Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-January 26, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Lord’s Day,

“He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’”

(Matthew 16:15-16).

Jesus had spent a lot of time with His disciples, teaching and training them. Now it was time to test them. He first asked a general question: “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am” (Matthew 16:13). They all answered. Some said John the Baptist, some Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the prophets. They basically just reiterated public opinion. But then Jesus asked them personally, “But who do you say that I, the Son of Man am?” Jesus put them on the spot.

Peter had a propensity of speaking up. He was like the press secretary of the group. His answer was such a blessing. He declared and confessed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” He nailed it, he crushed it, he hit a home run. He aced the exam.

Jesus blessed him and told him that no man revealed this to him, but the Father in heaven did. Martha was the other person in the gospels that declared the same thing in John 11:27, “…Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

A true believer in Christ will always declare and confess who Jesus is. John wrote in 1 John 4:2-3a, “By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God…”

What do you think of Christ? Who is He to you? Is He your Lord and Savior? May each of confess Christ as Lord of our lives and live for Him and serve Him. Have a blessed Lord’s Day. Stay safe and healthy.

Christ has drawn a line in the sand—be for Him fully and completely.

Dean

-January 25, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Saturday,

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering.”

(Colossians 3:12).

These qualities exemplify the character and conduct of Christ. How different life on earth would be if everyone was saved and displayed godly conduct toward one another.

The challenge for us as the people of God is to put them on daily. The Holy Spirit will produce these qualities in us so that others will see Jesus in us and come to Him for salvation.

Tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, and longsuffering are needed toward all people, especially to those are mean and hard to get along with. It is easy to be kind, patient, and loving to those who love us; but what about those who hate us and wrong?

Jesus treated all people with love. Even so, He had opposition from the Pharisees and the Sadducees, the chief priests, and the scribes. Our Savior wasn’t argumentative or vindictive, but spoke the truth in love.

Christians in the NT weren’t self-seeking but Christ seeking. They bore persecution for the sake and cause of Christ. They turned the other cheek and in fact, turned the world upside down. Paul wrote in Romans 13:14, “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts.”

Have blessed Saturday putting on Christ and following His example. Stay safe and healthy.

What we wear is important when you put on Christ.

Dean

-January 24, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Friday,

“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable.”

(Psalm 145:3).

The word great is used for many people and things in this world. There can be a great leader, a great teacher, a great speaker, a great singer, a great man, great woman, a great actor, a great artist, a great athlete, etc.

There are also great things such as great houses, great cars, great restaurants, great careers, great products, and the like. But no one and nothings is great like our God—He is the greatest of all. The psalmist proclaims, “Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised.” He alone is worthy of our praise.

The latter part of today’s verse is equally wonderful, “And His greatness is unsearchable.” The word unsearchable is defined as, “unable to be clearly understood; inscrutable; not capable of being searched or explored.” Another rendering of unsearchable is, “beyond our understanding.”

We ask ourselves, how can mortals understand the immortal? How can the finite define the infinite? How can the limited grasp the limitless? God is far above our understanding, yet the more we read His Word, pray, and seek the Lord, we learn more of Him and His ways, His power, and His love.

The wonder of salvation is why such a great, holy, righteous God would love us and die for us on the cross. Amazingly we have a personal relationship with Almighty God through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us bow in reverence before Him and praise Him all our days. Psalm 150:6 says, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Have a blessed day praising Him. Stay safe and healthy.

The more we explore and experience God’s greatness, the more we praise and worship Him.

Dean

-January 23, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Thursday,

“But when he saw the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, ‘Lord save me!’

(Matthew 14:30).

Peter was scared to death. Thankfully he cried out to Jesus, the only One who could rescue him. Fear does incredibly damaging things to the mind and heart.

Peter and the disciples were in the boat that was struck by a storm. Jesus wasn’t with them, for He sent them on ahead while He went up on a mountain by Himself to pray. I believe that He wanted to show them His power and authority, and to test their faith.

Jesus came to them walking on the water. All the disciples were terrified, thinking He was a ghost. He assured them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” Peter wanted a confirmation, and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

Peter walked on the water toward Jesus, but when he saw the wind and waves, he panicked and began to sink. Jesus reached out and saved him. Jesus then rebuked his little faith. We are much like Peter. We need to call out to the Lord. It’s doesn’t it a long prayer, but it needs an earnest one.

Let us pray and trust the Lord to help us and save us in troubled times. Have a blessed day; Stay safe and healthy.

It is always clear, that faith conquers fear.

-January 22, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Wednesday,

“Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”

(Ephesians 5:19).

Music is an integral part of the worship of the people of God around the world. The Bible contains the Psalms, the greatest hymn book in the history of mankind.

All through Scripture, singing and the playing of musical instruments is on prominent display. David is called the “Sweet Psalmist of Israel.” Asaph is referred to as the chief musician and directed the choirs in singing hymns of praise to the Lord.

Whether you hear them, read them, or sing them, the great hymns of the faith that have been passed down to us are such a blessing. I love to sing. I lead the singing at church and sing in our Worship Team. I consider it one of most greatest privileges and most special ministries for the Lord. I have been singing hymns and spiritual songs since I was a teenager.

Singing collectively at church is great, but singing wherever we are is even better. I have several hymn books at home and I quote them in my messages all the time. Martin Luther once said, “Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise. The gift of language combined with the gift of song was given to man that he should proclaim the Word of God through music.” I have a plaque in my office at church with this quote on it.

God has also blessed us with wonderful instruments such as the piano, the organ, the guitar, the violin, and many others to accompany and enhance our singing.

It is so good to read a hymn and spend some time meditating on it. Then if we know it, we can sing it. It gives us the opportunity to praise the Lord for who He is, what He has done for us, and what He has promised to do for us for the future, yes, for all eternity. We will all sing in heaven.

The anonymous psalmist wrote in Psalm 104:33, “I will sing the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.” I live by this verse.

One of the greatest hymns is called, “Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow.” It is commonly called “The Doxology.” We sing it at the conclusion of the Lord’s Supper each Sunday morning. It says, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.”

Have a blessed day and keep a song in your heart and on your lips. Stay safe and healthy.

Let us all sing praises to our King who rules and reigns over everything.

Dean

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