A Champion Game Plan for Life

by Preston Brown

Overview

So many of our youth today are on the cusp of greatness and failure. It’s almost as if they are one circumstance away from having the abundant life that God wants us to have. Whether it’s an unexpected pregnancy, the death of a parent, or maybe just getting caught up with the wrong crowd, greatness eludes them. That’s why I believe that in today’s world, we all need a plan to help us navigate through the good times as well as the bad times—a plan that would be a “bridge” over troubled waters when they appear. When I played football, whether it be high school, college, or professional, we would have a game plan. Having a game plan would give our team the best chance to win the game. With this game plan, we would learn the strengths as well as the weaknesses of the enemy (excuse me), the team that we were facing. When you have a plan, you will be able to handle whatever situation that you find yourself in. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called for his purpose.” It goes on to say, “We are more than conquerors through Him who loves us” (Rom. 8:37). But if we don’t know this, we can easily be defeated by the enemy. John 10:10 says that the thief comes only to kill steal and destroy, but Jesus said, “I came that you might have an abundant life.” It is my believe that having a champion game plan for life will take you to another level of excellence in your life, because we have to remember that sometimes storms are not always in the forecast. There will be tests and trials that we will go through. However, having daily reminders to help you deal with certain issues in life can be extremely helpful. For example, the Bible tells us in James 1:2–4, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. I never really understood that scripture until God revealed to me a plan for my life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781546230892
Publisher:	AuthorHouse
Publication date:	03/13/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	144
File size:	352 KB

About the Author

Preston Brown graduated from George Peabody College at Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Studies with emphasis in History .He has had further studies in Finance and Education from Alabama A and M University and Pat Ryan School of Finance in Chicago Illinois. Preston Brown also played football at Vanderbilt University for 4 years and was drafted by the New England Patriots of the National Football League. Preston played for the Patriots for 3 years and then played with the New York Jets for 2 years and finished his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns in 1984. Preston is now the finance manager for Jerry Damson Honda in Huntsville Alabama where he has been employed for 25 years. He is married to Terry his wife of 4 year. He has two adult daughters and five grandchildren.

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

Game Plan For Today: Staying Connected

John 15:5 says, "I am the vine; you are the branches? If you remain in me and I in you? You will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing?"

Today we live in a society of extreme technology? People are constantly talking on their cell phones, texting, playing games, and never looking up to acknowledge other people? Not only are we addicted to our cell phones, but it seems that we have to be entertained at all times? We live in a society where people are afraid of being bored? But we have to realize and understand that this is another trick by the enemy to distract us from being in fellowship with God and with other people? You see, the more we isolate ourselves from people, the less accountable we are for our actions? On the other hand, the more we connect with God, the more we will want to connect with other people? You see God desires us to be in fellowship with Him? He also wants us to have balance in our lives? So don't allow the longing to be entertained keep you from wanting to be in the presence of God? Let's start giving Him the time that He deserves, and remember to stay connected to the only power source that we need, which is Jesus? Stay encouraged, my brothers and sisters?

Prayer: Dear God, help us to be aware of the distractions that keep us from being connected with you?

GAME PLAN FOR TODAY: TAKE ANOTHER STEP

Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future?"

What if every time you prayed, God answered your prayers immediately? I don't know about you, but I would be praying all the time? But God wants to know this: Will you still pray if He doesn't answer your prayers when you want Him to? Will you still trust Him? Will you still believe in Him?

You see, sometimes our progress is not as obvious as we would like it to be? But just because your promise isn't obvious, this does not mean your faith isn't working? We all need to learn to take another step, even if nothing appears to be happening? When God allows us to be in a certain situation and we think that it's taking too long for Him to answer our prayers, maybe God wants us to be less focused on the outcome and more focused on our obedience? The outcome is God's responsibility? Obedience is ours? So take another step, and you may just walk on past your problems? Stay encouraged, my brothers and sisters?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, give us the courage that we need to take another step of faith when you call us to do so?

GAME PLAN FOR TODAY: OVERCOMING THE WHAT-IFS

Exodus 4:1, Moses says, "What if they don't believe me or listen to me?"

For many of us, it's not so much about what we have its more about how we use what we have? So many people have so much potential and do not know what they are capable of until God reveals it to them? And the way He reveals it to us is through our prayers and our circumstances? If we walk in faith, everything that we need is within our reach? In Exodus 4:2, God asked Moses what was in his hand? Moses replied that it was a staff? So God is saying to Moses that he already has what he needs in his hand? All he needs to do is learn how to use it? When you begin to think that you don't have what you need, you will begin to believe it? That's why we need to learn to speak life to our circumstances and our situations and start believing in the promises of God, which is "I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13)? So when people don't believe in you, believe in yourself? God was telling Moses, and all of us, to not let the what-ifs keep us from our destinies? Don't let the what-ifs keep you from being all that God has called you to be and don't let the what-ifs keep you from your blessings from God? Stay encouraged, my brothers and sisters?

Prayer: Dear God, give us the strength that we need to overcome the doubts and fears that we have?

GAME PLAN FOR TODAY: THE MAN IN THE MIRROR

Matthew 7:3, Jesus says, "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank that is in your own eye?"

When it comes to dealing with people and their issues, we tend to look through a magnifying glass at their problems and their mistakes? But what we should be using is a mirror so we can see our own mistakes? You see, we all have issues, and sometimes when we see something in a person that makes us angry or upset, we are really looking at something inside ourselves that we have to deal with? So we have to decide, "Am I going to focus on their issues or my issues?" The key to loving our neighbors as we love ourselves is to put down the magnifying glass, pick up the mirror, and ask God, "What do I need to change in my life to be all that I can be for your glory?" Remember: if we want to make this world a better place, we have to begin with the man in the mirror? Stay encouraged, my brothers and sisters?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, allow us to not judge one another but instead love one another?

GAME PLAN FOR TODAY: FAITH IN THE RIGHT PLACE

Second Timothy 1:7 says, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity but of power, love, and self-discipline?"

We've all come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord? But sometimes our faith is tied to the way that we want things to happen, not the way that God wants them to happen? For example, some people never finish school because their circumstances change? This might be due to an unexpected pregnancy, the death of a loved one, or financial problems? So many things can get us off track and lead us off the path that God wants us to walk? But if we put our trust in God's plan and don't give up on His promises, we will make it? And the way that we make it is to put our faith in the right place, which is in God's capable hands? We have to say to ourselves, "I believe that God is working in my life right now?" So, no matter what circumstances you may find yourselves in, don't let your faith depend on the way that you want things to happen? Stay encouraged, my brothers and sisters?

Prayer: Most gracious and loving Father, continue to lead us and guide us in the way you would like us to go?

GAME PLAN FOR TODAY: NEEDLESS WORRIES

Philippians 4:6 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God?"

One of the reasons we feel anxious about things is that we are not thankful for what we already have? In this verse, Paul is saying that if you never stop and pray and thank God for what you already have, you will always be anxious? So many Christians today are anxious about so many things in this world? It may be our jobs, our marriages, or our children? But instead of being anxious, Paul is saying that we should pray about everything? You see, we have to know what it means for God to be for us and train our hearts and minds to be anxious for nothing? Remember: if we are following God's purpose for our lives, there is no reason for us to have these needles worries? Stay encouraged, my brothers and sisters?

Prayer: Loving Father, take away our needless worries and help us replace them with the need to be thankful for the many blessings that we already have?

GAME PLAN FOR TODAY: FROM HATE TO HOPE

Romans 12:9 says, "Love must be sincere, hate what is evil, cling to what is good."

It has been said that before we can make any real changes in our lives, we have to be motivated by hate. Yes, hate, because hate is a powerful emotion. It means to dislike something intensely. But here is the thing: we should hate what is evil. We should hate the things that we do to ourselves that harm us. Like smoking, or eating too much, or watching pornography. All these things need to be motivated by a healthy dose of hate. We have to learn to hate the bad things that are going on in our lives. You see, there is a healthy way to hate. We should hate racism. We should hate when people take advantage of other people. Psalm 119:113 says, "I hate the double-minded but I love your law." Until we hate something enough, we will never make the change to do something about it. Therefore, whenever you are struggling with something you want to change, you have to hate it. Hate it because it is keeping you from bringing God the glory that He deserves and that you deserve. Stay encouraged, my brothers and sisters.

Prayer: Loving Father, take away the things in our lives that are causing us to harm ourselves as well as others around us. In Jesus's name, we pray.

GAME PLAN FOR TODAY: IF GOD BE FOR US

Genesis 29:31 says, "When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved (by Jacob), He enabled her to conceive, but Rachel remained childless?"

The two foundations that drive most of our lives are approval and achievement? But we all need to remember that in God's eyes we are more than the "likes" that we get on Facebook? We are more than the "views" that we get on YouTube? We are also more than the friends that we try to accumulate from various sources? You see, God is not concerned with our social status? God is concerned with what's going on the inside of us? God is concerned with matters of the heart? Whenever we start comparing our lives to those of other people, we end up frustrated, incomplete, and miserable? So for every person that has been in a relationship and knows the pain of being unwanted, God has a plan for you, because God selects what man rejects? Remember — God being here for us means more than the approvals and achievements of this world? You see, God has a word for the people that, for whatever reason, have not been chosen in this world? God says to all of us, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5)? Therefore, when this world finds no interest in you, remember that God finds interest in you and He is interested in everything that you do? That's the kind of God that we serve? Stay encouraged, my brothers and sisters?

Prayer: Most gracious and loving Father, thank You for loving us just the way we are and refusing to leave us that way?

GAME PLAN FOR TODAY: THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS

Job 42:10 says, "After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before?"

The Bible tells us to pray for our enemies and care enough about them to want to see them go to heaven? But it's interesting to me that so many Christians today are angry and upset over people who have hurt them? But we need to remember that "hurting people" hurt other people? They hurt others due to the pain they have in their own lives? So it's time to forgive those who have hurt you?

There is a song that goes, "I want a heart that forgives, a heart full of love, one with compassion like yours above, one that overcomes evil with goodness and love, like it never happens, never holding a grudge?" I think this says it all? You see, the promises of God come with conditions? We can't be blessed and also be mad at everybody at the same time? Remember that love gives and forgives? Stay encouraged, my brothers and sisters?

Prayer: Dear God, help us to forgive those who have hurt us, even when we don't feel like it?

GAME PLAN FOR TODAY: PREPARING FOR SALVATION

Hebrews 9:27 says, "It is appointed that we will all die and face certain judgment?"

Many people live as though there is no tomorrow, but tomorrow always comes? You see, death is something that none of us can avoid, but we want to make sure that when we do die, we end up in the right place? There is a popular song called "Live like You Were Dying?" It talks about doing a number of amazing things, but none of them have anything to do with the afterlife? You see, death is something that we don't have to be afraid of, if we believe in God's word? The bottom line is: This is not our home, and we are not expected to be here forever? So we need to spend our time here on this earth preparing ourselves for our time that we will spend in heaven? Remember — salvation is for those who believe that Jesus came, died, and rose again for the sins of the whole world? And this salvation is not of ourselves but is a gift from God? We can't earn it, and we can't deserve it? We can only obtain it through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior? Stay encouraged, my brothers and sisters?

Prayer: Most gracious and loving Father, help us to live like we were dying but with salvation in mind and to realize that this is not our home?

GAME PLAN FOR TODAY: GETTING WHAT WE DESERVE

Philippians 3:3 says we should put no confidence in the flesh?

No matter what accomplishments that we obtain, they are all from God? All the good that we do comes from God, not us? And when we do good things, God doesn't owe us anything? For example, if we get up every morning and pray for two hours, or if we read four chapters of the Bible every day, God doesn't owe us anything? These are things that we should be doing anyway? We need to get rid of this attitude in which we do something just to get something from God? It just doesn't work like that? You see, when we begin to understand that we don't deserve anything from God, then we will become happy and excited about everything that God does for us? Stay encouraged, my brothers and sisters?

Prayer: Dear God, help us to understand that our confidence is not in the things that we do but in the God that we serve?

GAME PLAN FOR TODAY: A GUIDED LIFE

Proverbs 3:8 says, "Acknowledge God in all your ways, and He will guide your steps?"

I think that our lives would be more enjoyable if we knew how much God wanted to get involved? We don't need to settle for mediocrity when God has called us to excellence? The word mediocre implies a halfway point between success and failure? You see, when we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our hearts, not the desires of our flesh? So much of life is about the choices we make, and there are principles that we need to live by to make those choices? One of the things we can start doing is to stop being miserable about things we can't do anything about? Let us all get the spirit of "dread" out of our lives? Sometimes we dread getting up in the morning, or we dread going to work, or we dread working out? Remember — dread is the opposite of hope? So we need to stay on the path that God is leading us on which leads to a beautiful life? Stay encouraged, my brothers and sisters?

Prayer: Loving Father, guide our steps while we run the race that you have set before us, in Jesus's name we pray?

GAME PLAN FOR TODAY: A NEW LEVEL OF PRAISE

First Peter 1:3–4 says, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy, He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that can never perish spoil or fade?"

As we read this text, we should all realize that Peter is showing us a new level of praise? Remember that Peter was the one who denied Jesus three times before the rooster crowed? And since Jesus died on the cross, there was no way for him to tell Jesus just how sorry he was for doing that? I can't imagine the pain and the hurt that he must have gone through? But the good news for Peter and for all of us is that Jesus did not perish on the cross? He lives — Christ Jesus lives today — and because he lives, we can face tomorrow? You see, Jesus forgave Peter, and now he has a new level of praise? There is a different kind of praise that you give when you are on the other side of the pain? Remember that your faith cannot be proven if you never go through any storms in your life? But don't focus on the distractions, focus on the journey? Stay encouraged, my brothers and sisters?

Prayer: Holy God, thank You for not only forgiving us but allowing us to be reconnected with you?

GAME PLAN FOR TODAY: GIFTS AND TALENTS

Matthew 25:15 says, "To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability?"

Do you appreciate the gifts that God has given you, or do you always see the wrong things in your life? God wants us to be thankful for the gifts and talents that he has given us? That's why we can't afford to sit around and compare what we have to what others have? This behavior will only make us miserable? So it's important that we like ourselves as well as the gifts that God has blessed us with? When we do this, we can begin to like and appreciate other people as well?

Matthew 25:29 goes on to say, "For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance? Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him?"

When we look at this scripture, we see that God simply wants us to be thankful for what we have? Because when we do, more will be given? So let us also learn to enjoy the people who are in our lives — our friends, our families, our coworkers, people with whom we interact daily? Because friends and family members are gifts from God as well? But the only way that we can do this is to stop focusing on everything that is wrong with them? It's time to make a change and be part of the solution instead of part of the problem? Stay encouraged, my brothers and sisters?

Prayer: Loving Father, help us to appreciate the gifts and talents that you have blessed us with and help us to stop comparing what we have to what others have?

(Continues…)

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Excerpted from "A Champion Game Plan For Life"
by .
Copyright © 2018 Preston Brown.
Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

Acknowledgments, ix,
Introduction, xi,
Game Plan For Today: Staying Connected, 1,
Game Plan for Today: Take another Step, 3,
Game Plan for Today: Overcoming the What-Ifs, 5,
Game Plan for Today: The Man in the Mirror, 7,
Game Plan for Today: Faith in the Right Place, 8,
Game Plan for Today: Needless Worries, 9,
Game Plan for Today: From Hate to Hope, 10,
Game Plan for Today: If God Be for Us, 12,
Game Plan for Today: The Power of Forgiveness, 14,
Game Plan for Today: Preparing for Salvation, 15,
Game Plan For Today: Getting what We Deserve, 17,
Game Plan for Today: A Guided Life, 18,
Game Plan for Today: A New Level of Praise, 19,
Game Plan for Today: Gifts and Talents, 21,
Game Plan for Today: Everyday Faith, 23,
Game Plan for Today: Wisdom, 25,
Game Plan for Today: Know Your Why Before Your What, 27,
Game Plan for Today: It's written all over your face, 29,
Game Plan for Today: No Fear, 31,
Game Plan for Today: Before You Build the Fire, 33,
Game Plan for Today: A Marriage That Works, 35,
Game Plan for Today: Anxious for Nothing, 37,
Game Plan for Today: Getting what you want, 38,
Game Plan for Today: What's Holding You Back, 40,
Game Plan for Today: Be Encouraged, 42,
Game Plan for Today: Being Accountable, 44,
Game Plan for Today: According to His Purpose, 46,
Game Plan for Today: Strong Finish, 48,
Game Plan for Today: The Purpose for Obedience, 50,
Game Plan for Today: Be Patient, 52,
Game Plan for Today: From Blaming to Claiming, 54,
Game Plan for Today: No Regrets, 56,
Game Plan for Today: The Abundant Life, 58,
Game Plan for Today: The Narrow Path, 60,
Game Plan for Today: Better, 62,
Game Plan for Today: Don't Wait for Tomorrow, 64,
Game Plan for Today: Deep Roots, 66,
Game Plan For Today: The Faith Bridge, 68,
Game Plan for Today: Turn the Lights on, 70,
Game Plan For Today: A Relationship that Matters, 71,
Game Plan For Today: The Certainty of Hope, 73,
Game Plan for Today: Winning the Spiritual Battles, 75,
Game Plan for Today: Change Is Good, 77,
Game Plan for Today: Be Thankful, 78,
Game Plan for Today: Payday, 80,
Game Plan for Today: The Setup, 81,
Game Plan for Today: Make Time, 83,
Game Plan for Today: Good Fruit, 85,
Game Plan for Today: Getting Your Priorities in Order, 86,
Game Plan for Today: Forgiving Yourself, 88,
Game Plan for Today: Are We There Yet?, 90,
Game Plan for Today: Good Intensions, 92,
Game Plan for Today: The Choice Is Yours, 94,
Game Plan for Today: God's Presence in Your Life, 96,
Game Plan for Today: Strength from Weakness, 98,
Game Plan for Today: Seizing the Opportunities, 100,
Game Plan for Today: Realizing Your Full Potential, 102,
Game Plan for Today: I Will Not Be Moved, 104,
Game Plan for Today: Great Faith, 106,
Game Plan for Today: Holding on to Your Faith, 107,
Game Plan for Today: A Life Alignment, 109,
Game Plan for Today: Buckle Up, 110,
Game Plan for Today: A Heart That Pleases God, 112,
Game Plan for Today: Getting the Weeds Out, 114,
Game Plan for Today: Looking More like God, 116,
Game Plan for Today: Cost and Rewards, 118,
Game Plan For Today: Providing Comfort For Others, 120,