Sports Ministry

06/17/2026

Daily Devotional — Respond the Right Way

Scripture

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” — Proverbs 15:1

Devotional

Life is full of moments you cannot control.

A bad call.

A strikeout.

An error.

A disagreement.

A disappointment.

A difficult teammate.

A frustrating situation.

The truth is, you don’t control what happens to you.

But you do control how you respond.

And often, your response determines your outcome.

Anyone can respond well when things are going their way.

Character is revealed when things aren’t.

When adversity shows up, some people complain.

Others compete.

Some blame.

Others take responsibility.

Some become emotional.

Others become intentional.

The difference isn’t the situation.

The difference is the response.

Jesus faced criticism, rejection, betrayal, and suffering, yet He consistently responded with grace, wisdom, and love.

He never allowed circumstances to control His character.

As athletes, teammates, coaches, and Christians, we have the same opportunity every day.

We may not choose every situation.

But we can choose our response.

Today, before you react, pause.

Pray.

Think.

Then respond in a way that honors God.

Because one right response can change everything.

⸻

Prayer

Lord, help me control my responses when challenges come my way. Give me wisdom when I am frustrated, patience when I am tested, and grace when I am disappointed. Help me respond in a way that reflects Your character and brings honor to You. Amen.

⸻

Challenge for Today

Today:

✅ Pause before reacting.

✅ Control your body language.

✅ Speak life into others.

✅ Refuse to complain.

✅ Choose a response that honors God.

Remember:

You can’t always control the event.

But you can always control your response.

⚡🥎💙🖤

06/16/2026

Psalm 18:1–6 (Summary)
This passage is a powerful declaration of trust in God during times of trouble.

Verses 1–3:
Psalms begins with David expressing his deep love for the Lord. He describes God as:
His strength
His rock
His fortress
His deliverer
His shield
His stronghold

David recognizes that his safety and victory come from God alone. Because of who God is, David confidently calls on Him and finds rescue from his enemies.

Verses 4–5:
David describes being overwhelmed by danger, comparing it to:
Waves of death surrounding him
Destruction threatening to consume him
The cords of the grave wrapping around him

These verses paint a picture of someone who feels trapped, helpless, and near defeat.

Verse 6:
In the middle of his distress, David cries out to God. The Lord hears his prayer and responds. Even when David feels surrounded by trouble, he knows that God is listening.

Key Lesson
God is not just someone we turn to when life is easy. He is our refuge when life feels overwhelming. David’s example reminds us that when we cry out to God in faith, He hears us and is faithful to respond.

Application for Athletes
Every athlete faces pressure, adversity, setbacks, injuries, failures, and uncertainty. Psalm 18:1–6 reminds us that our strength doesn’t come from our talent, rankings, or success—it comes from God. When challenges come, we can run to Him as our Rock and Fortress, knowing He hears every prayer.

Reflection Question:
When you face pressure or adversity, where do you turn first—your own strength, or God’s? 🩵🖤⚡🥎

06/16/2026

Sports Ministry will be at the Wood Grill/Everett Buick GMC Youth Classic this coming Saturday, June 20th in Benton, AR.

Jerald Fuell will be available to share devotionals with teams and will also be available to pray with teams, players, coaches or anyone at the tournament. He can be reached at 870-941-3410.

There will also be a Sports Ministry booth with free Bibles, Life Books and other Christian items available. If you’re new to Sports Ministry, stop by our booth to learn more about our travel ball ministry.

This weekend, we’ll be honoring twelve-year-old Maddie at the Hope Mail Table, located at the Sports Ministry Booth. She’s battling a rare form of liver cancer so please stop by and write something encouraging to her on a poster board sized card(s) that she’ll receive.

Thank you Lance Nations of Legendary Sports Productions for inviting Sports Ministry to this awesome tournament.

The Hope Mail Table is part of the partnership between Sports Ministry, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Hope Nation Radio to honor a child fighting cancer at each sports event. Not just praying for these kids and their families, but through actions to love them like Jesus!

June 20-21. Come play in The Wood Grill Buffet/Everett Buick GMC Youth Classic. This tournament was moved for the convenience of the teams, YES we have FREE cookies, brownies
NIT points for all and this tournament
This leg 2nd leg of the Triple Play series.
Hosted in Benton Arkansas and we will be bringing our top Umpires and Staff

Triple Play Leg 1 - Hiland Classic
Triple Play Leg 2 - Wood Grill/Everett Classic
Triple Play Finale - Everett Infinity Classic
25 points for each one you play in
Points by placement and Number of teams in each age division
The TEAM (just 1) with the Most Points at the end of the Finale will win 12 Brand New Bats, one of each on the team!! Let’s go!!!

For more information about Leg 2 or to enter call Joe Stoute 501-297-0750 or Lance Nations 479-586-7876

Prize package depends on 60 teams in each tournament of the Triple Play🥎

06/09/2026

DAILY DEVOTIONAL: CHOOSE FAITH OVER FEAR

Scripture
“For we live by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7

Devotional

Fear has a way of showing up when the outcome is uncertain.

Will I make the team?
Will I get the starting position?
Will I recover from this slump?
Will I perform well under pressure?
Will things work out?

Athletes face these questions all the time.
The problem is that fear often focuses on things that haven’t happened yet.

It creates doubt.
It steals confidence.
It distracts us from the task in front of us.

Faith does the opposite.
Faith doesn’t ignore challenges.
Faith simply believes that God is bigger than the challenge.

When David faced Goliath, everyone else saw a giant.
David saw an opportunity for God to move.

The circumstances were the same.
The difference was perspective.

Fear says:
“What if things go wrong?”

Faith says:
“What if God shows up?”

Every time you step into the batter’s box, take the field, enter a classroom, or face a challenge in life, you have a choice.

Fear or faith.
Doubt or trust.
Worry or confidence.

The future belongs to God.
Your responsibility is to trust Him and take the next step.

Today, don’t let fear make decisions for you.
Choose faith.
Because faith sees possibilities where fear only sees obstacles.

Prayer
Lord, help me trust You when I feel uncertain. Replace my fear with faith, my worry with peace, and my doubt with confidence in Your plan. Help me remember that You are always bigger than any challenge I face. Amen.

Challenge for Today

Today:
✅ Identify one fear you’re carrying.
✅ Pray about it.
✅ Replace a negative thought with a promise from God’s Word.
✅ Encourage someone else who may be struggling.
✅ Take one step forward in faith.

Remember:
Fear focuses on the obstacle.
Faith focuses on God.

⚡🥎💙🖤

06/02/2026

DAILY DEVOTIONAL: DO YOUR JOB

Scripture

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” — Colossians 3:23

Devotional

Championship teams are not built when everyone tries to do everything.

They’re built when everyone does their job.

The shortstop doesn’t need to be the pitcher.

The pitcher doesn’t need to be the catcher.

The catcher doesn’t need to be the center fielder.

Every player has a role.

Every role matters.

Problems begin when athletes spend more time worrying about someone else’s responsibility than handling their own.

The same thing happens in life.

Sometimes we focus on what everyone else should be doing.

We criticize.

We compare.

We complain.

Meanwhile, we neglect the assignment God has placed directly in front of us.

God isn’t asking you to carry responsibilities that belong to someone else.

He’s asking you to be faithful with what He has entrusted to you.

Maybe your role isn’t the most visible.

Maybe you don’t get the recognition.

Maybe nobody notices the sacrifices you make.

But God does.

And faithfulness in small responsibilities often prepares us for bigger opportunities.

Great teammates understand:

If everyone does their job, the team succeeds.

Great Christians understand:

If everyone faithfully follows God’s calling, His purpose is accomplished.

Today, stop worrying about everyone else’s assignment.

Focus on yours.

Do your job.

Do it well.

Do it with excellence.

And do it for God’s glory.

⸻

Prayer

Lord, help me stay focused on the responsibilities You have given me. Teach me to be faithful, dependable, and committed in every opportunity. Help me serve others, work with excellence, and honor You through my effort and attitude. Amen.

⸻

Challenge for Today

Today:

✅ Be dependable.

✅ Complete your responsibilities without being reminded.

✅ Encourage a teammate.

✅ Focus on your role.

✅ Give your best effort in every task.

Remember:

Great teams are built when everyone does their job.

Great lives are built when we faithfully do what God has called us to do.

06/01/2026

RUN YOUR RACE

Scripture

“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” — Hebrews 12:1

Devotional

One of the quickest ways athletes lose joy is by constantly comparing themselves to someone else.

Comparing playing time.

Comparing statistics.

Comparing recruiting attention.

Comparing social media.

Comparing opportunities.

Comparing success.

The problem with comparison is that it shifts your focus away from the race God has called you to run.

In softball, every player has a different role.

Some hit in the top of the lineup.

Some hit at the bottom.

Some pitch.

Some catch.

Some lead vocally.

Others lead by example.

The team needs all of them.

The same is true in life.

God never asked you to be someone else.

He created you with unique gifts, talents, and opportunities.

When you spend your time comparing your journey to someone else’s, you often miss the blessings and growth opportunities right in front of you.

Comparison creates:
jealousy,
frustration,
insecurity,
and distraction.

Purpose creates:
confidence,
gratitude,
growth,
and peace.

The goal is not to run someone else’s race better.

The goal is to run your race faithfully.

Trust God’s timing.

Trust God’s plan.

Trust God’s purpose.

Because the path He has for you is different from the path He has for everyone else.

Today, stop looking left and right.

Keep your eyes forward.

Run your race.

Prayer
Lord, help me stop comparing myself to others. Teach me to trust the plan and purpose You have for my life. Help me focus on growth, gratitude, and faithfulness instead of comparison and distraction. Give me the confidence to run the race You have marked out for me. Amen.

Challenge for Today

Today:
✅ Celebrate someone else’s success.
✅ Stop comparing your journey.
✅ Focus on improving one area of your game.
✅ Thank God for your opportunities.
✅ Run your race with purpose.

Remember:
Comparison steals joy.
Purpose creates peace.