Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-November 13, 2020-

Good morning, happy Friday,

-Doing The Will Of God By Doing Good As Bondservants Of God-

“For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men — as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.”

(1 Peter 2:15-16).

Our personal testimony for Christ includes both our faith in the Lord and how we live out that faith in our daily lives. It thus involves our words and actions. We who are saved have liberty in Christ, but it not liberty to live as we choose to and take advantage of it to sin.

We must always do the will of God by doing good. The Lord Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Our goal is to glorify God in the way we live in this world, doing good to others, and bringing glory to name of Jesus.

Paul wrote, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). Many Christians today say, “So and so is doing it so it must be okay.” Think about that statement for moment. Since when should our standards be man’s ways? Our standards are found in the Word of God!

When we use liberty as a cloak or excuse for sin and bad behavior, it is so wrong and sinful. Anything that stumbles a brother or sister, though we have the liberty to do it and we may see nothing wrong in it, is wrong nonetheless. In the days of the early church the big issue and controversy was eating meat sacrificed to idols. Paul said he would rather not eat meat that to stumble a fellow brother or sister in Christ. This is the attitude we should take also.

In our modern world we have different issues and controversies in in the church. One of the biggest ones today is whether Christians should drink wine or beer. We may see nothing wrong with it, and we have liberty, but the question is, will it glorify God or not. Will our actions, though unintended, stumble a brother or sister for whom Christ died?

A bondservant of Christ seeks to please his master not himself. Paul said it plainly in 1 Corinthians 10:23-24, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.” Considering these three things will help us maintain a good testimony and be a blessing to others: Is it helpful? Is it edifying? And is it good for the well-being of others, saved and unsaved?

Doing good is always right and right in style for the believer in Jesus Christ. If it is doubtful, don’t do it, error on the side of caution. Just as the yellow yield sign averts many accidents on the road, so too, following the principles of Scripture averts many problems for ourselves and others. Let us do God’s will by doing good and considering the affect we have on others.

Have a blessed day doing the will of God by doing good and considering others. Stay safe and healthy.

Dean

-November 12, 2020-

Good morning, happy Thursday,

-Don’t Love The World But Love God And Do His Will-

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust if the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

(1 John 2:15-17).

The writer, the Apostle John, who was the disciple whom Jesus loved, makes it clear one cannot love the Father and the world at the same time. The devil, as he did in the Garden of Eden as the serpent, makes the world seem so desirable and pleasurable. Eve fell prey to his temptation as did her husband Adam. Thus sin entered into the world.

It is interesting to note that the word “world” is used five times in today’s text. In the NT, there are several Greek words used for world. The first is cosmos, the earth and sky and all that we can see around us; the second is the people of the earth as in John 3:16; and the third is the system of the world as it is in our text. This world’s system is against Christ. There is the political, economic, social, entertainment, business, sports, and religious aspects of the world. John says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

John specifically mentions the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Eve fell prey to its allure in Genesis 3:6, “So when the woman saw (the lust of the eyes), that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise (lust of flesh), and she took of its fruit and ate (the pride of life). Men and women are still being seduced by it today.

Achan, in the days of Joshua, was overcome by the same things. Joshua 7:20-21 says, “And Achan answered Joshua and said, ‘Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and this is what I have done: when I saw among the spoils a beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them.’” This also shows the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. He was the one responsible for Israel’s defeat at the first battle of Ai. Achan along with his wife, children, and his livestock, were all stoned to death.

It should be a stern warning to us today just how evil, wicked, sinful, and destructive the world is especially for the child of God. Just as Eve and Achan fell into sin and it took them down, so it can happen to us. Instead we should do the will of God and abide forever. Let us love God and not this world!

Have a blessed day being on guard against the world and doing the will of God. Stay safe and healthy.

Dean

– November 11, 2020-

Good morning, happy Wednesday, happy Veteran’s Day,

-Thank God For Our Veterans-

“Blessed be the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle.”’

(Psalm 144:1).

Veteran’s Day traces it roots all the way back to the armistice ending WWI at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. WWI was called the war to end all wars. Sadly, we have fought so many wars since then, including WWII. We owe a great debt to every man and woman who have served our country in the military. They have fought to preserve and protect our freedom.

Though I have not served in the military myself, I have the highest respect for those who did. My father who was a WWII veteran. My two great uncles were veterans of WWI and WWII respectively. Whenever I see a man or woman in uniform, I always thank them for their service. We have several men and women in our church who have served our country. One gentleman just passed away at the end of 2019. As we age as a nation, there are fewer veterans from WWI and WWII. That being said we have a number of newer veterans from the Iraq wars and the war in Afghanistan, as well as the Korean War and the war in Vietnam. Many died and many returned home wounded, not only physically but mentally and emotionally as well. Those facing PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome) suffer greatly.

Far too many of our veterans have committed suicide and are homeless on our streets with substance abuse problems. Those who served us need our help so badly in so many ways. With COVID-19 our celebration of Veteran’s Day will be virtual this year. The President will continue the fine tradition of laying a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery in Washington D.C.

David was a shepherd boy/musician turned soldier and eventually king over Judah and then all Israel. He fought many battles in many wars for the Lord and His people and was victorious in every one of them. He was undefeated not because he was a great warrior, soldier, and commander, though he was, but he was victorious and successful because of the Lord. He prayed before each battle for the Lord’s direction and help, and he gave all the glory to the Lord for his victories.

His words in our text today are so encouraging, “Blessed be the Lord my Rock, who trains my fingers for battle.” David looked to the Lord and thanked Him. He also wrote in Psalm 18:34, “He teaches my hands to make war, so I can bend a bow of bronze.” He And exclaimed in 2 Samuel 22:30, “For by You I can run against a troop; By my God I can leap over a wall.”

We as believers are soldiers for Christ. We fight against the world, the flesh, and the devil. We must put on the whole armor of God as Paul taught us in Ephesians 6:10-18. Paul told Timothy, “You must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself in the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier” (2 Timothy 2:3-4). We are in a spiritual battle every day of our lives until we go home to heaven.

Let us remember and honor our veterans today, pray for those who are serving now, and fight the spiritual battles as soldiers of Jesus Christ. We have a lot to be grateful for and to be proud of.

Have a blessed Veteran’s Day honoring our veterans and fighting the good fight of faith. Stay safe and healthy.

Dean

–

-November 10, 2020-

Good morning, happy Tuesday,

-God’s Power And Faithfulness In Nature-

“God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend. For He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth’; Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength.”

(Job 37:5-6).

These words spoken by a young man Elihu to Job are a real blessing. God is the Creator of all things in the universe. He not only made everything, He sustains everything by His power. He created the heavens and the earth and He holds all things together. If He withdrew His hand the whole universe it would be destroyed.

Paul writing of the Lord Jesus Christ said, “He is the image of the invisible God, and the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities, or powers. All things were created by Him and for Him” (Colossians 1:15-16).

In our text today, we see the power, care, and faithfulness of God on full display in nature for all to see and hear. There are four things to consider: thunder, great things, snow, and rain. Our God is a mighty God!

• God thunders marvelously with His voice – Thunder is so powerful as it rumbles. First comes the flashes of lightning, then the peels of thunder. It always reminds me of God’s voice, which in Scripture, is likened to thunder. John wrote in Revelation 14:2, “And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder.” In John 12:29, when the Father spoke to the Son, it says, “Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said it had thundered. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to Him.’” God’s voice is so powerful!

• He does great things which we cannot comprehend – God’s ways are beyond our comprehension. He is great and glorious in His character and in all He does. Paul wrote in Romans 11:33, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” The psalmist wrote in Psalm 126:3, “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad.” We can never praise and thank Him enough!

• For He says to the snow, ‘Fall in the earth.’ – The beautiful white snow comes from the Lord. It comes in the winter and is sight to behold. God gives us four distinct seasons: winter, spring, summer, and fall. God’s promise is found in Genesis 8:22, “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.” God is faithful to us in all seasons. His goodness and mercy is so wonderful at all times!

• Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength – God is so great and sends His rain to grow our crops and put food on our tables. We need rain so badly for so many things. In a few days we will celebrate Thanksgiving Day, the fourth Thursday of November. We will pause to thank God for all He has given to us. We as believers know that we should thank Him every day.

So, let us remember today, everything we have comes from the Lord. Whether thunder and lightning, snow or rain, and everything else. James wrote, “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” (James 1:17).

Have a blessed and bountiful day thanking God for all He has given us. Stay safe and healthy.

Dean

-November 9, 2020-

Good morning, happy Monday,

-Cleansing Through The Blood Of Christ-

“‘Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.’”

(Isaiah 1:18).

We are all sinners, born in sin and conceived in iniquity. Sin separated us from God, brought death to us spiritual and physical, and defiled us. We had no hope. Sin is far more widespread and deadly than any earthly disease, including the Coronavirus.

Today it was announced that a vaccine for the Coronavirus is 90% effective in clinical trials. That figure is high, and higher than expected. It is in the range of the measles vaccine of the last century. The U.S. army is ready to distribute it on a massive scale. There is great hope, anticipation, and optimism. So much so that the stock market is soaring like I have never seen it before. For a vaccine to be effective a person has to take it, and pray everyone will.

As great as 90% is, and that is fantastic, it can’t compare to the blood of Jesus to cleanse and forgive us of our sin. His blood is 100 % effective for everyone human being who accepts God’s remedy for our sins. Through Christ’s shed blood our sin is now white as snow and is like wool. Instead of death, there is life; instead of separation there is nearness to God; instead of hopelessness, there is hope; instead of conflict, there is peace. For the blood of Jesus to be effective for a sinner he must receive Christ.

Ephesians 2:13 says, “But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” John writing of the efficacy of the blood of Christ said, “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sins” (1 John 1:7).

As exciting as the vaccine for the Coronavirus is, and I am thrilled, it can’t compare to the joy of having our sins forgiven, cleansed, and removed as far as the east is from the west. The blood of Jesus is an eternal salvation of from sin once and and for all the moment we receive Christ as Lord and Savior. We are a blood bought people. Our sins are under the blood, and God remembers them no more. Vaccines have to be continually taken for protection, and new diseases come, but once one is cleansed from sin is it effective for all eternity. Andre Crouch sang, “The blood that gives me strength from day to day will never lose its power.”

We are now are sinners saved by grace. We rejoice that Jesus died in our place on the cross and bore our sins in His own body and shed His blood. Now that is something to be excited about!

Have a blessed day rejoicing in the cleansing of our sins once and for all. Stay safe and healthy.

Dean