Welcome to today's encouragement from our daily bread. I'm Sochiel Dixon. I share a special

memory in today's reading, True Identity. As my friend reviewed the pictures I took of her,

she pointed out the physical characteristics she saw as

imperfections. I asked her to look closer. I see a beautiful and beloved daughter of the

almighty Kina Keens, I said. I see a compassionate lover of God and others whose genuine kindness,

generosity, and faithfulness have made a difference in so many lives.

When I noticed the tears brimming her eyes, I said, I think you need a tiara.

Later that afternoon, we picked out the perfect crown for my friend, so she would never forget

her true identity.

When we come to know Jesus personally, he crowns us with love and calls us his children.

He gives us the power to persevere in faith so that we may be confident and unashamed before

him at his coming. Though he accepts us as we are, his love purifies us and

transforms us into his likeness. He helps us recognize our need for him and repent as we rejoice in

the power to turn away from sin. We can live in faithful obedience and love with His truth hidden in our hearts and his spirit

present in our lives.

My friend didn't really need a tiara or any other trinket that day.

But we both needed the reminder of our worth as God's beloved children.

Today's our daily bread devotional scripture reading is from 1 John chapter 2, verse 28 to

chapter 3, verse 10. And now, dear children, continue in him so that when he appears,

we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. If you know that he is righteous,

you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him. See what great love the father has lavished on us,

that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are. The reason the world does not

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