Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-November 7, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Thursday,

“For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”

(1 Corinthians 2:16).

God is so great, so amazing, so wonderful; no one knows more and cares more than He does. Paul asks the question, “For who knows the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him? Then he gives the answer, “But we have the mind of Christ.” It is a done deal, case closed.

We as human beings tend to second guess each other all the time. The problem is when we second guess the Lord. The Lord is perfect; He never fails, He never makes a mistake.

We are so blessed to have Christ and His mind in us. Paul wrote, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). His mind is the exact opposite of the world’s. We can know and do His will. The more we pray and read His Word, the more His thoughts flow to us and through us,

Have a blessed day spending time with Jesus. Stay safe and healthy.

With the mind of Christ we can live the life of Christ.

Dean

-November 6, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Wednesday,

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in times past in the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds.”

(Hebrews 1:1-2).

Peter said in Acts 4:12, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. To the believer, there is no sweeter, richer, or more precious name than the name of Jesus.

God sent His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ into the world to save sinners, and to make us children of God. The message of salvation through faith in Christ is still be preached all over the world.

In times past God spoke at various times and various ways through the fathers and the prophets. It was God’s revelation through dreams and visions. Jesus came to fulfill every prophesy pointing to His birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection, and Second Coming.

We are living in what is called the Age of Grace, the Church Age, and the Last Days. The latter term is so indicative that Christ’s coming is very near. The signs of the times are everywhere, all over the world. The clock is ticking, time is running short.

The NT tells us of exactly what will happen and we are seeing it with our own eyes. Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:1, “But know this, that in the last days perilous (or times of stress) will come.” He describes people who are “lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away” (2 Timothy 3:2-5).

Paul’s description fits our world, our society to a tee. Only the gospel can transform sinners into saints. These last days, as bad as they are, are exciting to see God working to save souls and awaken His people to action. God always has the last word. Christ will come, will reign, and we will reign with Him.

What can we do in these last days? We should live for Christ, serve Him, and proclaim the gospel.

Have a blessed day walking with Christ and pointing people to Him. Stay safe and healthy.

God has spoken by His Son and there are souls to be won.

Dean

-November 5, 2024

Good morning, beloved, happy Tuesday,

“God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.”

(Psalm 47:8).

The day has finally arrived, Election Day 2024. The polls are now open on the East Coast. The polls will close in Alaska at 1:00 am tomorrow morning.

As Christians we have the freedom and privilege of choosing our next by voting for the individual we believe is best to lead our country for the next four years. Now matter who you support, we all need to pray for God’s will. I believe in God and in our great country.

Today’s text shows us that God reigns over the nations. He sits in heaven on His throne in heaven. Of these two facts we can be sure. Romans 13:1 clearly says, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.”

It is absolutely clear that God appoints who He anoints. He has a plan and purpose beyond our finite understanding. He chooses and directs our leaders. Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like rivers (or channels) of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.” This gives me comfort, peace, and assurance.

Have a blessed Election Day. Watch and pray; vote and trust God. Stay safe and healthy.

The best thing we can do today is to pray, and leave the results in God’s capable hands.

Dean

-November 4, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Monday,

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”

(Psalm 91:1-2).

Though we live in this troubled, sinful, corrupt, and evil world, we are citizens of heaven, living according to God’s will. Before we go out into the world, whether to work, school, or doing errands, we must first spend time with the Lord in His Word and in prayer.

We need to dwell in the secret place of the Most High, abiding in the shadow of the Almighty. There is no better place to be. Psalm 91 is a rich psalm, written by an unknown writer. The title of the psalm is “Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God.”

The Lord our God is a personal God. The psalmist uses the word “me”three times in verse two. He says, my refuge, my fortress, and my God. We need each of these things if we are going to trust in Him and abide in Him.

• My Refuge – A refuge is defined as, “a condition of being safe or sheltered were from pursuit, danger, or trouble.” Psalm 46:10 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” The Lord is our safe place in an unsafe world. I have experienced dangers and troubles, and the Lord has been with me through them all.

• My Fortress – A fortress is a military stronghold, especially a strongly fortified town, fit for a large garrison.” Just as a refuge is where we run to, a fortress is where we live and fight against the world, the flesh, and the devil. God gives us his full armor to put on and use, and His angels to watch over us and protect us.

• My God – The very first verse of the Bible says in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” The last two verses of the Bible tell us, “He who testifies to things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen” (Revelation 22:20-21). He is with us from beginning to end.

Let us run to the Lord as our refuge, and dwell in His fortress, and know that Christ is with us wherever we go. Stay safe and healthy.

Without Christ, we are nothing, have nothing, and can do nothing; with Christ we have everything, we can do all things, and nothing can separate us from His love.

Dean

-November 3, 2024-

Good morning, happy Lord’s Day,

“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”

(Jeremiah 33:3).

Today’s verse is given in the midst of God’s judgment of His people for their continual disobedience and idolatry. Jeremiah was the weeping prophet who prophesied of their captivity and eventual restoration.

God gave Jeremiah and all Judah an invitation to call to Him. Along with the invitation, He promised to answer them, and not only to answer them but to show them great and mighty things. The word mighty can be rendered “inaccessible.” When something is inaccessible it can’t be reached or attained. God in His love and power gives us wonderful things beyond our imagination or comprehension.

There are so many things we do not know or can’t fathom. Daniel told King Nebuchadnezzar, “He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him” (Daniel 2:22). We also read in Deuteronomy 29:29, “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed but belong to us and our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”

Living this side of the cross, we know more the prophets of the OT knew. We are so blessed and privileged. Let us then call to the Lord at all times. He will help us, teach us, and guide us; He will protect us and provide for us.

Have a blessed day calling to and on the Lord in times of trial as well as time of joy. Stay safe and healthy.

When we call, He will answer—there are no busy signals, no waiting on hold; He always answers on the first ring.

Dean