Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

Our Reading titled More Precious Than Gold was written by Lisa M. Samra.

Have you ever looked through low-priced items at a yard sale and dreamed you might find something

of incredible value?

It happened in Connecticut when a floral Chinese antique bowl purchased for just $35 at a yard sale

was sold at a 2021 auction for more than $700,000.

The piece turned out to be a rare, historically significant artifact from

the 15th century. It's a stunning reminder that what some people consider of little

worth can actually have great value. Writing to believers scattered throughout the known world,

Peter explained that their faith in Jesus was belief in the one who'd been rejected by the wider culture.

Despised by most of the religious Jewish leaders and crucified by the Roman government,

Christ was deemed worthless by many because he didn't fulfill their expectations and desires. But though others had

dismissed Jesus' worth, Peter said he was chosen by God and precious to him. His value for us is

infinitely more precious than silver or gold, and we have the assurance that whoever chooses

to trust Jesus will never be ashamed

of their choice.

When others reject Jesus' worthless, let's take another look.

God's Spirit can help us to see the priceless gift of Christ, who offers to all people the

invaluable invitation to become part of the family of God.

Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from 1 Peter chapter 2 verses 4 through 10.

As you come to him, the the living stone rejected by humans but chosen by god

and precious to him you also like living stones are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood

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