Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-April 3, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Wednesday,

“For He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the waters.”

(Proverbs 24:2).

I am really enjoying my mini vacation in the Monterey Peninsula in California. I hadn’t been down this way for many years—it is beautiful, just as I remembered it. There are three wonderful places here: Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur.

I thought the view of the Monterey Bay from Cannery Row was wonderful, but the scenes along Highway 1 from Carmel to Big Sur topped it. The weather was perfect to see the nighty breakers crashing onto the shoreline. I stopped and took a few pictures.

The ocean is so powerful, with its mighty waves, yet so soothing as well. The psalmist wrote, “For He (i.e. God) founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the waters.” God’s creation is awesome.

Psalm 65:7 says, “You who still the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the peoples.” When Jesus got into a boat with His disciples He told them to launch out and cross to the other side of the lake. Then He fell asleep, only to be awakened by His fearful disciples who were buffed by a severe, life-threatening storm. The winds and waves were so severe that their little boat began to fill with water. Jesus calmed the sea and the hearts of His disciples.

They had Jesus’ instructions to sail to the other side, but when the storm hit, they panicked and their faith was diminished. We are no different. We have God’s amazing promises, yet we fear, and expect the worst. Where was their faith? Where is our faith? Only Christ can calm the storms of our lives when we turn them over to Him. He is our Captain. He will navigate us through stormy seas and blustery winds.

Jesus is our Creator and our Savior. He is with us, and we know that the seas and the winds are under His authority. Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.

As the hymn writer wrote, “He’s the Master of the sea, billows His will obey; He your Savior wants to be, be saved today.”

Dean

-April 2, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Tuesday,

“And certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.”

(Luke 8:2-3).

It is wonderful to see sisters in Christ serving the Lord and supporting the work of the Lord. I know in our church, we have so many dedicated, faithful, and loving women. Statistically, there are more women than men in most of our local churches.

Luke singles out three women in particular in our text: Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna. He does also say, …and many others.” All of the women contributed financially. They gave of their substance, which can be translated, “possessions.” They set a tremendous example to all the followers of Christ.

Mary Magdalene – She was so thankful to Jesus for saving her and casting out seven demons. She was very loyal and loved Jesus very much. It is said of her that she was the last one at the cross and the first one at the tomb.

Joanna – She is known as the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, who had a high position. She had become a believer in Christ. I would imagine she had some pretty interesting conversations with husband about Jesus. There are women and men alike who have unbelieving spouses. It can make things very challenging.

Susanna – She is the least known of the three. In fact, we know nothing about she was a committed follower of Christ. Sometimes in Scripture, those who are the most obscure end up doing great things for Christ.

May we follow their example of supporting the work of the Lord, not only with our money and material possessions, but with our time and effort.

Have a blessed day supporting the Lord and His people. Stay safe healthy.

We can’t support the Lord and His people enough.

Dean

-April 1, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Tuesday,

“[That you] may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

(Ephesians 3:18-19).

How do you measure the measureless? How do you comprehend the incomprehensible? The word measureless is defined as,”having no bounds or limits; unlimited.” The word incomprehensible means,”impossible to comprehend.”

Paul, the great apostle, could not measure God’s love for us. It is too vast. He asks that we may be able to comprehend the width, length, depth, and height of the love of Christ which passes knowledge. We have nothing on earth to compare it to. It is wider than a continent; longer than the distance to the moon; deeper than the deepest ocean; and higher the highest star.

There is a great, familiar hymn entitled, “The Love of God.” The first verse says, “The Love of God is greater far, than tongue or pen can ever tell; it goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the lowest hell; the guilty pair, bowed down with care, God gave His Son to win; His erring child, He reconciled and pardoned from his sin.”

Have a blessed day musing on the love of Christ. Stay safe and healthy.

We may not be able to measure Christ’s love; nor comprehend it—but we can bask in it and thank God for it.

Dean

-March 31, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Monday,

“Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to covetousness.”

(Psalm 119:36).

Today is the last day of the first quarter of the year; it is the 90th day of the year. Time just seems to fly by and stops for no one. I am leaving on a mini vacation this morning to Monterey, California, one of the most beautiful places in our state, and not too far from home.

The Lord has been so good to me and has made this time possible. I will going by myself to rest and relax for four days. Even better, I won’t have to miss a Sunday at church.

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, 176 verses. It is known as a treatise on the Word of God, which is mentioned in one form or another in nearly every verse in this wonderful psalm; But just as important, it a book of prayers.

The unknown psalmist prays, “Incline my heart to Your testimonies…” The word incline is defined as, “feel willing or favorably disposed toward (an action, belief, or attitude); have a tendency to do something.”

How important and blessed it is to ask God to direct our hearts today to His Word—to put Him first above anything or anyone else. When we incline our hearts to Him, He keeps us from covetousness.

Just in this one section of Psalm 119:33-40, the psalmist prays, “Teach me (v. 33); give me understanding ( v. 34); make me walk in the right path; incline my heart (v.35); turn away my eyes from worthless things (v. 37); establish Your word to Your servant (v.38); turn away my reproach (v. 39); revive me in Your righteousness (v. 40). What a tremendous prayer! Will you pray it with me today?

May the Lord give us a blessed day seeking Him in prayer and in His Word. He will keep us, provide for us, and protect us in whatever comes today. Stay and healthy.

Our day can’t be in the decline when our hearts are in the incline.

Dean

-March 30, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Lord’s Day,

“I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.”

(John 17:15).

Jesus taught His disciples to pray. He spent much time in prayer very early morning or very late at night. In fact, before choosing the Twelve, He spent all night praying to the Father.

John 17 is known as, “Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer.” He prays for Himself (vss. 1-5); He prays for His disciples (vss. 6-19); and He prays for all believers, which includes us (vss. 20-26).

Our Savior is our Great High Priest and He intercedes for us daily. Hebrews 7:25 says, “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”

He wants us to be victorious especially over the devil whom He calls the evil one. Jesus said to Peter in Luke 22:31-32, “…Simon, Simon! Indeed Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you like wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

We are in a spiritual battle every day with the evil one who speaks his lies, fires his flaming missiles, and seeks to frighten and discourage us. In the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-15, Jesus said in verse 13, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” The devil always hits us when we are weak and vulnerable.

The best prayer for victory is, “Lord do not let me sin against You or dishonor You in any way—and that the desire to sin and the opportunity to sin will not intersect in my life.” Jesus doesn’t pray to take us out of the world, but that we will kept by His grace. Let us pray for our brethren as Jesus prays for us.

Have a blessed and victorious day over the devil by the power of the Holy Spirit and the shed blood of Christ. Stay safe and healthy.

Satan condemns us, Christ justifies us and intercedes for us.

Dean