Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-February 10, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Monday,

“Whatever your hands finds to do, do it with all your might…”

(Ecclesiastes 9:10a).

Some people wait to be asked, some won’t act even if asked, and others do what needs to be done without having to be asked. I have several ministries that I saw needed to be done, and I started doing them and continue to do them. They are definitely “behind the scenes ministries.”

There was once a cement truck that had the sign on it, “Find a need and fill it.” I try to do this as much as I can. I know my limitations though, what I can do and what I can’t. If it is something electrical or is plumbing related, I seek someone with expertise to do it.

Paul writing to the Colossians said, “And whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not to men” (Colossians 3:23). The word heartily simply means with all your heart. We should all be doers, workers, and helpers in the church, our households, our neighborhoods, our offices, and our schools.

In our church, we are an all volunteer staff. Everyone serves so willingly and faithfully. Our compensation is God’s glorification. Jesus is worthy of all we do for Him and in His name.

Have a blessed day doing what needs to be done. Stay safe and healthy.

Let your hands be busy.

Dean

-February 9, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Lord’s Day,

“But if anyone does not provide for his own, especially for those of his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

(1 Timothy 5:8).

We as a Christians should provide for our own, especially those of our own families. The provision consists of spiritual, physical, emotional, and financial support.

Timothy was a young pastor who needed to teach those under his care how to love their families and meet their needs.

It is possible to get so involved in the Lord’s work that we can give less time and attention to those under our own roofs. Paul states that if we don’t provide for our own we have “denied the faith and are worse than unbelievers.”

Bill MacDonald commented on this verse, “When a Christian fails to do this, he denies the very truths which Christianity teaches. Such a person is worse than an unbeliever for the simple reason that many unbelievers show loving care for their own relatives. Also, a Christian can thus bring reproach on the name of the Lord in a way that an unbeliever cannot do.”

In my life, I have seen it happen that wives and kids suffer. Any service we render for the Lord begins at home. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their abhorrent behavior to parents and even widows. They had one particularly horrible doctrine of excusing not helping their parents by saying something is Corban, meaning “given to God.”

May it never be said we have neglected to provide for our families. Love begins at home. Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.

Love gives to those we love, it honors our Father in heaven above.

Dean

-February 8, 2025-

Good morning my dear friends,

“I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches.”

(Psalm 119:14).

There are many riches in the world. Whether money, possessions, jewels, gold, silver, and the like. As nice as they are all, they can’t compare to the riches of God’s Word.

As believers we have a treasure trove in the Bible. There are 66 books of truth to feast on. The Word is rich and we can’t fathom its depths.

The Scriptures have a message for everyone, no matter whatever one is going through. There is instruction, guidance, encouragement, conviction, and inspiration in the Bible. Earthly riches last only a lifetime; God’s Word is eternal. Isaiah 40:8 says, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.”

So what riches would choose? The earthly or the heavenly; the temporal or the eternal; the seen or the unseen? I choose God’s Word over nothing else.

Have a blessed day feasting on the riches of God’s truth. Stay safe and healthy.

God’s Word never changes, but it does change us.

Dean

-February 7, 2025

Good morning beloved, happy Friday,

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

(Galatians 6:10).

Usually there are plenty of opportunities to do good to works to others. Whether school, work, where we run errands, and or go to various places. In our busyness we come across both unbelievers and believers.

Paul instructed the saints at Ephesians, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). It has been often said, “We are not saved by good works, but we are saved unto good works.”

• Do good to all – This is a pretty tough assignment at times. First, we have do good to everyone, friend or foe, nice or cantankerous, This is what Jesus taught in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven.” Second, it is hard for the recipient of our good to not appreciate it, but some do.

• Do good especially to those who are of the household of faith – It is a special blessing to do good to our fellow believers in Christ. It encourages and builds up those who down and those who need help. The term “household of faith” is a wonderful term for God’s people. The church is a family: the men are our brothers, and the women are our sisters. We have a common bond in Christ.

Let us obey the Lord and do good; day and night. Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.

“Do“ is an action word. Let’s be active doing good as we know we should.

Dean

-February 6, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Thursday,

“For the material they had was sufficient for all the work to be done—indeed too much.”

(Exodus 36:7).

Today’s text represents the only time in Scripture that people gave not just a sufficient amount, but too much. What a great problem to have in a church: giving too much.

God called on the people to give with a willing heart so that everything in the tabernacle could be made. They had made a free will offering. The Lord burdened their hearts to be good givers.

The people brought gold, silver, bronze, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen, goats’ hair, ram skins dyed red, bangers’ skins, acacia wood, oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for sweet incense, and onyx stones (See Exodus 35:5-9).

Building the tabernacle was a big undertaking. The generosity of the people made it all come together. Any work that is from God will be supplied by God. We are privileged to support our local churches by our monetary offerings.

May we all give joyfully, willingly, an and abundantly; first of our hearts, then if everything else. Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.

Giving freely, faithfully, and fully for God’s glory.

Dean