Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-December 12, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Friday, Merry Christmas,

“…And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

(Isaiah 9:6).

On December 8, we considered the first of the names of Christ from the prophesy of Isaiah, Wonderful. Today and over the next three days we will cover the other three names.

The name Counselor is a beautifully descriptive one. Jesus was born a counselor and grew up to be the greatest Counselor. The definition of a counselor is, “a person who gives advice or counseling.”

Counselors are advisors, teachers, guides, encouragers, and examples to others. Jesus certainly did that and more. We have school counselors, camp counselors, legal counselors (attorneys), marital counselors, Christian counselors, and other types of counselors.

When Jesus was just twelve years old His parents brought Him to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. When Mary, Joseph, and those who traveled with them from Nazareth were returning home, they discovered to their chagrin that Jesus was not there in the camp with the other kids. Mary and Joseph returned hurriedly to Jerusalem and found Him in the temple sitting among the scholars. Luke 2:46, says. “No it was after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.” Amazing!

He was only twelve. Today we call youngsters so advanced and skilled, prodigies. Some 18 years later He began His earthly ministry, became the greatest teacher and counselor. He constantly counseled His disciples and others. Think of what He shared with them!

Let us come to Jesus for counsel. He will show what to do and how to do it. He will guide us into all truth, for His is the truth.

It isn’t easy to counsel people. It takes knowledge, experience, and patience. Counselors must be good listeners and examples.

Have a blessed day under the counsel of Jesus and good Christian counselors who can advise us. Stay safe and healthy.

Jesus practiced what He preached and preached what He practiced.

Dean

-December 11, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Thursday, Merry Christmas.

“Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring good tidings of great joy which will be to all the people.’”

(Luke 2:10).

We live in a very fearful world, there are a plethora of fears that frighten and trouble us. That is why it said, “fear not,” some 365 times in the Bible. We need to remember this.

The shepherds who were out in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night had no inclination that this night would not be quiet and still. Then all of the sudden, an angel stood before them and the glory of the Lord shone around them. They were greatly afraid. I think we can all agree that they were terrified; we would be no different had we been in their sandals.

Today’s words are comforting, assuring, encouraging, and joyful. The angel of the Lord said the same words, “do not be afraid” to both Mary and Joseph, as well as to these humble, lowly shepherds. I like how in all three incidents, the angel told them why they should not fear. In the case of the shepherds, the message was clear, “for behold, I bring you good tidings which will be for all the people.”

The shepherds were the first to hear the news that in the city of David, Christ was born. The sign would be a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. And if the angel speaking to them was not enough, suddenly a multitude of angels appeared to them praising God. Their words were such wonderful words, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14).

What makes you fearful? I know I have my own fears. Faith is antidote for fear. Only God can turn our fear into joy. In so many cases we fear things that never happen, and if they do come, He gives us sufficient grace and works all works together for good in our lives.

Have a blessed day without fear, as we trust in the Lord with joy. Stay safe and healthy.

Fear paralyzes us, but faith liberates us.

Dean

-December 10, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Wednesday,

“Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep did as the angel of the Lord of commanded him and took to him his wife.”

(Luke 1:24).

Joseph faced the fact that his betrothed and beloved Mary was pregnant. This was very disgraceful in that day. He thought the best thing to do was to put her away secretly as not to make a public shame her. His heart was broken, for he loved her very much.

Just at the right time the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20-21). Joseph obeyed and the rest is history. This was just the beginning of his obedience. Just as God chose Mary, He chose Joseph as well.

Then God told him to take Mary and the young Child and flee to Egypt, from King Herod’s evil edict to kill all babies two years and under, and many Jewish baby boys were indeed slain. Again he obeyed. Then God revealed that he should take Mary and the Child and go back to Israel. He once again obeyed the Lord and finally, God directed him to Galilee, the city of Nazareth.

When we obey God and trust Him for His plan, we are blessed. Obedience to the Lord honors and pleases Him. Will you, like Joseph, obey freely and fully. We read very little of Joseph after these times. The last time we hear of him was when he, Mary, and Jesus travelled to Jerusalem at the time of the Passover when Jesus was twelve yers old. Many Bible scholars believe that Joseph died relatively young and the left this earthly scene. He fulfilled his mission from God.

Have a blessed day of obedience in whatever He wants you to do, may His will be your will.

God’s plan for us is not always easy, but is always good for us. It may even change the world.

Dean

December 9, 2025–

Good morning beloved, happy Tuesday, Merry Christmas,

“Then Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I do not know a man?

(Luke 1:34).

Mary asked a very good question, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” It was an impossible thing that the angel was telling her; something that was unprecedented. No virgin had ever been pregnant without having relations with a man.

God’s works differently than we can comprehend. We are subject to the laws of nature; God is the Creator of all things including natural laws and has no limitations. We must leave the ways and works of God to Him. It is not wrong to ask the Lord why, or even how, but it’s wrong to doubt Him.

Charles Spurgeon once said, “When you can’t trace His hand, trust His heart.” When we can’t see, when we can’t hear, when we can’t understand, we must trust in our loving, omnipotent, sovereign God.

Christian song-writer Babbie Mason wrote a song based on this wonderful saying. The chorus says, “When you can’t trace His hand, when you don’t see His plan, when you don’t understand, trust His heart.”

God never makes mistakes, never has to say that He forgot or can’t do something, or is too busy. He is able and more than able and willing and more than willing. The angel told her, “For with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37).

Mary believed and accepted God’s will for her. She told the angel simply, “… Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”

How do you respond when things are dark and seem impossible? Let us trust His heart. Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.

When we believe, we will receive; when God says it we must trust Him to do it.

Dean

-December 8, 2025-

Good morning beloved, happy Monday, Merry Christmas,

“…And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

(Isaiah 9:6b).

Today’s verse is nothing short of well, wonderful. It contains five names of the Lord Jesus Christ: Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

His name is wonderful, His character is wonderful, His ways are wonderful. How can we describe Him? What superlatives can we employ?

The word wonderful is defined as, “inspiring delight, pleasure, or admiration; extremely good; marvelous.” Are not all these things true of our Savior?

The Angel of the Lord spoke to Manoah and his wife announcing the birth of Samson, telling them what his manner of life would be. Manoah wanted to know what the Angel’s name was. He answered, “How is it that you ask My name seeing it is wonderful?”

The hymn writer Audrey Mieir wrote, “His Name Is Wonderful.”She wrote, His name is wonderful, His name is wonderful, His name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord. He’s the great Shepherd, the Rock of all ages, Almighty God is He. Bow down before Him, love and adore Him. His name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord.”

May we bow before our newborn He is so worthy, so wonderful. Have a blessed day leading up to Christmas. Stay safe and healthy.

Thanks be to Jesus our wonderful King, praising Him forever and ever.

Dean