Today's Devotional: The Upper Room Daily Devotion "True Treasures" for Monday, 13 April 2015 - Scripture: Luke 15:4 “If one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, doesn’t he leave the other ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? 5 When he does find it, he joyfully hoists it onto his shoulders; 6 and when he gets home, he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Come, celebrate with me, because I have found my lost sheep!’ 7 I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who turns to God from his sins than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to repent.
8 “Another example: what woman, if she has ten drachmas and loses one of these valuable coins, won’t light a lamp, sweep the house and search all over until she finds it? 9 And when she does find it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Come, celebrate with me, because I have found the drachma I lost.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is joy among God’s angels when one sinner repents.”
The Lord said to Moses, “If you faithfully obey me and stay true to my covenant, you will be my most precious possession out of all the peoples, since the whole earth belongs to me.”[Exodus 19:5 (CEB)]
Growing up, I often retreated to my mother’s bedroom and made a beeline for her jewelry box. Inside was the jewelry my mother had accumulated over the years. I loved counting the metal figures on her silver charm bracelet and hearing the jingle of her earrings when I shook them. I knew she valued her jewelry because of the care she took to keep it safe.
My mother knew where every ring and pearl necklace was placed. If one went missing, she scoured our home until she found it. She often reminded me, “Hannah, as you collect special things, remember to treat them like the treasures they are.” I have taken her words to heart. I also have a wooden box filled with cherished jewelry and trinkets I want to keep safe.
Sometimes we forget that God views us as special treasures. When I struggle to feel beautiful or valued, I think of my mother’s jewelry box and realize that God sees me as a precious jewel to be protected and loved. God sacrificed his Son to purchase us. God treasures each one of us.
The Author: Hannah Covington (Illinois, USA)
Thought for the Day: God treasures us so that we can treasure others.
Prayer: Gracious God, you know everything about us. In your eyes, we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Ps. 139:14, NIV). Help us to see one another through your loving eyes and to accept the value and love you invest in us. Amen.
Prayer focus: Someone Who Feels Inadequate
8 “Another example: what woman, if she has ten drachmas and loses one of these valuable coins, won’t light a lamp, sweep the house and search all over until she finds it? 9 And when she does find it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Come, celebrate with me, because I have found the drachma I lost.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is joy among God’s angels when one sinner repents.”
The Lord said to Moses, “If you faithfully obey me and stay true to my covenant, you will be my most precious possession out of all the peoples, since the whole earth belongs to me.”[Exodus 19:5 (CEB)]
Growing up, I often retreated to my mother’s bedroom and made a beeline for her jewelry box. Inside was the jewelry my mother had accumulated over the years. I loved counting the metal figures on her silver charm bracelet and hearing the jingle of her earrings when I shook them. I knew she valued her jewelry because of the care she took to keep it safe.
My mother knew where every ring and pearl necklace was placed. If one went missing, she scoured our home until she found it. She often reminded me, “Hannah, as you collect special things, remember to treat them like the treasures they are.” I have taken her words to heart. I also have a wooden box filled with cherished jewelry and trinkets I want to keep safe.
Sometimes we forget that God views us as special treasures. When I struggle to feel beautiful or valued, I think of my mother’s jewelry box and realize that God sees me as a precious jewel to be protected and loved. God sacrificed his Son to purchase us. God treasures each one of us.
The Author: Hannah Covington (Illinois, USA)
Thought for the Day: God treasures us so that we can treasure others.
Prayer: Gracious God, you know everything about us. In your eyes, we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Ps. 139:14, NIV). Help us to see one another through your loving eyes and to accept the value and love you invest in us. Amen.
Prayer focus: Someone Who Feels Inadequate
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