Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-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

-February 5, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Wednesday,

“Till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the statue of the fullness of Christ.”

(Ephesians 3:13).

We tend to measure ourselves based on other people, and we compare ourselves to them. We look for people than worse than ourselves in order to feel better about ourselves. The problem is we use the wrong standard of measurement.

It is not about what I think of myself or what others think of me, it is about what does God think of me. Am I pleasing to Him? Does my life impact those around me?

Paul speaks of “the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” God’s goal for us is to be conformed to the image of Christ. Paul wrote in Romans 8:29, “For whom He foreknew, He predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

God’s measurement of us is based on Jesus. Man’s standards are so low and faulty, they fluctuate over time and are based on human perception. God’s standards are immutable and eternal. God’s bases everything on the Bible, the Word of God.

We will never measure up in terms of deserving salvation. We are sinners in need of a Savior. Once we put our faith in Christ and His finished work on the cross, God will begin His work in us. Paul said in Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

David was a man with a heart for God. God took this shepherd boy and made him king. God chose him, called him, and consecrated him for His work.

Jesse had eight sons and seven did not measure up. 1 Samuel 16:7 says, “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’” David was a man after God’s own heart.

It is our heart for God that counts and how we live to please Him. God is more concerned about who we are more than what we do; though the latter flows from the former.

Have a blessed day growing in the measure of the stature of Christ. He is not finished with us yet. Stay safe and healthy.

Let us keep our standards high based on the Word of God, and not let the world define us. The best likeness is Christ likeness.

Dean

-February 4, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Monday,

“See, I have called Bezalel, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship.”

(Exodus 31:2-3).

God called Moses and the Israelites to design and construct the tabernacle in the wilderness. It was a vital project to be used to worship and offer sacrifices to Almighty God.

Skilled artisans were needed to make all the components of the tabernacle. Here in Exodus 31, there were two men tasked to carry out this special assignment: Bezalel and Aholiab. There were also other gifted artisans, and they all did a fantastic job.

When God calls us, He equips us, and when He equips us, He uses us for His glory. He gives us spiritual gifts, talents, abilities, and skills. He also gives knowledge, understanding, and wisdom.

Everything we have is from God, and we should never forget it. Paul wrote to the saints in Corinth an entire chapter on spiritual gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:18 says, “But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He pleased.”

We cannot take any credit, for He works in us and through us. We should be thankful for the multiplicity of gifts He has given us. Christ is the Head and we are members of His body. This should keep us humble and well grounded.

God said of Bezalel, “I have filled him.” God is not only our source but our resource. I can do nothing without Him, but everything with Him.

Have a blessed day using everything God has given us for His honor and glory. Stay safe and healthy.

Our Prayer: God give me the skill to do Your will.

Dean