34/365: Practice With Purpose

Athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. ~ 2 Timothy 2:5

A man who doesn't know the rules is destined to break the rules. Ignorance is no excuse of the law.

God calls us to the playing field of life every day. He gives us the rules and the playbook. He expects excellence and asks us to give 100% on every play.

Men who practice hard are prepared for the daily game. How will play the game today?

GO DEEPER: Colossians 3:1-17

NEXT STEP: Read the book of James over the next 5 days (1 Chapter per day - it's short). You'll get a plain language idea of what the daily Christian playbook is all about.

Dan james

on 02/04/2023 at 08:28 PM

Thanks for that

Whiteeagle

on 02/04/2023 at 12:18 AM

For Mark, I start out my day praying for my wife and my son things I want for myself. “Without God, I can’t without me ,he won’t.” I ask God how can I help others today? How can I be used today? God keep me teachable today then I read These devotions.I also have to connect w other guys on the phone and share my shortcomings. It’s real and I’m real. I need to connect with others daily to get me out of myself.

Kevin Miller

on 02/03/2023 at 09:08 PM

A routine is important. We must practice everyday. The enemy doesn’t take a break. Each day I try to better what I did the day before even if it’s just a little bit. I think moving forward in preparedness is essential to a Christian. I don’t always meet my goals but I regroup, go over things with God and my accountability team and plan for better results next time hoping to being a little better each day.

Delray Sheen

on 02/03/2023 at 08:09 PM

Brandon and Ladd thank u for sharing, I learn so much everyday, I know it's a result of being actively tuned in. Being prepared is so important. I look forward to adding this to my daily routine. Amen.

Dan james

on 02/03/2023 at 06:15 PM

Brandon what's your morning routine been an ex marine?

Ethan Rogers

on 02/03/2023 at 05:38 PM

we; was missing.lol I have always been a rule breaker, a rebel. I had to learn the hard way. This has not been the easiest life to live. Today, thanks to God's love, I don't have to fight against the world. For God has revealed to me my errors, I cannot have any kind of successful life doing things in my old, self-driven ways. I must seek God's will for me, my faith builds everyday when I try to do the next right thing. I trust in God's plan for me and am so grateful to recognize that I can have peace if I surrender my will. I grow away from my selfish, fearful, dishonest, and resentful ways the more I want good in my life...God's way.

Ladd Paulson

on 02/03/2023 at 04:16 PM

@Mark I do much the same Brandon does. There are many different bible apps you can get with daily devotionals. The Holy Bible app I use has hundreds of reading plans to choose from. Everything you could want for topics from marriage, health, sin, dating, purpose and many more. I'm in the middle of three now I do after this every morning. God Bless you brother

Ladd Paulson

on 02/03/2023 at 04:01 PM

Brandon Semper Fidelis my brother Oooh Raah! I got out of the Corps to become a cop and remember something the firearms instructor in basic said. When we train the same way over and over we cut a small grove in our brain for that activity. Then when the situation happens with no time to think, your brain scans and finds that grove. Then bam you do what you have trained to do. It's a little rudimentary explanation of the actual process but it stuck with me since 1989. We as Christians should "train" ourselves on how to act and witness to others. Then it wouldn't be as uncomfortable but easier and hopefully more effective.

Brandon Pembleton

on 02/03/2023 at 03:58 PM

@Mark For me personally I have a set of things I must do every morning to start my day close to God. First I hop on the Life Church Bible app and read the daily verses and devotionals. Then over here to KickStart. I read with intention to write on here. I personally need that to better apply myself in the readings and retain it because I never know what I'll need that day. I try to ponder and meditate on it too throughout the morning. Anyways that's my day to day practice session. I hope that helps!

Mark Lubbock

on 02/03/2023 at 03:16 PM

Anybody have a "Daily Plan" of things you are intentional to do in the morning to practice new Christian behavior?

Boyce Moses

on 02/03/2023 at 02:34 PM

God doesn’t expect us to be perfect, but does want us to stay in the game. Every day thank and praise God for our blessings and share His love with others. Not the Super Bowl, just the game of life. Love you Jesus! 💚💙🧡🤍

Tommy Williamson

on 02/03/2023 at 02:33 PM

Top athletes not only practice hard during their season or just the few weeks before their season. No they actually practice and condition themselves all year long spending many hours per day every day building up their bodies into peak physical conditioning. They also study the rule book to know what they can and can not do on the field. As Christians our rule book is the Bible we have to study it continuously to learn the rules of what is expected of us. While our rule book never changes, unlike the rule books of professional sports, but every time we read it the Lord can reveal new things to us each time we read it. So we must read snd study it on a regular basis. We also need to exercise and practice our prayer life. In many places the Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. So if we follow the rule book we have to train our mind to pray no matter where we are or what we are doing. We also need to exercise our faith on a consistent and regular basis by helping those around us every chance we can. We as Christians do not have a part year season like pro sports but ours rums the entire year. Our season begins win we first accept Christ into our lives and continues until we are called home, so we must train constantly.

Brandon Pembleton

on 02/03/2023 at 02:06 PM

I think of my time in sports, then the Marines, to now and my love of fitness. And why I have been able to stay into fitness for 20 plus years without total burnout. It's the love of the grind. The daily work, the diet, the sleep the whole lifestyle that goes with it. Loving God to me is the same exact thing. I find I am closest and at the same time it is effortless when I approach God in every area and I practice every morning with my personal time with God and falling asleep thinking about how grateful I am for everything God has done in my life. Disciplined in my faith to God to go to Him in all things all the time everyday. Holding nothing back for myself only. I love this life now because I got out of the way and let God into every area. Thank you God for the challenges that trained me up to come to you in everything. I love you God amen 🙏

Ashley Jarvis

on 02/03/2023 at 01:57 PM

Coaches like to break things down to one game at a time, one play at a time, one possession, that’s how you get to the Super Bowl or championship. “The devil is in the details…” yes, he certainly is. My son and I had some great conversations lately about fear, and how the devil loves to whisper fears (lies) into our minds, especially in times of high pressure and significant opportunities to succeed. He’s asked how to quiet the numerous voices of doubt that come as he’s stepping into the batters box, or being passed the ball. “One voice at a time”. The enemy doesn’t come at me with 5 lies at a time, he sneaks in with one after another, until there’s so many I’m overwhelmed by the time I realize how loud it is in my head. Staying in a place of serenity, like pro athletes in high pressure situations, requires maintaining constant contact with God, regularly combing my mind for doubts and fears and the lies of the enemy. Turning his “what ifs” into God’s “even ifs”. No matter what may come to pass, God has it. God is in control. God will carry me through. If I do my best, God will do the rest, Amen 🙏🏻

John Beales

on 02/03/2023 at 12:52 PM

Yes and amen! Be ready!!

Robert McFaddin

on 02/03/2023 at 11:34 AM

Suit up!

magnet

on 02/03/2023 at 11:20 AM

You Don win the game on “Sunday”. You win the game during practice. When Jesus comes back if your not ready….you won’t be prepared.

34/365: Practice With Purpose

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