Priceless Lives in Christ

Welcome to this Saturday edition of the Our Daily Bread Devotional.

My name is Xochitl Dixon. I'd like to share a personal moment that led to a life-changing realization in today's devotion, Priceless Lives in Christ. Tears streamed down my cheeks during a frantic search for my lost wedding and anniversary rings. After an hour of lifting couch cushions and scouring every nook and cranny of our home, Alan said, I'm sorry, we'll replace them. Thanks, I responded, but their sentimental value surpasses their material worth.

They're irreplaceable. Praying, I continued hunting for the jewelry. Please, God, help me find them. Later, while reaching into the pocket of a sweater worn earlier in the week, I found the priceless jewels. Thank you, Jesus, I exclaimed. As my husband and I rejoiced, I slipped on the rings and recalled the parable of the woman who lost a coin in Luke chapter 15. Like the woman who searched for her lost silver coin, I knew the worth of what had been lost.

Neither of us was wrong for wanting to find our valuables. Jesus simply used that story to emphasize His desire to save every person He created. One sinner repenting results in a celebration in heaven. What a gift it would be to become a person who prays as passionately for others as we pray for lost treasures to be found. What a privilege it is to celebrate when someone repents and surrenders their lives to Christ. If we've placed our trust in Jesus, we can be thankful we've experienced the joy of being loved by someone who never gave up because he thought we were worth finding.

Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Luke chapter 15 verses 8-10. Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn't she light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?

And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, Rejoice with me, I have found my lost coin. In the same way I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Let's pray. Faithful Father, thank you for affirming that you want every person you created to come to a life-saving relationship with Jesus. Help us to love people so deeply that we can see them the way you see them. And help us to pray for others as if we truly believe what you believe, that every person you create is a priceless life worth saving. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.