Fundamentals are essential.

In every professional sport, no matter how complex the training or strategies for winning become, all leaders, trainers and coaches always return to the basics.

Too often our lives can become over-scheduled, hectic and complicated to the point where when we are faced with a crisis situation we do not realize where to look for help. We resort to asking people for insight to problems that only God knows the answer to.

The simple answer for every complex problem – the word of God.

We must always return to the word of God, the Bible. Back to the basics!

Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will remain forever. – Matt. 24:35

God’s word contains every answer that we will ever need, every principle for success, all the insight for healthy relationships, guidance for finances and the purpose of life itself!

The next time that you have a thought “what am I ever going to do?”, answer yourself by asking another all important question “what does the word say?”

When you determine that you are going to the Word to find your answers and that you will do whatever the word says to do – you will win every time!

Remember that there is no situation that you will face today that is too big for you to overcome when you ask yourself “what does the word say?”

In a day and age where everyone looks out for “number one” (self), there is something that we must do as Christians in order to accomplish God’s plan for our lives.

Each morning we must surrender. Give up and give in to the Spirit of God.

It doesn’t take a long time, but it does require more than just saying it. It doesn’t require repeating some authorized, formulated prayer from a book. It does require words spoken from the heart with every ounce of faith we have. (Side note: Everything that we do should be in faith because without faith it is impossible to please God. Faith is not something exclusive, weird or an extreme doctrine…it is as natural as breathing – believing with your heart and confessing with your mouth)

Jesus gave us an example of the surrender that we should experience daily.

While in the garden of Gethsemane Jesus surrendered…And He was saying, Abba, [which means] Father, everything is possible for You. Take away this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You [will]. – Mark 14:36

We are able to do the will of God only when we surrender our will. We must willingly surrender our will and give ourselves to Him.

Lord, here we are again today dedicating and consecrating ourselves to you. WE SURRENDER. We give ourselves to you more today than yesterday. Show us your will more clearly today than ever before because we desire to be used for your glory and for your purposes. Jesus, you are our world!

Pray in your own words out of your heart. It doesn’t take long but it will change the rest of your life!

Currently here in Georgia there is a 6 day, 6 stage bicycle race called “The Tour de Georgia”. The 6 time tour de France winner Lance Armstrong is racing and surprizingly at the moment is not leading the field of 150 riders. The competition is tough! These guys are out to win.

The Bible speaks about athletic training like this – 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 – Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.

We all have a God-given desire to win. No one likes to lose.

In fact if we knew that we were going to automatically lose, we would not have much of an incentive to train hard.

God created us to win! To set personal goals and exceed them in order to set higher goals.

When we conduct our lives guided by God’s will and His Word, we are running in such a way that we win!

Do something today that you have never done before! Stretch yourself.

Set higher goals! WIN, because you are a winner!

My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. – James 1:19

Hearing and listening are not the same. Most people can hear but have not developed the all important skill of listening.

If most people do not really listen, then if you do listen you will have a distinct advantage over most people.

There is a reason that God created mankind with two ears and one mouth. We should listen twice as much as we speak.

I am sure that you have at least one relative in your family that constantly talks without any regard for anyone or anything else. It is safe to say that they are the most important person in their life. It is no fun being around people that have “diarreha” of the mouth. (You know, the ones that do not know when to be quiet.)

Look at this scripture – Even fools are thought to be wise when they keep silent; when they keep their mouths shut, they seem intelligent. – Proverbs 17:28

Purpose to listen today more than you speak and you will be sure to learn, grow and be in a position to be a blessing for someone else.

Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. – Abraham Lincoln

Do you wait until all of the external circumstances of life are positive before you experience “happiness”? If so, you are rarely happy.

Happiness is not something that just overtakes you without notice and causes you to float on “cloud 9″. It is more the result of a decision. You decide…be happy…or not…

God has blessed us with the ability to choose. When we fail to choose, we fail to experience the blessings that God has given us. To not choose is to choose.

God’s word tells us to choose to think on the positive things. (see Phillipians 4) And when we set our mind on His word and His promises we are choosing to be happy. How could we ever remain sad or discouraged while being thankful for all that God has done for us and given us.

As much negative influence as we face each day, there is always more positive influence available to us. We choose.

I like to be informed by watching and listening to the news, but the moment that I begin to feel down and depressed by what I am hearing and seeing, I turn the radio or TV off. I choose.

So don’t worry, be happy! Choose to think on God’s promises and the feelings associated with happiness will follow.