FCA: The Relentless Devotional For CompetitorsSample

Bigger. Faster. Stronger. Jimmy Page (adapted from WisdomWalks Sports) READY: “…train yourself in godliness, for the training of the body has a limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” – 1 Timothy 4:7-8 SET: Growing up, sports were my life. No matter what the season, I had a ball in my hand. When I got to high school, I realized that I had to train with more focus and intensity. I needed to get bigger, stronger and faster. Over 95 percent of an athlete’s time is spent training and less than 5 percent competing. Training prepares us for game time. We make sacrifices to get better. Tim Tebow says, “Hard work always beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” Some athletes want the results without the sacrifice, but that’s not the way it works. Our desire needs to be matched by our do. Spiritually speaking, most of us spend very little time training for life. We call it devotions, but we aren’t very devoted. We call it quiet time, but then rush through to tackle the noise of the day. If we’re honest, most of us don’t even have a plan. And our hit-and-miss approach is littered with excuses that we’re too tired or too busy. We need to put ourselves in position for God to do what only He can do – transform us from the inside out. We can’t be weekend warriors. If we want to experience real life change, we have to make the sacrifice, get a plan and show up for the workout. There are no shortcuts to godliness. We must do the training and let God do the changing. GO: 1. What training can you do daily to become bigger, stronger and faster spiritually? 2. What’s your plan to reach maximum spiritual growth and life change? WORKOUT: 2 Peter 1:3-4 Hebrews 12:10-12 Philippians 2:12-13 Father, give me the desire and discipline to begin and stick with a spiritual training program that increases the capacity of my heart and soul. Amen.