Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-June 11, 2021-

Good morning, happy Friday,

-Be Still And Know That God Is Control-

“Be still, know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

(Psalm 46:10).

Every day we wake up should be a reminder to us as believers that God is still on His throne and He is in control. It is so assuring to realize that He is working in our lives. The world is so sinful, so evil and wicked; we move at a frenetic pace, and times goes by even faster. We are still in the coronavirus pandemic, tensions are rising in our country and throughput the world. These are times of violent crime, mass shootings, cybercrime, and so much more. We need to pray and trust the Lord more and more.

This psalm was written by the sons of Korah. They were Levites who served the Lord in the tabernacle then later in the temple. It is called a song for Alamoth. It is a musical term to indicate virgins, who sing praises to God. They are female likely sopranos who sing in the choir.

The writer says, “Be still and know that I am God…” We need to slow down, rest in Jesus, and thank Him for all that He has done for us, is doing for us, and will do for us. Psalm 46:1 tells us, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” We can run to Him and find solace, safely, and security. Twice in this psalm we read, “The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge” (Psalm 46:7, 11). Whenever God repeats something, it is very important for us to take heed to it.

God wants us to know things two things in today’s verse: He is exalted among the nations and He is exalted in the earth. He is sovereign; He is the Lord and King overall and above all. As we mentioned recently, so few are believers. We have chosen to follow Christ on the narrow road. We have bowed down to Him willingly. One day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Is Christ exalted to the highest place in your life? Is He the Ruler of your heart? The Lord wants to get our attention so that we can relieve our tension! Be still and know that He is God. He is our Captain, our Pilot. He will guide us through all the storms of life. Jesus calmed the sea when His disciples feared for their lives.

The anonymous hymn writer wrote, “Be still and know that I am God. Be still and know that I am God. Be still and know that I am God. I am the the Lord that strengthens Thee. I am the Lord that strengthens thee. I am the Lord that strengthens thee.”

Let us remember today that God is in control and we just need to trust Him. He guides us and gives sufficient grace in every circumstance of life. May we be still before the Lord, listen to His voice, and give Him full control over our lives. He is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. Be still without fear, for Jesus is always near!

Have a blessed day walking with Jesus and being still in His presence. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean

-June 10, 2021-

Good morning, happy Thursday,

-Bearing With And Forgiving One Another Is Obligatory-

“Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”

(Colossians 3:13).

Much is written in the NT about the New Man or New Nature. The moment we get saved we have a new nature. The Holy Spirit indwells us and enables us to live the life of Christ. Colossians 3:12-17 describes this life. While we do have the new nature, we still also have the old nature. The two are in constant conflict.

The way to achieve a victorious life is to obey the Lord, surrender fully to Him, and yield to His will. In order to get along with others in the church we must humble ourselves, give up our rights, and live for others. None of us are perfect, which makes it a real challenge at times. Paul tells us we must bear with one another and forgive each other.

Bearing with one another – To bear with one another is the character trait of forbearance, meaning to put up with one another. We all have sins, weaknesses, and quirks. We all make mistakes and say the wrong things at the wrong times in the wrong ways. Case in point with the disciples; they often discussed who was the greatest. The Lord Jesus was patient with them and put up with their flaws. Peter often spoke and said the wrong things. If the Lord bears with me, I should also bear with others.

Forgiving one another – God has forgiven us of all our sins. Sin is completely paid for. But when it comes to others, we find it much harder to forgive each other. We get angry, feel wronged, want our own way. When someone wrongs us, we complain against them and we seek to get back at them. We even hold grudges. The challenge for us is to forgive as Christ has forgiven us. Paul does not say we should forgive but we must forgive.

Jesus said, “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against one anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses” (Mark 11:25-26). When we confess our sins to God, He forgives us, forgets it, and restores the broken fellowship. This same thing should happen when others wrong us.

Let us remember to bear with one another patiently and in love. If the Lord puts up with me, I can put up with others. Forgiving others is not an option but an obligation. It is the only way to maintain healthy relationships with one another. Bearing and forgiving is not easy, but it possible with the Lord’s help and is so needed.

Have a blessed day getting along with our brothers and sisters in Christ, bearing with them and forgiving them. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean

-June 9, 2021-

Good morning happy, Wednesday,

-Two Ways, Two Destinies-

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

(Matthew 7:13-14).

Jesus’ teaching was very clear and to the point. Today’s verses are part of the Sermon on the Mount. Our Savior speaks of two gates, two ways, and two destinies. The world postulates that there are many ways to heaven, which is absolutely untrue. There are but two ways: God’s way and man’s way. They can also be described as two roads through two gates.

Every person has to make the choice which road or way they will choose. Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate.” Every person born into this world is a sinner and is on the broad road that leads to destruction. Anyone who rejects Christ has made their choice to follow that road, enter that gate. Those who choose to not choose are really choosing eternal death in hell. Jesus said, “there are many who go in by it.”

There are so few who choose to receive God’s offer of eternal salvation. To do so, one must see his need of a Savior, acknowledge and confess one’s sins, believe that Jesus died for their sins, and receive Him as their personal Lord and Savior. It is a narrow road through a narrow gate that leads to eternal life. Jesus said, “there are few who find it.” The way is narrow and difficult, because one must humble themselves to follow Jesus.

When God created man, He gave him a free will. God never forces anyone to be saved. He does however desire that every person be saved and spend eternity with Him in heaven. 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” To repent is to turn around, away from our sins and toward God. The eternal clock is ticking. We are living in the Age of Grace. For individuals that will end at death or the coming of Christ whichever comes first. There no second chances after that.

The greatest invitation God made to man is found in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Jesus is the one and only way to God and eternal life. In John 14:6, He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Which road are you on? Which gate have you entered? The right choice is to enter the narrow gate and go on the narrow road that leads to eternal life! Man’s way is to reach out to God to do good works and earn his way to heaven. Every religion in the world outside of Christianity believes that. In the Christian faith it is God reaching out to man, having accomplished our salvation on the cross. Man thinks he is ok and deserves God’s favor and to go to heaven. The opposition is really true: no deserves to be saved and go to heaven. Christ died in our place, bearing our sin, to make eternal life possible by His mercy and grace. Mercy means God doesn’t give us what we deserve: eternal death in hell forever; but grace gives us what we do not deserve forgiveness, eternal life in heaven, and all the blessings He has for His children.

Have a blessed day in the narrow road which is difficult with few on it. It is following Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. He knows the way because He is the way. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean

-June 8, 2021-

Good morning, happy Tuesday,

Walking In God’s Strength On High Places-

“The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.”

(Habakkuk 3:19).

The prophet Habakkuk was one of the minor prophets. He had a burden for his people and cried out against their sin. He prayed for revival. As he concludes his short book of three chapters, he realizes that his strength comes the Lord.

The same is true of us today: our strength comes from the Lord. He writes, “The Lord is my strength.” The word Lord God in the Hebrew is “Jehovah Adonai.” It is the plural of “adon,” meaning Lord, master, or owner. We belong to the Lord. He is our Master, our Lord, our King.

David wrote in Psalm 118:14, “The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.” The Lord gives us strength to face all the challenges of life. Things do not always go our way. There are losses, difficulties, sorrows, pains, and trials. In Habakkuk 3:17-18, the prophet rejoiced in the Lord in spite of economic losses: fig trees not blossoming, vines and olives trees being fruitless, fields that are unproductive, and flocks and herds that are cut off and just there any longer. He was not rejoicing in these circumstances but in the Lord. Paul wrote, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Habakkuk rises above his circumstances, as Paul did in his day. He said, “He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.” Twice he uses the expression, “He will.” He praises God for His promises.

Mountain deer climb high above the ground. Their feet are especially adept for climbing without slipping. They climb higher and higher. It is the same with us today. The Lord helps us to rise above our circumstances and see things from His prospective. Everything that comes into lives is ordered and allowed by God; He works all things together for our good.

Perhaps you are experiencing some very hard times during this pandemic. We can thank God for His love and care; He has preserved us from death and met our needs through it all. We are walking on our high hills in His strength.

Have a blessed day in God’s strength in your high hills. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean

-June 7, 2021-

Good morning, happy Monday,

-When We Are Overwhelmed, The Lord Gives Us The Overwhelming Victory-

“O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You” (2 Chronicles 20:12).

“And he said, ‘Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord, ‘Do not be afraid nor be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s’. You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem! Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.’” (2 Chronicles 20:15; 2 Chronicles 20:17).

Jehoshaphat was a good king of Judah who honored God and did right in the sight of the Lord. In the previous chapter, he commanded his people to fear the Lord faithfully and with a loyal heart. The devil is never happy when we take a stand for Christ, live for Him, and serve Him. Our greatest trials often follow our greatest victories. The enemies of the Lord came against King Jehoshaphat, and all Judah and Jerusalem with overwhelming force composed of the Ammonites, the Moabites, and the people of Mount Seir.

The King prays to the Lord for His help and deliverance, saying, “O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” The king humbled himself before the Lord in complete surrender and dependence. Our God is greater than our enemies, greater than our problems, and greater than our needs. He alone can give us the victory. We can also say to the Lord, “we don’t know what to do but our eyes are on You.” Keep your eyes on Jesus!

God sent him the message through the prophet Jahaziel assuring him of the victory. He says, “The battle is not yours but God’s. You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. God did the same thing for the Israelites at the Red Sea. When we are overwhelmed, the Lord takes over and gives us the overwhelming victory.

Here in our chapter, the people of Judah sang praises to God as they went out to face their enemies. The Lord caused the enemy forces to fight against each other, and they all died. Only God can do such wonderful miracles for His people! Instead being overwhelmed, they saw God’s overwhelming power.

Let us remember the battle is not our’s but God’s, we just need to pray and trust in Him to work. There is nothing too hard for the Lord, nothing impossible. The greater the problems, the greater the victory! The more impossible the odds, the more glory goes to the Lord.

Have a blessed day trusting, praying, and seeing God work in incredible ways! Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean