Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

June 25, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Wednesday,

“But He said, ‘More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!’”

(Luke 11:28).

Jesus commented on what a woman in the crowd shouted out, “…Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!”

This woman, most likely was a mother herself and acquainted with mothering a child. She also recognized who Jesus was and how special He was. To her being His mother would be a special privilege.

Jesus could have accepted the compliment and thanked God for His mother Mary, who was also His follower. After all, did not the angel tell Mary in Luke 1:28, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women.” So many exalt Mary to as high a place in heaven with Jesus. She like everyone was a sinner, needing to be saved. She was not divine.

Jesus turned this woman’s comment around to include every believer. He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.” Jesus shows His priority on those who read and obey the Scriptures. All of us should strive to hear and obey His Word daily.

It also reminds me of the incident when Mary and her other children came to see Jesus. Someone told Him that they were outside waiting. On that occasion Jesus pointed to His disciples and said they were His mother, and sisters, and brothers. This doesn’t mean that He didn’t love His natural family, which He did; but He shows the closer spiritual relationships with the people of God. I feel closer to my brothers and sisters in Christ than to my natural family.

Let us strive to be obedient to the Word daily and live close to Jesus and the saints of God. Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.

We draw near to the Lord who loves us so much.

Dean

-June 24, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Tuesday,

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

(Galatians 6:9).

Does it ever seem that others don’t notice your efforts at doing good or they don’t appreciate them? It can be discouraging, disappointing, and disheartening. But we must ask ourselves, ‘Who am I doing this for?’

Scripture tells that whatever we do for others, we do for the Lord Jesus Himself. This in itself should keep us going. He sees all we do and will reward us. Others may not see what we do and they may not appreciate what we do for them.

Paul tells us not to grow weary in doing good and we shall reap if we do not lose heart. In Galatians 6:7-9, Paul uses the word reap three times. It is an agricultural term. Before the farmer can reap the crops he must sow the seed. He does his part but God makes the sun gives them light, the the rain to water them.

This should be a constant reminder that God has put us here on the earth to good and be a blessing. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Someone once said, “We are not saved by good works, but we are saved for good works.” It is our mission, our ministry. It is a mission of mercy and a labor of love.

Have a blessed day going good and leaving the results in God’s hands. Stay safe and healthy.

Every day there opportunities to do good in every way; let’s seize them while we still have the chance today.

Dean

-June 23, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Monday,

“But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.”

(1 Peter 1:15-16).

Our example has always been Christ. As we read the gospels we discover how Jesus lived and conducted Himself in this world. He showed us how to live. He practiced what He preached.

The standard of living is holiness. Holiness has two aspects: being separated from the world and being set apart for the Lord. It covers both what to turn from and what to turn to.

Peter spent three years with Jesus and he learned so much from Him. We are to be holy in all our conduct. The word conduct is defined as, “the manner in which a person behaves, especially on a particular occasion or in a particular context.”

Parents often tell their children, “Be on your best behavior.” It may be going over to someone’s home, to school, or out to a restaurant. It is good to be good and holy on special occasions, but our standard is at all times. Peter says, “in all your conduct. That means every day not just on Sundays.

We will never be perfect this side of heaven, but we strive with His help to be holy always and in all ways. It is a real challenge to be holy in a an unholy world. There is so much moral filth all around us; we are bombarded with it. The Holy Bible helps us to know how to live, and the Holy Spirit teaches how to e holy.

Have a blessed day conducting yourself in holiness. Stay safe and healthy.

God tells us, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

Dean

June 22. 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Lord’s Day,

“For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to this kingdom for such a time as this.”

(Ezra 4:14).

I just began reading the book of Esther this morning. The great lesson of this book is God’s providence toward His people Israel. Though the name of God is not mentioned in this short book, He is definitely working, behind the scenes to accomplish His purposes.

The word providence is not mentioned in the Bible, but the principle is found throughout Scripture. The word providence is defined as, “the protective care of God or of nature as a spiritual power; divine guidance or care.”

There are three words to describe God’s providence: purpose, protection, and provision. God is continually working out His plans and purposes in our lives to accomplish His will for us. Nothing happens to us by accident, chance, fate, karma, or luck. Everything is from God for His glory and our good.

Case in point with Esther. God used her to save the Jews from utter destruction. Consider all God did in her life prior to this. First, both of her parents died and her godly cousin Mordecai took her in and raised as a daughter. Second, they were taken into captivity. Third, Queen Vasti refused the command of her husband King Ahasuerus and he took away her position as queen. Fourth, when the king sought a new wife and queen, Esther was chosen from all the young virgins throughout his kingdom.

God put Esther where He wanted her to be, to do what He wanted her to do, to save His people. Oh, how God works! So the next time something happens to you that you may not understand, thank God for His providence. He knows what He is doing.

Have a blessed day in the center of God’s will with an attitude of thanksgiving. Stay safe and healthy.

God loves us more than we know, cares for us as no one else can, and works out His plans and purposes for us at just the right time.

Dean

-June 21, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Saturday,

“The Lord is righteous in all His ways, gracious in all His works.”

(Psalm 145:17).

God is always good and what He causes to happen or allows to happen is for our good. Nothing happens by accident or chance. He knows way more than we do.

There so many things that happen we can’t see the reason for. It may be a major tragedy or a small inconvenience; whatever it is, we must trust the wisdom and sovereignty of God.

Yesterday my faucet in the kitchen broke and I had to call a plumber to replace it. Plumbers don’t cheap. When you own a home, things break, wear out, or need service. Things always seem to break at the worst possible times.

I am on a schedule and have things organized, but at times God has other plans. He knows what is best, when is best, and what is good for us. My getting anxious or frustrated is never good, it only makes things worse.

First, our God is righteous, meaning what He does is right, whether we can see it or not. Second, God is good even if things are bad. God works all things together for good in our lives. (See Romans 8:28).

Have a blessed day resting underneath His everlasting arms. Stay safe and healthy.

When God is good, things work out they way they should.

Dean