Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-September 23, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Tuesday,

“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

(Ephesians 5:16).

The only way to describe our times in which we live is evil. Evil abounds and prevails. Evil is everywhere and we know that Satan is behind it all. He the god of this world. He is a master manipulator of people.

Twice someone tried to assassinate President Trump before the last election, Charley Kirk was assassinated recently, and even today I read a news story where a 39 year-old mother is accused of killing her four infants who were found in the house. We must call it what it is: pure evil.

Though the days are evil, what can we do? Pray, live and speak for Christ, encourage one another, and as Paul tells us redeem the time. The Lord Jesus is coming soon to take to glory. We are living in the last days.

Our natural tendency is to worry, fret, and fear. In Psalm 49:5, the psalmist wrote in his day, “Why should I fear the days of evil, when the iniquity at my heels surrounds me?” It seems to follow us everywhere all the time. Through the media and social media, evil follows us to school, work, in our communities, even into our homes.

Let us not lose heart, but trust in the Lord who is with us and for us. Have a blessed day in Jesus Christ our refuge. Stay safe and healthy.

We must live straight lives in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.

Dean

-September 22, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Monday,

“Then the king said to his servants, ‘Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel?’”

(2 Samuel 3:38).

First of all, I want to apologize. I failed to post the verse of the day yesterday. I just realized it this morning and I posted it this morning. Please forgive me, I am truly sorry.

Today’s verse speaks of the death of Abner, King Saul’s cousin and commander of his army. He was a loyal warrior who served Saul with honor and sincerity. After Saul’s death, he left the son of Saul and turned to David.

Joab, David’s commander, along with his brother Abishai. murdered him for his killing of their brother Asahel in the war between the house of Saul and the house of David. Abner did not want to kill him, but had no choice after the battle was over and he was retreating, Asahel kept pursuing him and wanted to kill him and refused to turn back.

David did not order it Abner’s killing not did he condone it. In fact, he condemned it in no uncertain terms. This story reminds me of the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Yesterday in the evening I watched a replay of it, and I was very moved. All those who spoke or sang honored the memory of a great man. He was a husband, father, evangelist, activist, and man of God. He stood for the truth of the gospel until his dying breath at just 31 years old.

To me the most poignant moment was when his wife Ericka spoke of her husband and how she forgave his killer. This memorial service was fitting of a president and the stadium in Glendale, Arizona held over 70,000 and another 15,000 filled a nearby location so that they could watch it live.

I remember when my teacher Gene Gibson passed way a few years ago, this verse was used of him at his memorial service. I trust we will all seek to be a blessing to others and make an influence and impact for Christ as Charlie did. His wife has pledged to carry on his work.

Have a blessed day serving the greatest Master. Stay safe and healthy.

What legacy will you leave behind for Jesus after your passing?

Dean

-September 21, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Lord’s Day,

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.”

(Ecclesiastes 12:13).

We have all heard the expression, “Coming to the right conclusion.” It is defined as, “to make a determination about someone or something; to reach an end point.” This often occurs when one has studied and researched a matter and come to a conclusion.

We often hear the judge use this term to the jury questioning whether they have reached a verdict or decision. Solomon has written about man seeking satisfaction in life apart from the Lord. He has concluded that the best course of action is to, “fear God and keep His commandments…”

These two things are like two pillars: fearing God is revering, respecting, and honoring God. It is a term used throughout the Bible. Keeping His commandments of course is obeying God through His Word.

I am so glad Solomon came to the right conclusion. May we all come to the same conclusion as he did; for he said, “this is man’s all.” Our verse is the only time in the Bible the word conclusion is used. It was one of our Scripture Memory class.

Have a blessed Lord’s Day. Stay safe and healthy.

Fearing God and obeying His will, is something to pursue to as our daily skill.

Dean

-September 20, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Saturday,

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.”

Ecclesiastes 9:10).

We are here on earth a very short time; therefore we must use our time wisely. In the business world they use productivity as one of its metrics. It is vital to any group or individual. It is especially important in the Lord’s work.

The word productivity is defined as, “yields results, benefits, or profits.” My prayer is to be profitable, productive, and profitable. Being busy is a good thing as long as what we are doing is of value.

King Solomon says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” This indicates that we need to be ready at all times, in season and out of season, when it is easy or when it is hard, when it is convenient or inconvenient. If you see something that needs to be done, do it, and do it with all your heart.

Serving the Lord is a blessing for us and for others. God doesn’t bless the lazy or slothful; He blesses the diligent. My mom used to always say, “Busy hands are happy hands.”

May the Lord help us to use all the tools in our tool bag in the service of our Lord. Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.

The Lord Jesus is worthy of our best and our zest.

Dean

-September 19, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Friday,

“For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?”

(1 Corinthians 4:7).

It is always good to remind ourselves of the source of our blessings, who is God. James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”

So many times we accept the blessings but forget the Blesser. All our spiritual blessings are given to us by God. Paul wrote in Ephesians 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.”

Why then do we become proud? We either think we somehow deserve God’s blessings or that we achieved things on our own. Instead we should thank God and give Him all the glory for everything. God is the Giver and we are the receivers. It all given to us by His mercy and grace. Jesus said, “…freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8). The more we acknowledge that we received, the more likely we are to give others.

Let us always remember that everything we have is given to us by God and that all that we have belongs to Him. We are mere stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Have a blessed day praising God for what He has given to us richly and abundantly. Stay safe and healthy.

When we believed, then we received.

Dean