Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-October 18, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Monday,

“As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by grace and virtue.”

(2 Peter 1:3).

God has given us all things necessary to live for Him and serve Him in this world. He equips us for every task, every ministry, every day.

From the whole armor of God to the promises of God to power of the Holy Spirit. If God calls us to do something, He will do it through us. It is by His divine power through our weakness.

It quite an amazing term that Paul uses, “As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness…” There is no lack, God has given us everything. David, the Psalmist, wrote in Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want (or lack).”

God is a giver. When God gives, He lavishes His blessings on us. Ephesians 1:3 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.”

Are you ready for another Monday? God knows what lies ahead and gives the grace and wisdom to handle whatever comes our way. You and me must be prepared for the moment.

Have a blessed day equipped, empowered, and encouraged. Stay safe and healthy.

We have all things in Christ, so we can do all things for Christ.

Dean

-October 27, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Lord’s Day,

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

(Romans 8:31).

When God is for us, no one can successfully be against us. Certainly the devil and his demons are against us, but they were defeated at the cross. No human being can be against us. Some people just don’t like us.

All through the Bible, God has fought for and with His people. Walls fell at Jericho; armies were put to flight; giants were cut down to size; the mouth of lions were shut; a fiery furnace was cooled; and so much more.

It is so assuring, encouraging, and comforting to know we are not left alone to fight our battles—the Lord is with us. He is with us and for us at school, at work, in retirement, in fact, wherever we go.

Paul wrote in Romans 8:37-39, “Yet in all these we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present or things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

These three words bring such joy to my heart: “God is for us.” We can rest in it, sleep soundly on it, and live each day by it.

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

When God is on your side, you need nothing else beside.

Dean

-October 26, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Saturday,

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”

(1 John 4:18).

God’s love is perfect; there is no other love like it. His love drives out all our fears, dries all our tears. He loves us fully and unconditionally. His love never fails.

Today’s verse is the only time that this phrase, “perfect love” is used. His love covers a multitude of sin. Fear involves torment and Jesus bore the penalty of our sins and gave us eternal life, forgiveness, and peace with God. We stand before God perfect and without fear.

As someone once said, “Never fear with Jesus is near.” When we doubt we may fear, but when we trust nothing moves us. Our past is covered, our present is covered, and our future is covered.

Bill MacDonald commenting on this verse wrote, “l am assured of the Lord’s love first of all, because He died for me. Secondly, I know He loves me because He indwells me at the present moment. Thirdly, I can look to the future with confidence and without fear.

May the Lord encourage us in His love. Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.

Love overcomes, overflows, and overwhelms.

Dean

-October 25, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Friday,

“But let him who glories glory in this, that He understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord.”

(Jeremiah 9:24).

To “glory in,” is to boast in, to proclaim what is important in your life; to rejoice proudly. Jeremiah wept over Judah and their disobedience, idolatry, and rejection of the true God. God proclaimed judgment on Israel and Judah, sending them into captivity. The people boasted in their own wisdom, might, and riches (See Jeremiah 9:23). instead they should have boasted in the Lord, in His wisdom, might, and riches.

In the midst of God’s indictment of His people, He shows them what is really important: to glory in Him, in knowing and understanding Him. It wasn’t too late to repent and come back to the Lord in confession of sin.

The people in Judah honored God with their lips but not with their hearts; they engaged in the sacrifices, rituals, and traditions but not in the truth of God’s Word. They spoke the lingo but didn’t live it. They went through the motions but their hearts weren’t in it. They worshipped God while worshipping idols. It never works.

God showed them and us, that lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness is what He exercises and desires in His people. Each of these attributes of God need to be applied to our lives on a daily basis in our relationships with others. God delights in them.

Lovingkindness is showing love in a kind and gentle way; Judgment is being just and fair in our dealings; and righteousness is doing what is right in the sight of God and man.

It is time that we give the Lord first place in our hearts and lives, in our priorities, in our business dealings, and in our families. We all do well on Sunday mornings, but what about Monday through Saturday? Is there a difference? Are we seven day a week Christians?

Have a blessed day taking an honest assessment of ourselves in the light of God’s Word. Stay safe and healthy.

We can only delight in the truth if live it out in our lives daily.

Dean

-October 24, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Thursday,

“…that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”

(1 Timothy 3:15).

Paul wrote two epistles to his young protege and son in the faith Timothy. Timothy was the pastor of the church at Ephesians. Today’s verse gives us clear and serious instruction on how we should conduct ourselves in the church.

Christian conduct is very important. Throughout the NT, Paul, Peter, John, James, and Jude teach us how to conduct ourselves in the fear of the Lord. Paul pointedly wrote, “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, that I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (1 Timothy 1:27).

Our contact can either honor and glorify Christ, directing people toward Christ, or by improper behavior point people away from Christ.

What are some ways we can conduct ourselves like Christ: I would suggest, holiness, diligence, faithfulness , kindness, forgiveness, patience, compassion, and love, just to mention a few.

It is wonderful to see how Paul describes the church as the church of the living God, the pillar and ground (or foundation or mainstay) of the truth. Jesus built His church and the gates of hell cannot prevail against it.

Let us then conduct ourselves in such a way as to glorify the name of the Lord. Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.

Our conduct is a reflection of Christ; may it be clear and not dim.

Dean