Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-December 19, 2020-

Good morning, happy Saturday,

-The Greatest Gift From The Greatest Giver-

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.”

(2 Corinthians 9:15).

At the end of Paul discussion on Christian giving in 2 Corinthians 9, he thanks God for the greatest gift of all, His Son Jesus Christ. William MacDonald in His Believer’s Bible Commentary, wrote, “But it seems to us that as the Apostle Paul reaches the end of his section on Christian giving, he is forced to think of the greatest Giver of all — God Himself. He thinks too, of the greatest gift of all — the Lord Jesus Christ. And so he would leave his Corinthian brethren on this high note. They are children if God and followers of Christ. Then let them follow such worthy examples!”

• Thanks be to God – God is the Giver of all things and is the greatest Giver of all. James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” God the Father loves us much and delights to give us all things. He knows His children so well, and He knows exactly what we need and what we want.

More gifts are exchanged at Christmas than any other time of the year. The giver of a gift, not only gives an object, but his heart also. The best givers are those who put a lot into to choosing the right gift for the right person. Often the best gifts are the original ones, handmade and heartfelt. The pictures of family members are treasured for one’s whole life. It is sad that so many store bought gifts are returned or exchanged. Not so with God’s gifts, we treasure them for all eternity.

John 3:16 says, “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.” God the greater Giver gives us the greatest gift of His Son and the gift of eternal life. He gives us freely, fully, and forever. His gifts are without charge and no strings attached. He will never take them back.

• His indescribable gift – The greatest gift is Jesus. God sent and gave Him to die on the cross for our sins so that we can be forgiven and have eternal life. When the wisemen or magi followed the star to where Mary, Joseph and Jesus were. They gave their gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They fell down before Jesus, the Christ Child, and worshipped Him.

The shepherds came to see what the angels told them of and the magi came following the star and rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. All were affected and all were changed by what Him who was born in Bethlehem’s manger in such a humble way. Having Jesus in our hearts means having a gift that keeps on giving all through the year, all through our sojourning on earth, and for all eternity in heaven.

How can we describe this indescribable gift? God is the greatest Giver who has given us the greatest gift of His Son. May the Lord help us to be cheerful and generous givers. When we give, we give our hearts as well as our gifts to God and others. We can never out give God. He always gives back way more than we give. We are so incredibly blessed and thankful!

Have a blessed day and a Merry Christmas. We have the best gift of all: Jesus Christ and the accompanying gift of eternal life through Him. Stay safe and healthy.

Dean

-December 18, 2020-

Good morning, happy Friday, Merry Christmas,

-God Visited His People With Redemption And Salvation-

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people. And has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David, as He spoke by the mouth His holy prophets, who have been since the world began.”

(Luke 1:68-70).

This portion of Scripture (Luke 1:67-79) is known as the Prophecy of Zacharias. He was the father of John the Baptist. He was a priest who served in the temple and didn’t believe the angel Gabriel who announced that he and wife Elizabeth would give birth in their advanced years to John the Baptist. Because he doubted and question it, he was made mute for nine months until John was born.

When it was time to name the baby he wrote on a tablet that his name is John. Then his tongue was released and he began to praise God and he speak the words of this prophecy by the Holy Spirit. We should never doubt the power and promises of the Word of God. When God says, we must believe it!

It is significant that Zacharias mentioned three things God did for His people Israel: He visited them, He redeemed them, and He raised up a horn of salvation to them. He also says that God spoke through His holy prophets. God always fulfills His promises and His prophecies. The coming of Christ was first prophesied in the book of Genesis and throughout the OT. It was then fulfilled in the birth of Christ. John the Baptist was the forerunner who came to announce His coming.

God never forgets His people nor His promises to them. His timing is always perfect, though sometimes the wait is long. There were those godly Jews who were waiting for the Messiah to come. It was a long wait, but well worth it.

Charles Wesley wrote in his wonderful hymn, “Christ by highest heaven adorned, Christ the everlasting Lord! Late in time behold Him come, offspring of the Virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail th’incarnate Deity. Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel. Hark the herald angels sing, glory to the newborn King.” It may late in time in man’s reckoning but precisely on time in God’s reckoning.

No matter what part we play in proclaiming Christ and serving Him, we are blessed. Let us like Zacharias praise the Lord and give Him glory that God sent His Son into the world to visit and redeem us. From His birth to His death, resurrection, and ascension, Jesus changed the world. One day soon, He will return in the air to take us home to heaven.

Have a blessed day and weekend. May we speak of the birth of our Savior and His love. Stay safe and healthy.

Dean

-December 17, 2020-

Good morning, happy Thursday, Merry Christmas,

“But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.’ And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.’”

(Matthew 1:20-21).

The angel of the Lord appeared independently to Joseph and to Mary in order for God’s plan to be carried out, for they both had a part to play. This was the birth of Jesus the Son of God who was to be born into the world. Joseph was about to put Mary away secretly so as not to shame her. The angel told him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife because the child conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

This Child would indeed be unique. Mary will bring forth a Son, you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. One of the most beautiful titles of Jesus is the Savior. Luke 19:9 says, “And Jesus said to him (Zacchaeus), ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.’” Each person, Jew and Gentile, are saved by the blood of Christ. Everyone needs a Savior, everyone needs Christ. The rich and the poor, the famous and the obscure, the religious and unreligious. Romans 3:23 tells us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” One must see their need of Christ in order to be saved.

It is no wonder that the Birth of Christ is called “The Greatest Story Ever Told.” Books have been written, movies have been filmed, and still no one can fathom the depth of the love of God shown to man. The Babe of Bethlehem became the Man of Calvary to redeem men to God. It is not enough to know the story but we must believe it, and receive Jesus Christ as our Savior.

Have a blessed day rejoicing in Jesus, and have a Merry Christmas. Stay safe and healthy.

Dean

-December 16, 2020-

Good morning, happy Wednesday,

-Mary’s Song Of Praise To The Lord-

“And Mary said: ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior’” (Luke 1:46-47).

“For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name” (Luke 1:49).

This section of Scripture, Luke 1:46-55, is commonly called, “Mary’s Magnificat.” It is also called the “Song of Mary,” or we call it, “Mary’s Song of Praise.” Mary, the mother of Jesus, was filled with praise to God and gives Him all the glory for all His blessings on her and the people of Israel. She would be so upset if she knew how many today worship her and pray to her. She regards herself in verse 48 as “His maidservant” yet recognizes that all generations will henceforth call me blessed.”

God uses ordinary people to accomplish His extraordinary things. Mary says in verse 48, “He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant.” She realized how great the Lord is. In verse 49 she says, “For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.” She was so humble and gave all the glory to God. She didn’t consider herself worthy. In her song, she spoke of God’s mercy, strength, and help for all Israel.

It reminds us of the great things God has done for us: in saving us, forgiving us, in giving us the gift of eternal life, and in giving us all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ. The Psalmist wrote, “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad” (Psalm 126:3).

It is no wonder Mary overflows in praise to God. She says in verses 46-47, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God in God my Savior.” There are so many examples of praising God in song in the Scriptures: Moses wrote a song of praise after God delivered him and the Israelites from the Egyptians at the Red Sea. Miriam, his sister led the praise for the women there also. Deborah and Barak sang praises to God after the wonderful victory over Sisera and the Canaanites in Judges 5. David, Asaph, the sons of Korah and others wrote psalms of praise to God for who He is and what He did for them.

May the Lord help us to join Mary in praising God for all He has done for us. Let us honor her part in the birth of Christ and call her blessed. We are so blessed to be Christians and to serve Him humbly and dependently. The Christ Child grew up and became our sin bearer, shed His blood, and died in our place. He rose again and ascended back to heaven. Christmas is the greatest love story showing God’s great love for man.

Have a blessed day praising God. Merry Christmas. Stay safe and healthy.

Dean

-December 15, 2020-

Good morning, happy Tuesday,

-Jesus Was Born To Reign-

“Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and you will call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.’”

(Luke 1:30-33).

Jesus was not only born to die on the cross, but He was also born to reign forever. This tiny baby will rule the world. The way the angel describes Jesus to Mary causes goosebumps. He is no ordinary baby nor is His destiny limited to His life on earth.

• He will be great – Jesus’ greatness did not begin at His birth in Bethlehem’s manger, for He the eternal Son of God. He is great because He is God and He never changes. In Revelation 1:8, Jesus says, “l am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, says the Lord, who was and who is and who is to come, the Almighty.” Three other times in Revelation He repeats this in Revelation 1:11, 21:6, and 22:13.

• He will be called the Son of the Highest – The Father’s voice is heard saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). He is the Second Person of the Godhead. He sits at the right hand of the Father, of the majesty on high. He has all authority and power over everyone and everything.

• The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever – God promised David that his seed will always rule over all Israel. Jesus is the fulfillment of that promise and prophecy. Even though He existed long before David was born, He is called the son of David. When Jesus comes to earth after the Great Tribulation, He will rule and reign in Jerusalem.

• And of His kingdom there will be no end – Every king on earth had a beginning and ending of his reign. They all died and their bones are in graves. Not so with Jesus, His is an eternal reign. God has given Him the kingdom that has no end. We are subjects in His kingdom and we will reign with Him.

What Child is this? The One who was born in the manger, lived as a Stranger, died on the cross for our sins, rose again, and ascended back to heaven. He is the One we celebrate and worship this Christmas. He is what Christmas is all about.

There is a hymn by Isaac Watts that says, “Jesus shall reign where’er the sun, does His successive journeys run, His kingdom spread from shore to shore, ‘Til moons shall wax and wane no more.” May we fully appreciate who Jesus was and is. He is great and He is the Son of the Highest. He will reign forever!

Have a blessed day serving our King in His kingdom. Stay safe and healthy.

Dean