Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-July 16, 2021-

Good morning, happy Friday,

-Readiness To Receive And Study The Word Of God For Ourselves-

“These were more fair-minded than those in in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the prominent women as well as men.”

(Acts 17:11-12).

Paul and Silas had to leave from Thessalonica due to persecution that arose there. It was a constant pattern through Paul’s ministry: the Jews who opposed Paul would stir up the people against him and his companions to hinder the work of God. In spite of the persecution many souls were saved there.

When Paul and Silas arrived in Berea, they found a better reception. The there. The Jews there had a strong desire to search the Scriptures for themselves, which they did daily to see if what Paul was saying was true. This led to many men and women getting saved. Unfortunately, those trouble making Jews came over from Thessalonica and stirred up the crowds also in Berea.

The attitude and actions of the Bereans was very impressive. It should inspire every believer to love the Word and be in it daily to learn it and apply in one’s life. It it not enough to merely attend church on Sunday and hear the pastor or others speak. The Bible and Bible study is for every believer, old and young, men and women, along with the children and young people.

• They were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica – To be fair-minded is to be noble-minded, or as we may say today, “open-minded.” They had a strong desire to read, study, understand, and know the Scriptures. As believers today we need an open heart and an open Bible. We have so much to learn.

• They received the word with all readiness – They had an eagerness and strong desire about them. They wanted to know it for themselves. It reminds me of the Samaritans to whom the woman at the well shared with. She gave her personal testimony of Jesus and what He told her and did for her. John 4:42 says, “Then they said to the woman, ‘Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him, for we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.’”

• They searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so – They did their research, not with a spirit of doubt or skepticism, but of faith and desire. In John 6:39, Jesus told the Jews, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are those who testify of Me.” In every word of every chapter of every book of the Bible, we something of Christ. The OT pointed forward to Him, and the NT fulfilled everything about Him and for the future into eternity.

May the Lord help us to desire and love the Word, wanting to read and study it, know it, understand it, obey it, and apply it to our lives. When we do, we can say with the Queen of Sheba who saw and heard Solomon for herself, “Then she said to the king: ‘It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. However I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard’” (1 Kings 10:6-7).

Have a blessed day searching the Scriptures for all the wonderful treasures. Read and study the Bible for yourself and you will say, “The half has not been told me.” Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean

-July 15, 2021-

Good morning, happy Thursday,

-Lay Aside Moral Impurity And Receive The Word Implanted-

“Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”

(James 1:21).

The early Christians lived in a morally corrupt society in the Roman Empire. Many were saved as adults who had lived very sinful lives. They were growing in their faith. Our society today is much the same way, there is defilement from TV, movies, internet, books, magazines, music, and other forms of entertainment.

As believers we need to “lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness.” We must choose to reject the things of this world that defile our minds and bodies. All throughout Scripture, whenever God’s people give up something wrong or questionable, God replaces it with something better. Separation is to keep one away from sinful and worldly things around us. Sanctification is to be set apart for the Lord. Both are needed.

We notice that it takes action on our part in our choices. There are good TV shows which include Christian programs, as well as syndicated TV shows from years gone by. There are good movies rated G or PG. There are good things on the internet and good Christian music and videos. It does take dedication and parents can show the way by their example. James tells us “ to receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”

Parents want to protect their kids from moral corruption and that is a good thing. We as children of God must do the same. Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” The summer Olympics are coming up in a couple of weeks and we will see runners and other athletes competing at the highest levels. They have trained most of their lives for this stage. They have been disciplined to the highest degree and their clothing and shoes are as light as possible. Their goal is faster, stronger, higher.

We have a choice in how we live our lives. People who know we are Christians are watching how we live our lives, the words we use, and places we go and things we do. Just as the world-class athletes must sacrifice so much to represent their countries, so too, we must sacrifice much to represent the Lord Jesus Christ and heaven in the way we live our lives.

Have a blessed day laying aside anything defiling and living fully for Christ in this world. Being separated from the world and set apart for God is our daily choice and challenge. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean

-July 14, 2021-

Good morning, happy Wednesday,

-Obedience And Love Go Together-

“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.”

(John 15:10).

Love for the Lord and obedience to Him go together as a hand and glove. When we keep His commandments we abide in His love, and conversely when we love Him, we will obey Him. It is based on our relationship to Christ and on His relationship to the Father.

John 14:23 says, “Jesus answered and said to Him, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.’” We love Him because He first loved us and gave Himself for us on the cross. Love is the ultimate motive for obedience, and obedience is the ultimate expression of our love for the Lord Jesus. Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

Obedience without love is duty, love without obedience is unthankfulness; but love with obedience is delightful devotion. We can never love Him enough nor can we obey Him as He deserves. Jesus, God’s Son loves the Father and obeys Him fully, doing His will. God never forces us to obey Him, but His great love for us compels us to comply to whatever He asks.

It is not hard to obey the Lord who loves us so much. He is our loving Lord and Savior. We may obey our parents to stay out of trouble; we may obey our bosses to keep our jobs; we may obey the law to stay out of jail; but we obey our Lord because of our love for Him and ourdesire to please Him.

Let us show our obedience because we love Him, and may we show our love by our obedience to Him. The closer we draw to the Lord, the more we love Him; and the more we love Him, the more we will obey Him. Jesus is the best example of love and obedience: He loved the Father and did His will fully.

Have a blessed day abiding in Christ’s love and obeying His will. There is nothing better than that. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean

-July 13, 2021-

Good morning, happy Tuesday,

-Where Are The Godly And Faithful Today?

“Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.”

(Psalm 12:1).

David made this observation thousands of years ago. He saw fewer and fewer godly and faithful people in his days. If it was true way back then, just think how true it is today! Things have gotten so much worse down through the years. David loved the Lord and trusted fully in Him and we need to do the same today.

Statistics show fewer people are attending church, especially among younger people. And even among all Christians today, there are fewer and fewer living lives of godliness and faithfulness. How many are spending quality time with the Lord in prayer and in the Lord? How many are strongly practicing their faith as a way of life? How many churches are still preaching the gospel and teaching the pure Word of God?

Oh, how it must have saddened David and should sadden us today as well! Even more so, how it must sadden the Lord! The Lord wants us live godly lives and to be faithful to Him no matter what others may think or do. We have the choice and we must decide to follow Jesus, no turning back.

The hymn, “I have Decided to Follow Jesus,” is so encouraging and challenging. The words are from an unknown author, “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back. The world behind me, the cross before me, no turning back. Tho’ none go with me I still will follow, no turning back. Will you decide now to follow Jesus? No turning back?”

God’s people, down through the centuries, whether in the OT or in the NT, have always been a remnant, a minority. They have always stood their ground and lived for the Lord. We certainly need to take our stand in these dark days in which we are living!

The Bible has been taken out of our schools and so has prayer. If anyone wishes to mention Jesus Christ in a speech, they are discredited and condemned. If the Founding Fathers of our nation could see what has happened, they would be saddened and shocked. It should drive us to our knees in prayer for our beloved country. Proverbs 20:6 says, “Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, but who can find a faithful man?”

Have a blessed day setting the example of godliness and faithfulness despite the conditions around us. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean

-July 12, 2021-

Good morning, happy Monday,

-The Value And Priority Of The Word –

“But He answered him and said, ‘It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”

(Matthew 4:4).

We have all read many books in our lives, good books, including commentaries, devotionals, and other outstanding Christian books. As good as they are, they can cannot compare to the Bible. God’s Word is inspired by the Holy Spirit. Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

The Scriptures are our source of knowledge, understanding, wisdom, encouragement, guidance, truth, and love. There are commandments to obey, principles to live by, and promises to claim. We must read it and practice it in our daily lives. We should always delight in it, for God speaks to our hearts through it.

In today’s text, the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. This event took place right after His baptism and before He began His earthly ministry. He fasted for 40 days and forty nights. He was weak in a physical sense but strong in a spiritual sense. Notice the three key words, “He was hungry.” God designed our bodies to eat food for our nutrition. We all know how a lack of food affects us. We get distracted, irritable, impatient, and just plain cranky.

The devil tempted Jesus three times, and each time our Savior answered him from the Word of God. The lesson we learn from this is that in order to defeat the devil we must use the Word. Of the all parts our spiritual armor that we put on, the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, is our only offensive weapon. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and narrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” It cuts deep in conviction, as well as providing instruction and guidance. The devil never stood a chance. In the analogy of baseball, the devil threw his three best pitches: a fastball, slider, and a curve; Jesus hit each for a home run.

Man does not live by bread alone, that is the earthly things of life. They only afford temporal pleasure and benefit. God’s Word on the other hand, proceeds out of His mouth and provides eternal benefits. Jesus said to the people in John 6:27, “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”

How well do you know your Bible? How skillful are you at sharing it with others? How adept are you at quoting and also knowing where to find things in it? Paul told Timothy, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

Let us then spend much time in prayer and in the Word. May we skillful to use it in our lives and to share it with others. We need to tell the devil to get behind us in the name of Jesus and the power of His shed blood. When we stand on the Word, the devil won’t have a leg to stand on. James wrote, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

Have a blessed day in the Word using it wisely and skillfully, powerfully and humbly. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean