Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-September 8, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Monday,

“There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory.”

(1 Corinthians 15:41).

God created the universe for His good pleasure and glory. The stars, like everything else, bring glory to the Lord. Paul says, “…for one star differs from another star in glory.”

Just think there are millions of stars. Just imagine how great is the knowledge of God. If the stars amaze scientists and astronomers, how much more should we be amazed and thankful for all God’s creation.

Not only do all the stars differ, but God names each of them. Psalm 147:4 says, He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name.” This verse demonstrates two things: He counts the stars and He names them one by one. If He knows and names the stars, we should not think it should not think it strange that He difficult for God to number of hairs on our heads.

We can gaze at the stars and even look through a telescope. Mankind has developed a star registry where you can name a star after someone, for a price, of course. I think they are very pretentious to do so. The stars belong to God and He names them.

In the hymn, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” Thomas O. Chisholm wrote in the second verse, Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, sun, moon, and stars in their courses above, join with all nature in manifold witness to Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

David wrote in Psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament (or expanse of heaven).” He also stated, “When I consider the heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars which You have ordained, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit Him” (Psalm 8:3-4).

Let us the rejoice in all God’s creation, but even more in the God of creation, Lord our Creator and Redeemer. Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.

When on a dark and clear night, check out the stars that are shining bright.

Dean

-September 7, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Lord’s Day,

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

(Hebrews 12:1)

The writer of Hebrews has just spoken of the great men and women of faith from the OT. The word “therefore” connects the two chapters, 11 and 12. But there are many more saints that have gone before us to inspire and encourage us.

Paul speaks in 1 Corinthians 15 of those who witnessed the resurrection. He refers to Cephas, who is Peter, the twelve, which included Matthias, who was chosen to replace Judas, then by over hundred others, and finally by Paul himself. They too represent Christ as a cloud of witnesses.

They all surround us as examples to keep running the race set before us with endurance, despite the challenges, obstacles, and hardships. Their faith inspires us to run strong to the finish line.

Years ago when I ran cross country and track, we had spectators watching and cheering us on. It really helped us. To be successful a runner one must be as light as possible. For us in the Christian race, means we must shed every weight and sin that would so easily ensnares us.

Let us keep our eyes on Jesus and keep on keeping on. Have a blessed Lord’s Day. Stay safe and healthy.

With our eyes on the prize, let us run with endurance the race set before us.

Dean

-September 6, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Saturday,

“Let each of us please his neighbor, for his good, leading to edification.”

(Romans 15:2).

As believers, we need to please our neighbor. The acronym J-O-Y is so appropriate: Jesus first, others send, and yourself last. The goal to pursue is to be a blessing to others and to build them up.

Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

The context of today’s verse is to bear the weaknesses of others for their good. It takes sensitivity, compassion, and love. We must sympathize and empathize with those who are hurting and in need of help and encouragement.

God comforts us so that we may comfort others. It says in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

Have a blessed day putting others before yourself. Stay safe and healthy.

When we take self out of the equation, we then can then put others in.

Dean

-September 5, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Friday,

“Let no one despise (or look down) on your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”

(1 Timothy 4:12).

Paul was so proud of Timothy, his son in the faith he had mentored and helped him so much. Timothy was the pastor of the church at Ephesus. It was great opportunity, but it carried with it a heavy responsibility.

Though Timothy was young, he had the knowledge and the experience in the work of the Lord. Paul knew the qualities that were essential for Timothy and all of us as well.

1. In word – The Word of God must be preached and taught. It is the sole source of a lives and ministries. Also our words must be edifying and encouraging.

2. In conduct – It is so important to conduct ourselves in godly manner before believers and unbelievers alike. We must practice what we preach.

3. In love – Love is absolutely vital in our walk and service for the Lord. As John later rebuked the church at Ephesus, “ nevertheless I have you have this against you, that you have left your first love” (Revelation 2:4).

4. In spirit – The Holy Spirit works in and through our spirit, This speaks of our attitudes.

5. In faith – Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He a rewarder of those who seek Him.”

6. In purity – Another word for purity is holiness. It is immeasurably important to be separated from the world and set apart for the Lord

When we exemplify these six qualities: word, conduct, love, spirit, faith and purity, we will be blessed. Let us all be examples. Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.

A simple, but expressive eulogy on Martin Luther was given by Pastor Nicholas Haussmann. He said, “what we preach, he lived.”

Dean

-September 4, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Thursday,

“Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.“

(Proverbs 3:9-10).

There is a principle in Scripture that God honors those who honor Him. When we put Him first, He will take care of us and richly and abundantly bless us.

God doesn’t need our possessions, such as money and other material things. He does want us to give to support our local churches and good Christian causes. We should give of our best to the Lord.

Moses wrote, “The first of the firstfruits of your land you shall bring into the house of the Lord your God… (Exodus 23:19.” The firstfruits indicate the first of what God gives us, but he takes it a step further, when he says, “The first of the firstfruits, meaning the very first of the first, the best of the best.

Madeline Kalu wrote, “Honoring God is not something we do as Christians out of a sense of duty or to gain God’s favor. Rather it is a daily expression of recognition, respect, and gratitude towards the One who loved us when we were sinners and His enemy.”

May the Lord help us honor Him in all we say and do, doing all things for His glory. Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.

We can never out give the Lord, or out honor Him.

Dean