the past tense, “I called on the Lord in distress.” We too, need to call on the Lord in our times of need. We can never call out to the Lord in prayer enough. Jonah cried out to the Lord in the belly of the great fish; Peter cried out while sinking in the Sea of Galilee; the disciples cried out to the Lord while in their boat hit by a huge storm; kings Hezekiah and Jehoshaphat cried out when under attack by huge armies.

The word distress is defined as, “Extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain.” We all go through distresses at one time or another. As a result we often feel stressed out, squeezed, and pressured. Life’s trials can leave us feeling helpless. It usually comes from things out of our control. We often feel greater distress when others we love are in distress.

I recently read a story in the devotional book entitled, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness, 365 Devotions From Our Daily Bread.” The title is, “You Can Always Pray.” A young mother came to missionary Gale Fields with a very sick daughter. Gale and her husband were serving as missionaries in Irian Jaya. Her husband Phil was actively translating the Bible into the tribal language of Orya. They also provided medical help whenever possible. Gale looked at the malaria-stricken child and realized she didn’t have the right medicine to help the infant. “I’m sorry,’ she told the mother, “I don’t have any medicine for babies this small.” She then paused and said, “I could pray for her though.” The mother responded, “Yes, anything to help my baby.”

Gale prayed but felt helpless. After a little while, the mother returned and Gale heard her shout “Gale, come quick and see my baby.” Fearing the worst she rushed to the baby and noticed an improvement. Her dangerous fever was gone. What an answer to prayer! We may not able to help someone but God can. We shouldn’t feel guilty “for just praying;” for there is power in prayer.

The Lord Jesus is the Great Physician who can heal even when medical science fails. He is the Great Healer.” Let us pray always, for others and for ourselves. The Lord promises “to set us in a broad place.” This indicates His provision and blessing in a large place and in a big way. No matter your distress, God will give you His peace and rest.

Have a blessed day calling on the Lord wherever you go, in whatever situation you are in. God’s mercy and grace will sustain and strengthen you. Stay safe and healthy.

Safe in the arms of Jesus,

Dean

-October 25, 2022-

Good morning, happy Tuesday,

“And an angel of the Lord came back the second time, and touched him, and said, ‘Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.’ So he arose and eat and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God.”

(1 Kings 19:7).

I used to think believers in Christ were immune from depression. I no longer think that way. We are human after all. Christians do get discouraged and at times for various reasons physically or emotionally can battle with depression. When Elijah was victorious over the the 450 prophets of Baal by the power of God, he was so happy and thankful. But it was short lived, for the devil attacked him with fear and doubts.

The evil queen Jezebel threatened to kill him and he ran for his life. He ended up in the wilderness, asking God to take his life. God’s servants can get discouraged to the point of depression. It could happen to a missionary, a pastor, or to you and me. In the case of Elijah God brought him through it. He sent His angel to bring him help. He told him, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.” Sometimes food, water, and or sleep an do wonders. Sometimes medication could be needed. The Word of the Lord came him, speaking to him in a still small voice. God did not condemn him, but rather challenged, comforted, and encouraged him.

God loves us too much to let suffer alone without a solution. We should be very compassionate to those suffering depression or even discouragement. The Lord is so good. He shows this example, to teach us how to turn to the Lord and seek help from others. Being alone and not saying anything only makes things worse. Nowadays mental health issues are at the forefront of athletes, celebrities, government leaders, and many ordinary people. James tells us Elijah was a man with a nature like our’s… James 4:17a).

May the Lord help us to run to the Lord and cling to Him; it is important to tell someone and seek help. Have a blessed and safe day.

Seeking Christ when in a crisis,

Dean

-October 24, 2022-

Good morning, happy Monday,

“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

(Ephesians 6:17).

God equips us to fight the good fight of faith by putting on the whole armor of God. Of all the pieces of the armor, the sword of the Spirit is our only offensive weapon. All the others are defensive: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the sandals of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, and the helmet of salvation.

We are soldiers of the cross and must take our duties seriously. We can’t become complacent, lax, or negligent. Our spiritual warfare is real, our enemy the devil is powerful, and both exist in the spiritual, unseen world. We must be proficient in the Scriptures is order to be resistant to the attacks of the evil one.

The sword of the Spirit is the word of God. Paul was very knowledgeable of Roman soldiers in his day. The sword that they carried was relatively short and was used for hand to hand, man to man fighting. It was sharp and effective. It was just 18 inches long. They had longer ones, 6 to 8 feet which could be used, but in so doing the soldiers would have to utilize both hands which would preclude them from holding their shield at the same time, making them vulnerable to arrows, and spears. It was not only short but also very light and easy to use with one hand, freeing up the other for their shield.

The writer of Hebrews wrote, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). Thus, the sword of the Spirit is also an instrument that the Holy Spirit uses in our lives to expose us, convict us, challenge us, encourage us, and comfort us.

The more we read, study, and meditate on the Word of God, the more proficient we become in using it. The key is to obey and apply the Word to our lives daily. It is more important to practice it than to just have head knowledge of it. When we quote it to others, the Holy Spirit uses it in a powerful way; and when we read to others, the Spirit speaks through it also. Paul uses the word “take,” which is means to have it at the ready at all times. We never know when a situation will arise to use it. The Roman soldier had it attached to his belt and it could be drawn quickly. It is great to have verses memorized, but if we don’t have particular verse memorized, we should at least know where it is found. Sometimes we have to tell a person that we will get to them with answer.

Thank God that He has given us the Bible. His truth comes in many versions, sizes, and shapes. In most cases, it is small enough to carry with us. We can even have it on our smart phones, computers, and tablets. May the Lord help us to be skillful in the Word and use it wisely.

Have a blessed day wielding the sword of the Spirit. Stay safe and healthy.

In rightly dividing the word of truth,

Dean