Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-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

-January 31, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Friday,

“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

(1 Peter 5:7).

We can say unequivocally that God cares for us. He has cared for us in the past; He is caring for us in the present; and He will care for us in the future. There are numerous incidents in Scripture where God has taken care of His own.

His care doesn’t just happen, we must cast our care upon Him. As long as we hold onto our cares in our own own strength, our burdens, our problems, our pain, our sorrows, we can’t have victory in His grace, which is sufficient for us each day. We can’t rest on our own spirituality, mentality, or physicality.

He cares about every detail of our lives, from the smallest to greatest. Last night I felt a bad pain in my right calf that had me remembering the calf injuries I suffered when I used to run. I prayed earnestly that I could sleep and the Lord would heal it. I had the best sleep and woke up so much better. It was a wonderful, amazing answer to prayer.

When we look at the Word of God, we find so many verses on how the Lord cares for us. David wrote, “You have hedged (or enclosed) me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me” (Psalm 139:5). The Lord Jesus taught us in Luke 12:7, “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. If our Father remembers and cares for birds and other creatures, how much more does more does He care for us?

God knows our names, He writes them in the Book of life, He inscribes us on the palms of His hands, and loves us with an everlasting love. Let us cast our cares upon Him day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute. We shouldn’t worry, fear, or doubt for He is with us.

The chorus of the great hymn, “God Will Take Care of You,” by Civillia Martin says, “God will take of you, through every day, o’er all the way; He will take care of you, God will take care of you.”

Have a blessed day under God’s care. Cast your cares on Him and see what He can do. Stay safe and healthy.

God will take care of us because He is control and works all things together for our good.

Dean

-January 30, 2025-

Good morning, happy Thursday,

“Then Peter answered and said to Him, ‘See, we left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have.”

(Matthew 19:27).

Peter once again speaks up for all the disciples. He asks a question that so many ask today, ‘What’s in it for me?’ After all had not the disciples stuck to Jesus and followed Him. What would be their reward?

Jesus gave a two-fold answer to Peter’s question: first the disciples and second for everyone who follows Jesus. There will be rewards for every follower and servant of Christ at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

For the twelve, each will sit on remove thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Each of them went on to stand for Christ and serve Him. All except John were martyred for their Savior.

Then Jesus adds a reward to everyone who left everyone and everything to follow Him, “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for My name’s shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal” (Matthew 19:29).

Have a blessed day serving the Lord from heart with full devotion. Stay safe and healthy.

No sacrifice is too great for the One who sacrificed Himself for us.

Dean