Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-September 22, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Lord’s Day,

“He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.”

(Song of Solomon 2:4).

Song of Solomon is filled with imagery of the love of a husband and wife. Solomon is the husband and the Shulamite is his bride. Solomon pictures Christ and the Shulamite Israel and the church.

Jesus, the heavenly Bridegroom, came down from heaven to die for us and save us from our sins. He laid down His life to give us life. Ephesians 5:25-27 says, “Husbands, love your wives as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of the water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”

Solomon brings his bride into the banqueting house, or as it can be translated, “the house of wine.” The book of Revelation speaks of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. We will all celebrate it in heaven. Revelation 19:9 tells us, “Then he said to me, ‘Write: Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’”

And wonderfully it says, “and his banner over me is love.” There is nothing more beautiful than the love of Christ toward us. We belong to Him. Song of Solomon 2:16 says, “My beloved is mine, and I am his. He feeds his flock among the lilies.”

The hymn writer wrote, “Oh! I am my Beloved’s, and my Beloved’s mine; He brings a poor vile sinner into His of wine. I stand upon His merit. I know no other stand, not e’en where glory dwelleth, in Immanuel’s land.”

Let us rejoice that we belong to Christ, we are His bride. May we worship Him today. Stay safe and healthy.

Our garments of salvation are pure white, there is no spot or blemish in sight; we have been washed in the blood and made righteous forever, nothing from Him and His live can sever.

Dean

-September 21, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Saturday,

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.”

(Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

The book of Ecclesiastes, like the book of Proverbs, and the Song of Solomon were written by King Solomon. Ecclesiastes was written from the perspective of man’s life apart from God under the sun. He wrote, “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity,’ says the Preacher, ‘Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”

No one can be truly happy, satisfied, or fulfilled outside of Christ. 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.”

Solomon concluded, “fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all… No one is saved by keeping God’s commandments but by grace through faith. No one could keep all the Ten Commandments, all the time. Only Jesus as perfect God and perfect man kept God’s laws perfectly. He died for our sins to save us from our sins.

As believers in Christ we have the power of the Holy Spirit to fear God, that is to reverence Him, and keep His commandments. Every day we should fear the Lord, honoring Him in all we say and do; and obey all His commandments joyfully from the heart.

Have blessed day fearing God and keeping His commandments. Stay safe and healthy.

There are no short cuts – fear God and obey Him.

-September 20, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Friday,

“But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”

(2 Corinthians 11:3).

Paul loved the saints at Corinth so much. He cared for their souls and their spiritual well being. He taught them that our real enemy is the devil, and we must be in guard against his schemes and attacks.

Satan has been at his wicked plans since the day he was banished from heaven and took with him one third of the angels. He appeared to Eve in the garden of Eden and deceived her, tempted her, and appealed to her sinful desires.

In the Scriptures, Satan is called a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44); a murderer (John 8:44); a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8); our adversary (1 Peter 5:8); the evil one (Matthew 6:13); the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2); and an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14).

There are many cults and false teachers we must be on guard against by knowing and obeying God’s truth. The Bible is the sword of the Spirit. Paul was concerned that the Corinthians may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

The simplicity of Christ is holding to the truth of Christ with a spiritual tenacity. The message of the gospel is simple, holy, and true. If someone says something and it doesn’t sound right and it isn’t according to Scripture, we must reject it. The safest thing is to follow the Word, live by it, and preach only from it.

The devil attacks us through our minds in subtle ways with destructive consequences. It is therefore vital that we put on the whole armor of God daily, including the helmet of salvation.

Have a blessed day maintaining the simplicity of Christ. Stay safe and healthy.

The Basics, fundamentals, foundations truths are found in the Bible; know them and stand on them.

Dean

-September 19, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Thursday,

“For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.”

(2 Corinthians 10:18).

What is the most important thing we can do in the Christian life? It is to please the Lord. Though it is important to please others but only if what we do is pleasing in the eyes of the Lord.

Many people in the world commend themselves, which never works. Only God is in the position of judging us and commending us. The word commend is defined as, “to praise formerly or officially; present as suitable for approval or acceptance; recommend.” The Pharisees in Jesus’ day sought to please man not God.

God knows our hearts, recognizes what we do for Him, and will reward us at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Paul wrote, “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him” (2 Corinthians 5:9).

Are we commending ourselves or are we are we seeking the Lord’s commendation? If we are faithful in serving the Lord we will hear His words, “Well done, My good and faithful servant.” That will be all the commendation we need.

Have a blessed day seeking to please the Lord. Stay safe and healthy.

Pleasing Christ is my desire, the pursuit of which I’ll never tire.

Dean

-September 18, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Wednesday,

“I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied. For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.”

(1 Corinthians 16:17-18).

We are all responsible to refresh others who are down and discouraged. Here in our text, Paul specifically acknowledges three men: Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus. They aren’t exactly household names. They were obscure, but their impact for the Lord was great. They made up for a lack in the church at Corinth.

These three men though are not well known in the New Testament, in fact this is the only time this trio is mentioned. Stephanas is referred in two other verses (1 Corinthians 1:6; 1 Corinthians 16:15).

The word refresh is defined as, “give new strength or energy to; reinvigorate.” It is so needed among believers today. It means to bring a new perspective and fresh encouragement to those are down or in need.

Refreshing others may be spiritual, physical, emotional, or mental. We all go through dry times. We can be refreshed by the Word of God. Paul was both a refresher and was refreshed by the saints.

Paul wrote in Romans 15:32, “that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you.” Paul’s presence, his joy, and his words of encouragement brought refreshment. He was also refreshed by the saints.

The lesson for us is that anyone in Christ can bring refreshment to others, in fact it is our responsibility. This world is so sinful, corrupt, and evil. We need to lift each other up.

Have a blessed day refreshing others. Stay safe and healthy.

Gathering with the saints brings refreshment to the soul.

Dean