Welcome to today's encouragement from our daily bread.

I'm Sochiel Dixon.

I'd like to share how God taught me to always be ready to share his truth and love with others.

And love wherever we go.

I sat on the pier during a vacation, reading my Bible, and watching my

husband fish. A young man approached us, suggesting we use different bait. He glanced at me as he fidgeted

from one foot to another and said, I've been in jail. He pointed to my Bible and sighed, do you think God really cares

about people like me? Opening to Matthew 25, I read aloud that Jesus talked about his followers

visiting those in prison. It says that about being in prison? Tears brimmed his eyes

when I shared how God considers kindness toward his children, a personal act of love toward himself.

I wish my parents would forgive me too. He lowered his head. I'll be right back. He returned and handed me his

tattered Bible. Would you show me where to find those words? I nodded. My husband and I hugged him as we

prayed for him and his parents. We exchanged contact information and have continued praying for him.

At one point or another, we'll feel unloved, unwelcome in need, and even physically or emotionally

imprisoned. We'll need reminders of God's loving compassion and forgiveness.

We'll also have opportunities to support others who struggle with these feelings.

We can be a part of God's redeeming plan as we spread His truth and love wherever we go.

Today's our daily bread devotional scripture reading is from Matthew chapter 25 verses 31 to 40.

When the son of man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, he will sit on his

glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, he will sit on his glorious throne.

All the nations will be gathered before him,

and he will separate the people one from another

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