Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-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

-February 3, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Monday,

“Rejoice in the Lord always. And again I will say, rejoice.”

(Philippians 4:4).

It is amazing to me that Paul wrote these words from a Roman prison. The whole epistle to the Philippians as an epistle of living joy in Christ.

If Paul could choose to rejoice in the Lord in the midst of such deplorable conditions, how about us? Twice in today’s verse, Paul uses the word rejoice. The word rejoice is defined as, “to feel or show great joy or delight. It far surpasses “just grin and bear it.”

Only believers in Christ can rejoice in all circumstances. How is this possible? It is because of our relationship with Christ and the great things He has done in our lives. When we accept what He is teaching us and how He uses everything for our good, we can rejoice and be thankful.

The Psalmist had a similar sentiment in Psalm 118:24, “This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” We are so good at rejoicing in the good, happy, successful, and victorious times; but we are not so good at rejoicing in the hard, painful, distressing times. But it rejoicing in the bad times is act of our will.

Choosing to rejoice is something we must do everyday, no matter what we go through. Someone once said, “Pain is inevitable, misery is optional.” I have never forgot those words. They challenge, inspire, and encourage me in my walk with the Lord Jesus. Our joy comes from Jesus and flows through us.

Have a blessed day rejoicing in the Lord. Stay safe and healthy.

Rejoice in the Lord always and in all ways.

Dean

-February 2, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Lord’s Day,

“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

(Matthew 26:41).

Jesus agonized in the Garden of Gethsemane. What were the disciples doing when He prayed three times to the Father? They were sleeping. They sensed something was going to happen, but they let down their guard.

Matthew 26:40 says, “Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, ‘What! Could you not watch with Me one hour.’” Jesus didn’t harshly rebuke them, but told them to “Watch and pray lest they enter into temptation.” In their future, they would all suffer, be persecuted, and be martyred.

None of us can handle temptation or trial in our own strength. Jesus said “the spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak.” The devil knows our weaknesses better than we do, and looks to exploit them. This is why we need to watch and pray. We need help from above to face crises.

Paul said it so well in Romans 7:18, “For I know that in me (that is, my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.” We can’t put any confidence in our flesh, but we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to stand for Christ against all foes.

Thank God for the victory we have in Christ! It is His victory in us and through us. Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.

Watch and pray every day.

Dean

-February 1, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Saturday,

“…You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be among you; but whoever desires to be great among you, let him be your servant.”

(Matthew 20:25-26).

Jesus was the greatest teacher, leader, and servant; He always taught by example. He taught the disciples the life lesson of greatness in serving. Jesus said in Matthew 20:28, “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Most people think that greatness is in strength, position, money, possessions, or power. They strive to get ahead by stepping on or over others.

Jesus’ teaching radically changed the world, turning it upside down. Salvation is by grace through faith in Him, and there is greatness in serving others. Before Jesus went to the cross, while in the Upper Room, He got down on his knees on the ground and washed His disciples’ feet. He took the humble, lowly place of a slave. Are we willing to the same?

Paul quoted the words of Jesus in Acts 20:35, “…And remember the words the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘it is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Though this quote is not found in any of the four gospels, it must have been known by the first believers that Jesus had said it.

Serving others is not easy; it requires sacrifice, effort, time, and money to serve others. Our human nature desires to be served, but our new nature desires to serve others. Paul wrote in Galatians 5:13, “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

Have a blessed day taking the servant’s place; It is the best and greatest position of all. Stay safe and healthy.

The Lord Jesus is pleased when we serve others in His name and for His sake.

Dean