Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-October 13, 2021-

Good morning, happy Wednesday,

“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.”

(Colossians 4:2).

Paul encourages every believer to pray. It something everyone of us can do. It requires no special training, but it does not mean it is easy. The devil will fight us every step of the way. To be effective, we must be consistent, seek the Lord’s will, and have a heart to pray for others. It is so rewarding to see our prayers answered, though sometimes it may take years.

The word earnestly is defined as, “with sincere and intense conviction; seriously. In the NT, the word earnest, is the Greek word sophroneo, coming from a term meaning “to be in one’s right mind.” When we pray, we use our minds that have been renewed by the Holy Spirit. Peter wrote in 1 Peter 4:7, “But the end of all things is hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.” Are your prayers characterized by seriousness and watchfulness? There is power in prayer, especially when we join together to pray as one before the Lord. Sadly, the prayer meeting in many churches no longer exists.

We have prayer warriors in our church and we send out messages by telephone to pray about certain urgent needs. It has been a real blessing, especially during the pandemic when we were meeting virtually. We started it long before it started and will continue until the Lord comes. When we pray earnestly we must do so with vigilance and thanksgiving. We also a have Men’s prayer meeting on Monday nights and Bible Study with prayer on Wednesday nights.

Vigilance is a word that means, “the action or state of keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties.” It reminds us of when Jesus and His disciples went out to the Garden of Gethsemane just prior to His arrest and subsequent crucifixion. He left them for a time and prayed to the Father. Sadly, they fell asleep. Jesus said in Matthew 26:41, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

There is the term vigilante, which is when someone who takes the law into their own hands. It is not a positive thing, even though their motives may be good. In terms of prayer, though, we should be spiritual vigilantes who don’t give up, and join our efforts to bring down spiritual strongholds controlled by the devil. Prayer is a great weapon in our spiritual warfare against the devil and his demons.

Whenever we pray we should thank the Lord; when we bring our requests before the throne of grace we should thank the Him for hearing our requests and for the answers we will receive. Then when God answers our prayers, we should thank Him.

Let us then continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving. God is looking for prayer warriors, spiritual vigilantes, who are committed to Him and to prayer no matter what. There is power in prayer because we pray in power to God who is all powerful. Don’t leave home without praying, but also keep praying through the day. Paul wrote, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Have a blessed day in prayer with earnestness, vigilance, and thanksgiving. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean

-October 12, 2021-

Good morning, happy Tuesday,

“Set your mind on the things above, not on things on the earth.”

(Colossians 3:2).

The Apostle Paul admonishes the Colossians to set their minds on the things above, not the things of earth. As believers we are citizens of heaven, our names are written in the Book of life, and our inheritance is in heaven waiting for us. We long for heaven, and thinking about it delights our hearts.

The Lord Jesus said in Matthew 6:20, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Living on earth we must be involved with and concerned about earthly things, but they should not be our focus or priority. When we look up to the Lord, He will take care of us here in earth. Paul wrote in Colossians 3:1, “If (or as it should be rendered from the Greek, since) you were raised with Christ, seek (or keep seeking) those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.”

The devil wants us to take our eyes off the Lord and worry about our circumstances, our problems, and our burdens. We must make the conscious effort to seek the Lord and His kingdom, leaving everything in His hands. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

The hymn writer Helen Lemmel wrote, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” We are what we think about. When we immerse ourselves in Jesus and His Word, we will be better off facing whatever comes our way.

Have a blessed day setting your mind on the things above not the things on earth. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean

-October 11, 2021-

Good morning, happy Monday,

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him”

(Colossians 2:6).

How did we receive Christ? We received Him as our Lord and Savior. We made Him the Lord of our lives, and that is how we are to walk. Our lives do not revolve around us, our lives revolve around Him. He leads us, guides us, and directs our steps. When we give Him full control, we experience His matchless peace. When we try to take control, and make our own decisions, life starts to unravel.

To walk in Jesus is to follow Him and do His will. We must abide in Him so that His Word will abide in us. John wrote, “He who says He abides in Him ought Himself also to walk as He walked” (1 John 2:6). The phase became very popular among Christians a few years ago, “What Would Jesus Do,”’ with the acronym, “WWJD.” It is a very good question for us to consider in deciding what to do. Paul in fact wrote in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” Paul wasn’t afraid to be a role model to the saints. Being a good example for Christ is a heavy responsibility.

The apostles lived and spoke in such a way as those around them could see Jesus in their lives. When Peter and John were arrested for spreading the gospel in Jerusalem, the Jewish leaders were struck with their amazing boldness. Acts 4:13 says, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. “

Are you walking in Him so that others can see Jesus living in you? Can people see the difference in your life? Do others ever ask if you are a Christian? May the Lord help us to represent and reflect Christ in this world! Let us walk in Him!

In His grace,

Dean

-October 10, 2021-

Good morning, happy Lord’s Day,

“When you pass through waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.”

(Isaiah 43:2).

God promises to be with us His people and see us through anything and everything we go through. He is so faithful. In this chapter we find such words to describe God’s people as, “created, formed, redeemed, and called.” He delights is His children; He loves us so much.

We all through difficult times, He doesn’t always deliver us, but He is with us in every trial. Isaiah quotes the Lord’s four promises: to be with us through the waters, the rivers, the fire, and the flame. In the Scriptures we find examples of each of these.

• Through the waters – The Lord was with the Israelites and parted the Red Sea and let them pass through on dry ground. He then brought the waters back to cover Pharaoh and his entire army. The Lord brought His people through the Jordan River in a similar way. As soon as the feet of the priests touched the water, the people marched through on dry ground.

• Through the rivers – On one occasion after the death of his mentor Elijah, Elisha asked for a double portion of his spirit. Elisha took his master’s mantle and with it he struck the river and it divided and he passed through.

• Through the fire and the flame – We are familiar with the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego who were cast in the fiery furnace turned up seven times hotter than usual. They refused to bow down to the golden image King Nebuchadnezzar had made. The Lord Himself was in the fire with them. They were not burned nor did they even smell of smoke. The king said in Daniel 3:25, “‘Look!’ he answered, ‘I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.’”

The hymn writer G. A. Young wrote, “Though sorrows befall us and evils oppose, God leads His dear children along; Through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes, God leads His dear children along. Some thru the waters, some thru the flood, some through the fire, but all through the blood; some through great sorrow, but God gives a song, in the night season and all the day long.”

Have a blessed day trusting the Lord who is with through all things. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean

-October 9, 2021-

Good morning, happy Saturday,

“I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.”

(Philippians 4:2-3).

While in prison in Rome, Paul heard the distressing news that two women in the church in Philippi were not getting along with each other. These were two sisters were not only Paul’s friends but his co-laborers in the Lord’s work. Something happened to come between them, we aren’t told what, that alienated them from one another. Paul’s heart was broken.

The goal for all believers is to love one another, be of one mind, to dwell in unity, and to serve together. Psalm 133:1 says, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” It isn’t always easy. Someone once said, “Oh to dwell above with the saints we love, that will be glory. But to dwell below, with the saints we know, well that’s another story.”

Satan’s goal is to attack Christians and sow discord, division, and distention among them. Charles H. Spurgeon, the Prince of Preachers, once said, “Satan always hates Christian fellowship. It is his policy to keep Christians apart. Anything that can divide saints from one another, he delights in.” We can’t let Satan win.

Tradition has it that these two dear saints settled their differences and reconciled together. Problems like this, left unsolved and unsettled, can cause great problems in the church. Paul was so happy with they talked it out and asked for forgiveness from each other. The old axiom is so true, “All’s well that ends well.” Fellowship with the Lord and our fellow saints is of the utmost importance.

The key to settling conflicts and maintaining fellowship with each other is a humble, unselfish, and loving attitude. Paul wrote to the Romans, “Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion” (Romans 12:16).

Have a blessed day in fellowship with the Lord, your family, your friends, and especially with your spiritual family. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean