Priceless

My brother Billy has been visiting us this past week. We have had some memorable moments throughout the week, but the one that we will remember most was a fishing trip for my brother and my 5 1/2 year old granddaughter, Joy.

It started with preparation several days before. A fishing rod was purchased. A weight added to the end of the fishing line. Lessons on casting. Hours of practice. All of this was done before we ever got to the lake.

Joy would stand in our driveway and cast her line across the street. One time, the weight stuck in a crevice in the road. She proudly proclaimed, “I caught the road!” And at one point, a car drove by as she cast her line, and again she announced, “I caught a car!”

Finally, Friday came. It was time to take Joy fishing. Billy was so excited and could hardly wait.

The lines were prepared. And then the first cast. Joy and Billy were fishing. Side by side. Life was perfect.

Except that Joy found other things to occupy her little mind and body.

There were boats. There were birds. There were rocks. There was water.

The fishing pole and bobber were checked only when reminded.

Billy on the other hand, was perfectly content to be standing on the side of the lake with a pole in hand. Of course, having Joy there made it priceless. It was a day he will not soon forget.

God gives us little snippets of priceless advice, encouragement, or direction in His Word. Sometimes we know exactly where to go to find them. Other times, we stumble upon them and wonder why we hadn’t seen them before. Or perhaps someone shares a section of Scripture with us.

Regardless of how we find these priceless words, learning from them is more important. Adding the wisdom to our lives makes the difference.

I have several lists of “go to” Scriptures that I like to keep handy. These lists give examples of what verses would be relevant in certain situations. The list I use more than others is the “truthful labels” list. So here are a few priceless pieces of Scripture to encourage you today.

I AM a New Creation – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 – NIV)

I AM Forgiven – “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” (Ephesians 1:7-8 – NIV)

I AM God’s Delight – “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17 – NIV)

I AM Confident – “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6- NIV)

I AM an Heir of God – “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (Romans 8:17 – NIV)

I AM Assured of a Home in Heaven Forever – “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20 – NIV)

These are just a few…there are many more. Abundantly more. We simply need to be open to God’s priceless words.

This is the last day of vacation for my brother. He will be leaving this evening. But the week was filled with good times, great memories, and priceless adventures. What more could we have asked for?

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna