So many of our youth today are on the cusp of greatness and failure. It’s almost as if they are one circumstance away from having the abundant life that God wants us to have. Whether it’s an unexpected pregnancy, the death of a parent, or maybe just getting caught up with the wrong crowd, greatness eludes them. That’s why I believe that in today’s world, we all need a plan to help us navigate through the good times as well as the bad times—a plan that would be a “bridge” over troubled waters when they appear. When I played football, whether it be high school, college, or professional, we would have a game plan. Having a game plan would give our team the best chance to win the game. With this game plan, we would learn the strengths as well as the weaknesses of the enemy (excuse me), the team that we were facing. When you have a plan, you will be able to handle whatever situation that you find yourself in. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called for his purpose.” It goes on to say, “We are more than conquerors through Him who loves us” (Rom. 8:37). But if we don’t know this, we can easily be defeated by the enemy. John 10:10 says that the thief comes only to kill steal and destroy, but Jesus said, “I came that you might have an abundant life.” It is my believe that having a champion game plan for life will take you to another level of excellence in your life, because we have to remember that sometimes storms are not always in the forecast. There will be tests and trials that we will go through. However, having daily reminders to help you deal with certain issues in life can be extremely helpful. For example, the Bible tells us in James 1:2–4, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. I never really understood that scripture until God revealed to me a plan for my life.
A Champion Game Plan For Life
By Preston BrownAuthorHouse
Copyright © 2018 Preston Brown
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-5462-3091-5Contents
Acknowledgments, ix,
Introduction, xi,
Game Plan For Today: Staying Connected, 1,
Game Plan for Today: Take another Step, 3,
Game Plan for Today: Overcoming the What-Ifs, 5,
Game Plan for Today: The Man in the Mirror, 7,
Game Plan for Today: Faith in the Right Place, 8,
Game Plan for Today: Needless Worries, 9,
Game Plan for Today: From Hate to Hope, 10,
Game Plan for Today: If God Be for Us, 12,
Game Plan for Today: The Power of Forgiveness, 14,
Game Plan for Today: Preparing for Salvation, 15,
Game Plan For Today: Getting what We Deserve, 17,
Game Plan for Today: A Guided Life, 18,
Game Plan for Today: A New Level of Praise, 19,
Game Plan for Today: Gifts and Talents, 21,
Game Plan for Today: Everyday Faith, 23,
Game Plan for Today: Wisdom, 25,
Game Plan for Today: Know Your Why Before Your What, 27,
Game Plan for Today: It's written all over your face, 29,
Game Plan for Today: No Fear, 31,
Game Plan for Today: Before You Build the Fire, 33,
Game Plan for Today: A Marriage That Works, 35,
Game Plan for Today: Anxious for Nothing, 37,
Game Plan for Today: Getting what you want, 38,
Game Plan for Today: What's Holding You Back, 40,
Game Plan for Today: Be Encouraged, 42,
Game Plan for Today: Being Accountable, 44,
Game Plan for Today: According to His Purpose, 46,
Game Plan for Today: Strong Finish, 48,
Game Plan for Today: The Purpose for Obedience, 50,
Game Plan for Today: Be Patient, 52,
Game Plan for Today: From Blaming to Claiming, 54,
Game Plan for Today: No Regrets, 56,
Game Plan for Today: The Abundant Life, 58,
Game Plan for Today: The Narrow Path, 60,
Game Plan for Today: Better, 62,
Game Plan for Today: Don't Wait for Tomorrow, 64,
Game Plan for Today: Deep Roots, 66,
Game Plan For Today: The Faith Bridge, 68,
Game Plan for Today: Turn the Lights on, 70,
Game Plan For Today: A Relationship that Matters, 71,
Game Plan For Today: The Certainty of Hope, 73,
Game Plan for Today: Winning the Spiritual Battles, 75,
Game Plan for Today: Change Is Good, 77,
Game Plan for Today: Be Thankful, 78,
Game Plan for Today: Payday, 80,
Game Plan for Today: The Setup, 81,
Game Plan for Today: Make Time, 83,
Game Plan for Today: Good Fruit, 85,
Game Plan for Today: Getting Your Priorities in Order, 86,
Game Plan for Today: Forgiving Yourself, 88,
Game Plan for Today: Are We There Yet?, 90,
Game Plan for Today: Good Intensions, 92,
Game Plan for Today: The Choice Is Yours, 94,
Game Plan for Today: God's Presence in Your Life, 96,
Game Plan for Today: Strength from Weakness, 98,
Game Plan for Today: Seizing the Opportunities, 100,
Game Plan for Today: Realizing Your Full Potential, 102,
Game Plan for Today: I Will Not Be Moved, 104,
Game Plan for Today: Great Faith, 106,
Game Plan for Today: Holding on to Your Faith, 107,
Game Plan for Today: A Life Alignment, 109,
Game Plan for Today: Buckle Up, 110,
Game Plan for Today: A Heart That Pleases God, 112,
Game Plan for Today: Getting the Weeds Out, 114,
Game Plan for Today: Looking More like God, 116,
Game Plan for Today: Cost and Rewards, 118,
Game Plan For Today: Providing Comfort For Others, 120,
CHAPTER 1
Game Plan For Today: Staying Connected
John 15:5 says, "I am the vine; you are the branches? If you remain in me and I in you? You will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing?"
Today we live in a society of extreme technology? People are constantly talking on their cell phones, texting, playing games, and never looking up to acknowledge other people? Not only are we addicted to our cell phones, but it seems that we have to be entertained at all times? We live in a society where people are afraid of being bored? But we have to realize and understand that this is another trick by the enemy to distract us from being in fellowship with God and with other people? You see, the more we isolate ourselves from people, the less accountable we are for our actions? On the other hand, the more we connect with God, the more we will want to connect with other people? You see God desires us to be in fellowship with Him? He also wants us to have balance in our lives? So don't allow the longing to be entertained keep you from wanting to be in the presence of God? Let's start giving Him the time that He deserves, and remember to stay connected to the only power source that we need, which is Jesus? Stay encouraged, my brothers and sisters?
Prayer: Dear God, help us to be aware of the distractions that keep us from being connected with you?
GAME PLAN FOR TODAY: TAKE ANOTHER STEP
Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future?"
What if every time you prayed, God answered your prayers immediately? I don't know about you, but I would be praying all the time? But God wants to know this: Will you still pray if He doesn't answer your prayers when you want Him to? Will you still trust Him? Will you still believe in Him?
You see, sometimes our progress is not as obvious as we would like it to be? But just because your promise isn't obvious, this does not mean your faith isn't working? We all need to learn to take another step, even if nothing appears to be happening? When God allows us to be in a certain situation and we think that it's taking too long for Him to answer our prayers, maybe God wants us to be less focused on the outcome and more focused on our obedience? The outcome is God's responsibility? Obedience is ours? So take another step, and you may just walk on past your problems? Stay encouraged, my brothers and sisters?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, give us the courage that we need to take another step of faith when you call us to do so?
GAME PLAN FOR TODAY: OVERCOMING THE WHAT-IFS
Exodus 4:1, Moses says, "What if they don't believe me or listen to me?"
For many of us, it's not so much about what we have its more about how we use what we have? So many people have so much potential and do not know what they are capable of until God reveals it to them? And the way He reveals it to us is through our prayers and our circumstances? If we walk in faith, everything that we need is within our reach? In Exodus 4:2, God asked Moses what was in his hand? Moses replied that it was a staff? So God is saying to Moses that he already has what he needs in his hand? All he needs to do is learn how to use it? When you begin to think that you don't have what you need, you will begin to believe it? That's why we need to learn to speak life to our circumstances and our situations and start believing in the promises of God, which is "I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13)? So when people don't believe in you, believe in yourself? God was telling Moses, and all of us, to not let the what-ifs keep us from our destinies? Don't let the what-ifs keep you from being all that God has called you to be and don't let the what-ifs keep you from your blessings from God? Stay encouraged, my brothers and sisters?
Prayer: Dear God, give us the strength that we need to overcome the doubts and fears that we have?
GAME PLAN...