Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-June 1, 2021-

Good morning, happy Tuesday,

-The Comfort Of The Lord’s Coming-

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

(1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).

The coming of the Lord to take us home to heaven is one of the most exciting, encouraging, and energizing subjects in all the Scriptures. Though the word Rapture is not found in the Bible, the concept is. The word rapture in the original Greek means, “A snatching away.” Those of us who are alive will be gathered together with those who have died in Christ. We will meet the Lord in the air.

Three things are associated with the Lord’s coming: the shout of the Lord, the voice of the archangel, which we know to be Michael, and the trumpet of God. Only believers will hear and see these things. In the OT, trumpets were used to gather the people of Israel together for feasts, to move out from their camp, and for battle.

Paul mentions that the dead in Christ will rise first. The saints who have died and preceded us to glory are already with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8 says, “We are confident, yes, well pleased, rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” There were those false teachers in the early church sought to upset the saints regarding those who died, or as the NT says, “have fallen asleep in Jesus.” The believers wondered would become of those who died in Christ before them. There is no need to worry, they are with the Lord and they will rise first. Their bodies will be reunited with their souls and spirits.

Then we who are alive at the time of Christ’s coming will be raised up to meet them in the air. O what a reunion that will be! During this pandemic we have not been able gather as a church for about 15 months. It will be so exciting to be back together at church again. And just think of the saints who have departed to be with Christ. We miss them and we will see them again.

It will all happen so suddenly and quickly. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 says, “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed —in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

Paul concludes our passage with the words, “…And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” Just as the disciples rejoiced to see Jesus risen from the dead, we will be excited to see Him physically for the very first time. Peter who saw the Lord on earth wrote, “Whom (that is Jesus) having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.” I get goosebumps just thinking about it! I am ready to go! The Lord’s coming is imminent, meaning He could come at any time. Those who are saved are ready, but if you are unsaved, you are not ready. There will be no second chances for those left behind.

There are but two men in the history of the world according to Scripture who did not die but were taken directly to heaven: Enoch and Elijah. Of Enoch it says, “God took him.” And of Elijah, it says he went up to heaven in a chariot of fire.”

Let us then rejoice as we contemplate the Lord’s coming and comfort one another. We win either way, whether we die in Christ or we are raptured, we go to be with the Lord forever. He may come today!

Have a blessed day waiting for Christ’s return and serving Him all the way until we enter into glory. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean

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-May 31, 2021-

Good morning, happy Monday, Happy Memorial Day,

-The Ultimate Price Is Giving One’s Life-

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for His friends.”

(John 15:16).

Today is Memorial Day, a day we as a country remember those who gave their lives in the service of our country. Many died in wartime, others in peacetime, some in accidents, others in friendly fire incidents. They all wore the uniform of the United States, and they all paid the ultimate price. Each one gave every ounce of devotion to protect our freedom.

President Abraham Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address on November 18, 1863, with the Civil War still raging. He said, “But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate— we can not consecrate— we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but we can never forget what they did here. It is for the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us— that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain— that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

We cannot personally thank those who have died for our country, but we can appreciate what they did for us, and remember them. Most, but not all, are buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. The first Memorial Day took place on May 30, 1868 (originally known as Decoration Day) At Arlington National Cemetery. The national observance of Memorial Day still takes place there today, with the placing of a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the decoration of each grave with a small American flag. In 1971, federal law changed the observance of the holiday to the last Monday in May and extended it to include all those who died in American wars. People pay tribute not only with flowers but also with speeches and parades.

As I am writing these words today, our President Joe Biden has just laid the wreath at Arlington National Cemetery in the annual tribute to those who died for us. It is tradition, but it is much more, it is appreciation.

Jesus Christ our Savior laid His life for us for on the cross. He didn’t just die for Jews, He died for everyone. He called His disciples His friends. He said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down His life for His friends.” Earlier in John 10:17-18, He said, “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I received from My Father.”

Jesus set the example of demonstrating His love on the cross. 1 John 3:16 says, “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” As a result, there have been so many soldiers who have sacrificed their lives in battle to save their fellow soldiers; and there have been so many Christians who laid down their lives for Christ and their fellow believers.

Today is a solemn day, a cherished day, an honored day. Yes, we have fun, with picnics, barbecues, and other activities, but let us never forget those who died to make it all possible. Let us remember above all the price Jesus paid for us all. For us as believers, we remember His death and resurrection every Sunday until He comes. Happy Memorial Day!

In His grace,

Dean

-May 30, 2021-

Good morning, happy Lord’s Day,

-Trusting God And Not Fearing Man-

“In God (I will praise His word), in God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?”

(Psalm 56:4).

David, the writer of this psalm, was in a very tight spot. He had fled from Saul who vowed to kill him. In seeking to find safety he went to the land of the Philistines, the enemies of Israel. He was in a place he should not have been with people he should have been with. As it tells us in Scripture, he even stooped so low to feign madness before them so they would not kill him.

The Philistines could have killed him and all his mighty men, but God did not allow it. David wrote in Psalm 56:13, “You have delivered my soul from death, have You not kept my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living.” After all, Samuel had anointed him king in place of Saul, though Saul was still king. He just had to wait for God’s timing.

The Lord has to promised to be with us as He was with David. We should resist the temptation to take matters into our own hands. The Lord loves us, cares for us, guides us, and helps us. We, like David, are living behind enemy lines, the world, the flesh, and the devil are against us. We must trust in the Lord and not fear man. The Word of God encourages us. We need to read it, meditate on it, study it, and memorize it daily.

David asked the question twice, once in verse 4 and once in verse 11: “What can flesh do to me? What can man do to me?” The worst thing someone can do to us is kill our bodies; no one can harm our souls. David wrote in Psalm 118:6, “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

David also made the wise assertion, “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes” (Psalm 118:8-9). Sadly, in this instance, he sought man’s help and protection with the Philistines. We make that mistake when we think money, a job, a marriage, a family, or any earthly thing can satisfy us or shield us in in our times of trouble. Only the Lord is our refuge and help. We should not fear man or seek man’s help. He is the living God, all other gods are idols. We must seek Him in prayer and not turn to earthly resources.

Have a blessed day trusting the Lord and not fearing man or any of the dangers around us. He will never leave us nor forsake us. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean

-May 29, 2021-

Good morning, happy Saturday,

-God’s Mercy And Righteousness Are On Us and Our Children-

“But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them.”

(Psalm 103:17-18).

Psalm 103 is a beautiful psalm written by David. It speaks of God’s mercy toward us. Verse 4 speaks of God’s tender mercies; verse 8 tells us that God is merciful and gracious; verse 11 refers to God’s great mercy; and in our text in verse 17, we read of His everlasting mercy to us and our children and grandchildren.

Our God is everlasting, and so is His mercy toward us. His mercy means that He does not give us what we deserve; His grace on the other hand means He gives what we do not deserve. This psalm is full of blessings coming from God. We should always remember to thank and praise the Blesser not just take the blessings as if somehow we deserved them.

Verse 10 says, “He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities.” Our Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins. He loves so much and forgives us over and over. His mercy is everlasting on those who fear Him. God forgave David for adultery and murder; He forgave Jonah for disobeying and running away from his mission in Nineveh; and He forgave Peter for denying Jesus three times. Our God is a God of second chances, and in fact many more chances for His people.

We have a responsibility to pass His Word to our children and grandchildren. When we obey God’s truth we are showing an example to them. Despite the conditions in the world today, I have faith in the next generation of believers. God never leaves Himself without His witnesses and servants in this world.

Mercy and righteousness go together so perfectly. We must teach God’s principles to our children so they can carry on in the future. Moses the man of God wrote in Psalm 90:1-2, “Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” Five times this phrase, “from everlasting to everlasting” is used in the Bible.

We are so incredibly blessed to be saved and have all God’s blessings and promises. Let us not take them lightly or for granted. His mercy is so great. Lenny LeBlanc’s modern classic song says, “His mercy flows like a river wide, and healing comes from Your hands, suffering children are safe in Your arms, there is one like You. There is one like You, no one else can touch My heart like you do, I could search for all eternity long and find, there is none like You.”

Have blessed day basking in God’s mercy and living in His righteousness. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean

-May 28, 2021-

Good morning, happy Friday,

-Empathizing With Our Brethren-

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”

Romans 12:15).

The concept of empathy goes back to the NT. In the early days of the church people were being saved: Jews and Gentiles, men and women, rich and poor, slaves and freemen. Their backgrounds were vastly different, but the common denominator was: salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. They loved one another and were one body in Christ.

The Merriam Webster on line Dictionary defines the word empathy as, “The action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experiences of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner.” It is a very important part of Christian living.

The difference between sympathy and empathy is the former is feeling for someone, the latter is feeling with someone. You can feel sympathy for someone grieving, hurting, or experiencing loss; you often express it in words. The difference is you empathize with them by putting yourself in their shoes and walking with it with them, by their side and helping them.

The Apostle Paul discusses both the positive as well as the negative feelings based on the present circumstances. He simply says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” In either case, it is denying ourselves for the good of others.

• Rejoice with those who rejoice – It sounds easy enough, but is a lot harder than one may think. It is being genuinely happy for another who succeeds or achieves something very positive in their lives. It could be a graduation, anniversary, having a child, being hired for a job, getting a promotion, going on a special vacation, winning an award, buying a new home or car, or any number of other positive things. The flesh in us is strong, we may get envious, and wish we had been the one to experience these things not the other person. We must remember the words of Galatians 5:14, “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

• Weep with those weep – We often associate empathy with sorrow more than joy. Just this week ten people were murdered by a crazed individual in our area. We can hardly imagine the pain of their families and loved ones. There was a vigil in their city of San Jose that brought out thousands of people to mourn and support each of those who lost loved ones. Job’s three friends came to support him. They started off with good intentions; they sat with him for seven days, saying not a word. Unfortunately, when they did speak they wrongly accused him of sin. Being there for someone and weeping with them doesn’t need words or very many words anyway. The danger here is that we feel better that at least it did not happen to us. Instead, we should feel as if it did really happen to us.

Therefore, let us rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. The love of Christ enables us to do both genuinely, sincerely, and deeply. Two miracles of Jesus symbolize these two different emotions: at Cana of Galilee Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding that He and His mother and disciples were invited to. Wine is a symbol of joy. He rejoiced with those who rejoiced. The second case was at the tomb of Lazarus who had died. Jesus wept with those who were weeping, especially Mary and Martha.

Have a blessed day feeling with others in their joy or in their sorrow. We show we love and care for them in both scenarios. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean