September 1, 2010 - GSM Coaching Devotional
"IN THIS GAME WE BRING SOMETHING TO OUR PLAYERS and NOT OURSELVES"
Scripture: John 17:9 says, “I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those You have given Me, for they are Yours”.
As coaches all we do in this game is not about us. The very nature of being a soccer coach and the description of what our efforts are to be about in the development of your players in the game will be seen by what you will actual do for them not yourself. The development may be different depending on the level at which we coach but the reality is we do not bring something to the game for ourselves but our players. We become servants who give ourselves away in the game to our players. That’s why we’re called the coach, teacher, leader and servant.
Many times we see coaches out their trying to live their lives for the game and get catch up in it their efforts so much that they loose their focus – the players. If we can think that every training session, team meeting and match is to be about what you can bring best to your players and pull it off you’ll be very successful and guest what so will your players.
God has giving you and entrusted you with players that He plans to change not only their match level of play but their spiritual level of development through you His instrument. He doesn’t care how the world sees how wonderful you, how much you know and how well you present yourself, but rather He has given you some special players and only sees how you development them for God’s glory. This is what He expects to see form you.
Jesus reflected the father’s heart of God when He prayed for the disciples (that’s now you and me). As a coach or leader in this great game you can pray that you’re players will focus on some reasons why God has select you to mentor, teach and disciple your players in this great game He created for His greater purposes.
Have A Read of the Below and Go For It
John 17:13 says, "I pray these things while I'm still in the world so that they will have the same joy that I have." Pray that your relentless efforts with your players will allow them to one day live their lives to serve God with all their heart. This will result in an enjoyable time on the earth.
John 17:15 says, "I'm not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one." We need to teach our players how to be strong and growth with spiritual strength to fight satan’s attacks.
John 17:17 says, “Provide them ready for your service through your truth; Your teaching is truth." Teach your players what God’s says about His truths from the Bible and be an example yourself by daily staying in His word and coaching in His spiritual truth and not the world’s wisdom.
John 17:21 says, "My prayer is that they will be of one heart and mind, just as You and I are one, Father and the world will believe You sent Me." Teach your player that irons sharpen iron (Men sharpen Men or Woman sharpen Women) and that they know what it means to give themselves to each other on the field and off. They find out from you what real fellowship is about.
John 17:20 says, "I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in Me because of their message." What you do with your players in the development of their spiritual lives should give them direction to do the same with their teammates, friend, future family and if they stay in the game, one day their players.
One day your players (if they haven't already) will be calling you on the phone and not only asking how you're doing, but they be telling you that if it wasn't for you they wouldn’t where they are today. I know as if happens regularly to me. Remember God is in Control and the coach.
"IN THIS GAME WE BRING SOMETHING TO OUR PLAYERS and NOT OURSELVES"
Scripture: John 17:9 says, “I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those You have given Me, for they are Yours”.
As coaches all we do in this game is not about us. The very nature of being a soccer coach and the description of what our efforts are to be about in the development of your players in the game will be seen by what you will actual do for them not yourself. The development may be different depending on the level at which we coach but the reality is we do not bring something to the game for ourselves but our players. We become servants who give ourselves away in the game to our players. That’s why we’re called the coach, teacher, leader and servant.
Many times we see coaches out their trying to live their lives for the game and get catch up in it their efforts so much that they loose their focus – the players. If we can think that every training session, team meeting and match is to be about what you can bring best to your players and pull it off you’ll be very successful and guest what so will your players.
God has giving you and entrusted you with players that He plans to change not only their match level of play but their spiritual level of development through you His instrument. He doesn’t care how the world sees how wonderful you, how much you know and how well you present yourself, but rather He has given you some special players and only sees how you development them for God’s glory. This is what He expects to see form you.
Jesus reflected the father’s heart of God when He prayed for the disciples (that’s now you and me). As a coach or leader in this great game you can pray that you’re players will focus on some reasons why God has select you to mentor, teach and disciple your players in this great game He created for His greater purposes.
Have A Read of the Below and Go For It
John 17:13 says, "I pray these things while I'm still in the world so that they will have the same joy that I have." Pray that your relentless efforts with your players will allow them to one day live their lives to serve God with all their heart. This will result in an enjoyable time on the earth.
John 17:15 says, "I'm not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one." We need to teach our players how to be strong and growth with spiritual strength to fight satan’s attacks.
John 17:17 says, “Provide them ready for your service through your truth; Your teaching is truth." Teach your players what God’s says about His truths from the Bible and be an example yourself by daily staying in His word and coaching in His spiritual truth and not the world’s wisdom.
John 17:21 says, "My prayer is that they will be of one heart and mind, just as You and I are one, Father and the world will believe You sent Me." Teach your player that irons sharpen iron (Men sharpen Men or Woman sharpen Women) and that they know what it means to give themselves to each other on the field and off. They find out from you what real fellowship is about.
John 17:20 says, "I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in Me because of their message." What you do with your players in the development of their spiritual lives should give them direction to do the same with their teammates, friend, future family and if they stay in the game, one day their players.
One day your players (if they haven't already) will be calling you on the phone and not only asking how you're doing, but they be telling you that if it wasn't for you they wouldn’t where they are today. I know as if happens regularly to me. Remember God is in Control and the coach.
August 15th GSM Devotional for Coaches and Players
Gaining Our True Self Control
Philippians 3:12-14 says, “I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running and I'm not turning back.”
What great advice from the verses you just read the word of a great character in the Bible, The Apostle Paul. Could you do me a favor? Please read them over a few times before you gone on. Thanks.
As a former NCAA Division 1 coach with the pressure on to win matches and an addiction to the game beyond earthly reasoning I had a self control problem which started when I was a young player and lasted well into my coaching years. I didn’t hide it like many other and I show it clearly. It was pretty and rather ugly and I was my worst enemy. If I only had sorted that out I would have scored more goals (I was a forward) and won more matches that I coached.
Admitting you’re the problem where self control is in the game of soccer and you’ll have a great starting point for moving your game and life of the filed forward. I’ve seen allot of people over my life time that think everyone else is wrong and they are not. What fools they are and they are loosing out in the winning side of living out their lives for Christ in this great game. The starting point for developing self-control is to face this God’s Truth, which is that you are responsible for you behavior.
In the book of Philippians, we’re taught to forget what is behind and to strain toward what is ahead, to press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heaven ward in Christ Jesus.
In James 1:13-14 we are told, "When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, and does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed".
Do you see what that says? It says you do things because you like to do them! When I do something that I know is bad for me, I still might do it because I like to do it. I want to do it; it's an inner desire.
Do you want more self-control? Admit you have a problem and be specific about it. Begin praying specifically about your problem areas.
This verse exposes a misconception that will keep you from gaining self-control. Many of us think, "Once a failure, always a failure." But that’s simply not true. God's mercies are constantly given to you and He gives us second chances each morning we show up and say, “This is your day for me Lord. Help me to manage my day with the type of self-control and discipline becoming for me to serve only you and not my ego.
Failure in the past doesn't mean we will never be able to change as we move forward; however, focusing on past failures does guarantee their repetition.
Gaining Our True Self Control
Philippians 3:12-14 says, “I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running and I'm not turning back.”
What great advice from the verses you just read the word of a great character in the Bible, The Apostle Paul. Could you do me a favor? Please read them over a few times before you gone on. Thanks.
As a former NCAA Division 1 coach with the pressure on to win matches and an addiction to the game beyond earthly reasoning I had a self control problem which started when I was a young player and lasted well into my coaching years. I didn’t hide it like many other and I show it clearly. It was pretty and rather ugly and I was my worst enemy. If I only had sorted that out I would have scored more goals (I was a forward) and won more matches that I coached.
Admitting you’re the problem where self control is in the game of soccer and you’ll have a great starting point for moving your game and life of the filed forward. I’ve seen allot of people over my life time that think everyone else is wrong and they are not. What fools they are and they are loosing out in the winning side of living out their lives for Christ in this great game. The starting point for developing self-control is to face this God’s Truth, which is that you are responsible for you behavior.
In the book of Philippians, we’re taught to forget what is behind and to strain toward what is ahead, to press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heaven ward in Christ Jesus.
In James 1:13-14 we are told, "When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, and does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed".
Do you see what that says? It says you do things because you like to do them! When I do something that I know is bad for me, I still might do it because I like to do it. I want to do it; it's an inner desire.
Do you want more self-control? Admit you have a problem and be specific about it. Begin praying specifically about your problem areas.
This verse exposes a misconception that will keep you from gaining self-control. Many of us think, "Once a failure, always a failure." But that’s simply not true. God's mercies are constantly given to you and He gives us second chances each morning we show up and say, “This is your day for me Lord. Help me to manage my day with the type of self-control and discipline becoming for me to serve only you and not my ego.
Failure in the past doesn't mean we will never be able to change as we move forward; however, focusing on past failures does guarantee their repetition.
August 1st GSM Devotional for Coaches and Players
Self Controlled or Addicted to the Game by Your Anger
Scripture: Proverbs 25:28 says, "Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control."
For us in the game must understand and act on the fact that God tells us in His Word that self-control starts with the heart. Matthew 15:18-19 say, “What comes out of the mouth gets its start in the heart. It's from the heart that we vomit up evil arguments, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, lies, and cussing. That's what pollutes”.
As players and coaches we can come up with all types of excuses why we think say and act out badly. It all comes down to what is inside of our brain and using what God says in His word in a disciplined and justifiable manner or in other words what would Jesus do. We to be like Christ and take on His Characteristics and not satan’s. If our heart is not right, evil thoughts, words and action might just follow with the chips are down. Self-control starts with our heart before we face situation that can move us forward in a positive way.
I like to say if we practice the match before it happens than we can prepare ourselves for success. It’s the same for practicing who we are to be in Christ and who we are representing on and off the field. If we’re not practice what God expects for us then you simply let yourself open for potential disasters. The only way we are going to get our heart right is to develop a daily relationship with God. God is the source of goodness and love. No one really thinks God is an absolutely terrible person, so by depend more on Him only through Him can our heart become good.
Only through God can we achieve self-control over the rotten things that our heart say it’s okay to do sometime as you’d don’t have to be good all the time. Imagine telling your teammates or players, “It’s okay not to play the game good all the time. You can play it poorly for at 30 minutes of match time and the rest well try your best.” What kind is silliness would this be? Imagine what God would say to you if He saw you the next day and He was your coach? Who are you playing this game for and just how much you are killing yourself to play and coach it the way God intended. All out and 100% sacrificing efforts.
The result of putting in an effort to be a self control person is that your efforts brings with it the good feeling of competency and the results of self-control are confidence and an inner sense of security move you and those around to higher levels of living. Self-control leads to being a self-disciplined person. Without self-discipline, you're less likely to consistently make the kind of choices that will help you heal. You begin to play life and the game at higher levels.
In 1 Corinthians 9:25 the Apostle Paul realized this when he wrote, "Every athlete (soccer player and former players who coach) in training submits to strict discipline, in order to be crowned with a wreath that will not last; but we do it for one that will last forever".
Whether we coach or play in this great game of soccer what’s going to be your real moment or many moments of glory for doing this game for Christ? But the race we are running is far more important than any earthly athletic event. So self-control is not optional for Christians in the game. Play and coach out your hearts desire that God has given you. Do hold back and show no mercy against satan who wants to control you.
Self Controlled or Addicted to the Game by Your Anger
Scripture: Proverbs 25:28 says, "Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control."
For us in the game must understand and act on the fact that God tells us in His Word that self-control starts with the heart. Matthew 15:18-19 say, “What comes out of the mouth gets its start in the heart. It's from the heart that we vomit up evil arguments, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, lies, and cussing. That's what pollutes”.
As players and coaches we can come up with all types of excuses why we think say and act out badly. It all comes down to what is inside of our brain and using what God says in His word in a disciplined and justifiable manner or in other words what would Jesus do. We to be like Christ and take on His Characteristics and not satan’s. If our heart is not right, evil thoughts, words and action might just follow with the chips are down. Self-control starts with our heart before we face situation that can move us forward in a positive way.
I like to say if we practice the match before it happens than we can prepare ourselves for success. It’s the same for practicing who we are to be in Christ and who we are representing on and off the field. If we’re not practice what God expects for us then you simply let yourself open for potential disasters. The only way we are going to get our heart right is to develop a daily relationship with God. God is the source of goodness and love. No one really thinks God is an absolutely terrible person, so by depend more on Him only through Him can our heart become good.
Only through God can we achieve self-control over the rotten things that our heart say it’s okay to do sometime as you’d don’t have to be good all the time. Imagine telling your teammates or players, “It’s okay not to play the game good all the time. You can play it poorly for at 30 minutes of match time and the rest well try your best.” What kind is silliness would this be? Imagine what God would say to you if He saw you the next day and He was your coach? Who are you playing this game for and just how much you are killing yourself to play and coach it the way God intended. All out and 100% sacrificing efforts.
The result of putting in an effort to be a self control person is that your efforts brings with it the good feeling of competency and the results of self-control are confidence and an inner sense of security move you and those around to higher levels of living. Self-control leads to being a self-disciplined person. Without self-discipline, you're less likely to consistently make the kind of choices that will help you heal. You begin to play life and the game at higher levels.
In 1 Corinthians 9:25 the Apostle Paul realized this when he wrote, "Every athlete (soccer player and former players who coach) in training submits to strict discipline, in order to be crowned with a wreath that will not last; but we do it for one that will last forever".
Whether we coach or play in this great game of soccer what’s going to be your real moment or many moments of glory for doing this game for Christ? But the race we are running is far more important than any earthly athletic event. So self-control is not optional for Christians in the game. Play and coach out your hearts desire that God has given you. Do hold back and show no mercy against satan who wants to control you.
July 15th GSM Devotional for Coaches and Players
Get Your Brain and Body Moving
Scripture: Ephesians 4:23 says “Let the Spirit change your way of thinking.”
God is waiting for you to get in gear about doing this game of soccer (football) for Christ this coming season and every one there after. You may not feel empowered or even that confident to start, but move forward even if you’ve got some weaknesses, knowing that you’re doing the right thing in spite of any fears and feelings you have to the contrary. He will give you the strength.
Philippians 4:13 says that the Lord will give us that needed power to move forward ahead for His greater glorification and if we rely on His backing us up we’ll be the winner for it. He only plays the game with potential winners. This is how God want us to cooperate with His Spirit we know as the Holy Spirit, and it’s how He develops our character to be like Him and to be more like Him whether you’re soccer administrator, a player or coach.
While effort has nothing to do with our salvation in Christ, it has much to do with your spiritual growth, development of our faith and purpose and passion in the game. We can’t sit and say we’re saved and then remain sitting. God wants action in our life for Him and we are to bring others to Christ and mentor them and nothing short of that is more important to Him. No bench sitter in His plan for our lives. At least eight times in the New Testament we are told to "make every effort" in our growth toward becoming like Jesus. (Luke 13:24 NIV; Romans 14:19 NIV; Ephesians 4:3 NIV; 2 Timothy 2:15 NCV; Hebrews 4:11 NIV; Hebrews 12:14 NIV; 2 Peter 3:14 NIV)
You don't just sit around and wait for it to happen. If we did that in the game of soccer we loose every match. Procrastination is simply not part of the Christian coach’s and player’s life style. It never was and could never be. We all have a great desire to see our players and teammate win matches. God has even a greater desire to see us win souls for heaven besides winning matches.
The Apostle Paul explains it really quite plainly in Ephesians 4:22-24 and he break it all down to doing a few things to become more like Christ and move forward.
• What’s holding you back from really going forward? "Everything connected with that old way of life has to go. It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it!" (Ephesians 4:22 MSG) Are you really ready to dump the crap in your life and really get down the flanks and score goals?
• What the heck is my brain thinking? "Let the Holy Spirit change your way of thinking." (Ephesians 4:23 CEV) God very words tell us that we are "transformed (being constantly changed)" by the renewing of our minds (our very thinking).
• Do my personal characteristics appear to be looking like that of Christ and do I make the efforts to develop new habits that are like the character of God? Our personal characteristic are essentially and they are the sum of your habits and how you daily act and live out your constant growing Christian faith. The Bible says, "Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:24 NIV)
So let the Spirit of God change your way of thinking, you very speech and your walk in the race (soccer match) set before us. Never give in, never give up, never turn right, left or backward and go for the game with 100% of your very being.
Get Your Brain and Body Moving
Scripture: Ephesians 4:23 says “Let the Spirit change your way of thinking.”
God is waiting for you to get in gear about doing this game of soccer (football) for Christ this coming season and every one there after. You may not feel empowered or even that confident to start, but move forward even if you’ve got some weaknesses, knowing that you’re doing the right thing in spite of any fears and feelings you have to the contrary. He will give you the strength.
Philippians 4:13 says that the Lord will give us that needed power to move forward ahead for His greater glorification and if we rely on His backing us up we’ll be the winner for it. He only plays the game with potential winners. This is how God want us to cooperate with His Spirit we know as the Holy Spirit, and it’s how He develops our character to be like Him and to be more like Him whether you’re soccer administrator, a player or coach.
While effort has nothing to do with our salvation in Christ, it has much to do with your spiritual growth, development of our faith and purpose and passion in the game. We can’t sit and say we’re saved and then remain sitting. God wants action in our life for Him and we are to bring others to Christ and mentor them and nothing short of that is more important to Him. No bench sitter in His plan for our lives. At least eight times in the New Testament we are told to "make every effort" in our growth toward becoming like Jesus. (Luke 13:24 NIV; Romans 14:19 NIV; Ephesians 4:3 NIV; 2 Timothy 2:15 NCV; Hebrews 4:11 NIV; Hebrews 12:14 NIV; 2 Peter 3:14 NIV)
You don't just sit around and wait for it to happen. If we did that in the game of soccer we loose every match. Procrastination is simply not part of the Christian coach’s and player’s life style. It never was and could never be. We all have a great desire to see our players and teammate win matches. God has even a greater desire to see us win souls for heaven besides winning matches.
The Apostle Paul explains it really quite plainly in Ephesians 4:22-24 and he break it all down to doing a few things to become more like Christ and move forward.
• What’s holding you back from really going forward? "Everything connected with that old way of life has to go. It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it!" (Ephesians 4:22 MSG) Are you really ready to dump the crap in your life and really get down the flanks and score goals?
• What the heck is my brain thinking? "Let the Holy Spirit change your way of thinking." (Ephesians 4:23 CEV) God very words tell us that we are "transformed (being constantly changed)" by the renewing of our minds (our very thinking).
• Do my personal characteristics appear to be looking like that of Christ and do I make the efforts to develop new habits that are like the character of God? Our personal characteristic are essentially and they are the sum of your habits and how you daily act and live out your constant growing Christian faith. The Bible says, "Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:24 NIV)
So let the Spirit of God change your way of thinking, you very speech and your walk in the race (soccer match) set before us. Never give in, never give up, never turn right, left or backward and go for the game with 100% of your very being.
July 1st GSM Devotional for Coaches and Players
We Are Accountable For Our Actions
1 Thessalonians 2:12 (The Message) says, “You remember us in those days, friends, working our fingers to the bone, up half the night, moonlighting so you wouldn't have the burden of supporting us while we proclaimed God's Message to you. You saw with your own eyes how discreet and courteous we were among you, with keen sensitivity to you as fellow believers. And God knows we weren't freeloaders! You experienced it all first hand. With each of you we were like a father with his child, holding your hand, whispering encouragement, showing you step-by-step how to live well before God, who called us into his own kingdom, into this delightful life”.
For most of us in the game who call ourselves ‘Christ Follower’ we are faced with a daunting thought, that one day we will come face to face with our Heavenly Father and He will call our name out to be accountable for all our actions on the earth. Our personal life history (including what we thought, said in practice to our players and teammates and during the game will be part of the discussion God’s going to have with us. He has an eternity to chat with us. It may even include your half time speeches, those interested words and thoughts about the ref or linesman and even words to the opposing players and coaches. Don’t be surprised because God as He already knows everything about us, all we did and said. But the full, scope of our activities in public and private may one day surprise us….not God. Some of us will be pleasantly surprised while others will be shaken up a bit.
Today, so whatever you can to ensure that your thoughts, words and actions are pleasing to your Creator are of utmost important, because know that one day in your future you will be called in to account for what transpired in your life time by your actions. Do you ever get the feeling that you’re ill equipped sometimes to serve the Lord? A sense of inadequacy is one of the many excuses people use to avoid serving in the game for Christ, but it is not a valid one. Don’t wait any longer and get on with the purpose God’s provided for your life.
Failing to follow His call has three consequences:
• We hinder God's work on earth.
• We miss a blessing for obedience for ourselves and others.
• We lose out on rewards in heaven that God has planned for us and for that matter the blessing while on this earth.
Jesus Christ knew all about the human tendency to feel inadequate. That is why He assured His followers they would receive a Helper—the Holy Spirit—who would come to abide in them forever. The Spirit enables, energizes, give us needs strength and power and equips us soccer believers to serve the Lord with ALL our heart, mind and body. One of the ways God helps us is by providing spiritual gifts, which are those special gifts, abilities or talents He gives those on His team. If your in this great game of soccer or want to get into a higher level you need to find the gifts you have and use the and development them.
Our heavenly Father has a special soccer ministry in mind for each of His team mates who use the game for Him. Therefore, necessary spiritual "equipment" has been selected to help us carry out His work. These gifts will complement the natural talents our Creator built into us before our being brought into this world. It is His purpose that we combine the two in order to serve Him with all of our very being.
The Lord has a plan for every believing soccer coach and player but we need to be committed to the actions to do it for and be accountable for doing the game correctly.
We Are Accountable For Our Actions
1 Thessalonians 2:12 (The Message) says, “You remember us in those days, friends, working our fingers to the bone, up half the night, moonlighting so you wouldn't have the burden of supporting us while we proclaimed God's Message to you. You saw with your own eyes how discreet and courteous we were among you, with keen sensitivity to you as fellow believers. And God knows we weren't freeloaders! You experienced it all first hand. With each of you we were like a father with his child, holding your hand, whispering encouragement, showing you step-by-step how to live well before God, who called us into his own kingdom, into this delightful life”.
For most of us in the game who call ourselves ‘Christ Follower’ we are faced with a daunting thought, that one day we will come face to face with our Heavenly Father and He will call our name out to be accountable for all our actions on the earth. Our personal life history (including what we thought, said in practice to our players and teammates and during the game will be part of the discussion God’s going to have with us. He has an eternity to chat with us. It may even include your half time speeches, those interested words and thoughts about the ref or linesman and even words to the opposing players and coaches. Don’t be surprised because God as He already knows everything about us, all we did and said. But the full, scope of our activities in public and private may one day surprise us….not God. Some of us will be pleasantly surprised while others will be shaken up a bit.
Today, so whatever you can to ensure that your thoughts, words and actions are pleasing to your Creator are of utmost important, because know that one day in your future you will be called in to account for what transpired in your life time by your actions. Do you ever get the feeling that you’re ill equipped sometimes to serve the Lord? A sense of inadequacy is one of the many excuses people use to avoid serving in the game for Christ, but it is not a valid one. Don’t wait any longer and get on with the purpose God’s provided for your life.
Failing to follow His call has three consequences:
• We hinder God's work on earth.
• We miss a blessing for obedience for ourselves and others.
• We lose out on rewards in heaven that God has planned for us and for that matter the blessing while on this earth.
Jesus Christ knew all about the human tendency to feel inadequate. That is why He assured His followers they would receive a Helper—the Holy Spirit—who would come to abide in them forever. The Spirit enables, energizes, give us needs strength and power and equips us soccer believers to serve the Lord with ALL our heart, mind and body. One of the ways God helps us is by providing spiritual gifts, which are those special gifts, abilities or talents He gives those on His team. If your in this great game of soccer or want to get into a higher level you need to find the gifts you have and use the and development them.
Our heavenly Father has a special soccer ministry in mind for each of His team mates who use the game for Him. Therefore, necessary spiritual "equipment" has been selected to help us carry out His work. These gifts will complement the natural talents our Creator built into us before our being brought into this world. It is His purpose that we combine the two in order to serve Him with all of our very being.
The Lord has a plan for every believing soccer coach and player but we need to be committed to the actions to do it for and be accountable for doing the game correctly.
June 15th 2010 GSM Coaches and Players Devotional
IS IT YOUR DESIRE TO BE LIKE CHRIST?
Scripture: Philippians 2:13 says,”God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases Him.
If we’re serious about coaching and playing soccer the way God wants you to we need to understand that it’s the Holy Spirit's job is to come along side you to help produce those Christ like characteristic in you. He only going to be on our team and wants us to achieve great success though His empowering. If God’s got your number calling you eventually you will come to obey Him and be empowered to please Him through your efforts in this game. You move from a more me (ego) related work rate to a Thee (Christ) related work rate, because it’s never been about you and your efforts but about Christ and how you work on His team. Jesus shared with His apostles and many disciples that after He would leave this earth the Holy Spirit would be available to us 24/7 to enable, us to guide us, teach us, equip us, provide for us and much more.
YOU'RE NOW A NEW COACH AND PLAYER SO DO SOCCER DIFFERENT
The concept biblically is that once become a Christian we now coach and play differently. The old nature (bad language, unnecessary tackles, killing a referee with you mouth or eyes, illegal recruiting, breaking training rules) is gone and we take on that new nature because we have Christ, the corner stone, supporting our passion for the game and the way we doing it. We now at all times must coach and play from a Biblical point of view and players and coach give 100% to the game for Christ and not the world we are just passing through. That means we get better at our playing roles and work to be the best at your trade. The Holy Spirit then becomes our source of strength to motivate us to do what is necessary to be successful. The more we become like Christ the more we get better at this game. We eventually become a very significant person of influence to those around us and are a reflection of who we are to be in Christ.
2 Corinthians says, "As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more."
BE MORE LIKE JESUS FOR GREAT SUCCESS
This process of changing us to be more like Jesus is called sanctification. How do we define sanctification for the Christian Coach? Sanctification is practicing a separation of your old nature and partnering with God pursuing serving in soccer with all our heart to those that we do the game with. We then take on the characteristics of Jesus for our personal and serving success. You cannot reproduce the characteristic of Jesus in us on your own strength. Personal wish lists, resolutions, your will power, and best intentions are not enough. Only the Holy Spirit has the power to make the changes God wants to make in our lives so He can use you in His plan for your life and through your passion for soccer to impact those around you.
Philippians 2:13 says, "God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him."
LIVE OUT YOUR PASSION IN THE GAME FOR CHRIST
Living out our passion for soccer and using it as a tool to change your heart and the hearts of your team-mates and players is done now through an understanding of Biblical concepts. Knowing these principles will give you a clearer picture of how to make the right decisions. You will know what to say in your training sessions and matches. Through the choices we make when we are confronted with decisions will be clear than ever before and will have honor God with every thought and action. In other words we choose to do the right thing in situations and then trust God's Spirit to give us His power, love, a strengthening and growing faith, and the wisdom to do it. Since God's Spirit lives inside of us, these things are always available for the asking. The Holy Spirit's power is released in our lives in quiet, unassuming ways that you aren't even aware of or feel. He often nudges us with "a gentle whisper."
So if the desires of your heart are to be like Christ and to serve Him with all your heart 100% I can guarantee that you’ll do this game at a level you never thought you could go too and your will receive your rewards in heaven.
IS IT YOUR DESIRE TO BE LIKE CHRIST?
Scripture: Philippians 2:13 says,”God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases Him.
If we’re serious about coaching and playing soccer the way God wants you to we need to understand that it’s the Holy Spirit's job is to come along side you to help produce those Christ like characteristic in you. He only going to be on our team and wants us to achieve great success though His empowering. If God’s got your number calling you eventually you will come to obey Him and be empowered to please Him through your efforts in this game. You move from a more me (ego) related work rate to a Thee (Christ) related work rate, because it’s never been about you and your efforts but about Christ and how you work on His team. Jesus shared with His apostles and many disciples that after He would leave this earth the Holy Spirit would be available to us 24/7 to enable, us to guide us, teach us, equip us, provide for us and much more.
YOU'RE NOW A NEW COACH AND PLAYER SO DO SOCCER DIFFERENT
The concept biblically is that once become a Christian we now coach and play differently. The old nature (bad language, unnecessary tackles, killing a referee with you mouth or eyes, illegal recruiting, breaking training rules) is gone and we take on that new nature because we have Christ, the corner stone, supporting our passion for the game and the way we doing it. We now at all times must coach and play from a Biblical point of view and players and coach give 100% to the game for Christ and not the world we are just passing through. That means we get better at our playing roles and work to be the best at your trade. The Holy Spirit then becomes our source of strength to motivate us to do what is necessary to be successful. The more we become like Christ the more we get better at this game. We eventually become a very significant person of influence to those around us and are a reflection of who we are to be in Christ.
2 Corinthians says, "As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more."
BE MORE LIKE JESUS FOR GREAT SUCCESS
This process of changing us to be more like Jesus is called sanctification. How do we define sanctification for the Christian Coach? Sanctification is practicing a separation of your old nature and partnering with God pursuing serving in soccer with all our heart to those that we do the game with. We then take on the characteristics of Jesus for our personal and serving success. You cannot reproduce the characteristic of Jesus in us on your own strength. Personal wish lists, resolutions, your will power, and best intentions are not enough. Only the Holy Spirit has the power to make the changes God wants to make in our lives so He can use you in His plan for your life and through your passion for soccer to impact those around you.
Philippians 2:13 says, "God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him."
LIVE OUT YOUR PASSION IN THE GAME FOR CHRIST
Living out our passion for soccer and using it as a tool to change your heart and the hearts of your team-mates and players is done now through an understanding of Biblical concepts. Knowing these principles will give you a clearer picture of how to make the right decisions. You will know what to say in your training sessions and matches. Through the choices we make when we are confronted with decisions will be clear than ever before and will have honor God with every thought and action. In other words we choose to do the right thing in situations and then trust God's Spirit to give us His power, love, a strengthening and growing faith, and the wisdom to do it. Since God's Spirit lives inside of us, these things are always available for the asking. The Holy Spirit's power is released in our lives in quiet, unassuming ways that you aren't even aware of or feel. He often nudges us with "a gentle whisper."
So if the desires of your heart are to be like Christ and to serve Him with all your heart 100% I can guarantee that you’ll do this game at a level you never thought you could go too and your will receive your rewards in heaven.
June 1st, 2010 GSM Coaches and Players Devotional
ARE YOU CONTROLLING YOUR LIFE? LET GOD TAKE OVER
Scripture: Psalm 37:7 says, “Surrender your self to the Lord, and wait patiently for him”.
It was the winter of 1983 and just before the holiday season when I final decided I could no longer do life anymore by myself and I let go of the controls I thought I needed to have on my life and the lives of my players and let God take over. Believe me it’s wasn’t a walk in the park, but in due time God accomplished the plans He had for me and still is working through me. What a privilege and nothing I ever did in my past without Christ just doesn’t measure up. Many of you out there are playing or coaching under some adverse circumstances. I know because these devotions go out to 1,000’s of coaches and players and I hear some of the stories from our readers. I’m sure if your reading this you can go back and pin point that day when you asked Jesus to take hold of you so you could live out your life with the Living Savior’s help. It’s good to remember from time to time and use those thoughts to get back on the field of play so you can live out your time on this earth with passion and purpose waiting patiently for the Lord to use you in a big and might way when He calls you up from the bench to play the match He’s coaching.
For those that don’t have that true day by day intimate relationship with Christ I can only use the words a good friend of mine from England, who faithfully coaches in my summer camps. He likes to says, “Sort your self out Paul”. It’s a bit of a joke on his part when we’re bantering around, but really an accurate statement and a picture of what we need to do daily. There is a point that we simply have to give up what we selfishly want and surrender completely our heart or our very being (Body, Mind and Soul) to our Creator, Provider, Holy Father and Friend. I would suspect though some of you are reading this are thinking, I’m putting in some time and effort into this. The problem in turning the corner to have that intimate relationship with Christ is that your life is still not about Him but your life day to day is about you. You’re stilling holding on to some sort of control of your life when this was never God’s intend design our purpose. There’s allot us talk about it but we don’t walk the life that pleasing to God. Live your life with God as much as possible. It’s a type of ‘best friendship relationship’ that without Him always present in your life there’s emptiness and you’re not as peaceful and productive as you should be.
I have a good accountability friend in Guatemala. He’ll remind me from time to time in our emails that “God is in control”. He speaks with authority on the subject, because when he was at a very low point in his life and just about out God took over his control panel and now he allows God to control his very being. He knows that life is not easy all the time and it’s a battle, but this daily sorting ourselves out in the things we think, say and try to accomplish is so important to do with God along side us. Once you have it there’s no turning backwards. You just want your life in a forward motion and to be all about serving the Lord. Our ability to respond this way comes from a source of power provided by the Lord through the work of the Holy Spirit in our life. Don’t reject this power source but realize and understand it purpose.
Living your life out the way God intended it to be is not easy but it’s achievable. It’s a process that requires work, bible study, prayer and listening to God speak to you. Every Friday morning when I’m in town I go to bible study with a group of guys in our church. The time together is so powerful for our lives. We sharpen each other to go out the door living our lives for Christ and not ourselves. Over the years I seen men in this group (including myself) grow and get connected to God and less connected to world. Some unbelievable changes that would have never happened if they did not work on sorting themselves and let God operate their lives. The truth is that the Lord wants to take over your life when you can’t do life correctly and to its fullest. That’s what He wants for you and it’s always been His plan. By remaining in Christ (Read Chapter 15 of John) the Father will accomplish allot in and throug h you in this great sport of soccer. You were designed to give in and give up everything that’s about you and let Him control your life. As Christian doing this game of soccer this is the reason why we exist and anything short of this means we’re doing our life in the game for ourselves rather than doing our life for God’s greater purpose and our eternal benefit.
Remember surrender does not mean your all of a sudden going to be a weak character. I like to think it’s a better way to travel the path God has before you and I am really sold to surrendering because life is allot easy with someone to help you and that person is God. We need to surrender to our Savior accomplishing what He wants us to do on this earth before we face Him one day. This is what really matters on this earth as we do this great game of soccer and live out our life (salvation) for Christ. Are you preparing yourself in ALL you do to anticipate that you’re going to have a great conversation when you come face to face with Christ one day?
From time to time I have to keep reminding myself, Paul, what does surrendering mean to you today and are you doing it. Give these ideas a look as they’ve worked for me.
- What will I hear when I see my Savior about surrendering from the very words that we come from His mouth?
- What will He say to me about what I did for Him on this old earth?
- Do I follow what God’s telling me in His word and do I listen to that quiet voice speaking to me from heaven?
- Do I rush in and try to slay the world by myself and those around me or do I wait for God's and be patient about when I’m to do what He has set out for me to accomplish?
I really never was a miracle believer because I thought I could do life on my own and by my own strength and wit, but now that I’ve seasoned a bit, I have a great Savior to depend on and I expect miracles to happen provided by a God who is who He is and says who He is.
Do you expect a miracle without knowing how God will provide?
Do I completely trust God to help me grow my faith in Him to fulfill His purpose in my life and not worrying if I total understand the circumstances and outcomes?
You know you're surrendered to God when you rely on God to work things out instead of trying to manipulate others, force your own agenda on somebody else or be a control freak in life every day situations. Just let go and let God work through you and for His glory not yours (your pride and ego). You don't have to always be in charge. Instead of trying harder, you trust more. Surrendered hearts show up best in developing your relationship with God.
The supreme example of self-surrender was Jesus. The night before his crucifixion Jesus surrendered himself to God's plan. He prayed as stated in Mark 14:36, "Father, everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine".
Jesus surrendered Himself to God's will. He prayed, "God, if it is in your best interest to remove this suffering (the cross that I’m about to face), please do so. But if it fulfills your purpose, that's what I want, too."
This level of maturity doesn't come easy, it takes time and it will cost you by using your time, talents and treasure no longer for you but for God. In fact we’re going to be serving God for the rest of our lives on this earth. Remember how Jesus agonized so much over God's plan for Him that He sweated drops of blood. Surrender is hard work. Are you really ready to battle surrendering?
ARE YOU CONTROLLING YOUR LIFE? LET GOD TAKE OVER
Scripture: Psalm 37:7 says, “Surrender your self to the Lord, and wait patiently for him”.
It was the winter of 1983 and just before the holiday season when I final decided I could no longer do life anymore by myself and I let go of the controls I thought I needed to have on my life and the lives of my players and let God take over. Believe me it’s wasn’t a walk in the park, but in due time God accomplished the plans He had for me and still is working through me. What a privilege and nothing I ever did in my past without Christ just doesn’t measure up. Many of you out there are playing or coaching under some adverse circumstances. I know because these devotions go out to 1,000’s of coaches and players and I hear some of the stories from our readers. I’m sure if your reading this you can go back and pin point that day when you asked Jesus to take hold of you so you could live out your life with the Living Savior’s help. It’s good to remember from time to time and use those thoughts to get back on the field of play so you can live out your time on this earth with passion and purpose waiting patiently for the Lord to use you in a big and might way when He calls you up from the bench to play the match He’s coaching.
For those that don’t have that true day by day intimate relationship with Christ I can only use the words a good friend of mine from England, who faithfully coaches in my summer camps. He likes to says, “Sort your self out Paul”. It’s a bit of a joke on his part when we’re bantering around, but really an accurate statement and a picture of what we need to do daily. There is a point that we simply have to give up what we selfishly want and surrender completely our heart or our very being (Body, Mind and Soul) to our Creator, Provider, Holy Father and Friend. I would suspect though some of you are reading this are thinking, I’m putting in some time and effort into this. The problem in turning the corner to have that intimate relationship with Christ is that your life is still not about Him but your life day to day is about you. You’re stilling holding on to some sort of control of your life when this was never God’s intend design our purpose. There’s allot us talk about it but we don’t walk the life that pleasing to God. Live your life with God as much as possible. It’s a type of ‘best friendship relationship’ that without Him always present in your life there’s emptiness and you’re not as peaceful and productive as you should be.
I have a good accountability friend in Guatemala. He’ll remind me from time to time in our emails that “God is in control”. He speaks with authority on the subject, because when he was at a very low point in his life and just about out God took over his control panel and now he allows God to control his very being. He knows that life is not easy all the time and it’s a battle, but this daily sorting ourselves out in the things we think, say and try to accomplish is so important to do with God along side us. Once you have it there’s no turning backwards. You just want your life in a forward motion and to be all about serving the Lord. Our ability to respond this way comes from a source of power provided by the Lord through the work of the Holy Spirit in our life. Don’t reject this power source but realize and understand it purpose.
Living your life out the way God intended it to be is not easy but it’s achievable. It’s a process that requires work, bible study, prayer and listening to God speak to you. Every Friday morning when I’m in town I go to bible study with a group of guys in our church. The time together is so powerful for our lives. We sharpen each other to go out the door living our lives for Christ and not ourselves. Over the years I seen men in this group (including myself) grow and get connected to God and less connected to world. Some unbelievable changes that would have never happened if they did not work on sorting themselves and let God operate their lives. The truth is that the Lord wants to take over your life when you can’t do life correctly and to its fullest. That’s what He wants for you and it’s always been His plan. By remaining in Christ (Read Chapter 15 of John) the Father will accomplish allot in and throug h you in this great sport of soccer. You were designed to give in and give up everything that’s about you and let Him control your life. As Christian doing this game of soccer this is the reason why we exist and anything short of this means we’re doing our life in the game for ourselves rather than doing our life for God’s greater purpose and our eternal benefit.
Remember surrender does not mean your all of a sudden going to be a weak character. I like to think it’s a better way to travel the path God has before you and I am really sold to surrendering because life is allot easy with someone to help you and that person is God. We need to surrender to our Savior accomplishing what He wants us to do on this earth before we face Him one day. This is what really matters on this earth as we do this great game of soccer and live out our life (salvation) for Christ. Are you preparing yourself in ALL you do to anticipate that you’re going to have a great conversation when you come face to face with Christ one day?
From time to time I have to keep reminding myself, Paul, what does surrendering mean to you today and are you doing it. Give these ideas a look as they’ve worked for me.
- What will I hear when I see my Savior about surrendering from the very words that we come from His mouth?
- What will He say to me about what I did for Him on this old earth?
- Do I follow what God’s telling me in His word and do I listen to that quiet voice speaking to me from heaven?
- Do I rush in and try to slay the world by myself and those around me or do I wait for God's and be patient about when I’m to do what He has set out for me to accomplish?
I really never was a miracle believer because I thought I could do life on my own and by my own strength and wit, but now that I’ve seasoned a bit, I have a great Savior to depend on and I expect miracles to happen provided by a God who is who He is and says who He is.
Do you expect a miracle without knowing how God will provide?
Do I completely trust God to help me grow my faith in Him to fulfill His purpose in my life and not worrying if I total understand the circumstances and outcomes?
You know you're surrendered to God when you rely on God to work things out instead of trying to manipulate others, force your own agenda on somebody else or be a control freak in life every day situations. Just let go and let God work through you and for His glory not yours (your pride and ego). You don't have to always be in charge. Instead of trying harder, you trust more. Surrendered hearts show up best in developing your relationship with God.
The supreme example of self-surrender was Jesus. The night before his crucifixion Jesus surrendered himself to God's plan. He prayed as stated in Mark 14:36, "Father, everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine".
Jesus surrendered Himself to God's will. He prayed, "God, if it is in your best interest to remove this suffering (the cross that I’m about to face), please do so. But if it fulfills your purpose, that's what I want, too."
This level of maturity doesn't come easy, it takes time and it will cost you by using your time, talents and treasure no longer for you but for God. In fact we’re going to be serving God for the rest of our lives on this earth. Remember how Jesus agonized so much over God's plan for Him that He sweated drops of blood. Surrender is hard work. Are you really ready to battle surrendering?
May 15 2010 GSM Coaches and Players Devotional
Where’s Your Heart’s Desire?
Scripture: Proverbs 27:19 says, “A man's heart reflects the man”.
I can remember many times telling my players, you’ve got to have heart to play this game. Many of them understood by the way exhibited themselves in training and matches while others just never got what heart meant. The Bible uses the word "heart" to describe our desires, hopes, interests, ambitions, dreams, visions and affections that you have toward others. Our heart represents the source of all our motivations, what you love to do and what you care about most. Even today, we still use the word in this way when we say, "I love you with all my heart or I love this game with all my heart."
Proverbs 27:19 says, “Just as water mirrors your face, so your face mirrors your heart”.
The Bible says what is in your heart is who and what you are really about, not what others think you are or what circumstances force you to be. Your heart is the real you. So if you coach and play the game of soccer with all your heart you’re right where God wants you to be and nothing else matters to God. Your heart determines why you say the things you need to, why you feel the way you do, and why you act the way you do.
Physically, each of us has a unique heartbeat. Just as we each have unique thumbprints, eye prints, and voiceprints, our hearts beat in slightly different patterns. It's amazing that out of all the billions of people who've ever lived, no one has ever had a heartbeat exactly like yours.
In the same way, God has given each of us a unique emotional "heartbeat" that races when we think about the subjects, activities, or circumstances that interest us. We instinctively care about some things and not about others. These are clues to where you should be serving.
Another word for heart is passion. There are certain subjects that you feel deeply passionate about and others that you couldn't care less about. Some experiences turn you on and capture your attention, while others turn you off or bore you to tears. These reveal the nature of your heart; listen for inner promptings that can point to the ministry God intends for you to have.
When you were growing up you may have discovered that you were intensely interested in some subjects that no one else in your family cared about.
Where did those interests come from? They came from God!
God had a purpose in giving you these inborn interests. Your emotional heartbeat is a key to understanding your shape for service. Don't ignore your interests; consider how they might be used for God's glory. There is a reason that you love to do these things.
Listen for inner promptings that can point to the ministry God intends for you to have.
Where’s Your Heart’s Desire?
Scripture: Proverbs 27:19 says, “A man's heart reflects the man”.
I can remember many times telling my players, you’ve got to have heart to play this game. Many of them understood by the way exhibited themselves in training and matches while others just never got what heart meant. The Bible uses the word "heart" to describe our desires, hopes, interests, ambitions, dreams, visions and affections that you have toward others. Our heart represents the source of all our motivations, what you love to do and what you care about most. Even today, we still use the word in this way when we say, "I love you with all my heart or I love this game with all my heart."
Proverbs 27:19 says, “Just as water mirrors your face, so your face mirrors your heart”.
The Bible says what is in your heart is who and what you are really about, not what others think you are or what circumstances force you to be. Your heart is the real you. So if you coach and play the game of soccer with all your heart you’re right where God wants you to be and nothing else matters to God. Your heart determines why you say the things you need to, why you feel the way you do, and why you act the way you do.
Physically, each of us has a unique heartbeat. Just as we each have unique thumbprints, eye prints, and voiceprints, our hearts beat in slightly different patterns. It's amazing that out of all the billions of people who've ever lived, no one has ever had a heartbeat exactly like yours.
In the same way, God has given each of us a unique emotional "heartbeat" that races when we think about the subjects, activities, or circumstances that interest us. We instinctively care about some things and not about others. These are clues to where you should be serving.
Another word for heart is passion. There are certain subjects that you feel deeply passionate about and others that you couldn't care less about. Some experiences turn you on and capture your attention, while others turn you off or bore you to tears. These reveal the nature of your heart; listen for inner promptings that can point to the ministry God intends for you to have.
When you were growing up you may have discovered that you were intensely interested in some subjects that no one else in your family cared about.
Where did those interests come from? They came from God!
God had a purpose in giving you these inborn interests. Your emotional heartbeat is a key to understanding your shape for service. Don't ignore your interests; consider how they might be used for God's glory. There is a reason that you love to do these things.
Listen for inner promptings that can point to the ministry God intends for you to have.
May 1st, 2010 GSM Coaches and Players Devotional
Extraordinary Love Creates Winners
Scripture: 1 John 4:7 says, “Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is born of God and knows God”.
For years I loved the game of soccer so much that I forgot to really sincerely and honestly love my players the way they needed to be loved. Coaching players is about bringing something to the table (training sessions and matches) to them and not what you can bring to yourself. The game was designed for players to play with the help of quality coaching and leadership. I had to learn why and how I had to love my players more than a win for the ‘old coach’ or because it did something to my ego. I had to change from being selfish to giving what I had cherished so much away to my players and for their benefit. Giving up and sacrificing is what love is about.
Love is a skill that can be learned but is sometimes hard for us as coaches and even players to show because of the competitive nature of the game and in the desire to win; we often push the word love and the actions of love aside. Over the years it’s been a struggle for me but with practice love becomes something you can get good at. Wouldn't you like to become known as a player or coach of extraordinary love? If you don’t there’s got to be something really wrong with you and you need to sort yourself out without delay.
You may think you're a good enough lover, but God wants you to become a great lover, a skilled lover, a master lover. Yet, most of us wait for years to love like God wants us too or never learn how to love at all. If you can become an expert about soccer you can become an expert at relationships and love others better. The only way you get more skillful at the technical and tactical aspects of the game is to practice at it. We do it over and over. Training through repetition work gives us great success. The more you do it, the better you become. The same is true with love. Let's practice loving each other more.
1st Timothy 4:15 says, "Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all."
The reason God wants us to love is because He is love, and He created us to be like Him and to love. He has this as part of His character and He wants us with the same type of characteristic to serve Him in the game. The only reason we're able to love is because God loves us.
1 John 4:7-8 says, "Love comes from God ... because God is love."
We were created in God's image to do the two things on earth: Learn to love God so we can learn to love to serve others rather than to just serve ourselves, because the life He gives us here on this earth is about loving others to bring about dramatic pre-destined changes God has in store for them. God uses us to help Him do this. He gets great pleasure when He sees us loving on others. When we serve Him this way we become what He wants for us to be through His great powerful source of love. But love all started with God. He loved us first and that gives us the ability to love others.
1 John 4:19 says, “We love because He first loved us”.
The only reason you can love God or love anybody else is because God first loved us. And He showed that love by sending Jesus Christ to earth to die for us. He showed that love by creating you destined to love and serve others passionately with this love. We just need to acknowledge this and do it right for Christ. We have a powerful tool in soccer available to us whether we’re a player or a coach.
In order to love others and to become great lovers, we first need to understand and feel how much God loves us. We don't want to just talk about love, read about love, or discuss about love, because our need is to experience the love of God. Once we're secure inside God's unconditional love, we'll start cutting our players and team mates needed slack. We won't be as angry as we've been. We'll be more patient. We'll be more forgiving. We'll be more merciful. We'll let others get some of the grace God gives us. You may even find yourself giving your players and team members a hug or a pat on the back. But you cannot give to others what you have not received yourself, and so my hope is that, as you learn how much God loves you, you'll also let Him heal your heart so that His love can flow freely through you and into your team.
Extraordinary Love Creates Winners
Scripture: 1 John 4:7 says, “Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is born of God and knows God”.
For years I loved the game of soccer so much that I forgot to really sincerely and honestly love my players the way they needed to be loved. Coaching players is about bringing something to the table (training sessions and matches) to them and not what you can bring to yourself. The game was designed for players to play with the help of quality coaching and leadership. I had to learn why and how I had to love my players more than a win for the ‘old coach’ or because it did something to my ego. I had to change from being selfish to giving what I had cherished so much away to my players and for their benefit. Giving up and sacrificing is what love is about.
Love is a skill that can be learned but is sometimes hard for us as coaches and even players to show because of the competitive nature of the game and in the desire to win; we often push the word love and the actions of love aside. Over the years it’s been a struggle for me but with practice love becomes something you can get good at. Wouldn't you like to become known as a player or coach of extraordinary love? If you don’t there’s got to be something really wrong with you and you need to sort yourself out without delay.
You may think you're a good enough lover, but God wants you to become a great lover, a skilled lover, a master lover. Yet, most of us wait for years to love like God wants us too or never learn how to love at all. If you can become an expert about soccer you can become an expert at relationships and love others better. The only way you get more skillful at the technical and tactical aspects of the game is to practice at it. We do it over and over. Training through repetition work gives us great success. The more you do it, the better you become. The same is true with love. Let's practice loving each other more.
1st Timothy 4:15 says, "Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all."
The reason God wants us to love is because He is love, and He created us to be like Him and to love. He has this as part of His character and He wants us with the same type of characteristic to serve Him in the game. The only reason we're able to love is because God loves us.
1 John 4:7-8 says, "Love comes from God ... because God is love."
We were created in God's image to do the two things on earth: Learn to love God so we can learn to love to serve others rather than to just serve ourselves, because the life He gives us here on this earth is about loving others to bring about dramatic pre-destined changes God has in store for them. God uses us to help Him do this. He gets great pleasure when He sees us loving on others. When we serve Him this way we become what He wants for us to be through His great powerful source of love. But love all started with God. He loved us first and that gives us the ability to love others.
1 John 4:19 says, “We love because He first loved us”.
The only reason you can love God or love anybody else is because God first loved us. And He showed that love by sending Jesus Christ to earth to die for us. He showed that love by creating you destined to love and serve others passionately with this love. We just need to acknowledge this and do it right for Christ. We have a powerful tool in soccer available to us whether we’re a player or a coach.
In order to love others and to become great lovers, we first need to understand and feel how much God loves us. We don't want to just talk about love, read about love, or discuss about love, because our need is to experience the love of God. Once we're secure inside God's unconditional love, we'll start cutting our players and team mates needed slack. We won't be as angry as we've been. We'll be more patient. We'll be more forgiving. We'll be more merciful. We'll let others get some of the grace God gives us. You may even find yourself giving your players and team members a hug or a pat on the back. But you cannot give to others what you have not received yourself, and so my hope is that, as you learn how much God loves you, you'll also let Him heal your heart so that His love can flow freely through you and into your team.
April 15th, 2010
GSM Coaches and Players Devotional
WE’RE MADE IN HIS IMAGE AND NO ONE IS LIKE YOU
Scripture: Galatians 6:4 says, “Do your own work well, and then you will have something to be proud of. But don't compare yourself with others.”
In this game of soccer and life we do satan is there for real and he’s trying as much as he can steal our efforts (ministry) to see the work we do for Christ be destroyed in us in two ways. He’s tempting us to compare our efforts for Him with others and by tempting you to do the ministry you’re called to do to the expectations of others. Both are deadly traps satan sets so we will be distracted from serving in the ways God planned for us. God warns us never to compare ourselves with others in the above Bible verse. There are two reasons why we should never compare our shape, ministry, or the results of our ministry with anyone else.
• First, you will always be able to find someone who seems to be doing a better job than you and you might become discouraged. This is one of satan’s many deceptions.
• You can always find someone who doesn't seem as effective as you and you could get weld head about how good you are and all along it’s never been about you, but the Lord using you for His plan for you. Satan makes his effort tom blind us.
Either one of the above takes us out of God’s plan for our life and steals us from His purposing through us. Satan is always going to try to temp you and he not going to quit.
The apostle Paul said it is foolish to compare ourselves with others. In 2 Corinthians 10:12 he said, "We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise."
You need to know there’s always someone out there who does not understand your shape for ministry will criticize you and try to get you to conform to what they think you should be doing. Ignore them nicely and remember who create your shape. When we read the writing of Paul we read about those who criticized, misunderstood and maligned his efforts for Christ. Paul was used so greatly by God because he refused to be distracted by his critics and by comparing his ministry with others.
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GSM Coaches and Players Devotional
WE’RE MADE IN HIS IMAGE AND NO ONE IS LIKE YOU
Scripture: Galatians 6:4 says, “Do your own work well, and then you will have something to be proud of. But don't compare yourself with others.”
In this game of soccer and life we do satan is there for real and he’s trying as much as he can steal our efforts (ministry) to see the work we do for Christ be destroyed in us in two ways. He’s tempting us to compare our efforts for Him with others and by tempting you to do the ministry you’re called to do to the expectations of others. Both are deadly traps satan sets so we will be distracted from serving in the ways God planned for us. God warns us never to compare ourselves with others in the above Bible verse. There are two reasons why we should never compare our shape, ministry, or the results of our ministry with anyone else.
• First, you will always be able to find someone who seems to be doing a better job than you and you might become discouraged. This is one of satan’s many deceptions.
• You can always find someone who doesn't seem as effective as you and you could get weld head about how good you are and all along it’s never been about you, but the Lord using you for His plan for you. Satan makes his effort tom blind us.
Either one of the above takes us out of God’s plan for our life and steals us from His purposing through us. Satan is always going to try to temp you and he not going to quit.
The apostle Paul said it is foolish to compare ourselves with others. In 2 Corinthians 10:12 he said, "We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise."
You need to know there’s always someone out there who does not understand your shape for ministry will criticize you and try to get you to conform to what they think you should be doing. Ignore them nicely and remember who create your shape. When we read the writing of Paul we read about those who criticized, misunderstood and maligned his efforts for Christ. Paul was used so greatly by God because he refused to be distracted by his critics and by comparing his ministry with others.
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April 1st, 2010 GSM Coaches and Players Devotional
YOU ARE SHAPED TO SPEAK AND SERVE
Scripture: Isaiah 43:21 says, "The people I have shaped for myself will broadcast my praises."
God made us in this game we coach and player for Himself with a special area of expertise so we can use it to tell others and put those abilities into action. This is our particular role to play based on the way they were shaped by God. My players use to think man coach is a real different character. I sure they thought God broke that mold after forming him. But the related is that they were correct. No body is like you and you’re uniquely designed, or "shaped" to do certain design task for Christ.
Job 10:8 says, “Your hands shaped me and made me”.
Before God created and planned His shape for you, he decided what role he wanted you to play on this old earth in and out of the game of soccer. He planned exactly how He was going to have you serve Him. He planned a special shape for you to do those tasks. He gave you the correct body size, brain to think, body to move and mouth to speak. You are who you are because you were made for a specific ministry. Are you that worker ready to do it? When we’re faced with a challenge playing or coaching do you do it and get successful or do you come up short of your design purpose.
The Bible says, "We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works" (Ephesians 2:10).
God deliberately shaped and formed you to serve Him in a way that makes your ministry unique. David in the Old Testament praised God for this incredible personal attention to detail God gave in designing each of us.” You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous" (Psalm 139:13-14). Not only did God shape you before your birth, He planned every day of your life to support His shaping process. David continues, "Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed" (Psalm 139:16).
This means that everything that happens in our live is powerful significant. God uses all of it to create you for using the game to ministry to others and shape you for your service to Him for His purpose and not yours.
Nothing that happens to us is a waste when we are followers of Christ. He would not have design and created in you abilities, interests, talents, gifts, your personality and characteristics and those day to day life experiences unless He intended to use them for His glory. By identifying and understanding that He has shaped you’ll be able to better comprehend and reason why it’s so important to use this great game to discover God's will for your life both on and off the field. So what’s next? Be ready to get reshaped daily for playing and coaching better. It may not be always easy or what you thought was going to happen. Just be open and sensible when it comes to be ready to serve Him.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YOU ARE SHAPED TO SPEAK AND SERVE
Scripture: Isaiah 43:21 says, "The people I have shaped for myself will broadcast my praises."
God made us in this game we coach and player for Himself with a special area of expertise so we can use it to tell others and put those abilities into action. This is our particular role to play based on the way they were shaped by God. My players use to think man coach is a real different character. I sure they thought God broke that mold after forming him. But the related is that they were correct. No body is like you and you’re uniquely designed, or "shaped" to do certain design task for Christ.
Job 10:8 says, “Your hands shaped me and made me”.
Before God created and planned His shape for you, he decided what role he wanted you to play on this old earth in and out of the game of soccer. He planned exactly how He was going to have you serve Him. He planned a special shape for you to do those tasks. He gave you the correct body size, brain to think, body to move and mouth to speak. You are who you are because you were made for a specific ministry. Are you that worker ready to do it? When we’re faced with a challenge playing or coaching do you do it and get successful or do you come up short of your design purpose.
The Bible says, "We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works" (Ephesians 2:10).
God deliberately shaped and formed you to serve Him in a way that makes your ministry unique. David in the Old Testament praised God for this incredible personal attention to detail God gave in designing each of us.” You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous" (Psalm 139:13-14). Not only did God shape you before your birth, He planned every day of your life to support His shaping process. David continues, "Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed" (Psalm 139:16).
This means that everything that happens in our live is powerful significant. God uses all of it to create you for using the game to ministry to others and shape you for your service to Him for His purpose and not yours.
Nothing that happens to us is a waste when we are followers of Christ. He would not have design and created in you abilities, interests, talents, gifts, your personality and characteristics and those day to day life experiences unless He intended to use them for His glory. By identifying and understanding that He has shaped you’ll be able to better comprehend and reason why it’s so important to use this great game to discover God's will for your life both on and off the field. So what’s next? Be ready to get reshaped daily for playing and coaching better. It may not be always easy or what you thought was going to happen. Just be open and sensible when it comes to be ready to serve Him.
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March 15, 2010 - GSM International
Coaches and Players Devotional
You Were Shaped For A Reason: Go For It!
Scripture: Romans 9:20 says, “But you who do you think you, a human being, are, to answer back to God? Something that was made, can it say to its make. Why did you make me this shape?”
GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR SHAPE
Since God had a plan for my shape and knows what's best for me, I had to gratefully accept the way He has made me and I had to learn how to play out my shape in the game of life He set before me. The road always wasn’t easy to do this with mine and others interfering with God’s plan. You know what I mean. Allot of poor choices, people trying to tell you do this and do that and then there was satan trying to get his two cents into my life being the usual tempter the he is.
We still have allot of rough edges that need reshaping and polishing before we come face to face with our Lord, but as coaches and players our shape has been determined by God for His purpose, so we shouldn't resent it or reject it. Instead of trying to do reshaping ourselves to be like someone else, we should understand how unique we are and appreciate, celebrate the shape God has given only to us. Check this verse out.
Ephesians 4:7 says, "Christ has given each of us special abilities whatever He wants us to have out of His rich storehouse of gifts."
THE GREAT DECEPTOR IS APPOSED TO YOUR SHAPE
Satan will tempt you, trying to steal your shape one of three ways.
• He’ll tempt you to compare your shape with others.
• He’ll tempt you to do your ministry shape to the expectations of others.
• He tempts you to be envious of other coaches and players shape in your profession or team.
These three areas are deadly traps that will distract you from using your shape in the ways God intended. Whenever you lose your passion, peace and persistence doing your shape consider if either one of these temptations is the cause.
I was speaking to a university coach the other day about the pressures of coaching, the results of these pressures, the way they often steer our paths away from spiritual things, the feeling of heaviness our job has become from the tasks that we have to perform, the deceived feelings we have about the things we’re doing in this old world (taking the world on our shoulders) and thinking; “I’m very good at everything (satan deceptions)”. The job description and duties and the way we carry them out eventually gets beyond our shape capacity. No one is called to be everything. That’s not what our shape is about. We have to understand and accept that God design us in a particular way and fashioned us to serve Him in a special design plan. In other words and believe it or not our role throughout our life is pre-design and we have to have the will power to choose to do it, and we must run like the wind in the process. The apostle Paul understood that his game was not to accomplish everything or please everyone but to focus only on what shape God wanted him to be to serve. Paul’s focus was to stay inside the boundaries of God’s daily plan for His life. See what Paul is telling us below.
2 Corinthians 10:12-13 says, “We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the field (boundary) God has assigned to us, a field that reaches even to you.”
WHAT’S MY SHAPE ALL ABOUT?
The word boundary refers to the fact that God assigns each of us a field or sphere of service to accomplish for our success and His glory. Your shape determines your specialty. As coaches and player one of those spheres is doing the soccer thing and doing it well. When we try to overextend our ministry reach beyond what God shaped us for, we experience stress. Just as each runner in a race is given a different lane to run in, we must individually do our run (soccer job) as a God designed for us.
Hebrews 12:1 says, "Run with patience the particular race that God has set before us."
God has given the Holy Spirit to us to equip us with the knowledge, understanding, and the divine power we need to serve through this great game. Get back to focusing on the game plan the Lord wants you to play and finish the 90 minutes set before you. God wants you be the winner and to enjoy using the shape He has given you.
Galatians 6:4 says, "Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of having done your work well and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Coaches and Players Devotional
You Were Shaped For A Reason: Go For It!
Scripture: Romans 9:20 says, “But you who do you think you, a human being, are, to answer back to God? Something that was made, can it say to its make. Why did you make me this shape?”
GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR SHAPE
Since God had a plan for my shape and knows what's best for me, I had to gratefully accept the way He has made me and I had to learn how to play out my shape in the game of life He set before me. The road always wasn’t easy to do this with mine and others interfering with God’s plan. You know what I mean. Allot of poor choices, people trying to tell you do this and do that and then there was satan trying to get his two cents into my life being the usual tempter the he is.
We still have allot of rough edges that need reshaping and polishing before we come face to face with our Lord, but as coaches and players our shape has been determined by God for His purpose, so we shouldn't resent it or reject it. Instead of trying to do reshaping ourselves to be like someone else, we should understand how unique we are and appreciate, celebrate the shape God has given only to us. Check this verse out.
Ephesians 4:7 says, "Christ has given each of us special abilities whatever He wants us to have out of His rich storehouse of gifts."
THE GREAT DECEPTOR IS APPOSED TO YOUR SHAPE
Satan will tempt you, trying to steal your shape one of three ways.
• He’ll tempt you to compare your shape with others.
• He’ll tempt you to do your ministry shape to the expectations of others.
• He tempts you to be envious of other coaches and players shape in your profession or team.
These three areas are deadly traps that will distract you from using your shape in the ways God intended. Whenever you lose your passion, peace and persistence doing your shape consider if either one of these temptations is the cause.
I was speaking to a university coach the other day about the pressures of coaching, the results of these pressures, the way they often steer our paths away from spiritual things, the feeling of heaviness our job has become from the tasks that we have to perform, the deceived feelings we have about the things we’re doing in this old world (taking the world on our shoulders) and thinking; “I’m very good at everything (satan deceptions)”. The job description and duties and the way we carry them out eventually gets beyond our shape capacity. No one is called to be everything. That’s not what our shape is about. We have to understand and accept that God design us in a particular way and fashioned us to serve Him in a special design plan. In other words and believe it or not our role throughout our life is pre-design and we have to have the will power to choose to do it, and we must run like the wind in the process. The apostle Paul understood that his game was not to accomplish everything or please everyone but to focus only on what shape God wanted him to be to serve. Paul’s focus was to stay inside the boundaries of God’s daily plan for His life. See what Paul is telling us below.
2 Corinthians 10:12-13 says, “We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the field (boundary) God has assigned to us, a field that reaches even to you.”
WHAT’S MY SHAPE ALL ABOUT?
The word boundary refers to the fact that God assigns each of us a field or sphere of service to accomplish for our success and His glory. Your shape determines your specialty. As coaches and player one of those spheres is doing the soccer thing and doing it well. When we try to overextend our ministry reach beyond what God shaped us for, we experience stress. Just as each runner in a race is given a different lane to run in, we must individually do our run (soccer job) as a God designed for us.
Hebrews 12:1 says, "Run with patience the particular race that God has set before us."
God has given the Holy Spirit to us to equip us with the knowledge, understanding, and the divine power we need to serve through this great game. Get back to focusing on the game plan the Lord wants you to play and finish the 90 minutes set before you. God wants you be the winner and to enjoy using the shape He has given you.
Galatians 6:4 says, "Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of having done your work well and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
March 1, 2010 - GSM International Coaches & Players Devotional
"I Surrendered All and I Died To Live With You" – Part 3
Scripture: Romans 12:1-2 says, “So then, my friends, because of God's great mercy to us I appeal to you. Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to His service and pleasing to Him. This is the true worship that you should offer”.
TRUE WORSHIP IS SURRENDER
Do we as coaches and players take time to do this true worship thing Paul speaks about in the above verses? It’s hard but I know that when I make the effort (faith with out works is dead) to offer myself, because He’s made me to be something for His pleasure, I know this is what worship is all about. It wasn’t easy for God to surrender His son to us, so He could live within us. I’m sure He felt this was the last resort to get us on board, surrender to do the game for Him, so one day we’d be with Him.
What matters on this earth is that you surrender 100% to Christ. It’s not what you call the things you do but rather what you do about them after you surrender. God wants your life and all of it and 95% doesn’t cut it with Him. This Christian life is not for the weak or the only once in awhile server. You can play a great game without 100% of your effort. Our total surrender to God is often stopped by several things. Think about them….Our ignorance of God and His character (nature); not knowing what He’s really like, our sinful nature; the desire to be a mini god ourselves, and our misunderstanding of surrender and the trust in the powerful working of the Holy Spirit that it requires.
DO WE TRUST GOD?
If you’re a coach you don’t pick your starting players unless you trust them to perform. If you’re a player you can serve a ball to a team mate who will not do something creative with your pass. Trust is an essential ingredient to do this game we love so much and so it is with surrendering. We won't surrender to God unless we trust Him, but we can't trust Him until we know Him as He wants us too. I think the poor use of our personal grit and how much God loves us keeps us from surrendering. The more I realize how much God loves me, the easier it is to daily surrender to do what He wants me to do rather than the importance of my doing choices, which in the end are not what God’s plan for me at. It takes practicing to listen to hearing what He has to say you must do. No different from playing the game to be a winner.
HOW DO I KNOW GOD LOVES ME?
Keep in mind what God tell us about His love for us.
• God says He loves you
• He sacrificed His Son for you
• He forgives you
• He has great plans for your life
• He cares about every thing you do
• He's patient with you
• He’s watching you all the time because He’s interested in you
• He gave you the capacity to enjoy the life He has for you
• God loves you infinitely more than you can imagine
• He has given you soccer to serve Him and He has a plan for you to do it well
If you want to know how much you matter to God, look at Christ with His arms outstretched on the cross saying, "I love you this much! I'd rather die than live without you."
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO SURRENDER?
Surrendering to God is not a passive way to give up or give in or an excuse for being lazy. It is not accepting the status quo. It may mean the exact opposite. Surrendering means sacrificing your life, resisting the bad, not being a person serving injustice and you just may have to suffer in order to change what needs to be changed. God calls on surrendered people to do battle on His behalf. Why? God knows that when we surrender to Him we become winners and He only wants to use winners and have winning coaches and player with Him one day.
Surrendering is not putting your brain in neutral and giving up your capacity to think and just go on emotions. God won’t waste the mind He gave you! God does not want robots to serve Him. He wants real live bodies. Surrendering is not repressing your personality. God wants to use your unique personality. Rather than being diminished, surrendering enhances your uniqueness.
Commit to surrendering today, tomorrow, next week, next month and next year. We play and coach the game weekly for years and get good at what we do. Imagine the impact we could have for Christ if we only could practice surrendering as we do the game. If you’re going to stay in the game be a ‘living sacrifice to God, dedicated to His service and pleasing to Him’.
-------------------------------------------------------------
"I Surrendered All and I Died To Live With You" – Part 3
Scripture: Romans 12:1-2 says, “So then, my friends, because of God's great mercy to us I appeal to you. Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to His service and pleasing to Him. This is the true worship that you should offer”.
TRUE WORSHIP IS SURRENDER
Do we as coaches and players take time to do this true worship thing Paul speaks about in the above verses? It’s hard but I know that when I make the effort (faith with out works is dead) to offer myself, because He’s made me to be something for His pleasure, I know this is what worship is all about. It wasn’t easy for God to surrender His son to us, so He could live within us. I’m sure He felt this was the last resort to get us on board, surrender to do the game for Him, so one day we’d be with Him.
What matters on this earth is that you surrender 100% to Christ. It’s not what you call the things you do but rather what you do about them after you surrender. God wants your life and all of it and 95% doesn’t cut it with Him. This Christian life is not for the weak or the only once in awhile server. You can play a great game without 100% of your effort. Our total surrender to God is often stopped by several things. Think about them….Our ignorance of God and His character (nature); not knowing what He’s really like, our sinful nature; the desire to be a mini god ourselves, and our misunderstanding of surrender and the trust in the powerful working of the Holy Spirit that it requires.
DO WE TRUST GOD?
If you’re a coach you don’t pick your starting players unless you trust them to perform. If you’re a player you can serve a ball to a team mate who will not do something creative with your pass. Trust is an essential ingredient to do this game we love so much and so it is with surrendering. We won't surrender to God unless we trust Him, but we can't trust Him until we know Him as He wants us too. I think the poor use of our personal grit and how much God loves us keeps us from surrendering. The more I realize how much God loves me, the easier it is to daily surrender to do what He wants me to do rather than the importance of my doing choices, which in the end are not what God’s plan for me at. It takes practicing to listen to hearing what He has to say you must do. No different from playing the game to be a winner.
HOW DO I KNOW GOD LOVES ME?
Keep in mind what God tell us about His love for us.
• God says He loves you
• He sacrificed His Son for you
• He forgives you
• He has great plans for your life
• He cares about every thing you do
• He's patient with you
• He’s watching you all the time because He’s interested in you
• He gave you the capacity to enjoy the life He has for you
• God loves you infinitely more than you can imagine
• He has given you soccer to serve Him and He has a plan for you to do it well
If you want to know how much you matter to God, look at Christ with His arms outstretched on the cross saying, "I love you this much! I'd rather die than live without you."
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO SURRENDER?
Surrendering to God is not a passive way to give up or give in or an excuse for being lazy. It is not accepting the status quo. It may mean the exact opposite. Surrendering means sacrificing your life, resisting the bad, not being a person serving injustice and you just may have to suffer in order to change what needs to be changed. God calls on surrendered people to do battle on His behalf. Why? God knows that when we surrender to Him we become winners and He only wants to use winners and have winning coaches and player with Him one day.
Surrendering is not putting your brain in neutral and giving up your capacity to think and just go on emotions. God won’t waste the mind He gave you! God does not want robots to serve Him. He wants real live bodies. Surrendering is not repressing your personality. God wants to use your unique personality. Rather than being diminished, surrendering enhances your uniqueness.
Commit to surrendering today, tomorrow, next week, next month and next year. We play and coach the game weekly for years and get good at what we do. Imagine the impact we could have for Christ if we only could practice surrendering as we do the game. If you’re going to stay in the game be a ‘living sacrifice to God, dedicated to His service and pleasing to Him’.
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GSM International Coaches and Players Devotional - February 15, 2010
"Giving All Your Heart to Serve God"
Scripture: Colossians 3:22-25 says, “Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by.
Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of
Jesus doesn't cover up bad work”. (The Message)
Ever notice how many times the Bible repeats "Serve the Lord with all your heart." I’ve never counted them but it’s allot. God’s saying that He wants us to serve Him with passion and purpose but not out of duty. Those of us in the game rarely excel at tasks we don't enjoy doing or feel passionate about. When we're passionate we just don’t show. We go after it with our talents a state of fervor shedding our blood, sweat and the feelings of pain. God wants us to use our natural abilities to serve Him and others in our sphere of influence and do our best from our heart for the real Master.
My Father Really Pick Me!
What Are Those Signs Steering Us In The Right Direction To Play The Game For Him?
How do will realize about God calling us to serve Him? What are some of those signs that steer us to serve God from your heart? I always get excited and feel great when I see the Lord using me to serve Him. My Father really picked me….wow! It’s just like when I played and scored a goal. For that moment in time it was a perfect experience. It was just meant to be and I had fulfilled what I was called to do as a forward. Score goals. Picked to score goals! It the same for Christian service. Accomplish something with success because you fulfill God’s calling picked by Jesus. Doesn’t get better than this!
The first telltale sign is enthusiasm. When you're doing what you love to do, no one has to motivate you, or challenge you, or check up on you. You do it for the sheer enjoyment. You don't need rewards, or applause, or to be paid, because you love serving. One characteristic of serving God from your heart is to be effective. When you do what God wired you to do, you get become good at serving (playing His game). Passion with purpose can move up on the scale of being better than ever at what you do. Remember, usually the highest achievers in any field are those who do it because of passion and for a reason, not duty or profit. We've all heard people say, "I took a job I hate in order to make a lot of money, so someday I quit and do what I love to do." That's a big mistake. Don't waste your life in a job that doesn't express your heart, your passion and your designed purpose.
The Greatest Things in Life Are Not Things
Remember, the greatest things in life are not things. Meaningful serving and living for Christ is far more important than money, a top position and your status on the team. The richest man in the world once said, "It is better to be poor and respect the Lord than to be wealthy and have much trouble.” (Proverbs 15:16).
Years ago I moved from Northern Illinois to South Carolina for a NCAA Division 1 University coaching position. The job was in the Myrtle Beach resort area called the ‘Grand Strand’, an east coast golf and resort area. Maybe you've heard of it. The local people had a saying, “This area will lead to the good life.” I enjoyed the soccer; its beaches, the excitement becoming a national ranked program and warmth of the environment our family live and grow in, but it never lead to the good life.
We're not to just settle for achieving just a good life, because the thing is having a good life is not good enough. Ultimately, it doesn't satisfy. You can have a lot to live with (things), and still have nothing to live for. Shoot instead for "the better life" serving God with all your heart in a way that expresses the purpose He prepared you for. Figure out what you love to do, that which God gave you a heart for and then do it for His glory!
“Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance”.
-----------------------------------------------
"Giving All Your Heart to Serve God"
Scripture: Colossians 3:22-25 says, “Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by.
Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of
Jesus doesn't cover up bad work”. (The Message)
Ever notice how many times the Bible repeats "Serve the Lord with all your heart." I’ve never counted them but it’s allot. God’s saying that He wants us to serve Him with passion and purpose but not out of duty. Those of us in the game rarely excel at tasks we don't enjoy doing or feel passionate about. When we're passionate we just don’t show. We go after it with our talents a state of fervor shedding our blood, sweat and the feelings of pain. God wants us to use our natural abilities to serve Him and others in our sphere of influence and do our best from our heart for the real Master.
My Father Really Pick Me!
What Are Those Signs Steering Us In The Right Direction To Play The Game For Him?
How do will realize about God calling us to serve Him? What are some of those signs that steer us to serve God from your heart? I always get excited and feel great when I see the Lord using me to serve Him. My Father really picked me….wow! It’s just like when I played and scored a goal. For that moment in time it was a perfect experience. It was just meant to be and I had fulfilled what I was called to do as a forward. Score goals. Picked to score goals! It the same for Christian service. Accomplish something with success because you fulfill God’s calling picked by Jesus. Doesn’t get better than this!
The first telltale sign is enthusiasm. When you're doing what you love to do, no one has to motivate you, or challenge you, or check up on you. You do it for the sheer enjoyment. You don't need rewards, or applause, or to be paid, because you love serving. One characteristic of serving God from your heart is to be effective. When you do what God wired you to do, you get become good at serving (playing His game). Passion with purpose can move up on the scale of being better than ever at what you do. Remember, usually the highest achievers in any field are those who do it because of passion and for a reason, not duty or profit. We've all heard people say, "I took a job I hate in order to make a lot of money, so someday I quit and do what I love to do." That's a big mistake. Don't waste your life in a job that doesn't express your heart, your passion and your designed purpose.
The Greatest Things in Life Are Not Things
Remember, the greatest things in life are not things. Meaningful serving and living for Christ is far more important than money, a top position and your status on the team. The richest man in the world once said, "It is better to be poor and respect the Lord than to be wealthy and have much trouble.” (Proverbs 15:16).
Years ago I moved from Northern Illinois to South Carolina for a NCAA Division 1 University coaching position. The job was in the Myrtle Beach resort area called the ‘Grand Strand’, an east coast golf and resort area. Maybe you've heard of it. The local people had a saying, “This area will lead to the good life.” I enjoyed the soccer; its beaches, the excitement becoming a national ranked program and warmth of the environment our family live and grow in, but it never lead to the good life.
We're not to just settle for achieving just a good life, because the thing is having a good life is not good enough. Ultimately, it doesn't satisfy. You can have a lot to live with (things), and still have nothing to live for. Shoot instead for "the better life" serving God with all your heart in a way that expresses the purpose He prepared you for. Figure out what you love to do, that which God gave you a heart for and then do it for His glory!
“Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance”.
-----------------------------------------------
FEBRUARY 1st - COACHES & PLAYERS DEVOTIONAL
Surrender: Are You Kidding – Part 2
Scripture: Mark 12:30 says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”
We have to give our very being to our players and teammates, through our efforts and His ability to empower us through the Holy Spirit. God loves it when we use our passion and abilities to please Him before we please ourselves. But all this serving and loving God can’t happen unless we surrender our total persons to Him and then serve daily. Surrendering yourself is the key to being able to give your very all to Him for His purpose in your coaching. However, surrendering is not easy to accomplish. Surrender requires a new mindset, a change of your thinking patterns and your acting-out processes so that you give up and stop giving in to your personal selfishness.
Surrendering to God is the heart of receiving the power of God’s love, grace, and mercy. We need to get on with these three as we work with our players. In
Romans 12:1, we are urged by a loving and merciful God to offer our bodies as living sacrifices. That involves giving up something to make another thing happen. We do this with a holy attitude (pure motives of serving our Lord) that’s more pleasing to God than us. The writer of Romans, the apostle Paul, says, “This is your spiritual act of worship” (Romans 12:1b). Pretty powerful stuff, isn’t it! Surrendering, then, becomes the natural and obedient thing to do as we do this game for God. If we say we’re committed to serving God through His purpose for us using our passion in soccer, we must be willing to do the surrender thing and get big-time heart surgery.
Surrendering can be a mind-boggling experience, because it goes against the very nature of living humanly, which is the opposite of spiritual living. We have to learn to give up a lot of garbage we’ve learned, know, enjoy, and find pleasurable at times. We have to see that such stuff is not useful to us in the scheme of living. It’s a sacrifice that we have to make. We have to change a lot about our present, knowing that the future both on the earth and in heaven will be rewarding, full of little and big blessings. Surrendering the garbage becomes a transformation of our thought processes, so our acts of service will be for Him and to please Him. Romans 12:2 goes on to tell us, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” We’re not to be images of this world and follow after its offerings. We’re to be transformed by the rethinking and processing of what comes into our minds, not by the pressure of the world in which we reside, but by preordained empowering changes that are to happen to us through the very person of Jesus Christ working in our lives daily by His promises.
For a coach and play who is committed to God, surrender is yielding, giving in (not giving up), dying to your own interest or the “me thing,” which can include winning one more for the coach, the school, or teammates; achieving a great winning season so you can get a better job; getting more recognition; or whatever. What really matters is that you have to be committed to a complete surrender. Give your entire being to God and let Him control your life. That is what it’s all about. You no longer control the steering wheel, but only steer, listening for directions and letting God empower you where He wants you to go. Turning right, turning left, backing up, or going forward—you learn to give Him engine control (your mind and body) completely.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Surrender: Are You Kidding – Part 2
Scripture: Mark 12:30 says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”
We have to give our very being to our players and teammates, through our efforts and His ability to empower us through the Holy Spirit. God loves it when we use our passion and abilities to please Him before we please ourselves. But all this serving and loving God can’t happen unless we surrender our total persons to Him and then serve daily. Surrendering yourself is the key to being able to give your very all to Him for His purpose in your coaching. However, surrendering is not easy to accomplish. Surrender requires a new mindset, a change of your thinking patterns and your acting-out processes so that you give up and stop giving in to your personal selfishness.
Surrendering to God is the heart of receiving the power of God’s love, grace, and mercy. We need to get on with these three as we work with our players. In
Romans 12:1, we are urged by a loving and merciful God to offer our bodies as living sacrifices. That involves giving up something to make another thing happen. We do this with a holy attitude (pure motives of serving our Lord) that’s more pleasing to God than us. The writer of Romans, the apostle Paul, says, “This is your spiritual act of worship” (Romans 12:1b). Pretty powerful stuff, isn’t it! Surrendering, then, becomes the natural and obedient thing to do as we do this game for God. If we say we’re committed to serving God through His purpose for us using our passion in soccer, we must be willing to do the surrender thing and get big-time heart surgery.
Surrendering can be a mind-boggling experience, because it goes against the very nature of living humanly, which is the opposite of spiritual living. We have to learn to give up a lot of garbage we’ve learned, know, enjoy, and find pleasurable at times. We have to see that such stuff is not useful to us in the scheme of living. It’s a sacrifice that we have to make. We have to change a lot about our present, knowing that the future both on the earth and in heaven will be rewarding, full of little and big blessings. Surrendering the garbage becomes a transformation of our thought processes, so our acts of service will be for Him and to please Him. Romans 12:2 goes on to tell us, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” We’re not to be images of this world and follow after its offerings. We’re to be transformed by the rethinking and processing of what comes into our minds, not by the pressure of the world in which we reside, but by preordained empowering changes that are to happen to us through the very person of Jesus Christ working in our lives daily by His promises.
For a coach and play who is committed to God, surrender is yielding, giving in (not giving up), dying to your own interest or the “me thing,” which can include winning one more for the coach, the school, or teammates; achieving a great winning season so you can get a better job; getting more recognition; or whatever. What really matters is that you have to be committed to a complete surrender. Give your entire being to God and let Him control your life. That is what it’s all about. You no longer control the steering wheel, but only steer, listening for directions and letting God empower you where He wants you to go. Turning right, turning left, backing up, or going forward—you learn to give Him engine control (your mind and body) completely.
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JANUARY 15th - COACHES & PLAYERS DEVOTIONAL
Surrender: Are You Kidding – Part 1
Scripture: Romans 6:13 says, “Give yourselves to God... surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes."
The heart of a Christian coaching or playing this great game means we’ve been entrusted with surrendering to do it well. In our world today, surrender is not the word we enjoy hearing as it goes against our very nature. It can imply 'be a potential looser' and we don’t loose do we. We play and coach to win, so this brain washing from our past upbringing and development goes against the traditions of our learning to do this thing called soccer correctly.
In the competitive world we operate from we're taught to never quit trying, never give up, and never give in. I never heard one coach or player ever says, “Let’s go out and give the match away by surrendering”. The players would think you're a crack pot and probably struck the ball to many times with the wrong part of your head. If winning has become everything, then surrendering is unthinkable. Where do we really stand?
SURRENDERING AND THE BIBLE
Yet, the Bible teaches us that rather than trying to win, succeed, overcome, and conquer, we should instead yield, sacrifice, submit, obey, and surrender. By surrendering to God, we enter into the heart of worship. This is true worship: bringing pleasure to God as we give ourselves completely to Him to be the winner He designed us to be.
Surrendering is best demonstrated in obedience, cooperating with your Creator. You say, "Yes Lord" to whatever He asks of you and whatever it takes for me. I’m ready to play or coach for you. The fact is that we say, "No, Lord", we are being contradictory to our passion for the game and surrendering to serve Him. Who are we listening too?
BE LIKE THE FISHERMAN – PETER
You can't claim Jesus as your Lord when you refuse to obey him. The Apostle Peter, The Fisherman, modeled surrender when, after a night of failed fishing. Jesus told Peter how about trying again over there. Peter said, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." We know that time Peter got allot of fish because he was willing to give in and give up to someone else’s advice even though he was probably one on top fisherman on the lake. Surrendered people obey God's word, even when it doesn't make sense.
When we take this game we’ve been called to do and surrender ourselves to Jesus 100%, we realize that He is not mean but a friend; not our boss, but a team mate; not a control freak, but a Savior who really loves us.
A PRAYER FOR YOU TO SURRENDER
Dear Father,
In the name of Jesus, I continue to place my body, my soul, my spirit and my entire life into Your Hands. I am choosing to stay fully surrendered to You all the rest of my life and I ask that You continue to keep me in Your perfect will for my life to do this game for you, not me.
Thanks My Lord.
If you are willing to make this full commitment and full surrender to the Lord, then you will now have forever changed the course your life has been taking, and God will now start to take control of your life and steer it in the direction that He will now want it to go in.
You have now just get up off the bench out onto the real playing field of life where the Lord will now use you for His purpose for your life and the lives of many others.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Surrender: Are You Kidding – Part 1
Scripture: Romans 6:13 says, “Give yourselves to God... surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes."
The heart of a Christian coaching or playing this great game means we’ve been entrusted with surrendering to do it well. In our world today, surrender is not the word we enjoy hearing as it goes against our very nature. It can imply 'be a potential looser' and we don’t loose do we. We play and coach to win, so this brain washing from our past upbringing and development goes against the traditions of our learning to do this thing called soccer correctly.
In the competitive world we operate from we're taught to never quit trying, never give up, and never give in. I never heard one coach or player ever says, “Let’s go out and give the match away by surrendering”. The players would think you're a crack pot and probably struck the ball to many times with the wrong part of your head. If winning has become everything, then surrendering is unthinkable. Where do we really stand?
SURRENDERING AND THE BIBLE
Yet, the Bible teaches us that rather than trying to win, succeed, overcome, and conquer, we should instead yield, sacrifice, submit, obey, and surrender. By surrendering to God, we enter into the heart of worship. This is true worship: bringing pleasure to God as we give ourselves completely to Him to be the winner He designed us to be.
Surrendering is best demonstrated in obedience, cooperating with your Creator. You say, "Yes Lord" to whatever He asks of you and whatever it takes for me. I’m ready to play or coach for you. The fact is that we say, "No, Lord", we are being contradictory to our passion for the game and surrendering to serve Him. Who are we listening too?
BE LIKE THE FISHERMAN – PETER
You can't claim Jesus as your Lord when you refuse to obey him. The Apostle Peter, The Fisherman, modeled surrender when, after a night of failed fishing. Jesus told Peter how about trying again over there. Peter said, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." We know that time Peter got allot of fish because he was willing to give in and give up to someone else’s advice even though he was probably one on top fisherman on the lake. Surrendered people obey God's word, even when it doesn't make sense.
When we take this game we’ve been called to do and surrender ourselves to Jesus 100%, we realize that He is not mean but a friend; not our boss, but a team mate; not a control freak, but a Savior who really loves us.
A PRAYER FOR YOU TO SURRENDER
Dear Father,
In the name of Jesus, I continue to place my body, my soul, my spirit and my entire life into Your Hands. I am choosing to stay fully surrendered to You all the rest of my life and I ask that You continue to keep me in Your perfect will for my life to do this game for you, not me.
Thanks My Lord.
If you are willing to make this full commitment and full surrender to the Lord, then you will now have forever changed the course your life has been taking, and God will now start to take control of your life and steer it in the direction that He will now want it to go in.
You have now just get up off the bench out onto the real playing field of life where the Lord will now use you for His purpose for your life and the lives of many others.
--------------------------------------------------------------
January 1st Coaches and Players Devotional
BE A BLESSING WITH YOUR TALENTS
Scripture: Genesis 12:2 says, "I will bless you ... and you will be a blessing."
What do you think of a player or coach who is blessed (maybe like yourself) with the gift to use their game for Christ to bless others? Have you every really sat down with pen and paper in hand and started to write down how you could do that on a scale of giving small to large blessings and could be given from your storage of your time, talents or treasures. It doesn’t take a genius to do this but rather a man or women who really believes what they possess is a gift from God in the game of soccer and are willing to share this gift with others to bring the receiver to Christ and to mentor them in the passion of the game and the passion of the Cross.
From first hand knowledge I can tell you that it’s much better in the world we live in to give than to constantly be taking in as the receiver. Being a constant receiver changes our lives to be dependant on others and not God. I’ve learned by giving over and over again we become depend on giving our gifts away to where we have to become more dependant on the Lord to supply our resources. I can guarantee that if you’re truly a committed person of God there will be blessings waiting for you beyond your imagination in Heaven and to tell you the truth you’ll be getting them before you even get there and this has nothing to do with ‘Prosperity Christianity’. It just the way God in His deep love for us works.
How about doing the “New Year Resolution Thing” and plan just how you’re going to bring blessing to others through the game so God can bless your life in 2010? What a great deal….Imagine that this coming year in 2010 everything you do in the game will be centered around serving by giving the game away to others. Over 4000 coaches around the world and friends in the game receive these emails monthly. Can you imagine if we were committed to blessing others in the soccer and the Game of Life what the results could be. This is our pray at GSM International for you in 2010. Let play the game totally for God and bring to your training sessions something for your players and teammates that will change their game performance and their lives in 2010. The result of your efforts lay in the below. Have a good go in 2010.
When We Put an Effort into Others Stuff Happens
God promises that if we will concentrate on blessing others, he'll take care of our needs. There's almost nothing that God won't do for the person who really wants to help other people. In fact, God guarantees this blessing. In Luke chapter 18, Jesus says, "I guarantee this. Anyone who gives up anything for the kingdom of God will certainly receive many times more in this life and will receive eternal life in the next world to come."
When We Bless Others Things Happen to Us
The more you bless others, the more God blesses our lives. Luke 6:38 tells us, "Give your life away and you'll find your life given back. But not merely given back. Given back with bonus and blessing." Not a bad deal right? You cannot out give God. The more you do the blessing other thing in the game, the more God says, "I'm going to pour blessings out on you.”
Who Are Your Pouring Your Life Into
God wants us to be blessed not just so that we can feel good about ourselves, not just so we can be happy and comfortable in life and have a clear conscience before our Lord, but so that we will bless others beyond their imagination. God told Abraham in Genesis 12, "I will bless you and you will be a blessing to others."
If God Is Giving Providing for You He Expects You to Help Him
Jesus said it this way in Luke chapter 12 "Much is required from those to whom much is given. For their responsibility is greater." Based on the blessings of your life (think about them), what is God expecting from you? GSM works with some real poor at risk Kids in Guatemala and Jamaica. I figure God has bless this American Soccer Coach and Educator beyond what I deserve, so when I sit down and figure it out I still have plenty of work to do. These verses drive me forward, so maybe they’ll bless you.
2 Peter 1:5-11 says, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. So if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he (she) is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he (she) has been cleansed from there past sins. Therefore, my brothers (sisters), be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BE A BLESSING WITH YOUR TALENTS
Scripture: Genesis 12:2 says, "I will bless you ... and you will be a blessing."
What do you think of a player or coach who is blessed (maybe like yourself) with the gift to use their game for Christ to bless others? Have you every really sat down with pen and paper in hand and started to write down how you could do that on a scale of giving small to large blessings and could be given from your storage of your time, talents or treasures. It doesn’t take a genius to do this but rather a man or women who really believes what they possess is a gift from God in the game of soccer and are willing to share this gift with others to bring the receiver to Christ and to mentor them in the passion of the game and the passion of the Cross.
From first hand knowledge I can tell you that it’s much better in the world we live in to give than to constantly be taking in as the receiver. Being a constant receiver changes our lives to be dependant on others and not God. I’ve learned by giving over and over again we become depend on giving our gifts away to where we have to become more dependant on the Lord to supply our resources. I can guarantee that if you’re truly a committed person of God there will be blessings waiting for you beyond your imagination in Heaven and to tell you the truth you’ll be getting them before you even get there and this has nothing to do with ‘Prosperity Christianity’. It just the way God in His deep love for us works.
How about doing the “New Year Resolution Thing” and plan just how you’re going to bring blessing to others through the game so God can bless your life in 2010? What a great deal….Imagine that this coming year in 2010 everything you do in the game will be centered around serving by giving the game away to others. Over 4000 coaches around the world and friends in the game receive these emails monthly. Can you imagine if we were committed to blessing others in the soccer and the Game of Life what the results could be. This is our pray at GSM International for you in 2010. Let play the game totally for God and bring to your training sessions something for your players and teammates that will change their game performance and their lives in 2010. The result of your efforts lay in the below. Have a good go in 2010.
When We Put an Effort into Others Stuff Happens
God promises that if we will concentrate on blessing others, he'll take care of our needs. There's almost nothing that God won't do for the person who really wants to help other people. In fact, God guarantees this blessing. In Luke chapter 18, Jesus says, "I guarantee this. Anyone who gives up anything for the kingdom of God will certainly receive many times more in this life and will receive eternal life in the next world to come."
When We Bless Others Things Happen to Us
The more you bless others, the more God blesses our lives. Luke 6:38 tells us, "Give your life away and you'll find your life given back. But not merely given back. Given back with bonus and blessing." Not a bad deal right? You cannot out give God. The more you do the blessing other thing in the game, the more God says, "I'm going to pour blessings out on you.”
Who Are Your Pouring Your Life Into
God wants us to be blessed not just so that we can feel good about ourselves, not just so we can be happy and comfortable in life and have a clear conscience before our Lord, but so that we will bless others beyond their imagination. God told Abraham in Genesis 12, "I will bless you and you will be a blessing to others."
If God Is Giving Providing for You He Expects You to Help Him
Jesus said it this way in Luke chapter 12 "Much is required from those to whom much is given. For their responsibility is greater." Based on the blessings of your life (think about them), what is God expecting from you? GSM works with some real poor at risk Kids in Guatemala and Jamaica. I figure God has bless this American Soccer Coach and Educator beyond what I deserve, so when I sit down and figure it out I still have plenty of work to do. These verses drive me forward, so maybe they’ll bless you.
2 Peter 1:5-11 says, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. So if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he (she) is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he (she) has been cleansed from there past sins. Therefore, my brothers (sisters), be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
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December 15, 2009
GSM INTERNATIONAL COACHES and PLAYERS DEVOTIONAL
WHAT ARE YOU USING TO FIGHT SATAN?
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:4 says, "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds."
When you are about to coach, train or play in a match keep in mind Proverbs 3:6 which says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him(Christ), and He will direct your paths”. Remember another person will be showing up to try to mess up your plans. The name is Satan and is ready to oppose God’s design for each day of your life and will make every effort to prevent you from fulfilling your divine purpose. Beware of Satan's tactics. He plays the game well and is going to try to attack your divine purpose and try to stop you from the success God has planned for you. This undesirable character desire is to take you off your path and get you on a path of destruction. Ever been there?
1 Peter 5:8-9 says, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
God's Intended Purpose for You Is To Be Empowered
Remember Joshua 1:9 tells us to "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
Are you aware, understand and know God's intended purpose as you live out your daily life? I mean moment by moment while being strong and courageous. If not you need too, so you can partner with God and His divine power to defend against Satan’s power and demolish his stronghold (grip) he wants you to experience. His character is in opposition with the character of God and God wants you to take on His character not Satan’s characteristics.
A stronghold is a fortress of thoughts, words and actions that control and influence our attitudes. They color how we view certain situations, circumstances or our players or teammates. When these thoughts and actions become habitual, we allow a spiritual fortress to be built around us. We become so used to responding to the "quiet voice" of the Holy Spirit, that we live secure knowing that we now have divine power to fight off the garbage that Satan wants us to enjoy. In other words, we get to play our game better and he looses.
Remember what 2 Corinthians 10:3, 5-6 says,” Even though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.”
Ask Like David Did
Psalm 37:4-5 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.”
When David had been anointed king over Israel, God's destiny had been revealed for all to see even Satan. So, Satan tried to get the mighty Philistine Army to try and kill David's destiny. David did two things.
First, he retreated to a stronghold. It is a place of protection. It is a quiet place. Secondly, he asks God for a strategy to defeat the enemy. God revealed it to him and David goes on to defeat the Philistines. He won the game (battle). In fact, David never lost a game because he learned to inquire of God for the strategy to defeat his enemies.
Those of us in this game need to follow David's example in response to the enemy who goes after our very souls. We must retreat to our stronghold, seek the Lord, and listen for His answer. Then, we will fulfill the purpose for which God created us. Where do you put your life into? The hands of a Savior or a looser like Satan.
GSM INTERNATIONAL COACHES and PLAYERS DEVOTIONAL
WHAT ARE YOU USING TO FIGHT SATAN?
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:4 says, "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds."
When you are about to coach, train or play in a match keep in mind Proverbs 3:6 which says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him(Christ), and He will direct your paths”. Remember another person will be showing up to try to mess up your plans. The name is Satan and is ready to oppose God’s design for each day of your life and will make every effort to prevent you from fulfilling your divine purpose. Beware of Satan's tactics. He plays the game well and is going to try to attack your divine purpose and try to stop you from the success God has planned for you. This undesirable character desire is to take you off your path and get you on a path of destruction. Ever been there?
1 Peter 5:8-9 says, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
God's Intended Purpose for You Is To Be Empowered
Remember Joshua 1:9 tells us to "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
Are you aware, understand and know God's intended purpose as you live out your daily life? I mean moment by moment while being strong and courageous. If not you need too, so you can partner with God and His divine power to defend against Satan’s power and demolish his stronghold (grip) he wants you to experience. His character is in opposition with the character of God and God wants you to take on His character not Satan’s characteristics.
A stronghold is a fortress of thoughts, words and actions that control and influence our attitudes. They color how we view certain situations, circumstances or our players or teammates. When these thoughts and actions become habitual, we allow a spiritual fortress to be built around us. We become so used to responding to the "quiet voice" of the Holy Spirit, that we live secure knowing that we now have divine power to fight off the garbage that Satan wants us to enjoy. In other words, we get to play our game better and he looses.
Remember what 2 Corinthians 10:3, 5-6 says,” Even though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.”
Ask Like David Did
Psalm 37:4-5 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.”
When David had been anointed king over Israel, God's destiny had been revealed for all to see even Satan. So, Satan tried to get the mighty Philistine Army to try and kill David's destiny. David did two things.
First, he retreated to a stronghold. It is a place of protection. It is a quiet place. Secondly, he asks God for a strategy to defeat the enemy. God revealed it to him and David goes on to defeat the Philistines. He won the game (battle). In fact, David never lost a game because he learned to inquire of God for the strategy to defeat his enemies.
Those of us in this game need to follow David's example in response to the enemy who goes after our very souls. We must retreat to our stronghold, seek the Lord, and listen for His answer. Then, we will fulfill the purpose for which God created us. Where do you put your life into? The hands of a Savior or a looser like Satan.
December 1st Coaches and Players Devotional
HOW HAVE YOU BEEN DOING?
Scripture: Matthew 6:34, says, "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes”.
Do we really coach, play and live life this way? Wouldn’t it be great to exist day by day moment by moment by what Matthew is sharing with us? Sure would take the pressure off us. If you’re not living this way why is it that you can’t turn over your tomorrows to Him? Is it because we think we need to succeed to the uncertainty of the next match, get through the next practice or task before us by ‘all’ our power and whit? Do you believe that the next moment of your life is not only coming at you with such force and intensity that you’ve got to do it all by yourself? The faster the pace we live at the faster we’ve got to get through it. Is this what we live and one die for?
The game and Game life is simply not predictable no matter how hard we train, plan to win the next match and live out the game to its fullest. Is this what we’re to do if we’re coaching and playing in this great game of soccer? How can anyone succeed when the future is so uncertain and we rely on our abilities to get the job done?
If you’re going to be part this game and call yourself a Christ follower how about seeing what the Bible says about facing our uncertainty in the game and how might we be able to apply what God says when He says, “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now”. Try these three ideas. They’ve help me move my life to a different level of thinking and action.
• Create and establish specific goals and steps to accomplish these goals according to the direction God says you must go Biblically.
It's foolish to make training and match plans or follow them without first consulting God. He's the only one who knows the outcome of every training session and match. He is also very eager to guide you through your efforts. "I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope if you will seek me, and you will find me because you will seek me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:11 and 13).
The Bible also says, "We may make our plans, but God has the last word" (Proverbs 16:1). In other words, planning without praying or having a conversation with God is presumption. Start by asking, "God, what do you want me to do over the next day, week, month and year?" He wants you to plan with Him not by yourself. He wants to help your dreams to be successful so you’ll be significant for Him.
• Make life a bit easier on yourself. Don’t take it so serious that eternal values are left out and live one day at a time.
We certainly should plan for the future and we can plan for tomorrow next training session or match tactics or a long term team plans with goals and all the rest, but you can't live it out until it actually arrives. Most people spend so much time regretting the past and worrying about the future, they forget to enjoy the next moments they face. In fact some even worry about the next moment.
• Do you procrastinate and boast about the days ahead and what you’re going to do?
“Never boast about tomorrow. You don't know what will happen between now and then" (Proverbs 27:1). Procrastinating is a trap that satan sets for us. He wants nothing more than for you to waste today by postponing things until tomorrow or even the next day. He gets us into to thinking that you promise yourself that you'll do it one of these days. But 'one of these days' usually turns into none of these days.
HOW HAVE YOU BEEN DOING?
Scripture: Matthew 6:34, says, "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes”.
Do we really coach, play and live life this way? Wouldn’t it be great to exist day by day moment by moment by what Matthew is sharing with us? Sure would take the pressure off us. If you’re not living this way why is it that you can’t turn over your tomorrows to Him? Is it because we think we need to succeed to the uncertainty of the next match, get through the next practice or task before us by ‘all’ our power and whit? Do you believe that the next moment of your life is not only coming at you with such force and intensity that you’ve got to do it all by yourself? The faster the pace we live at the faster we’ve got to get through it. Is this what we live and one die for?
The game and Game life is simply not predictable no matter how hard we train, plan to win the next match and live out the game to its fullest. Is this what we’re to do if we’re coaching and playing in this great game of soccer? How can anyone succeed when the future is so uncertain and we rely on our abilities to get the job done?
If you’re going to be part this game and call yourself a Christ follower how about seeing what the Bible says about facing our uncertainty in the game and how might we be able to apply what God says when He says, “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now”. Try these three ideas. They’ve help me move my life to a different level of thinking and action.
• Create and establish specific goals and steps to accomplish these goals according to the direction God says you must go Biblically.
It's foolish to make training and match plans or follow them without first consulting God. He's the only one who knows the outcome of every training session and match. He is also very eager to guide you through your efforts. "I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope if you will seek me, and you will find me because you will seek me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:11 and 13).
The Bible also says, "We may make our plans, but God has the last word" (Proverbs 16:1). In other words, planning without praying or having a conversation with God is presumption. Start by asking, "God, what do you want me to do over the next day, week, month and year?" He wants you to plan with Him not by yourself. He wants to help your dreams to be successful so you’ll be significant for Him.
• Make life a bit easier on yourself. Don’t take it so serious that eternal values are left out and live one day at a time.
We certainly should plan for the future and we can plan for tomorrow next training session or match tactics or a long term team plans with goals and all the rest, but you can't live it out until it actually arrives. Most people spend so much time regretting the past and worrying about the future, they forget to enjoy the next moments they face. In fact some even worry about the next moment.
• Do you procrastinate and boast about the days ahead and what you’re going to do?
“Never boast about tomorrow. You don't know what will happen between now and then" (Proverbs 27:1). Procrastinating is a trap that satan sets for us. He wants nothing more than for you to waste today by postponing things until tomorrow or even the next day. He gets us into to thinking that you promise yourself that you'll do it one of these days. But 'one of these days' usually turns into none of these days.
November 15th GSM Coaches and Player Devotional
WE MUST MATURE OUR CHARACTER
Scripture: Ephesians 4:13 says, "This will continue until we are mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely like Him.”
What a great verse daily reminding myself what course I must remain on. I have spent most of my life trying to develop into being the best coach I could be to serve others through the soccer while trying to creatively teaching the game to 100’s of coaches and players from all around the world. I’m still working on knowing more and will more than likely go to my grave as a student and teacher of the game. It’s always on my mind, I’m passionate about soccer and I’m still practicing to be the best I can be in every aspect of the game. I’m sure you remember that old saying, “We’re never too old to learn”. Over the years I have been working at developing my personal character (mind, spirit, soul and body) to better myself and others. It’s been an interesting process. I have found out it’s a daily work in progress. You see, the road is never easy but there’s always a road or a path to walk on and a way to move follow.
So I believe in going for it all and as a Christian I believe this is what God’s called me to do. I still make mistakes because I know I’m no super powered person, but never the less I will continue until I get fully mature and know that I can be the best at what I do for Him and not for me regardless of what others may think. Our spiritual maturity has got to be like our development in soccer which is not just instant or automatic. It would be nice that once we become Christ followers we could press a magical button and everything will be alright. That didn’t happen in our soccer development so we can’t expect it in our spiritual journey. This daily journey we’re on doesn’t come easy. It’s a process that takes gradual effort, that we get the privilege of developing during the course our life time here on this earth. It like the game I know so well. I just have to learn the right things to have players and coaches I educate to be successful at their trade.
The person writing the book of Ephesians was the apostle Paul and when he said, "This will continue until we are mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely like Him". I think Paul believed that those he taught what he learned about Christianity and how to make his faith work in his every day life would be a process. It was the same type of a process that Christ went through while on this earth. Just as Christ is now, (His present position in Heaven) we will be one day completely like Him. Believe it when Paul said this. What a great hope! Imagine being just like Him one day with all our hurts, habits, and hang-ups, stupidity gone for ever. God doesn’t expect us to be perfect specimens of the soccer world while we’re in this world. He knows you will make mistakes whether you’re a coach or player. The Bible says, “We won't be perfectly like Jesus until we’re able to see Jesus perfectly”. St. John tells us in 1 John 3:2, “But we do know that when He comes we will be like Him, for we will see Him as he really is". We will be big time winners in this game!
When we are so involved in this game (playing, training, recruiting, coaching and more) the hard truth to remember is that God is far more interested in building our character so we can be a winner more than anything else. You know that by blending of the right characters on your team you can win matches. It’s no different than with Christ and how He works with on us. If you have the right characteristics expect great things to happen to you and those you serve through this game. He just doesn’t want ordinary people. He wants ex-ordinary men and women being on His team who will never give up or give in and those who see that their lives are a work in progress and live for it. God’s interested in who you are. For years I thought that my coaching career was all about everything I needed in my life (helping players, holding good training sessions, winning matches, serving the universities and teams I coached), but the Lord was much more concerned about my character than my career, because He knew He would be taking my character with Him into eternity (Heaven), but not my career. Do you get it?
Romans 12:2 says "Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you and will develop maturity in you". Where’s your focus going to be?
Becoming like Jesus means we must make choices that are countercultural. We still will make character mistakes, but He’s there to bring us back around in the Game of Life to be the winner He planned for us to be all along. Jesus did not die on the cross just so we could simply live comfortable well-adjusted lives here on this earth. Have you been successful and pleased about all you’ve done on your own? I think not! God’s purpose is far deeper for you than you could ever imagine. He wants to make us more like Himself before He takes us to heaven. Are you ready daily for character re-shaping and are you prepared and open for the changes to come? I pray so and may God bless you as you serve the King of kings.
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WE MUST MATURE OUR CHARACTER
Scripture: Ephesians 4:13 says, "This will continue until we are mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely like Him.”
What a great verse daily reminding myself what course I must remain on. I have spent most of my life trying to develop into being the best coach I could be to serve others through the soccer while trying to creatively teaching the game to 100’s of coaches and players from all around the world. I’m still working on knowing more and will more than likely go to my grave as a student and teacher of the game. It’s always on my mind, I’m passionate about soccer and I’m still practicing to be the best I can be in every aspect of the game. I’m sure you remember that old saying, “We’re never too old to learn”. Over the years I have been working at developing my personal character (mind, spirit, soul and body) to better myself and others. It’s been an interesting process. I have found out it’s a daily work in progress. You see, the road is never easy but there’s always a road or a path to walk on and a way to move follow.
So I believe in going for it all and as a Christian I believe this is what God’s called me to do. I still make mistakes because I know I’m no super powered person, but never the less I will continue until I get fully mature and know that I can be the best at what I do for Him and not for me regardless of what others may think. Our spiritual maturity has got to be like our development in soccer which is not just instant or automatic. It would be nice that once we become Christ followers we could press a magical button and everything will be alright. That didn’t happen in our soccer development so we can’t expect it in our spiritual journey. This daily journey we’re on doesn’t come easy. It’s a process that takes gradual effort, that we get the privilege of developing during the course our life time here on this earth. It like the game I know so well. I just have to learn the right things to have players and coaches I educate to be successful at their trade.
The person writing the book of Ephesians was the apostle Paul and when he said, "This will continue until we are mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely like Him". I think Paul believed that those he taught what he learned about Christianity and how to make his faith work in his every day life would be a process. It was the same type of a process that Christ went through while on this earth. Just as Christ is now, (His present position in Heaven) we will be one day completely like Him. Believe it when Paul said this. What a great hope! Imagine being just like Him one day with all our hurts, habits, and hang-ups, stupidity gone for ever. God doesn’t expect us to be perfect specimens of the soccer world while we’re in this world. He knows you will make mistakes whether you’re a coach or player. The Bible says, “We won't be perfectly like Jesus until we’re able to see Jesus perfectly”. St. John tells us in 1 John 3:2, “But we do know that when He comes we will be like Him, for we will see Him as he really is". We will be big time winners in this game!
When we are so involved in this game (playing, training, recruiting, coaching and more) the hard truth to remember is that God is far more interested in building our character so we can be a winner more than anything else. You know that by blending of the right characters on your team you can win matches. It’s no different than with Christ and how He works with on us. If you have the right characteristics expect great things to happen to you and those you serve through this game. He just doesn’t want ordinary people. He wants ex-ordinary men and women being on His team who will never give up or give in and those who see that their lives are a work in progress and live for it. God’s interested in who you are. For years I thought that my coaching career was all about everything I needed in my life (helping players, holding good training sessions, winning matches, serving the universities and teams I coached), but the Lord was much more concerned about my character than my career, because He knew He would be taking my character with Him into eternity (Heaven), but not my career. Do you get it?
Romans 12:2 says "Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you and will develop maturity in you". Where’s your focus going to be?
Becoming like Jesus means we must make choices that are countercultural. We still will make character mistakes, but He’s there to bring us back around in the Game of Life to be the winner He planned for us to be all along. Jesus did not die on the cross just so we could simply live comfortable well-adjusted lives here on this earth. Have you been successful and pleased about all you’ve done on your own? I think not! God’s purpose is far deeper for you than you could ever imagine. He wants to make us more like Himself before He takes us to heaven. Are you ready daily for character re-shaping and are you prepared and open for the changes to come? I pray so and may God bless you as you serve the King of kings.
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November 1st GSM Coaches and Player Devotional
PRAYING vs. MURDER BY YOUR WORDS
Scripture: Romans 12:9 say, “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”
Praying for your players and your teammates really works. Results come when you know how to pray specifically for each other. To do that, you have to make time to be a part of someone’s life. Get to know her or his individual needs and dreams. Prayer is vital and must be shared with God. It’s His special way of hearing the desires of your heart as you make your efforts to help others through your mental or verbal requests. God will answer these prayers to impact you, your teammates and players’ lives. Prayer is to be done daily and with a wholehearted effort. It’s not for wimps who say they’ll pray for you and don’t. In Jeremiah 29:11–13, we are told that God has a designed plan for everyone, but we don’t receive it until we pray and seek Him with all our hearts. That means you pray for others on your team. They are part of God’s plan for your life. God actually is ready to listen to you when you pray for specifics. Ask in His Name believing with patience. It just happens to work that way and if you stick with the plan watch for results with your growing faith. Remember that your faith without works is dead and prayer is work.
One of the greatest gifts we can give is deep concern for your team. We express through our desire not only to improve our team’s match play, but help each other succeed in their lives off the field. Players made your team because they are good at what they do and are part of a group of players that want to have success. They are pleased you have chosen them to play for you as a group of players and individuals. They believe they are special. This is a good place to start as any.
Don’t blow it by disliking them because you don’t care for a few things about them and the way they are fitting into your team. Romans 12:9says, “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” Keep showing love to your team. Good stuff will happen! Remember; build on continually loving your players and teammates, praying for them, and knowing what they need to hear from you is from God’s Word.
Choose encouragement over criticism. It is easy to stand on the sideline and criticize (murder) your players as they play or as a reserve player do same to one of your team mates who are doing all the work on the field. The pressures they face on the field are often overlooked by zealous coaches or critical teammates who insist it must be their way or the highway. You may not think so, but the players on your team are killing themselves for you. Words of discouragement can cause players to tune out of their playing role and tune into thinking some pretty harsh things about you, rather than focusing on the match. If players are serving you and their team but you’re cutting them apart, you may be interfering with God’s work in their lives with your murdering words.
Romans 14:10 says, “Why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.” Verse 12 says, “Each of us will give an account of himself to God.” What is God going to say to you about your thinking and your mouth? Are you a loving, non-judgmental coach or player who shows mercy and grace? Is it mostly about you or about our Father?
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PRAYING vs. MURDER BY YOUR WORDS
Scripture: Romans 12:9 say, “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”
Praying for your players and your teammates really works. Results come when you know how to pray specifically for each other. To do that, you have to make time to be a part of someone’s life. Get to know her or his individual needs and dreams. Prayer is vital and must be shared with God. It’s His special way of hearing the desires of your heart as you make your efforts to help others through your mental or verbal requests. God will answer these prayers to impact you, your teammates and players’ lives. Prayer is to be done daily and with a wholehearted effort. It’s not for wimps who say they’ll pray for you and don’t. In Jeremiah 29:11–13, we are told that God has a designed plan for everyone, but we don’t receive it until we pray and seek Him with all our hearts. That means you pray for others on your team. They are part of God’s plan for your life. God actually is ready to listen to you when you pray for specifics. Ask in His Name believing with patience. It just happens to work that way and if you stick with the plan watch for results with your growing faith. Remember that your faith without works is dead and prayer is work.
One of the greatest gifts we can give is deep concern for your team. We express through our desire not only to improve our team’s match play, but help each other succeed in their lives off the field. Players made your team because they are good at what they do and are part of a group of players that want to have success. They are pleased you have chosen them to play for you as a group of players and individuals. They believe they are special. This is a good place to start as any.
Don’t blow it by disliking them because you don’t care for a few things about them and the way they are fitting into your team. Romans 12:9says, “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” Keep showing love to your team. Good stuff will happen! Remember; build on continually loving your players and teammates, praying for them, and knowing what they need to hear from you is from God’s Word.
Choose encouragement over criticism. It is easy to stand on the sideline and criticize (murder) your players as they play or as a reserve player do same to one of your team mates who are doing all the work on the field. The pressures they face on the field are often overlooked by zealous coaches or critical teammates who insist it must be their way or the highway. You may not think so, but the players on your team are killing themselves for you. Words of discouragement can cause players to tune out of their playing role and tune into thinking some pretty harsh things about you, rather than focusing on the match. If players are serving you and their team but you’re cutting them apart, you may be interfering with God’s work in their lives with your murdering words.
Romans 14:10 says, “Why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.” Verse 12 says, “Each of us will give an account of himself to God.” What is God going to say to you about your thinking and your mouth? Are you a loving, non-judgmental coach or player who shows mercy and grace? Is it mostly about you or about our Father?
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October 15th GSM Coaches and Player Devotional
GOING FOR THE GOAL
Scripture: Philippians 3:14 says, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
What are soccer players and coaches without goals either in our minds or in the back of the net?
Goals are all about the game and its purpose. Having goals helps us reach higher levels of playing ability and if you’re a coach and your team creates and scores goals it means that you’ve prepared them correctly in your training sessions. In Philippians 3:14, Paul says, “We should keep running for the goal God has for us. In doing this, we all have to rely on the Lord to know where we are going by His directing.” This not only relates to scoring goals in the game but in the GAME of life. Where are you going and how are you going to get there?
When we try to reach our goals we need to consider our focus and perseverance.
Focus is a state of our mind and actions of your body permitting us to have a clear perception or understanding of what we want to achieve and where we plan to take our potentials goals to achieve our actions. Your focusing correctly will steer you in the right direction in order for you to reach your goals and, above all, God's will for your life on and off the field.
Secondly, perseverance is the ability to not give up or give in; not quitting and to keep on going with great drive and higher than you ever have before. As Paul states later, "If you don't give up you will reap a harvest in God's timing." In our actions and efforts, perseverance gives life to our character (who you were designed to be and what you are designed to achieve) and our character to hope (those things that will become reality) and our hope in Christ your living Savior. It doesn’t get any better than that for those of us in the game.
I don’t know about you but I’ve felt like satan tries to get that foothold by trying to bring me down at the strangest times. He tries to mess up my character, dreams and goals so that I can't glorify Christ. If you hear or see him coming at you (and you must be aware) and he tries to attack you just remember to think about fixing your eyes and mind on Jesus, your ever present audience, the Real Coach who will never fail you. The Lord would love to have you succeed but in reality He doesn't care if you mess up, as long as you give your all for Him.
God gave us the power to change and choose our thoughts. Does Romans 1:2 tell us to be transformed by working hard at it or by sheer will power? Romans 12:2 say, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind".
We are then transformed by the renewing of the mind. When your self-control over satan’s effort to mess you up is being tested, you need to fill your mind with the promises of God. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it”.
Look forward at your goals, learn to forget past mistakes (God does) and look for the new opportunities God has for your future. He designed you to play and coach for His team with great purpose and a heart of passion.
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GOING FOR THE GOAL
Scripture: Philippians 3:14 says, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
What are soccer players and coaches without goals either in our minds or in the back of the net?
Goals are all about the game and its purpose. Having goals helps us reach higher levels of playing ability and if you’re a coach and your team creates and scores goals it means that you’ve prepared them correctly in your training sessions. In Philippians 3:14, Paul says, “We should keep running for the goal God has for us. In doing this, we all have to rely on the Lord to know where we are going by His directing.” This not only relates to scoring goals in the game but in the GAME of life. Where are you going and how are you going to get there?
When we try to reach our goals we need to consider our focus and perseverance.
Focus is a state of our mind and actions of your body permitting us to have a clear perception or understanding of what we want to achieve and where we plan to take our potentials goals to achieve our actions. Your focusing correctly will steer you in the right direction in order for you to reach your goals and, above all, God's will for your life on and off the field.
Secondly, perseverance is the ability to not give up or give in; not quitting and to keep on going with great drive and higher than you ever have before. As Paul states later, "If you don't give up you will reap a harvest in God's timing." In our actions and efforts, perseverance gives life to our character (who you were designed to be and what you are designed to achieve) and our character to hope (those things that will become reality) and our hope in Christ your living Savior. It doesn’t get any better than that for those of us in the game.
I don’t know about you but I’ve felt like satan tries to get that foothold by trying to bring me down at the strangest times. He tries to mess up my character, dreams and goals so that I can't glorify Christ. If you hear or see him coming at you (and you must be aware) and he tries to attack you just remember to think about fixing your eyes and mind on Jesus, your ever present audience, the Real Coach who will never fail you. The Lord would love to have you succeed but in reality He doesn't care if you mess up, as long as you give your all for Him.
God gave us the power to change and choose our thoughts. Does Romans 1:2 tell us to be transformed by working hard at it or by sheer will power? Romans 12:2 say, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind".
We are then transformed by the renewing of the mind. When your self-control over satan’s effort to mess you up is being tested, you need to fill your mind with the promises of God. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it”.
Look forward at your goals, learn to forget past mistakes (God does) and look for the new opportunities God has for your future. He designed you to play and coach for His team with great purpose and a heart of passion.
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October 1st GSM Coaches and Player Devotional
Playing with Unconditional Efforts
Scripture: Philippians 2:6-8 says, “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross.”
Jesus Christ was "in very nature God" (Philippians 2:6), yet He left heaven to become a man. Here on earth, He lived and played ‘The Game of Life’ for His Father in full submission to the plans God had for Him. This was with no restrictions or conditions. He had to do what God told Him and He listen to the Father. Jesus gave God complete control over everything He did and held nothing back and this in the end was His life, which He sacrificed on the cross for you and my sake. Jesus did this because He had perfect trust in the One who sent Him. For example, He knew that the Father's had control of Him, and no one could stop God’s plans, that God's decisions were good, for they are based on divine love, mercy, and justice.
If we really coach and play unconditionally for God, His plans always take into account what is best for us, those we’re to be serving and those on our team. Just as Jesus obeyed to bring glory to the Father's name (John 17:4), we have to be committed to do soccer the same way with an unconditional surrender to what God's has planned for us. This means we give up control over what we want and commit to the areas He has design for us to serve Him. We may have to let go of a few things we love and that we want rather than what He wants.
When we submit the game of soccer we do to God's authority (What the Bible says), we declare our trust in Him and our willingness to accept whatever He sends our way. We see the wins, loses, championships, good health, new job, new playing position, bad injuries or bad training sessions, or whatever the case maybe as part of the race to glorify the Father, grow in Christ likeness, and receive the Lord's favor using the game to change the lives we’re called to help.
Play and coach the game and The Game of Life unconditionally. God wants you to serve Him beyond the realm of our reasoning. What He has planned for you is inconceivable and not with any of our reasoning can we see what He will do through us. So stop thinking about whether you can do this or that by your capacity and start focusing on what God can do through you if you surrender your efforts and let Him take over with no conditions.
May God bless your efforts in the game,
Paul Banta
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Playing with Unconditional Efforts
Scripture: Philippians 2:6-8 says, “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross.”
Jesus Christ was "in very nature God" (Philippians 2:6), yet He left heaven to become a man. Here on earth, He lived and played ‘The Game of Life’ for His Father in full submission to the plans God had for Him. This was with no restrictions or conditions. He had to do what God told Him and He listen to the Father. Jesus gave God complete control over everything He did and held nothing back and this in the end was His life, which He sacrificed on the cross for you and my sake. Jesus did this because He had perfect trust in the One who sent Him. For example, He knew that the Father's had control of Him, and no one could stop God’s plans, that God's decisions were good, for they are based on divine love, mercy, and justice.
If we really coach and play unconditionally for God, His plans always take into account what is best for us, those we’re to be serving and those on our team. Just as Jesus obeyed to bring glory to the Father's name (John 17:4), we have to be committed to do soccer the same way with an unconditional surrender to what God's has planned for us. This means we give up control over what we want and commit to the areas He has design for us to serve Him. We may have to let go of a few things we love and that we want rather than what He wants.
When we submit the game of soccer we do to God's authority (What the Bible says), we declare our trust in Him and our willingness to accept whatever He sends our way. We see the wins, loses, championships, good health, new job, new playing position, bad injuries or bad training sessions, or whatever the case maybe as part of the race to glorify the Father, grow in Christ likeness, and receive the Lord's favor using the game to change the lives we’re called to help.
Play and coach the game and The Game of Life unconditionally. God wants you to serve Him beyond the realm of our reasoning. What He has planned for you is inconceivable and not with any of our reasoning can we see what He will do through us. So stop thinking about whether you can do this or that by your capacity and start focusing on what God can do through you if you surrender your efforts and let Him take over with no conditions.
May God bless your efforts in the game,
Paul Banta
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September 15th GSM Coaches and Players Devotional
PREPARING FOR THE MATCH BY BATTLING
Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-14 says, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
If we call ourselves coaches and players who are Christ followers and serve the Living God, spoken about in the book of Hebrews, our only enemy is that character Satan. I have found that as we try to impact our own lives and others for God's kingdom, this character, Satan, is working overtime trying to cause frustration, doubt and anxiety to creep into our lives. The apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Ephesian believers warning them that the Devil schemes against a successful Christian's life. He’s got nothing else worth while to do.
Satan hates those who work on pleasing the Lord with their lifestyle, and he brings forth his "spiritual forces of wickedness" to attack our mind, body, and spirit (Ephesians 6:12), often discouraging our hearts from serving the Living God. His primary goal is to divert our attention from the Lord so that our relationship suffers and our witness is weakened or ruined. If we are truly Christ followers who are filled with integrity and growing our faith daily, the Devil cannot snatch our eternal spirit from God's hand (John 10:29), but he is quite happy to weaken our witness and our influence as we pursue a steady walk with Christ and express it through this great game of soccer.
In Ephesians 6:10 Paul is telling us to "Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might". Fending off satanic attacks is not done by our own strength and might. No man or woman can match wits with the Adversary. He is smarter and stronger than even the most intelligent people. Instead, we are continually empowered by God through the Holy Spirit, who is far greater than Satan (1 John 4:4). Do not be fooled by this nut case ‘Satan’.
We have God's strength and His orders, which are to stand firm. We are to trust the Lord and wait patiently for Him to intervene. We are to be like hard players on the soccer field, strong coaches for our players who dig their heels into the ground, put up their shields, and stand ready for the oncoming attack of the opposition. The match is already won against Satan. Stand firm and don’t give in and don’t give up, don’t go right, left or backward. Go straight forward and finish the GAME that God’s has prepared for us.
May the Lord bless your efforts in the game and the Game of life.
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PREPARING FOR THE MATCH BY BATTLING
Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-14 says, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
If we call ourselves coaches and players who are Christ followers and serve the Living God, spoken about in the book of Hebrews, our only enemy is that character Satan. I have found that as we try to impact our own lives and others for God's kingdom, this character, Satan, is working overtime trying to cause frustration, doubt and anxiety to creep into our lives. The apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Ephesian believers warning them that the Devil schemes against a successful Christian's life. He’s got nothing else worth while to do.
Satan hates those who work on pleasing the Lord with their lifestyle, and he brings forth his "spiritual forces of wickedness" to attack our mind, body, and spirit (Ephesians 6:12), often discouraging our hearts from serving the Living God. His primary goal is to divert our attention from the Lord so that our relationship suffers and our witness is weakened or ruined. If we are truly Christ followers who are filled with integrity and growing our faith daily, the Devil cannot snatch our eternal spirit from God's hand (John 10:29), but he is quite happy to weaken our witness and our influence as we pursue a steady walk with Christ and express it through this great game of soccer.
In Ephesians 6:10 Paul is telling us to "Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might". Fending off satanic attacks is not done by our own strength and might. No man or woman can match wits with the Adversary. He is smarter and stronger than even the most intelligent people. Instead, we are continually empowered by God through the Holy Spirit, who is far greater than Satan (1 John 4:4). Do not be fooled by this nut case ‘Satan’.
We have God's strength and His orders, which are to stand firm. We are to trust the Lord and wait patiently for Him to intervene. We are to be like hard players on the soccer field, strong coaches for our players who dig their heels into the ground, put up their shields, and stand ready for the oncoming attack of the opposition. The match is already won against Satan. Stand firm and don’t give in and don’t give up, don’t go right, left or backward. Go straight forward and finish the GAME that God’s has prepared for us.
May the Lord bless your efforts in the game and the Game of life.
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September 1st GSM Coaches and Players Devotional
DO I USE MY EARS ENOUGH
Scripture: Proverbs 18:13 "Listen before you answer. If you don't, you are being stupid and insulting".
Sounds like a halftime conversation I’ve had before with my players. Did you ever have teammates and players who just struggle to get what you’re trying to help them with and it felt like they weren’t listening. They are the ones who you work with in practice knowing that you believe there’s hope for them but yet they still sit the bench game match after match. How do you get them off the bench to be the competitive player and teammate you know they could be? What do you say to them? What do want them to listen too?
You must give up your assumptions:
We get into trouble when we start assuming we understand the meaning of what people say to us. The truth is everything you hear goes through a filter. Your filter is determined by your past experiences and your unique personality. You may not be hearing what they are really saying. Therefore, it is smart (and safe) to ask for clarification: "Listen before you answer. If you don't, you are being stupid and insulting" (Proverbs 18:13 TEV).
You must give up your accusations:
You never get your point across by being cross. Anger and sarcasm only make people defensive and that kills communication. There are four common forms of accusation:
• Exaggerating, such as making sweeping generalities like "You never," or "You always."
• Labeling, such as derogatory name-calling. Labeling never changes anyone. It only reinforces the negative behavior.
• Playing historian, such as bringing up past failures, mistakes, and broken promises.
• Asking loaded questions, ones that really can't be answered, such as, "Can't you do anything right?"
The Bible says, "Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you" (Ephesians 4:29 TEV).
You must give up your apprehensions:
Fear prevents honest communication. It causes us to conceal our true feelings and fail to confront the real issues. The two most common apprehensions are: the fear of failure and the fear of rejection. But when you face your fear and risk being honest, then real communication can happen. Freedom is the result of openness. Jesus said, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32 TEV).
May the Lord bless you as you serve Him through this great game,
Paul Banta - President/Founder of GSM International
www.globalsoccerministires.org
USA Office: 843-235-3762
DO I USE MY EARS ENOUGH
Scripture: Proverbs 18:13 "Listen before you answer. If you don't, you are being stupid and insulting".
Sounds like a halftime conversation I’ve had before with my players. Did you ever have teammates and players who just struggle to get what you’re trying to help them with and it felt like they weren’t listening. They are the ones who you work with in practice knowing that you believe there’s hope for them but yet they still sit the bench game match after match. How do you get them off the bench to be the competitive player and teammate you know they could be? What do you say to them? What do want them to listen too?
You must give up your assumptions:
We get into trouble when we start assuming we understand the meaning of what people say to us. The truth is everything you hear goes through a filter. Your filter is determined by your past experiences and your unique personality. You may not be hearing what they are really saying. Therefore, it is smart (and safe) to ask for clarification: "Listen before you answer. If you don't, you are being stupid and insulting" (Proverbs 18:13 TEV).
You must give up your accusations:
You never get your point across by being cross. Anger and sarcasm only make people defensive and that kills communication. There are four common forms of accusation:
• Exaggerating, such as making sweeping generalities like "You never," or "You always."
• Labeling, such as derogatory name-calling. Labeling never changes anyone. It only reinforces the negative behavior.
• Playing historian, such as bringing up past failures, mistakes, and broken promises.
• Asking loaded questions, ones that really can't be answered, such as, "Can't you do anything right?"
The Bible says, "Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you" (Ephesians 4:29 TEV).
You must give up your apprehensions:
Fear prevents honest communication. It causes us to conceal our true feelings and fail to confront the real issues. The two most common apprehensions are: the fear of failure and the fear of rejection. But when you face your fear and risk being honest, then real communication can happen. Freedom is the result of openness. Jesus said, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32 TEV).
May the Lord bless you as you serve Him through this great game,
Paul Banta - President/Founder of GSM International
www.globalsoccerministires.org
USA Office: 843-235-3762
August 15th GSM Coaches and Players Devotional
ARE YOU A PEACEMAKER?
Scripture: James 3:17-18 says, "But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace-loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness”.
Every player and teammate on your team is unique and they are a complex blend of backgrounds, temperaments, giftedness and the story goes on. Yet, these differences are often the root of potential relational conflicts and problems. Uniqueness and differences pose all kinds of communication problems. We often simply don't understand each other or want to listen to each other!
We are wise when we recognize and value the differences in our teammates and coaching staff. Our uniqueness requires that we use wisdom in order to relate to others in different ways, rather than relating to everyone in the same way with same rigid style, as if everyone will think and respond the same way.
The Bible tells us the characteristics of genuine wisdom: "The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure and full of quiet gentleness. Then it is peace-loving and courteous. It allows discussion and is willing to yield to others; it is full of mercy and good deeds. It is wholehearted and straightforward and sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness" (James 3:17-18).
Here are six ways to be wise when we need to relate to your players or teammates based on Biblical principles.
• I will not compromise my integrity (wisdom is pure). I'll be honest with you. I'll keep my promises and commitments to you.
• I will not antagonize your anger (wisdom is peace-loving). I'll work at maintaining harmony. I won't push your hot buttons.
• I will not minimize your feelings (wisdom is courteous). I may not feel as you do, but I won't ignore or ridicule how you feel.
• I will not criticize your suggestions (wisdom allows discussion). I can disagree with you without being disagreeable.
• I will not emphasize your mistakes (wisdom is full of mercy). Instead of rubbing it in, I'll rub it out.
• I will not disguise my motivations (wisdom is wholehearted and sincere). I'll be authentic with you. I won't con or manipulate you.
Well, what are you waiting for? Get working on these today, tomorrow and in the weeks, months and years ahead. You’ll play and coach the game at a high level.
May the Lord bless you as you serve Him through this great game,
Paul Banta - President/Founder of GSM International
www.globalsoccerministires.org
USA Office: 843-235-3762
ARE YOU A PEACEMAKER?
Scripture: James 3:17-18 says, "But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace-loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness”.
Every player and teammate on your team is unique and they are a complex blend of backgrounds, temperaments, giftedness and the story goes on. Yet, these differences are often the root of potential relational conflicts and problems. Uniqueness and differences pose all kinds of communication problems. We often simply don't understand each other or want to listen to each other!
We are wise when we recognize and value the differences in our teammates and coaching staff. Our uniqueness requires that we use wisdom in order to relate to others in different ways, rather than relating to everyone in the same way with same rigid style, as if everyone will think and respond the same way.
The Bible tells us the characteristics of genuine wisdom: "The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure and full of quiet gentleness. Then it is peace-loving and courteous. It allows discussion and is willing to yield to others; it is full of mercy and good deeds. It is wholehearted and straightforward and sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness" (James 3:17-18).
Here are six ways to be wise when we need to relate to your players or teammates based on Biblical principles.
• I will not compromise my integrity (wisdom is pure). I'll be honest with you. I'll keep my promises and commitments to you.
• I will not antagonize your anger (wisdom is peace-loving). I'll work at maintaining harmony. I won't push your hot buttons.
• I will not minimize your feelings (wisdom is courteous). I may not feel as you do, but I won't ignore or ridicule how you feel.
• I will not criticize your suggestions (wisdom allows discussion). I can disagree with you without being disagreeable.
• I will not emphasize your mistakes (wisdom is full of mercy). Instead of rubbing it in, I'll rub it out.
• I will not disguise my motivations (wisdom is wholehearted and sincere). I'll be authentic with you. I won't con or manipulate you.
Well, what are you waiting for? Get working on these today, tomorrow and in the weeks, months and years ahead. You’ll play and coach the game at a high level.
May the Lord bless you as you serve Him through this great game,
Paul Banta - President/Founder of GSM International
www.globalsoccerministires.org
USA Office: 843-235-3762
August 1st GSM Coaches and Players Devotional
HOW ARE YOUR PRACTICE SESSIONS GOING?
Scripture: Matthew 7:26 says, "But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand."
There are two kinds of Christian coaches and two kinds of Christian players in the game today. Some hear the words that Jesus speaks and are in awe by His wisdom and understanding (God’s Word), but do nothing about what they hear. Others hear God speaking to them and the words He wants them to hear and act on them without much hesitation. Jesus said that those who hear His words but fails to put them into practice are foolish and would be like a house builder who built a house on sand. You might want to translate that sentence like this, "if you hear my words when I speak to you, and don't obey them, you are like any other worldly coach or player and wasting your time in training and match play. You’re going to loose out on some great blessings because you’re not doing what my purpose is for your life and those I want you to influence."
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock (Matthew 7:24-25).
You never know how well you’re playing and coaching (your house) until it is tested by circumstances. Torrential rains reveal the quality of your roof. Wind and cold reveals how well your home is insulated. Heat and sun reveals the quality of your paint and siding. All these elements reveal whether a solid foundation has been laid to make your home a secure and lasting place to live.
Many of us find that we have given only lip service to God's commands in His Holy Word. We are faced with the reality that our foundations are not strong enough to weather life's storms let alone playing and coaching the game in an honoring way to our Lord. How do we react when the trials come? What about the tests set before us? Do we fret and worry? Do we take life into our hands? Do we respond inappropriately when we don't get what we want or when the ref seems to go out of his/her way to call the game incorrectly? The Lord uses these times to help us recognize whether our foundations are laid in sand or rock. Ask the Lord today if you have built your foundations on His rock. Are you going to be ready every day of your life to weather any storm that may come your way?
May the Lord bless you as you serve Him through this great game,
Paul Banta - President/Founder of GSM International
www.globalsoccerministires.org
USA Office: 843-235-3762
HOW ARE YOUR PRACTICE SESSIONS GOING?
Scripture: Matthew 7:26 says, "But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand."
There are two kinds of Christian coaches and two kinds of Christian players in the game today. Some hear the words that Jesus speaks and are in awe by His wisdom and understanding (God’s Word), but do nothing about what they hear. Others hear God speaking to them and the words He wants them to hear and act on them without much hesitation. Jesus said that those who hear His words but fails to put them into practice are foolish and would be like a house builder who built a house on sand. You might want to translate that sentence like this, "if you hear my words when I speak to you, and don't obey them, you are like any other worldly coach or player and wasting your time in training and match play. You’re going to loose out on some great blessings because you’re not doing what my purpose is for your life and those I want you to influence."
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock (Matthew 7:24-25).
You never know how well you’re playing and coaching (your house) until it is tested by circumstances. Torrential rains reveal the quality of your roof. Wind and cold reveals how well your home is insulated. Heat and sun reveals the quality of your paint and siding. All these elements reveal whether a solid foundation has been laid to make your home a secure and lasting place to live.
Many of us find that we have given only lip service to God's commands in His Holy Word. We are faced with the reality that our foundations are not strong enough to weather life's storms let alone playing and coaching the game in an honoring way to our Lord. How do we react when the trials come? What about the tests set before us? Do we fret and worry? Do we take life into our hands? Do we respond inappropriately when we don't get what we want or when the ref seems to go out of his/her way to call the game incorrectly? The Lord uses these times to help us recognize whether our foundations are laid in sand or rock. Ask the Lord today if you have built your foundations on His rock. Are you going to be ready every day of your life to weather any storm that may come your way?
May the Lord bless you as you serve Him through this great game,
Paul Banta - President/Founder of GSM International
www.globalsoccerministires.org
USA Office: 843-235-3762
July 15th GSM Coaches and Players Devotional
WORKING VERSUS STRVING
Scripture: Zechariah 4:6 B says, "So he said to me, "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit," says the Lord Almighty."
Your greatest obstacle in coaching and playing the game and fulfilling God's purposes in your life is the skills you have acquired to perform well in the training of your players, and if you are a player playing consistent in practice and matches.
One of the great paradoxes in Scripture relates to our need to depend on the Lord; yet at the same time, we're instructed to use the talents and abilities God gives us to accomplish the game He gives us to do. It has been one of the most difficult principles to live out. How do we know that what we achieve is by the power of the Holy Spirit in our life versus our own abilities, and is there a difference?
When we reach a level of excellence and performance on the field, it actually becomes an obstacle to seeing God's power manifested in our efforts. What we naturally do well becomes the object of our trust. When this happens, God retreats. You see, God allows us to develop our skill levels, but these must be continually yielded to God's Spirit and His Power in us. We need to learn to remain in Him. The 15th chapter of the Gospel of John tells us about remaining. The word remain is mentioned 11 times by Jesus. There will be times when God will use these skills to accomplish His purposes. There will be other times that God will not use any of our skills just to ensure that we know it is by His power that we can do anything. He said He’d never leave us or forsake us and we need to believe this totally.
Learning not to act until God shows you how to act are signs of maturity in God. Do not lean on the natural skills which you have been given. Proverbs 3:5-6 speak about trusting, leaning, and the path He has for us. Let God be totally included in what you’re up to, and what you are doing for Him because you love Him. You must almost restrain from doing those things you know you are prone to do and actually go against them. It’s called getting some grit, pulling up your boot traps and doing it all for Him and not for the impression you're making. If you do your part God will make you look good enough and in His timing.
Ask God to teach you what it means to walk according to the power of the Holy Spirit as you serve the Lord through the game, and the game of life. Develop a listening ear to the small voice inside that wants to direct your efforts by His Spirit. Who doesn’t want to hear, “well done faithful servant" one day.
May the Lord bless you as you serve Him through this great game,
Paul Banta - President/Founder of GSM International
www.globalsoccerministires.org
USA Office: 843-235-3762
WORKING VERSUS STRVING
Scripture: Zechariah 4:6 B says, "So he said to me, "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit," says the Lord Almighty."
Your greatest obstacle in coaching and playing the game and fulfilling God's purposes in your life is the skills you have acquired to perform well in the training of your players, and if you are a player playing consistent in practice and matches.
One of the great paradoxes in Scripture relates to our need to depend on the Lord; yet at the same time, we're instructed to use the talents and abilities God gives us to accomplish the game He gives us to do. It has been one of the most difficult principles to live out. How do we know that what we achieve is by the power of the Holy Spirit in our life versus our own abilities, and is there a difference?
When we reach a level of excellence and performance on the field, it actually becomes an obstacle to seeing God's power manifested in our efforts. What we naturally do well becomes the object of our trust. When this happens, God retreats. You see, God allows us to develop our skill levels, but these must be continually yielded to God's Spirit and His Power in us. We need to learn to remain in Him. The 15th chapter of the Gospel of John tells us about remaining. The word remain is mentioned 11 times by Jesus. There will be times when God will use these skills to accomplish His purposes. There will be other times that God will not use any of our skills just to ensure that we know it is by His power that we can do anything. He said He’d never leave us or forsake us and we need to believe this totally.
Learning not to act until God shows you how to act are signs of maturity in God. Do not lean on the natural skills which you have been given. Proverbs 3:5-6 speak about trusting, leaning, and the path He has for us. Let God be totally included in what you’re up to, and what you are doing for Him because you love Him. You must almost restrain from doing those things you know you are prone to do and actually go against them. It’s called getting some grit, pulling up your boot traps and doing it all for Him and not for the impression you're making. If you do your part God will make you look good enough and in His timing.
Ask God to teach you what it means to walk according to the power of the Holy Spirit as you serve the Lord through the game, and the game of life. Develop a listening ear to the small voice inside that wants to direct your efforts by His Spirit. Who doesn’t want to hear, “well done faithful servant" one day.
May the Lord bless you as you serve Him through this great game,
Paul Banta - President/Founder of GSM International
www.globalsoccerministires.org
USA Office: 843-235-3762
July 1st GSM Coaches and Players Devotional
WHAT ARE YOU LEANING ON?
Scripture: Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."
Many years ago I memorized Proverbs 3:5-6 knowing that I needed to practice what was inside these verses daily. I can tell you I have, like many of us in the coaching world, struggled to memorize scripture and struggled with living up to the very words in these verses, but I work on it and its getting better. I’ve come to the conclusion that the struggle must be from heading the ball over 30 years! My poor excuse and cop out! What’s your excuse?
Proverbs 3:5 maybe one of the most memorized verses in the Bible related to gaining wisdom and direction from God. It takes a trust factor and I think it goes against the American way of the ‘Self Made Person’ concept that Satan would like you to believe you are. In other words, we’d like to think we can lean or depend on our own wit, coon sense, or whatever. Once we give our hearts to Christ the first part of the verse is easier (we are to trust with all our heart) than the second part (lean not on your own understanding). Why is this often a reality for us as Christian players and coaches in this great game of soccer? The second part of the verse was always harder for me to do as I often leaned away from the God who loves and cares so much. If we are not to lean on our own understanding, on whose understanding are we to lean?
We are told in Jeremiah 17:9a, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure." So what really protects each of us from the deceit of our own heart? I believe it is the combination of all the above. When we get to a place with God that our decisions are accountable to others, whether that be our wife, a board, or a few close friends who are committed to the same Godly ideals, this helps protect us from the deceit of our own heart. One of the hardest things to yield to God is the right to make our own decisions. Yet, it is the most elementary principle God requires of us to receive His blessing in our lives.
This principle took a long time for me to appreciate. However, today I can tell you I would never make a major decision without the counsel of others who are close to me. Relational accountability has become lost in our culture due to our hunger for independence. I have experienced too often the hardship that results from making decisions that God isn't behind. Walking in obedience is the only real freedom in Christ.
If your not trusting in the Lord with ‘all of your heart and continue to lean on your own understanding you are missing out on many great experiences and blessing that the Lord has been preparing for you. Don’t wait any longer. Stop leaning on what you think you know but lean instead on the Father who has given you everything. By doing this you’re going to be the winner He designed you to be for His purpose through the passion you have for this game.
May the Lord bless you as you serve Him through this great game,
Paul Banta - President/Founder of GSM International
www.globalsoccerministires.org
USA Office: 843-235-3762
WHAT ARE YOU LEANING ON?
Scripture: Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."
Many years ago I memorized Proverbs 3:5-6 knowing that I needed to practice what was inside these verses daily. I can tell you I have, like many of us in the coaching world, struggled to memorize scripture and struggled with living up to the very words in these verses, but I work on it and its getting better. I’ve come to the conclusion that the struggle must be from heading the ball over 30 years! My poor excuse and cop out! What’s your excuse?
Proverbs 3:5 maybe one of the most memorized verses in the Bible related to gaining wisdom and direction from God. It takes a trust factor and I think it goes against the American way of the ‘Self Made Person’ concept that Satan would like you to believe you are. In other words, we’d like to think we can lean or depend on our own wit, coon sense, or whatever. Once we give our hearts to Christ the first part of the verse is easier (we are to trust with all our heart) than the second part (lean not on your own understanding). Why is this often a reality for us as Christian players and coaches in this great game of soccer? The second part of the verse was always harder for me to do as I often leaned away from the God who loves and cares so much. If we are not to lean on our own understanding, on whose understanding are we to lean?
We are told in Jeremiah 17:9a, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure." So what really protects each of us from the deceit of our own heart? I believe it is the combination of all the above. When we get to a place with God that our decisions are accountable to others, whether that be our wife, a board, or a few close friends who are committed to the same Godly ideals, this helps protect us from the deceit of our own heart. One of the hardest things to yield to God is the right to make our own decisions. Yet, it is the most elementary principle God requires of us to receive His blessing in our lives.
This principle took a long time for me to appreciate. However, today I can tell you I would never make a major decision without the counsel of others who are close to me. Relational accountability has become lost in our culture due to our hunger for independence. I have experienced too often the hardship that results from making decisions that God isn't behind. Walking in obedience is the only real freedom in Christ.
If your not trusting in the Lord with ‘all of your heart and continue to lean on your own understanding you are missing out on many great experiences and blessing that the Lord has been preparing for you. Don’t wait any longer. Stop leaning on what you think you know but lean instead on the Father who has given you everything. By doing this you’re going to be the winner He designed you to be for His purpose through the passion you have for this game.
May the Lord bless you as you serve Him through this great game,
Paul Banta - President/Founder of GSM International
www.globalsoccerministires.org
USA Office: 843-235-3762
June 15th GSM Coaches and Players Devotional
PLACING YOUR LIFE BEFORE GOD MEANS A DAILY COMMITMENT
Scripture: Romans 12:1 says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.”
One of the best ways to coach or play the game is to express your love for God by being committed to Him and what He’s called you to accomplish. Commitment is what love is really all about. You don't really love somebody unless you're committed to their best interests or if you are committed to a job you must commit to doing nothing but your best.
Nothing significant or of major importance will ever happen in your life without a strong commitment. By you being committed your future is determine and more than likely quite secure. Through commitment effort you are becoming whatever you are committed to be, so choose your commitments carefully. If you're committed to the wrong things, you're going to become the wrong person. When we coach and play this game with a commitment to change the way we deal with the game, players and teammates we move to a higher level. This higher level may mean studying the game more, treating players better in training, provide sound modern coaching methods, pray more for your teammates and players and let them better express themselves in the game rather than you be so demanding. Just give it some thought on how you could commit better to the game, accomplish more while at the same time use your abilities to serve Christ. Commit more today and get on the right path to finish the Race you were called to do with excellence.
You can't lose by being committed to God. The Bible tells us in 2 Chronicles 16:9 that God is looking for people whose hearts are fully committed to Him so that He can bless and use them.
What does it mean to be fully committed to God?
• I will use my life and abilities for Jesus Christ and not my selfish gain.
• I will grow even more spiritually and become the man or women while being more like Jesus Christ everyday in the development my character, understanding of God’s word and understanding of my professional abilities.
• I will use my talents and gifts to help my players and teammates in a more meaningful manner beyond the game.
• I will commit to sharing with others why I believe the Christ walk is important to me and how it could be important for them for their eternity and how my salvation which is in Christ Jesus will fulfill the mission and purpose God has for them on this earth.
Commitment means more than the physical hard work and emotional energy it takes to do the work on and off the field. A significant level of mature spiritual commitment is required. If you’re going to serve the Lord through your passion for the game, you need to put in extra time to commit to your spiritual concerns for yourself. Guess what? It’s a hard battle. You can’t go it alone. You’ll find that inner strength and peace will come only through the power of the Holy Spirit.
You’ll need to make the tough choices of being more committed to the Lord about using your faith, remaining committed to Christ, and using the power of the Holy Spirit to believe God will work His purpose through the daily grind to complete His work through you. Remember, you were selected to do soccer for the Lord. As John 15:16 says, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go [coach] and bear fruit [players]—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.”
So here's what God wants you to do. Take your everyday, ordinary life, which includes your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life and place it before God telling Him that you plan to give Him you heart completely. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. (Romans 12:1-2 - The Message)
1 Corinthians 9:27 says “I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” Today, re-think how you’re doing this game and for what reasons the Lord has given you the position you have.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLACING YOUR LIFE BEFORE GOD MEANS A DAILY COMMITMENT
Scripture: Romans 12:1 says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.”
One of the best ways to coach or play the game is to express your love for God by being committed to Him and what He’s called you to accomplish. Commitment is what love is really all about. You don't really love somebody unless you're committed to their best interests or if you are committed to a job you must commit to doing nothing but your best.
Nothing significant or of major importance will ever happen in your life without a strong commitment. By you being committed your future is determine and more than likely quite secure. Through commitment effort you are becoming whatever you are committed to be, so choose your commitments carefully. If you're committed to the wrong things, you're going to become the wrong person. When we coach and play this game with a commitment to change the way we deal with the game, players and teammates we move to a higher level. This higher level may mean studying the game more, treating players better in training, provide sound modern coaching methods, pray more for your teammates and players and let them better express themselves in the game rather than you be so demanding. Just give it some thought on how you could commit better to the game, accomplish more while at the same time use your abilities to serve Christ. Commit more today and get on the right path to finish the Race you were called to do with excellence.
You can't lose by being committed to God. The Bible tells us in 2 Chronicles 16:9 that God is looking for people whose hearts are fully committed to Him so that He can bless and use them.
What does it mean to be fully committed to God?
• I will use my life and abilities for Jesus Christ and not my selfish gain.
• I will grow even more spiritually and become the man or women while being more like Jesus Christ everyday in the development my character, understanding of God’s word and understanding of my professional abilities.
• I will use my talents and gifts to help my players and teammates in a more meaningful manner beyond the game.
• I will commit to sharing with others why I believe the Christ walk is important to me and how it could be important for them for their eternity and how my salvation which is in Christ Jesus will fulfill the mission and purpose God has for them on this earth.
Commitment means more than the physical hard work and emotional energy it takes to do the work on and off the field. A significant level of mature spiritual commitment is required. If you’re going to serve the Lord through your passion for the game, you need to put in extra time to commit to your spiritual concerns for yourself. Guess what? It’s a hard battle. You can’t go it alone. You’ll find that inner strength and peace will come only through the power of the Holy Spirit.
You’ll need to make the tough choices of being more committed to the Lord about using your faith, remaining committed to Christ, and using the power of the Holy Spirit to believe God will work His purpose through the daily grind to complete His work through you. Remember, you were selected to do soccer for the Lord. As John 15:16 says, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go [coach] and bear fruit [players]—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.”
So here's what God wants you to do. Take your everyday, ordinary life, which includes your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life and place it before God telling Him that you plan to give Him you heart completely. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. (Romans 12:1-2 - The Message)
1 Corinthians 9:27 says “I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” Today, re-think how you’re doing this game and for what reasons the Lord has given you the position you have.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
June 1st GSM Coaches and Players Devotional
BEST COACH YOU WILL EVER HAVE
Scripture: Psalm 144:1 says," Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle."
I had a friend of mine call me the other day. God bless him, he coaches a men's church team. He told me over the phone he was faced with an attitude that he doesn't like loosing. "Who does", I told him and I went on to tell him that we were not born to loose and we as Christian coaches were born and selected to do our very best and be significant for Christ. I know he's reading God's Word by what comes out of his mouth and by his actions and this is where he gets his growth from.
God will never fails us, because if we read about Him and develop that deeper relationship He calls us to have with Him our life usually goes one way-forward and upward. We become winners no matter what the outcome of the score is.
In our conversation we talked about his plans for the next game and it was sort of a battle plan he was sharing with me to beat a team he's lost 2 other times too. It was great to hear him plan beyond God's Word. I think he was running stuff by me to check about his battle plans. I approved, because I knew God would have approved as well. You see he was planning the game center around what he thought he could do for God and not himself. He was preparing for a battle and I loved it.
Do you have battle plans or do you coach just thinking that you'll win because you call yourself a Christ follower and you are not really preparing to pursue those biblical principles God sets before us? You'll never experience God in powerful ways by acquiring Bible knowledge alone. It's only when that knowledge is used in the heat of battle that you will know the reality of what you've learned intellectually. Otherwise, it remains only an exercise in spiritual gymnastics that yields little fruit and the more we practice little fruit bearing we realize something is missing from this ministering we're suppose to do through this game.
I've been reading for the past week about David, whom became a great warrior and leader of a nation at an early age. His training ground was his job as a shepherd in the open fields. When bears and lions sought to take his sheep, he personally fought them. This was his early preparation for future battles. Goliath was the next real competition amongst a discerning audience to reveal how well his training prepared him. David sort of cleaned Goliath off the field and down went the so called stopper.
In the sport of soccer we discover how well we handle pressure by competing and the great running demands put on us during the 90 minute match. You can practice all you want but never know how you will do until you enter the game and test what you've learned and practiced when there is pressure of the opposition added to the equation. In game you discover how well you are trained by what you actually do on during the battle to win.
Have you ever prayed with someone in public? Have you ever personally led someone to Christ? Have you ever served others for the sake of the Gospel? Have you ever taught a Bible study? Have you ever feed the poor and taken care of widows and have you ever give away your last dime. Have you thought of taking a mission trip to help the poor but just couldn't pull yourself away from the world that entraps you? If you said no to these questions, you are not engaged in the Game of Life either. Today, why not ask God to give you the grace and courage to step onto the battlefield a play the game of soccer and the Game of Life like you've never done before.
"Praise be to the Lord who is my trainer".
May the Lord bless you as you serve Him through this great game,
Paul Banta - President/Founder of GSM International
www.globalsoccerministires.org
USA Office: 843-235-3762
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BEST COACH YOU WILL EVER HAVE
Scripture: Psalm 144:1 says," Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle."
I had a friend of mine call me the other day. God bless him, he coaches a men's church team. He told me over the phone he was faced with an attitude that he doesn't like loosing. "Who does", I told him and I went on to tell him that we were not born to loose and we as Christian coaches were born and selected to do our very best and be significant for Christ. I know he's reading God's Word by what comes out of his mouth and by his actions and this is where he gets his growth from.
God will never fails us, because if we read about Him and develop that deeper relationship He calls us to have with Him our life usually goes one way-forward and upward. We become winners no matter what the outcome of the score is.
In our conversation we talked about his plans for the next game and it was sort of a battle plan he was sharing with me to beat a team he's lost 2 other times too. It was great to hear him plan beyond God's Word. I think he was running stuff by me to check about his battle plans. I approved, because I knew God would have approved as well. You see he was planning the game center around what he thought he could do for God and not himself. He was preparing for a battle and I loved it.
Do you have battle plans or do you coach just thinking that you'll win because you call yourself a Christ follower and you are not really preparing to pursue those biblical principles God sets before us? You'll never experience God in powerful ways by acquiring Bible knowledge alone. It's only when that knowledge is used in the heat of battle that you will know the reality of what you've learned intellectually. Otherwise, it remains only an exercise in spiritual gymnastics that yields little fruit and the more we practice little fruit bearing we realize something is missing from this ministering we're suppose to do through this game.
I've been reading for the past week about David, whom became a great warrior and leader of a nation at an early age. His training ground was his job as a shepherd in the open fields. When bears and lions sought to take his sheep, he personally fought them. This was his early preparation for future battles. Goliath was the next real competition amongst a discerning audience to reveal how well his training prepared him. David sort of cleaned Goliath off the field and down went the so called stopper.
In the sport of soccer we discover how well we handle pressure by competing and the great running demands put on us during the 90 minute match. You can practice all you want but never know how you will do until you enter the game and test what you've learned and practiced when there is pressure of the opposition added to the equation. In game you discover how well you are trained by what you actually do on during the battle to win.
Have you ever prayed with someone in public? Have you ever personally led someone to Christ? Have you ever served others for the sake of the Gospel? Have you ever taught a Bible study? Have you ever feed the poor and taken care of widows and have you ever give away your last dime. Have you thought of taking a mission trip to help the poor but just couldn't pull yourself away from the world that entraps you? If you said no to these questions, you are not engaged in the Game of Life either. Today, why not ask God to give you the grace and courage to step onto the battlefield a play the game of soccer and the Game of Life like you've never done before.
"Praise be to the Lord who is my trainer".
May the Lord bless you as you serve Him through this great game,
Paul Banta - President/Founder of GSM International
www.globalsoccerministires.org
USA Office: 843-235-3762
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Issue #2 March 1 2009
GSM INTERNATIONAL COACHING EDUCATION SERIES
WHAT COACHES NEED BEYOND THE GAME
Keeping you team motivated and preventing players from becoming disheartened, developing a feeling failure and losing their self-esteem either as an individual or as team is vital. Any good coach will tell you that individual and team spirit is vital for success both on and off the pitch.
STRESS, ANXIETY & RELAXATION FOR YOUR PLAYERS
INTRODUCTION
The pressure experienced by soccer players especially at a professional level is recognized as influencing playing performance. Heavy playing schedules, competition for team places, the media and fans as well as the pressure to win trophies all play a part in players developing high stress and anxiety levels. Even experienced players can suffer from pre-match stress. Developing ways to control this is important in order to prevent players from "falling" apart.
STRESS & ANXIETY
Stress is described as the "psycho-physiological responses of the individual to any influence which disturbs his inner-balance". These psycho-physiological changes do however depend on the individual's tolerance to stress. Stress as mentioned earlier can be due to many environmental factors although illness and nutrition can also play a role. The individual players' reaction to stress can involve aggression and anger or inversely, inhibition, regression and fear. Players are more at risk of injury when stressed due to their attention levels being disorientated.
Sports Psychologists can measure stress levels through specially designed questionnaires and by using measurements of heart rates to discover the psycho physiological stress levels. The body prepares for stress through the fight-flight reaction which is the response of the body preparing for action via increased heart and breathing rate and the secretion of adrenaline.
Anxiety involves a feeling of fear or a perception of threat and which may be specific to a particular situation. Possible symptoms are nausea, loss of composure, reduced motor coordination and aggression. Potential stressors are the climate - temperature/humidity, circadian body rhythms - maximum effort is harder in the morning, jet-lag, playing environment - stadium, spectators, surface, game officials and finally stress created by opponents or between players and the coach. The intensity of these influences on stress depends on the individual perception or inner experience of the player.
When players are alert but relaxed, they can make better, quicker decisions during a match. An over-anxious player will often make incorrect decisions. Athletes can as well be more motivated when they realize that they can control their anxiety and are then free to play at their top level.
By getting to know a player well, a coach can sometimes diagnose why he is over-anxious However, it may be difficult to get through to players suffering from anxiety thus much discretion is needed. A coach can look for various signs such as moments of anger or loss of confidence and players who no longer utilize their skills correctly. Players can as well become isolated and hide away from their team mates or become aggressive and blame everyone else for their problems. A good example is the centre-forward who has not scored for several games who may blame the lack of decent service.
RELAXATION
As a consequence of stress and anxiety, those involved in soccer especially at top levels are realizing the need for pre-competition relaxation strategies. Helping the mental state will have a positive effect on the physical state of the player. Players using relaxation techniques may be able to control their thinking to remove tension and conserve energy.
It must be mentioned that no relaxation technique is the best. Players should try various techniques until they find one they like and practice it (perhaps 1 or 2 times per day) so it can be used as a means to help in difficult moments. Many athletes seem to use Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) which allows players to learn the difference between relaxation and tension. The player should lie comfortably, close eyes, breath easily, tense then relax all muscles and maintain a passive attitude.
Some techniques also use different muscle tense-relax exercises along with breathing exercises and meditation. Deep muscle relaxation is another procedure often used. A player forces his attention onto his left leg for example and imagines it getting heavier and heavier and eventually letting it sink into the floor! Generally, relaxation should result in decreased heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate and decreased body metabolism.
Anxiety can also strike during a game for example after a mistake. Try these five (5) useful tips on how to recover from this.
1. Recover breathing control
2. Ease the tension out of the body
3. Talk yourself back into the positive
4. Let your fears go
5. Review your goals and reactivate yourself towards achievement.
Finally, some soccer coaches or players may not like using relaxation techniques. Other methods such as giving each player clear and precise instructions about his tasks and responsibilities (during the team-talk), giving objective information about the opposing team, explaining the risks to be taken and support he will have and giving praise may help to relax players and take their mind away a little from the game.
CONCLUSION
In soccer, players may need to develop relaxation skills to counter moments of stress and anxiety which are interrelated. Not only does relaxation help reduce stress and anxiety but can facilitate rest and recovery. Players also need to develop a positive way of looking at the game during moments of difficulty. The coach needs to be aware of the various signs and symptoms of players suffering from stress and anxiety. A Sports Psychologist can help players to reach and stay at their maximal potential.
Best wishes Coaching Your Team,
Paul Banta
President/Founder of GSM International
843-235-3762
pbanta@sc.rr.com
GSM INTERNATIONAL COACHING EDUCATION SERIES
WHAT COACHES NEED BEYOND THE GAME
Keeping you team motivated and preventing players from becoming disheartened, developing a feeling failure and losing their self-esteem either as an individual or as team is vital. Any good coach will tell you that individual and team spirit is vital for success both on and off the pitch.
STRESS, ANXIETY & RELAXATION FOR YOUR PLAYERS
INTRODUCTION
The pressure experienced by soccer players especially at a professional level is recognized as influencing playing performance. Heavy playing schedules, competition for team places, the media and fans as well as the pressure to win trophies all play a part in players developing high stress and anxiety levels. Even experienced players can suffer from pre-match stress. Developing ways to control this is important in order to prevent players from "falling" apart.
STRESS & ANXIETY
Stress is described as the "psycho-physiological responses of the individual to any influence which disturbs his inner-balance". These psycho-physiological changes do however depend on the individual's tolerance to stress. Stress as mentioned earlier can be due to many environmental factors although illness and nutrition can also play a role. The individual players' reaction to stress can involve aggression and anger or inversely, inhibition, regression and fear. Players are more at risk of injury when stressed due to their attention levels being disorientated.
Sports Psychologists can measure stress levels through specially designed questionnaires and by using measurements of heart rates to discover the psycho physiological stress levels. The body prepares for stress through the fight-flight reaction which is the response of the body preparing for action via increased heart and breathing rate and the secretion of adrenaline.
Anxiety involves a feeling of fear or a perception of threat and which may be specific to a particular situation. Possible symptoms are nausea, loss of composure, reduced motor coordination and aggression. Potential stressors are the climate - temperature/humidity, circadian body rhythms - maximum effort is harder in the morning, jet-lag, playing environment - stadium, spectators, surface, game officials and finally stress created by opponents or between players and the coach. The intensity of these influences on stress depends on the individual perception or inner experience of the player.
When players are alert but relaxed, they can make better, quicker decisions during a match. An over-anxious player will often make incorrect decisions. Athletes can as well be more motivated when they realize that they can control their anxiety and are then free to play at their top level.
By getting to know a player well, a coach can sometimes diagnose why he is over-anxious However, it may be difficult to get through to players suffering from anxiety thus much discretion is needed. A coach can look for various signs such as moments of anger or loss of confidence and players who no longer utilize their skills correctly. Players can as well become isolated and hide away from their team mates or become aggressive and blame everyone else for their problems. A good example is the centre-forward who has not scored for several games who may blame the lack of decent service.
RELAXATION
As a consequence of stress and anxiety, those involved in soccer especially at top levels are realizing the need for pre-competition relaxation strategies. Helping the mental state will have a positive effect on the physical state of the player. Players using relaxation techniques may be able to control their thinking to remove tension and conserve energy.
It must be mentioned that no relaxation technique is the best. Players should try various techniques until they find one they like and practice it (perhaps 1 or 2 times per day) so it can be used as a means to help in difficult moments. Many athletes seem to use Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) which allows players to learn the difference between relaxation and tension. The player should lie comfortably, close eyes, breath easily, tense then relax all muscles and maintain a passive attitude.
Some techniques also use different muscle tense-relax exercises along with breathing exercises and meditation. Deep muscle relaxation is another procedure often used. A player forces his attention onto his left leg for example and imagines it getting heavier and heavier and eventually letting it sink into the floor! Generally, relaxation should result in decreased heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate and decreased body metabolism.
Anxiety can also strike during a game for example after a mistake. Try these five (5) useful tips on how to recover from this.
1. Recover breathing control
2. Ease the tension out of the body
3. Talk yourself back into the positive
4. Let your fears go
5. Review your goals and reactivate yourself towards achievement.
Finally, some soccer coaches or players may not like using relaxation techniques. Other methods such as giving each player clear and precise instructions about his tasks and responsibilities (during the team-talk), giving objective information about the opposing team, explaining the risks to be taken and support he will have and giving praise may help to relax players and take their mind away a little from the game.
CONCLUSION
In soccer, players may need to develop relaxation skills to counter moments of stress and anxiety which are interrelated. Not only does relaxation help reduce stress and anxiety but can facilitate rest and recovery. Players also need to develop a positive way of looking at the game during moments of difficulty. The coach needs to be aware of the various signs and symptoms of players suffering from stress and anxiety. A Sports Psychologist can help players to reach and stay at their maximal potential.
Best wishes Coaching Your Team,
Paul Banta
President/Founder of GSM International
843-235-3762
pbanta@sc.rr.com
COACHING EDUCATION SERIES - MONTHLY ISSUE #1 MAY 2009
"PLAYER MOTIVATION & SOCCER PERFORMANCE"
Global Soccer Ministries International - Issue #1
By Paul Banta - Coaching Educator/Author/President of GSM International
www.globalsoccerministries.org
www.globalsoccertrips.com
WHAT COACHES NEED BEYOND THE GAME
Keeping youR team motivated and preventing players from becoming disheartened, developing a feeling failure and losing their self-esteem either as an individual or as team is vital. Any good coach will tell you that individual and team spirit is vital for success both on and off the pitch.
INTRODUCTION
In soccer, nothing can affect performance as dramatically as a sudden loss of motivation. Without the motivation to succeed a player cannot survive the challenges soccer can throw up. If the team or player is going through a bad patch then motivating your players becomes especially important. However, an overly motivated player may be nervous and take risks. This article attempts to look at motivation and suggest ways to help improve the motivational capacities of players.
THE MOTIVATIONAL PROCESS
In general we distinguish between, personal self-motivation (intrinsic) and motivation from the outside (extrinsic) by the coach, teammates, friends etc. By looking at the process of motivation, we can see how this influences performance. Human beings are motivated to do sport for several reasons; A need to move & to play: To be active, expend excess energy & aggression, for self-fulfillment, to take risks, to satisfy curiosity, make use of the hunting and adventurous spirit.
Ambition & Recognition: Various motives are ambition (win competitions), outside recognition (from fans, family, teammates), playing in front of an audience, sociability and social standing.
Overall, the motives and needs of players are guided by two basic factors, the hope of success and fear of failure with experience generally showing that the former plays the major role in motivating players.
Every player has a dream in soccer and some players pursue their dreams and expect to achieve them through renewed hard work and dedication. Obstacles are seen as a challenge and each setback as a call for more effort to improve and overcome these problems. This type of player is intrinsically self-motivated as their desire to succeed comes from within themselves.
However, many players, often technically and physically good enough to succeed, fall by the wayside due to a lack of self-belief to fulfill their dreams or the willingness to spend the necessary time on the pitch.
Generally, it is easier to work with highly motivated players as they only need decent objectives, the environment and ability to concentrate as well as good technical, tactical and physical coaching. However, these players still need to be looked after as they may become frustrated and bored if they do not meet their goals or keep their performances up to expected standards.
For players who are under motivated, the coach needs firstly to convince and motivate these athletes to believe they can succeed and secondly that only hard work will lead to success.
MOTIVATING THE TEAM/PLAYER
There is no perfect method for motivating players as this changes from individual to individual and can depend on the current situation, such as the team's position in the league. The following points suggest various ways to help motivate and sustain motivation in your players:
Balanced & interesting training:
A disorganized and unbalanced training session will not motivate players from giving their best. Plan well ahead and cater for the individual groups' and team's needs. Remember variety is the spice of life! Training should be both mentally and physically stimulating. For players who are often substitutes, keeping them motivated is difficult. Try for example to have a weekly game in which the head coach works solely with the substitutes and an assistant coach works with the first-team but don't at any time put distance between the players.
Setting objectives (Goal setting):
Is useful as it allows players to have something to aim at through a pre-defined plan to compare their progress at different steps over a period of time. However, the effects of motivation depend on how attractive the goal is. Also objectives that are too easy will lead to players being both overconfident and careless or if too difficult, players will approach them with low confidence and hesitancy. Try developing a goal setting plan with daily, medium and long-term goals.
Be enthusiastic, positive, honest and supportive: Your enthusiasm and positivity will rub off on players. Mention the positive actions rather than the negative actions as often as possible. Be honest about performance and be firm when making a point about areas that need improvement. Offer suggestions on how to improve. Do not embarrass your players but do tell them what you think!
Encouragement:
Encourage fun and hard work in the training or competition. Always encourage players when they are successful and unsuccessful and avoid complacency.
Be supportive, confident and respective: Remind them that they win as a team and lose as a team. Always be ready to listen to your player's worries and questions. Accept them for who they are and for what they give to the team. Respect your players and they will respect you. Give credit where it is due focusing mainly on the team as a whole and accept some responsibility for a loss. Remind them that we all make mistakes and will learn from them.
Get to know your players and speak to them individually on a regular basis. Compliment them on aspects of their game and mentioning areas they need to work in can help to further motivate them.
Change of face:
Players can get bored of the same old faces! Try bringing in new coaches with fresh and different ideas, perhaps even on a short term basis.
Imagery & Motivation: Players can use imagery to mentally rehearse a variety of aspects, like focusing on overcoming a technical weakness or mentally preparing for a match. Relaxation helps as players are more motivated when they realize that they can control stress and anxiety.
Best wishes in the Game!
Paul Banta
pbanta@sc.rr.com
843.235.3762
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"PLAYER MOTIVATION & SOCCER PERFORMANCE"
Global Soccer Ministries International - Issue #1
By Paul Banta - Coaching Educator/Author/President of GSM International
www.globalsoccerministries.org
www.globalsoccertrips.com
WHAT COACHES NEED BEYOND THE GAME
Keeping youR team motivated and preventing players from becoming disheartened, developing a feeling failure and losing their self-esteem either as an individual or as team is vital. Any good coach will tell you that individual and team spirit is vital for success both on and off the pitch.
INTRODUCTION
In soccer, nothing can affect performance as dramatically as a sudden loss of motivation. Without the motivation to succeed a player cannot survive the challenges soccer can throw up. If the team or player is going through a bad patch then motivating your players becomes especially important. However, an overly motivated player may be nervous and take risks. This article attempts to look at motivation and suggest ways to help improve the motivational capacities of players.
THE MOTIVATIONAL PROCESS
In general we distinguish between, personal self-motivation (intrinsic) and motivation from the outside (extrinsic) by the coach, teammates, friends etc. By looking at the process of motivation, we can see how this influences performance. Human beings are motivated to do sport for several reasons; A need to move & to play: To be active, expend excess energy & aggression, for self-fulfillment, to take risks, to satisfy curiosity, make use of the hunting and adventurous spirit.
Ambition & Recognition: Various motives are ambition (win competitions), outside recognition (from fans, family, teammates), playing in front of an audience, sociability and social standing.
Overall, the motives and needs of players are guided by two basic factors, the hope of success and fear of failure with experience generally showing that the former plays the major role in motivating players.
Every player has a dream in soccer and some players pursue their dreams and expect to achieve them through renewed hard work and dedication. Obstacles are seen as a challenge and each setback as a call for more effort to improve and overcome these problems. This type of player is intrinsically self-motivated as their desire to succeed comes from within themselves.
However, many players, often technically and physically good enough to succeed, fall by the wayside due to a lack of self-belief to fulfill their dreams or the willingness to spend the necessary time on the pitch.
Generally, it is easier to work with highly motivated players as they only need decent objectives, the environment and ability to concentrate as well as good technical, tactical and physical coaching. However, these players still need to be looked after as they may become frustrated and bored if they do not meet their goals or keep their performances up to expected standards.
For players who are under motivated, the coach needs firstly to convince and motivate these athletes to believe they can succeed and secondly that only hard work will lead to success.
MOTIVATING THE TEAM/PLAYER
There is no perfect method for motivating players as this changes from individual to individual and can depend on the current situation, such as the team's position in the league. The following points suggest various ways to help motivate and sustain motivation in your players:
Balanced & interesting training:
A disorganized and unbalanced training session will not motivate players from giving their best. Plan well ahead and cater for the individual groups' and team's needs. Remember variety is the spice of life! Training should be both mentally and physically stimulating. For players who are often substitutes, keeping them motivated is difficult. Try for example to have a weekly game in which the head coach works solely with the substitutes and an assistant coach works with the first-team but don't at any time put distance between the players.
Setting objectives (Goal setting):
Is useful as it allows players to have something to aim at through a pre-defined plan to compare their progress at different steps over a period of time. However, the effects of motivation depend on how attractive the goal is. Also objectives that are too easy will lead to players being both overconfident and careless or if too difficult, players will approach them with low confidence and hesitancy. Try developing a goal setting plan with daily, medium and long-term goals.
Be enthusiastic, positive, honest and supportive: Your enthusiasm and positivity will rub off on players. Mention the positive actions rather than the negative actions as often as possible. Be honest about performance and be firm when making a point about areas that need improvement. Offer suggestions on how to improve. Do not embarrass your players but do tell them what you think!
Encouragement:
Encourage fun and hard work in the training or competition. Always encourage players when they are successful and unsuccessful and avoid complacency.
Be supportive, confident and respective: Remind them that they win as a team and lose as a team. Always be ready to listen to your player's worries and questions. Accept them for who they are and for what they give to the team. Respect your players and they will respect you. Give credit where it is due focusing mainly on the team as a whole and accept some responsibility for a loss. Remind them that we all make mistakes and will learn from them.
Get to know your players and speak to them individually on a regular basis. Compliment them on aspects of their game and mentioning areas they need to work in can help to further motivate them.
Change of face:
Players can get bored of the same old faces! Try bringing in new coaches with fresh and different ideas, perhaps even on a short term basis.
Imagery & Motivation: Players can use imagery to mentally rehearse a variety of aspects, like focusing on overcoming a technical weakness or mentally preparing for a match. Relaxation helps as players are more motivated when they realize that they can control stress and anxiety.
Best wishes in the Game!
Paul Banta
pbanta@sc.rr.com
843.235.3762
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 15th Coaches and PlayerS Devotions
THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-19 says, “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God".
Think about this coaches and players. Do you really believe the Holy Spirit is a real person? We call ourselves Christian and daily communicate to God through Christ and we know what happened on the cross, about the resurrection and Jesus leaving us to go back with His father to prepare for our coming to heaven one day. How much do we daily depend on the Person Jesus left us with to help us each day? How much do you think about this person daily? Do you think of the Holy Spirit as some kind of intangible force?
Jesus told His disciples they would not be ready to do His work until they received power from on high (Luke 24:49). It takes two people, a believer and the Holy Spirit to live the Christian life victoriously. He takes up residence in a person the moment that individual receives Christ's forgiveness for sins. From then on, His job is equipping us as players and coaches doing the game as a model for serving Christ Jesus in the world.
One of my life verses from the apostle Paul is, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Paul was talking about the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence (Phil. 4:13). The Spirit works through us to get done that which is impossible for us to accomplish alone. In fact, the Bible says that He can do "far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think" (Eph. 3:20). If you’ve studied the life of Paul, you can certainly understand why his ministry was as effective as it was. We may not be a Paul, but our ministry through this game can be bigger and impact the lives of our team mates, coaches, friends and many others.
What is God calling you to do in this game and in the game of Life? How can we do “the far more abundant life" beyond all that we could as or think? Within you lies untapped potential, not of your own strength and abilities, but the Holy Spirit's unlimited power being unleashed in you. This is what He wants and designed for you. Will you continue to play alone or will you play with the power of the Holy Spirit. Let’s make those match adjustments right away and be the winner He planned you to be.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-19 says, “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God".
Think about this coaches and players. Do you really believe the Holy Spirit is a real person? We call ourselves Christian and daily communicate to God through Christ and we know what happened on the cross, about the resurrection and Jesus leaving us to go back with His father to prepare for our coming to heaven one day. How much do we daily depend on the Person Jesus left us with to help us each day? How much do you think about this person daily? Do you think of the Holy Spirit as some kind of intangible force?
Jesus told His disciples they would not be ready to do His work until they received power from on high (Luke 24:49). It takes two people, a believer and the Holy Spirit to live the Christian life victoriously. He takes up residence in a person the moment that individual receives Christ's forgiveness for sins. From then on, His job is equipping us as players and coaches doing the game as a model for serving Christ Jesus in the world.
One of my life verses from the apostle Paul is, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Paul was talking about the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence (Phil. 4:13). The Spirit works through us to get done that which is impossible for us to accomplish alone. In fact, the Bible says that He can do "far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think" (Eph. 3:20). If you’ve studied the life of Paul, you can certainly understand why his ministry was as effective as it was. We may not be a Paul, but our ministry through this game can be bigger and impact the lives of our team mates, coaches, friends and many others.
What is God calling you to do in this game and in the game of Life? How can we do “the far more abundant life" beyond all that we could as or think? Within you lies untapped potential, not of your own strength and abilities, but the Holy Spirit's unlimited power being unleashed in you. This is what He wants and designed for you. Will you continue to play alone or will you play with the power of the Holy Spirit. Let’s make those match adjustments right away and be the winner He planned you to be.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 1st GSM Coaches and Players Devotional
Take your team on a Soccer Mission Trip
www.globalsoccertrips.com (843-235-3762)
UNIFYING or DESTROYING
Scripture: Romans 14:10 says, “Why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.”
What would happen if it was your time to leave this earth and you had to face God right now? What would He say to you when look at His face? Are you a loving, non-judgmental coach or player?
I was often very hard on my players from the sideline in many games. I was encouraging, but demanding as well. I sent mixed signals, causing mixed emotions on and off the field. I wish I had not coached that way. It confused my players too much. I should have left a lot of my verbal demands and instructions on the practice field, where we sorted out the game plan, so they could be allowed to play creatively on their own and I would have looked allot more distinguished on the sidelines. They saw me loving them with the passion of the game and killing their creative abilities because I was too strict. Imagine a God who would kill your creativity to serve Him!
I believe my teams could have won more games had I not sent mixed signals. When I give my account to the Lord, I hope He takes it easy on me. I’ll just have to be prepared. I’m trusting God to be more loving to me than I was to my players. It’s Satan’s job to try to cause you to be a complaining and critical coach. Please don’t help Satan do his job, because he’s loony enough. Satan is the enemy we battle, not your players or teammates. You need to fight him, not join him. Imagine the amount of time you’ve spent in the past in criticizing your team or your teammates. That energy, used positively, could have been put to work in unifying them. You would have won more games. I’ve been there and done that.
When you make critical judgments about your players/teammates, six things immediately happen to you (based on biblical principles):
1. You temporarily lose your fellowship with God.
2. You show your pride against God.
3. You show your insecurity by not trusting God through love.
4. You’re held accountable and judged by God.
5. You harm a bonding process between you and your players/teammates.
6. You break God’s heart and the hearts of your players/teammates.
“You can attract more bees with one drop of honey than with a huge block of salt”? Kind words of encouragement go further than useless words of criticism. As we open our mouth we may need to keep our foot in it until we have the right word that become as sweet as honey.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Take your team on a Soccer Mission Trip
www.globalsoccertrips.com (843-235-3762)
UNIFYING or DESTROYING
Scripture: Romans 14:10 says, “Why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.”
What would happen if it was your time to leave this earth and you had to face God right now? What would He say to you when look at His face? Are you a loving, non-judgmental coach or player?
I was often very hard on my players from the sideline in many games. I was encouraging, but demanding as well. I sent mixed signals, causing mixed emotions on and off the field. I wish I had not coached that way. It confused my players too much. I should have left a lot of my verbal demands and instructions on the practice field, where we sorted out the game plan, so they could be allowed to play creatively on their own and I would have looked allot more distinguished on the sidelines. They saw me loving them with the passion of the game and killing their creative abilities because I was too strict. Imagine a God who would kill your creativity to serve Him!
I believe my teams could have won more games had I not sent mixed signals. When I give my account to the Lord, I hope He takes it easy on me. I’ll just have to be prepared. I’m trusting God to be more loving to me than I was to my players. It’s Satan’s job to try to cause you to be a complaining and critical coach. Please don’t help Satan do his job, because he’s loony enough. Satan is the enemy we battle, not your players or teammates. You need to fight him, not join him. Imagine the amount of time you’ve spent in the past in criticizing your team or your teammates. That energy, used positively, could have been put to work in unifying them. You would have won more games. I’ve been there and done that.
When you make critical judgments about your players/teammates, six things immediately happen to you (based on biblical principles):
1. You temporarily lose your fellowship with God.
2. You show your pride against God.
3. You show your insecurity by not trusting God through love.
4. You’re held accountable and judged by God.
5. You harm a bonding process between you and your players/teammates.
6. You break God’s heart and the hearts of your players/teammates.
“You can attract more bees with one drop of honey than with a huge block of salt”? Kind words of encouragement go further than useless words of criticism. As we open our mouth we may need to keep our foot in it until we have the right word that become as sweet as honey.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 15th GSM Coaches and Players Devotional
Take your team on a Soccer Mission Trip
www.globalsoccertrips.com (843-235-3762)
WHAT'S YOUR NEXT MOVE?
Scripture: Ephesians 4:1b–6 says, “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Ephesians 4:2–4 tells us how we can accomplish the next moves we make to play and coach this game. I don’t know about you but words like ‘gentle, patient bearing each others in love’ in the heat of the game or in an intense training session takes a special character to accomplish. Teaching or playing with these concepts, especially if you didn’t have coaches or players in your past who showed you how to do this or coaches or teammates in your present program who do not think like this, may not be natural to our very sin nature or they way we think we have to do the game to win.
The above verses say players and coaches are to be completely humble, gentle, and patient, holding all their players and teammates up (not crushing them) with the love of Christ Jesus. We are to make every effort to keep unity and peace by the power of the Holy Spirit. There’s one body (the team) and one Spirit to help in this. Verse 6 says, “There is one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Your team is part of His plan and that’s why He’s got you on it. He means business, and He will help you be successful and get the intended results. The responsibility for growing your team lies with you as you search and find the ways God wants you to act and react to your players/teammates during your training sessions, team meetings, matches, and time away from the soccer field. Everyone has to pull their weight and help. This is why they call it a ‘soccer team’ rather than a ‘soccer person’.
It’s your responsibility for growing your team and ways God wants you to act and react to each other during your training sessions, team meetings, matches, and time away from the soccer field. In Deuteronomy 6:6–7, God is speaking to us when He says, “These commandments that I give you today [and every day] are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children (family members). Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” In other words, you need to repeat God’s commands to your players/teammates. Talk with each other when you’re on the soccer field and when you’re just taking a walk with them away from soccer activities, and do it during planned or informal times from the morning until the time you fall asleep.
If you don’t make an effort to care for and help your players or teammates, you are showing them you don’t love or care for them. One of the greatest gifts we can give them is our deep concern for them, which we express through our desire not only to improve their team play, but to help other in their personal lives. What are your next moves?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Take your team on a Soccer Mission Trip
www.globalsoccertrips.com (843-235-3762)
WHAT'S YOUR NEXT MOVE?
Scripture: Ephesians 4:1b–6 says, “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Ephesians 4:2–4 tells us how we can accomplish the next moves we make to play and coach this game. I don’t know about you but words like ‘gentle, patient bearing each others in love’ in the heat of the game or in an intense training session takes a special character to accomplish. Teaching or playing with these concepts, especially if you didn’t have coaches or players in your past who showed you how to do this or coaches or teammates in your present program who do not think like this, may not be natural to our very sin nature or they way we think we have to do the game to win.
The above verses say players and coaches are to be completely humble, gentle, and patient, holding all their players and teammates up (not crushing them) with the love of Christ Jesus. We are to make every effort to keep unity and peace by the power of the Holy Spirit. There’s one body (the team) and one Spirit to help in this. Verse 6 says, “There is one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Your team is part of His plan and that’s why He’s got you on it. He means business, and He will help you be successful and get the intended results. The responsibility for growing your team lies with you as you search and find the ways God wants you to act and react to your players/teammates during your training sessions, team meetings, matches, and time away from the soccer field. Everyone has to pull their weight and help. This is why they call it a ‘soccer team’ rather than a ‘soccer person’.
It’s your responsibility for growing your team and ways God wants you to act and react to each other during your training sessions, team meetings, matches, and time away from the soccer field. In Deuteronomy 6:6–7, God is speaking to us when He says, “These commandments that I give you today [and every day] are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children (family members). Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” In other words, you need to repeat God’s commands to your players/teammates. Talk with each other when you’re on the soccer field and when you’re just taking a walk with them away from soccer activities, and do it during planned or informal times from the morning until the time you fall asleep.
If you don’t make an effort to care for and help your players or teammates, you are showing them you don’t love or care for them. One of the greatest gifts we can give them is our deep concern for them, which we express through our desire not only to improve their team play, but to help other in their personal lives. What are your next moves?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
April 1st Coaches and Players Devotional
Take your team on a Soccer Mission Trip
www.globalsoccertrips.com (843-235-3762)
Worldly or World Class
Scripture: Romans 8:29–32 says, “For those [you and me] God Foreknew [before you came to earth] he also predestined [Had a special plan for] to be conformed to the likeness of his Son. . . . And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”
Wow! What a purpose, an empowering, and a promise. Christ died for you, was raised to life for you, and is with the Father right now and is interceding for you. This is true love, and it shows the successfulness of God’s special plan for you and me. How significant is this?
Keep in mind that you can be Christian coach or player and have great success in this world. You can achieve something from nothing and receive great respect and honor from those around you. I’ve been there and done that several times. The problem is that success in the world we live and in the eyes of men and women mean achieving only by the world’s standards. Such success is seasonal as is the game you play and coach. So you live from one season to the next and that’s how you get measured up for your next opportunity to succeed. Sounds kind of normal and we have all been in this cycle of success before.
The cycle becomes, as compared to eternity, a moment in time which doesn’t last. When we chase this kind of success on our own and for ourselves, our players, teammates, schools, our family and community, but we are really serving our egos. We pray for wins, championships, and bigger budgets (or to keep the ones they have). It’s all about success, control, pleasures and what we want. As Christian we sometime bring to the table what we want and not what God’s plan is for us.
For the Christian coach or player, soccer must be about how God can help you reach success, achieve goals, and fulfill purposes for His significance, not your own. In God’s eyes, success happens when you make a commitment to serve Him wholeheartedly (100%). When you do that, He can work through you with the gifts He’s given you, so the outcome of your efforts ultimately will impact others significantly in the game for great spiritual purposes.
Worldly coaches and players know they are on a mission to serve themselves or someone else, and their success is short term. World-class coaches know they are made for a mission and see that the outcomes of their successes will be used to serve God significantly long-term.
World-class coaches and players become servants to those around them. Their significant work for Christ through their personal qualities and passions truly becomes their influence to serve and to teach not only the game of soccer but Christ through Biblical principles. These men and women are ready to be used by God and will go boldly before their players and the world to be significant. They glow with confidence and peace, having a joy about them that’s contagious. Those who have the opportunity to be around them, learn from them, and be mentored and prayed for by them will be impacted. They think, speak, act and teach about His Kingdom through soccer for significance, not for the personal success of their leadership.
God has given you a mission, and it’s not an impossible job for you. He tells us that He’ll never leave us or forsakes, and His promises are real, true, and justified. He wants you to impact others significantly. Most of our successes have been by the world’s standards and have been based on our personal hard work. Work is a natural part of success. But God wants us to look past the immediate impact of success to a higher level of thinking, acting, and repeating—impacting those around us for His significance.
Philippians 4:13 relates the key concept that it is through Him (not ourselves) that we have strength for success to be significant. You see, Christ gave up His life so that He could give life to you and that He could live His life through you and in you. The Lord’s promise in John 10:10b is this: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
We’re on a planned journey that God has for us, and it’s a day-to-day process of growing that takes place during our lifetimes. He wants to fulfill Himself in us as we journey with the Great Counselor, the Holy Spirit. We are His partners (teammates), designed specifically for His team. Being significant for Christ in this world means that we need to be a world class imitator of Christ and remaining in Him is part of that growing process and the fullness of life He has planned for us.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Take your team on a Soccer Mission Trip
www.globalsoccertrips.com (843-235-3762)
Worldly or World Class
Scripture: Romans 8:29–32 says, “For those [you and me] God Foreknew [before you came to earth] he also predestined [Had a special plan for] to be conformed to the likeness of his Son. . . . And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”
Wow! What a purpose, an empowering, and a promise. Christ died for you, was raised to life for you, and is with the Father right now and is interceding for you. This is true love, and it shows the successfulness of God’s special plan for you and me. How significant is this?
Keep in mind that you can be Christian coach or player and have great success in this world. You can achieve something from nothing and receive great respect and honor from those around you. I’ve been there and done that several times. The problem is that success in the world we live and in the eyes of men and women mean achieving only by the world’s standards. Such success is seasonal as is the game you play and coach. So you live from one season to the next and that’s how you get measured up for your next opportunity to succeed. Sounds kind of normal and we have all been in this cycle of success before.
The cycle becomes, as compared to eternity, a moment in time which doesn’t last. When we chase this kind of success on our own and for ourselves, our players, teammates, schools, our family and community, but we are really serving our egos. We pray for wins, championships, and bigger budgets (or to keep the ones they have). It’s all about success, control, pleasures and what we want. As Christian we sometime bring to the table what we want and not what God’s plan is for us.
For the Christian coach or player, soccer must be about how God can help you reach success, achieve goals, and fulfill purposes for His significance, not your own. In God’s eyes, success happens when you make a commitment to serve Him wholeheartedly (100%). When you do that, He can work through you with the gifts He’s given you, so the outcome of your efforts ultimately will impact others significantly in the game for great spiritual purposes.
Worldly coaches and players know they are on a mission to serve themselves or someone else, and their success is short term. World-class coaches know they are made for a mission and see that the outcomes of their successes will be used to serve God significantly long-term.
World-class coaches and players become servants to those around them. Their significant work for Christ through their personal qualities and passions truly becomes their influence to serve and to teach not only the game of soccer but Christ through Biblical principles. These men and women are ready to be used by God and will go boldly before their players and the world to be significant. They glow with confidence and peace, having a joy about them that’s contagious. Those who have the opportunity to be around them, learn from them, and be mentored and prayed for by them will be impacted. They think, speak, act and teach about His Kingdom through soccer for significance, not for the personal success of their leadership.
God has given you a mission, and it’s not an impossible job for you. He tells us that He’ll never leave us or forsakes, and His promises are real, true, and justified. He wants you to impact others significantly. Most of our successes have been by the world’s standards and have been based on our personal hard work. Work is a natural part of success. But God wants us to look past the immediate impact of success to a higher level of thinking, acting, and repeating—impacting those around us for His significance.
Philippians 4:13 relates the key concept that it is through Him (not ourselves) that we have strength for success to be significant. You see, Christ gave up His life so that He could give life to you and that He could live His life through you and in you. The Lord’s promise in John 10:10b is this: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
We’re on a planned journey that God has for us, and it’s a day-to-day process of growing that takes place during our lifetimes. He wants to fulfill Himself in us as we journey with the Great Counselor, the Holy Spirit. We are His partners (teammates), designed specifically for His team. Being significant for Christ in this world means that we need to be a world class imitator of Christ and remaining in Him is part of that growing process and the fullness of life He has planned for us.
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Goalkeeper Education
By Reggie Pierre Jerome - International Player and Board Member for GSM International & Works with GSM in coaching education course. Director of Goalkeeping for Paul Banta’s Coastal Carolina Soccer Camps and Academy and Paul Banta Director of CCSCA and President of GlobalSoccerMinistries.org
DIVING
Diving is perhaps the most beautiful physical technique used by goalkeepers in attempting to prevent the ball from entering the goal. A spectacular dive looks good at times, but is not always necessary. Diving should only be done as a last resort. Diving looks good, but it is not the only way to make a save. Positioning and good footwork will force keepers not to use diving at all times.
Principles of Diving
• Your footwork to get in diving position. Keepers that use quick small shuffling steps to get in position to dive are effective in their diving techniques. Shuffling or a quick crossover is necessary to get in correct diving position.
• Stepping forward into the dive. Once the keeper is in the “set position”, she must be able to step forward into the dive decrease the amount of time it takes to get to the ball. Shuffling at an angle towards the ball will prevent the keeper from diving backwards. Once the keeper shuffles at a forward angle, a power step must be taken with the foot closest to the ball to generate power. Goalkeepers must step forward on their toes, not on their heels, to provide a forward moving movement. The opposite leg drives the keeper with force towards the ball.
• Maintain a square shape towards the shooter. We must teach goalkeepers to make a diving save on their sides instead of the back or stomach to prevent serious injuries. Landing on the side can assist keepers in making sure the ball doesn’t go through their bodies because there is a large barrier behind the ball that consist of their upper and lower body. After the save is made, keepers should not roll on their backs. If they end up on their backs or roll away, they will not be able to start the attack effectively because they are not facing the field of play.
• Catching the ball with the hands first. Always teach your keeper to use two hands in catching the ball first. Keepers should make sure the hand farthest away from the ball comes across the body along with the hand closest to the ball when making a diving save. Once the ball is caught, the goalkeeper can cushion the impact landing by using the ball to break the fall and then brought into the chest to seal the save.
• Once the ball is caught, keepers should not use their hands to get back up. While on the ground, they should try using the top leg to kick back and spring themselves back up on one knee. From there they can stand up and start the attack. Using this technique will always make sure that the keeper has two hands on the ball.
POSITIONING FOR KEEPERS
When a goalkeeper is in the correct position, it is perhaps the most effective skill that a keeper can master. I am a firm believer that positioning is the key to becoming a successful goalkeeper. Keepers that take the initiative in positioning themselves correctly in the goal area will undoubtedly increase their chances of making a save.
To make the art of positioning that much easier, keepers need to visualize an imaginary string that goes from the ball, through their legs, to the middle of the goal. Regardless of where the ball is positioned in front of the goal, a keeper must always utilize this technique to aide in preventing any easy angles for the striker. This skill will help goalkeepers maintain a sense of effective positioning to increase the possibility of making a save.
Positioning applies to many different goalkeeping situations that include crosses, one on one situation, positioning for through balls, penalties, and free kicks. Being at the right place at the right time cannot be emphasized enough.
In goalkeeping, positioning is a word that is practiced, memorized, and repeated to ensure comprehension in overall play. It is always important to commit yourself to being in the right place at the right time to prevent any scoring opportunities. Positioning is not learned in one day. It takes some time to excel in this area. Try to reach that level of perfection in practice and during games and you will be fine.
PUNTING
When the goalkeeper punts a ball it’s because their long and short passing options are not available and they need to relieve the pressure in their end. They also may want to keep the ball as far away from their goal as possible late in a game.
Punting should not be the goalkeeper’s first choice when he/she gets a ball. The first choice should be a long outlet pass to keep possession. The second choice should be a short outlet pass to keep possession. The third choice is to punt. Punting can be a weapon if you become accurate enough to find and deliver the ball to one of your teammates down field.
HOW TO PRACTICE PUNTING
The best way to practice punting is to drop the ball with the opposite hand. If you punt the ball with your right foot, drop the ball with your left hand. When dropping the ball with your opposite hand, you can rotate your upper body for more power. Your kicking foot has to travel farther to make contact with the ball to give you greater distance.
When practicing punting, as you make your run toward the 18, your final stride should be to the side and big enough to cock your leg and rotate your shoulders 90 degrees to the target. The follow through should bring your shoulders back to parallel with the goal line and lift the non-kicking foot off the ground. This is how you know you are kicking with more than just your leg. Getting your upper body into the ball will add to the length of the kick. When you practice punting, get a teammate or a net to punt into in order to keep from doing more running than kicking. With a net you can get a lot kicks in a short amount of time.
Remember, FIFA laws of the game, allows the keeper 6 seconds from the time of possession to deliver the ball. Referees will call a foul if they think you are deliberately wasting time.
Kicking the ball is what everyone loves to do so have fun and remember the pros (as good as they are) practice kicking everyday.
Parts of the “LAWS OF THE GAME” goalkeepers should know.
Law 1: the lines on the field are often taken for granted by field players. A keeper will use these lines more than anyone else to determine their position. The penalty spot lets you know when you are in the center of the goal. The eighteen-yard line marks the limit a keeper can use their hands and punt the ball. The six and eighteen yard lines help you judge the distance you are from the goal.
Law 4: Each goalkeeper must wear colors, which distinguish him/her from the field players and referees. The keeper can use gloves, long pants, and a hat.
Law 8: This law has to do with placement of the ball on free kicks inside the goal area. Any free kick for the defense inside their own goal area is like a goal kick, it may be taken from anywhere in the goal area and must leave the penalty area before it is in play. For indirect free kicks for attackers in their opponents’ goal area, the kick is taken from the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the foul occurred. No free kick can be taken from closer than six yards to the goal.
Law 9: The referee is considered to be part of the soccer field when it comes to play. A ball rebounding off the referee is still in play, even if it enters the goal.
Law 10: The outside of the chalked line is the true boundary; the whole of the ball must pass over this boundary to be considered a goal.
Law 12: Calls involving fouls and misconduct are strictly in the opinion of the referee. The goalkeeper is subject to the same laws as players on the field. Although the laws don’t give a goalkeeper any special privileges most referees realize that keepers often put themselves at considerable risk and give them some leeway. An example of this is the goalkeeper using the knee when going for high balls. The knee is used to generate height and provide some protection, not as a weapon. A referee who feels the keeper’s knee is being used dangerously can call the keeper for jumping or charging, and the result would be a penalty kick, if not a yellow or red card in addition. There are four offences in Law 12 especially aimed at the goalkeeper. #1- The Goalkeeper has six seconds to release the ball after controlling it with their hands. #2 – The goalkeeper touches the ball again with the hands after releasing it into play, before another player has touched the ball. #3- the goalkeeper touches the ball with their hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him/ her by a teammate. #4- the goalkeeper touches the ball directly with their hands after a throw-in from a teammate. The goalkeeper may still be used as a target for a throw-in, but they must handle the ball with their feet like any other player.
Law 13: Direct and indirect kicks differ in one respect. A direct kick that goes into the net without being touched is counted as a goal; an indirect kick must be touched by another player (on either team) in order to count as a goal. Indirect kicks are signaled by the referee raising one arm straight above his head. Look for this signal, if it is not given, assume a direct kick. If in doubt, ask the referee.
Any free kick from within the penalty area must leave the penalty area before it is considered in play.
Defenders must be 10 yards from the spot of the free kick. But, what about an indirect kick that is less than 10 yards away from the goal? In this case, defenders are permitted to be closer than 10 yards providing they are on the goal line and between the goal posts.
Law 14: The only time during a game a goalkeeper should be standing on the goal line is during the penalty kick, and that is only because the law says so. Goalkeepers are allowed to move side-to-side along the goal line but not to move forward until the ball is struck.
These are only parts from the laws of the game. To view the laws in their entirety go to www.fifa.com
Setting a Defensive Wall
When a penalty shot is awarded to the attacking team within scoring range of your goal you should set a wall. The wall helps discourage shots directed at the near half of your goal. It also encourages the shooter to attempt hitting a smaller target because part of the goal is now obstructed to his/her view. As soon as the referee is satisfied the ball is placed where the foul occurred and the wall is ten yards away (only if requested by the shooter) the ball can be struck. From the time the referee blows his whistle (indicating a foul) to the time the ball is struck, the wall must be in place. At times this can be only a matter of a few seconds. All too often you see a defending team have a brief mental lapse after the referee indicates a foul occurred. Players wrongfully think they have a lot of time to regroup. It’s definitely not a time to let down your mental guard. If the shooter wants to take advantage of the other team’s mental lapse, the referee won’t stop him/her from doing so. If the shoot take requests the wall be moved ten yards from the ball the referee will stop play long enough to move the wall ten yards from the ball.
To Set a Wall
With the help of your coach, designate five players for your wall. Each player must be assigned a number from one to five. They should keep these numbers throughout the season.
When you call for a wall, you must also designate the number of players you want in the wall. Your call may be “Wall 4”. Those players’ assigned numbers 1 to 4 will make a wall. The player assigned number one should be the tallest and always starts the wall. Player number two the next tallest, down to number five (if five are needed). The reason for the tallest person being assigned number one is that’s the hardest person to shoot over. And since you are trying to discourage shooting at that side of your net, it makes sense to have the tallest person there. Whatever number you call, that number of players will make up the wall.
The number one player (post or anchor as their called) will get on an imaginary line from the ball to the near post. He/she should be facing the goalkeeper only long enough for the keeper to adjust the position of the wall to their liking, then turn and face with the others. The other players assigned to the wall will align themselves off the anchor. The keeper should have the anchor just outside of the imaginary line drawn from the ball to the near post. This position helps prevent a shot from going just inside the near post.
If everyone on your team has practiced this little “fire drill” the wall should be set in four to five seconds. Hopefully this will prevent a quick thinking attacker from taking advantage of an unprepared team.
Keepers, when setting a wall, anticipate the quick shot as the ball is placed where the foul occurred. Always keep your eye on the ball. If you can’t see the ball when it is shot, you probably won’t be able to react in time when you do see it in flight to prevent the ball going in.
After the wall is set, draw two imaginary lines from the ball, one to the far post and the other just clearing the highest number person in the wall. This will form a cone shape. You should be in the middle of the cone near the goal line.
The last thing is: always is alert and alive expecting to make a save.
This is only one of a number of ways to set a wall. You may decide later, changes in the number of players or their positions may work better for you
Starting the Attack
When a Goalkeeper gains control of the ball, the first thought should be to start the attack. Starting the attack before your opponents can recover and get in defensive positions gives your team an advantage. Punting the ball as far down the field as you can should not be your first priority. There is a time during the game when punting should be your first priority. When it’s late in the game and your team is winning by a goal or two, getting the ball out of your end of the field is a good move. If the other team is going to gain possession of the ball it’s better to have them as far away from your goal as possible.
Starting the attack means keeping possession of the ball. A punted ball gives both teams an equal chance to gain control (50/50 ball).
Your first priority should be a long outlet pass (usually a javelin throw) to a teammate on one of the flanks.
Your second priority should be a short pass out wide to either side. Bowling the ball is best for short passes because that is the most accurate. A word of caution when bowling, try to bowl a no bounce ball to your teammate. A bouncing ball, at times, can be difficult to handle. The last consideration when passing short is the accuracy of the pass. Your pass should be to the side of your teammate that will open them up to the rest of the field.
Your third priority should be a punt. When you punt always try to aim for numbers up areas. Remember you have six seconds to release the ball.
Goal Kicks
Keepers, if someone else on your team is taking the goal kicks for you, start practicing ASAP. You become more valuable to your team when you take the goal kicks.
If a field player is used to take a goal kick the opposing team can place an attacker on the eighteen. And if the opposing team gets control of the ball, they can pass to the attacker for a one on one situation in front of your goal (every coach’s dream is to have their attackers in a position to be one on one).
Short Passes
When using a short pass to start an attack, make your teammate look good.
There are four considerations in making a good short pass:
1) There must be enough open space in front of the receiver to collect the ball and look for options before getting pressured.
If you bowl a ball to a teammate being closely marked by the opposition, you may be getting the ball back sooner than you had hoped, in the form of a shot. You will have to experiment with you teammates to get a feel for the distance they need to receive and control the ball. Start with 15 yards and adjust from there. If they don’t have 15 yards of open space in front of them, don’t give them the ball.
2) The ball must be placed in front of your teammate (between your teammate and your opponent’s goal).
Bowling the ball behind your teammate will cause him/her to turn their back to the field to retrieve the ball. Not being able to see what is taking place behind them, they may turn into on rushing opponents.
3) The pass should not be bouncing.
Bouncing balls take more time to control than a ball rolling across the ground. Time is the one thing you don’t have a lot of when starting an attack.
4) The weight of the pass.
Bowling the ball to hard or to easy can also create problems for your teammate.
A little practice bowling balls to your defenders will increase everyone’s confidence in starting the attack. And you a better feel for passing at the right speed.
Remember, when your teammate looks good receiving a pass from you, you know you did everything right. Congratulate yourself for making your teammate look good!
The Backup Keeper
Being a starting goalkeeper is, in my opinion, the second most difficult position on a team. The most difficult position is the backup keeper.
While the goalkeeper on the field knows that at any time, they might be called on to make the save or to help with distribution, the backup keeper frequently is sitting on the bench watching yet they know that with little more then a moments notice, they might be called on to replace the keeper and have to be physically and mentally prepared to do so. If the starting keeper gets injured, or red carded, there is virtually no time for the backup keeper to prepare to step on the field and be ready to play at a high level.
When there is a need for a keeper change, the last thing I want the backup keeper doing is running around looking for their jersey or looking for their gloves and then trying to find a ball to get a few touches with before stepping on the field.
Instead, the successful backup has their jersey and gloves handy, knows where a ball is to warm up (if there is an opportunity) and will even know who will warm them up.
Also, the successful backup will not just be watching the game while it's being played but will also be analyzing the game from the sideline so they can be prepared to step right in and know what is happening. They shouldn't be stepping on the field trying to figure out the tendencies of the opponents since they will have been doing that from the sidelines from the start. Even if they don't get in during that first half, they will be able to help with suggestions/recommendations to the starting keeper to make their job easier (because the primary role of the backup keeper is to help the team get better while preparing for their opportunity to play).
In training, the backup keeper’s job is to constantly work to get better while also pushing the starting keeper. It's important that the backup keeper challenge the starting keeper while maintaining a team first mentality. If the keepers can work well together, it will benefit both. If the keepers see each other as adversaries rather then teammates, it could result in a detrimental situation for all.
As a coach, it's important to have open communication with the back up keeper to make sure they stay involved at all times. If they feel like second-class citizens because they are the second string keeper, this will show in their performance.
Ideally, with younger ages, there wouldn't be a second string keeper who doesn't play unless there is an injury but rather either there would be two equal keepers or one keeper and a field player trained as a backup if necessary.
For further assistance please contact:
GSM International or Coastal Carollina Soccer Camp and Academy
843-235-3762
pbanta@c.rr.com
By Reggie Pierre Jerome - International Player and Board Member for GSM International & Works with GSM in coaching education course. Director of Goalkeeping for Paul Banta’s Coastal Carolina Soccer Camps and Academy and Paul Banta Director of CCSCA and President of GlobalSoccerMinistries.org
DIVING
Diving is perhaps the most beautiful physical technique used by goalkeepers in attempting to prevent the ball from entering the goal. A spectacular dive looks good at times, but is not always necessary. Diving should only be done as a last resort. Diving looks good, but it is not the only way to make a save. Positioning and good footwork will force keepers not to use diving at all times.
Principles of Diving
• Your footwork to get in diving position. Keepers that use quick small shuffling steps to get in position to dive are effective in their diving techniques. Shuffling or a quick crossover is necessary to get in correct diving position.
• Stepping forward into the dive. Once the keeper is in the “set position”, she must be able to step forward into the dive decrease the amount of time it takes to get to the ball. Shuffling at an angle towards the ball will prevent the keeper from diving backwards. Once the keeper shuffles at a forward angle, a power step must be taken with the foot closest to the ball to generate power. Goalkeepers must step forward on their toes, not on their heels, to provide a forward moving movement. The opposite leg drives the keeper with force towards the ball.
• Maintain a square shape towards the shooter. We must teach goalkeepers to make a diving save on their sides instead of the back or stomach to prevent serious injuries. Landing on the side can assist keepers in making sure the ball doesn’t go through their bodies because there is a large barrier behind the ball that consist of their upper and lower body. After the save is made, keepers should not roll on their backs. If they end up on their backs or roll away, they will not be able to start the attack effectively because they are not facing the field of play.
• Catching the ball with the hands first. Always teach your keeper to use two hands in catching the ball first. Keepers should make sure the hand farthest away from the ball comes across the body along with the hand closest to the ball when making a diving save. Once the ball is caught, the goalkeeper can cushion the impact landing by using the ball to break the fall and then brought into the chest to seal the save.
• Once the ball is caught, keepers should not use their hands to get back up. While on the ground, they should try using the top leg to kick back and spring themselves back up on one knee. From there they can stand up and start the attack. Using this technique will always make sure that the keeper has two hands on the ball.
POSITIONING FOR KEEPERS
When a goalkeeper is in the correct position, it is perhaps the most effective skill that a keeper can master. I am a firm believer that positioning is the key to becoming a successful goalkeeper. Keepers that take the initiative in positioning themselves correctly in the goal area will undoubtedly increase their chances of making a save.
To make the art of positioning that much easier, keepers need to visualize an imaginary string that goes from the ball, through their legs, to the middle of the goal. Regardless of where the ball is positioned in front of the goal, a keeper must always utilize this technique to aide in preventing any easy angles for the striker. This skill will help goalkeepers maintain a sense of effective positioning to increase the possibility of making a save.
Positioning applies to many different goalkeeping situations that include crosses, one on one situation, positioning for through balls, penalties, and free kicks. Being at the right place at the right time cannot be emphasized enough.
In goalkeeping, positioning is a word that is practiced, memorized, and repeated to ensure comprehension in overall play. It is always important to commit yourself to being in the right place at the right time to prevent any scoring opportunities. Positioning is not learned in one day. It takes some time to excel in this area. Try to reach that level of perfection in practice and during games and you will be fine.
PUNTING
When the goalkeeper punts a ball it’s because their long and short passing options are not available and they need to relieve the pressure in their end. They also may want to keep the ball as far away from their goal as possible late in a game.
Punting should not be the goalkeeper’s first choice when he/she gets a ball. The first choice should be a long outlet pass to keep possession. The second choice should be a short outlet pass to keep possession. The third choice is to punt. Punting can be a weapon if you become accurate enough to find and deliver the ball to one of your teammates down field.
HOW TO PRACTICE PUNTING
The best way to practice punting is to drop the ball with the opposite hand. If you punt the ball with your right foot, drop the ball with your left hand. When dropping the ball with your opposite hand, you can rotate your upper body for more power. Your kicking foot has to travel farther to make contact with the ball to give you greater distance.
When practicing punting, as you make your run toward the 18, your final stride should be to the side and big enough to cock your leg and rotate your shoulders 90 degrees to the target. The follow through should bring your shoulders back to parallel with the goal line and lift the non-kicking foot off the ground. This is how you know you are kicking with more than just your leg. Getting your upper body into the ball will add to the length of the kick. When you practice punting, get a teammate or a net to punt into in order to keep from doing more running than kicking. With a net you can get a lot kicks in a short amount of time.
Remember, FIFA laws of the game, allows the keeper 6 seconds from the time of possession to deliver the ball. Referees will call a foul if they think you are deliberately wasting time.
Kicking the ball is what everyone loves to do so have fun and remember the pros (as good as they are) practice kicking everyday.
Parts of the “LAWS OF THE GAME” goalkeepers should know.
Law 1: the lines on the field are often taken for granted by field players. A keeper will use these lines more than anyone else to determine their position. The penalty spot lets you know when you are in the center of the goal. The eighteen-yard line marks the limit a keeper can use their hands and punt the ball. The six and eighteen yard lines help you judge the distance you are from the goal.
Law 4: Each goalkeeper must wear colors, which distinguish him/her from the field players and referees. The keeper can use gloves, long pants, and a hat.
Law 8: This law has to do with placement of the ball on free kicks inside the goal area. Any free kick for the defense inside their own goal area is like a goal kick, it may be taken from anywhere in the goal area and must leave the penalty area before it is in play. For indirect free kicks for attackers in their opponents’ goal area, the kick is taken from the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the foul occurred. No free kick can be taken from closer than six yards to the goal.
Law 9: The referee is considered to be part of the soccer field when it comes to play. A ball rebounding off the referee is still in play, even if it enters the goal.
Law 10: The outside of the chalked line is the true boundary; the whole of the ball must pass over this boundary to be considered a goal.
Law 12: Calls involving fouls and misconduct are strictly in the opinion of the referee. The goalkeeper is subject to the same laws as players on the field. Although the laws don’t give a goalkeeper any special privileges most referees realize that keepers often put themselves at considerable risk and give them some leeway. An example of this is the goalkeeper using the knee when going for high balls. The knee is used to generate height and provide some protection, not as a weapon. A referee who feels the keeper’s knee is being used dangerously can call the keeper for jumping or charging, and the result would be a penalty kick, if not a yellow or red card in addition. There are four offences in Law 12 especially aimed at the goalkeeper. #1- The Goalkeeper has six seconds to release the ball after controlling it with their hands. #2 – The goalkeeper touches the ball again with the hands after releasing it into play, before another player has touched the ball. #3- the goalkeeper touches the ball with their hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him/ her by a teammate. #4- the goalkeeper touches the ball directly with their hands after a throw-in from a teammate. The goalkeeper may still be used as a target for a throw-in, but they must handle the ball with their feet like any other player.
Law 13: Direct and indirect kicks differ in one respect. A direct kick that goes into the net without being touched is counted as a goal; an indirect kick must be touched by another player (on either team) in order to count as a goal. Indirect kicks are signaled by the referee raising one arm straight above his head. Look for this signal, if it is not given, assume a direct kick. If in doubt, ask the referee.
Any free kick from within the penalty area must leave the penalty area before it is considered in play.
Defenders must be 10 yards from the spot of the free kick. But, what about an indirect kick that is less than 10 yards away from the goal? In this case, defenders are permitted to be closer than 10 yards providing they are on the goal line and between the goal posts.
Law 14: The only time during a game a goalkeeper should be standing on the goal line is during the penalty kick, and that is only because the law says so. Goalkeepers are allowed to move side-to-side along the goal line but not to move forward until the ball is struck.
These are only parts from the laws of the game. To view the laws in their entirety go to www.fifa.com
Setting a Defensive Wall
When a penalty shot is awarded to the attacking team within scoring range of your goal you should set a wall. The wall helps discourage shots directed at the near half of your goal. It also encourages the shooter to attempt hitting a smaller target because part of the goal is now obstructed to his/her view. As soon as the referee is satisfied the ball is placed where the foul occurred and the wall is ten yards away (only if requested by the shooter) the ball can be struck. From the time the referee blows his whistle (indicating a foul) to the time the ball is struck, the wall must be in place. At times this can be only a matter of a few seconds. All too often you see a defending team have a brief mental lapse after the referee indicates a foul occurred. Players wrongfully think they have a lot of time to regroup. It’s definitely not a time to let down your mental guard. If the shooter wants to take advantage of the other team’s mental lapse, the referee won’t stop him/her from doing so. If the shoot take requests the wall be moved ten yards from the ball the referee will stop play long enough to move the wall ten yards from the ball.
To Set a Wall
With the help of your coach, designate five players for your wall. Each player must be assigned a number from one to five. They should keep these numbers throughout the season.
When you call for a wall, you must also designate the number of players you want in the wall. Your call may be “Wall 4”. Those players’ assigned numbers 1 to 4 will make a wall. The player assigned number one should be the tallest and always starts the wall. Player number two the next tallest, down to number five (if five are needed). The reason for the tallest person being assigned number one is that’s the hardest person to shoot over. And since you are trying to discourage shooting at that side of your net, it makes sense to have the tallest person there. Whatever number you call, that number of players will make up the wall.
The number one player (post or anchor as their called) will get on an imaginary line from the ball to the near post. He/she should be facing the goalkeeper only long enough for the keeper to adjust the position of the wall to their liking, then turn and face with the others. The other players assigned to the wall will align themselves off the anchor. The keeper should have the anchor just outside of the imaginary line drawn from the ball to the near post. This position helps prevent a shot from going just inside the near post.
If everyone on your team has practiced this little “fire drill” the wall should be set in four to five seconds. Hopefully this will prevent a quick thinking attacker from taking advantage of an unprepared team.
Keepers, when setting a wall, anticipate the quick shot as the ball is placed where the foul occurred. Always keep your eye on the ball. If you can’t see the ball when it is shot, you probably won’t be able to react in time when you do see it in flight to prevent the ball going in.
After the wall is set, draw two imaginary lines from the ball, one to the far post and the other just clearing the highest number person in the wall. This will form a cone shape. You should be in the middle of the cone near the goal line.
The last thing is: always is alert and alive expecting to make a save.
This is only one of a number of ways to set a wall. You may decide later, changes in the number of players or their positions may work better for you
Starting the Attack
When a Goalkeeper gains control of the ball, the first thought should be to start the attack. Starting the attack before your opponents can recover and get in defensive positions gives your team an advantage. Punting the ball as far down the field as you can should not be your first priority. There is a time during the game when punting should be your first priority. When it’s late in the game and your team is winning by a goal or two, getting the ball out of your end of the field is a good move. If the other team is going to gain possession of the ball it’s better to have them as far away from your goal as possible.
Starting the attack means keeping possession of the ball. A punted ball gives both teams an equal chance to gain control (50/50 ball).
Your first priority should be a long outlet pass (usually a javelin throw) to a teammate on one of the flanks.
Your second priority should be a short pass out wide to either side. Bowling the ball is best for short passes because that is the most accurate. A word of caution when bowling, try to bowl a no bounce ball to your teammate. A bouncing ball, at times, can be difficult to handle. The last consideration when passing short is the accuracy of the pass. Your pass should be to the side of your teammate that will open them up to the rest of the field.
Your third priority should be a punt. When you punt always try to aim for numbers up areas. Remember you have six seconds to release the ball.
Goal Kicks
Keepers, if someone else on your team is taking the goal kicks for you, start practicing ASAP. You become more valuable to your team when you take the goal kicks.
If a field player is used to take a goal kick the opposing team can place an attacker on the eighteen. And if the opposing team gets control of the ball, they can pass to the attacker for a one on one situation in front of your goal (every coach’s dream is to have their attackers in a position to be one on one).
Short Passes
When using a short pass to start an attack, make your teammate look good.
There are four considerations in making a good short pass:
1) There must be enough open space in front of the receiver to collect the ball and look for options before getting pressured.
If you bowl a ball to a teammate being closely marked by the opposition, you may be getting the ball back sooner than you had hoped, in the form of a shot. You will have to experiment with you teammates to get a feel for the distance they need to receive and control the ball. Start with 15 yards and adjust from there. If they don’t have 15 yards of open space in front of them, don’t give them the ball.
2) The ball must be placed in front of your teammate (between your teammate and your opponent’s goal).
Bowling the ball behind your teammate will cause him/her to turn their back to the field to retrieve the ball. Not being able to see what is taking place behind them, they may turn into on rushing opponents.
3) The pass should not be bouncing.
Bouncing balls take more time to control than a ball rolling across the ground. Time is the one thing you don’t have a lot of when starting an attack.
4) The weight of the pass.
Bowling the ball to hard or to easy can also create problems for your teammate.
A little practice bowling balls to your defenders will increase everyone’s confidence in starting the attack. And you a better feel for passing at the right speed.
Remember, when your teammate looks good receiving a pass from you, you know you did everything right. Congratulate yourself for making your teammate look good!
The Backup Keeper
Being a starting goalkeeper is, in my opinion, the second most difficult position on a team. The most difficult position is the backup keeper.
While the goalkeeper on the field knows that at any time, they might be called on to make the save or to help with distribution, the backup keeper frequently is sitting on the bench watching yet they know that with little more then a moments notice, they might be called on to replace the keeper and have to be physically and mentally prepared to do so. If the starting keeper gets injured, or red carded, there is virtually no time for the backup keeper to prepare to step on the field and be ready to play at a high level.
When there is a need for a keeper change, the last thing I want the backup keeper doing is running around looking for their jersey or looking for their gloves and then trying to find a ball to get a few touches with before stepping on the field.
Instead, the successful backup has their jersey and gloves handy, knows where a ball is to warm up (if there is an opportunity) and will even know who will warm them up.
Also, the successful backup will not just be watching the game while it's being played but will also be analyzing the game from the sideline so they can be prepared to step right in and know what is happening. They shouldn't be stepping on the field trying to figure out the tendencies of the opponents since they will have been doing that from the sidelines from the start. Even if they don't get in during that first half, they will be able to help with suggestions/recommendations to the starting keeper to make their job easier (because the primary role of the backup keeper is to help the team get better while preparing for their opportunity to play).
In training, the backup keeper’s job is to constantly work to get better while also pushing the starting keeper. It's important that the backup keeper challenge the starting keeper while maintaining a team first mentality. If the keepers can work well together, it will benefit both. If the keepers see each other as adversaries rather then teammates, it could result in a detrimental situation for all.
As a coach, it's important to have open communication with the back up keeper to make sure they stay involved at all times. If they feel like second-class citizens because they are the second string keeper, this will show in their performance.
Ideally, with younger ages, there wouldn't be a second string keeper who doesn't play unless there is an injury but rather either there would be two equal keepers or one keeper and a field player trained as a backup if necessary.
For further assistance please contact:
GSM International or Coastal Carollina Soccer Camp and Academy
843-235-3762
pbanta@c.rr.com
March 15th GSM Devotional
You Are the Person He Chose
Scripture: Ephesians 2:10 says, “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Listen to what God is saying to you in His holy Word: “I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:11–13).
How about these verses? They have got to make you feel special and cause you to realize that God sees you helping Him coach and play soccer to impact others. The script has been written for you, my friend!
Contrary to what the world might tell you, God loves you passionately, and He planned, designed, and shaped you for His purposes and for the work He planned for you to do while you’re on the earth. Because God is about love, you were created and have been molded to play and coach for Him with passion—not for man or yourself. God created you to have a growing knowledge of Him, of coaching, and of the game itself, so that, inspired by the authority of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, you can personally grow in the game of life. But more significantly, He made you to live and die for the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20) so that you can impact your players to be successful, both on and off the field.
As coaches and players, Gog has a place specially designed for you to serve, a purpose created for you to pursue, a special role using your character and passions to impact others, and a function to fulfill in love for your God. After knowing Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior, He most wants for you to do what He purposed you to do. He wants you to personally experience great significance and worth in your life as you play and coach for Him.
To put it simply, He wants you to fulfill His plan for your life and He wants to reward you for your efforts to help Him by coaching players and playing well with your team mates for whom He also has a purpose. You’re the person He chose, and there’s nobody else who can take your place.
Every time you step on the training field or to prepare for a match remember who you’re doing this game for; For Him and not me.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
You Are the Person He Chose
Scripture: Ephesians 2:10 says, “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Listen to what God is saying to you in His holy Word: “I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:11–13).
How about these verses? They have got to make you feel special and cause you to realize that God sees you helping Him coach and play soccer to impact others. The script has been written for you, my friend!
Contrary to what the world might tell you, God loves you passionately, and He planned, designed, and shaped you for His purposes and for the work He planned for you to do while you’re on the earth. Because God is about love, you were created and have been molded to play and coach for Him with passion—not for man or yourself. God created you to have a growing knowledge of Him, of coaching, and of the game itself, so that, inspired by the authority of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, you can personally grow in the game of life. But more significantly, He made you to live and die for the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20) so that you can impact your players to be successful, both on and off the field.
As coaches and players, Gog has a place specially designed for you to serve, a purpose created for you to pursue, a special role using your character and passions to impact others, and a function to fulfill in love for your God. After knowing Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior, He most wants for you to do what He purposed you to do. He wants you to personally experience great significance and worth in your life as you play and coach for Him.
To put it simply, He wants you to fulfill His plan for your life and He wants to reward you for your efforts to help Him by coaching players and playing well with your team mates for whom He also has a purpose. You’re the person He chose, and there’s nobody else who can take your place.
Every time you step on the training field or to prepare for a match remember who you’re doing this game for; For Him and not me.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 1st GSM Devotional
'Get Ready for Those Tuff Times by Being Holy'
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-14 says, “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children (coaches and players), do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.”
Two of my favorite biblical characters are Paul and Peter. Maybe it because my name is Paul and one of my brothers is Peter. There was no one like Paul. He simply lived what Peter wrote about in the above verse. The apostle Peter knew that hard days lay ahead for himself and his fellow brother and sisters. Peter reminded them about their security with God. That same security is available for us as we play and coach this game and when we live life beyond what happens on the field. Peter told them they were born into a living hope, given spiritual protection during this life, and guaranteed eternity in heaven with their Father forever. Peter then gave them specific ways to prepare for the coming trials. His words, divinely inspired by the Lord, guide us as well while we do our calling through soccer. Peter could have been an unbelievable coach.
As we prepare to play and coach this great game of soccer do we prepare our minds correctly, stay under control on the field, side lines and in our practice sessions to be obedient to the calling Christ gave us? During part of my past coaching career I used to have a bit of a temper problem. Some of my past players who get these devotionals might say, “A bit of a problem, are you kidding me!" If I didn’t like the way my players played or when I thought an official was not justified in calling the match correctly, I simply allowed my personal desires to run faster than normal and I let them have their way. I got so used to my way and not God’s way that my way became second nature and conformed to the evil desires and sinful nature. I simply coached as a person in ignorance. It can’t be explained it any simpler. The truth is the truth. We have to make choices that honor God and do it with consistency every practice session, match and in team meetings. We do it with God
honoring commitment through our thinking, speaking and the actions we take.
Here’s a few coaching tips:
• God’s first instruction relates to using our brains beyond just heading the ball. What we believe has a direct impact on the way we respond to our personal problems. If we really have the faith to trust that God is looking out for us, then we will feel less threatened by our circumstances, some that are a result of our poor choices. But if we choose to rely on ourselves, then we are more likely to react poorly to situations sometimes reacting seriously out of control.
• Our negative attitudes, whether from anger, fear, worry, jealousy, or hatred can turn what might have been a reasonable response to a situation that escalates to something beyond your control. Preparation for practice sessions and match times needs to start with correct thinking. Our minds need to be transformed with Biblical thinking so that our bodies act correctly and our mouths speak God-honoring words.
• Our enemy, Satan, is quick trip us up or turn us away from God's path. With the empowering of the Holy Spirit's help (those soft, gentle words that we consciously hear telling us what’s right or wrong), we can learn to stand firm in a time of pressure or crisis and steadfastly follow the Lord and His path for us (Proverbs 3:6).
The world around us is increasingly distancing itself from Jesus Christ. Are you preparing spiritually for whatever the moments in your future hold, and are you willing to do it with Biblical integrity? Can we use the game not only to change the way God wants us to play or coach, but can we also challenge our teammates and coaching fraternity to be more like Him by our example of being obedient to His call for us?
May the Lord bless you as you take this game to a higher level.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Get Ready for Those Tuff Times by Being Holy'
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-14 says, “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children (coaches and players), do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.”
Two of my favorite biblical characters are Paul and Peter. Maybe it because my name is Paul and one of my brothers is Peter. There was no one like Paul. He simply lived what Peter wrote about in the above verse. The apostle Peter knew that hard days lay ahead for himself and his fellow brother and sisters. Peter reminded them about their security with God. That same security is available for us as we play and coach this game and when we live life beyond what happens on the field. Peter told them they were born into a living hope, given spiritual protection during this life, and guaranteed eternity in heaven with their Father forever. Peter then gave them specific ways to prepare for the coming trials. His words, divinely inspired by the Lord, guide us as well while we do our calling through soccer. Peter could have been an unbelievable coach.
As we prepare to play and coach this great game of soccer do we prepare our minds correctly, stay under control on the field, side lines and in our practice sessions to be obedient to the calling Christ gave us? During part of my past coaching career I used to have a bit of a temper problem. Some of my past players who get these devotionals might say, “A bit of a problem, are you kidding me!" If I didn’t like the way my players played or when I thought an official was not justified in calling the match correctly, I simply allowed my personal desires to run faster than normal and I let them have their way. I got so used to my way and not God’s way that my way became second nature and conformed to the evil desires and sinful nature. I simply coached as a person in ignorance. It can’t be explained it any simpler. The truth is the truth. We have to make choices that honor God and do it with consistency every practice session, match and in team meetings. We do it with God
honoring commitment through our thinking, speaking and the actions we take.
Here’s a few coaching tips:
• God’s first instruction relates to using our brains beyond just heading the ball. What we believe has a direct impact on the way we respond to our personal problems. If we really have the faith to trust that God is looking out for us, then we will feel less threatened by our circumstances, some that are a result of our poor choices. But if we choose to rely on ourselves, then we are more likely to react poorly to situations sometimes reacting seriously out of control.
• Our negative attitudes, whether from anger, fear, worry, jealousy, or hatred can turn what might have been a reasonable response to a situation that escalates to something beyond your control. Preparation for practice sessions and match times needs to start with correct thinking. Our minds need to be transformed with Biblical thinking so that our bodies act correctly and our mouths speak God-honoring words.
• Our enemy, Satan, is quick trip us up or turn us away from God's path. With the empowering of the Holy Spirit's help (those soft, gentle words that we consciously hear telling us what’s right or wrong), we can learn to stand firm in a time of pressure or crisis and steadfastly follow the Lord and His path for us (Proverbs 3:6).
The world around us is increasingly distancing itself from Jesus Christ. Are you preparing spiritually for whatever the moments in your future hold, and are you willing to do it with Biblical integrity? Can we use the game not only to change the way God wants us to play or coach, but can we also challenge our teammates and coaching fraternity to be more like Him by our example of being obedient to His call for us?
May the Lord bless you as you take this game to a higher level.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GSM Devotional February 15th
Fulfilling Your Purpose in the Game
Scripture: Psalms 139:1-4 says, "O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord”.
Your purpose in life is chosen by God. It is not negotiable. It is like calling water wet - there is no changing that fact, and there's no changing God's purpose for your life. While you may not fulfill the purpose for which you were made, you still have a purpose that God intends for you to fulfill. This is your blueprint from God. In the same way that He had a specific purpose in mind for Jesus when He sent Him to the earth, He has a specific purpose in mind for your life.
This doesn't mean, however, that there is one highly specific niche for you to fill and that if you miss it, too bad. It is my belief that you can achieve your purpose in many different and creative ways. This should take the pressure off. You won't throw your entire life off course by choosing the wrong college, job or mate. God is much bigger than any miscalculation or disobedience on our part. "The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me" (Ps. 138:8). Isn't that comforting to know?
Defining your purpose will help you to determine the activities that you should be involved in. Like Jesus, you should not involve yourself in activities that contradict His purpose for your existence. Jesus’ Purpose was to do the will of the Father and become the salvation for mankind.
Each of us in this game and the Game of Life must ask why we are involved and for what purpose? Is it a God-filled purpose and His passion for us, or just a good job as we pass through this earthly life? Remember, Jesus only did something if He saw the Father doing it, and He was able to see what His Father was doing because of His intimate relationship with Him. Are you prepared to practice ‘Fulfilling Your Purpose’ which can only come out of having that intimate, daily relationship with our Savior, and by never backing down from our opponent Satan?
Fulfilling Your Purpose in the Game
Scripture: Psalms 139:1-4 says, "O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord”.
Your purpose in life is chosen by God. It is not negotiable. It is like calling water wet - there is no changing that fact, and there's no changing God's purpose for your life. While you may not fulfill the purpose for which you were made, you still have a purpose that God intends for you to fulfill. This is your blueprint from God. In the same way that He had a specific purpose in mind for Jesus when He sent Him to the earth, He has a specific purpose in mind for your life.
This doesn't mean, however, that there is one highly specific niche for you to fill and that if you miss it, too bad. It is my belief that you can achieve your purpose in many different and creative ways. This should take the pressure off. You won't throw your entire life off course by choosing the wrong college, job or mate. God is much bigger than any miscalculation or disobedience on our part. "The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me" (Ps. 138:8). Isn't that comforting to know?
Defining your purpose will help you to determine the activities that you should be involved in. Like Jesus, you should not involve yourself in activities that contradict His purpose for your existence. Jesus’ Purpose was to do the will of the Father and become the salvation for mankind.
Each of us in this game and the Game of Life must ask why we are involved and for what purpose? Is it a God-filled purpose and His passion for us, or just a good job as we pass through this earthly life? Remember, Jesus only did something if He saw the Father doing it, and He was able to see what His Father was doing because of His intimate relationship with Him. Are you prepared to practice ‘Fulfilling Your Purpose’ which can only come out of having that intimate, daily relationship with our Savior, and by never backing down from our opponent Satan?
GSM February 1st Monthly Devotional
God’s Peace Plan for You
Scripture: Philippians 4:6 says, “You will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Coaching and playing duties don’t always lead to a peaceful life. There’s simply a lot of pressures that we create for ourselves or others create for us. Our boss, coach, players, spouse, family, teachers, friends and the community all seem to want a part of our daily lives. We get pulled and tossed about and often our plan to move through the day is disrupted by life tugging us in all different directions. Satan’s alive and well trying to make life unbearable and not peaceful. He wants to destroy what God really wants for us and that is God’s perfect peace. When life gets hectic His peace will guard our hearts if our eyes are fixed on Him.
We really need to memorize (Philippians 4:6), appropriate it in our daily living and believe that the Lord will give us His peace through the power of the Holy Spirit. When we’ve made peace with God, God gives us His peace. It’s that simple. All of a sudden, the stress in our lives is lower. You’re not as angry as you used to be, not up tight and tense and you seem to be thinking clearly. Things don’t even bother you as much. You’re a lot more patient. You’re filled with a lot more love and peace and your thinking correctly as the Lord wants for you. You’re now moving at His pace and for His purposes. Moving toward Him and totally away from Satan’s control and may be even from his power over you and your habits.
Why all this peace planning? God loves us so much and once we have peace with God, we have the peace of God in our heart, minds, body and our very soul. This peace is the peace God speaks about in the Bible, “the peace that passes all our understanding.”
The Bible says, “Don’t worry about anything. Instead pray about everything” (Philippians 4:6). You have two choices in life: You can pray or panic, or have peace or worry. Those are your choices. Did you miss scoring the goal or maybe didn’t sign that top recruit that you’ve been after because he selected another team to play on. Worry has never solved a single one of our playing or coaching problems. If you prayed as much as you worry, you would have a lot less to worry about! Prayer can change things and give you peace. That’s why the Bible says, “Don’t worry, pray!”
“Pray about everything. Tell God what you need. Thank him for all that he’s done. If you do this you might, all of a sudden, experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6).
Okay. Let’s get on with it and coach and play with peace and purpose!
God’s Peace Plan for You
Scripture: Philippians 4:6 says, “You will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Coaching and playing duties don’t always lead to a peaceful life. There’s simply a lot of pressures that we create for ourselves or others create for us. Our boss, coach, players, spouse, family, teachers, friends and the community all seem to want a part of our daily lives. We get pulled and tossed about and often our plan to move through the day is disrupted by life tugging us in all different directions. Satan’s alive and well trying to make life unbearable and not peaceful. He wants to destroy what God really wants for us and that is God’s perfect peace. When life gets hectic His peace will guard our hearts if our eyes are fixed on Him.
We really need to memorize (Philippians 4:6), appropriate it in our daily living and believe that the Lord will give us His peace through the power of the Holy Spirit. When we’ve made peace with God, God gives us His peace. It’s that simple. All of a sudden, the stress in our lives is lower. You’re not as angry as you used to be, not up tight and tense and you seem to be thinking clearly. Things don’t even bother you as much. You’re a lot more patient. You’re filled with a lot more love and peace and your thinking correctly as the Lord wants for you. You’re now moving at His pace and for His purposes. Moving toward Him and totally away from Satan’s control and may be even from his power over you and your habits.
Why all this peace planning? God loves us so much and once we have peace with God, we have the peace of God in our heart, minds, body and our very soul. This peace is the peace God speaks about in the Bible, “the peace that passes all our understanding.”
The Bible says, “Don’t worry about anything. Instead pray about everything” (Philippians 4:6). You have two choices in life: You can pray or panic, or have peace or worry. Those are your choices. Did you miss scoring the goal or maybe didn’t sign that top recruit that you’ve been after because he selected another team to play on. Worry has never solved a single one of our playing or coaching problems. If you prayed as much as you worry, you would have a lot less to worry about! Prayer can change things and give you peace. That’s why the Bible says, “Don’t worry, pray!”
“Pray about everything. Tell God what you need. Thank him for all that he’s done. If you do this you might, all of a sudden, experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6).
Okay. Let’s get on with it and coach and play with peace and purpose!
January 15th GSM Coaches and Players Devotional
You Must Be Committed or Quit Coaching!
Scripture: John 15:16 says: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go [coach or play] and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.”
I remember when one of my teams finally got into the NCAA Division 1 Soccer Tournament on what was probably the smallest operational budget in the USA. I had to mark fields, help repair the grass on the field, and buy the sod out of my own pocket. I had to raise money to hire support staff and recruit players. Would you believe my entire recruiting budget was $1,500 for the year? This covered recruiting trips, postage, stationery, phone calls, and players’ visits. It was worse than a small high school travel budget.
By now you’re thinking, it can’t be possible. How did you make it into the NCAA tournament on a budget like that? It was commitment! It took a total commitment of my time and year-round, working eighty to a hundred hours weekly. I knew I had to sacrifice more than a coach who had plenty of money to make his program work. So I did whatever it took, because I was committed to my job and I knew what price I needed to pay if my players were ever going to feel the grass under their feet during a match in an NCAA soccer tournament. There were many other years when unusual personal sacrifices were made by our players, by my staff, and by me so the team could be a winner. I learned that if you want to win badly enough, you’ll give up part of your life and even your health. You’ll roll up your sleeves, pull up your bootstraps, and go for all it’s worth.
Real Commitment for Christian coaches and players means more than the physical hard work and emotional energy it takes to do the work on and off the field. A significant level of mature spiritual commitment is also required. If you’re going to serve the Lord through your passion for the game, you need to put in extra time to commit to your spiritual concerns for yourself and your team. Guess what? It’s a hard battle. You can’t go it alone. You’ll find that inner strength and peace will come only through the power of the Holy Spirit.
John 16:13 says, “The Spirit of truth [the Holy Spirit] . . . will guide you into all truth.” If you’re struggling to find a better way to do what you face daily, you need to start taking some risks. You need to make the tough choices of being more committed to the Lord about using your faith, remaining committed to Christ, and using the power of the Holy Spirit to believe God will work His purpose through the daily grind to complete His work through you. Remember, you were selected to do soccer for the Lord. You’re on His team and nobody else’s.
May God bless you by serving Christ through the game.
Paul
Proverbs 3:5-6
Paul Banta
President/Founder
www.GlobalSoccerMinistries.org
www.GlobalSoccerTrips.com
843.235.3762
You Must Be Committed or Quit Coaching!
Scripture: John 15:16 says: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go [coach or play] and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.”
I remember when one of my teams finally got into the NCAA Division 1 Soccer Tournament on what was probably the smallest operational budget in the USA. I had to mark fields, help repair the grass on the field, and buy the sod out of my own pocket. I had to raise money to hire support staff and recruit players. Would you believe my entire recruiting budget was $1,500 for the year? This covered recruiting trips, postage, stationery, phone calls, and players’ visits. It was worse than a small high school travel budget.
By now you’re thinking, it can’t be possible. How did you make it into the NCAA tournament on a budget like that? It was commitment! It took a total commitment of my time and year-round, working eighty to a hundred hours weekly. I knew I had to sacrifice more than a coach who had plenty of money to make his program work. So I did whatever it took, because I was committed to my job and I knew what price I needed to pay if my players were ever going to feel the grass under their feet during a match in an NCAA soccer tournament. There were many other years when unusual personal sacrifices were made by our players, by my staff, and by me so the team could be a winner. I learned that if you want to win badly enough, you’ll give up part of your life and even your health. You’ll roll up your sleeves, pull up your bootstraps, and go for all it’s worth.
Real Commitment for Christian coaches and players means more than the physical hard work and emotional energy it takes to do the work on and off the field. A significant level of mature spiritual commitment is also required. If you’re going to serve the Lord through your passion for the game, you need to put in extra time to commit to your spiritual concerns for yourself and your team. Guess what? It’s a hard battle. You can’t go it alone. You’ll find that inner strength and peace will come only through the power of the Holy Spirit.
John 16:13 says, “The Spirit of truth [the Holy Spirit] . . . will guide you into all truth.” If you’re struggling to find a better way to do what you face daily, you need to start taking some risks. You need to make the tough choices of being more committed to the Lord about using your faith, remaining committed to Christ, and using the power of the Holy Spirit to believe God will work His purpose through the daily grind to complete His work through you. Remember, you were selected to do soccer for the Lord. You’re on His team and nobody else’s.
May God bless you by serving Christ through the game.
Paul
Proverbs 3:5-6
Paul Banta
President/Founder
www.GlobalSoccerMinistries.org
www.GlobalSoccerTrips.com
843.235.3762
January 1st 2009 Coaches and Platers Devotional
How to Fight and Win Your Battle
Scripture: Ephesians 6:12 says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
When we are coaching and playing soccer there are four things we need to recognize when we are face to face with a battle that will require us to do some spiritual warfare.
Acknowledge there is a powerful adversary. Satan is a real character, a real bad dude who’s trying to bring you down daily. 1 Peter 5:8-9 says, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings “. Know that your being attacked is evidence that you are a believer in Christ. Satan hates Jesus and hates you because you love Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. The more you impact the lives of others for God, the more Satan is going to attack you from the right, left and center of the field Christ has planned for you to play on for Him.
If there were no Evil One (Satan) would God send his Son to fight what does not exist? The Bible says in 1 John 3:8, “The Son of God came to destroy these works of Satan.”
God gives us authority and we must use it. Most of us who believe in Christianity are maybe aware of this but may not put it to good use to fight against Satan when he tries to strike us down. Matthew 28:18-19 says, “We have all authority in heaven and earth.” Then Jesus says, “Therefore go and make disciples.” He transfers His authority to you and me enabling us to play the Game of Life as He wants us to vs. the way Satan would like us to play. He does that because he’s given you a specific mission 2 Corinthians 5:20a says, “We are therefore Christ's ambassadors.” We need to coach and play for Him with success for His significance.
Wear your soccer designed armor (by God) to be a winner. When St. Paul wrote about the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-17), he was in prison chained to a Roman guard. Paul used the Roman centurion as a model for spiritual armor. Paul says, just as the Roman soldier is properly dressed to do battle, we also need to be dressed for battle. Do you shine your boots before playing your match?
Shoot your weapons. The battlefield for spiritual warfare is in our thought life, and is expressed in our words and actions. We must be aware of and guard every one of our thoughts, all the words we speak and every action we do as if Jesus was standing right next to us. In this battle for our thoughts, words and actions we must know we are in a battle and we must know we have to fight to win. When you’re on the field coaching and playing do you come out a winner for Christ in the Game of Life?
Next time you go into the game re-think the tools you are going to play or coach with. Each time we play with the right tools our practice and the game gets better. It’s the same with the Game of Life. Practice makes better.
How to Fight and Win Your Battle
Scripture: Ephesians 6:12 says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
When we are coaching and playing soccer there are four things we need to recognize when we are face to face with a battle that will require us to do some spiritual warfare.
Acknowledge there is a powerful adversary. Satan is a real character, a real bad dude who’s trying to bring you down daily. 1 Peter 5:8-9 says, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings “. Know that your being attacked is evidence that you are a believer in Christ. Satan hates Jesus and hates you because you love Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. The more you impact the lives of others for God, the more Satan is going to attack you from the right, left and center of the field Christ has planned for you to play on for Him.
If there were no Evil One (Satan) would God send his Son to fight what does not exist? The Bible says in 1 John 3:8, “The Son of God came to destroy these works of Satan.”
God gives us authority and we must use it. Most of us who believe in Christianity are maybe aware of this but may not put it to good use to fight against Satan when he tries to strike us down. Matthew 28:18-19 says, “We have all authority in heaven and earth.” Then Jesus says, “Therefore go and make disciples.” He transfers His authority to you and me enabling us to play the Game of Life as He wants us to vs. the way Satan would like us to play. He does that because he’s given you a specific mission 2 Corinthians 5:20a says, “We are therefore Christ's ambassadors.” We need to coach and play for Him with success for His significance.
Wear your soccer designed armor (by God) to be a winner. When St. Paul wrote about the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-17), he was in prison chained to a Roman guard. Paul used the Roman centurion as a model for spiritual armor. Paul says, just as the Roman soldier is properly dressed to do battle, we also need to be dressed for battle. Do you shine your boots before playing your match?
Shoot your weapons. The battlefield for spiritual warfare is in our thought life, and is expressed in our words and actions. We must be aware of and guard every one of our thoughts, all the words we speak and every action we do as if Jesus was standing right next to us. In this battle for our thoughts, words and actions we must know we are in a battle and we must know we have to fight to win. When you’re on the field coaching and playing do you come out a winner for Christ in the Game of Life?
Next time you go into the game re-think the tools you are going to play or coach with. Each time we play with the right tools our practice and the game gets better. It’s the same with the Game of Life. Practice makes better.
GSM December 15th Coaches and Players Devotional
The Holy Spirit is on Our Team
Scripture: John 16:7-14 says, “But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. ““I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.””
Wow! What impacting words from Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. I get blown away every time I read these verses and I try to picture myself at the seen that day when Jesus was sharing those words with His apostles and so many disciples that followed him. I think, well I’m a disciple and His words were made for me to impact others for Christ. But how can I really get serious enough to accomplish this when I come in contact with other players and coaches? Where do I get that needed source of power and reasoning to say the right words?
The Holy Spirit is our big time helper and teacher; He reveals to us about the truth we need to know about God’s empowering for us, which direction we go in, what we are to say and the actions He wants us to do, His Holy Words to change our lives and what He wants us to hear for each day and so much more. Throughout our daily Christian walk, the Spirit reveals God's thoughts and purpose for our lives and how He wants to use our passion in the game for Him and for His divine purposes.
The Spirit has several purposes for every single believing coach and player and they are evangelism, discipleship, and missions (serving). (But, I thought I only had to coach!) As your faith develops and matures, you will see Him use you in all of these three jobs. Believe me it will happen if you’re playing and coaching the game correctly. As a result, we'll have a fuller picture of who God is, how He operates in our lives, and the ways we can participate on His team for His purpose. Don’t wait!
The first function of the Holy Spirit is evangelistic. In other words, He wants us to recognize our ‘daily’ sinfulness and need for Him as our Savior. His desire is that we comprehend how our sin separates us from the Him causing us not to coach or play well. Then, as we become aware of the gap between ourselves and the heavenly Father, the Spirit of God teaches us to understand the purpose of Calvary and brings us into a fullness of what our salvation is really about throughout our day.
Next is our discipleship role. The Holy Spirit teaches us how to walk in dependence upon Him and how we have to relate to those around us—players, coaches, friends, those Gods puts in your path, our family, etc. He also directs us to areas where He has planned us to have effective service for Him. He makes our path straight as we lean on Him by trusting in Him with our entire being (heart).
The Spirit also works in a mission’s role. The Father wants everyone to come to know Jesus as Savior, and salvation through Christ provides believers with an opportunity to share their faith with others. This type of effort is accomplished through more than just our words--our character and conduct can also "speak" clearly. That’s correct you have to become a missionary. It can be in you house, at your job, in your community, regional, national and international.
Acts 1:8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."
Where are you heading next for Him? Whatever your direction make sure that you ask the Holy Spirit to come along.
The Holy Spirit is on Our Team
Scripture: John 16:7-14 says, “But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. ““I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.””
Wow! What impacting words from Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. I get blown away every time I read these verses and I try to picture myself at the seen that day when Jesus was sharing those words with His apostles and so many disciples that followed him. I think, well I’m a disciple and His words were made for me to impact others for Christ. But how can I really get serious enough to accomplish this when I come in contact with other players and coaches? Where do I get that needed source of power and reasoning to say the right words?
The Holy Spirit is our big time helper and teacher; He reveals to us about the truth we need to know about God’s empowering for us, which direction we go in, what we are to say and the actions He wants us to do, His Holy Words to change our lives and what He wants us to hear for each day and so much more. Throughout our daily Christian walk, the Spirit reveals God's thoughts and purpose for our lives and how He wants to use our passion in the game for Him and for His divine purposes.
The Spirit has several purposes for every single believing coach and player and they are evangelism, discipleship, and missions (serving). (But, I thought I only had to coach!) As your faith develops and matures, you will see Him use you in all of these three jobs. Believe me it will happen if you’re playing and coaching the game correctly. As a result, we'll have a fuller picture of who God is, how He operates in our lives, and the ways we can participate on His team for His purpose. Don’t wait!
The first function of the Holy Spirit is evangelistic. In other words, He wants us to recognize our ‘daily’ sinfulness and need for Him as our Savior. His desire is that we comprehend how our sin separates us from the Him causing us not to coach or play well. Then, as we become aware of the gap between ourselves and the heavenly Father, the Spirit of God teaches us to understand the purpose of Calvary and brings us into a fullness of what our salvation is really about throughout our day.
Next is our discipleship role. The Holy Spirit teaches us how to walk in dependence upon Him and how we have to relate to those around us—players, coaches, friends, those Gods puts in your path, our family, etc. He also directs us to areas where He has planned us to have effective service for Him. He makes our path straight as we lean on Him by trusting in Him with our entire being (heart).
The Spirit also works in a mission’s role. The Father wants everyone to come to know Jesus as Savior, and salvation through Christ provides believers with an opportunity to share their faith with others. This type of effort is accomplished through more than just our words--our character and conduct can also "speak" clearly. That’s correct you have to become a missionary. It can be in you house, at your job, in your community, regional, national and international.
Acts 1:8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."
Where are you heading next for Him? Whatever your direction make sure that you ask the Holy Spirit to come along.
December 1st GSM Coaches and Players Devotional
Coach and Play with the Great Counselor, the Holy Spirit!
Scripture: Romans 8:29–32 says, “For those [you and me] God foreknew [before you came to earth] he also predestined [had a special plan for] to be conformed to the likeness of His Son. . . . And those he predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those he justified, heal so glorified. If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?”
Wow! What a purpose, an empowering, and a promise for those of us in the game of soccer and doing ‘The Game of Life’.
God has given us a mission, and it’s not an impossible job for you whether you’re still playing the game or coaching. He tells us that He’ll never leave us or forsake us, and His promises are real, true, and justified for His purpose in our lives. He wants us to impact others significantly and use the game to serve Him. Most of us, whether we’ve been playing the game or coaching, have had a lot of success and we need to daily ask ourselves, “Has the success we’ve achieved been measured by the world’s standards or has it been achieved by God's enabling along with our hard work? ”
Work is a natural part of success in the world we live in, and what God wants us to do for Him. But God wants us to look past the immediate personal thrill of success to the spiritual impact we are making on our players, teammates and anyone He brings in to our field of play for His glory rather than the praise the world wants to give us. The purpose that He planned for you and those you influence for Christ will last for eternity while the world slowly drifts away and out of our touch. While on this old earth we are to remain on this continuous, consistent and conscious journey from success to significance, because it's about God not us.
Philippians 4:13 relates the key concept that it is through Him (not ourselves) that we have strength for success to be significant. You see, Christ gave up His life so that He could give life to you and that He could live His life through you and in you. The Lord’s promise in John 10:10b is this: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full [with great success].”
Know that you’re on a planned journey that God has designed specifically for you, and it’s a day-to-day process of growing that takes place during our lifetime here on the earth. He wants to fulfill Himself in us as we play and coach the game with the great Counselor, the Holy Spirit, who will bring about God’s plan in your life.
Coach and Play with the Great Counselor, the Holy Spirit!
Scripture: Romans 8:29–32 says, “For those [you and me] God foreknew [before you came to earth] he also predestined [had a special plan for] to be conformed to the likeness of His Son. . . . And those he predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those he justified, heal so glorified. If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?”
Wow! What a purpose, an empowering, and a promise for those of us in the game of soccer and doing ‘The Game of Life’.
God has given us a mission, and it’s not an impossible job for you whether you’re still playing the game or coaching. He tells us that He’ll never leave us or forsake us, and His promises are real, true, and justified for His purpose in our lives. He wants us to impact others significantly and use the game to serve Him. Most of us, whether we’ve been playing the game or coaching, have had a lot of success and we need to daily ask ourselves, “Has the success we’ve achieved been measured by the world’s standards or has it been achieved by God's enabling along with our hard work? ”
Work is a natural part of success in the world we live in, and what God wants us to do for Him. But God wants us to look past the immediate personal thrill of success to the spiritual impact we are making on our players, teammates and anyone He brings in to our field of play for His glory rather than the praise the world wants to give us. The purpose that He planned for you and those you influence for Christ will last for eternity while the world slowly drifts away and out of our touch. While on this old earth we are to remain on this continuous, consistent and conscious journey from success to significance, because it's about God not us.
Philippians 4:13 relates the key concept that it is through Him (not ourselves) that we have strength for success to be significant. You see, Christ gave up His life so that He could give life to you and that He could live His life through you and in you. The Lord’s promise in John 10:10b is this: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full [with great success].”
Know that you’re on a planned journey that God has designed specifically for you, and it’s a day-to-day process of growing that takes place during our lifetime here on the earth. He wants to fulfill Himself in us as we play and coach the game with the great Counselor, the Holy Spirit, who will bring about God’s plan in your life.
November 15th Coaches and Player Devotional
The Gift We Often Ignore
Scripture: Acts 1:8 says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
There’s a story and it goes like this.
One day a successful Christian coach receives a gift of one million dollars. The giver tells him that it is designated to help the poor. The coach is thankful for the gift and begins making plans for a ministry to reach those in need. A year goes by, and the gift-giver returns, joyfully asking, “Tell me how you used the gift to serve God. Have people come to know Jesus through the ministry you were able to start with the money?” The coach, busy with daily training sessions, coaching matches and trying to win matches, looks confused and asks, “What gift?”
But as the words tumble off his lips, the coach remembers the gift of one million dollars. He’d placed it in a bank account, and then, due to a busy season, family matters, the buying and settling into a new home, recruiting his new players, training players in the off season and many speaking engagements, he’d completely forgotten about the gift. Disappointed, the gift-giver gently says, “I gave you the gift to help
other people. When you received the gift, you also accepted the responsibility for sharing the gift with others. The gift is still there; go use it for ministry, my friend!”
When we become committed Christians we become a partner and team player on God’s Team. We're also given the Holy Spirit to guide us, empower us and to help us act out His plans for our lives. Plans that He designed for you that will give you a great and wonderful life. God places this gift – this Holy Spirit power – within us so we can be His witnessing players in our home towns, county, state, country and throughout the world He created. This gift we can’t ignore.
God gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit, to energize our faith and walk, allowing God to work through us to love and serve others. If we don’t lean on the Holy Spirit or live like He’s not by our side, it is like receiving a gift we never use or something we hide away. The result is our life-gift will never be helpful to anyone, and certainly not used for what it was intended, as part of God’s plan for our lives to help change others for the sake of Christ. God sees and wants us as players and coaches to be successful and this is His plan for us in the game. He does not play soccer and the game of life with losers.
God didn’t just give you an assignment and then leave you to figure it out on your own. He sent the Holy Spirit to empower you. In Luke 24:49 Jesus said, “And look, I am sending you what My Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.” We have to understand that the Holy Spirit, who is one with Jesus, simply want to be alive in us and have us play for His team. He died for you so you could be a player on His team. No other coach ever did that for you.
In John 16:7 and 14 Jesus tells us, “Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send Him to you…. He will glorify Me, because He will take from what is Mine and declare it to you.”
God bless as you serve Christ through the game.
Paul
Paul Banta
President/Founder
The Gift We Often Ignore
Scripture: Acts 1:8 says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
There’s a story and it goes like this.
One day a successful Christian coach receives a gift of one million dollars. The giver tells him that it is designated to help the poor. The coach is thankful for the gift and begins making plans for a ministry to reach those in need. A year goes by, and the gift-giver returns, joyfully asking, “Tell me how you used the gift to serve God. Have people come to know Jesus through the ministry you were able to start with the money?” The coach, busy with daily training sessions, coaching matches and trying to win matches, looks confused and asks, “What gift?”
But as the words tumble off his lips, the coach remembers the gift of one million dollars. He’d placed it in a bank account, and then, due to a busy season, family matters, the buying and settling into a new home, recruiting his new players, training players in the off season and many speaking engagements, he’d completely forgotten about the gift. Disappointed, the gift-giver gently says, “I gave you the gift to help
other people. When you received the gift, you also accepted the responsibility for sharing the gift with others. The gift is still there; go use it for ministry, my friend!”
When we become committed Christians we become a partner and team player on God’s Team. We're also given the Holy Spirit to guide us, empower us and to help us act out His plans for our lives. Plans that He designed for you that will give you a great and wonderful life. God places this gift – this Holy Spirit power – within us so we can be His witnessing players in our home towns, county, state, country and throughout the world He created. This gift we can’t ignore.
God gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit, to energize our faith and walk, allowing God to work through us to love and serve others. If we don’t lean on the Holy Spirit or live like He’s not by our side, it is like receiving a gift we never use or something we hide away. The result is our life-gift will never be helpful to anyone, and certainly not used for what it was intended, as part of God’s plan for our lives to help change others for the sake of Christ. God sees and wants us as players and coaches to be successful and this is His plan for us in the game. He does not play soccer and the game of life with losers.
God didn’t just give you an assignment and then leave you to figure it out on your own. He sent the Holy Spirit to empower you. In Luke 24:49 Jesus said, “And look, I am sending you what My Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.” We have to understand that the Holy Spirit, who is one with Jesus, simply want to be alive in us and have us play for His team. He died for you so you could be a player on His team. No other coach ever did that for you.
In John 16:7 and 14 Jesus tells us, “Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send Him to you…. He will glorify Me, because He will take from what is Mine and declare it to you.”
God bless as you serve Christ through the game.
Paul
Paul Banta
President/Founder
November 1st 2008
GSM International Player and Coaches Devotional
How Firm Am I Doing This Game for Him?
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 says, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
God established protective boundaries for those He’s called to play and coach soccer for Him. He does this because He knows the dangers of our disobedience, for our transgressions and for the way we are affected by our sinful nature. Examples of not just being tempted but committing sin: Unkind words said to our players or team mates when we don’t get our way, not showing love when, if we could have said one kind word it would have made all the difference and so on. God tells us not to give into temptation but to follow Jesus in a life of standing firm, doing and speaking with His love which is the way sorting your own life out and being the person God originally planned for us.
In contrast, the world standards, which Satan whispers those lies that gratification comes from self-indulgence, me being right and are still the old person and not the new person in Christ and so on. These character’s goals are designed by Satan to trip us up so we can’t defend our developing faith and stay on the plan God has for us. We simply choose the wrong way and not the right way and sometimes the result are disastrous not only for ourselves but for others we are to influence. He wants us to be as far away from God as possible. He is just a jerk.
I’ve come to a simply conclusion and that is the only way we can withstand the world's standards, the Devil's whispers in our ears, and our own selfish desires is by immersing ourselves in listening to what God wants us to hear and that’s in His Holy Bible and His Holy Spirit who speaking to me. I work and practice at blocking out the garbage that comes from Satan and hear what comes for my Savior. I’ve tried every way to try to sort out my life; growing personal strength, using my brains and wit without the Lord’s help, but when I focus my attention on getting to know the Lord, letting Him love me, so I can love others, believing His promises are truly going to make my life decision more accurate, and obeying His commands, I really start to take off and become the winner I was designed to be. I score for Him as I was designed. It never fails and as I allow the Holy Spirit’s leading to control me rather than I control me God makes me a winner.
It’s only going to be through our daily growing relationship with Christ that we will be able to fight the battle against Satan, sin, wrong choices and stand firm doing the game for Him the way He designed it for us. This will please Him and you’ll find great blessing and receive tremendous pleasure out of firming up your game based on His Biblical plans rather than the one you are struggling with. We all need to daily develop that friend relationship with our living Savor Christ. He said He would never leave or forsake us. He wants to be our best friend. Can we work hard to know this as the truth that sets us really free and let Him do His thing through us?
God bless your day. Love to hear from you as you walk with the King this day.
Paul Banta
President/Founder of GSM International
pbanta@sc.rr.com
843.235.3762
GSM International Player and Coaches Devotional
How Firm Am I Doing This Game for Him?
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 says, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
God established protective boundaries for those He’s called to play and coach soccer for Him. He does this because He knows the dangers of our disobedience, for our transgressions and for the way we are affected by our sinful nature. Examples of not just being tempted but committing sin: Unkind words said to our players or team mates when we don’t get our way, not showing love when, if we could have said one kind word it would have made all the difference and so on. God tells us not to give into temptation but to follow Jesus in a life of standing firm, doing and speaking with His love which is the way sorting your own life out and being the person God originally planned for us.
In contrast, the world standards, which Satan whispers those lies that gratification comes from self-indulgence, me being right and are still the old person and not the new person in Christ and so on. These character’s goals are designed by Satan to trip us up so we can’t defend our developing faith and stay on the plan God has for us. We simply choose the wrong way and not the right way and sometimes the result are disastrous not only for ourselves but for others we are to influence. He wants us to be as far away from God as possible. He is just a jerk.
I’ve come to a simply conclusion and that is the only way we can withstand the world's standards, the Devil's whispers in our ears, and our own selfish desires is by immersing ourselves in listening to what God wants us to hear and that’s in His Holy Bible and His Holy Spirit who speaking to me. I work and practice at blocking out the garbage that comes from Satan and hear what comes for my Savior. I’ve tried every way to try to sort out my life; growing personal strength, using my brains and wit without the Lord’s help, but when I focus my attention on getting to know the Lord, letting Him love me, so I can love others, believing His promises are truly going to make my life decision more accurate, and obeying His commands, I really start to take off and become the winner I was designed to be. I score for Him as I was designed. It never fails and as I allow the Holy Spirit’s leading to control me rather than I control me God makes me a winner.
It’s only going to be through our daily growing relationship with Christ that we will be able to fight the battle against Satan, sin, wrong choices and stand firm doing the game for Him the way He designed it for us. This will please Him and you’ll find great blessing and receive tremendous pleasure out of firming up your game based on His Biblical plans rather than the one you are struggling with. We all need to daily develop that friend relationship with our living Savor Christ. He said He would never leave or forsake us. He wants to be our best friend. Can we work hard to know this as the truth that sets us really free and let Him do His thing through us?
God bless your day. Love to hear from you as you walk with the King this day.
Paul Banta
President/Founder of GSM International
pbanta@sc.rr.com
843.235.3762
October 15th
GSM Coaches and Players Devotional
More Than You Could Imagine
Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21, says "For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
One of today's tragedies is that many coaches and players are unaware of what the Lord's plan is for them, and more importantly, He's dying to get you to play a bigger role in this game for Him. One of the most popular questions I get asked, by emails and phone calls from all over the world is, "I want to do this game but what direction should I go in." Most of us rejoice when God answers our prayers and we even marvel when He reveals new scriptural concepts to us or the balls go in the net unexpectedly. Yet, only a few of us expect Him to have any interest in a relationship with our teammates or players on a deeper spiritual level, let alone what we do during the day. Why is this and why do we cheat ourselves of what God really has for every minute of the day?
We have to understand and be aware that the Lord is involved in all aspects of our life. And, we can see Him move if we look at things with His perspective (Biblically) and we actually look for His power (Holy Spirit) working, rather than our power doing the work over His. It's not by our might but by His. Most of us who have done this game as players or coaches know it's not easy to put Christ in control because the game takes a lot of personal fighting power. We are ingrained into thinking that we, rather than He, should do all of the work. He doesn't need you even though He loves you big time. Remember, we were made for Him and by Him. Don't you think He knows what's best?
We must be working daily at developing the right relationship with God, just as you do with your close friends, teammates and your players. We will be blind to His work in our lives until we completely trust His Son as our personal Savior to be that working force in us, to mold and make us as He has planned, so we can serve Him as He designed. We need to step aside and let the 'Thee' take over us rather than the 'me' selfishly do it. At the moment of our salvation, when we said yes to Jesus, we were given an amazing gift, the Holy Spirit, who provides spiritual discernment to help empower us to impact our talk and our walk. He helps us see how situations, which may appear insignificant or even negative, are actually part of the Father's plan to conform us to the image of Jesus Christ, That’s how we need to be doing the game for Him.
All of us in the game need to be talking to God and placing Him at the center of our focus so we can be available to hear Him, and be attentive to what He wants us to think, say and do. As we speak to Him, we need to be watching and listening carefully for His responses.
We have to daily surrender our personal agenda–doing things by our own willpower. When we are prepared to do whatever it is the Lord requires of us, He most definitely will be working in our life. If you are in His will, expect to see results every time you ask for His help. This is a very clear biblical principle throughout the New Testament. He never leaves us or forsakes us. Remember, Christianity is not a fairly tale but a life style based on hope in a living Savior.
The Lord's work is an expression of His great love for you in this game. He wants us to see what He is doing in our lives so our faith will be strengthened. If we are prayerful and submissive, the Holy Spirit will open our eyes to the Father's hand in our lives. Learn to do more then you could ever imagine in the Game as you prepare for your eternity with Him. Race and Run well.
God bless.
Paul Banta
pbanta@sc.rr.com
GSM Coaches and Players Devotional
More Than You Could Imagine
Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21, says "For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
One of today's tragedies is that many coaches and players are unaware of what the Lord's plan is for them, and more importantly, He's dying to get you to play a bigger role in this game for Him. One of the most popular questions I get asked, by emails and phone calls from all over the world is, "I want to do this game but what direction should I go in." Most of us rejoice when God answers our prayers and we even marvel when He reveals new scriptural concepts to us or the balls go in the net unexpectedly. Yet, only a few of us expect Him to have any interest in a relationship with our teammates or players on a deeper spiritual level, let alone what we do during the day. Why is this and why do we cheat ourselves of what God really has for every minute of the day?
We have to understand and be aware that the Lord is involved in all aspects of our life. And, we can see Him move if we look at things with His perspective (Biblically) and we actually look for His power (Holy Spirit) working, rather than our power doing the work over His. It's not by our might but by His. Most of us who have done this game as players or coaches know it's not easy to put Christ in control because the game takes a lot of personal fighting power. We are ingrained into thinking that we, rather than He, should do all of the work. He doesn't need you even though He loves you big time. Remember, we were made for Him and by Him. Don't you think He knows what's best?
We must be working daily at developing the right relationship with God, just as you do with your close friends, teammates and your players. We will be blind to His work in our lives until we completely trust His Son as our personal Savior to be that working force in us, to mold and make us as He has planned, so we can serve Him as He designed. We need to step aside and let the 'Thee' take over us rather than the 'me' selfishly do it. At the moment of our salvation, when we said yes to Jesus, we were given an amazing gift, the Holy Spirit, who provides spiritual discernment to help empower us to impact our talk and our walk. He helps us see how situations, which may appear insignificant or even negative, are actually part of the Father's plan to conform us to the image of Jesus Christ, That’s how we need to be doing the game for Him.
All of us in the game need to be talking to God and placing Him at the center of our focus so we can be available to hear Him, and be attentive to what He wants us to think, say and do. As we speak to Him, we need to be watching and listening carefully for His responses.
We have to daily surrender our personal agenda–doing things by our own willpower. When we are prepared to do whatever it is the Lord requires of us, He most definitely will be working in our life. If you are in His will, expect to see results every time you ask for His help. This is a very clear biblical principle throughout the New Testament. He never leaves us or forsakes us. Remember, Christianity is not a fairly tale but a life style based on hope in a living Savior.
The Lord's work is an expression of His great love for you in this game. He wants us to see what He is doing in our lives so our faith will be strengthened. If we are prayerful and submissive, the Holy Spirit will open our eyes to the Father's hand in our lives. Learn to do more then you could ever imagine in the Game as you prepare for your eternity with Him. Race and Run well.
God bless.
Paul Banta
pbanta@sc.rr.com
October 1st, 2008 Coaching and Players Devotional
Are You Just Going Fishing?
Scripture: John 21: 1-3 says that afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. "I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Outside playing soccer and coaching, I always enjoyed fishing. As a little boy I grew up on it. My father took me and taught me how to fish at a young age. He liked it and I learned to love it. I’d fish for hours by myself, and I still do as long I am catching fish. There’s nothing like it! My sons all fish and my middle son Nathan, well I think he’s addicted like I was when I was younger. My wife grew up fishing off the coast of Jamaica. Her dad was an accomplished deep-sea fisherman.
Simon Peter lived for fishing and some how I think this was in his blood as a child. Beyond the cultural call of a Jewish boy to become a Rabbi, he was a fisherman and would fish all night even when the fishing was not good. Remember our Lord said to Peter before he started following Jesus for three years, “Follow me, I’m going to make you a guy that fishes for men not fish.” He wasn’t catching fish that night. There was a second story of Peter fishing all night and never caught a fish. Have you ever fished and not caught a thing? There was a deeper reason for Peter. Is there one for you? Are you spending more time fishing (or doing other things) and not doing what the Lord has called you to do? As we read in the Bible about the above time in Peter’s life, he wasn’t doing what Jesus wanted him to do. He was fishing for fish not men.
After Christ was crucified and the apostles all scattered why was Peter not going out telling the world about Jesus rather than going fishing? Was he tired, disenchanted, afraid? Just what were he and his buddy’s doing fishing when they should have been out telling people about Jesus? He was missing the boat even though he was in one and he caught nothing. Back on the beach Jesus was cooking fish and bread. It was the second time Jesus saw His friends after the crucifixion. Our Lord even gave Peter and his mates the desire of their heart - 153 big ones that would have normally busted a net in those days. This was their once in a lifetime fishing experience and what a fish story to tell after Jesus left the earth.
The great part of this fishing story is that Peter eventually did all that our Lord said he would be doing. I suspect Peter did do some more fishing, but I’m not sure if he spent the time ‘all night fishing’ anymore. He was being called to a higher purpose than just catching a fish or two or even beating the record of 153.
What are we up to, and who are you fishing for? Are we doing our thing or the Lord’s thing? Is it about you or Him? What’s the purpose of really fishing for Jesus? As we play and coach this game of soccer every thing we think, ever word we say and every goal we score needs to be about Him. Let’s get on with it and go on a new fishing trip for Christ our Lord and Savior.
Paul Banta
GSM International
pbanta@sc.rr.com
Are You Just Going Fishing?
Scripture: John 21: 1-3 says that afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. "I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Outside playing soccer and coaching, I always enjoyed fishing. As a little boy I grew up on it. My father took me and taught me how to fish at a young age. He liked it and I learned to love it. I’d fish for hours by myself, and I still do as long I am catching fish. There’s nothing like it! My sons all fish and my middle son Nathan, well I think he’s addicted like I was when I was younger. My wife grew up fishing off the coast of Jamaica. Her dad was an accomplished deep-sea fisherman.
Simon Peter lived for fishing and some how I think this was in his blood as a child. Beyond the cultural call of a Jewish boy to become a Rabbi, he was a fisherman and would fish all night even when the fishing was not good. Remember our Lord said to Peter before he started following Jesus for three years, “Follow me, I’m going to make you a guy that fishes for men not fish.” He wasn’t catching fish that night. There was a second story of Peter fishing all night and never caught a fish. Have you ever fished and not caught a thing? There was a deeper reason for Peter. Is there one for you? Are you spending more time fishing (or doing other things) and not doing what the Lord has called you to do? As we read in the Bible about the above time in Peter’s life, he wasn’t doing what Jesus wanted him to do. He was fishing for fish not men.
After Christ was crucified and the apostles all scattered why was Peter not going out telling the world about Jesus rather than going fishing? Was he tired, disenchanted, afraid? Just what were he and his buddy’s doing fishing when they should have been out telling people about Jesus? He was missing the boat even though he was in one and he caught nothing. Back on the beach Jesus was cooking fish and bread. It was the second time Jesus saw His friends after the crucifixion. Our Lord even gave Peter and his mates the desire of their heart - 153 big ones that would have normally busted a net in those days. This was their once in a lifetime fishing experience and what a fish story to tell after Jesus left the earth.
The great part of this fishing story is that Peter eventually did all that our Lord said he would be doing. I suspect Peter did do some more fishing, but I’m not sure if he spent the time ‘all night fishing’ anymore. He was being called to a higher purpose than just catching a fish or two or even beating the record of 153.
What are we up to, and who are you fishing for? Are we doing our thing or the Lord’s thing? Is it about you or Him? What’s the purpose of really fishing for Jesus? As we play and coach this game of soccer every thing we think, ever word we say and every goal we score needs to be about Him. Let’s get on with it and go on a new fishing trip for Christ our Lord and Savior.
Paul Banta
GSM International
pbanta@sc.rr.com
September 15th GSM Coaches and Players Devotional
I am Personally Accountable
Scripture: Romans 14:12 says, "So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God."
God will hold us [as coaches and players] accountable for our thoughts,
words, and actions not only to your team, but as you talk and walk daily
with others.
In Psalm 139: 1-3, David says "O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up. You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path [playing or coaching] and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways."
For me there has always been this great mystery about God's love that my
simple mind cannot often understand fully. God knows all about everything I do, and yet He loves us big time. Hard to believe somebody would go that far with me. I'm always amazed at the depth and width of His love.
He knows our inner thoughts and how we flash with anger when someone hurts us or when we hurt them. He sees how we become jealous, resentful, and critical of our team mates and or the opposition. The fact that God loves so much should stir and create a desire within you to draw closer to the Lord, faster than we ever have before [like attacking down the flank], and to serve Him with more commitment than ever before.
David goes on to tells us, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there is any hurtful way in me".
I don't know about you but I constantly battle to make sure I speak the
truth, walk in the truth and not hurt others while being truthful. I bet I'm not alone. For years as a coach I used some real tough and cutting words to convince my players to be winners or else they could expect Mondays practice to be tough and they'd be the sacrificial lamb! Out of line? Way out of line. What's your line? Do you need a course correction?
Will you pray the prayer as David did, and ask the Lord to reveal anything that is displeasing to Him with your playing, coaching, and life? Other Christian coaches, players, and friends might be a great source of accountability to help you. Be willing to accept this type of accountability from another committed brother or sister in the Lord. When you do, you will find your spiritual walk [coaching and playing soccer with passion and purpose] with Christ will deepen, and you will gain fresh insight into your own life and the way you need to re-think what you're doing in the game. Hard to do, but in the end keep in mind that you have to be accountable for your thoughts, words, and actions.
Paul Banta
Philippians 4:13
www.GlobalSoccerMinistries.org
I am Personally Accountable
Scripture: Romans 14:12 says, "So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God."
God will hold us [as coaches and players] accountable for our thoughts,
words, and actions not only to your team, but as you talk and walk daily
with others.
In Psalm 139: 1-3, David says "O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up. You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path [playing or coaching] and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways."
For me there has always been this great mystery about God's love that my
simple mind cannot often understand fully. God knows all about everything I do, and yet He loves us big time. Hard to believe somebody would go that far with me. I'm always amazed at the depth and width of His love.
He knows our inner thoughts and how we flash with anger when someone hurts us or when we hurt them. He sees how we become jealous, resentful, and critical of our team mates and or the opposition. The fact that God loves so much should stir and create a desire within you to draw closer to the Lord, faster than we ever have before [like attacking down the flank], and to serve Him with more commitment than ever before.
David goes on to tells us, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there is any hurtful way in me".
I don't know about you but I constantly battle to make sure I speak the
truth, walk in the truth and not hurt others while being truthful. I bet I'm not alone. For years as a coach I used some real tough and cutting words to convince my players to be winners or else they could expect Mondays practice to be tough and they'd be the sacrificial lamb! Out of line? Way out of line. What's your line? Do you need a course correction?
Will you pray the prayer as David did, and ask the Lord to reveal anything that is displeasing to Him with your playing, coaching, and life? Other Christian coaches, players, and friends might be a great source of accountability to help you. Be willing to accept this type of accountability from another committed brother or sister in the Lord. When you do, you will find your spiritual walk [coaching and playing soccer with passion and purpose] with Christ will deepen, and you will gain fresh insight into your own life and the way you need to re-think what you're doing in the game. Hard to do, but in the end keep in mind that you have to be accountable for your thoughts, words, and actions.
Paul Banta
Philippians 4:13
www.GlobalSoccerMinistries.org
September 1st GSM International Coaches and Players Devotional
Coach and Play with the Great Counselor, the Holy Spirit!
Scripture: Romans 8:29–32 says, “For those [you and me] God foreknew [before you came to earth] he also predestined [had a special plan for] to be conformed to the likeness of His Son. . . . And those he predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?”
Wow! What a purpose, an empowering, and a promise for those of us in the game of soccer and ‘The Game of Life’.
God has given you a mission, and it’s not an impossible job for you whether you still playing the game or coaching. He tells us that He’ll never leave us or for sake us, and His promises are real, true, and justified for His purpose in our lives. He wants you to impact others significantly and use the game to sever Him. Most of us, whether we’ve been playing the game or coaching have had success and our successes have been by the world’s standards and have been based on our personal hard work. Work is a natural part of success. But God wants us to look past the immediate impact of success to a higher level of thinking, acting, and repeating success—impacting our players and teammates for His significance. The purpose that He planned for you and those you influence for Christ. We’re to remain on this continuous, consistence and conscious journey from success to significance.
Philippians 4:13 relates the key concept that it is through Him (not ourselves) that we have strength for success to be significant. You see, Christ gave up His life so that He could give life to you and that He could live His life through you and in you. The Lord’s promise in John 10:10b is this: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Know that you’re on a life time planned journey that God has for specifically designed for you, and it’s a day-to-day process of growing that takes place during our lifetime here on the earth. He wants to fulfill Himself in us as we journey with the great Counselor, the Holy Spirit who will bring about God’s plan in your life.
Coach and Play with the Great Counselor, the Holy Spirit!
Scripture: Romans 8:29–32 says, “For those [you and me] God foreknew [before you came to earth] he also predestined [had a special plan for] to be conformed to the likeness of His Son. . . . And those he predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?”
Wow! What a purpose, an empowering, and a promise for those of us in the game of soccer and ‘The Game of Life’.
God has given you a mission, and it’s not an impossible job for you whether you still playing the game or coaching. He tells us that He’ll never leave us or for sake us, and His promises are real, true, and justified for His purpose in our lives. He wants you to impact others significantly and use the game to sever Him. Most of us, whether we’ve been playing the game or coaching have had success and our successes have been by the world’s standards and have been based on our personal hard work. Work is a natural part of success. But God wants us to look past the immediate impact of success to a higher level of thinking, acting, and repeating success—impacting our players and teammates for His significance. The purpose that He planned for you and those you influence for Christ. We’re to remain on this continuous, consistence and conscious journey from success to significance.
Philippians 4:13 relates the key concept that it is through Him (not ourselves) that we have strength for success to be significant. You see, Christ gave up His life so that He could give life to you and that He could live His life through you and in you. The Lord’s promise in John 10:10b is this: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Know that you’re on a life time planned journey that God has for specifically designed for you, and it’s a day-to-day process of growing that takes place during our lifetime here on the earth. He wants to fulfill Himself in us as we journey with the great Counselor, the Holy Spirit who will bring about God’s plan in your life.
August 15th GSM International Coaches and Players Devotional
Partnerships Brings Power
Scripture: Philippians 1:4-5 Says, “Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.”
As coaches and players we know that partnerships on and off the field are very important. Partnership is the ability to accomplish more together than apart. It recognizes that a team is stronger than a lone coach or one player. A team that’s committed to each other will help the struggling and weaker player.
Mother Teresa said, “You can do what I cannot do. I can do what you cannot do. Together, we can do great things.” An anonymous author wrote, “It is better to have one person working with you, than three working for you.” Andrew Carnegie confessed, “I owe whatever success I have attained, by and large, to my ability to surround myself with people who are smarter than I am.” John Wooden, perhaps the greatest basketball coach of all time, reminded his team, “The man who puts the ball through the hoop has ten hands.”
In the game of soccer it takes a great effort to play a match because of the size of the field and the demands of this game. To prepare for the effort need to produce a beautiful and successful game a bigger effort comes in daily practices. It’s so important that we as players and coaches make greater efforts to commit to partnerships to have match success. Christ wants the same in our commitment to serving Him and playing this great game for Him. We can do it on our own. We need our teammates and coaches to work together encouraging each other to do the game and the game of life for Him and not ourselves.
Call it whatever you want—teamwork, association, synergy—partnership is the remarkable ability of two or more people working together to accomplish more than what each could do alone. I know that if we as coaches and players allow Christ to go before us in all we think, say and do, letting the Holy Spirit control and guide our lives, great thing will come forth. Give it a shot and pass your interests in creating partnership along. You’ll be a winner and hear those powerful words one day when you see His face, “Well done faithful servant.”
May God bless you as you move forward to the Race.
Paul Banta
President of GSM International
www.GlobalSoccerMinistries.Org
Partnerships Brings Power
Scripture: Philippians 1:4-5 Says, “Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.”
As coaches and players we know that partnerships on and off the field are very important. Partnership is the ability to accomplish more together than apart. It recognizes that a team is stronger than a lone coach or one player. A team that’s committed to each other will help the struggling and weaker player.
Mother Teresa said, “You can do what I cannot do. I can do what you cannot do. Together, we can do great things.” An anonymous author wrote, “It is better to have one person working with you, than three working for you.” Andrew Carnegie confessed, “I owe whatever success I have attained, by and large, to my ability to surround myself with people who are smarter than I am.” John Wooden, perhaps the greatest basketball coach of all time, reminded his team, “The man who puts the ball through the hoop has ten hands.”
In the game of soccer it takes a great effort to play a match because of the size of the field and the demands of this game. To prepare for the effort need to produce a beautiful and successful game a bigger effort comes in daily practices. It’s so important that we as players and coaches make greater efforts to commit to partnerships to have match success. Christ wants the same in our commitment to serving Him and playing this great game for Him. We can do it on our own. We need our teammates and coaches to work together encouraging each other to do the game and the game of life for Him and not ourselves.
Call it whatever you want—teamwork, association, synergy—partnership is the remarkable ability of two or more people working together to accomplish more than what each could do alone. I know that if we as coaches and players allow Christ to go before us in all we think, say and do, letting the Holy Spirit control and guide our lives, great thing will come forth. Give it a shot and pass your interests in creating partnership along. You’ll be a winner and hear those powerful words one day when you see His face, “Well done faithful servant.”
May God bless you as you move forward to the Race.
Paul Banta
President of GSM International
www.GlobalSoccerMinistries.Org
August 1st GSM Coaches and Players Devotional
Are You Using Your Grace to Overcome?
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 say, “To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
If you’re a Christian coach or player we know that our Lord declared that His grace (The New Testament word that is usually translated "grace" is in Greek, which literally means "gift") is sufficient for every painful situation (big or small) we will ever encounter (broken relationships, loosing a match, sickness and even death).
As a former NCAA Division 1 Coach I went through a lot of painful situations, but because of His abundant goodness, kindness, and love for me, I did not have to succumb to discouragement, give up hope, or walk away from our problems or from His plan for my coaching or my daily walk with Him. We will know God’s grace is working in us when we have the strength to persevere through the tough times and not quit.
The Holy Spirit (our friend, partner, counselor and comforter) dwells inside us as Christian coaches and players and God releases into us His supernatural power so we will endure the big and the small tough times (Acts 1:8). As our ‘inner spirit of confidence’ in Him ignites within us, grace awakens our heart and mind to believe God will turn our tough times, the trials we go through and troubles causing us to doubt, into something beneficial for us and our team mates or players (Romans 8:28).
He makes sure that He impacts our lives personally along with our team mates or the players we coach. He is not the author of confusion and He makes no mistakes to His own (you and me). You’ll have a sense of God’s presence in your life when you feel His grace working in you. You’ll actually get a feeling of consciously having the Spirit’s power supporting you. Your focus will shift from your worries, trials and problems to God and His super natural work in your life. Grace helps us shift our attention from our situation, negative emotions and feelings and trying to fix things on our own to God’s sufficiency for us to coach, play and live daily for Him and not for ourselves.
In training we focus on the task ahead to play the next match at a higher level or to beat our next opponent, and so it is with our Christian walk. We need to train ourselves daily by reading God’s word, spending time talking to Him and allowing the Holy Spirit (God’s gift to us) to be our team mate or coach to win the game of life and beat up on Satan.
We trust that God will bring us through every situation in our lives — not just barely through, but with deeper intimacy and a greater growing faith that in the end God’s power and might will deepen our lives to impact others for Him. We can be assured that God is in the driver seat if we follow His word and allow Him to have the power of the Holy Spirit present to work in our lives. This is a continuous gift of His grace for us.
God knows Satan will try to influence into making the wrong choices, which will cause confusion in your life that will only hurt you. The Lord has promised to limit these trials that we go through, and be strengthened by His power and His promises (1 Corinthians 10:13). The apostle Paul had been through shipwrecks, imprisonments, and beatings - difficulties far worse than most of our problems. He didn’t quit because he drew on God’s grace daily and found it sufficient and powerful for every circumstance.
Do you need an infusion of grace in order not to give up and walk away?
On my office desk I keep a coin on my key board and get to visualize it a lot. On one side there’s a picture of a soccer ball, which reminds me that God has given me this passion for soccer and Jesus. The other side simply says, “DON’T QUIT.” It’s a moment-by-moment reminder of who I’m doing this game of soccer for and whom I’m playing for. It’s been His gift to me to use for Him. Finish strong by never quitting.
Are you ready to coach and play better for Him?
Paul Banta
President of GSM International
www.GlobalSoccerMinistries.org
Are You Using Your Grace to Overcome?
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 say, “To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
If you’re a Christian coach or player we know that our Lord declared that His grace (The New Testament word that is usually translated "grace" is in Greek, which literally means "gift") is sufficient for every painful situation (big or small) we will ever encounter (broken relationships, loosing a match, sickness and even death).
As a former NCAA Division 1 Coach I went through a lot of painful situations, but because of His abundant goodness, kindness, and love for me, I did not have to succumb to discouragement, give up hope, or walk away from our problems or from His plan for my coaching or my daily walk with Him. We will know God’s grace is working in us when we have the strength to persevere through the tough times and not quit.
The Holy Spirit (our friend, partner, counselor and comforter) dwells inside us as Christian coaches and players and God releases into us His supernatural power so we will endure the big and the small tough times (Acts 1:8). As our ‘inner spirit of confidence’ in Him ignites within us, grace awakens our heart and mind to believe God will turn our tough times, the trials we go through and troubles causing us to doubt, into something beneficial for us and our team mates or players (Romans 8:28).
He makes sure that He impacts our lives personally along with our team mates or the players we coach. He is not the author of confusion and He makes no mistakes to His own (you and me). You’ll have a sense of God’s presence in your life when you feel His grace working in you. You’ll actually get a feeling of consciously having the Spirit’s power supporting you. Your focus will shift from your worries, trials and problems to God and His super natural work in your life. Grace helps us shift our attention from our situation, negative emotions and feelings and trying to fix things on our own to God’s sufficiency for us to coach, play and live daily for Him and not for ourselves.
In training we focus on the task ahead to play the next match at a higher level or to beat our next opponent, and so it is with our Christian walk. We need to train ourselves daily by reading God’s word, spending time talking to Him and allowing the Holy Spirit (God’s gift to us) to be our team mate or coach to win the game of life and beat up on Satan.
We trust that God will bring us through every situation in our lives — not just barely through, but with deeper intimacy and a greater growing faith that in the end God’s power and might will deepen our lives to impact others for Him. We can be assured that God is in the driver seat if we follow His word and allow Him to have the power of the Holy Spirit present to work in our lives. This is a continuous gift of His grace for us.
God knows Satan will try to influence into making the wrong choices, which will cause confusion in your life that will only hurt you. The Lord has promised to limit these trials that we go through, and be strengthened by His power and His promises (1 Corinthians 10:13). The apostle Paul had been through shipwrecks, imprisonments, and beatings - difficulties far worse than most of our problems. He didn’t quit because he drew on God’s grace daily and found it sufficient and powerful for every circumstance.
Do you need an infusion of grace in order not to give up and walk away?
On my office desk I keep a coin on my key board and get to visualize it a lot. On one side there’s a picture of a soccer ball, which reminds me that God has given me this passion for soccer and Jesus. The other side simply says, “DON’T QUIT.” It’s a moment-by-moment reminder of who I’m doing this game of soccer for and whom I’m playing for. It’s been His gift to me to use for Him. Finish strong by never quitting.
Are you ready to coach and play better for Him?
Paul Banta
President of GSM International
www.GlobalSoccerMinistries.org
July 1st GSM Coaches and Players Devotional
Choose Encouragement Over Criticism
Scripture: Romans 14:10 says, “Why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.” Verse 12 says, “Each of us will give an account of himself to God.”
What is God going to say to you and me about us when we face Him on that day He has been planning for us? Are you a loving, non-judgmental coach? It is easy for us to stand on the sideline and criticize individual players who are doing all the work for you and their team. The pressures they face on the field are often overlooked by zealous coaches (we’ve seen them across the pitch and in the mirror). They insist it must be their way or the highway.
You may not think so, but your players are killing themselves for you, and one word of discouragement can cause players to tune out of their role and tune on to thinking some pretty harsh things about you, rather than focusing on the match. If players are serving you and their team members but you’re cutting them apart, you may be interfering with God’s work in their lives. Kind words of encouragement go further than useless words of criticism or poorly ill timed words.
There were times in my coaching, that I was very hard on my players from the sideline in many games. I was encouraging, but demanding as well. I sent mixed signals, causing mixed emotions on and off the field. I wish I had not coached that way and could erase any damages I caused just to win a game when I could have helped save a life! It confused my players too much. I should have left a lot of my verbal demands on the practice field, where we, as coaches, need to better sort out the game plan so they could play creatively on their own. They saw me loving them with the passion of the game and killing their creative abilities because I was too strict and wanted a win.
Imagine a God who would kill your creativity to serve Him! It’s not in His match plans. I believe my teams could have won more games had I not sent mixed signals. When I give my account to the Lord, I hope He takes it easy on me. I’ll just have to be prepared and grit my teeth for the blow. I’m trusting God to be more loving to me than I was to my players.
It’s Satan’s job to try to cause you to get angry and be a complaining and critical coach. Don’t help Satan do his job! Satan is the enemy, not your players. You need to fight him, not join him. Imagine the amount of time we’ve spent in the past criticizing our team in our thinking and actions. That energy, used positively, could have been put to work in unifying them, winning more matches and changing their hearts for Christ and seeing you as a big time person on Christ’s Team. When you make critical judgments about your players, six things immediately happen to you (based on biblical principles):
1. You temporarily lose your fellowship with God.
2. You show your pride against God.
3. You show your insecurity by not trusting God through love.
4. You’re held accountable and judged by God.
5. You harm a bonding process between you and your players.
6. You break God’s heart and the hearts of your players.
What’s your next step when you see your team killing themselves in the match?
Paul Banta
President of GSM International
www.GlobalSoccerMinistries.org
Choose Encouragement Over Criticism
Scripture: Romans 14:10 says, “Why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.” Verse 12 says, “Each of us will give an account of himself to God.”
What is God going to say to you and me about us when we face Him on that day He has been planning for us? Are you a loving, non-judgmental coach? It is easy for us to stand on the sideline and criticize individual players who are doing all the work for you and their team. The pressures they face on the field are often overlooked by zealous coaches (we’ve seen them across the pitch and in the mirror). They insist it must be their way or the highway.
You may not think so, but your players are killing themselves for you, and one word of discouragement can cause players to tune out of their role and tune on to thinking some pretty harsh things about you, rather than focusing on the match. If players are serving you and their team members but you’re cutting them apart, you may be interfering with God’s work in their lives. Kind words of encouragement go further than useless words of criticism or poorly ill timed words.
There were times in my coaching, that I was very hard on my players from the sideline in many games. I was encouraging, but demanding as well. I sent mixed signals, causing mixed emotions on and off the field. I wish I had not coached that way and could erase any damages I caused just to win a game when I could have helped save a life! It confused my players too much. I should have left a lot of my verbal demands on the practice field, where we, as coaches, need to better sort out the game plan so they could play creatively on their own. They saw me loving them with the passion of the game and killing their creative abilities because I was too strict and wanted a win.
Imagine a God who would kill your creativity to serve Him! It’s not in His match plans. I believe my teams could have won more games had I not sent mixed signals. When I give my account to the Lord, I hope He takes it easy on me. I’ll just have to be prepared and grit my teeth for the blow. I’m trusting God to be more loving to me than I was to my players.
It’s Satan’s job to try to cause you to get angry and be a complaining and critical coach. Don’t help Satan do his job! Satan is the enemy, not your players. You need to fight him, not join him. Imagine the amount of time we’ve spent in the past criticizing our team in our thinking and actions. That energy, used positively, could have been put to work in unifying them, winning more matches and changing their hearts for Christ and seeing you as a big time person on Christ’s Team. When you make critical judgments about your players, six things immediately happen to you (based on biblical principles):
1. You temporarily lose your fellowship with God.
2. You show your pride against God.
3. You show your insecurity by not trusting God through love.
4. You’re held accountable and judged by God.
5. You harm a bonding process between you and your players.
6. You break God’s heart and the hearts of your players.
What’s your next step when you see your team killing themselves in the match?
Paul Banta
President of GSM International
www.GlobalSoccerMinistries.org
July 1st GSM Coaches and Players Devotional
Are You Going To Finish Strong?
Scripture: Revelation 22:12 says, "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done."
In the world of playing and coaching soccer at any level, motivation is a big factor in the ingredient to win. Matches have been won by teams with less ability but with more motivation to go all out giving 100%. There is nothing more upsetting than to know you should have won a game, yet you were not properly motivated and didn't give it your all. Had you done so, the final score could have been different.
Why is this so upsetting? Because our effort is something we for the most part can control. We need to learn to always give it all (on the practice field as well) and not just show up for the match and have that happy to be there attitude only. The best motivation is always to play each match as if it were our last. Just as in life, we as soccer players and coaches are not guaranteed another match tomorrow.
The truth in life is that our Father (Head Coach) is coming for us one day, and we are not always guaranteed our tomorrow. Another fact, as Scripture reveals, is that when He comes, He will be bringing rewards. Will He be bringing something for you? As Christians, we have to be motivated to live life with urgency and not passivity. Yet, we can as coaches and player get caught up in living with an apathetic approach to life. Another boring day, boring training, boring team talk, etc.
Today set your self apart and be more committed than ever to finishing the game of life with all your strength and might. Many of us begin the race of life focused on doing much for God talking a great talk. The coaches and players who lead strong and finish the race, however, are few and far between. Ready to race?
Paul Banta
President of GSM International
www.GlobalSoccerMinistries.org
Are You Going To Finish Strong?
Scripture: Revelation 22:12 says, "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done."
In the world of playing and coaching soccer at any level, motivation is a big factor in the ingredient to win. Matches have been won by teams with less ability but with more motivation to go all out giving 100%. There is nothing more upsetting than to know you should have won a game, yet you were not properly motivated and didn't give it your all. Had you done so, the final score could have been different.
Why is this so upsetting? Because our effort is something we for the most part can control. We need to learn to always give it all (on the practice field as well) and not just show up for the match and have that happy to be there attitude only. The best motivation is always to play each match as if it were our last. Just as in life, we as soccer players and coaches are not guaranteed another match tomorrow.
The truth in life is that our Father (Head Coach) is coming for us one day, and we are not always guaranteed our tomorrow. Another fact, as Scripture reveals, is that when He comes, He will be bringing rewards. Will He be bringing something for you? As Christians, we have to be motivated to live life with urgency and not passivity. Yet, we can as coaches and player get caught up in living with an apathetic approach to life. Another boring day, boring training, boring team talk, etc.
Today set your self apart and be more committed than ever to finishing the game of life with all your strength and might. Many of us begin the race of life focused on doing much for God talking a great talk. The coaches and players who lead strong and finish the race, however, are few and far between. Ready to race?
Paul Banta
President of GSM International
www.GlobalSoccerMinistries.org
June 15th GSM Coaches and Players Devotional
What Will I Be Remember For?
Scripture: I Thessalonians 1:2-3 says, “We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
When it’s all said and done and you hang up your boots or go to our Father in Heaven what will you be remembered for. I was sharing this concept with my wife, Joy, the other day and in our discussion we talked about when your dead, after a while, nobody really remembers you to much. Although quite true to some degree, you will be remembering. A few friends, family, maybe those you impacted like your teammates and players, who you go through the thick and the thin together. You can be assured that you will be remembered by the Lord. He never forgets us and what we’ve done while on this earth.
At one time in my life I wanted my players to remember me for our successes together. That was pretty narrow thinking at that point in my life, because we have a whole lot more than successes that they be remembering you for. But now as time has gone by I want to be remembering that I spent my last years on this earth doing it all for Him; my coaching, speaking, playing, thinking…..All for Him.
Paul was so very proud of those in the Thessalonica church and thankful that they got it. Paul and his buddies, Silas and Timothy continually remembered then for their every constant effort in the faith, the labor they did with ‘love’ and the ability of endurance to continue in their hope in Jesus in all they did because they knew God had chosen them (I Thessalonians 1:4). Because Paul and his other companions relied on changing lives with the power (Holy Spirit’s Power) of the Gospel message the church became imitators (I Thessalonians 1:6) for Christ.
Are we the imitator’s Christ wants us to be? Can we do what 2 Thessalonians 2:4 says, “We speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not just trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.”
Will the coaching and playing effort we put into the game and the game of life be produced by our developing faith, will our efforts be prompted by our Biblical love, and our endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ? Remember…..For Thee Lord I do this game and not for me.
What Will I Be Remember For?
Scripture: I Thessalonians 1:2-3 says, “We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
When it’s all said and done and you hang up your boots or go to our Father in Heaven what will you be remembered for. I was sharing this concept with my wife, Joy, the other day and in our discussion we talked about when your dead, after a while, nobody really remembers you to much. Although quite true to some degree, you will be remembering. A few friends, family, maybe those you impacted like your teammates and players, who you go through the thick and the thin together. You can be assured that you will be remembered by the Lord. He never forgets us and what we’ve done while on this earth.
At one time in my life I wanted my players to remember me for our successes together. That was pretty narrow thinking at that point in my life, because we have a whole lot more than successes that they be remembering you for. But now as time has gone by I want to be remembering that I spent my last years on this earth doing it all for Him; my coaching, speaking, playing, thinking…..All for Him.
Paul was so very proud of those in the Thessalonica church and thankful that they got it. Paul and his buddies, Silas and Timothy continually remembered then for their every constant effort in the faith, the labor they did with ‘love’ and the ability of endurance to continue in their hope in Jesus in all they did because they knew God had chosen them (I Thessalonians 1:4). Because Paul and his other companions relied on changing lives with the power (Holy Spirit’s Power) of the Gospel message the church became imitators (I Thessalonians 1:6) for Christ.
Are we the imitator’s Christ wants us to be? Can we do what 2 Thessalonians 2:4 says, “We speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not just trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.”
Will the coaching and playing effort we put into the game and the game of life be produced by our developing faith, will our efforts be prompted by our Biblical love, and our endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ? Remember…..For Thee Lord I do this game and not for me.
June 1st GSM Coaches & Players Devotional
The Power Living Inside You to Be Special
Scripture: Romans 8:9 says, "You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God lives in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him."
As Christian coaches and players, God is telling us that the Spirit of God, the very essence of Christ, is living inside you. It’s the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead comes to live inside of you. This is real thing that happens to us and He isn't some kind of temporary thing they appears when we need His help or when He feels getting you out of the mess your in. He’s there, as a permanent resident in your house (body) forever. He’s a family member that will never leave you and quit on you.
When you give your heart to Jesus, the Holy Spirit becomes your spiritual breathing apparatus. He’s breathes life into your personal spirit and your spirit and His become your partner for you to stay alive and works daily on your daily helping you develop into the plan God has for you.
Sin (the junk in our lives) brings nothing of any value to us, but the Holy Spirit brings life and it uniqueness to impact us forever. He brings us life for two reasons: The first is that He wants us to share his love, mercy, grace and power with others so they would become followers of Jesus Christ. The second is that we mentor (disciple) the others that know Him so they can doing God’s plan and will for their lives. That plan He designed before He created the heavens we see and the earth we live on. As you do this through your soccer, He will bless you here on this earth and one day in Heaven when we final see His face and join Him with your team mates forever and ever.
The really fantastic thing is that the Holy Spirit gives you the power to do both and He will not let you down or put you in a situation that your not able to serve Him, speak about Him or work on His behalf. You have the power to choose God's road over the road of sin and to perform better in at what you do. He makes you a champion over sin and cleans up your life to be part of His team! Best soccer side around!
We’re given choices to make every day. What part of your nature will you base the making of your decision? Will you be led by the sinful nature that satan wants present in your life, or will you be led by the nature of your union with Holy Spirit of the Living God? When you choose God's way above your own, it will be obvious to your players and team mates that there is something very “Special” about you.
The Power Living Inside You to Be Special
Scripture: Romans 8:9 says, "You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God lives in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him."
As Christian coaches and players, God is telling us that the Spirit of God, the very essence of Christ, is living inside you. It’s the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead comes to live inside of you. This is real thing that happens to us and He isn't some kind of temporary thing they appears when we need His help or when He feels getting you out of the mess your in. He’s there, as a permanent resident in your house (body) forever. He’s a family member that will never leave you and quit on you.
When you give your heart to Jesus, the Holy Spirit becomes your spiritual breathing apparatus. He’s breathes life into your personal spirit and your spirit and His become your partner for you to stay alive and works daily on your daily helping you develop into the plan God has for you.
Sin (the junk in our lives) brings nothing of any value to us, but the Holy Spirit brings life and it uniqueness to impact us forever. He brings us life for two reasons: The first is that He wants us to share his love, mercy, grace and power with others so they would become followers of Jesus Christ. The second is that we mentor (disciple) the others that know Him so they can doing God’s plan and will for their lives. That plan He designed before He created the heavens we see and the earth we live on. As you do this through your soccer, He will bless you here on this earth and one day in Heaven when we final see His face and join Him with your team mates forever and ever.
The really fantastic thing is that the Holy Spirit gives you the power to do both and He will not let you down or put you in a situation that your not able to serve Him, speak about Him or work on His behalf. You have the power to choose God's road over the road of sin and to perform better in at what you do. He makes you a champion over sin and cleans up your life to be part of His team! Best soccer side around!
We’re given choices to make every day. What part of your nature will you base the making of your decision? Will you be led by the sinful nature that satan wants present in your life, or will you be led by the nature of your union with Holy Spirit of the Living God? When you choose God's way above your own, it will be obvious to your players and team mates that there is something very “Special” about you.
May 15th Coaches and Players Devotional
Committed to the Race for a Crown
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 says, “Everyone who competes in the
games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not
last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do
not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating
the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have
preached to others; I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
This was Paul's way of saying he fights hard to race for Christ through
rigorous training. We physically and mentally train players rigorously
so that they can run faster, jump higher, or strike a ball faster and
more accurately. But Paul is speaking to us about disciplining our mind,
so that we serves God consistently and effectively! Paul also taught
that it was necessary to develop our minds into a positive part of our
body, in order to prepare ourselves to guard against sin so we can run
the race effectively. He wrote in Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers
(coaches and players), whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is
right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if
anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things. Whatever
you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it
into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."
Paul knew that, where our minds are concerned, it's "garbage in,
garbage out." That is, if we allow our minds to be filled with the
garbage Satan tempts us with our thoughts, words and actions; we will
inevitably do sinful things! Conversely, if we fill our minds with Godly
thoughts and actions Godly behavior will result and we’ll be on
target, on the path He has designed for us.
Producing fruit" is another concept used in the New Testament to
describe what God expects of us in that race for the crown. Jesus said
in Matthew 7:19-21, "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut
down and thrown into the fire. Thus by their fruit will you recognize
them. Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom
of heaven."
Is it a scary concept to think that we may say we are but we’re not?
Sitting in a church pew every week for year after year just doesn't cut
it! God intends for each of us to do His will, labor in His kingdom and
win that race. Remember, our faith without work is dead. Some pretty
touchy stuff from the Master. All of us in coaching and playing share in
the responsibility to carry out Jesus’ Great Commission in Matthew
28:19-20 where we read, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, and teaching (coaching/playing) them to obey everything I have
commanded you."
The apostles have all been dead for more than 1900 years. The job now
belongs to all Christians living today. The job that belongs to the
Christian soccer family is yours and you’ve been assigned to use
soccer to serve. We can't all be overseas missionaries, evangelists or
preachers. But we can all take the message of Jesus Christ to our
friends, family, neighbors and players and team mates! May God use for
Him as we commit daily to serving the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Committed to the Race for a Crown
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 says, “Everyone who competes in the
games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not
last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do
not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating
the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have
preached to others; I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
This was Paul's way of saying he fights hard to race for Christ through
rigorous training. We physically and mentally train players rigorously
so that they can run faster, jump higher, or strike a ball faster and
more accurately. But Paul is speaking to us about disciplining our mind,
so that we serves God consistently and effectively! Paul also taught
that it was necessary to develop our minds into a positive part of our
body, in order to prepare ourselves to guard against sin so we can run
the race effectively. He wrote in Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers
(coaches and players), whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is
right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if
anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things. Whatever
you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it
into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."
Paul knew that, where our minds are concerned, it's "garbage in,
garbage out." That is, if we allow our minds to be filled with the
garbage Satan tempts us with our thoughts, words and actions; we will
inevitably do sinful things! Conversely, if we fill our minds with Godly
thoughts and actions Godly behavior will result and we’ll be on
target, on the path He has designed for us.
Producing fruit" is another concept used in the New Testament to
describe what God expects of us in that race for the crown. Jesus said
in Matthew 7:19-21, "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut
down and thrown into the fire. Thus by their fruit will you recognize
them. Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom
of heaven."
Is it a scary concept to think that we may say we are but we’re not?
Sitting in a church pew every week for year after year just doesn't cut
it! God intends for each of us to do His will, labor in His kingdom and
win that race. Remember, our faith without work is dead. Some pretty
touchy stuff from the Master. All of us in coaching and playing share in
the responsibility to carry out Jesus’ Great Commission in Matthew
28:19-20 where we read, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, and teaching (coaching/playing) them to obey everything I have
commanded you."
The apostles have all been dead for more than 1900 years. The job now
belongs to all Christians living today. The job that belongs to the
Christian soccer family is yours and you’ve been assigned to use
soccer to serve. We can't all be overseas missionaries, evangelists or
preachers. But we can all take the message of Jesus Christ to our
friends, family, neighbors and players and team mates! May God use for
Him as we commit daily to serving the King of kings and Lord of lords.
May 1st Coaches and Players Devotional
Coaching and Playing Soccer For God
Scripture: John 12:25-26 says, "The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me."
As coaches and players who are supposed to serve Jesus Christ through our passion of the game, we are to be living examples of Christ in what we think, say and do. In other words, we're to be in this game as a specifically chosen person whom the Holy Spirit will use for God's work for us, and not what we want to do for personal gain. That's the earthly and eternal plan for you. Give some thought to the below about what Jesus wants us to do as we live for Him to be a living example of doing soccer for our designed purpose.
Get to learn how and then practice living daily with you heart and faith 100% as God's servants. We play and coach a great game but we must do it for Him. We need to release our personal grip on our controlling of our time, talents, and treasures. We need to accept the great honor God has given us and take the responsible action to work for His Kingdom. Like our Savior, we're not to act independently (John 5:19). We do what God asks us with an attitude that it's for Him because one day when we see His face we can look at Him with the assurance of knowing it was all for Him and not about ourselves.
Are you ready when God calls to you help others? Is your life so controlled by yourself or others that you do not hear Him speaking? There's a natural desire to limit our circle of influence. But we must fight against this tendency. God asks that we reach out to offer help wherever there's a need. Strengthening our Biblical knowledge, growing our faith and recognizing that we should be doing more for Him and less for ourselves will allow us recognize and act on the opportunities He's placed before us.
Hebrews 10:24 speaks to us about motivating one another in good things. We should encourage each other to choose godliness and service over worldly pleasure and self-centeredness. As Christians, we are to encourage in each other attitudes of gratefulness for what He's done and instill confidence about what He'll do in and through our lives. This is what a team is all about and coaches and players need to be moving in this direction and play and coach as if the Lord was right there on the pitch watching our very actions and listening to what is coming out of our mouths. Could be exciting?
Let your love for God encourage and stimulate you to coach and play for Him alone, letting God have all the glory and taking zero for yourself. Once this starts to happen more frequently in your life, and you practice serving Him while coaching and playing, you will be what God designed you to be. His team mate. Play hard and coach well and do it all for Him and for His great glory.
Paul Banta, President of GSM International
www.GlobalSoccerMinistries.org
USA Office: 843-235-3762
Coaching and Playing Soccer For God
Scripture: John 12:25-26 says, "The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me."
As coaches and players who are supposed to serve Jesus Christ through our passion of the game, we are to be living examples of Christ in what we think, say and do. In other words, we're to be in this game as a specifically chosen person whom the Holy Spirit will use for God's work for us, and not what we want to do for personal gain. That's the earthly and eternal plan for you. Give some thought to the below about what Jesus wants us to do as we live for Him to be a living example of doing soccer for our designed purpose.
Get to learn how and then practice living daily with you heart and faith 100% as God's servants. We play and coach a great game but we must do it for Him. We need to release our personal grip on our controlling of our time, talents, and treasures. We need to accept the great honor God has given us and take the responsible action to work for His Kingdom. Like our Savior, we're not to act independently (John 5:19). We do what God asks us with an attitude that it's for Him because one day when we see His face we can look at Him with the assurance of knowing it was all for Him and not about ourselves.
Are you ready when God calls to you help others? Is your life so controlled by yourself or others that you do not hear Him speaking? There's a natural desire to limit our circle of influence. But we must fight against this tendency. God asks that we reach out to offer help wherever there's a need. Strengthening our Biblical knowledge, growing our faith and recognizing that we should be doing more for Him and less for ourselves will allow us recognize and act on the opportunities He's placed before us.
Hebrews 10:24 speaks to us about motivating one another in good things. We should encourage each other to choose godliness and service over worldly pleasure and self-centeredness. As Christians, we are to encourage in each other attitudes of gratefulness for what He's done and instill confidence about what He'll do in and through our lives. This is what a team is all about and coaches and players need to be moving in this direction and play and coach as if the Lord was right there on the pitch watching our very actions and listening to what is coming out of our mouths. Could be exciting?
Let your love for God encourage and stimulate you to coach and play for Him alone, letting God have all the glory and taking zero for yourself. Once this starts to happen more frequently in your life, and you practice serving Him while coaching and playing, you will be what God designed you to be. His team mate. Play hard and coach well and do it all for Him and for His great glory.
Paul Banta, President of GSM International
www.GlobalSoccerMinistries.org
USA Office: 843-235-3762
April 15 Coaches and Player Devotional
Where Are You Hiding Your Stuff?
Scripture: Matthew 6:20-21 says, "Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal them. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be".
Our time, talent and treasure all belong to God if we call ourselves Christian Coaches and players. All out efforts and what we do are to be guided by Him and we give Him all the praise just to be able to serve and to give back to others what He gave us. By doing this we demonstrate our conviction that the past is irrelevant and the best is yet to come. When we give to God we live out the truth that our treasures are in heaven and God has better tomorrows in store for us.
Why do we struggle then with living this way? It's hard to look and walk forward when we're looking backwards. We need to forget what lies behind and press on to what lies ahead (Philippians 3:13). When we give up our earthly treasures and start investing in heavenly endeavors, we only then begin to unleash the power of hope that charges us forward up into eternal life (John 4:14).
We as Coaches and players are faced with the major problems that the rest of those on earth face. What we have and what we've developed is ours. Absolutely wrong! We own nothing. What is David saying to us, "The earth is the Lord's and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." Do you believe God's word?
These words from Psalm 24 are completely at odds with what most North Americans believe. Let's face it. We like our soccer gear and we look good in it. We like our wins and we think we're something else. We like our winning records and the success of our half time speeches or whatever. We tend to define ourselves by what we own, produce, think and say -from our playing and coaching success and sporty gear to our wages and retirement plans. We worked hard for these things, we say. We can do with them as we like, right? No way, says the psalmist. Everything we have belongs to God- our teams, friends, houses, our cars, our clothing, our bank accounts, and our very lives belong to God.
On the one hand, we can take great comfort in this truth. On the other hand, we face the responsibility that comes with being entrusted with someone else's belongings. Christian stewardship begins with a solid understanding that the property we call our own is not ours at all, but God's. We are managers, or stewards, of his property. We must, therefore, define our task and seek to understand how to "do stewardship" in a way that pleases God.
Stewardship of what God has given us is our declaration of our faith in the future goodness of God. When we give our talent and resources to meet the pressing moment, we are declaring our faith in God's provision to meet our needs in both the moment and eternity. Whatever has been difficult in the past and even problems we may have in the present, God's got better things for us in the future. When he went to be with His Father, Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit and promise we'd do greater things than He did (John 14:12). We have His promise that He's gone to prepare a place for us in the Father's house (John 14:2) We can look forward with great confidence to the day when we enter the eternal life God has promise for us. We'll hear well done faithful coach or player; you did lay up your treasure in heaven while on earth. Come on in!
Work hard to keep on the path to finish your race.
Paul Banta
President of GSM
Where Are You Hiding Your Stuff?
Scripture: Matthew 6:20-21 says, "Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal them. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be".
Our time, talent and treasure all belong to God if we call ourselves Christian Coaches and players. All out efforts and what we do are to be guided by Him and we give Him all the praise just to be able to serve and to give back to others what He gave us. By doing this we demonstrate our conviction that the past is irrelevant and the best is yet to come. When we give to God we live out the truth that our treasures are in heaven and God has better tomorrows in store for us.
Why do we struggle then with living this way? It's hard to look and walk forward when we're looking backwards. We need to forget what lies behind and press on to what lies ahead (Philippians 3:13). When we give up our earthly treasures and start investing in heavenly endeavors, we only then begin to unleash the power of hope that charges us forward up into eternal life (John 4:14).
We as Coaches and players are faced with the major problems that the rest of those on earth face. What we have and what we've developed is ours. Absolutely wrong! We own nothing. What is David saying to us, "The earth is the Lord's and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." Do you believe God's word?
These words from Psalm 24 are completely at odds with what most North Americans believe. Let's face it. We like our soccer gear and we look good in it. We like our wins and we think we're something else. We like our winning records and the success of our half time speeches or whatever. We tend to define ourselves by what we own, produce, think and say -from our playing and coaching success and sporty gear to our wages and retirement plans. We worked hard for these things, we say. We can do with them as we like, right? No way, says the psalmist. Everything we have belongs to God- our teams, friends, houses, our cars, our clothing, our bank accounts, and our very lives belong to God.
On the one hand, we can take great comfort in this truth. On the other hand, we face the responsibility that comes with being entrusted with someone else's belongings. Christian stewardship begins with a solid understanding that the property we call our own is not ours at all, but God's. We are managers, or stewards, of his property. We must, therefore, define our task and seek to understand how to "do stewardship" in a way that pleases God.
Stewardship of what God has given us is our declaration of our faith in the future goodness of God. When we give our talent and resources to meet the pressing moment, we are declaring our faith in God's provision to meet our needs in both the moment and eternity. Whatever has been difficult in the past and even problems we may have in the present, God's got better things for us in the future. When he went to be with His Father, Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit and promise we'd do greater things than He did (John 14:12). We have His promise that He's gone to prepare a place for us in the Father's house (John 14:2) We can look forward with great confidence to the day when we enter the eternal life God has promise for us. We'll hear well done faithful coach or player; you did lay up your treasure in heaven while on earth. Come on in!
Work hard to keep on the path to finish your race.
Paul Banta
President of GSM
April 1st 2008 Coaches and Players Devotional
I’ve asked a good friend of mine if I could use his recent experience and write a devotional for us the send out to coaches and our friends. This guy doesn’t compromise and I just thought you need to read about his heart and his walk with his Lord. Paul Banta
Coach and Play the Game Like Dog Soldiers
Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:11 -12 says, “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
There is an old Cheyenne Indian battle custom. It was called "Dog
Soldier." The Dog Soldier was the fiercest warrior in the tribe. He
would go into battle with a long spear. When things got really tough and
the battle hung in the balance, the Dog Soldier would ride into the
middle of the fray and jam his spear into the ground. The only thing was
that he was tied to the spear. So, he was anchored to the ground,
willing to fight as hard as he could until the battle was won or until
he was killed. Others must have seen this and been very inspired at the
Dog Soldier’s willingness to fight to the end at great personal risk.
We should all be Dog Soldiers in this great game for Christ. Stick that spear in the ground that says you won't give up, you won't give out and you won't give in until the battle is won or you die trying to win it. I am not talking simply of fighting to win games.
Stand fast on character. Live it, teach it. I recently lost my coaching
position because I turned myself in for a minor rule violation. No one
would have known but me. It wasn’t anything major. One too many kids
had shown up to kick balls around after school. But long ago I stuck
that spear in the ground and declared that I would do what was right no
matter the consequences. It cost us a playoff game last year when I
would not put an All American player back in the game after he used
vulgar language. This year it cost me my job. But, as imperfect as I am, I believe most players and parents would agree that I took the right
stand for God. Many players, parents and coaches know that my spear is
in the ground and I am willing to fight for God.
Devotional given by Wayne Quinlan-USSF Coach
I’ve asked a good friend of mine if I could use his recent experience and write a devotional for us the send out to coaches and our friends. This guy doesn’t compromise and I just thought you need to read about his heart and his walk with his Lord. Paul Banta
Coach and Play the Game Like Dog Soldiers
Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:11 -12 says, “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
There is an old Cheyenne Indian battle custom. It was called "Dog
Soldier." The Dog Soldier was the fiercest warrior in the tribe. He
would go into battle with a long spear. When things got really tough and
the battle hung in the balance, the Dog Soldier would ride into the
middle of the fray and jam his spear into the ground. The only thing was
that he was tied to the spear. So, he was anchored to the ground,
willing to fight as hard as he could until the battle was won or until
he was killed. Others must have seen this and been very inspired at the
Dog Soldier’s willingness to fight to the end at great personal risk.
We should all be Dog Soldiers in this great game for Christ. Stick that spear in the ground that says you won't give up, you won't give out and you won't give in until the battle is won or you die trying to win it. I am not talking simply of fighting to win games.
Stand fast on character. Live it, teach it. I recently lost my coaching
position because I turned myself in for a minor rule violation. No one
would have known but me. It wasn’t anything major. One too many kids
had shown up to kick balls around after school. But long ago I stuck
that spear in the ground and declared that I would do what was right no
matter the consequences. It cost us a playoff game last year when I
would not put an All American player back in the game after he used
vulgar language. This year it cost me my job. But, as imperfect as I am, I believe most players and parents would agree that I took the right
stand for God. Many players, parents and coaches know that my spear is
in the ground and I am willing to fight for God.
Devotional given by Wayne Quinlan-USSF Coach
March 15 Coaches and Players Devotional
Turning Potential Successes Into Significance
Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3 says, “For His divine power has given us
everything required for life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.”
As coaches and players we each have certain levels of God-given soccer
skills, abilities, or potential in the game. What each of us does with
our potential is up to us by developing what’s been given to us. Even
though, as coaches and players, we all do not have the same potential we can all still be successful by giving our all to become what we are
destined to be. Giving everything in soccer (practices and matches) is
what’s expected. Going half way simply doesn't cut it, nor is it
pleasing to your teammates. It’s not what a real man or women should
do. Leave what gifts and abilities you have on the field.
In the Bible Jesus shares allot about the relationship between potential successes that can be changed into significance. In the
parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) we see three men, who have the potential to be successful, consider trying to help a guy who has been beaten and robbed. Yet, only one turns out to be significant.
Again, we find three men with potential success in the parable of the
talents (Matthew 25:14-30). Two use their abilities to produce for their master, but the other buries his potential success. The point we must understand is that throughout Scripture, it is those who turn their potential successes into significance by living out their faith (loving God and loving others) and by following what God wanted for them all along.
If you have surrendered your life to Jesus Christ daily, to serve Him
and Him alone, know that you have everything you need to live a life
pleasing to Him today (2 Peter 1:3). Don’t let Satan take your time
away from reading God’s Holy Word and wreck your prayer/mediation life
so you will not be an ‘impacting person.' Don’t be fooled by Satan's
small voice saying, “Your time is my time." or "You’ll be able to do
God’s work tomorrow and take a break today." Don't hide your Bible on
a shelf so you can't see it to remind you to read it or fail to bow your head to pray publicly over a meal. Now is the time to turn up that
potential success situation into significantly impact others for Him.
Not tomorrow. Let go of whatever you’ve been doing in the world for
Satan and do it for Jesus.
I once had conversation with one of my best friends, my middle son,
after he was having some great difficulties in his life. I said, “You
know son, in this world we have only two choices when faced with a
situation or how we should move through each day on this earth. You choose doing everything and committing every minute of the day
for Christ or for Satan.”
Who’s pulling at you to make you powerless and who are you holding on
too to give you power? The answer is always clear to us. But, some
choices we make will always blur our vision of being significant if they are not on God’s team. If we could all clear up our vision (even the referees) what a game we could play on this earth before we get to
heaven!
Turning Potential Successes Into Significance
Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3 says, “For His divine power has given us
everything required for life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.”
As coaches and players we each have certain levels of God-given soccer
skills, abilities, or potential in the game. What each of us does with
our potential is up to us by developing what’s been given to us. Even
though, as coaches and players, we all do not have the same potential we can all still be successful by giving our all to become what we are
destined to be. Giving everything in soccer (practices and matches) is
what’s expected. Going half way simply doesn't cut it, nor is it
pleasing to your teammates. It’s not what a real man or women should
do. Leave what gifts and abilities you have on the field.
In the Bible Jesus shares allot about the relationship between potential successes that can be changed into significance. In the
parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) we see three men, who have the potential to be successful, consider trying to help a guy who has been beaten and robbed. Yet, only one turns out to be significant.
Again, we find three men with potential success in the parable of the
talents (Matthew 25:14-30). Two use their abilities to produce for their master, but the other buries his potential success. The point we must understand is that throughout Scripture, it is those who turn their potential successes into significance by living out their faith (loving God and loving others) and by following what God wanted for them all along.
If you have surrendered your life to Jesus Christ daily, to serve Him
and Him alone, know that you have everything you need to live a life
pleasing to Him today (2 Peter 1:3). Don’t let Satan take your time
away from reading God’s Holy Word and wreck your prayer/mediation life
so you will not be an ‘impacting person.' Don’t be fooled by Satan's
small voice saying, “Your time is my time." or "You’ll be able to do
God’s work tomorrow and take a break today." Don't hide your Bible on
a shelf so you can't see it to remind you to read it or fail to bow your head to pray publicly over a meal. Now is the time to turn up that
potential success situation into significantly impact others for Him.
Not tomorrow. Let go of whatever you’ve been doing in the world for
Satan and do it for Jesus.
I once had conversation with one of my best friends, my middle son,
after he was having some great difficulties in his life. I said, “You
know son, in this world we have only two choices when faced with a
situation or how we should move through each day on this earth. You choose doing everything and committing every minute of the day
for Christ or for Satan.”
Who’s pulling at you to make you powerless and who are you holding on
too to give you power? The answer is always clear to us. But, some
choices we make will always blur our vision of being significant if they are not on God’s team. If we could all clear up our vision (even the referees) what a game we could play on this earth before we get to
heaven!
March 1st Coaches and Players Devotional
Giving Up To Walk Significantly
Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways (everything you do) acknowledge Him (first), and He will make your paths straight.”
Are we as coaches and players willing to sacrifice our personal gains to be significant for the Lord Jesus Christ? It all boils down to this.......If God is to be Lord over our lives and 100% in our lives, we’re going to have be about what will lead only to His significant designed plan He has for us. As we make the effort to coach and play through life being significant, we must stay on the path He has charted for us, not the path we choose for ourselves or the one Satan tries to move us into. If you’re just starting to make that commitment to be significant, do small steps for Him first. Don’t try to do the overwhelming. Try being significant at a few small things for Him and see what happens. You’ll soon be given a lot more to do. It’s happen to me and many coaches and players I know and it can happen to you.
In 2001, God pierced my heart with a soccer ministry called Global Soccer Ministries International. I had only a small vision for this ministry (God had a bigger one), but I had a deep love for soccer and for Christ, and I was passionate about bringing the two together to impact youth and adults spiritually, so they’d do the same thing, so we’d have allot of coaches and players in heaven. That to me was the bottom line, where the bottom line of my past was winning a match. I didn’t know where I would start and what the next steps were to be. But God tested me with a few small steps. I did those few small steps and was blessed to see the success I achieved by using soccer to significantly impact others for Christ. It felt good in my innermost being, and I felt that the Lord wanted me to do more. So I told the Lord,” Let’s go for whatever you want for me to do for you. Here’s one of those success-to significance stories:
Several years ago I went to Romania to help start our GSM program in the Transylvania region. For almost two years, I asked the Lord if this was what He wanted me to do. He answered my prayers. We were to start a program in September 2004. I decided to visit Romania in the spring of 2004 to help train Christian our potential volunteer coaches and when I got there already was forty-plus youth players (non-Christians) and six coaches working with these kids in weekly soccer training, playing matches, and gospel outreach activities. Needless to say, I was thrilled by this happening. But while I was there, through three weeks of planned outreach soccer activities and tournaments, the Lord brought more than 150 youth (even some of our GSM kids) and adults to commit themselves to Him as Lord of their lives, far exceeding of my expectations.
The Lord was saying to me do GSM, “Paul, this is what I’ve been waiting for you to be involved in for me. Your heart is now trusting in me. You’re not leaning on what you know, but on what I’ve given you to use for serving Me, and I’m going to make a commitment with you Paul that if you do soccer for me (by the way Paul I created soccer not the English) and serve Me daily wholeheartedly your path will be straighter than ever. I’ll let you help me impact others significant for me.” I knew I’d never turn back. I was becoming a significant factor for Christ, not just a winner of games but I was to be part of winning kids souls for Christ. Man that was impacting!
For the Christian coach and players we’ve got to be about how God can help us to be successful, achieve goals, and fulfill purposes only for His significance, not our own. When we do that, He can work through each of you reading this devotional with the gifts He’s given you. The outcome then of your efforts (Faith without works is dead) ultimately will impact others significantly in the game for great spiritual purposes. You’ll be leaning on Him and not yourself, and you’ll be walking path He planned for you.
Paul Banta
President of GSM International
Giving Up To Walk Significantly
Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways (everything you do) acknowledge Him (first), and He will make your paths straight.”
Are we as coaches and players willing to sacrifice our personal gains to be significant for the Lord Jesus Christ? It all boils down to this.......If God is to be Lord over our lives and 100% in our lives, we’re going to have be about what will lead only to His significant designed plan He has for us. As we make the effort to coach and play through life being significant, we must stay on the path He has charted for us, not the path we choose for ourselves or the one Satan tries to move us into. If you’re just starting to make that commitment to be significant, do small steps for Him first. Don’t try to do the overwhelming. Try being significant at a few small things for Him and see what happens. You’ll soon be given a lot more to do. It’s happen to me and many coaches and players I know and it can happen to you.
In 2001, God pierced my heart with a soccer ministry called Global Soccer Ministries International. I had only a small vision for this ministry (God had a bigger one), but I had a deep love for soccer and for Christ, and I was passionate about bringing the two together to impact youth and adults spiritually, so they’d do the same thing, so we’d have allot of coaches and players in heaven. That to me was the bottom line, where the bottom line of my past was winning a match. I didn’t know where I would start and what the next steps were to be. But God tested me with a few small steps. I did those few small steps and was blessed to see the success I achieved by using soccer to significantly impact others for Christ. It felt good in my innermost being, and I felt that the Lord wanted me to do more. So I told the Lord,” Let’s go for whatever you want for me to do for you. Here’s one of those success-to significance stories:
Several years ago I went to Romania to help start our GSM program in the Transylvania region. For almost two years, I asked the Lord if this was what He wanted me to do. He answered my prayers. We were to start a program in September 2004. I decided to visit Romania in the spring of 2004 to help train Christian our potential volunteer coaches and when I got there already was forty-plus youth players (non-Christians) and six coaches working with these kids in weekly soccer training, playing matches, and gospel outreach activities. Needless to say, I was thrilled by this happening. But while I was there, through three weeks of planned outreach soccer activities and tournaments, the Lord brought more than 150 youth (even some of our GSM kids) and adults to commit themselves to Him as Lord of their lives, far exceeding of my expectations.
The Lord was saying to me do GSM, “Paul, this is what I’ve been waiting for you to be involved in for me. Your heart is now trusting in me. You’re not leaning on what you know, but on what I’ve given you to use for serving Me, and I’m going to make a commitment with you Paul that if you do soccer for me (by the way Paul I created soccer not the English) and serve Me daily wholeheartedly your path will be straighter than ever. I’ll let you help me impact others significant for me.” I knew I’d never turn back. I was becoming a significant factor for Christ, not just a winner of games but I was to be part of winning kids souls for Christ. Man that was impacting!
For the Christian coach and players we’ve got to be about how God can help us to be successful, achieve goals, and fulfill purposes only for His significance, not our own. When we do that, He can work through each of you reading this devotional with the gifts He’s given you. The outcome then of your efforts (Faith without works is dead) ultimately will impact others significantly in the game for great spiritual purposes. You’ll be leaning on Him and not yourself, and you’ll be walking path He planned for you.
Paul Banta
President of GSM International
GSM SOCCER EDUCATION NEWSLETTER for February 2008
The K-4-4-2 System of Play
The 4-4-2 is one of the most common systems played today around the world. The formation provides eight players be-hind the ball when defending and four to six players ready to support the two forwards when attacking {two backs(as needed) and four midfielders}. The two wide midfielders are used as wingers, providing automatic width to the
midfield shape. The use of four backs adds more compactness and balance in the back.
ROLE OF THE FOUR BACKS
-The back four players must play as one unit that visualizes their roles and speak positive to each other around the entire defensive half of the field.
-Teams will use one central defender (stopper) as a man for man marker and the second as a sweeper or covering back. Both role can be interchanged as well and you can have two stopper that cover for each other.
-Some teams opt for what could be called a flat back four with both central backs sharing the responsibility of marking. This is the better way to play the back four but practicing visualization and communication skills are very important to sort out in training sessions who is responsible for marking the two opposing forwards and when this happens. This system is often preferred with the offside trap tactics.
-The advantage of a 4-4-2 system is that it also allows more freedom for the two wide back to get into a supporting role in flank attacks.
ROLE OF THE TWO WIDE BACKS
-Must play as one unit around the entire defensive half of the field.
Maintain compactness to support each other and avoid being spread out.
-Must play as one unit up and down the wide channel with the midfield and wide forward.
-Provide instant width when building possession from the back.
-Deepest defender acts as the leader for providing information to the other three defenders.
-Disciplined in maintaining defensive responsibility, even when their team is attacking.
-Ability to defend on a 1 v 1 basis. Knowing when to delay, when to challenge an oncoming opponent and how to remain standing on your feet when defending to win a ball to immediately go into an attack.
-Players constantly slide tackling are on the ground for the most part and cannot go into an attack for the most part.
S-upport both the middle and wide midfield players by providing an option of an overlap or a supporting position behind the ball.
ROLE OF THE TWO CENTRAL BACKS
-Must play as one unit around the entire defensive half of the field.
-Maintain compactness to support each other and avoid being spread out.
-Must play as one unit up and down the center channel with the midfield and forwards.
-Communicate well with co-center back, knowing when to mark tight and when to drop deeper into a supporting position.
-Provide central cover when building possession from the back.
-Deepest defender acts as the leader for providing information to the other three defenders.
-Disciplined in maintaining defensive responsibility, even when their team is attacking.
-Ability to defend on a 1 v 1 basis. Knowing when to delay and when to challenge an oncoming opponent.
-Support both the middle and wide midfield players by providing a passing option behind the ball.
ROLE OF THE FOUR MIDFIELDERS AS A UNIT
-The four midfielders are the link between offense and defense and must operate from penalty area to penalty area.
-The wide midfielder must act as a fifth defender when the opponents are attacking on the opposite side of the field.
-They should occupy the space in the fullback position and add cover whenever possible.
-The two central midfielders should look to keep their position in the middle of the field.
ROLE OF THE TWO WIDE MIDFIELDERS
-Must play as one unit across the middle of the field with the two central midfielders.
-Must play as one unit up and down the field with the wide defender and wide forward.
-Must act as a fifth defender when the opponents are attacking on the opposite side of the field, occupying the space in the fullback position and add cover whenever possible.
-Get into advance positions of the ball whenever their team can play forward.
-Look for blind-sided runs behind the defender when their team is attacking on the opposite side of the field.
-Deliver early crosses to forwards.
-Deliver a variety of crosses into the far and near post.
-Use a variety of crossing techniques such as the bent cross, driven cross and lofted cross.
ROLE OF THE TWO CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS
-Must play as one unit across the middle of the field with the two wide midfielders.
-Must play as one unit up and down the field with the defenders and forwards.
-Maintain shape in the middle of the field and not become too isolated from each other.
-Team organizers and pace setters. Increase and lower the team tempo when needed.
-Use of cross over runs to create space for open passes when defenders are looking to play from the back.
-Use of deep probing runs into the attacking third to lose markers while attacking.
-Provide defensive cover for wide midfielders.
-Track opponents attacking midfield runs deep into their own penalty area.
-Short quality passes to forwards feet and long well paced passes expose area behind the opponents' defenders.
-Frequent use of "give and go" passes to link up with each other. -Frequent use of "give and go" passes to link up with forwards.
-Constantly playing with the head up to scan the field and instantly assess the best forward passing option.
ROLE OF THE TWO FORWARDS
The two forwards must play as one unit across the front line constantly being aware of each other's movements.
-It is important to ensure they do not congest the four midfielders by dropping into deep forward positions.
-Both players should be continually searching for space to receive a pass, create shooting opportunities and score goals.
-Runs can be somewhat isolated to the center channel due to the automatic width provided by the two wide midfielders.
-Must play as one unit in the attacking third of the field working in close partnership with a co-striker, developing understanding of when and where to move with the ball, pass, dribble or shoot.
-Must interchange with wide midfielders in flank positions.
-Constantly looking to maintain balance to prevent bunching.
-Constantly looking to exploit space created by other forward.
-Constantly looking to create space for other forward to exploit.
-Create space for players coming from deeper positions.
-Press deep onto opponent's defense to create space for midfield play.
-Showing as a presentable target for short and long-range passes.
Best wishes in your coaching efforts.
Paul Banta
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The K-4-4-2 System of Play
The 4-4-2 is one of the most common systems played today around the world. The formation provides eight players be-hind the ball when defending and four to six players ready to support the two forwards when attacking {two backs(as needed) and four midfielders}. The two wide midfielders are used as wingers, providing automatic width to the
midfield shape. The use of four backs adds more compactness and balance in the back.
ROLE OF THE FOUR BACKS
-The back four players must play as one unit that visualizes their roles and speak positive to each other around the entire defensive half of the field.
-Teams will use one central defender (stopper) as a man for man marker and the second as a sweeper or covering back. Both role can be interchanged as well and you can have two stopper that cover for each other.
-Some teams opt for what could be called a flat back four with both central backs sharing the responsibility of marking. This is the better way to play the back four but practicing visualization and communication skills are very important to sort out in training sessions who is responsible for marking the two opposing forwards and when this happens. This system is often preferred with the offside trap tactics.
-The advantage of a 4-4-2 system is that it also allows more freedom for the two wide back to get into a supporting role in flank attacks.
ROLE OF THE TWO WIDE BACKS
-Must play as one unit around the entire defensive half of the field.
Maintain compactness to support each other and avoid being spread out.
-Must play as one unit up and down the wide channel with the midfield and wide forward.
-Provide instant width when building possession from the back.
-Deepest defender acts as the leader for providing information to the other three defenders.
-Disciplined in maintaining defensive responsibility, even when their team is attacking.
-Ability to defend on a 1 v 1 basis. Knowing when to delay, when to challenge an oncoming opponent and how to remain standing on your feet when defending to win a ball to immediately go into an attack.
-Players constantly slide tackling are on the ground for the most part and cannot go into an attack for the most part.
S-upport both the middle and wide midfield players by providing an option of an overlap or a supporting position behind the ball.
ROLE OF THE TWO CENTRAL BACKS
-Must play as one unit around the entire defensive half of the field.
-Maintain compactness to support each other and avoid being spread out.
-Must play as one unit up and down the center channel with the midfield and forwards.
-Communicate well with co-center back, knowing when to mark tight and when to drop deeper into a supporting position.
-Provide central cover when building possession from the back.
-Deepest defender acts as the leader for providing information to the other three defenders.
-Disciplined in maintaining defensive responsibility, even when their team is attacking.
-Ability to defend on a 1 v 1 basis. Knowing when to delay and when to challenge an oncoming opponent.
-Support both the middle and wide midfield players by providing a passing option behind the ball.
ROLE OF THE FOUR MIDFIELDERS AS A UNIT
-The four midfielders are the link between offense and defense and must operate from penalty area to penalty area.
-The wide midfielder must act as a fifth defender when the opponents are attacking on the opposite side of the field.
-They should occupy the space in the fullback position and add cover whenever possible.
-The two central midfielders should look to keep their position in the middle of the field.
ROLE OF THE TWO WIDE MIDFIELDERS
-Must play as one unit across the middle of the field with the two central midfielders.
-Must play as one unit up and down the field with the wide defender and wide forward.
-Must act as a fifth defender when the opponents are attacking on the opposite side of the field, occupying the space in the fullback position and add cover whenever possible.
-Get into advance positions of the ball whenever their team can play forward.
-Look for blind-sided runs behind the defender when their team is attacking on the opposite side of the field.
-Deliver early crosses to forwards.
-Deliver a variety of crosses into the far and near post.
-Use a variety of crossing techniques such as the bent cross, driven cross and lofted cross.
ROLE OF THE TWO CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS
-Must play as one unit across the middle of the field with the two wide midfielders.
-Must play as one unit up and down the field with the defenders and forwards.
-Maintain shape in the middle of the field and not become too isolated from each other.
-Team organizers and pace setters. Increase and lower the team tempo when needed.
-Use of cross over runs to create space for open passes when defenders are looking to play from the back.
-Use of deep probing runs into the attacking third to lose markers while attacking.
-Provide defensive cover for wide midfielders.
-Track opponents attacking midfield runs deep into their own penalty area.
-Short quality passes to forwards feet and long well paced passes expose area behind the opponents' defenders.
-Frequent use of "give and go" passes to link up with each other. -Frequent use of "give and go" passes to link up with forwards.
-Constantly playing with the head up to scan the field and instantly assess the best forward passing option.
ROLE OF THE TWO FORWARDS
The two forwards must play as one unit across the front line constantly being aware of each other's movements.
-It is important to ensure they do not congest the four midfielders by dropping into deep forward positions.
-Both players should be continually searching for space to receive a pass, create shooting opportunities and score goals.
-Runs can be somewhat isolated to the center channel due to the automatic width provided by the two wide midfielders.
-Must play as one unit in the attacking third of the field working in close partnership with a co-striker, developing understanding of when and where to move with the ball, pass, dribble or shoot.
-Must interchange with wide midfielders in flank positions.
-Constantly looking to maintain balance to prevent bunching.
-Constantly looking to exploit space created by other forward.
-Constantly looking to create space for other forward to exploit.
-Create space for players coming from deeper positions.
-Press deep onto opponent's defense to create space for midfield play.
-Showing as a presentable target for short and long-range passes.
Best wishes in your coaching efforts.
Paul Banta
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February 15th Devotional
The Holy Spirit: Our Coach
Scripture: John 14:26 26 says, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
Let's be honest…some parts of the Bible are really hard to grasp right away and understand, especial when you get to be my age and having headed the ball for over 50 years. It must be even harder for goalkeeper who from time to time hit their head on the posts (metal vs. ball). God bless their courage.
Have you ever read a section over and over again, trying to figure out exactly what God is trying to say? I’ve been studying Isaiah with a bunch of guys from my church I thought I was the only one having comprehension problems.
Fortunately, our heavenly Father has blessed believers with a great coach. This person is the Holy Spirit, who lives within us and serves as the bridge between our limited understanding and divine omniscience. In John 14:26, Jesus tells the disciples that the Holy Spirit will teach us all things, and bring to our remembrance all that Jesus said. When we have difficulty understanding a verse, or are struggling to remember a biblical truth, the Holy Spirit can guide us to the knowledge we are seeking.
What a blessing it is to have the Spirit of God Himself coaching us! No person is able to comprehend God's thoughts. But the Holy Spirit, the third person in the trinity, can lead us into the knowledge we need to significantly coach and play the game through our Christian living. God sends the Holy Spirit not only to help us understand, but also to transform our lives, so we can turn around and be that person is designed us to be.
Thankfully, God didn't design the Christian life to be a 1 vs. 1 journey. Every Christian believer has a close mentor and teacher, the Holy Spirit. As questions and problems arise and seemingly insurmountable jobs pile up, matches don’t go the way you wanted, trust in Him to provide answers and carry you through the empowering of the Holy Spirit. He’s working on you from the inside out and He wants you to be a big winner.
Remember…For Thee, not me!
Paul Banta
President of Global Soccer Ministries International
The Holy Spirit: Our Coach
Scripture: John 14:26 26 says, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
Let's be honest…some parts of the Bible are really hard to grasp right away and understand, especial when you get to be my age and having headed the ball for over 50 years. It must be even harder for goalkeeper who from time to time hit their head on the posts (metal vs. ball). God bless their courage.
Have you ever read a section over and over again, trying to figure out exactly what God is trying to say? I’ve been studying Isaiah with a bunch of guys from my church I thought I was the only one having comprehension problems.
Fortunately, our heavenly Father has blessed believers with a great coach. This person is the Holy Spirit, who lives within us and serves as the bridge between our limited understanding and divine omniscience. In John 14:26, Jesus tells the disciples that the Holy Spirit will teach us all things, and bring to our remembrance all that Jesus said. When we have difficulty understanding a verse, or are struggling to remember a biblical truth, the Holy Spirit can guide us to the knowledge we are seeking.
What a blessing it is to have the Spirit of God Himself coaching us! No person is able to comprehend God's thoughts. But the Holy Spirit, the third person in the trinity, can lead us into the knowledge we need to significantly coach and play the game through our Christian living. God sends the Holy Spirit not only to help us understand, but also to transform our lives, so we can turn around and be that person is designed us to be.
Thankfully, God didn't design the Christian life to be a 1 vs. 1 journey. Every Christian believer has a close mentor and teacher, the Holy Spirit. As questions and problems arise and seemingly insurmountable jobs pile up, matches don’t go the way you wanted, trust in Him to provide answers and carry you through the empowering of the Holy Spirit. He’s working on you from the inside out and He wants you to be a big winner.
Remember…For Thee, not me!
Paul Banta
President of Global Soccer Ministries International
February 1st Coaches and Player Devotional
God Wants You to Make A Difference
Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:9 says, "God has saved us and called us to a holy life— not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time."
I spoke to a college soccer coach the other day and she told me that she was starting to realize that Christ could really be part of the game of soccer and that she wanted to make a great effort to do so.
Are you realizing you have a big passion for the game, but that you’re just not as successfully as you believe God wants you to be and you want to get better at it? Do you find your coaching methods, playing motives, words, and actions are not really working you had hoped? Do you work with your players and team mates and others in ways that simply won’t cut it now, when it comes to being the coach or player you really dream of being and desire to be? Just what’s stopping you from doing it for Him in the way He wants?
Coaching and playing the game soccer starts with passion for the game. That’s true for Christian and non-Christian players and coaches a like. The difference between the two is that Christ must have pre-eminence in the life of the Christian coach. In other words, you must believe Him, trust Him, and expect Him to use you to serve Him by your efforts for Him. In short, the Christian soccer coach and player must have a passion not just for the game but for Christ. As you bring together your passion for Christ and your passion for the game, God will be able to use you significantly to direct your players’ and team mates’ lives, so that they play soccer better and play the game of life better spiritually. This makes all the difference, not only on this earth but for eternity, and not only for you but for your players, and for all the others whose lives your players will touch on their journeys.
Your role for God is to make a difference in others by serving them through soccer. You are not to just take from this world; you are to give something back by serving others. As you do this, you will be doing exactly what God set you apart and appointed you to do. He has a very special job for you, one with holy outcomes.
God Wants You to Make A Difference
Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:9 says, "God has saved us and called us to a holy life— not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time."
I spoke to a college soccer coach the other day and she told me that she was starting to realize that Christ could really be part of the game of soccer and that she wanted to make a great effort to do so.
Are you realizing you have a big passion for the game, but that you’re just not as successfully as you believe God wants you to be and you want to get better at it? Do you find your coaching methods, playing motives, words, and actions are not really working you had hoped? Do you work with your players and team mates and others in ways that simply won’t cut it now, when it comes to being the coach or player you really dream of being and desire to be? Just what’s stopping you from doing it for Him in the way He wants?
Coaching and playing the game soccer starts with passion for the game. That’s true for Christian and non-Christian players and coaches a like. The difference between the two is that Christ must have pre-eminence in the life of the Christian coach. In other words, you must believe Him, trust Him, and expect Him to use you to serve Him by your efforts for Him. In short, the Christian soccer coach and player must have a passion not just for the game but for Christ. As you bring together your passion for Christ and your passion for the game, God will be able to use you significantly to direct your players’ and team mates’ lives, so that they play soccer better and play the game of life better spiritually. This makes all the difference, not only on this earth but for eternity, and not only for you but for your players, and for all the others whose lives your players will touch on their journeys.
Your role for God is to make a difference in others by serving them through soccer. You are not to just take from this world; you are to give something back by serving others. As you do this, you will be doing exactly what God set you apart and appointed you to do. He has a very special job for you, one with holy outcomes.
January 15th.......Coaching and Players Devotional
Choose Encouragement Over Criticism
Scripture: Romans 14:10 says, “Why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.” Verse 12 says, “Each of us will give an account of himself to God.”
What is God going to say to you and me about us when we face Him on that day He has been planning for us? Are you a loving, non-judgmental coach? It is easy for us to stand on the sideline and criticize individual players who are doing all the work for you and their team. The pressures they face on the field are often overlooked by zealous coaches (we’ve seen them across the pitch and in the mirror). They insist it must be their way or the highway.
You may not think so, but your players are killing themselves for you, and one word of discouragement can cause players to tune out of their role and tune on to thinking some pretty harsh things about you, rather than focusing on the match. If players are serving you and their team members but you’re cutting them apart, you may be interfering with God’s work in their lives. Kind words of encouragement go further than useless words of criticism or poorly ill timed words.
There times in my coaching, that I was very hard on my players from the sideline in many games. I was encouraging, but demanding as well. I sent mixed signals, causing mixed emotions on and off the field. I wish I had not coached that way and could erase any damages I caused. Just to win a game when I could have helped save a life! It confused my players too much. I should have left a lot of my quality verbal demands on the practice field, where we, as coaches, need to better sort out the game plan, so they could play creatively on their own. They saw me loving them with the passion of the game and killing their creative abilities because I was too strict and wanted only a win.
Imagine a God who would kill your creativity to serve Him! It’s not in His match plans. I believe my teams could have won more games had I not sent mixed signals. When I give my account to the Lord, I hope He takes it easy on me. I’ll just have to be prepared and grip my teeth for the blow. I’m trusting God to be more loving to me than I was to my players.
It’s Satan’s job to try to cause you to get angry and be a complaining and critical coach. Don’t help Satan do his job! Satan is the enemy, not your players. You need to fight him, not join him. Imagine the amount of time we’ve spent in the past in criticizing of our team in our thinking and actions. That energy, used positively, could have been put to work in unifying them, winning more matches and changing their hearts for Christ and seeing you as a big time person on Christ’s Team. When you make critical judgments about your players, six things immediately happen to you (based on biblical principles):
1. You temporarily lose your fellowship with God.
2. You show your pride against God.
3. You show your insecurity by not trusting God through love.
4. You’re held accountable and judged by God.
5. You harm a bonding process between you and your players.
6. You break God’s heart and the hearts of your players.
What’s your next step when you see your team killing themselves in the match?
By Paul Banta-President of GSM International.
Choose Encouragement Over Criticism
Scripture: Romans 14:10 says, “Why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.” Verse 12 says, “Each of us will give an account of himself to God.”
What is God going to say to you and me about us when we face Him on that day He has been planning for us? Are you a loving, non-judgmental coach? It is easy for us to stand on the sideline and criticize individual players who are doing all the work for you and their team. The pressures they face on the field are often overlooked by zealous coaches (we’ve seen them across the pitch and in the mirror). They insist it must be their way or the highway.
You may not think so, but your players are killing themselves for you, and one word of discouragement can cause players to tune out of their role and tune on to thinking some pretty harsh things about you, rather than focusing on the match. If players are serving you and their team members but you’re cutting them apart, you may be interfering with God’s work in their lives. Kind words of encouragement go further than useless words of criticism or poorly ill timed words.
There times in my coaching, that I was very hard on my players from the sideline in many games. I was encouraging, but demanding as well. I sent mixed signals, causing mixed emotions on and off the field. I wish I had not coached that way and could erase any damages I caused. Just to win a game when I could have helped save a life! It confused my players too much. I should have left a lot of my quality verbal demands on the practice field, where we, as coaches, need to better sort out the game plan, so they could play creatively on their own. They saw me loving them with the passion of the game and killing their creative abilities because I was too strict and wanted only a win.
Imagine a God who would kill your creativity to serve Him! It’s not in His match plans. I believe my teams could have won more games had I not sent mixed signals. When I give my account to the Lord, I hope He takes it easy on me. I’ll just have to be prepared and grip my teeth for the blow. I’m trusting God to be more loving to me than I was to my players.
It’s Satan’s job to try to cause you to get angry and be a complaining and critical coach. Don’t help Satan do his job! Satan is the enemy, not your players. You need to fight him, not join him. Imagine the amount of time we’ve spent in the past in criticizing of our team in our thinking and actions. That energy, used positively, could have been put to work in unifying them, winning more matches and changing their hearts for Christ and seeing you as a big time person on Christ’s Team. When you make critical judgments about your players, six things immediately happen to you (based on biblical principles):
1. You temporarily lose your fellowship with God.
2. You show your pride against God.
3. You show your insecurity by not trusting God through love.
4. You’re held accountable and judged by God.
5. You harm a bonding process between you and your players.
6. You break God’s heart and the hearts of your players.
What’s your next step when you see your team killing themselves in the match?
By Paul Banta-President of GSM International.
January 1st 2008 Coaches and Players Devotional
Accomplishing Great Things Start With Prayer
Scripture: John 16:23-34 says, “In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”
Miracles from God occur every day when our normally closed minds are opened up by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our spiritually blind suddenly see the gospel's truth, and our rebellion surrenders and become God's men and women who follow the truth that miracles can happen and change us. Jesus promised that those of who truly believe with faith can have a part in the great works He has planned for us to change not only our own lives but the lives of other we can influence by making requests in His name.
Our heavenly Father is simply waiting for us with our small or large requests. He also wants to see a clean heart in us before we do our requesting and we are responsible to confessed all known sin and believe with a committed heart that He will do what He has said. We are to have believed with our faith that He'll keep His promises and will respond for our good. We are to trust and not doubt.
We must keep in mind that God answers our requests when they are in alignment with His plan for our lives and our prayers. And we know He won't act in a manner inconsistent with His character. God alone knows the perfect action to take and the right time to do so. But He invites us to ask in faith and to keep on asking (Matthew 7:7).
Accomplishing Great Things Start With Prayer
Scripture: John 16:23-34 says, “In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”
Miracles from God occur every day when our normally closed minds are opened up by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our spiritually blind suddenly see the gospel's truth, and our rebellion surrenders and become God's men and women who follow the truth that miracles can happen and change us. Jesus promised that those of who truly believe with faith can have a part in the great works He has planned for us to change not only our own lives but the lives of other we can influence by making requests in His name.
Our heavenly Father is simply waiting for us with our small or large requests. He also wants to see a clean heart in us before we do our requesting and we are responsible to confessed all known sin and believe with a committed heart that He will do what He has said. We are to have believed with our faith that He'll keep His promises and will respond for our good. We are to trust and not doubt.
We must keep in mind that God answers our requests when they are in alignment with His plan for our lives and our prayers. And we know He won't act in a manner inconsistent with His character. God alone knows the perfect action to take and the right time to do so. But He invites us to ask in faith and to keep on asking (Matthew 7:7).
December 15th Coaches and Players Devotional..
How Do We Say Thanks?
Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-20 says, "Don’t waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, and the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It's a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ.” Wake up from your sleep, Climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you the light! So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times! Don't live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants. Don't drink too much wine. That cheapens your life. Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of him. Sing hymns instead of drinking songs! Sing songs from your heart to Christ. Sing praises over everything, any excuse for a song to God the Father in the name of our Master, Jesus Christ." (The Message)
When we get a response of appreciate for something we did well, either from our coach or one of team mates or player to a his coach, we ordinarily say thanks. We often do not translate this type of response back to our Father in Heaven when He impacts us positively. Why is this?
God tells us that all good gifts (everything we have in our possession-playing and coaching abilities, uniforms we possess, our personal characteristics, friends, parents, team mates, I-pods and you name it) are from Him (James 1:17). What's more, He instructs us to "always give thanks for all things" (Ephesians 5:20). But how can we adequately express our gratitude to the Lord and when do we do this? Try these three and practice then regularly. Just as we train and coach daily to get better at the game of soccer we’ll get better being a person of appreciation doing it like the game we passionately love so much.
Thank God with mouths - You can speak of our gratitude to the Lord in private or in public by telling Him thanks. Give Him all the praise for your successes. We’ll go through trials along the way and you need to let Him know that you want the Holy Spirit with you in these hard times and go through it all with thankful heart and no bitterness or resentment.
Thank God by living holy lives - As a response to God's goodness and faithfulness to you, you should honor Him with your obedience. Paul expressed it this way when he said, "Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." (Romans 12:1).
Thank God through generosity - If we're truly grateful for what we receive, we'll gladly share our time, money, gifts, and soccer resources. It is easy to become possessive of what we deem ours, forgetting that it is actually from God; then, with an attitude of selfishness, we might hold His blessings tightly. What we should do, however, is give back to the Lord joyfully.
How do you express your appreciation to God? Take time today to identify some of His countless blessings in your life, and offer Him heartfelt thanks. Continue to practice this appreciation and a moment by moment identifying that our Lord and Savior wants you to see Him working in your life, meeting all your needs as He has planned for you and empowering you with a heart of gratitude for Him choosing you being on His Team.
How Do We Say Thanks?
Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-20 says, "Don’t waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, and the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It's a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ.” Wake up from your sleep, Climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you the light! So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times! Don't live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants. Don't drink too much wine. That cheapens your life. Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of him. Sing hymns instead of drinking songs! Sing songs from your heart to Christ. Sing praises over everything, any excuse for a song to God the Father in the name of our Master, Jesus Christ." (The Message)
When we get a response of appreciate for something we did well, either from our coach or one of team mates or player to a his coach, we ordinarily say thanks. We often do not translate this type of response back to our Father in Heaven when He impacts us positively. Why is this?
God tells us that all good gifts (everything we have in our possession-playing and coaching abilities, uniforms we possess, our personal characteristics, friends, parents, team mates, I-pods and you name it) are from Him (James 1:17). What's more, He instructs us to "always give thanks for all things" (Ephesians 5:20). But how can we adequately express our gratitude to the Lord and when do we do this? Try these three and practice then regularly. Just as we train and coach daily to get better at the game of soccer we’ll get better being a person of appreciation doing it like the game we passionately love so much.
Thank God with mouths - You can speak of our gratitude to the Lord in private or in public by telling Him thanks. Give Him all the praise for your successes. We’ll go through trials along the way and you need to let Him know that you want the Holy Spirit with you in these hard times and go through it all with thankful heart and no bitterness or resentment.
Thank God by living holy lives - As a response to God's goodness and faithfulness to you, you should honor Him with your obedience. Paul expressed it this way when he said, "Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." (Romans 12:1).
Thank God through generosity - If we're truly grateful for what we receive, we'll gladly share our time, money, gifts, and soccer resources. It is easy to become possessive of what we deem ours, forgetting that it is actually from God; then, with an attitude of selfishness, we might hold His blessings tightly. What we should do, however, is give back to the Lord joyfully.
How do you express your appreciation to God? Take time today to identify some of His countless blessings in your life, and offer Him heartfelt thanks. Continue to practice this appreciation and a moment by moment identifying that our Lord and Savior wants you to see Him working in your life, meeting all your needs as He has planned for you and empowering you with a heart of gratitude for Him choosing you being on His Team.
December 1st 2007 Coaches and Player Devotional
Obey the Power and Guidance of Holy Spirit
Scripture: Luke 18:27, says "No chance at all," Jesus said, "if you think you can pull it off by yourself, but you’ve got every chance in the world if you trust God to do it." (The Message) or Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." (New International Version)
What do you think goes through the minds of your players, yourself or your teammates in training sessions and then for the effort they have to put out for a match? It's not unusual for them to think before hand about the results that will be forth coming when the whistle is blown for the match to end. Many of us dwelled too much on what we can think we have to go through or how painful the process will be, or difficult the match will be, and we start to process potential failure that could take place rather than how can I beat my body to be successful and not fail. If we allow ourselves to think about the barriers we face and the obstacles in our path, we are less likely to succeed. This is not only true for playing or coaching success but so very true as we share about Jesus and go about serving God each day we breath life.
God's vision for us is to speak His message of hope all over the world (Luke 24:47-49). Like beating our body to play the game of soccer, it's a huge vision God has for each of us. Some Christians feel what the Bible shares with us (all the nations) is a pretty big assignment for me. I was one of them and maybe you feel the same. Believers stop because of a personal and language barriers or maybe even safety concerns. That was me and I just didn't know how and where to start, so I let my insecurities deter me. I was comfortable winning matches in the USA and not winning souls on foreign grass/dirt fields. But Jesus' mandate must translate into our obedience, which means we must overcome any hindrances and go and the sooner we go the better we’ll be.
I’m always thrilled to hear about coaches who want to serve the Lord and take their teams on one of our GSM Soccer Tours. One guy in particular mentioned that he wasn’t concerned about games but more that he and his players could share about Jesus Christ with their deeds and words and be obedient to what God was calling him and his team to do. Wow! That’s powerful to be empowered by the Holy Spirit.
How do we get started?
To begin I think it’s important to identify the limitations that exist in our thinking (minds). Satan’s out there saying you’ve got big limitations and you don’t need to serve away from your safe grassy field in North America. Somebody else will do it for you. It’s okay. Stay here and win matches at home. You’ll be liked for just being a winner of matches, part of your job description. Who are we listening too? We should be motivated by how God transformed us from where we were in the world to now not in the world. Remember what the apostle Peter said, “We’re just strangers passing through life on earth once we are committed Christians.” Rely on Jesus’ promises, His presence (He’ll never leave us or forsake us) and the availability of Holy Spirit to empower us. Remember that the Lord said what would be impossible with man is possible with God (Luke 18:27). Once we give in and give up to our own successes to be significant for Jesus and obey His power (not ours) we'll be amazed at what God will do through us as a player and coach. It has happened too many of us and you’re not going to be any different.
What physical, emotional, mental and verbal limitations are you putting on yourself? Is Satan in control of you for not being able to share the good news of the gospel with the world? He doesn’t have to be. Start re-thinking what is my real purpose as a Christian coach or player and tell the Lord that you are available to share and to serve. Proof it to Him. Be prepared now for action out of your comfort zone and BIG blessings to come. You can do all things through Christ who gives your strength (Philippians 4:13).
Obey the Power and Guidance of Holy Spirit
Scripture: Luke 18:27, says "No chance at all," Jesus said, "if you think you can pull it off by yourself, but you’ve got every chance in the world if you trust God to do it." (The Message) or Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." (New International Version)
What do you think goes through the minds of your players, yourself or your teammates in training sessions and then for the effort they have to put out for a match? It's not unusual for them to think before hand about the results that will be forth coming when the whistle is blown for the match to end. Many of us dwelled too much on what we can think we have to go through or how painful the process will be, or difficult the match will be, and we start to process potential failure that could take place rather than how can I beat my body to be successful and not fail. If we allow ourselves to think about the barriers we face and the obstacles in our path, we are less likely to succeed. This is not only true for playing or coaching success but so very true as we share about Jesus and go about serving God each day we breath life.
God's vision for us is to speak His message of hope all over the world (Luke 24:47-49). Like beating our body to play the game of soccer, it's a huge vision God has for each of us. Some Christians feel what the Bible shares with us (all the nations) is a pretty big assignment for me. I was one of them and maybe you feel the same. Believers stop because of a personal and language barriers or maybe even safety concerns. That was me and I just didn't know how and where to start, so I let my insecurities deter me. I was comfortable winning matches in the USA and not winning souls on foreign grass/dirt fields. But Jesus' mandate must translate into our obedience, which means we must overcome any hindrances and go and the sooner we go the better we’ll be.
I’m always thrilled to hear about coaches who want to serve the Lord and take their teams on one of our GSM Soccer Tours. One guy in particular mentioned that he wasn’t concerned about games but more that he and his players could share about Jesus Christ with their deeds and words and be obedient to what God was calling him and his team to do. Wow! That’s powerful to be empowered by the Holy Spirit.
How do we get started?
To begin I think it’s important to identify the limitations that exist in our thinking (minds). Satan’s out there saying you’ve got big limitations and you don’t need to serve away from your safe grassy field in North America. Somebody else will do it for you. It’s okay. Stay here and win matches at home. You’ll be liked for just being a winner of matches, part of your job description. Who are we listening too? We should be motivated by how God transformed us from where we were in the world to now not in the world. Remember what the apostle Peter said, “We’re just strangers passing through life on earth once we are committed Christians.” Rely on Jesus’ promises, His presence (He’ll never leave us or forsake us) and the availability of Holy Spirit to empower us. Remember that the Lord said what would be impossible with man is possible with God (Luke 18:27). Once we give in and give up to our own successes to be significant for Jesus and obey His power (not ours) we'll be amazed at what God will do through us as a player and coach. It has happened too many of us and you’re not going to be any different.
What physical, emotional, mental and verbal limitations are you putting on yourself? Is Satan in control of you for not being able to share the good news of the gospel with the world? He doesn’t have to be. Start re-thinking what is my real purpose as a Christian coach or player and tell the Lord that you are available to share and to serve. Proof it to Him. Be prepared now for action out of your comfort zone and BIG blessings to come. You can do all things through Christ who gives your strength (Philippians 4:13).
November 15th Coaches and Players Devotional
Dirty Boots Don’t Cut It
Scripture: 1 John 5:10-13 says, “Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. And this is the testimony-God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”
Satan will use any device and a multitude of his tricks to destroy our faith in Jesus Christ. He knows that if he can tempt us and we sin we and start to doubt our salvation or our faith, we are less likely to serve God with all our whole heart, mind and body. If we understand his methods, we can be watching as he’s tries to ruin us and avoid him.
As players and coaches in this game we have constant choices to make so we can take our passions for the game and use it for His purpose in our lives and other. Coming to the game with dirty boots, socks, uniform just doesn’t cut it for serving your team or following team standards. Looking good for the match is important for you and allows you to represent your team correctly and prepares you for the match. It’s just not normal to be put on filthy gear prior to playing. It’s the same way when we prepared to serve the Lord. We need to get rid of certain things in our lives so He can work through us without any hindrances’. He wants us clean when we play the game for Him. Not dirty.
Satan tempts us to sin, and then if we yield, he whispers, "You can't be serving your Lord because you are doing wrong." The harassment cycle continues until we confess the sin and claim God's promise that those who receive Christ are saved. So before doing your thing for Christ confesses you’re guilty to Him for a good cleaning up.
If a believer isn't well grounded scripturally, he can easily be fooled by false teaching. For example, it's not uncommon to hear that we can never be certain of redemption, or that salvation can be lost. The arguments for both ideas may sound persuasive, but such false doctrines simply do not withstand biblical scrutiny. That's why it is essential to study the Word. Daily get into God’s word and dig into the scripture. Memorize His words and He’ll bring them to you when you need them. Practice, practice and practice reading the Bible to get your life grow. If you put the time into your training and see the result, you’ll have to do the same with His words.
Satan is lord over the earth and the present culture we live. He encourages and tries to persuade us to trust in our ‘emotional feelings’ for living out our lives. Genuine assurance in our Christian walk, however, is built on a daily moment by moment growing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the promises found in His Word.
The Enemy is already preparing his next attack. He’ll get you on the flanks and through the middle. Trust in God and His Word. Be mindful of Satan's tactics so you can preserve your assurance that the Lord has saved you.
Dirty Boots Don’t Cut It
Scripture: 1 John 5:10-13 says, “Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. And this is the testimony-God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”
Satan will use any device and a multitude of his tricks to destroy our faith in Jesus Christ. He knows that if he can tempt us and we sin we and start to doubt our salvation or our faith, we are less likely to serve God with all our whole heart, mind and body. If we understand his methods, we can be watching as he’s tries to ruin us and avoid him.
As players and coaches in this game we have constant choices to make so we can take our passions for the game and use it for His purpose in our lives and other. Coming to the game with dirty boots, socks, uniform just doesn’t cut it for serving your team or following team standards. Looking good for the match is important for you and allows you to represent your team correctly and prepares you for the match. It’s just not normal to be put on filthy gear prior to playing. It’s the same way when we prepared to serve the Lord. We need to get rid of certain things in our lives so He can work through us without any hindrances’. He wants us clean when we play the game for Him. Not dirty.
Satan tempts us to sin, and then if we yield, he whispers, "You can't be serving your Lord because you are doing wrong." The harassment cycle continues until we confess the sin and claim God's promise that those who receive Christ are saved. So before doing your thing for Christ confesses you’re guilty to Him for a good cleaning up.
If a believer isn't well grounded scripturally, he can easily be fooled by false teaching. For example, it's not uncommon to hear that we can never be certain of redemption, or that salvation can be lost. The arguments for both ideas may sound persuasive, but such false doctrines simply do not withstand biblical scrutiny. That's why it is essential to study the Word. Daily get into God’s word and dig into the scripture. Memorize His words and He’ll bring them to you when you need them. Practice, practice and practice reading the Bible to get your life grow. If you put the time into your training and see the result, you’ll have to do the same with His words.
Satan is lord over the earth and the present culture we live. He encourages and tries to persuade us to trust in our ‘emotional feelings’ for living out our lives. Genuine assurance in our Christian walk, however, is built on a daily moment by moment growing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the promises found in His Word.
The Enemy is already preparing his next attack. He’ll get you on the flanks and through the middle. Trust in God and His Word. Be mindful of Satan's tactics so you can preserve your assurance that the Lord has saved you.
November 1st Coaches and Players Devotional
Don’t Give In and Don’t Give Up
Scripture: John 15:5 says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
Throughout this chapter of John, one of the main points is that we are to remain in Christ. We are told to remain in Christ eleven times. This is what He wants for you, me and your players. Nothing else matters. Remain is a verb meaning “to stay even if others leave; to continue; to go on being; to continue to exist; to endure; to persist; to last.” You don’t give in and don’t give up. We’re to be lasting in our commitment to Christ. You train your players to think and practice this way to win matches, and God wants you to do the same for Him. If you remain steadfast, you’ll see His commitment begin to work through you. He said He would never leave us or forsake us. He would like you to never leave Him or forsake Him. In 1 Peter 5:7 we read that if we are to cast all our cares on Christ He will truly care for us. If you do this humbly and under the control of God’s power, He will lift you up to a new way of doing commitment. You will have a special power not to give up. Give it a ‘shot’. It's the best way to score for Him.
There are characteristics that make up the commitment coaches and players need. They are very important if you are to be able to serve and move your passion forward. As you read some of the following, evaluate where you perceive yourself to be or where others would perceive you to be at this point in your efforts.
Players need to be love
In John 15:12, Jesus gives this command:“Love each other as I have loved you.’” The greatest love you can have for a player is to sacrifice for the Lord as you serve him.
Players need to be mentored
Ephesians 4:15 says, “Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.” Most players don’t have a lot of people in their lives who tell and show them that they love them, and who care enough about them to tell them about their development in the game and talk to them about their spiritual lives.
You need humility
You don’t need pride. Proverbs 18:12 says, “Before his downfall a man’s [coach’s] heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.” Pride blocks you from moving ahead with the development of your players’ soccer and spiritual growth. Pride blocks movement toward what God wants through His purpose for you.
Keep on remaining, existing and enduring for the Lord. Don’t quite now.
Don’t Give In and Don’t Give Up
Scripture: John 15:5 says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
Throughout this chapter of John, one of the main points is that we are to remain in Christ. We are told to remain in Christ eleven times. This is what He wants for you, me and your players. Nothing else matters. Remain is a verb meaning “to stay even if others leave; to continue; to go on being; to continue to exist; to endure; to persist; to last.” You don’t give in and don’t give up. We’re to be lasting in our commitment to Christ. You train your players to think and practice this way to win matches, and God wants you to do the same for Him. If you remain steadfast, you’ll see His commitment begin to work through you. He said He would never leave us or forsake us. He would like you to never leave Him or forsake Him. In 1 Peter 5:7 we read that if we are to cast all our cares on Christ He will truly care for us. If you do this humbly and under the control of God’s power, He will lift you up to a new way of doing commitment. You will have a special power not to give up. Give it a ‘shot’. It's the best way to score for Him.
There are characteristics that make up the commitment coaches and players need. They are very important if you are to be able to serve and move your passion forward. As you read some of the following, evaluate where you perceive yourself to be or where others would perceive you to be at this point in your efforts.
Players need to be love
In John 15:12, Jesus gives this command:“Love each other as I have loved you.’” The greatest love you can have for a player is to sacrifice for the Lord as you serve him.
Players need to be mentored
Ephesians 4:15 says, “Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.” Most players don’t have a lot of people in their lives who tell and show them that they love them, and who care enough about them to tell them about their development in the game and talk to them about their spiritual lives.
You need humility
You don’t need pride. Proverbs 18:12 says, “Before his downfall a man’s [coach’s] heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.” Pride blocks you from moving ahead with the development of your players’ soccer and spiritual growth. Pride blocks movement toward what God wants through His purpose for you.
Keep on remaining, existing and enduring for the Lord. Don’t quite now.
October 15th Players and Coaches Devotional
Where Does Our Power Come From?
Scripture: John 15:5b says” Apart from me you can do nothing”.
He wasn’t joking; He really meant it. That’s why He said it. Our power to be significant comes from Him only.
If you believe He’s your Savior, then you’ll believe in the reality of His Word. His words are true, and they set you free to do His purpose and your passion. If you want to be freed up to do significant things for God, let His truth set you free! I had to stop fantasizing about who I thought I was. We’re not some big-time worldly coach or player on an ego trip. We’re on His trip for us in the world just passing though and strangers to the world at that. It’s just that simple, being humble character who shows grace and mercy to his players and team mates and who are ready to die for being significant.
We are His partners (teammates), designed specifically for His team. Being significant for Christ and remaining in Him is part of that growing process and the fullness of life He has planned for us.
Well, are we ready to take our success to levels of significance? Are we ready to do what we’ve been appointed to do before you hit the turf the next time? What choice do we really have? When you think about it, it would be far better for us to move spiritually through life as God intends us to do, and grow in soccer knowledge to develop our passion to impact our players and team mates who are those beautiful treasures we are told to lay up in heaven.
"By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures." Proverbs 24:3-4
Where Does Our Power Come From?
Scripture: John 15:5b says” Apart from me you can do nothing”.
He wasn’t joking; He really meant it. That’s why He said it. Our power to be significant comes from Him only.
If you believe He’s your Savior, then you’ll believe in the reality of His Word. His words are true, and they set you free to do His purpose and your passion. If you want to be freed up to do significant things for God, let His truth set you free! I had to stop fantasizing about who I thought I was. We’re not some big-time worldly coach or player on an ego trip. We’re on His trip for us in the world just passing though and strangers to the world at that. It’s just that simple, being humble character who shows grace and mercy to his players and team mates and who are ready to die for being significant.
We are His partners (teammates), designed specifically for His team. Being significant for Christ and remaining in Him is part of that growing process and the fullness of life He has planned for us.
Well, are we ready to take our success to levels of significance? Are we ready to do what we’ve been appointed to do before you hit the turf the next time? What choice do we really have? When you think about it, it would be far better for us to move spiritually through life as God intends us to do, and grow in soccer knowledge to develop our passion to impact our players and team mates who are those beautiful treasures we are told to lay up in heaven.
"By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures." Proverbs 24:3-4
October 1st Devotional
Are We Really Being Significant?
Scripture: Proverbs 3:6 and 13. Verse 6 says, “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Verse 13 says, “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding.”
Everyone has had some sort of success in their lives. It feels great being successful. It’s supposed to feel that way. Success gives you impetus, courage, and a reason to be more successful. Why not? Success does create more success. Success is what we’re to be about on this earth. We were not born into this world to be losers. That’s not God’s plan. Not to achieve success from our passions would be to reject God’s working in our lives. He simply wants us to be very successful. Imagine God wanting us to not achieve success, but rather have a lifetime of bad experiences from our efforts. The Bible is packed with one success story after another, and it reveals a God who cares deeply to see His plan for you succeed.
Success is a positive outcome of an event we experience, an outcome that comes about through our efforts of accomplishment with designed steps to achieve a purpose. In other words, you plan something, do it, and get results that make you feel good about yourself. Think about it—success, for the most part, is designed for or by you. It’s personal and it’s fulfilling. Significance, on the other hand, is the potential you possess to be influential over others when you give your efforts in a way that will have meaning or value to impact them. In other words, what you achieve renders something desirable, valuable, or useful to others. That means you find a way, take the time, and have the guts to choose
and follow your path in life to use your past successes to significantly impact the lives of others for Christ.
Your success may have started during your childhood, your early school life, your high school years, your university life, your married life, or your playing, coaching or employment career. Your success may have come from your cultural background, family, education, church life, community, job, marriage, or parenting. Chances are you’re a former soccer player or athlete, and you had success in your playing career. Remember those times of success! You succeeded in winning matches, you impacted your players or team-mates, and you have been looked at by your school and community as being able to help others. You’re a winner!
But what are you going to do with it? That’s right, what are you going to do with your abilities to succeed? What are you doing with your success to be the person of significance God intended you to be? The sooner you start being significant rather than successful, the sooner you’ll realize that you’re really on God’s team and no longer succeeding for others or yourself. That’s a much better way. It yields much better outcomes! Much better rewards await you! Are you ready to move forward and allow Proverbs3:6 and 13 to be your calling? In those verses, Solomon says we are to trust and honor God. Verse 6 says, “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths [playing or coaching soccer with passion and purpose] straight.” Verse 13 says, “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding.”
God bless, have a great day and remember, For You Lord and not me”.
Paul Banta-President, GSM International
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Are We Really Being Significant?
Scripture: Proverbs 3:6 and 13. Verse 6 says, “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Verse 13 says, “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding.”
Everyone has had some sort of success in their lives. It feels great being successful. It’s supposed to feel that way. Success gives you impetus, courage, and a reason to be more successful. Why not? Success does create more success. Success is what we’re to be about on this earth. We were not born into this world to be losers. That’s not God’s plan. Not to achieve success from our passions would be to reject God’s working in our lives. He simply wants us to be very successful. Imagine God wanting us to not achieve success, but rather have a lifetime of bad experiences from our efforts. The Bible is packed with one success story after another, and it reveals a God who cares deeply to see His plan for you succeed.
Success is a positive outcome of an event we experience, an outcome that comes about through our efforts of accomplishment with designed steps to achieve a purpose. In other words, you plan something, do it, and get results that make you feel good about yourself. Think about it—success, for the most part, is designed for or by you. It’s personal and it’s fulfilling. Significance, on the other hand, is the potential you possess to be influential over others when you give your efforts in a way that will have meaning or value to impact them. In other words, what you achieve renders something desirable, valuable, or useful to others. That means you find a way, take the time, and have the guts to choose
and follow your path in life to use your past successes to significantly impact the lives of others for Christ.
Your success may have started during your childhood, your early school life, your high school years, your university life, your married life, or your playing, coaching or employment career. Your success may have come from your cultural background, family, education, church life, community, job, marriage, or parenting. Chances are you’re a former soccer player or athlete, and you had success in your playing career. Remember those times of success! You succeeded in winning matches, you impacted your players or team-mates, and you have been looked at by your school and community as being able to help others. You’re a winner!
But what are you going to do with it? That’s right, what are you going to do with your abilities to succeed? What are you doing with your success to be the person of significance God intended you to be? The sooner you start being significant rather than successful, the sooner you’ll realize that you’re really on God’s team and no longer succeeding for others or yourself. That’s a much better way. It yields much better outcomes! Much better rewards await you! Are you ready to move forward and allow Proverbs3:6 and 13 to be your calling? In those verses, Solomon says we are to trust and honor God. Verse 6 says, “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths [playing or coaching soccer with passion and purpose] straight.” Verse 13 says, “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding.”
God bless, have a great day and remember, For You Lord and not me”.
Paul Banta-President, GSM International
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September 15th Coaches and Player Devotional SUCCESS vs. SIGNIFICANCE (by Wayne Quinlan Soccer Coach Dutch Fork HS-SC)
Scripture: Matthew 6: 19-21 says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is there will your heart be also.”
Coaches, by definition, are driven-driven to become successful, to win games, to win championships. Most of us find out at some point in our careers that we can’t win them all. And, despite even our best efforts sometimes we must accept losses as a part of life. But, many of us are tricked by the great deceiver into thinking that our self-worth is determined by our records and the number of trophies we leave behind when we are gone. We confuse happiness with joy and peace. Happiness is momentary, fleeting. Joy and peace can last forever. Happiness is dependent on what we can get, mostly for ourselves. Joy and peace come from what we give to others and to God.
As a coach, how can you learn to pursue joy and peace rather than mere happiness?
Just a few years ago my pursuit of happiness led me to rock bottom. After competing in three straight Final Fours without a championship, there followed a couple of years where I looked to get that coaching “edge” by looking to other coaches who were well-known for their records. I thought if I could be more like Dorrance, Lombardi and others I would be a better coach, more successful. God was setting me up to learn the truth. The next two years were complete misery. Losses mounted, players rebelled, parents called for my head. And, I gave it to them. In 2002 I quit twice.
But, God had other plans. He had broken me down, something He often does to make us trust Him. My athletic director refused to accept my resignation the first time and then finally asked me to stay on another year because it was too late to find a qualified replacement. God was at work. So, I stayed on. But I knew something had to change. In order for me to stay at this I had to find real joy and peace.
I found it in an unsuspecting place, the bible. I never thought of it as a coaching manual. But, I came to realize it does have ALL the answers. I began a study using the book Kings and Coaches by Al Schierbaum and soon found all I needed. I realized that we often lock God out of parts of our lives, letting him have a piece of our Sundays or on special occasions, funerals or religious celebrations. Paul says in Galatians 5: 22-23 that, “Joy and peace come from love and trust in the Lord.” God wants us to give our entire lives to Him. I see many coaches who think that God is something to put on a shelf and dust off only in time of need. Maybe they see it as a sign of weakness to rely on Him. Most of these coaches are the “loose cannons” living from explosion to explosion, without real peace. They live and die with every game’s outcome. You can spot them. Their frustrations from a loss bring them far to low and their victory celebrations are far too high and short-lived.
God wants our whole lives. “Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him and he will act.” Psalm 37:5. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5. If we do this God says we will have abundant life, peace and joy. Those who deny that often end in destruction. “…their end is destruction: their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame. They are focused on earthly things.” Phil 3:18-19. God warns us against focusing on earthly things in Matthew 6: 19-21 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is there will your heart be also.”
Where is your heart? If it is on seeking God, he promises you abundant life here on earth and in heaven. Do you coach first for God, modeling His ways? Does your team know you are a man of God? Are you sure? This is perhaps the most significant impact you can make on the life of a young person, to let them see God in you and know that He is your priority. This is a way of planting seeds for Him. These seeds will be harvested by God for an eternity. (Christian, God expects that of you). What greater trophy is there than to get to heaven and find that you played a part in helping others to get there? That is storing up treasures in heaven! Nothing is more significant.
Scripture: Matthew 6: 19-21 says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is there will your heart be also.”
Coaches, by definition, are driven-driven to become successful, to win games, to win championships. Most of us find out at some point in our careers that we can’t win them all. And, despite even our best efforts sometimes we must accept losses as a part of life. But, many of us are tricked by the great deceiver into thinking that our self-worth is determined by our records and the number of trophies we leave behind when we are gone. We confuse happiness with joy and peace. Happiness is momentary, fleeting. Joy and peace can last forever. Happiness is dependent on what we can get, mostly for ourselves. Joy and peace come from what we give to others and to God.
As a coach, how can you learn to pursue joy and peace rather than mere happiness?
Just a few years ago my pursuit of happiness led me to rock bottom. After competing in three straight Final Fours without a championship, there followed a couple of years where I looked to get that coaching “edge” by looking to other coaches who were well-known for their records. I thought if I could be more like Dorrance, Lombardi and others I would be a better coach, more successful. God was setting me up to learn the truth. The next two years were complete misery. Losses mounted, players rebelled, parents called for my head. And, I gave it to them. In 2002 I quit twice.
But, God had other plans. He had broken me down, something He often does to make us trust Him. My athletic director refused to accept my resignation the first time and then finally asked me to stay on another year because it was too late to find a qualified replacement. God was at work. So, I stayed on. But I knew something had to change. In order for me to stay at this I had to find real joy and peace.
I found it in an unsuspecting place, the bible. I never thought of it as a coaching manual. But, I came to realize it does have ALL the answers. I began a study using the book Kings and Coaches by Al Schierbaum and soon found all I needed. I realized that we often lock God out of parts of our lives, letting him have a piece of our Sundays or on special occasions, funerals or religious celebrations. Paul says in Galatians 5: 22-23 that, “Joy and peace come from love and trust in the Lord.” God wants us to give our entire lives to Him. I see many coaches who think that God is something to put on a shelf and dust off only in time of need. Maybe they see it as a sign of weakness to rely on Him. Most of these coaches are the “loose cannons” living from explosion to explosion, without real peace. They live and die with every game’s outcome. You can spot them. Their frustrations from a loss bring them far to low and their victory celebrations are far too high and short-lived.
God wants our whole lives. “Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him and he will act.” Psalm 37:5. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5. If we do this God says we will have abundant life, peace and joy. Those who deny that often end in destruction. “…their end is destruction: their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame. They are focused on earthly things.” Phil 3:18-19. God warns us against focusing on earthly things in Matthew 6: 19-21 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is there will your heart be also.”
Where is your heart? If it is on seeking God, he promises you abundant life here on earth and in heaven. Do you coach first for God, modeling His ways? Does your team know you are a man of God? Are you sure? This is perhaps the most significant impact you can make on the life of a young person, to let them see God in you and know that He is your priority. This is a way of planting seeds for Him. These seeds will be harvested by God for an eternity. (Christian, God expects that of you). What greater trophy is there than to get to heaven and find that you played a part in helping others to get there? That is storing up treasures in heaven! Nothing is more significant.
September 1st Coaches and Players Devotional
Are You Really a Spiritual Leader?
Scripture:1st John 3:18 says, “Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”
As coaches and players are we demonstrating the path He has designed for you or just mouthing it?
I know from personal experience that doing things my way was always harder. It hurt me and others in the end. My players and team mates really never gained what they deserved from me as a spiritual leader. I didn’t rely enough on Him and didn’t make myself available to Him fully enough for my purpose to impact them. Believe me when I say that His way is easier and less painful. If you’re not sure, believe what God says throughout His Bible about His great love and His purpose for you. James 3:17 says, “The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
Are you letting the Scriptures test the path you’re to walk and teach you how God wants you to serve Him? Are you getting the point of what God’s saying from the Scriptures? Which direction are you attacking and at what pace are you running to score those goals for Christ?
Remember that His divine power has given us everything we need for coaching. All that you should say(what comes out of your mouth) and do (your actions) when serving (coaching and playing) can be found from His words. If you’re not daily reading the Bible, you need to start cultivating this habit. We eat daily to sustain ourselves from one day to the next. We need to be devouring His very words to sustain ourselves to coach, to change our thinking, and to change our players’ games and lives.
Get on with it because the Bible is one of the better coaching books on the market! You must make a commitment, my friend, and the sooner the better. It changed my direction, my purpose, and my passion, as it has those of hundreds of other coaches and players.
For Thee, not me!
Paul Banta, President of GSM International
Are You Really a Spiritual Leader?
Scripture:1st John 3:18 says, “Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”
As coaches and players are we demonstrating the path He has designed for you or just mouthing it?
I know from personal experience that doing things my way was always harder. It hurt me and others in the end. My players and team mates really never gained what they deserved from me as a spiritual leader. I didn’t rely enough on Him and didn’t make myself available to Him fully enough for my purpose to impact them. Believe me when I say that His way is easier and less painful. If you’re not sure, believe what God says throughout His Bible about His great love and His purpose for you. James 3:17 says, “The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
Are you letting the Scriptures test the path you’re to walk and teach you how God wants you to serve Him? Are you getting the point of what God’s saying from the Scriptures? Which direction are you attacking and at what pace are you running to score those goals for Christ?
Remember that His divine power has given us everything we need for coaching. All that you should say(what comes out of your mouth) and do (your actions) when serving (coaching and playing) can be found from His words. If you’re not daily reading the Bible, you need to start cultivating this habit. We eat daily to sustain ourselves from one day to the next. We need to be devouring His very words to sustain ourselves to coach, to change our thinking, and to change our players’ games and lives.
Get on with it because the Bible is one of the better coaching books on the market! You must make a commitment, my friend, and the sooner the better. It changed my direction, my purpose, and my passion, as it has those of hundreds of other coaches and players.
For Thee, not me!
Paul Banta, President of GSM International
August 15th Coaches and Players Devotional
Are You a World Class Coach?
Scripture: Philippians 1:6 and 9–11 say, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. . . . And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless [to coach] until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”
For the Christian coach, soccer must be about how God can help you reach success, achieve goals, and fulfill purposes for His significance, not your own. In God’s eyes, success happens when you make a commitment to serve Him wholeheartedly. When you do that, He can work through you with the gifts He’s given you, so the outcome of your efforts ultimately will impact others significantly in the game for great spiritual purposes.
Worldly coaches know they are on a mission to serve themselves or someone else, and their success is short term. World-class coaches know they are made for a mission and see that the outcomes of their successes are used to serve God significantly long-term.
World-class coaches become servants to those around them. Their significant work for Christ through their personal qualities and passions truly becomes their influence to serve and to teach not only the game of soccer but Christ through biblical principles. These coaches are ready to be used by God and will go boldly before their players and the world to be significant. They glow with confidence and peace, having a joy about them that’s contagious.
Those who have the opportunity to be around them, learn from them, and be mentored and prayed for by them will be impacted. These coaches let God be in control. They speak about and teach His kingdom through soccer for significance, not for the personal success of their leadership.
For Thee, not me!
Paul Banta, President of GSM International
Are You a World Class Coach?
Scripture: Philippians 1:6 and 9–11 say, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. . . . And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless [to coach] until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”
For the Christian coach, soccer must be about how God can help you reach success, achieve goals, and fulfill purposes for His significance, not your own. In God’s eyes, success happens when you make a commitment to serve Him wholeheartedly. When you do that, He can work through you with the gifts He’s given you, so the outcome of your efforts ultimately will impact others significantly in the game for great spiritual purposes.
Worldly coaches know they are on a mission to serve themselves or someone else, and their success is short term. World-class coaches know they are made for a mission and see that the outcomes of their successes are used to serve God significantly long-term.
World-class coaches become servants to those around them. Their significant work for Christ through their personal qualities and passions truly becomes their influence to serve and to teach not only the game of soccer but Christ through biblical principles. These coaches are ready to be used by God and will go boldly before their players and the world to be significant. They glow with confidence and peace, having a joy about them that’s contagious.
Those who have the opportunity to be around them, learn from them, and be mentored and prayed for by them will be impacted. These coaches let God be in control. They speak about and teach His kingdom through soccer for significance, not for the personal success of their leadership.
For Thee, not me!
Paul Banta, President of GSM International
June 1st Coaches and Players Devotional
Are You Looking at the Cross?
Scripture: Colossians 3:13: “Just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.”
It’s truly amazing how some players and coaches try to justify their angry or their unforgiving heart. They honestly believe the Lord understands why they have feeling of deep anger when the game doesn't go their way. No question that God understand, but He'll never approve of this unjustified anger.
Jesus faced appalling betrayal and abandonment. He knew human emotions inside and out. He know you inside and out as well. But He doesn’t agree with an unforgiving attitude or unnecessary anger. Our Savior had a God-centered view of forgiveness that withstood horrifying torture. We have no clue. We should thank God for this every morning. Why? We’re the ones who betray the Lord each and every day. Get grip on it. We all do it.
We’ve wronged Jesus in ways no one has ever wronged us. We’ve denied His rightful place in our hearts. We’ve doubted His Words. We’ve ignored His instructions. We’ve often abandoned Him and kicked Him out of our daily lives. We’ve sinned against Him and shamed Him by sinning against other people. What is Jesus’ response to this abuse?
In Matthew 11:28, He says, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
Do you really believe He’ll justify your not forgiving under any circumstances? No, He won’t. When you look toward God to excuse your unforgiving heart and anger, He’ll answer back, “Look at the Cross and what I did for you. Don't you get it”? You’ll discover the price He paid to forgive you of our garbage. Then, you’ll understand the solemn responsibility of Colossians 3:13, says, “Just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.” Just as we have been forgiven, we must now become forgivers.
Are You Looking at the Cross?
Scripture: Colossians 3:13: “Just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.”
It’s truly amazing how some players and coaches try to justify their angry or their unforgiving heart. They honestly believe the Lord understands why they have feeling of deep anger when the game doesn't go their way. No question that God understand, but He'll never approve of this unjustified anger.
Jesus faced appalling betrayal and abandonment. He knew human emotions inside and out. He know you inside and out as well. But He doesn’t agree with an unforgiving attitude or unnecessary anger. Our Savior had a God-centered view of forgiveness that withstood horrifying torture. We have no clue. We should thank God for this every morning. Why? We’re the ones who betray the Lord each and every day. Get grip on it. We all do it.
We’ve wronged Jesus in ways no one has ever wronged us. We’ve denied His rightful place in our hearts. We’ve doubted His Words. We’ve ignored His instructions. We’ve often abandoned Him and kicked Him out of our daily lives. We’ve sinned against Him and shamed Him by sinning against other people. What is Jesus’ response to this abuse?
In Matthew 11:28, He says, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
Do you really believe He’ll justify your not forgiving under any circumstances? No, He won’t. When you look toward God to excuse your unforgiving heart and anger, He’ll answer back, “Look at the Cross and what I did for you. Don't you get it”? You’ll discover the price He paid to forgive you of our garbage. Then, you’ll understand the solemn responsibility of Colossians 3:13, says, “Just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.” Just as we have been forgiven, we must now become forgivers.
May 15th Coaches and Players Devotional
Are You Choosing Obedience?
Scripture: Galatians 6:8 say, “The one who sows (gives way) to his flesh will reap corruption {mess} from the flesh {your body, mind, and spirit}, but the one who sows to the Spirit {Jesus} will reap eternal life {heaven and all that is Jesus is waiting to give you} from the Spirit.”
Football coach Vince Lombardi once said, "Winning means you're willing to go longer, work harder, and give more than anyone else." To be a successful you must make a commitment to a task, put out and following through. We all want to be successful, but things like making bad choices often stand in our way. Bad choices keep potential winners on the bench. Life is full of trade-offs. The bad choices you make today are the down payments on your problems tomorrow and into your future. Like I told one of my sons one day, “Son you’ve got two choices on this earth. Do it good or bad. Do it for Jesus or Satan.” As Christian soccer players and coaches is pretty simply to figure it out regardless of how many balls have hit you in the head.
What are some examples of bad trade-offs? In soccer, whether coaching or playing, it could be not giving your best in a practice, or saying the wrong thing when you should have shut your mouth. In life it could mean not doing what God's wants for you so that you can enjoy the passing pleasures of some bad choices you make.
What will you facing today and how will you respond? If you’re tempted not to be the obedient person you’re supposed to be based on biblical principles is not a bad thing, but our giving in to it is. Don't cave in! Get some guts, play the game of life well and hard. Give it the very best shot that you’ve got that day being the person God wants you to be. Speak to Jesus about those temptations you face, get some help from Him through the power of His Holy Spirit and work harder to be more successful to obeying the Lord and walking where He wants you to walk for Him not where you want to walk. You won't regret it. Remember it’s always been about Him, not you. Are You Choosing Obedience?
Are You Choosing Obedience?
Scripture: Galatians 6:8 say, “The one who sows (gives way) to his flesh will reap corruption {mess} from the flesh {your body, mind, and spirit}, but the one who sows to the Spirit {Jesus} will reap eternal life {heaven and all that is Jesus is waiting to give you} from the Spirit.”
Football coach Vince Lombardi once said, "Winning means you're willing to go longer, work harder, and give more than anyone else." To be a successful you must make a commitment to a task, put out and following through. We all want to be successful, but things like making bad choices often stand in our way. Bad choices keep potential winners on the bench. Life is full of trade-offs. The bad choices you make today are the down payments on your problems tomorrow and into your future. Like I told one of my sons one day, “Son you’ve got two choices on this earth. Do it good or bad. Do it for Jesus or Satan.” As Christian soccer players and coaches is pretty simply to figure it out regardless of how many balls have hit you in the head.
What are some examples of bad trade-offs? In soccer, whether coaching or playing, it could be not giving your best in a practice, or saying the wrong thing when you should have shut your mouth. In life it could mean not doing what God's wants for you so that you can enjoy the passing pleasures of some bad choices you make.
What will you facing today and how will you respond? If you’re tempted not to be the obedient person you’re supposed to be based on biblical principles is not a bad thing, but our giving in to it is. Don't cave in! Get some guts, play the game of life well and hard. Give it the very best shot that you’ve got that day being the person God wants you to be. Speak to Jesus about those temptations you face, get some help from Him through the power of His Holy Spirit and work harder to be more successful to obeying the Lord and walking where He wants you to walk for Him not where you want to walk. You won't regret it. Remember it’s always been about Him, not you. Are You Choosing Obedience?
May 1st Devotional
Your Players Need Your Attention
Scripture: Matthew 13: 14-15 says, “In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts.”
Your players don’t like being ignored. They feel frustrated when they’re disregarded. As coaches we have a huge responsibility and commitment to our players and part of it is giving them the attention they deserve, but sometimes our focus is somewhere else. Ever happen to you before? You can’t win games or player ' s hearts without focusing on them.
Psalm 139:13 says God formed each of us in our mother’s womb and gave us life, breath, and everything we own. He deserves our attention just like your players want you to be the coach of their dreams, it the same with God. We need Him to be the center of our dreams and hopes. The very foundation and future He offers us to coach with passion and purpose is in the attention He gives us. Sadly, we sometime ignore Him and go about beating our brain and body without His help.
Some of us ignore God by failing to make it a priority to learn what pleases Him. Others know what He wants but choose to pursue their own desires. I certainly did this for many years of my coaching. It was about me, my team and winning and had nothing to do with God. You’ve got to admit that, at times, we forget we belong to God and sometimes act like the world around us. Our personal preferences always fight against His full attention.
The Lord expects us to give Him our full attention. When our minds focus on God, life revolves around discovering Him and becoming more like Him. How much do you focus on God and what pleases Him? How much attention are you giving your players?
Your Players Need Your Attention
Scripture: Matthew 13: 14-15 says, “In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts.”
Your players don’t like being ignored. They feel frustrated when they’re disregarded. As coaches we have a huge responsibility and commitment to our players and part of it is giving them the attention they deserve, but sometimes our focus is somewhere else. Ever happen to you before? You can’t win games or player ' s hearts without focusing on them.
Psalm 139:13 says God formed each of us in our mother’s womb and gave us life, breath, and everything we own. He deserves our attention just like your players want you to be the coach of their dreams, it the same with God. We need Him to be the center of our dreams and hopes. The very foundation and future He offers us to coach with passion and purpose is in the attention He gives us. Sadly, we sometime ignore Him and go about beating our brain and body without His help.
Some of us ignore God by failing to make it a priority to learn what pleases Him. Others know what He wants but choose to pursue their own desires. I certainly did this for many years of my coaching. It was about me, my team and winning and had nothing to do with God. You’ve got to admit that, at times, we forget we belong to God and sometimes act like the world around us. Our personal preferences always fight against His full attention.
The Lord expects us to give Him our full attention. When our minds focus on God, life revolves around discovering Him and becoming more like Him. How much do you focus on God and what pleases Him? How much attention are you giving your players?
April 15 th Devotional
My Lord and I
Scripture: John 15.12-14 says, "Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command."
Words of the hymn, My Lord and I, sung in the caves of France during the fierce persecution of the Huguenots more than 300 years ago.
I have a Friend so precious,
So very dear to me,
He loves me with a tender love,
He loves me faithfully;
I could not live apart from Him,
I love to feel Him nigh;
And so we dwell together,
My Lord and I.
Sometimes I’m faint and weary,
He knows that I am weak;
And as He bids me lean on Him,
His help I’ll gladly seek;
He leads me in the path of light,
Beneath a sunny sky;
And so we dwell together,
My Lord and I.
He knows how much I love Him,
He knows I love Him well;
But with what love He loveth me,
My tongue can never tell;
It is an everlasting love
In ever rich supply;
And so we dwell together,
My Lord and I.
I tell Him all my sorrows,
I tell Him all my joys,
I tell Him all that pleases me,
I tell Him what annoys;
He tells me what I ought to do,
Hs tells me what to try;
And so we dwell together,
My Lord and I.
He knows how I am longing
Some weary soul to win,
And so He bids me go and speak
A loving word for Him;
He bids me tell His wondrous love,
And why He came to die;
And so we dwell together,
My Lord and I.
May the Lord bless you.
My Lord and I
Scripture: John 15.12-14 says, "Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command."
Words of the hymn, My Lord and I, sung in the caves of France during the fierce persecution of the Huguenots more than 300 years ago.
I have a Friend so precious,
So very dear to me,
He loves me with a tender love,
He loves me faithfully;
I could not live apart from Him,
I love to feel Him nigh;
And so we dwell together,
My Lord and I.
Sometimes I’m faint and weary,
He knows that I am weak;
And as He bids me lean on Him,
His help I’ll gladly seek;
He leads me in the path of light,
Beneath a sunny sky;
And so we dwell together,
My Lord and I.
He knows how much I love Him,
He knows I love Him well;
But with what love He loveth me,
My tongue can never tell;
It is an everlasting love
In ever rich supply;
And so we dwell together,
My Lord and I.
I tell Him all my sorrows,
I tell Him all my joys,
I tell Him all that pleases me,
I tell Him what annoys;
He tells me what I ought to do,
Hs tells me what to try;
And so we dwell together,
My Lord and I.
He knows how I am longing
Some weary soul to win,
And so He bids me go and speak
A loving word for Him;
He bids me tell His wondrous love,
And why He came to die;
And so we dwell together,
My Lord and I.
May the Lord bless you.
April 1st Devotional
God Wants to Empower You Big Time
Scripture: John 16:13 says, “The Spirit of truth . . . will guide you into all truth.”
Believe me when I say, "He will empower you with the truth about yourself and the relationship you're to have with the Holy Spirit (part of the Trinity we often daily do not think much about). God, through the Holy Spirit wants to empower you and release to you His authority to coach BIG TIME for Him. So, if you really want to make this happen you have to surrender (give up) your heart 100% to Him just like you give 100% into your coaching. What a great offer!" It's free....No charge. Anything stopping you?
Coaches live good portions of their lives through their failures and successes, either from their own or their players’ efforts. We often wonder why we, as coaches, have to struggle so much to succeed.
We struggle through bad choices, wrong words, over-working, bad attitudes, bad habits, inappropriate actions, and personal weaknesses that play a significant role in our inability to succeed and be significant for Christ. Satan (a real and existing power) will really try anything to change the path God has designed for you. Satan is a jerk with a capital 'J'.
When we go through troubling times, we often make choices (during these times) contrary to God’s Word (Bible) and His designed plan for us. The correct appropriation of our God-given abilities is what God really wants for you to benefit yourselves and those around you. We face situations daily in which the evil one (Satan) attempts to prevent you and your players from succeeding significantly for Christ.
We all know that coaching soccer takes a real commitment to hard work. Commitment involves more than the physical work and the usage of our emotional and mental energy levels to actually do the work off and on the field. A significant level of mature spiritual commitment is also required. This is going to have to be #1 in your life. You have to practice spiritual maturity if you coaching for God.
If you’re going to serve the Lord through your passion for the game, you need to commit daily extra time to your spiritual concerns for yourself and your team. Guess what? It’s a hard battle. Your being pulled and tugged on by life. You can’t go it alone. You’ll find that your inner strength and peace will come only through the empowering of the Holy Spirit.
We certainly all know about God and Jesus, but committing to knowing about whom the Holy Spirit is and how He can impact you must be your priority. Get to know and understand how the Spirit can be part of your daily life to empower you forward to coach with passion and purpose. He's your great counselor and it doesn't cost $150 per hour.
May the Lord bless you.
Paul Banta, President of GSM International
Remeber...."For Thee not me"
God Wants to Empower You Big Time
Scripture: John 16:13 says, “The Spirit of truth . . . will guide you into all truth.”
Believe me when I say, "He will empower you with the truth about yourself and the relationship you're to have with the Holy Spirit (part of the Trinity we often daily do not think much about). God, through the Holy Spirit wants to empower you and release to you His authority to coach BIG TIME for Him. So, if you really want to make this happen you have to surrender (give up) your heart 100% to Him just like you give 100% into your coaching. What a great offer!" It's free....No charge. Anything stopping you?
Coaches live good portions of their lives through their failures and successes, either from their own or their players’ efforts. We often wonder why we, as coaches, have to struggle so much to succeed.
We struggle through bad choices, wrong words, over-working, bad attitudes, bad habits, inappropriate actions, and personal weaknesses that play a significant role in our inability to succeed and be significant for Christ. Satan (a real and existing power) will really try anything to change the path God has designed for you. Satan is a jerk with a capital 'J'.
When we go through troubling times, we often make choices (during these times) contrary to God’s Word (Bible) and His designed plan for us. The correct appropriation of our God-given abilities is what God really wants for you to benefit yourselves and those around you. We face situations daily in which the evil one (Satan) attempts to prevent you and your players from succeeding significantly for Christ.
We all know that coaching soccer takes a real commitment to hard work. Commitment involves more than the physical work and the usage of our emotional and mental energy levels to actually do the work off and on the field. A significant level of mature spiritual commitment is also required. This is going to have to be #1 in your life. You have to practice spiritual maturity if you coaching for God.
If you’re going to serve the Lord through your passion for the game, you need to commit daily extra time to your spiritual concerns for yourself and your team. Guess what? It’s a hard battle. Your being pulled and tugged on by life. You can’t go it alone. You’ll find that your inner strength and peace will come only through the empowering of the Holy Spirit.
We certainly all know about God and Jesus, but committing to knowing about whom the Holy Spirit is and how He can impact you must be your priority. Get to know and understand how the Spirit can be part of your daily life to empower you forward to coach with passion and purpose. He's your great counselor and it doesn't cost $150 per hour.
May the Lord bless you.
Paul Banta, President of GSM International
Remeber...."For Thee not me"
March 15th Coaches & Players Devotion
Are You and Unknown Christian?
Scripture: Mark 8:38 says,” If anyone is ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."
I haven't seen it in years, but a few sports teams who used to have really bad fans would come to the games wearing paper bags over their heads. Sure they were still at the game, but they were ashamed of their team and didn't want anyone to know who they were. It must have left a mark on the franchise, the players and coaches who were doing their best to win.
Jesus did many miracles and amazed people as He went about His public ministry. No one saw this more than His disciples. They were there seeing everything. These men and ladies were not only Christ's apostles and disciples; they were big supporters of Jesus' ministry. His message was - if you truly believed who I am you would not be ashamed of Me. One of His disciples, Peter, became ashamed of Jesus even to the point of publicly denying Him. Peter did it not once, but three times. You could say it was the proverbial hat trick of denials! Thank God, Peter realized his faults and eventually made it right and spoke out.
In your life, have you become ashamed or hesitant at certain time of being known as a Christian? Are you hiding your faith by putting an invisible bag of shame on your head? Isn't it about time to take the bag off? I say it is time to take the bag off for good and be a true fan no matter where you are or who you’re with. Let's face it, you're a fan, (coach or player) or you're not! It's that simple.
You need to be not known for playing or coaching soccer, but more importantly you need to be known as a Christ follower and server.
Paul Banta-President of GSM International
"For Thee not me"
Are You and Unknown Christian?
Scripture: Mark 8:38 says,” If anyone is ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."
I haven't seen it in years, but a few sports teams who used to have really bad fans would come to the games wearing paper bags over their heads. Sure they were still at the game, but they were ashamed of their team and didn't want anyone to know who they were. It must have left a mark on the franchise, the players and coaches who were doing their best to win.
Jesus did many miracles and amazed people as He went about His public ministry. No one saw this more than His disciples. They were there seeing everything. These men and ladies were not only Christ's apostles and disciples; they were big supporters of Jesus' ministry. His message was - if you truly believed who I am you would not be ashamed of Me. One of His disciples, Peter, became ashamed of Jesus even to the point of publicly denying Him. Peter did it not once, but three times. You could say it was the proverbial hat trick of denials! Thank God, Peter realized his faults and eventually made it right and spoke out.
In your life, have you become ashamed or hesitant at certain time of being known as a Christian? Are you hiding your faith by putting an invisible bag of shame on your head? Isn't it about time to take the bag off? I say it is time to take the bag off for good and be a true fan no matter where you are or who you’re with. Let's face it, you're a fan, (coach or player) or you're not! It's that simple.
You need to be not known for playing or coaching soccer, but more importantly you need to be known as a Christ follower and server.
Paul Banta-President of GSM International
"For Thee not me"
March 1 2007
Success to Significance
Matthew 6:20–21 says, “‘Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
I used to collect all the trophies, plaques, banners and have all over my office. One day I realized most were dust collectors, tarnished and really not to worthy of a real representation of what I really had done for Christ through soccer. It was about me not Him. I was successful but not significant. Let me explain.
Success in soccer is a positive outcome of an event you experience, an outcome that comes about through your efforts of accomplishment with designed steps to achieve a purpose. In other words, you plan something, do it, and get results that make you feel good about yourself. Think about it—success, for the most part, is designed for or by you. It’s personal and it’s fulfilling.
Significance, on the other hand, is the potential you possess to be
influential over others when you give your efforts in a way that will have meaning or value to impact them. In other words, what you achieve renders something desirable, valuable, or useful to others. That means you find a way, take the time, and have the guts to choose and follow your path in life to use your past successes to significantly impact the lives of others for Christ. The sooner you start being significant rather than successful, the sooner you’ll realize that you’re really on God’s team and no longer succeeding for others or yourself. That’s a much better way. It yields much better outcomes! Much better rewards await you!
There has to come a time when you take your passion to succeed and use it significantly in serving God and His purposes. Your path, my friend, is the passion that God gave you. He wants you to use it the rest of your dying days to serve Him. Are you willing to do it? Are you ready to make decisions based not on the world’s standards of succeeding, but on what you believe to be truly right through the very Word of God?
Are you willing to sacrifice your personal gains to be significant for the Lord Jesus Christ? It all boils down to this. If He is pre-eminent in your life, you’re going to be about what will lead only to significance. Where are you storing up your treasures? Are you ready for action, my friend? As we make the effort to walk/run through life being significant, we must stay on the path He has charted for us, not the path we choose for ourselves.
If you’re just starting to make that commitment to be significant, do small steps for Him first. Don’t try to do the overwhelming. Try being significant at a few small things for Him and see what happens. You’ll soon be given a lot more to do. God bless you. Paul Banta, President of GSM International
Success to Significance
Matthew 6:20–21 says, “‘Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
I used to collect all the trophies, plaques, banners and have all over my office. One day I realized most were dust collectors, tarnished and really not to worthy of a real representation of what I really had done for Christ through soccer. It was about me not Him. I was successful but not significant. Let me explain.
Success in soccer is a positive outcome of an event you experience, an outcome that comes about through your efforts of accomplishment with designed steps to achieve a purpose. In other words, you plan something, do it, and get results that make you feel good about yourself. Think about it—success, for the most part, is designed for or by you. It’s personal and it’s fulfilling.
Significance, on the other hand, is the potential you possess to be
influential over others when you give your efforts in a way that will have meaning or value to impact them. In other words, what you achieve renders something desirable, valuable, or useful to others. That means you find a way, take the time, and have the guts to choose and follow your path in life to use your past successes to significantly impact the lives of others for Christ. The sooner you start being significant rather than successful, the sooner you’ll realize that you’re really on God’s team and no longer succeeding for others or yourself. That’s a much better way. It yields much better outcomes! Much better rewards await you!
There has to come a time when you take your passion to succeed and use it significantly in serving God and His purposes. Your path, my friend, is the passion that God gave you. He wants you to use it the rest of your dying days to serve Him. Are you willing to do it? Are you ready to make decisions based not on the world’s standards of succeeding, but on what you believe to be truly right through the very Word of God?
Are you willing to sacrifice your personal gains to be significant for the Lord Jesus Christ? It all boils down to this. If He is pre-eminent in your life, you’re going to be about what will lead only to significance. Where are you storing up your treasures? Are you ready for action, my friend? As we make the effort to walk/run through life being significant, we must stay on the path He has charted for us, not the path we choose for ourselves.
If you’re just starting to make that commitment to be significant, do small steps for Him first. Don’t try to do the overwhelming. Try being significant at a few small things for Him and see what happens. You’ll soon be given a lot more to do. God bless you. Paul Banta, President of GSM International
February 15th
God’s in Control and That's Assurance for us!
Scripture: Romans 8:28
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."
I believe this is one of the greatest Bible verses for Christian coaches and players to commit to. If we're doing this game called soccer, it has to be done correctly. It's got to be about His purposes because He’s in control of what we're committed to.
Since eternity past and throughout the entire history of mankind, God has ruled with supreme authority and rules with the same authority today when you’re coaching or playing, that is if believe this game is His and what you’re doing is really about Him and not about you. Know that God has committed to you in the following areas:
Nothing is hidden from His knowledge or beyond the scope of His control.
He never leaves us or forsakes us. What a promise! This is His covenant to us as believers through the giving up of His Son. Because of His sovereignty we, who by our faith in a living Savior, Christ our Lord, are part of His coaching and playing fraternity and can live with the assurance that He’s real, His words are true, the Holy Spirit is a powerful entity working on our side, and He will have His way in our lives by His timing not ours. Take this route and no other.
God works for our good in our coaching and playing.
Roman’s declares that God has the power to work through every soccer circumstance in your life. Remember that's it's about His purpose not ours. We're a vessel serving Him. He has the knowledge and power to accomplish through us and His deep desire is to use us for His game. God promises to do this for those whom He loves. Our part is to have the faith to believe and the back bone to put out. Believe me; He will do what He has promised in our lives for His glory and will give us blessing beyond our imagination. He receives great pleasure when He sees us doing this game for Him. Where are you laying up your treasurers in this game; on this old earth or in Heaven? If it about Him, it’s heaven. If it’s about you, it earth. Friend — if you’re playing or coaching is about any worldly accolades you’re going in the wrong direction.
God protects us every day and gives us authority.
His word declares that “the angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him” (Psalm 34:7). Nothing can touch God’s coaches and player apart from His permissive will. If He has your complete heart He gives you authority to use your abilities for Him. When God allows painful things to happen (losses, bad injuries, bad season, arguments within the team, etc.), we must trust in His unchanging nature and enduring promises. Circumstances and people change, but His good and loving character does not. We need to see that in all things it will work out for good because He’s given us the authority to serve Him regardless of our circumstances.
God has control over our coaching and playing future.
If you're a coach or player with a future in this game and are passionate about it, and you believe there's a greater reason to be in this game other than winning matches, know that God has a plan fully worked out for you — a plan so good that it is beyond imagining. 1 Corinthians 2:9 says,” No eyes have seen, no ears have heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." We can entrust our future in this great game to God because His character and plans are perfect. You can bet on that my friend. Your efforts will be rewarded.
Resting in the Lord’s sovereignty will free us from fear and anxiety.
If you lack assurance about any of these points, confess your unbelief to the heavenly Father. Ask His forgiveness, commit to meditating on His words daily, memorizing His words in your mind, attach yourself to some good Christian friends, get your character in check and don’t forget His promises to you, and start to personally experience the strengthening of your faith. To win on the pitch requires a big effort in training and so it is with your Christian walk. Put in the effort!
Remember when you play or coach the game — For Thee, not me!
Paul Banta President of GSM International
"For Thee not me"
God’s in Control and That's Assurance for us!
Scripture: Romans 8:28
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."
I believe this is one of the greatest Bible verses for Christian coaches and players to commit to. If we're doing this game called soccer, it has to be done correctly. It's got to be about His purposes because He’s in control of what we're committed to.
Since eternity past and throughout the entire history of mankind, God has ruled with supreme authority and rules with the same authority today when you’re coaching or playing, that is if believe this game is His and what you’re doing is really about Him and not about you. Know that God has committed to you in the following areas:
Nothing is hidden from His knowledge or beyond the scope of His control.
He never leaves us or forsakes us. What a promise! This is His covenant to us as believers through the giving up of His Son. Because of His sovereignty we, who by our faith in a living Savior, Christ our Lord, are part of His coaching and playing fraternity and can live with the assurance that He’s real, His words are true, the Holy Spirit is a powerful entity working on our side, and He will have His way in our lives by His timing not ours. Take this route and no other.
God works for our good in our coaching and playing.
Roman’s declares that God has the power to work through every soccer circumstance in your life. Remember that's it's about His purpose not ours. We're a vessel serving Him. He has the knowledge and power to accomplish through us and His deep desire is to use us for His game. God promises to do this for those whom He loves. Our part is to have the faith to believe and the back bone to put out. Believe me; He will do what He has promised in our lives for His glory and will give us blessing beyond our imagination. He receives great pleasure when He sees us doing this game for Him. Where are you laying up your treasurers in this game; on this old earth or in Heaven? If it about Him, it’s heaven. If it’s about you, it earth. Friend — if you’re playing or coaching is about any worldly accolades you’re going in the wrong direction.
God protects us every day and gives us authority.
His word declares that “the angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him” (Psalm 34:7). Nothing can touch God’s coaches and player apart from His permissive will. If He has your complete heart He gives you authority to use your abilities for Him. When God allows painful things to happen (losses, bad injuries, bad season, arguments within the team, etc.), we must trust in His unchanging nature and enduring promises. Circumstances and people change, but His good and loving character does not. We need to see that in all things it will work out for good because He’s given us the authority to serve Him regardless of our circumstances.
God has control over our coaching and playing future.
If you're a coach or player with a future in this game and are passionate about it, and you believe there's a greater reason to be in this game other than winning matches, know that God has a plan fully worked out for you — a plan so good that it is beyond imagining. 1 Corinthians 2:9 says,” No eyes have seen, no ears have heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." We can entrust our future in this great game to God because His character and plans are perfect. You can bet on that my friend. Your efforts will be rewarded.
Resting in the Lord’s sovereignty will free us from fear and anxiety.
If you lack assurance about any of these points, confess your unbelief to the heavenly Father. Ask His forgiveness, commit to meditating on His words daily, memorizing His words in your mind, attach yourself to some good Christian friends, get your character in check and don’t forget His promises to you, and start to personally experience the strengthening of your faith. To win on the pitch requires a big effort in training and so it is with your Christian walk. Put in the effort!
Remember when you play or coach the game — For Thee, not me!
Paul Banta President of GSM International
"For Thee not me"
February 1st 2007
Are You Using Your Grace to Overcome?
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
If you’re a Christian coach or player we know that our Lord declared that His grace (The New Testament word that is usually translated "grace" is in Greek, which literally means "gift") is sufficient for every painful situation (Big or small) we will ever encounter (broken relationships, lsing a match, sickness and even death).
As a former NCAA Division 1 Coach I went through a lot of painful situations, but because of His abundant goodness, kindness, and love for me, I did not have to succumb to discouragement, give up hope, or walk away from our problems or from His plan for my coaching or my daily walk with Him. We will know God’s grace is working in us when....We have the strength to persevere through the tough times and not quit.
The Holy Spirit (our friend, partner, counselor and comforter) dwells inside us as Christian coaches and players and, God releases into us His supernatural power so we will endure the big and the small tough times (Acts 1:8). As our ‘inner spirit of confidence’ in Him ignites within us, grace awakens our heart and mind to believe God will turn our tough times, trials we go through, and troubles causing us to doubt into something beneficial for us and our team mates or players (Romans 8:28).
He makes sure that He impacts our lives personally, our team mates or the players we coach. He is not the author of confusion and He makes no mistakes to His own (you and me). You’ll have a sense of God's presence in your life when you feel His grace working in you. You’ll actual get a feeling of consciously having the Spirit’s power supporting you. Your focus will shift from your worries, trials and problems to God and His super natural work in your life. Grace helps us shift our attention from our situation, negative emotions and feelings and trying to fix things on our own to God’s sufficiency for us to coach, play and live daily for Him and not for ourselves.
In training we focus on the task ahead to play the next match at a higher level or to beat our next opponent and so it is with our Christian walk. We need to train ourselves daily by reading God’s word, spending some time talking to Him and allow the Holy Spirit (God’s gift to us) be our team mates or coach to win this game of life and beat up on Satan.
We trust that God will bring us through every situation in our lives — and not just barely through, but with deeper intimacy and a greater growing faith that in the end of God’s power and might will deepen our lives to impact others for Him. We can be assured that God’s in the driver seat if we follow His word, and allow Him to have the power of the Holy Spirit's presence to work in our lives. This is a continuous gift of His grace for us.
God knows Satan will try to influence you to make you making the wrong choices, which will cause confusion in your life that will only hurt you. The Lord has promised to limit these trials that we go through, and be strengthened by His power and His promises (1 Corinthians 10:13). The apostle Paul had been through shipwrecks, imprisonments, and beatings - difficulties far worse than most of ours problems. He didn’t quit because he drew on God’s grace daily and found it sufficient and powerful for every circumstance.
Do you need an infusion of grace in order not to give up and walk away?
On my office desk I keep a coin on my my key board and get to visualize it a lot. On one side there’s a picture of a soccer ball, which reminds me that God has give me this passion for soccer and Jesus. The other side simply says, “DON’T QUIT.” It’s a moment by moment reminder of who I’m doing this game of soccer for and whom I’m playing for. It’s been His gift to me to use for Him. Finish strong by never quitting.
Are you ready to coach and player better for Him?
Paul Banta President of GSM International
"For Thee not me"
Are You Using Your Grace to Overcome?
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
If you’re a Christian coach or player we know that our Lord declared that His grace (The New Testament word that is usually translated "grace" is in Greek, which literally means "gift") is sufficient for every painful situation (Big or small) we will ever encounter (broken relationships, lsing a match, sickness and even death).
As a former NCAA Division 1 Coach I went through a lot of painful situations, but because of His abundant goodness, kindness, and love for me, I did not have to succumb to discouragement, give up hope, or walk away from our problems or from His plan for my coaching or my daily walk with Him. We will know God’s grace is working in us when....We have the strength to persevere through the tough times and not quit.
The Holy Spirit (our friend, partner, counselor and comforter) dwells inside us as Christian coaches and players and, God releases into us His supernatural power so we will endure the big and the small tough times (Acts 1:8). As our ‘inner spirit of confidence’ in Him ignites within us, grace awakens our heart and mind to believe God will turn our tough times, trials we go through, and troubles causing us to doubt into something beneficial for us and our team mates or players (Romans 8:28).
He makes sure that He impacts our lives personally, our team mates or the players we coach. He is not the author of confusion and He makes no mistakes to His own (you and me). You’ll have a sense of God's presence in your life when you feel His grace working in you. You’ll actual get a feeling of consciously having the Spirit’s power supporting you. Your focus will shift from your worries, trials and problems to God and His super natural work in your life. Grace helps us shift our attention from our situation, negative emotions and feelings and trying to fix things on our own to God’s sufficiency for us to coach, play and live daily for Him and not for ourselves.
In training we focus on the task ahead to play the next match at a higher level or to beat our next opponent and so it is with our Christian walk. We need to train ourselves daily by reading God’s word, spending some time talking to Him and allow the Holy Spirit (God’s gift to us) be our team mates or coach to win this game of life and beat up on Satan.
We trust that God will bring us through every situation in our lives — and not just barely through, but with deeper intimacy and a greater growing faith that in the end of God’s power and might will deepen our lives to impact others for Him. We can be assured that God’s in the driver seat if we follow His word, and allow Him to have the power of the Holy Spirit's presence to work in our lives. This is a continuous gift of His grace for us.
God knows Satan will try to influence you to make you making the wrong choices, which will cause confusion in your life that will only hurt you. The Lord has promised to limit these trials that we go through, and be strengthened by His power and His promises (1 Corinthians 10:13). The apostle Paul had been through shipwrecks, imprisonments, and beatings - difficulties far worse than most of ours problems. He didn’t quit because he drew on God’s grace daily and found it sufficient and powerful for every circumstance.
Do you need an infusion of grace in order not to give up and walk away?
On my office desk I keep a coin on my my key board and get to visualize it a lot. On one side there’s a picture of a soccer ball, which reminds me that God has give me this passion for soccer and Jesus. The other side simply says, “DON’T QUIT.” It’s a moment by moment reminder of who I’m doing this game of soccer for and whom I’m playing for. It’s been His gift to me to use for Him. Finish strong by never quitting.
Are you ready to coach and player better for Him?
Paul Banta President of GSM International
"For Thee not me"
February 2007 Coaching Educational Tip of the Month
"The Sweeper"
The sweeper is the last defensive player before the goal besides the goalkeeper. Generally, the sweeper is positioned behind the other defenders on the field, making the four defenders become a "diamond" shape. The sweeper does not typically mark an opponent, but rather will "sweep" back and forth in front of the goal to get rid of any shots or passes in front of the net. The sweeper position can be related to a free safety in football, i.e., a defender who steps up to mark free players or balls during an opponent's attack.
A major responsibility of the sweeper is to halt any breakaways by the opponent, including any long passes towards the goal. The sweeper may react by kicking breakaway balls or passes out-of-bounds in order to allow time for the defense to drop back and recover after a breakaway. Using a sweeper in your defense increases your defensive depth on the field and also puts another "coach" on the field. Unlike the goalkeeper, who must stay in certain proximity to the goal, on the attack a sweeper can "direct" your offense from behind in his/her position as the deepest field player.
As a coach, you should select a player for the sweeper position based mainly on confidence and quickness. You will want a player who is not afraid to make contact with the ball or rise to stop breakaways. Height can help to stop air balls headed towards the goal. You will want a player who is a leader on the team and not afraid to direct the other players, especially the other defenders. Having a good sweeper allows you to push your other defenders up on the attack; even if your other defenders are slower, the depth provided by the sweeper allows them some extra room to move forward.
"The Sweeper"
The sweeper is the last defensive player before the goal besides the goalkeeper. Generally, the sweeper is positioned behind the other defenders on the field, making the four defenders become a "diamond" shape. The sweeper does not typically mark an opponent, but rather will "sweep" back and forth in front of the goal to get rid of any shots or passes in front of the net. The sweeper position can be related to a free safety in football, i.e., a defender who steps up to mark free players or balls during an opponent's attack.
A major responsibility of the sweeper is to halt any breakaways by the opponent, including any long passes towards the goal. The sweeper may react by kicking breakaway balls or passes out-of-bounds in order to allow time for the defense to drop back and recover after a breakaway. Using a sweeper in your defense increases your defensive depth on the field and also puts another "coach" on the field. Unlike the goalkeeper, who must stay in certain proximity to the goal, on the attack a sweeper can "direct" your offense from behind in his/her position as the deepest field player.
As a coach, you should select a player for the sweeper position based mainly on confidence and quickness. You will want a player who is not afraid to make contact with the ball or rise to stop breakaways. Height can help to stop air balls headed towards the goal. You will want a player who is a leader on the team and not afraid to direct the other players, especially the other defenders. Having a good sweeper allows you to push your other defenders up on the attack; even if your other defenders are slower, the depth provided by the sweeper allows them some extra room to move forward.
January 15th 2007
You Can Have that Unshakable Peace You've Been Looking For!
Scripture: Philippians 4:5-7
God has some great plans in store for your players and your coaching career (Jeremiah 29:11). You’re going to go through difficult times, but God will use those rough times to help mold your character and heart. (Romans 8:28). When Satan whispers garbage in your ear God has the opposite in mind. He only wants you to trust Him and experience His peace on a daily basis. Try gaining and retaining some true peace that God has ready for you.
• Recognize you need to be dependent on God only and not your strength (Philippines 4:13). If your heart finds it's identity in Jesus Christ you'll have a heart of peace. Coaches and players who look elsewhere to solve their problems will become, in time, filled with strife and worry. Be responsible for your thoughts, words and actions while you let God be in the driver's set of your coaching and life patterns.
• Pray to God that the enemy (Satan) will never defeat you when you are on your spiritual knees before God in prayer. You can be running or sitting when praying. Get into the habit of praying in the AM and then have your mind (thoughts) speak silently to God throughout the day. Even pray out loud to Him. This is the true pathway to unshakable peace. He's supposed to be your best friend and ready to hear what's on your heart. Communicate with Him.
• Trust God to help you when fear invades your mind. Tell the Lord what you're feeling and claim His presence as your protection and shelter. David prayed, "Strengthen my arms so I can bend a bow of bronze." In other words, "Strengthen my faith Lord, so I won’t doubt your goodness in my life and be a real winner."
• As you coach the game, keep your focus on God. Get rid of negative thoughts. Set your concentrated plans and efforts of your heart on God and His possibilities for you. When God created you for His purpose and viewed your life (His plan for you), He saw only potential, not a mess. You can coach the game to it's fullest because Christ is alive in you and all things are under His feet will be made perfect. God is not the Author of mistakes and you'll have 'Unshakable Peace'.
Paul Banta, President
"For Thee not me"
You Can Have that Unshakable Peace You've Been Looking For!
Scripture: Philippians 4:5-7
God has some great plans in store for your players and your coaching career (Jeremiah 29:11). You’re going to go through difficult times, but God will use those rough times to help mold your character and heart. (Romans 8:28). When Satan whispers garbage in your ear God has the opposite in mind. He only wants you to trust Him and experience His peace on a daily basis. Try gaining and retaining some true peace that God has ready for you.
• Recognize you need to be dependent on God only and not your strength (Philippines 4:13). If your heart finds it's identity in Jesus Christ you'll have a heart of peace. Coaches and players who look elsewhere to solve their problems will become, in time, filled with strife and worry. Be responsible for your thoughts, words and actions while you let God be in the driver's set of your coaching and life patterns.
• Pray to God that the enemy (Satan) will never defeat you when you are on your spiritual knees before God in prayer. You can be running or sitting when praying. Get into the habit of praying in the AM and then have your mind (thoughts) speak silently to God throughout the day. Even pray out loud to Him. This is the true pathway to unshakable peace. He's supposed to be your best friend and ready to hear what's on your heart. Communicate with Him.
• Trust God to help you when fear invades your mind. Tell the Lord what you're feeling and claim His presence as your protection and shelter. David prayed, "Strengthen my arms so I can bend a bow of bronze." In other words, "Strengthen my faith Lord, so I won’t doubt your goodness in my life and be a real winner."
• As you coach the game, keep your focus on God. Get rid of negative thoughts. Set your concentrated plans and efforts of your heart on God and His possibilities for you. When God created you for His purpose and viewed your life (His plan for you), He saw only potential, not a mess. You can coach the game to it's fullest because Christ is alive in you and all things are under His feet will be made perfect. God is not the Author of mistakes and you'll have 'Unshakable Peace'.
Paul Banta, President
"For Thee not me"
January 1st 2007
Growing Your Team Is Your Job!
As a coach, your role is to protect the unity of your team so that all of your players are on the same page and in sync as they play together. Just as God wants you to be in harmony with Him, He expects you to create an atmosphere among your players that will help them think and respond almost as one on and off the field. Unity is the essence of the team. It provides the environment for growth, not only in the game of soccer but in the game of life. If unity is destroyed by poor leadership or by players who are not brought along properly by leadership, your team will have a lack of cooperation. Ask yourself, “Am I providing a godly environment for my players? Do I provide an atmosphere where the development of healthy thinking and actions is perpetuated? Can I be the encouraging leader for my players to live more godly lives, both on and off the field, through my example and commitment?”
Ephesians 4:2–4 tells us how we can accomplish this. The verses say coaches are to be completely humble, gentle, and patient, holding all their players up (not crushing them) with the love of Christ Jesus. Coaches are to make every effort to keep unity and peace by the power of the Holy Spirit. There’s one body (the team) and one Spirit to help in this. Verse 6 says there is “one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Your team is part of His plan. He means business, so He will help you be successful and get the intended results. Paul Banta
Growing Your Team Is Your Job!
As a coach, your role is to protect the unity of your team so that all of your players are on the same page and in sync as they play together. Just as God wants you to be in harmony with Him, He expects you to create an atmosphere among your players that will help them think and respond almost as one on and off the field. Unity is the essence of the team. It provides the environment for growth, not only in the game of soccer but in the game of life. If unity is destroyed by poor leadership or by players who are not brought along properly by leadership, your team will have a lack of cooperation. Ask yourself, “Am I providing a godly environment for my players? Do I provide an atmosphere where the development of healthy thinking and actions is perpetuated? Can I be the encouraging leader for my players to live more godly lives, both on and off the field, through my example and commitment?”
Ephesians 4:2–4 tells us how we can accomplish this. The verses say coaches are to be completely humble, gentle, and patient, holding all their players up (not crushing them) with the love of Christ Jesus. Coaches are to make every effort to keep unity and peace by the power of the Holy Spirit. There’s one body (the team) and one Spirit to help in this. Verse 6 says there is “one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Your team is part of His plan. He means business, so He will help you be successful and get the intended results. Paul Banta
Player Goals! Are you setting them?
As coaches, we tend to focus on training the physical aspects of our players while ignoring many of their mental and emotional developmental needs. This bias probably results from having very limited one-on-one time with our athletes, but it deserves more of our attention than ever before.
Although you may not have time to engage in extensive "mental coaching" with each of your players, you can engage them in the process of reflection, self-evaluation, and transformation by working with them to set goals. Try some of the following:
Goals should be specifically designed. "I want to be a better soccer player" isn't very specific. "I want to be able to cross the ball equally-well with both feet" provides a much more
precise image regarding how the player will improve. As your players prepare their goals,
look for any vague phrases like the first example above, and ask them to replace them with more specific statements that explain how they will reach a new level of ability. You may find it helpful to ask the six main questions of "Who?", "What?", "When?", "Where?", "Why?", and "How?" as you craft and review goal statements; the more of these questions answered with each statement, the more specific it will be.
Goals are to be measurable. Often, players will suggest goals like "I will run as hard as
I can in every practice". Although coaches certainly desire this type of conduct, they can't really measure a player's effort to assess whether or not the goal has been achieved. You can't manage what can't be measured! As a result, "do your best" goals tend to be ineffective, and should be re-worded in a way that allows measurement against an objective scale.
Goals must be ambitious. The main purpose of goal-setting is to push individuals and teams to achieve something beyond reach today. If you simply want to achieve something you can already do, there wouldn't be much point in putting pen to paper to say that. So, your team's goals should reflect a desire to make significant and notable progress relative to the current status. A useful goal represents a target to be attained in the future given dedication and focused effort, not a statement of what can be accomplished tomorrow with minimal investment!
Goals should be realistic. If a player believes he can achieve a goal, then it is probably realistic; if he doesn't, then it is not. Although we want our players to push themselves to improve, they will become discouraged (and thus abandon their efforts) if they never enjoy the thrill of achieving their goals.
Goals must be timely. This requirement is important for two reasons. First, without a looming deadline, you may lack the urgency required to push aggressively to achieve your goals. Secondly, as your circumstances and abilities change over time, you need to periodically re-assess your goals to ensure that you are still working toward the most important priorities. So, be sure to include a target date for completion as part of each goal statement.
As coaches, we tend to focus on training the physical aspects of our players while ignoring many of their mental and emotional developmental needs. This bias probably results from having very limited one-on-one time with our athletes, but it deserves more of our attention than ever before.
Although you may not have time to engage in extensive "mental coaching" with each of your players, you can engage them in the process of reflection, self-evaluation, and transformation by working with them to set goals. Try some of the following:
Goals should be specifically designed. "I want to be a better soccer player" isn't very specific. "I want to be able to cross the ball equally-well with both feet" provides a much more
precise image regarding how the player will improve. As your players prepare their goals,
look for any vague phrases like the first example above, and ask them to replace them with more specific statements that explain how they will reach a new level of ability. You may find it helpful to ask the six main questions of "Who?", "What?", "When?", "Where?", "Why?", and "How?" as you craft and review goal statements; the more of these questions answered with each statement, the more specific it will be.
Goals are to be measurable. Often, players will suggest goals like "I will run as hard as
I can in every practice". Although coaches certainly desire this type of conduct, they can't really measure a player's effort to assess whether or not the goal has been achieved. You can't manage what can't be measured! As a result, "do your best" goals tend to be ineffective, and should be re-worded in a way that allows measurement against an objective scale.
Goals must be ambitious. The main purpose of goal-setting is to push individuals and teams to achieve something beyond reach today. If you simply want to achieve something you can already do, there wouldn't be much point in putting pen to paper to say that. So, your team's goals should reflect a desire to make significant and notable progress relative to the current status. A useful goal represents a target to be attained in the future given dedication and focused effort, not a statement of what can be accomplished tomorrow with minimal investment!
Goals should be realistic. If a player believes he can achieve a goal, then it is probably realistic; if he doesn't, then it is not. Although we want our players to push themselves to improve, they will become discouraged (and thus abandon their efforts) if they never enjoy the thrill of achieving their goals.
Goals must be timely. This requirement is important for two reasons. First, without a looming deadline, you may lack the urgency required to push aggressively to achieve your goals. Secondly, as your circumstances and abilities change over time, you need to periodically re-assess your goals to ensure that you are still working toward the most important priorities. So, be sure to include a target date for completion as part of each goal statement.
December 15th
You're Personal Accountability for Your Playing and Coaching
Romans 14:12
God will hold us, as coaches and players, accountable for our thought, words, and actions
not only to your team, but as you walk your daily life share to others about Christ.
In Psalm 139, David writes: "O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up. You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path [playing or coaching] and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways" (vv. 1-3).
There is a mystery to God’s love that our simple minds cannot often understand fully, and that is this: God knows all about everything we do, and yet He loves us big time. I’m always amazed at the size of His love. He knows our inner thoughts and how we flash with anger when someone hurts us. He sees how we become jealous, resentful, and critical of our team mates and players. The fact that God loves so much should stir a desire within you to draw closer to the Lord, faster than you ever have before, and to serve Him with more commitment in your playing and coaching.
David wrote: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there is any hurtful way in me . . ." (v. 24).
Will you pray this prayer as did David, and ask the Lord to reveal anything that is displeasing to Him with your playing, coaching, and life? Other Christian coaches, players, and friends might be a great source of accountability to help you. Be willing to accept this type of accountability from another committed brothers or sister in the Lord. When you do, you will find your spiritual walk [coaching and playing soccer with passion and purpose] with Christ has deepened, and you will gain fresh insight into your own life and the way you need to re-thing you’re coaching.
Paul Banta
You're Personal Accountability for Your Playing and Coaching
Romans 14:12
God will hold us, as coaches and players, accountable for our thought, words, and actions
not only to your team, but as you walk your daily life share to others about Christ.
In Psalm 139, David writes: "O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up. You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path [playing or coaching] and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways" (vv. 1-3).
There is a mystery to God’s love that our simple minds cannot often understand fully, and that is this: God knows all about everything we do, and yet He loves us big time. I’m always amazed at the size of His love. He knows our inner thoughts and how we flash with anger when someone hurts us. He sees how we become jealous, resentful, and critical of our team mates and players. The fact that God loves so much should stir a desire within you to draw closer to the Lord, faster than you ever have before, and to serve Him with more commitment in your playing and coaching.
David wrote: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there is any hurtful way in me . . ." (v. 24).
Will you pray this prayer as did David, and ask the Lord to reveal anything that is displeasing to Him with your playing, coaching, and life? Other Christian coaches, players, and friends might be a great source of accountability to help you. Be willing to accept this type of accountability from another committed brothers or sister in the Lord. When you do, you will find your spiritual walk [coaching and playing soccer with passion and purpose] with Christ has deepened, and you will gain fresh insight into your own life and the way you need to re-thing you’re coaching.
Paul Banta
December American Pro Player of the Month
Fulham FC - Brian McBride
Every kid who plays soccer dreams of scoring a goal for his country in the World Cup. I had the privilege of representing the United States in the 1998 championship in France. During our second game, I headed a ball into the goal against Iran and experienced the thrill of a lifetime. It was an indescribable feeling; yet, as good as it was. The feeling pales in comparison to my experience of a relationship with Christ.
All that I do in life, including my performance on the field, I do to glorify God and Jesus, giving thanks for what He has given me. Inviting Jesus Christ into our lives as Savior and Lord is the greatest thing any of us can do
Fulham FC - Brian McBride
Every kid who plays soccer dreams of scoring a goal for his country in the World Cup. I had the privilege of representing the United States in the 1998 championship in France. During our second game, I headed a ball into the goal against Iran and experienced the thrill of a lifetime. It was an indescribable feeling; yet, as good as it was. The feeling pales in comparison to my experience of a relationship with Christ.
All that I do in life, including my performance on the field, I do to glorify God and Jesus, giving thanks for what He has given me. Inviting Jesus Christ into our lives as Savior and Lord is the greatest thing any of us can do
December 1st
Surrender to God
God loves it when we use our passion and abilities to please Him before we please ourselves. All this serving and loving God can't happen unless we surrender our total person to Him and then serve daily. Surrendering yourself is the key to being able to give your very all to Him for His purpose in your coaching. Surrendering is not easy to accomplish. Surrender requires a new mindset, a changing of the thinking patterns and the acting out processes for you to give up and stop giving in to your personal selfishness.
Surrendering to God is the heart of receiving the power of God's love, grace and mercy. We need to get on with these three as we work with our players. In Romans 12:1 we are urged by a loving God and His mercy to us to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice [a giving up of something to make another thing positively happen]. We do this with a holy attitude [pure motives of serving our Lord] that's pleasing to God more than us. The writer here in Romans says, "This is to be our spiritual nature coming from us automatically and this is the way we are allowed to worship God". Pretty powerful stuff, isn't it! Surrendering then becomes the natural and obedient thing to do as we do our coaching for God. If we say we're committed to serving God through His purpose for us using our passion to coach soccer, we must be willing to do the surrender thing and get heart surgery big time.
Surrendering can be a mind-boggling experience, because it goes against the very nature of living humanly, which is the opposite of spiritual living. We have to learn to give up a lot of garbage we've learned, know, enjoy and find pleasurable at times, which is not useful to us in the end of the scheme of living. It's a sacrifice that we have to make. We have to change a lot about our present, knowing that the future both on the earth and in heaven will be rewarding and full of little and big blessings.
Surrendering them becomes a transformation of our thought processes, so our acts of service will be for Him and to please Him. Romans 12:2 goes on to tell us that; "We're not to be images of this world and follow after its offerings. We're to be transformed by the rethinking and processing of what comes into our minds, not by the pressure of the world in which we reside, but by preordained empowering changes that are to happen to us through the very person of Jesus Christ working in our lives daily by His promises. This will come through our reliance of the Holy Spirit working in our lives. Allowed, this relying will grow our passion [in soccer] to better serve".
Surrender for a coach who is committed to God, is yielding, giving in (not giving up), dying to your own interest or the for Me Thing, which can include win one more for the coach, school, teammates, getting a great winning season so you can get a better job, more recognition or whatever.
Paul Banta
Surrender to God
God loves it when we use our passion and abilities to please Him before we please ourselves. All this serving and loving God can't happen unless we surrender our total person to Him and then serve daily. Surrendering yourself is the key to being able to give your very all to Him for His purpose in your coaching. Surrendering is not easy to accomplish. Surrender requires a new mindset, a changing of the thinking patterns and the acting out processes for you to give up and stop giving in to your personal selfishness.
Surrendering to God is the heart of receiving the power of God's love, grace and mercy. We need to get on with these three as we work with our players. In Romans 12:1 we are urged by a loving God and His mercy to us to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice [a giving up of something to make another thing positively happen]. We do this with a holy attitude [pure motives of serving our Lord] that's pleasing to God more than us. The writer here in Romans says, "This is to be our spiritual nature coming from us automatically and this is the way we are allowed to worship God". Pretty powerful stuff, isn't it! Surrendering then becomes the natural and obedient thing to do as we do our coaching for God. If we say we're committed to serving God through His purpose for us using our passion to coach soccer, we must be willing to do the surrender thing and get heart surgery big time.
Surrendering can be a mind-boggling experience, because it goes against the very nature of living humanly, which is the opposite of spiritual living. We have to learn to give up a lot of garbage we've learned, know, enjoy and find pleasurable at times, which is not useful to us in the end of the scheme of living. It's a sacrifice that we have to make. We have to change a lot about our present, knowing that the future both on the earth and in heaven will be rewarding and full of little and big blessings.
Surrendering them becomes a transformation of our thought processes, so our acts of service will be for Him and to please Him. Romans 12:2 goes on to tell us that; "We're not to be images of this world and follow after its offerings. We're to be transformed by the rethinking and processing of what comes into our minds, not by the pressure of the world in which we reside, but by preordained empowering changes that are to happen to us through the very person of Jesus Christ working in our lives daily by His promises. This will come through our reliance of the Holy Spirit working in our lives. Allowed, this relying will grow our passion [in soccer] to better serve".
Surrender for a coach who is committed to God, is yielding, giving in (not giving up), dying to your own interest or the for Me Thing, which can include win one more for the coach, school, teammates, getting a great winning season so you can get a better job, more recognition or whatever.
Paul Banta
November 15th
Your Personal Accountable [Romans 14:12]
God will hold us, as coaches and players, accountable for our thought, words, and actions not only to your team, but as you walk your daily life share to others about Christ.
In Psalm 139, David writes: "O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up. You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path [coaching] and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways" (vv. 1-3).
There is a mystery to God’s love that our simple minds cannot often understand fully, and that is this: God knows all about everything we do, and yet He loves us big time. I’m always amazed at the size of His love. He knows our inner thoughts and how we flash with anger when someone hurts us. He sees how we become jealous, resentful, and critical of our team mates and players. The fact that God loves so much should stir a desire within you to draw closer to the Lord, faster than you ever have before, and to serve Him with more commitment in your playing and coaching.
David wrote: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there is any hurtful way in me . . ." (v. 24).
Will you pray this prayer as did David, and ask the Lord to reveal anything that is displeasing to Him with your playing, coaching, and life? Other Christian coaches, players, and friends might be a great source of accountability to help you. Be willing to accept this type of accountability from another committed brothers or sister in the Lord. When you do, you will find your spiritual walk [coaching and playing soccer with passion and purpose] with Christ has deepened, and you will gain fresh insight into your own life and the way you need to re-thing you’re coaching.[Now Back to the Fields]
Paul Banta
Your Personal Accountable [Romans 14:12]
God will hold us, as coaches and players, accountable for our thought, words, and actions not only to your team, but as you walk your daily life share to others about Christ.
In Psalm 139, David writes: "O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up. You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path [coaching] and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways" (vv. 1-3).
There is a mystery to God’s love that our simple minds cannot often understand fully, and that is this: God knows all about everything we do, and yet He loves us big time. I’m always amazed at the size of His love. He knows our inner thoughts and how we flash with anger when someone hurts us. He sees how we become jealous, resentful, and critical of our team mates and players. The fact that God loves so much should stir a desire within you to draw closer to the Lord, faster than you ever have before, and to serve Him with more commitment in your playing and coaching.
David wrote: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there is any hurtful way in me . . ." (v. 24).
Will you pray this prayer as did David, and ask the Lord to reveal anything that is displeasing to Him with your playing, coaching, and life? Other Christian coaches, players, and friends might be a great source of accountability to help you. Be willing to accept this type of accountability from another committed brothers or sister in the Lord. When you do, you will find your spiritual walk [coaching and playing soccer with passion and purpose] with Christ has deepened, and you will gain fresh insight into your own life and the way you need to re-thing you’re coaching.[Now Back to the Fields]
Paul Banta
November 1st
PARTNERING WITH GOD THROUGH FAITH
Most coaches are overworked or they decide to over work themselves for many reasons. The reason we work so hard is to simply win the next match and hopefully have a good enough season to get in the league playoffs. We were born to work and be successful. The value of working hold a positive Biblical outlook. In fact God is described in the Bible as a worker. From the creation or earth to His finished work on the cross, He is always at work for you and for your players. Paul sets a great example for use as He served His Lord. God was please with Paul and he is pleased with you when you use your faith to work for Him through soccer. Remember that you are a co-work with God in your coaching.
1 Corinthians 3:9 says, “We are God’s fellow workers; His workers in His field (soccer) and are God’s building (His body is your temple where the Holy Spirit dwells).”
Paul Banta
PARTNERING WITH GOD THROUGH FAITH
Most coaches are overworked or they decide to over work themselves for many reasons. The reason we work so hard is to simply win the next match and hopefully have a good enough season to get in the league playoffs. We were born to work and be successful. The value of working hold a positive Biblical outlook. In fact God is described in the Bible as a worker. From the creation or earth to His finished work on the cross, He is always at work for you and for your players. Paul sets a great example for use as He served His Lord. God was please with Paul and he is pleased with you when you use your faith to work for Him through soccer. Remember that you are a co-work with God in your coaching.
1 Corinthians 3:9 says, “We are God’s fellow workers; His workers in His field (soccer) and are God’s building (His body is your temple where the Holy Spirit dwells).”
Paul Banta
October 15th
WHO ARE YOU COACHING FOR?
It’s not about you, me, your players or anyone or anything else.
Romans 8:5 b say, “Those who choose to live by their sinful nature have their thinking set on their sinful desire”. Romans 8:9 say, “Those controlled by their sinful nature cannot please God.”
Man, it’s all about God. Do you see that concept? It’s always been about Him and His purposes He planned for you and the passion He created in you to coach for Him and Him alone. He’s a jealously God and is absolutely in control of His creation. That means you and me my friend too. You’re to be in God’s control and make your decisions based on what pleases God and what He says in the Bible. Are you faithfully reading His word to find out? I spent over 35 years coaching the game and I figured out one day that if had coached for Him and read His word daily throughout my career, I probably would have held some sort of Ripley’s Believe it or not record for the most wins for a Christian coach IN THE USA. I was a late starter. What's keeping you back? What pleases God is that you serve Him in His purpose and do the designed life He’s planned for you. Paul Banta
WHO ARE YOU COACHING FOR?
It’s not about you, me, your players or anyone or anything else.
Romans 8:5 b say, “Those who choose to live by their sinful nature have their thinking set on their sinful desire”. Romans 8:9 say, “Those controlled by their sinful nature cannot please God.”
Man, it’s all about God. Do you see that concept? It’s always been about Him and His purposes He planned for you and the passion He created in you to coach for Him and Him alone. He’s a jealously God and is absolutely in control of His creation. That means you and me my friend too. You’re to be in God’s control and make your decisions based on what pleases God and what He says in the Bible. Are you faithfully reading His word to find out? I spent over 35 years coaching the game and I figured out one day that if had coached for Him and read His word daily throughout my career, I probably would have held some sort of Ripley’s Believe it or not record for the most wins for a Christian coach IN THE USA. I was a late starter. What's keeping you back? What pleases God is that you serve Him in His purpose and do the designed life He’s planned for you. Paul Banta
October 1st
SERVING-POURING YOURSELF INTO YOUR PLAYERS
God really loves it when we serve Him with all of our heart. That means we’ve decided to give up ourselves for Jesus. The prophet Jeremiah shares with us in Jeremiah 29:12 about giving a whole hearted commitment. God wants us to serve Him with an obedient and loving attitude giving Him all the praise as He uses us for His greater plan. Love is His greatest gift and service is to be the result of our love for what He did through His son Jesus Christ, so serving, if we’re on the right page, should naturally flow from us as we commit our coaching for Him. He will provide success through our words and actions. Learning that our need to serve Him regardless of the outcomes of our win or loss record is not only essential, but it’s relative to of the growth of our relationship to Him and the success we have in serving our players. When we emphasize serving before winning our players see we’re for real and God will honor our efforts more than ever before in your coaching.
Paul Banta
SERVING-POURING YOURSELF INTO YOUR PLAYERS
God really loves it when we serve Him with all of our heart. That means we’ve decided to give up ourselves for Jesus. The prophet Jeremiah shares with us in Jeremiah 29:12 about giving a whole hearted commitment. God wants us to serve Him with an obedient and loving attitude giving Him all the praise as He uses us for His greater plan. Love is His greatest gift and service is to be the result of our love for what He did through His son Jesus Christ, so serving, if we’re on the right page, should naturally flow from us as we commit our coaching for Him. He will provide success through our words and actions. Learning that our need to serve Him regardless of the outcomes of our win or loss record is not only essential, but it’s relative to of the growth of our relationship to Him and the success we have in serving our players. When we emphasize serving before winning our players see we’re for real and God will honor our efforts more than ever before in your coaching.
Paul Banta
September 15th
WHO DO YOU LISTEN TOO?
Listen to what God says to you in His holy Word: “We are God’s masterpiece and creating you to know Christ Jesus and to do the good things He has planned for you a long time ago” (Ephesians 2:10). Also, “I know what I am planning for you. I have a good plan for you, not a plan to hurt you, but a plan to give you hope and a great future, which you’ll receive if you pray and seek me wholeheartedly” (Jeremiah 29:11-12).
How about those verses? They have got to make you feel special and that God see you helping Him coach soccer to impact others. The script has been written for you my friend!
As a coach, know you have a place specially designed for you to serve, a purpose created for you to pursue, a special role using your character and passions to impact others and function to fulfill in love for your God.
This is what He wants for you more than anything else after your knowing Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior. He wants you to personally experience great significance and worth in your life as you coach for Him on this old earth. To put it simply, He wants you to fulfill His plan for your life and reward you for your efforts to help Him coaching His players.
Paul Banta
President and Founder of GSM International
843.235.3762
WHO DO YOU LISTEN TOO?
Listen to what God says to you in His holy Word: “We are God’s masterpiece and creating you to know Christ Jesus and to do the good things He has planned for you a long time ago” (Ephesians 2:10). Also, “I know what I am planning for you. I have a good plan for you, not a plan to hurt you, but a plan to give you hope and a great future, which you’ll receive if you pray and seek me wholeheartedly” (Jeremiah 29:11-12).
How about those verses? They have got to make you feel special and that God see you helping Him coach soccer to impact others. The script has been written for you my friend!
As a coach, know you have a place specially designed for you to serve, a purpose created for you to pursue, a special role using your character and passions to impact others and function to fulfill in love for your God.
This is what He wants for you more than anything else after your knowing Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior. He wants you to personally experience great significance and worth in your life as you coach for Him on this old earth. To put it simply, He wants you to fulfill His plan for your life and reward you for your efforts to help Him coaching His players.
Paul Banta
President and Founder of GSM International
843.235.3762
September 1st
WHAT'S YOUR REAL PURPOSE IN PLAYING AND COACHING?
Contrary to the world standards you were planned and made for God's purpose and His work for you while you're on the earth. Your role for God is to make a difference in others. Not just to take from this world, but to give something back by serving others. By doing this you will be doing exactly what God purpose is for you and what He set you apart and appointed you for.
God redeemed and saved you for a special holy work. A job you can do for Him with your passion. As coaches and players know you have a place, purpose, role and function to fulfill. This God wants for you more than anything else after you know Him as your personal Savior and He wants you to have a great feeling of significance doing your thing.
Put it simply He needs you big time to fulfill His plan for the life He intend you to have on this earth for His goals and purpose. 2 Timothy 1:9 says, "God saved you and called you to live a holy life. He did it because this was His plan before the beginning of time." How about that verse? The script has been written. Read it and move on and do it.
If you believe now that you were really created to coach and play this game know that you can't go it alone. You have to be growing yourself in the Christian walk Biblically and grow more knowledgeable about soccer to serve your players and team mates better.
It's great to be able to learn more about soccer and the Lord through His Holy Word, but we have to put into practice this knowledge to be to person we should be. Action means serving your players and team mates. Serving is the heart of the being Christian coach or player. Like most things in life, it takes effort, commitment, sacrifice and usually your whole person.
Colossians 3:23-24 says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
Every team must be match fit to be successful and that fitness happens off the field when you're away from your team members and coaching staff and on the field in front of your team mates and coaching staff. You could write a long list of the things you need to do to remain healthy and match fit to be successful as a player or as a coach what you need to do off the field stuff that God has called you for and the on the field methods of coaching, such as how your react and respond to players in training to get the most from them and still honor the Father you coach for.
Remember that you're not here coaching and playing to honor men, coaching friends, your wife or girls friend and even opponents, but as a committed Christian playing or coaching the game, your here to honor and glorify your Father in Heaven.
"So do soccer with all your heart for Him. Whatever you do in word and deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:17.
God Bless.
Paul Banta President of GSM International
WHAT'S YOUR REAL PURPOSE IN PLAYING AND COACHING?
Contrary to the world standards you were planned and made for God's purpose and His work for you while you're on the earth. Your role for God is to make a difference in others. Not just to take from this world, but to give something back by serving others. By doing this you will be doing exactly what God purpose is for you and what He set you apart and appointed you for.
God redeemed and saved you for a special holy work. A job you can do for Him with your passion. As coaches and players know you have a place, purpose, role and function to fulfill. This God wants for you more than anything else after you know Him as your personal Savior and He wants you to have a great feeling of significance doing your thing.
Put it simply He needs you big time to fulfill His plan for the life He intend you to have on this earth for His goals and purpose. 2 Timothy 1:9 says, "God saved you and called you to live a holy life. He did it because this was His plan before the beginning of time." How about that verse? The script has been written. Read it and move on and do it.
If you believe now that you were really created to coach and play this game know that you can't go it alone. You have to be growing yourself in the Christian walk Biblically and grow more knowledgeable about soccer to serve your players and team mates better.
It's great to be able to learn more about soccer and the Lord through His Holy Word, but we have to put into practice this knowledge to be to person we should be. Action means serving your players and team mates. Serving is the heart of the being Christian coach or player. Like most things in life, it takes effort, commitment, sacrifice and usually your whole person.
Colossians 3:23-24 says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
Every team must be match fit to be successful and that fitness happens off the field when you're away from your team members and coaching staff and on the field in front of your team mates and coaching staff. You could write a long list of the things you need to do to remain healthy and match fit to be successful as a player or as a coach what you need to do off the field stuff that God has called you for and the on the field methods of coaching, such as how your react and respond to players in training to get the most from them and still honor the Father you coach for.
Remember that you're not here coaching and playing to honor men, coaching friends, your wife or girls friend and even opponents, but as a committed Christian playing or coaching the game, your here to honor and glorify your Father in Heaven.
"So do soccer with all your heart for Him. Whatever you do in word and deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:17.
God Bless.
Paul Banta President of GSM International
