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THE SWIM LOUISIANA
COACHES
SUGGESTED
DEVOTIONALS
These Devotions come out of a
devotional book “The Word for you Today.” They are just
as much for you as they are for me. I do not want to pretend
I am better than anyone else. I am not where I used to be and I am
where I need to be. We are all a work in progress, being pruned and
trying to bear good fruit for other to eat and grow on. ~ Coach
Andy
This series is 4 parts on
being a success:
"A MAN’S GIFT MAKES
ROOM FOR HIM" Proverbs 18:16
Scriptural keys for
success in life (1)
Your giftedness will
get you noticed, separate from the rest of the pack and give you a
head start on others. But your advantage will only last so long.
Song writer Irving Berlin understood this truth when he said,
“The toughest thing about success is, you’ve got to
keep on being a success. Talent is only a starting point in
business. You’ve got to keep working that talent.” You
can’t coast on your abilities. If you try to wing it, others
will soon fly past you. Mega-best-selling author Stephen King
asserts that, “Talent is cheaper than table salt. What
separates the talented individual from the successful one, is a lot
of hard work.”
And much of that work takes place
in your character and your private world. Haven’t you known
people who should have risen to the top but didn’t? Theyn had
all the talent they’d ever need, but they didn’t
succeed. Their talent made them stand out but their lack of
integrity made them sit down. Their friends, family, coaches and
bosses see their giftedness but wonder why the keep falling
short of expectations. Their talent opens the door, but their wrong
choices shut it.
Consider Nehemiah’s talent.
He rebuilt Jerusalem’s walls in under 2 months – an
astounding feat! Now consider Nehemiah’s character. While
some of his peers lined their pockets be lending money at such
exorbitant rates people couldn’t repay it, he said,
“What you are doing is not right” (Ne 5:9 NLT). Then he
announced, “I did not act that way. I also devoted myself to
working on the wall” (Ne 5:15-16 NLT). Want to develop your
character? Follow in his footsteps!
"WE MUST BEAR THE
’BURDEN’ OF BEING CONSIDERATE OF THE DOUBTS AND FEARS
OF OTHERS" ROMANS 15:2
In every group there’s
at least one difficult person. Usually these individuals have
emotional hang-ups, deep insecurities, irritating mannerisms and
poor social skills. God brings them into our lives for their
benefit - and ours. Yes, they’re an opportunity to grow in
grace. Will we love them as brothers and sisters and treat them
with dignity? In a real family, acceptance isn’t based on how
smart, beautiful or talented you are; it’s based on the fact
that you belong to each other. "Be devoted to each other like a
loving family. Excel in showing respect."
(Romans 12:10.) We all have quirks
and annoying traits. Yes, YOU TOO! But love is not based on
compatibility. The basis for our fellowship is our relationship to
God; we’re family!
The key is to try and understand
where people are coming from. When you know what they’ve been
through you’ll be more understanding. Instead of talking
about how far they still have to go, you’ll realize how far
they’ve come in spite of their hurts. Another part of showing
consideration is not downplaying other people’s doubts. Just
because you don’t fear something, doesn’t make it an
invalid feeling! People need a safe place to share their struggles
- without being judged. And they have a right to expect
confidentiality! Only in the safe environment of acceptance will
people open up and share their deepest needs. Confidentiality
doesn’t mean keeping silent. It just means that what’s
shared in your group needs to stay in your group, and your group
needs to deal with it, not go out and blab about it to others.
I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR
FORSAKE YOU. Joshua 1:5 NIV
Scriptural keys for
success in life (2)
Imagine trying to fill the
shoes Moses walked in. Joshua wondered, “Do I have what it
takes?” Then God told him: (a) “I will give you every
place where you set your foot” (Josh 1:3 NIV). God promises
success to those who have the faith to take the first step, and
keep walking with Him regardless of what they encounter. That means
showing up earlier, staying later, and working harder. (b)
“No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of
your life” (Jos1:5 NIV). Expect opposition; certain people
will always “stand up against you.” In his book High
Maintenance Relationships, Les Parrott identifies the types of
people who will do this: Critics who constantly complain or giver
unwanted advice. Martyrs who are forever the victim and wracked
with self-pity. Wet blankets who are pessimistic and habitually
negative. Steamrollers who are blindly insensitive to others.
Gossips who spread rumors and leak secrets. Control Freaks who are
unable to let go and let things be. Back-stabbers who are
two-faced. Green-eyed monsters who seethe with envy. Volcanoes who
build up steam and are always ready to erupt. Sponges who are
always needy and never give anything back. Competitors who always
keep track of tit-for-tat. (c) “Be strong…because you
will lead these people to inherit the land” (Jos 1:6 NIV).
Successful people are not necessarily more gifted, they’re
just more passionate. What do you pray about? Cry about? Dream
about? What are you willing to risk everything for?
That’s the well from which you’ll draw your strength
and your strategies when you experience setbacks, when others
disappoint you, when the job feels too big and you feel too
small.
BE CAREFUL TO OBEY THE LAW.
Joshua 1:7 NIV
Spiritual keys to success
in life (3)
Notice 3 things God
said to Joshua (1) “Get ready to cross…into the
land” (Jos 1:2 NIV). Henry Ford observed, “Before
everything else, getting ready is the secret of success.” The
frustrating thing about preparation is, sometimes it takes more
time than the actual event you’re preparing for.
There’s an old saying: “You can claim to be surprised
once, after that, you’re unprepared.” (2) “Your
territory will extend from…” (Jos 1:4 NIV). You have
to know where you’re going! You cannot be like Alice in
Through the Looking Glass who asks the Cheshire Cat: “Would
you please tell me which way to fo from here? “That depends
on where you want to get, “the cat replies. “I
don’t care much where, she answers. “Then it
doesn’t matter which way you go,” the cat responds.
People who are undecided cannot draw on their faith – or
their gifting. As a result they merely drift along. Author Bill
Copeland advises, “You’ve removed most of the road
blocks to success when you know the difference Between motion and
direction.” To be successful in life you must do the right
things, moment by moment, day by day, following through with them
in a consistent way. (3) “Be careful to obey all the
law…that you may be successful.” Identify you
spiritual values! Henri Frederic Amiel stated, “The man who
has no inner life is a slave to his surroundings.” Our
spiritual values are the principles we live by every day. They are
the light that guides us. They give stability and structure to our
inner world. And when that world is in order, we can navigate our
way through anything.
Do everything written in
it. Then you will be…successful. Joshua 1:8
NIV
Scriptural keys to success
in life (4)
Have you ever
wondered why God refers to His word as “laws”? Because
laws are meant to govern, guide, and guard us. Without order, all
you have is chaos and confusion. Imagine living in a world where 12
inches no longer make one foot and 2+2 doesn’t make 4. God
established His laws for your good. When you disobey them you
suffer, when you honor them you succeed. Furthermore, His laws are
not an a la carte menu; you can’t pick what you like and
leave the rest. At the beginning of Joshua’s career God gave
him some foundational advice about His law: “Do everything
written in it. Then you will be…successful.” If you
want to be successful in life, talk about, think regularly about,
and live your life according to God’s laws. Why? Because
ultimately your character is more important than your career. Your
career is what you do, your character is what you are!
Many people with talent make it
into the limelight, but the ones who have neglected to develop
strong character rarely stay there long. Absence of strong
character eventually topples them. Why? Because you cannot climb
beyond the limitations of your character! John Maxwell writes:
“Talented people are sometimes tempted to take shortcuts
(steroids). Character prevents that. Talented people may feel
superior and expect special privileges. Character helps them to
know better. Talented people are praised for what others see them
build. Character builds what’s inside them. Talented people
have the potential to be difference makers. Character makes the
difference in them. Talented people are a gift to the world.
Character protects that gift.”
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