Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-April 17, 2021-

Good morning, happy Saturday,

-The Message Of The Cross-

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

(1 Corinthians 1:18).

The cross of Jesus Christ evokes a strong, definitive reaction among people one way or the other. There are no gray areas, there can be no fence sitting. For those who are unsaved it is foolishness but to us who are saved it is the power of God.

To those who do not know Jesus Christ, their conclusion is that the cross is foolishness. The cross makes no sense, for they do not comprehend what took place. It all seemed so gruesome and senseless. A young Jewish prophet named Jesus from Nazareth who did so much good and so many mighty miracles, was nonviolent and peaceful, would be falsely and wrongly accused and crucified. The punishment did not fit the crime, though there was no crime. Usually crucifixion was reserved for worst of the worst, murders, thieves, insurrectionists, and the like. It was a slow agonizing death. Jesus did not deserve to die, for He was innocent, sinless, and holy.

Those who are unsaved do not understand God’s plan of salvation. They cannot comprehend that God would become flesh, dwell among us, and die in our place on the cross in order to save us from our sins. We cannot blame them, it is even hard for believers to understand. Why would a holy, righteous God love us and send His Son to suffer, bleed, and die for ungodly sinners, His enemies in such a painful way?

For us who are being saved it it the the power of God. The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” The message of the cross was revealed in the OT, and fulfilled in the NT. In such passages as Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 there are graphic descriptions of the sufferings of Christ on the cross. The movie, “The Passion of Christ,” shows what Christ went through to save us. If you have not seen it, rent it and see it; if you have seen it, see it again. As terrible as His pain was portrayed, it was even worse than that.

Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 2:15-16, “For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death, and the other the aroma of life leading to life.” Thank God we see the cross so differently from those in the world. Through Christ’s death, we live; through His love and sacrifice we are forgiven of our sins; and through the cross we have the way paved for us to be with Him in heaven forever. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

The message of the cross separates people. The unsaved see it as foolishness, but to us who are saved we see it as the power of God. Without the cross, there is no salvation and without the resurrection, there is no life or justification. Where do you stand on the cross? Is it foolishness to you or is it the wisdom and power of God?

Have a blessed day taking up your cross and following Christ. Let us thank Him for dying on the cross to save us. Stay safe and healthy.

Dean

-April 16, 2021-

Good morning, happy Friday,

-Love One Another And Thus Fulfill The Law Of Love-

“Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.”

(Romans 13:8).

Love is the universal language of the heart. James 2:8 says, “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you do well.” The world around us is hurting. Once again we have had a rash of police shootings and mass killings. Oh, how love is so desperately needed today! We as believers need to lead the way and show the love of Christ to all those around us.

The Apostle Paul tells us, “Owe no one anything but to love one another…” one of the ways we show our love to Christ is by loving others, especially those who are of the household of faith. Being in debt to someone is never good, except in the case of love. Paul also wrote, “Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:10).

Just think how different the world would be if everyone loved one another as himself! When Jesus will return to reign that will happen. Until then, let us demonstrate His love to all those around us. Love goes far beyond emotions and is shown in actions. The Apostle John wrote, “Beloved let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and loves God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:7-8).

Is there anyone in your life that is hard to love? Is there anyone who needs a hug? Is there anyone who needs to hear you say, “I love you?” Let us love not only in word but also in deed and in truth. Let us love generously and sacrificially. Then people will see Jesus in us!

Have a blessed day loving others as the Lord has loved us. Stay safe and healthy.

Dean

-April 15, 2021-

Good morning, happy Thursday,

-Jesus Must Be First In Our Lives-

“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”

(Luke 14:26-27; Luke 14:33).

In Luke’s account of this Jesus’ words on discipleship, he uses the words “he cannot be My disciple” three times. The title of this passage in Luke 14:26-33 is, “Leaving All to Follow Christ.” To be a disciple, a follower of Christ, we must put Him first before any other person or thing. He will not accept second place in anything. When Luke says that we cannot be His disciple, he means that we cannot be His disciples on our own terms or by own will. His words are strong and clear.

Joshua made a similar statement to the Israelites after they pledged to serve the Lord in Joshua 24:19, “…You cannot serve the Lord, for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.” God is jealous over our affections. There is no room for any idols. Jesus makes three clear statements in these three verses.

• If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life also, he cannot be My disciple – Jesus is not telling us to hate our parents, wives, children, and even ourselves, but not love them more than Him; instead, our love for them will seem like hatred compared to our love for Him. Jesus said in Matthew 10:37, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.”

• And he whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple – Bearing Christ’s cross means to identify with Him, endure hardship, and suffer persecution. His cross is our cross and we bear it for Him. Luke 9:23 says, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow Me.”

• So likewise, whoever of you who does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple – Forsaking all means to leave behind our old life, habits, pastimes, desires, and ways of thinking and living to follow Christ. He is Lord, Master, and King. Yes, He the Boss. He is in control not us.

The song writer Bill Gather wrote, “King of kings, Lord of lords, Jesus is Lord of all; All my possessions and all my life, Jesus is Lord of all.” Can you say that? May the Lord help us to surrender fully to Him and be fully committed to Him and His kingdom. The choice is ours.

Have a blessed day following Jesus as His disciple. Let us put Him first in everything, without reservation or hesitation. Stay safe and healthy.

Dean

-April 14, 2021-

Good morning, happy Wednesday,

-Man Looks At The Outward Appearance, But The Lord Looks At The Heart-

“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical statue, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’”

(1 Samuel 16:7).

God sent the prophet Samuel to anoint a new king over Israel. The current king, Saul, had disobeyed the Lord and God rejected him from being king. Though he remained king until his death in battle against the Philistines at Mount Gilboa. Samuel had to be very careful, for if Saul found out he was anointing his successor, he would have killed him and the new king.

God sent Samuel to the house of Jesse of the tribe of Judah to choose one of his sons. Jesse introduced his sons one by one from the oldest to the youngest. God refused each one, no matter how impressive they looked to Samuel. At last, Samuel asked Jesse if he had any more sons; there was one left, David, the youngest, a shepherd boy. He was the one God chose. Samuel then anointed him as king.

Now there were two kings. David had to wait many years to take the throne. Talk about having patience! Samuel learned a great lesson about God’s choosing and what is important to the Lord. God refers to David as, “a man after My own heart.” The heart and character of a man or woman is way more important than their outward appearance.

For a man to be a preacher, teacher, pastor, elder, deacon, writer, or missionary, God must choose him and call him, otherwise he will have little impact or effectiveness. What concerns me today is that men take pastorates like they take secular jobs. They attend seminary and then get hired by a church needing a new pastor. Boards sometimes select those whom God did not elect. A man may have all the qualities that man looks for but not have a shepherd’s heart.

Someone once said, “God does not call the qualified, but qualifies the called.” This is true of any ministry or position in the church. God gives the gifts and ordains His servants. He equips us to do His work and uses us for His glory. The Lord sees the heart, the potential, and what the results will be. In fact, God chose David, before he fought Goliath, before he became a mighty warrior for God, and way before he assumed the throne and led Israel as its greatest king. David’s success was because of the Lord not because of his own background, abilities, and talents.

David wrote in Psalm 139:1-4, “O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought from afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.”

In Scripture, as today, God choses His servants and uses them mightily for His glory. God chose Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Gideon, David, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Peter, Paul, and so many others. We should never second guess the Lord, for He always knows best. As for us, let us have God’s perspective. Though we cannot see as the Lord sees into the heart, we should always pray for God’s perfect will. We, like Samuel, are human and we look at the outward appearance, the stature, the physique, or the past successes of people. We are so limited. We are so impressed with what we see and hear. Our God has all knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. God knows us way more than we know ourselves.

Have a blessed day being all God wants you to be, and look beyond the outward appearance. Stay safe and healthy.

Dean

-April 13, 2021-

Good morning, happy Tuesday,

-Little Is Much When God Is In It-

“Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, ‘Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the Lord will work for us. For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few.’”

(1 Samuel 14:6).

Saul, Jonathan’s father was king over Israel, their first king, and Jonathan served under his him in the army. At the time the Philistines were their greatest threat and bitterest foe. They were fierce fighters and very powerful. Saul and his main army of 600 men were with him in Gibeah. Jonathan and his young armor bearer snuck out of camp to engage the enemy on their own.

Jonathan had great faith and courage, and believed that God could deliver by many or by few. Someone once said, “One with God is a majority.” Jonathan had a plan: if he called out to the Philistines and they if responded, “Wait until we come to you,” then Jonathan and armorbearer would stay put, but if if they said, “Come up to us,” then they would go up to them and the Lord would deliver the enemy to them. Jonathan sought this sign from the Lord.

Sure enough, the Philistines said, “Come up to us, and we will show you something.” Jonathan had his sign from the Lord. This story reminds us of Gideon and the sign he sought from the Lord by putting out the fleece.” If it was God’s will to fight the Midianities, he asked that there be dew only on the fleece and not on the ground. Then he switched it and asked for dew to be on the ground not on the fleece. When we want to know God’s will we sometimes ask God to show us a sign.

Jonathan and his armorbearer climbed up the steep path on their hands and knees to fight the Philistines. This is symbolic of prayer on our knees that we bring before the throne of grace. Jonathan and his armorbearer killed 20 Philistines within a space of only about half an acre. It was a great victory. Then Saul and his army heard a great commotion in the camp of the enemy. Saul took role call and discovered Jonathan and his armorbearer were missing. They joined the battle and defeated them decisively. God had brought fear and confusion among upon the enemy.

What a great victory! The Lord did deliver by few. Little is much when God is in it. The hymn writer Kittie Louise Suffield wrote, “Little is much, when God is in it; labor not for wealth or fame; There’s a crown and you can win it, if you go in Jesus’ name.”

We need to trust the Lord and step out in faith to achieve the victory in the spiritual realm. There are numerous examples in Scripture of those who by themselves or in a small group did great exploits for God. Samson killed a thousand men with the jawbone of a donkey; Shamgar killed 600 Philistines with an ox goad; Jael killed a commander of the Canaanites with a hammer and a tent peg. The list goes on and on. God brings about His power through the weakness of His servants.

Zechariah 4:6 says, “So he answered and said to me: ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.’” The battle is the Lord’s and He gets all the glory. We are in His side.

Have a blessed day fighting the good fight of faith by the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay safe and healthy.

Dean