Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-October 8, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Tuesday,

“Now therefore, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord, You alone.”

(Isaiah 37:20).

King Hezekiah was one of the godly kings of Judah who honored God and put Him first. Sennacherib, king of Assyria, came against Jerusalem with all his mighty army. He sent his emissary the Rabshakeh, to threaten Hezekiah and people of Judah. Even more, he blasphemed the Lord and reckoned Him in the same category as the false gods which were the work of men’s hands.

Hezekiah didn’t consult his military leaders, nor did he hire foreign armies to help him—he sought the Lord’s help. He sought godly counsel from the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah promised a complete victory by the hand of the Lord.

In Isaiah 37:14-20, King Hezekiah makes heartfelt prayer to the Lord. He brought the threatening letter sent by Sennacherib and spread it out before the Lord. He acknowledged who God was and His mighty power, and he made his request for deliverance. He said, “that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord, You alone.”

God’s reputation was on the line along with His glory. God is the Almighty God. He sent the Angel of the Lord, a pre incarnate appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ to kill 185,000 Assyrians at the same time. They never reached Jerusalem. God did it all; Isaiah and his army didn’t have to lift a finger.

The lesson for us is this: when we see no help, no way out, God comes through for us at just the right time.

Have a blessed day trusting the Lord, who is omnipotent. Stay safe and healthy.

Help is just a prayer away, when we plead by night or day.

Dean

-October 7, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Monday,

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing.”

(Philippians 2:14).

Today’s text sounds easy enough, but in practice is extremely hard to do. Our nature is to complain about everything. We complain about people, circumstances, the weather, finances, school, work, and so much more.

The word complain is defined as, “a statement that a situation is unsatisfactory or unacceptable; an expression of grief, pain, or dissatisfaction.” Complaining gets us into more trouble; it sours our relationships and mars our testimony for Christ.

Imagine how Moses and Aaron felt in the wilderness with a bunch of winers and complainers. We detest it in others, but tolerate it in ourselves. What is the remedy for complaining? Thanksgiving of course. In stead of complaining, let us thank the Lord in and for everything.

Disputing is defined as, “to argue irritability or with irritable persistence.” It takes two people to have an argument, especially when both staunchly believe they are in the right. Talking things out peacefully and calming is what we should do. Again, it is easier said than done. The hardest phrase to say in the English language is, “I was wrong, please forgive me.”

I love the story of the two rams trying to pass through a tight spot on a mountain pass where only one could get by. At first they butt heads but all they get is a headache. Then all of the sudden, one lays down so that the other can pass over his body safely. Humility and the love of Christ helps us deal with difficult people and situations.

Let us learn to follow the example of Christ in the way we handle what comes up in life. Let love prevail in every detail. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:7, [love] bears all things, believes things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

Have blessed giving thanks instead of complaints, being peaceful peacemakers instead of heated arguers. Stay safe and healthy.

Closing the complaint department and putting it out of business.

Dean

-October 6, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Lord’s Day,

“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

(Philippians 1:6).

Philippians is an epistle of living joy. Paul loved the saints there so much and wrote to them from his prison cell in Rome. Dark, damp, cold conditions could not stem his joy in the Lord or his care for the saints.

Paul wanted the saints, including the elders and deacons to be encouraged by Christ’s work in their lives. Jesus began a good work in them and will complete it until the day of Christ, which is the Rapture. He does the same with us.

Our Lord Jesus Christ has a plan for each of us. He is working on us, in us, and for us until the day He calls us home to heaven. He is not finished with us yet; He is still working on our character. He always finishes what He starts. We must be patient with ourselves and others until His work is completed.

Our Savior is a Master Sculptor, and we are each His masterpiece. He chisels way the rough edges of pride, selfishness, bad habits, and worldly ways. For us it is painful to go through, but necessary for us. He uses trials, pain, hardships, and troubles to mold us into His image.

Christ’s work is always a good work—on the other hand, the devil’s work is always bad. He wants to trip us up and bring us down. Jesus wants to lift us up and help us stand and walk. I know I have a long ways to go and grow in Christ. I am still learning. Our Savior is also our coach. Good coaches teach, inspire, and challenge their players to excel and be victorious.

None of us knows how long we will live in this world, but we do know heaven is forever and ever. One minute in heaven will more than make up for a lifetime of trials and suffering.

Have a blessed Lord’s Day. October 1 began Pastor Appreciation Month. Let’s thank our pastor and tell him how much we appreciate him. Stay safe and healthy.

Dean

-October 5, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Saturday,

“Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, ‘Take away the filthy garments from him.’ And to him He said, ‘See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.’”

(Zechariah 3:3).

Everyone loves a good rags to riches story. A person with nothing or next to nothing rises up to success, fame, or riches. Today’s text is a great lesson for us.

The Prophet Zechariah had a vision of Joshua, the high priest, standing before the Lord in filthy garments. God is speaking here of the nation of Israel, but it has application to us as sinners saved by grace through faith. Only God transform a life from the inside out, and turn one right side up.

Israel had a very humble beginning but God blessed her by His matchless mercy and grace. Israel’s problem of sin had to be dealt with. The same is true of us. We were born in sin and conceived in iniquity. God sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ to die for our sins and give us eternal life, forgiveness of sins, and a new life in Christ.

What an exchange for us! He removed the filthy garments of our sin and give us white robes of righteousness in their place. Isaiah 64:6 says, “But we all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.”

Only the blood of Christ can cleanse us from our sin and give us peace within. But God not stop there by showing us mercy, He then clothed us in the righteousness of Christ, which is by His grace. From the gutter of sin to the palace of heaven; from being aliens, outcasts, and enemies to being children of the King.

It is all God’s doing. None of us deserve it. Notice how Joshua is clothed in rich robes. Does it not remind you of the prodigal son returning to his father who hugs and kisses him and welcomes him back, taking off his rags and clothing him in a robe, putting a ring his finger, and throwing the biggest party ever.

We can rejoice we have something greater to look forward to in heaven with the Lord for all eternity. The Lord Jesus said, “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of in the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10).

Are you dressed in the righteousness of Christ? No one can go to heaven without it. The hymn writer Edward Mote wrote, “When He shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in Him be found; Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.”

May you have a blessed day clothed in Christ’s righteousness, thankful for all He has done for us. Stay safe and healthy.

From rags of sin to riches of glory, let us go out and tell our wonderful story.

Dean

-October 4, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Friday,

“And it will be said in that day: ‘Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”

(Isaiah 25:9).

There is joy when the Lord answers our prayers after we have waited on Him and for Him. Twice in today’s verse we have the phrase, “We have waited for Him.”

I asked for a financial unspoken request on Wednesday night at our Men’s Prayer Meeting and the Lord marvelously answered yesterday. I have been waiting for it for quite sometime. The Lord is so faithful and so good.

Waiting, as I have said before is not easy but we learn so many lessons and gain so many blessings as a result. Psalm 130:5-6 says, “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning—Yes more than those who watch for the morning.”

God’s timing is always the best and He blesses us above all measure and expectations. Paul wrote in Ephesians 3:20, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”

I have been blessed so that I can bless others. I have such joy and I am so thankful. It is like waiting for a ship that has come in fully loaded, and I get to unload it. I give all praise and thanks to God!

There is a praise and worship song by the Maranatha Singers. It says, “I must wait, wait, wait on the Lord; I must wait, wait, wait on the Lord. And learn my lessons well, and in His timing, He will tell me where to go, what to do, what to say.”

Have a blessed day waiting for the Lord. Stay safe and healthy.

Waiting and watching; watching and praying; praying and praising.

Dean