I have been reading the book, “Everyone’s a Coach” by Ken Blanchard and Don Shula. I was given this book many years ago when I was a branch manager in banking. You may think that was odd but as a manager we were all really “coaches” inspiring our employees to do better, sell more, provide better customer service, etc. I never really thought of myself as a coach but over the last few months, God has led me into that realization. I love to inspire people, to help them see all the potential that they have and to help them better themselves. I think everybody can do that. Provide honest feedback, encourage or support someone, or just be the one that makes them do what they need to do! We all need coaches in our lives…I need a trainer to encourage me and push me in working out; I need friends to provide support when I am having tough times; I need someone to make me practice and get better. Who are your coaches?
Famous Coaches Quotes:
Paul Bear Bryant – “Never quit. It is the easiest cop-out in the world. Set a goal and don’t quit until you attain it. When you do attain it, set another goal, and don’t quit until you reach it. Never quit.” “When you make a mistake, there are only three things you should ever do about it: 1. Admit it. 2. Learn from it, and 3. Don’t repeat it.”
Nick Saban: “As bad as you think you want to win it. I promise you the guys that go out there and work every day … they want to win it more than that. And I’m going to feel a hell of a lot worse for them than you if they don’t.”
Knute Rockne: “Build up your weaknesses until they become your strong points.” “Setting a goal is not the main thing. It is deciding how you will go about achieving it and staying with that plan.”
Don Shula: “I don’t know any other way to lead but by example.”
What does the Bible say about coaching? The following Bible verses provide principles for coaching or physical training. I hope you will use these passages to encourage and promote team work, strength and discipline.
1 Corinthians 9:24
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
1 Timothy 4:8
8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
Hebrews 12:11-13
11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
Galatians 5:26
26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
2 Thessalonians 3:5
May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.
1 Corinthians 9:25-27
2 5Everyone 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. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 2 7No, 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.
Philippians 4:13
13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Isaiah 40:29-31
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 41:10
10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
Galatians 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Colossians 3:23-24
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
1 Chronicles 16:11
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.
Philippians 3:12-14
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
James 1:12
12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Connecting in Christ,
Leigh
The Change 