Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-May 12, 2022-

Good morning, happy Thursday,

“Beloved, now we are the children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”

(1 John 3:2).

John speaks of what we are: the children of God. God is our Father, and Jesus is our Lord and Savior. As children, we obey our Father, rely on Him, and trust Him today, looking forward to the coming of Christ. It is such a blessing to be in the family of God. He loves us not matter how we behave. He can’t love us anymore, nor can ever love us any less. He knows us so well and wants the very best for us. He never gives up on us.

As wonderful as our lives are in Christ on earth, the future is even more glorious. John says, “and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be.” God has given us some details of what heaven will be like, but it will be even beyond our dreams and comprehension. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:9, “But as it is written, ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’”

But it gets even better! John continues, “But we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” This is our blessed hope! We shall be like Him when we see Him as He is. This is God’s plan for us that will come to fruition. Romans 8:29 says, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first born of many brethren.” If we long for that day, we know that our Lord longs for it even more than we do!

John shows the value of looking forward to our future in the presence of Jesus. He said in 1 John 3:3, “And everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” Let us hold on to our hope like the anchor of our souls, steadfast and sure; and may we live holy lives. He is pure and He wants us to be pure also.

Have a blessed day today looking to a bright future. We are His children and what great privileges we have both now and forever. Stay safe and healthy.

Living in the light of eternity,

Dean

-May 11, 2022-

Good morning, happy Wednesday,

“Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our witness is true.”

(3 John 1:12).

The third epistle of John is a short one written to a brother named Gaius and speaks of him, and two others: Diotrephes and Demetrius. In today’s verse, we look at this brother Demetrius who was in direct contrast to Diotrephes, whose actions were harmful to the church, to visiting brethren, and to John. Bible commenters believe he may have even wronged Demetrius and wrongfully put him out of church as he had to others.

This is the only mention of this brother Demetrius in the NT. There is another man in Ephesus, a silversmith mentioned in Acts 19:24,38) who opposed Paul by who had the same name. John uses brother Demetrius as an example of having a good testimony from all, from the truth, and John adds his approval as well. This is something all of us should strive for in the church: a good testimony from all. We often use the term reputation when speaking of people. Normally one’s reputation precedes them, whether good or bad. So often it is hard to change one’s reputation. Only the Lord can help us with that.

• Testimony from all – The key word us is “all” meaning everyone in the local church. That isn’t easy to achieve. It takes a long time to build up such a strong testimony, but as we know it can crumble in an instant. We have seen preachers and pastors who have fallen into sin, causing terrible disgrace, shame, and dishonor on themselves and our Lord Jesus Christ. All of us should be concerned about our testimony inside the church as well as in the community outside the church. We want to bring glory to the Lord, and point people to Jesus.

King David’s double sin of adultery and murder damaged his testimony severely and affected him and his family for years to come. God sent Nathan the prophet to him to rebuke him and lead him to repentance and forgiveness. Though the Lord forgave him, he had to live the consequences of his actions the rest of his life. The child born to him and Bathsheba died, his two of sons Ammon and Absalom sinned and died, and it gave the enemies of the Lord great occasion to blaspheme. It is said an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. By living like Demetrius, we can avoid so many pitfalls in this life.

• Testimony from the truth itself – Demetrius lived according to the truth of God’s Word. He was an example to the believers by how he conducted himself in the church, in his home, work, and in all areas of life. It doesn’t mean that he was perfect, but he lived a godly life. All of us should be people of the Word and of the truth. We should speak the truth with no lying, exaggerating, or flattery. Jesus spoke of His disciples in His High Priestly Prayer, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17). Our lives should be an open book for all to read. How is your life reading to others?

• Testimony from John – John knew Demetrius very well. He gives him a ringing endorsement and recommendation, “And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true.” If you recommend someone you put your reputation on the line. If the person fails, it reflects on you; conversely, if they succeed and do well, it reflects on you as well. The opinion that our leaders have of us is so very important. What is their opinion of you?

Thus there is this good threefold testimony on behalf of Demetrius: from all the church members, from the truth itself, and from John. May we have this same testimony in our character, conduct, and conversation, especially in the church of God.

Have a blessed day of living as a good testimony. Stay safe and healthy.

In His eternal truth,

Dean

-May 10, 2022-

Good morning, happy Tuesday,

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”

(Jude 1:20).

The Epistle of Jude is just one chapter and is found right before the Book of Revelation. Jude was a half brother of Jesus who got saved; he served the Lord faithfully, working in the early church. Jude was a very common name at this time, and is usually translated as Jude or Judas. It was a very popular name in the first century because of Judas Maccabaeus, a Jewish leader of the resistance against Syria during the Maccabean revolt who died in 160 B.C.

Jude 1:1 says, “Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and a brother of James. To those who are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ.” At first he and brothers did not believe in Jesus but then received Him as Lord and Savior. Each wrote an epistle bearing his name in the NT. Jude began his epistle desiring to write about the common faith, but the Holy Spirit directed him to write instead about contending for the faith delivered to the saints. There were so many false teachers at that time that were a great concern to all the believers. Contending or fighting for the faith is so important.

In todays text, Jude shows us how to maintain our spiritual vitality. The word vitality is a noun defined as, “The state of being strong and active; energy.” It is the perfect word to describe our spiritual lives in Christ. Nowadays, so many people are striving for physical, mental, and emotional vitality. This usually includes eating, drinking, reading, exercising, and mobility and activity levels in quantity and especially quality. Sadly, so many don’t consider their spiritual state and vitality very much at all.

To maintain our spiritual vitality it takes daily effort and attention. Jude tells us that we should build ourselves up in our most holy faith. There are three things we can and should be doing daily: praying in the Holy Spirit, keeping ourselves in the love of God, and looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. This verse reminds me of Paul’s words to the Philippians, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13). Both verses show our part and God’s part in our spiritual growth and vitality in Christ. It is a blessing we aren’t left to wonder how to build up ourselves in our faith.

1. Praying in the Holy Spirit – This means to pray for God’s will, for souls to be saved, for our fellow believers, for our spiritual and governmental authorities, and for ourselves and our families, among many other things. Paul writes in Romans 8:26-27, “Likewise the Spirit also helps our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

2. Keeping ourselves in the love of God – Nothing is more important than God’s love, both to love Him and to love one another. We must always do everything in love. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 16:14, “Let all that you do be done with love.” This also includes our motives, attitudes, desires, and words.

3. Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life – This indicates where our hearts and values should be at all times. We should be living for heaven as citizens of heaven, ambassadors for Christ, and servants of the most High God. The song writer wrote the chorus, “With eternity’s values in view, Lord, with eternity’s values in view. May we do each day’s work for Jesus, with eternity’s values in view.” We look forward to the coming of our Lord while working hard for Him while here on earth.

May the Lord help us to build up ourselves in our most holy faith by praying, loving, and looking to Jesus for His help and guidance. Then we will attain spiritual vitality.

Have a blessed day striving for spiritual vitality. Stay safe and healthy.

In His eternal vitality,

Dean

-May 9, 2022-

Good morning, happy Monday,

“Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4).

“Therefore, to him who knows to do good, and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).

There are two types of sins: commission, the things we do that are wrong, and omission, the things we know we should do but fail to do. Both are wrong and violate God’s commandments. All sin is an an abomination in God’s sight. Jesus died on Calvary bearing all our sins, past, present, and future. We are sinners saved by grace. We have two natures that are continually in conflict with one another and will be with us until we get to heaven. The old nature desires to sin, but the new nature desires to obey the Lord and please Him. A Christian is not sinless but does sin less.

1 John 1:8-9 says, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” We also read in Proverbs 28:13, “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” So whether we sin by commission or omission both are wicked and evil in God’s sight.

• Sins of Commission – There are times we sin by doing the things we know are clearly wrong according to God’s Word. They are listed in many places in the Bible. Paul mentions some of them as the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21 as “adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, reveries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in times past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” In the next two verses he lists the fruit of the Spirit.

We as believers do sin, we fall, we fail, we mess up, but we do not practice sin as a way of life as we once did when we were unsaved. We can’t sugarcoat or minimize sin in any way, shape, or form. David said in Psalm 51:4, “Against You, You only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight—that You are just when You speak, and blameless when you judge.” Let’s not make excuses or try to justify ourselves. Lying, stealing, cheating, getting angry, or using profanity are sins also.

• Sins of omission – When we know what we should do and don’t do it, it is a sin of omission. Examples of this are: not witnessing or sharing our testimony when God is clearly leading us; when we don’t give ten percent in our offerings; when we don’t help someone when we have the means to; when we don’t go to church when we feel a little tired or down; when we don’t pray or don’t pray as much as we know we should; when we don’t read our Bibles as we should; or when we leave out pertinent details in describing a situation to make ourselves look better. There are many other situations we can all think of.

May the Lord help not to commit sin nor to omit doing good. Both are just as wrong. When we do sin either way, let us repent of it, confess it, and forsake it. Even in the laws of the land, one can be prosecuted for standing by and letting someone be hurt. There are so many good things we can do but fail to do them. We should always think what does the Lord want me to do? This should challenge us all!

Have a blessed day not doing wrong but instead doing right. Stay safe and healthy.

In His truth,

Dean

-May 8, 2022-

Good morning, happy Lord’s Day, happy Mother’s Day.

“When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.”

(2 Timothy 1:5).

Paul rejoiced that his young son in the faith Timothy had such a godly heritage. Not only was his mother Eunice saved and walking with Lord, but so was his grandmother Lois. What a double blessing. Theirs was a three generation household for Christ. Timothy’s father was a Greek, and most likely not saved.

There are many other godly mothers in the Bible, such as Sarah, Rebekah, Jochebed, Hannah, Ruth, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Mary the mother of John Mark, just to mention of a few. They raised their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Many preachers, teachers, evangelists, and missionaries had godly mothers who taught them the Scriptures and prayed with them and for them. Let us never underestimate the role of a godly mother!

Today, Mother’s Day, we celebrate and appreciate all our mothers, saved or unsaved, but especially the godly ones. At our church, I ask all mothers to stand up, then for grandmothers to keep standing, and finally for great grandmothers to keep standing. The applause continues throughout all three groups. Timothy must have been so thankful for both his mother and grandmother; and they must have been so proud of Him.

Acts 16:1-3 says,”Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted to have him go with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek.” Timothy went on to travel and serve with Paul, and become the pastor of the church of Ephesus and mightily served the Lord. Paul taught him so much, but his foundation in the Lord and the Word was from his mother’s great work with him.

So today, let’s call our mothers, visit them, give them cards and gifts, and most of all tell them how much we love them and appreciate them. For some of us, our mothers may have past away, but the memories are still vivid with us. We should pass on their legacy to our children and grandchildren.

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

In love and appreciation of all our mothers,

Dean