Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-December 8, 2021-

Good morning, happy Wednesday,

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with His mother, and fell down and worshipped Him. And when they opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

(Matthew 2:10-11).

The story of the wisemen or magi, is amazing. These men traveled hundreds of miles following a star that guided them on their journey. These men were highly educated, especially in astronomy. They knew that this star was unlike any they had ever seen before. God had directed them to travel to see the new born King of the Jews. Most likely they came riding on camels. We often refer to the three wisemen because they brought three gifts with them, but we don’t know that for certain.

The star led them to the land of Israel. Upon arrival they went straight to King Herod asking, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him” (Matthew 2:2). Herod ascertained from the chiefs and scribes where the Christ was to be born; they cited the Scripture in Micah, that He would be born in Bethlehem in the land of Judah. So off they went to Bethlehem at the king’s directive. Once again they saw the same star which led them right to where Jesus was.

By this time, Jesus was about two years old. He and His mother Mary were there, no longer in a manger but in a house. They found the One they were looking for. Our text says, “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.” Their joy was soon coupled with worship. Notice, they didn’t worship Mary, as so many do today; they worshipped Him. He alone is God, the Messiah; worshipping any other person is idolatry and blasphemy.

These wisemen offered their three gifts to the One who created them, and who was born to save them from their sins. At this time their knowledge was limited, but what they did know of Him caused them to fall down before the Child and worship Him. These gifts they presented to Him they carried with them during their journey: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Each one of these three gifts had intrinsic monetary value, but importantly had the highest spiritual value.

Gold, the most precious commodity, symbolized His deity. It is worthy of a king, and even more worthy of the King of the Jews, the King of kings, the King of glory. It reminds me of Psalm 95:6, “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.” He deserves all our praise and worship, for He is perfect God.

Frankincense is an aromatic resin used in making incense and perfumes, obtained from trees of the genus Bosweilla in the family Burseraceae. It is a beautiful picture of the the humanity of Christ. Not only was He perfect God, but He was perfect Man as well. Jesus often referred to Himself as the Son of Man. He was sinless, blameless, innocent, and perfect. Hebrews 7:26 says of Him, “For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens.”

Myrrh is associated with bitterness. It was an important herb and is mentioned some 152 times in the Bible. It was used as a spice, a natural remedy, and to purify the dead. It portrayed Christ in His suffering and death on the cross. He gave His life to save us.

The wisemen brought the best gifts worthy of the Lord, who was perfect God, perfect man, and who took man’s place on the cross. I am sure when these wisemen returned home they were rejoicing and had wonderful things to share with their families, friends, and fellow countrymen. Let us be those who share Jesus with others. The gospel is the good news, the life changing news of salvation through Him.

Have a blessed day rejoicing in and worshiping our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean

-December 7, 2021-

Good morning, happy Tuesday,

“And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

(Luke 2:7).

Imagine being alive in those days and living in Bethlehem, perhaps even being the innkeeper. The city was jammed back because everyone was moving around to register for the census that was ordered by Caesar Augustus for all the world controlled by Rome. Because Joseph was of the lineage of David, Mary and Joseph went there. Mary was pregnant with Jesus, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit.

God moves in mysterious ways that we do not understand. He uses people, circumstances, counsel, and other things to show us His will for us. Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.’” God knows everything and works things out to fulfill His will and promises.

God directed Mary and Joseph where He wanted and needed them to be. But where would they stay? Where would the baby Jesus be born in such crowded conditions? The inn was fully booked, and if they had neon signs like we have today, it would have read, “No Vacancy.” God chose to have His Son born in into the world in a humble, lowly manger. We know it was full of animals and everything associated with them. It was outdoors exposed to the elements also. But it was perfect for God manifested in human flesh to make entrance His into this world.

In a spiritual sense, just as there was no room for them in the inn, there is still today in many hearts no room for Jesus. As He grew up and began His earthly ministry, He was despised and rejected. This is still true today. The unknown hymn writer wrote, “Have you any room for Jesus, He who bore your load of sin? As He knocks and asks admission, will you ever let Him in? Room for Jesus, King of glory! Hasten now, His word obey; Swing your heart’s door widely open, bid Him enter while you may.”

Jesus never forces His way into our lives. He gives us a freewill to decide to open our hearts to Him. The door handle is only on the inside, we must open to Him. He waits and patiently knocks at the door. It may take days, weeks, and even years. Still He knocks. Revelation 3:20 says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Though the context of this verse is to the Laodicean church, it applys so well to receiving Christ for salvation. Is there room in your heart for Jesus?

Our lives are so busy, hectic, and cluttered. People put off receiving Christ, and sometimes until it is too late. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 6:2, “For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” There is no more important of decision in this life than choosing to believe in Jesus and receive Him as Lord and Savior!

Have a blessed day. Rejoice in the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Christ. Be saved today and walk with Him. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean

-December 6, 2021-

Good morning, happy Monday,

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who are under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”

(Galatians 4:4-5).

There are some many encouraging verses about the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Today’s verses speak of the timing of His coming into the world. God’s timing is always perfect, not a moment too soon or a moment too late. God is never in a hurry. The same cannot be said of us mortals who always seem to be in a rush, especially this time of year.

The fullness of time is an agricultural term, meaning when the crops are ready to be harvested. A good farmer, is a patient farmer. Picking the fruit too soon is not good nor it good to wait until they are too ripe. There is a fine balance. In God’s reckoning, we must wait for His timing, sometimes months or even years. Case in point, God promised Abraham and his descendants the land of Canaan but it didn’t happen for hundreds of years. Genesis 15:16 tells us why, “But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” God was giving the Canaanites time to repent. God is so patient, but His patience does not last forever, judgment is coming on those who reject Christ.

When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son. He always fulfills His promises. He was born of a woman, that is through Mary; was born under the law, that is born a Jew; and to redeem those who were under the law, that is all of us. This was the fulfillment of God’s promise in Isaiah 7:14, “The Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive a bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” Only God could bring about something as glorious and miraculous at this. We still celebrate the birth of Christ these centuries later.

When the angel Gabriel announced that Mary would be the mother of our Savior, it seemed such an unbelievable thing, but she did believe. She did ask the obvious question, “…How can this be, since I do not know a man” (Luke 1:34). Gabriel made the clear and sure statement in Luke 1:37, “For with God nothing will be impossible.” God is all powerful, He can do all things, except lie or deny Himself. Her faith is shown in the very next verse, “Then Mary said, ‘Behold, the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be done according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her” (Luke 1:38).

How do you react when you encounter an impossible situation? Do you say, “May Your will be done, Lord.” There is always the fullness of time when God comes through for us at just the right time. The virgin birth of Christ is one of the greatest miracles in all the Bible. The song says, “God said it, and I believe it, and that settles it for me. God said it, and I believe it, and that settles it for me. Though some doubt that His Word is true, but I’ve chosen to believe it, now how about you? God said it, and I believe it, and that settles it for me.”

The result of His coming into the world for those who believe is eternal life, forgiveness, salvation, and place in the family of God. We who were once lost sinners without hope have been adopted into God’s family as sons. It is such a blessed position! In the fullness of time God sent forth His Son to accomplish so great a work in so many hearts.

Have a blessed day today and all through this Christmas season. God has many sons, but only one you! Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean

-December 5, 2021-

Good morning, happy Lord’s Day,

“Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wisemen.”

(Matthew 2:16).

The events referred to in our text today are among the darkest days in Israel’s history. It is commonly known as, “The Massacre of the Innocents.” It is a very apt description of what happened. Killing grown men in the field of battle is one thing, but to kill innocent babies and toddlers is quite another. Herod was king at this time. Herod is a title rather than a name. He, like the Jewish leaders especially, should have welcomed the Christ, but due his jealousy and anger wanted to kill Him.

The one who was behind this devious, dastardly, and deadly attack was the devil. The devil, who was once Lucifer the most beautiful and honored angel, before falling into sin and taking with him one third of the angels, who became demons. God banished him and those who sided with him, and kicked them out of heaven. So starting in the Garden of Eden, he has been down evil in the world. The devil knows the Scriptures extremely well and uses it to his advantage. He has been trying to wipe out the line of Christ and destroy God’s plan ever since. He did not want Christ to be born nor to die on the cross for our sins. He used every trick in his evil, wicked playbook all to no avail. The word thwart is defined as, “prevent someone from accomplishing something; oppose a plan, attempt, or ambition successfully.” The devil the thwarter became the thwarted.

Pharaoh was the first vessel of the devil to kill the Israelite baby boys. He knew he could weaken the Hebrews living in Egypt by this wicked, murderous strategy. All male babies were to be killed, while the female ones would be allowed to live. God thwarted his plan, Moses and others were spared, and God’s plan of deliverance from the bondage of Egypt was successful. Two Hebrew midwives, Shiprah and Puah, refused to carry out Pharaoh’s plan to kill the baby boys and God protected them and their families.

The next evil man who tried to wipe out the whole Jewish race was Haman, another pawn of the devil. He was so angry at Mordecai for not bowing down to him that he concocted a plan to not only destroy Mordecai but all the Jews, men, women, and children. Once again, Haman, and the devil were thwarted. We also know in more modern times that Adolf Hitler sought to destroy the Jews and killed over 7 million during his evil reign over Germany. He too was defeated.

Now enters Herod, out for blood, to kill the Christ child. When the wisemen came to him looking for Christ the new born king, he pointed them to Bethlehem and told the wisemen, “Go and search carefully for the Young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also” (Matthew 2:8). He never intended to worship Him but rather to kill Him. God protected His Son by having Joseph and Mary move temporarily to Egypt. Herod was frustrated when God warned the wisemen not to return to Herod but to go directly home by another route. Again the devil was thwarted.

Sadly, so many Jewish male toddlers from two years old and under living around or in Bethlehem were murdered. Herod was a mass murderer of the worse kind. There were much anguish and so many tears at that time. Jeremiah’s prophecy in Jeremiah 31:5 was fulfilled in Matthew 2:18, “A voice was heard in Ramag, lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they were no more.” One day the devil will defeated fully and thrown into the lake of fire. Until then he fights on, despite being defeated by Christ on the cross.

Let us rejoice in God’s plan of salvation, and how Jesus was victorious over sin, death, and Satan. Satan wanted to kill Jesus so badly that it turned out to be his downfall just as it was with Haman who was executed on his own gallows that he had built to kill Mordecai on. We are on Christ’s side, the winning side. Praise be to God!

Have a blessed and victorious day. The devil is no match for the Lord. He protects us and helps us. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean

-December 4, 2021-

“Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be for all the people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord’” (Luke 2:10-11).

“Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them” (Luke 2:20).

If you or I were going to send out a birth announcement for the King, Jesus Christ, we would send it to the local leaders, the religious aristocracy, or the wealthy or prominent of the community; but God has other plans. He knew and trusted the shepherds. The position of a shepherds in those days was not highly regarded. When you think about though several godly men and women in the Bible were shepherds. There was Abel, Jacob, Rachel, Moses, and David to name a few.

These shepherds were where they should have been — out in the fields; doing what they should be doing — keeping watch over their flock by night. They were simple, hardworking, dedicated shepherds. We would call them “blue collar workers.” We don’t know how many shepherds there were, but there likely more than two. An angel (likely Gabriel, who appeared to both Mary and Joseph), came and stood before them. The glory of the Lord shone around them and they were greatly afraid. I know I would have been shaking in my boots, that’s for sure.

The angel told them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be for all the people.” This message announcing the birth of Christ was for all the Jews, Gentiles, and everyone on earth. It is for us today as well. God’s Word is for everyone and the message of the gospel, the good news is simple enough for everyone to comprehend. God’s best fruits are on the lower branches of the tree for easy access.

The angel said, “For there is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Just as we read in Micah 5:2 this week. God have them a sign: they would find the Babe, wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. Soon the angel was joined by a host of many angels praising God in song. The shepherds believed without doubt or question, and went off to see the Christ child for themselves. They were the first, other than Mary and Joseph, to see the baby Jesus. They were so overjoyed that got to see Him. There in the lowly manger, they bowed before Him.

The shepherds had one thing to do: to believe. Notice, the angel didn’t have tell them to go and see Jesus. They went on their own volition without condition. Obedience follows faith and trust. When God speaks to us, we must listen and obey. They had God’s promise, and that was enough for them. God made sure that they would find Jesus. When a person is sincere and seeking, God will bring them to Jesus. They became the first missionaries. Luke 2:17 says, “Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.”

How about us? We have not seen Christ with our natural eyes but with the eyes of our hearts. Peter wrote, speaking of Jesus, “whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.” This verse relates well to the shepherds and to us today.

Have a blessed day and continue to enjoy this Christmas season. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean

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