Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-March 3, 2022-

Good morning, happy Thursday,

“Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.”

(1 Peter 2:18-20).

In the Scriptures, there were servants and masters, corresponding to our modern employees and employers. We have all had, at one time or another, a bad boss. That person was was usually authoritarian, unreasonable, unkind, and or unappreciative toward us. Some of us may have quit our jobs because of a bad boss. Others of us may have hung in there and stuck it out. We often learn more lessons from a bad boss than a good one. God develops our patience, perseverance, and submission to authority.

Twice in our text, Peter uses the word commendable; once in terms of our conscience toward God when we endure grief, suffering wrongfully, and once when we suffer for doing good. Christians should be the best employees because Jesus is our Boss and we should do our work unto him. Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:5-8, “Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice as men pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing whatever one does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.”

Our attitude at work is so important. We must do a honest day’s work for honest day’s pay. That means coming in on time, working hard, being loyal, and not complaining. When we do these things, we please the Lord and portray a good testimony before others. There are those who only work hard when the boss is in and watching. For us it shouldn’t matter if the boss is watching or not, because Jesus is always watching. Paul told the Colossians, “And whatever you do, do it heartily as to Lord and not to men” (Colossians 3:23).

Peter emphasized that there a bosses who are good and gentle, and we like those; and those who are harsh, and we don’t like those. I have had my share of both types. I have grown in my Christian life more under bad bosses than under good ones. We must make sure if the boss reprimands us it is not for doing wrong. It is when we do good, and still the boss gives us a hard time for being a Christian or nit picks and micromanages us. Sometimes the boss is just having a bad day. He or she may come back to us and apologize for their words or actions. Just remember to do good even if the boss is bad or good.

Have a blessed day whether your boss is good and gentle or harsh. Let us conduct ourselves as unto the Lord. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean

-March 2, 2022-

Good morning, happy Wednesday,

“You therefore, must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

(1 Timothy 2:3).

The world’s attention is on Ukraine and Russia as this war continues. I think all of us have been struck with the bravery, determination, and fortitude of the outmanned, under matched, Ukrainians who are fighting for their homeland. Ordinary citizens are taking up weapons to fight for their lives against a powerful foe. It is reminiscent of the fact that every believer in Christ is a soldier of Christ in a spiritual battle against the devil and his demons. We represent Christ and heaven.

There is much hardship in fighting a war, as the Russians and Ukrainians are finding out more and more. The same is true in our spiritual warfare. Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:12, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold of eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” Our is a noble cause, a godly cause in fighting against evil. The devil attacks us with overwhelming force, employs fear tactics, and attempts to isolate us, discourage us, and defeat us. He comes at us at all sides, at all times, and in all ways.

Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle with flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:10-12). We in ourselves are no match for the devil, but with the Lord we can be victorious and be more than conquerors through Him who loves us.

In our spiritual warfare, we never run out of equipment or armaments. Paul likens us to the Roman soldiers he saw all throughout the Roman Empire in his day. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 10:3-4, “For though we walk according to the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down fortresses.”

Paul lists our armor that we must put on daily in Ephesians 6:14-18: belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, gospel sandals, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, sword of the Spirit, and prayer. Most of the armor is defensive, but we wield the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and we pray in the Spirit. We are so well protected and prepared for spiritual battles. The devil knows our weaknesses and seeks to attack our vulnerabilities. The Lord is with and will give us the victory.

Let us stand strong, fight hard, and never retreat. This spiritual war will last all our lives in this world. We are on the Lord’s side, He is the Captain of our salvation. We must rely on Him fully and not on ourselves. We are assured of the victory.

Have a blessed day fighting the good fight of faith, putting on the whole armor of God so we can stand firm against the evil one. Stay safe and healthy.

Under the command and commission of Christ,

Dean

-March 1, 2022-

Good morning, happy Tuesday,

“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.”

(Psalm 81:10).

There is no question that God wants to richly and abundantly bless us far beyond what we can ask for or dream of. The question is: are we ready to receive His abundance? The Israelites had this problem. Psalm 81:11-12 says, But My people would not heed My voice, and Israel would have none of Me. So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, to walk in their own counsels.”’

God blessing on our lives is linked to our obedience and faithfulness to Him. The Lord shows His ultimate desire in for all His people in Psalm 81:13, “Oh, that My people would listen to Me, that Israel would walk in My ways! What was true of Israel of old is true of the church today.

So often we as believers today live as spiritual paupers instead of children of the King. We are satisfied with mediocrity instead of living the abundant life. The writer of this psalm, Asaph, wrote, “…Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.” Notice we must open our mouth wide to receive what God wants to teach us, give us, and nourish with. The wider we open our mouths, the more He will fill them. Most of us have seen pictures of a mother bird coming to each of her offspring and filling their open mouths with food. It is quite a wonderful sight to beyond.

We humans don’t often receive our food quite so easily. Often our infants and young children put up quite a fuse when it comes to meal time. Parents have to be very creative to get them to eat. It can be very frustrating and even traumatic experience for parent and child alike. Now think of our walk with Christ. Are we good eaters of the Word? Do we open our mouths wide so that God can fill us? Jesus wants to feed us so we can grow and live the abundant life in Him. He said in John 10:10, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and they may have it more abundantly.” He is our Shepherd and we are His sheep.

Psalm 103:5 says of the Lord, “Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagles.” The hymn writer wrote, “Hallelujah! I have found Him, whom my my soul so long has craved! Jesus satisfies my longings; Through His life I now am saved.” Psalm 107:9 tells us, “For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.” Open your mouth wide and the Lord will fill it.

Have a blessed day of seeking the Lord. He will feed us, fill us, and favor us as we obey and honor Him. Stay safe and healthy.

In His abundance and favor,

Dean

-February 28, 2022-

Good morning, happy Monday,

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

(Mark 10:45).

The four gospel writers each had a different emphasis in presenting the life and ministry of Christ. Matthew portrays Christ as the King; Mark describes Him as the Servant; Luke shows Him as the Son of Man; and John emphasizes Him as the Son of God. Today’s verse is the key verse in the Gospel of Mark. Christ is the perfect Servant who gave His life to save us.

The Christian life is all about serving; serving the Lord and serving others. Jesus set such a great example for us to follow. Servants are humble, and they do their master’s will. Though He was God, Jesus as “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” in the Upper room, before He went to the cross, He took a basin of water, and a towel, and washed the feet of His disciples. He did the lowly job of a bond servant. Jesus told them in John 13:14-16, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.”

Jesus also “gave Himself as a ransom for many.” Giving comes in many forms, such as: money, time, effort, help, and favors. In each case, giving involves sacrificing for the good of others. Some believers are givers, others are receivers. Jesus taught us to give. Paul wrote in Acts 20:35, “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Paul was both a servant and a giver. He worked as a tent maker and supported himself and his co-workers in the Lord’s work. He didn’t want to burden the saints.

May the Lord help us to follow the example of Jesus and our dear brother Paul in serving and giving. Let us sacrifice what we have to give to those in need. Oh, that we would find great blessedness and fulfillment in doing so.

Have a blessed day serving and giving with joy and thanksgiving. Stay safe and healthy.

In His eternal service,

Dean

-February 27, 2022-

Good morning, happy Lord’s Day,

“‘Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,’ says the Lord.”

(Jeremiah 1:8).

What words of comfort, assurance, and encouragement for the young prophet Jeremiah: “I am with you.” This phrase is found fourteen times in the Bible, seven of which are found in the book of Jeremiah. God spoke personally to Jeremiah all seven times. The Lord knows we need encouragement and He sends it to us at just the right time in just the right way. One of the Lord’s names is Immanuel, meaning “God is with you.”

God spoke these words to Issac (Genesis 26:24); to Jacob (Genesis 28:15); to Isaiah twice (Isaiah 41:10 and Isaiah 43:5); to Jeremiah seven times Jeremiah 1:8; 1:19; 15:20; 30:11; 42:11; 46:28); to Israel through Haggai (Haggai 1:13); to Zerubbabel through Haggai (Haggai 2:4); to all the disciples through Jesus (Matthew 28:20); and to Paul (Acts 18:10).

We all have fears, worries, and anxieties; we need God to strengthen us to keep going. He gives us the victory, for without Him we can do nothing. I do not know what you are going through, dear brother or sister, but His words are for you, “I am with you.” In pain, in distress, in sorrow, in hardship, in all things — God says, “I am with you.” We just need to trust Him just as Daniel did in the lion’s den, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego did in the fiery furnace.

He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. We can always count on our Lord who is ever faithful to us. Therefore, do not give up, keep pressing on. He gives us His sufficient grace each day. Tomorrow’s grace, will come tomorrow for tomorrow is not here yet, just remember He is with us, you will not grace regret.

Have a blessed day taking the hand of Jesus who is with us always. Stay safe and healthy.

In His abundant and sufficient grace,

Dean