Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-December 5, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Tuesday,

“In Him was life, and the light was the light of men”

(John 1:4).

Jesus is the Light of the world. His very presence illuminated the darkness. Jesus said in John 8:12, “…I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Light was created by God and His glory, and for mankind. Imagine how dark this earth was before creation. Through Jesus we are the children of light.

Jesus is not only the light, but He is also the life. He came down from heaven to save us from our sins and bring us new life in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new.”

In the wonderful Christmas hymn, “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing,” Charles Wesley wrote in the third verse, “Hail! the heavenly-born Prince of of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, risen with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, born that man no more may die; Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth. Hark! the herald angels sing, glory to the new-born King.”

Have a blessed day as we prepare for Christmas Day. Stay safe and healthy.

We live the life Christ in the light of Christ.

Dean

-December 4, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Wednesday,

“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”

(Hebrews 12:14).

Peace is not only something we get, but something we give. It is way of life in the way we treat people. We must choose peace over conflict.

Jesus calls us to be peacemakers. He said in Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.” Peacemaking isn’t easy to do. We must love the sinner but hate the sin. We can’t compromise the truth of God’s Word just to keep the peace.

The writer of Hebrews combines these two elements: peace and holiness. We can’t control how others act and respond to us, but we should do our best to diffuse volatile situations. Paul said in Romans 12:18, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”

David spoke this same truth in Psalm 34:14, “Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.” David did his best to seek and pursue peace with King Saul, even to the point of sparing his life on two different occasions. But as much he tried, Saul hardened his heart and continued to seek to kill him.

We love peace. It is a fruit of the Spirit that can have a powerful effect on people. We must seek and pursue it with all our hearts. When we respond in love as Christ would, the results are usually good. Because we have Christ, the Prince of Peace, we can live in peace in a world of chaos, confusion, and conflict.

Have a blessed day pursuing peace, and practicing it with others. Stay safe and healthy.

Pursue peace passionately and you’ll make a difference eternally.

Dean

-December 3, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Tuesday,

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

(John 14:27).

Yesterday we considered peace with God that we have at the moment we receive Christ as Lord and Savior. What a great peace that is, but in addition, we also have peace in every circumstance and situation.

Jesus spoke of peace as a gift that He leaves with us and gives to us. His peace is unlike any other peace in this world. Peace in the world is at best temporary, fragile, and superficial; the peace that God gives us is deep, abiding, and eternal.

We often note the distinction between peace with God and the peace of God. The former comes as a result of our salvation; the latter comes through prayer and thanksgiving. Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6-7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

In a troubled and turbulent world, it is so encouraging to have this peace to face whatever may arise in our lives. How does God give us such wonderful peace? It simply comes through a close relationship with the Father through His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. He uses His Word, prayer, and our fellow believers to encourage and comfort us.

Jesus tells us not to be troubled or be afraid for He will be with us always. He will never leave us or forsake us. Isaiah 26:3 reminds us, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because He trusts in You.” To have that perfect peace, we need to focus our minds not Christ, not on our circumstances.

Have a blessed day of perfect peace that surpasses all understanding. Stay safe and healthy in the arms of Jesus.

You don’t have to be perfect or have perfect circumstances to have perfect peace; you just need a perfect Savior and a surrendered heart.

Dean

-December 2, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Monday,

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

(Romans 5:1).

One of the greatest possessions we have in this world is peace with God. Today’s verse reminds us that through faith in Christ we are justified (i.e. declared righteous) and have peace with God. It gives us such assurance, confidence, and hope.

The moment we receive Christ, our separation from God is taken away, our alienation is destroyed, our sin is forgiven. We never again face judgement or condemnation from God as we deserved; Christ died for us, in our place on the cross.

The war with God is over. We who were lost are found, we who were dead were made alive, and we who enemies have been adopted into God’s family. Peace was won through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.

The hymn writer Edward H. Bickersteth wrote in the first verse his hymn, “Peace, Perfect Peace,” “Peace, perfect peace in this dark world of sin? The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.” Through the blood of Christ we who were once far from God are brought near to God.

Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:13-14, “But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation.”

May we rejoice in our peace with God that is ours now and for all eternity. Because we have peace with God, we can have peace with others. Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.

Peace through reconciliation and a great salvation.

Dean

-December 1, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Lord’s Day,

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem saying, ‘Where is He who was born the King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.’”

(Matthew 2:1-2).

You have undoubtedly read this portion countless times and listened to many sermons on it. I was thinking about how far the wise men or magi traveled to see the newborn King. I searched on the internet and found that they journey was more than a thousand miles!

They had to travel on camels and carry supplies with for such a long, arduous trip; to them it was well worth the time, effort, and sacrifice. Also, just think of the Israelites who transversed through the wilderness for 40 years on the way to the Promised Land.

I always remark on our missionaries who visit from Spain, that they commuted the farthest of any of us. These wisemen didn’t follow a map, they had no GPS. They followed a very special star and eventually found their way to Bethlehem and saw the baby Jesus, Mary His mother, and His earthly father Joseph. They worshipped Jesus and presented Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

To these men the star was exciting but seeing Jesus, who by this time was about two years old, was even more thrilling. Just think of the stories they had to tell when they got home!

Some people have a hard time just driving a few miles to church. If Jesus came to your church, it would packed. Every seat would be taken and every parking spot filled. But shouldn’t it always be that way. The Lord Jesus promised, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20).

Is Jesus worth the trip, no matter how far? Let us go to church today and worship with our sacrifice of praise. Jesus will be waiting for you. I open the church for all our meetings; Jesus is already there waiting for all the saints.

Have a blessed Lord’s Day. Please pray for my sermon tomorrow on faithfulness. Stay safe and healthy.

I would travel the world to see Jesus; because He came from heaven to earth to save me.

Dean