Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-December 15, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Lord’s Day,

“And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.”

(Luke 2:26).

One of the most beautiful stories of Christmas was the story of Simeon. God had promised Him through the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until his eyes saw the Messiah.

Simeon was one of the Jews who was waiting for the consolation of Israel. While others around him knew that Messiah would come, but it wasn’t on their minds in their daily lives. Simeon on the other hand, lived it day by day. He waited with faith and anticipation.

The Scriptures do not tell us his age, but by this time he was old. I am sure his faith was tested with each passing year. Still, he clung to God’s promise with tenacity and faith. There may have been others around him who told him the odds were stacked against him.

Waiting is never easy, but it sure pays off. It makes the result so much more satisfying. Psalm 27:14 may have been Simeon’s life verse. David wrote, “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say on the Lord.” The word wait can be translated from the Hebrew as, “Wait in faith.” That is exactly what it takes: FAITH.

Simeon was in the temple when Mary and Joseph brought in the eight day old Baby Jesus. He immediately recognized Him as the Messiah. His prayers were answered, God’s promise was fulfilled. There was no luck or chance involved.

May we rejoice at Jesus’ coming into the world to save us. As believers we are now waiting for Him to come and take us home to glory in heaven. There are many things that we wait in faith for. God is always faithful. The wait may be long, but the results are fantastic.

Have a blessed Lord’s Day. Stay safe and healthy.

The wait is always worth it when God provides the results.

Dean

-December 14, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Saturday,

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory.”

Today is the last of our studies on this deep and encouraging verse. The phrase today is, “received up in glory.” This refers to Jesus’ departure from this world back to heaven.

Mark and Luke both spoke of Jesus’ ascension up into heaven. Luke 24:50-51 says, “And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.” It must have been a very moving experience for the disciples. Luke also wrote in Acts 1:9, “Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.”

Mark wrote in his gospel, “So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God” (Mark 16:19). This is where Jesus is sitting right now at the right hand of God.

Jesus was received up in glory. It is interesting to note that when Jesus was born, He came down and humbled Himself to become a baby born in a manger; when He ascended back to heaven, He did so as the risen Savior, the Lord of all, the King of glory. He will come a second time to rule and reign over the earth.

May we pause to reflect on who Jesus was and is. His birth was His arrival and entrance into the world; and departure out of this world was crowned with glory. Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.

From the cradle to the cross, from the cross, to the tomb, from the tomb to the resurrection and from the resurrection to the ascension. He lives forever!

Dean

-December 13, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Friday,

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory.”

(1 Timothy 3:16).

Today is the fifth day on this tremendous verse. Each of the descriptions of Christ by Paul adds to the chorus of praise of to our Lord Jesus Christ. From His birth to His life, to His character, to His ministry, to His death, to His resurrection, to His ascension, to enthronement in glory at the Father’s right hand.

The phrase of the day is, “believed on in the world.” Jesus commissioned the disciples in Mark 16:15-16, “…Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

The Apostle John’s main purpose in writing the Gospel of John is found in John 20:30-31, “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”

Do you believe on Jesus and in Jesus? This belief goes far beyond mere intellectual ascent; it is a belief of the soul and spirit. It is not just knowing about Christ, it is knowing Christ. It is about trusting Him for salvation and for everything in God’s plan for your life and future.

Believing in Jesus is the only way to be saved and have eternal life. He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Him. All other ways end in spiritual and eternal death and separation from God.

Believing in Jesus is life changing. Our faith in Christ should be growing daily through the trials we experience in our daily lives. Have a blessed day believing in Jesus. Stay safe and healthy.

Charles Spurgeon once said, “A little faith will bring your soul to heaven; a great faith will bring heaven to your soul.”

Dean

-December 12, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Thursday,

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory.”

(1 Timothy 3:16).

Today we continue our thoughts on the person of Christ. When Jesus began His earthly ministry it was directed to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Still, Jesus never turned anyone away.

Later in the book of Acts, the Spirit of God led the apostles to go to the Gentiles. The first Gentile convert was the centurion Cornelius. Many others were saved and became part of the church.

In Jesus’ life He healed the Syrophoenician woman’s daughter. She was a Gentile and there were others. Jesus came to save Jews and Gentiles.

Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles. His custom was to preach to the Jews first in the synagogues. Then He went to the Gentiles. Aren’t we thankful that gospel reached us Gentiles.

There was a middle wall of partition between Jews and Gentiles—Jesus broke down the wall. There is no difference between Jew and Gentle, male and female. The gospel transforms lives—all lives.

We praise God that the gospel is still being proclaimed all throughout the world. Souls are being saved. Let us share the gospel with everyone. It was prophesied that the Gentiles would believe.

Have a blessed day being thankful for God’s love and the life changing message of the gospel. Stay safe and healthy.

It is so humbling that God would include us in His great plan of salvation.

Dean

-December 11, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Wednesday,

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory.”

(1 Timothy 3:16).

We have meditated so far on the first two phrases: God is manifested in the flesh, and justified in the Spirit. Today, we will consider the phrase, “seen by angels.”

Angels are found in many places in many books of the Bible from Genesis through Revelation. God created the angels to glorify Him and serve Him. Angels are powerful spiritual beings who called messengers and ministers. Angels often take human form to come to the rescue of God’s people.

In the case of Jesus, angels spoke to both Mary and Joseph that she would bear a Son, and call His name Jesus. They also announced the birth of Christ to the shepherds and after His temptation by the devil, angels were there to strengthen Him. Angels were also present at the tomb and proclaimed to Mary Magdalene that Jesus had risen from the dead.

The angels were ready to intervene at the cross, but God made them keep their swords on their sheaths. They did have a front row seat to everything Jesus did in life, in death, and in resurrection power.

Matthew 28:2-4 says, “And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.”

Suffice it to say no human or army of humans is any match for one angel. God uses angels to watch over us and help us in times of need. Hebrews 13:2 tells us, “Do not forget to entertain strangers; for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.”

Let thank God for the angels who sing and serve, and come to our side. Jesus was seen by angels and so are we. Have a blessed day in the Lord as we prepare for Christmas. Stay safe and healthy.

Jesus the Creator of the angels is the Master of the angels,

Dean