04 Feb Give Up and Get Up (Heb 11:34) by Dr. Rich Reich
Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion(FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB). Leaders. Guest Authors.
“put out raging fires, escaped the devouring sword; out of weakness they were made powerful, became strong in battle, and turned back foreign invaders.” ~ Heb 11:34 (full readings)
Rich’s Reflections: Today’s Scripture talks about Biblical heroes who “out of weakness were made powerful.” There have been many occasions in Biblical, as well as secular history, when those who were not likely to succeed did succeed because they had faith in God. I believe that we all hold more potential than we realize. That within our hearts lies the ability to be used by God; however, lack of faith, and failure to try, can cause us to lose before we can even get into battle (like the battle against the Culture of Death). God demonstrates His power through human frailty. The first step in obtaining strength from God is admitting that we are weak. We are nothing without God. When we realize and confess that we just cannot do what God is calling us to do; that we simply do not have the resources to do it, then we give up trying in our own efforts and die to ourselves and to our own prideful efforts. When we embrace this weakness and then make things right by confessing our failures, then we can get up. Even though we may feel like giving up and staying down, Jesus Christ is commanding us to give up (our pride) and get up! In the process of getting up, Jesus gives us strength and He restores our soul.
* Dr. Rich Reich is the co-founder of the LIFE Group Devotions and the National LIFE Runners Team. He is married to Erica and lives in Satellite Beach, FL. Full bio.
Faith Challenge: Jesus is commanding us to give up; not our faith in God, but our pride. Confess your weaknesses to God and allow Him to convert your weakness into strength to do His will.
Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel.
Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion. LIFE Runners Creed. Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
Feast Day: Saint Joan of Valois
Faith Quote: “Tears shed for self are tears of weakness, but tears shed for others are a sign of strength.” ~ Billy Graham
Through Christ our Lord,
Rich
James 1:22