First Dallas Prison Ministry

FAITH
This is a Recovery Principle Devotional in Life Recovery Bible

Read Hebrews 12:1-4

Our addiction interferes with our ability to win in the race of life. Many of us feel like a loser who has just dropped out of the race. Faith in God can give us the motivation to run the race, with a real chance at winning life’s rewards.

Hebrews 11 has been called the “Hall of Faith.” It mentions a long list of people whose lives were used by God because of their faith. The next chapter begins this way: “Since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).

This illustration referred to the ancient Olympic games. In Bible times men wore flowing robes. Before an event, the athletes would strip off their robes and lay them aside to run without encumbrance. If someone tried to compete in his robe, he would get tangled up, losing both the race and the prize.

It is God’s will for us to win the race of life. The robe of our recurring sins needs to be laid aside. There will be pain from the exertion, but we are told to pace ourself and bear the pain with patience. And remember, others who have run the same race and finished well are cheering us on!

Hebrews 12:1-4 (NLT)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. [2] We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. [3] Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won't become weary and give up. [4] After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.

You can attend a Life Recovery Group at First Baptist Dallas every Wednesday evenings at 6:30 pm on the 5th floor of our Criswell Center. Come and join us a see what life looks like a year from now. https://firstdallas.org/ministries/life-recovery-groups/

A year from now, you will look back and be glad at all the progress you’ve made and that you didn’t give up when you thought it was your only option.

Help + Hope at NewLife.com + LifeRecoveryGroups.com

Exodus Ministries transforms the lives of formerly incarcerated mothers and their children by providing a safe place to live, tools needed for success, and Christ-centered spiritual support. 💛

We love walking alongside these women as they grow in their roles as mothers and women of God!

Have you been putting recovery off? Maybe you have a list of recovery groups but haven’t gone to one meeting. Perhaps you went to see a Christian counselor once or twice, but it was too painful, so you never went back.

You don’t know what will happen between now and the new year—get back on track TODAY.

Start by attending a Life Recovery Group today, tomorrow, or sometime this week. And contact a Christian counselor soon. To get back on track, call 800-NEW-LIFE!

Find a Life Recovery Group here: https://bit.ly/3itLJvh

Do you struggle with negative thoughts about yourself? Maybe you had a difficult childhood. Or, perhaps, you were in an abusive relationship. And now you feel like you’re a prisoner to these negative beliefs. Shame, no doubt, is a very dangerous negative emotion—it will hold you in bo***ge and take away your freedom.

Your thought life determines the direction in which you live your life. The Bible says, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7, KJV). So when you struggle with shame, you deprive yourself of intimacy, trust, relationships, and—ultimately—peace of mind.

Is it possible to live a life free from shame? Yes!

You can break free from shame by acknowledging your negative thoughts, finding their source, and replacing them.

Let the words of the prophet Isaiah inspire you to find freedom:

“Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.” (Isaiah 61:7, NLT)

Join us on Wednesday, April 12 as we start over in our Life Recovery Groups. Check in at the Life Recovery table on the 5th floor of our Criswell Center located at 1707 San Jacinto, Dallas, TX 75201

Take a few minutes to read this story about Jered and Tara Lax who are thankful for all that God is doing in our midst.

A Story of Being Set Free | Prison Ministry Spotlight Jared and Tara Lax have been active members of First Baptist Dallas since 2008, and they continue to stay because of a connection beyond Sunday morning service. The Lax’s are highly involved in their Sunday School class because this particular group of believers was who they could lean on while st...