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Sports Ministry, Benton, AR (2026)

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.

05/31/2026

BE WHERE YOUR FEET ARE

Scripture

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” — Colossians 3:2

Devotional

One of the greatest challenges athletes face is staying mentally present.

Physically, they’re at practice.
Mentally, they’re thinking about school.

Physically, they’re in class.
Mentally, they’re thinking about softball.

Physically, they’re at home.
Mentally, they’re worried about tomorrow.

The result?
They miss the opportunity right in front of them.

Elite athletes understand that focus is a skill.

And one of the best focus habits is simple:
Be where your feet are.

When you’re at practice, be at practice.

When you’re in the classroom, be in the classroom.

When you’re with family, be with family.

When you’re worshipping God, be fully present with Him.

The enemy loves distraction because distracted people rarely perform at their best.

Distracted athletes miss signs.

Miss opportunities.

Miss lessons.

Miss growth.

But focused athletes maximize every moment.

Jesus was never rushed.

Never distracted.

Never overwhelmed.

He was fully present in every conversation, every miracle, and every opportunity placed before Him.

Today, ask yourself:
Where are my feet?

Then make sure your mind, effort, and attention are there too.

Because you cannot give your best to a moment you’re not fully present in.

Prayer
Lord, help me stay focused on the opportunities You place in front of me today. Remove distractions that pull my attention away from what matters most. Teach me to be fully present, fully engaged, and fully committed in every area of my life. Amen.

Challenge for Today

Today:
✅ Put your phone away during one important activity.
✅ Give someone your full attention.
✅ Stay locked in during practice.
✅ Focus on one task at a time.
✅ Be fully present wherever God has placed you.

Remember:
You cannot make the most of a moment if you’re mentally somewhere else.

Be where your feet are.

05/30/2026

DAILY DEVOTIONAL: WIN THE MOMENT

Scripture

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” — Matthew 6:34

Devotional

One of the easiest ways athletes get overwhelmed is by thinking too far ahead.

A pitcher worries about the next inning.

A hitter worries about her next at-bat.

A team worries about the championship game before winning the current game.

Before long, their minds are everywhere except where they need to be:

The present moment.

Great athletes understand a powerful truth:

You do not win championships in the future.
You win moments in the present.

The next pitch.

The next ground ball.

The next throw.

The next swing.

The next decision.

Championship teams stack winning moments on top of winning moments.

The same principle applies to our faith.

Many people spend so much time worrying about tomorrow that they miss what God is doing today.

Jesus reminds us not to be consumed with the future.
Instead, focus on being faithful in the moment God has given you.

You cannot control next week.

You cannot control next month.

You cannot control next season.

But you can control what you do right now.

The enemy wants your mind distracted.
God wants your heart present.

Today, stop worrying about what might happen tomorrow.
Focus on honoring God in this moment.

Because winning the moment often leads to winning the day.
And winning enough days leads to extraordinary results.

Prayer
Lord, help me stay present and focused on the opportunities You place in front of me today. Remove distractions, worries, and fears about the future. Help me trust You with tomorrow while giving my best effort in the moment I have right now. Amen.

Challenge for Today

When you feel overwhelmed:
✅ Slow down.
✅ Take a breath.
✅ Focus on the next task.
✅ Focus on the next pitch.
✅ Focus on the next opportunity.

Remember:
You don’t have to win tomorrow today.
Just win the moment.

05/28/2026

CONTROL THE CONTROLLABLES

Scripture

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” — 2 Timothy 1:7

Devotional

One of the biggest mistakes athletes make is wasting energy on things they cannot control.

The umpire.
The weather.
The opponent.
The crowd.
The schedule.
The bounce of the ball.
The opinions of others.

When players become consumed by uncontrollable things, frustration increases and focus disappears.

Great athletes learn a different mindset:
Control the controllables.

You may not control every circumstance, but you can control:
your effort,
your attitude,
your preparation,
your body language,
your communication,
your response,
and your faith.

Championship players stay focused on what they can do instead of complaining about what they cannot change.

The same is true spiritually.

Fear grows when we obsess over things outside our control.

Peace grows when we trust God with the things we cannot control and discipline ourselves in the things we can.

God did not create us to live controlled by fear, panic, frustration, or distraction.

He gave us power, love, and self-control.

Today, remember:
You cannot always control the storm around you.

But through God, you can control the spirit within you.

Stay composed.
Stay disciplined.
Stay focused.
Control the controllables.

Prayer
Lord, help me focus on the things I can control and trust You with the things I cannot. Give me discipline in my attitude, effort, preparation, and response. Help me remain calm under pressure and lead with faith instead of frustration. Amen.

Challenge for Today

Today, when adversity shows up:
✅ Control your body language.
✅ Control your effort.
✅ Control your communication.
✅ Control your attitude.
✅ Trust God with the rest.

Remember:
Composure is a competitive advantage.

05/26/2026

STAY HUMBLE

Scripture
“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” — James 4:6

Devotional

Success can be a dangerous thing.

Not because winning is bad.

Not because confidence is wrong.

But because success can sometimes make us forget what got us there in the first place.

The best athletes understand a powerful truth:
Confidence says, “I can do this.”
Humility says, “I didn’t get here alone.”

Humility recognizes:
teammates who sacrificed,
coaches who invested,
parents who supported,
teachers who encouraged,
and God who provided every opportunity.

In softball, humble players are coachable players.
They listen.
They learn.
They accept correction.
They celebrate teammates.
They continue working even after success arrives.

Pride says:
“I’ve arrived.”
Humility says:
“I’m still growing.”

Pride seeks recognition.

Humility seeks improvement.

Pride divides teams.

Humility strengthens teams.

One of the greatest examples in Scripture is Jesus Himself.

Even though He was the Son of God, He chose to serve others instead of demanding to be served.

If Jesus demonstrated humility, we should too.

Today, whether you’re coming off a great game, a big hit, a championship win, or a personal accomplishment, remember:

Stay grateful.
Stay teachable.
Stay hungry.
Stay humble.

Because humility keeps the door open for continued growth.

Prayer
Lord, protect me from pride and selfishness. Help me remain grateful for every opportunity, every blessing, and every person who has helped me along the way. Teach me to stay humble, coachable, and focused on serving others. May my attitude always honor You. Amen.

Challenge for Today

Today intentionally:
✅ Thank someone who has helped you.
✅ Celebrate a teammate’s success.
✅ Accept coaching without defensiveness.
✅ Give credit to others.
✅ Focus on growth instead of recognition.

Remember:
Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself.
It’s thinking about yourself less and serving others more.
⚡🥎💙🖤

05/23/2026

CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE

Scripture
“Do everything without complaining or arguing.” — Philippians 2:14

Devotional

Every athlete faces circumstances they cannot control.

The weather.
The umpire.
The opponent.
The lineup.
The field conditions.
The schedule.
The score.

But there is one thing every athlete controls every single day:

Their attitude.

Attitude is a choice.

Not a feeling.

Not a circumstance.

A choice.

Two players can face the exact same challenge and respond completely differently.

One complains.
One competes.
One makes excuses.
One finds solutions.
One focuses on problems.
One focuses on opportunities.
The difference is attitude.

In softball, attitude often shows up before performance.

You can see it in body language.
You can hear it in communication.
You can feel it in the dugout.
Positive attitudes create energy.
Negative attitudes drain energy.

The Bible reminds us to do everything without complaining because complaining focuses on what is wrong, while gratitude focuses on what God is doing.

That doesn’t mean life is always easy.

It means we choose faith over frustration.
Gratitude over grumbling.
Opportunity over obstacles.

The athletes who go the farthest are rarely the ones who never face adversity.

They are the ones who consistently choose the right attitude when adversity arrives.

Today, remember:
You may not control what happens to you.
But you always control how you respond to it.
Choose an attitude that honors God and lifts up those around you.

Prayer
Lord, help me choose a positive attitude regardless of my circumstances. When challenges arise, help me respond with gratitude, faith, and confidence instead of negativity and complaints. Let my attitude be a reflection of Your goodness and strength in my life. Amen.

Challenge for Today
Today, eliminate complaining.
Instead:
✅ Find three things to be grateful for.
✅ Encourage a teammate.
✅ Focus on solutions instead of problems.
✅ Bring positive energy wherever you go.

Your attitude is contagious.
Make sure it’s worth catching. ⚡🥎💙🖤

05/22/2026

BLOOM WHERE TOU ARE PLANTED

Scripture

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” — Galatians 6:9

Devotional

One of the biggest mistakes athletes make is spending too much time wishing they were somewhere else.

“If I was on a different team…”
“If I had more playing time…”
“If I played a different position…”
“If I had different circumstances…”

It’s easy to believe success is waiting somewhere else.

But God often does His greatest work right where we are.

A flower doesn’t waste energy wishing it was planted in another garden.

It simply grows where it was planted.

The same is true for us.

The best athletes focus on maximizing today’s opportunities instead of complaining about today’s circumstances.

They work hard at practice.
They become great teammates.
They embrace their role.
They improve their weaknesses.
They serve others.
They stay faithful.
And over time, growth happens.

David learned to be a king while tending sheep.
Joseph learned leadership while living in a prison.
The disciples changed the world without perfect conditions.

God has never needed perfect circumstances to accomplish His purpose.
He simply needs willing hearts.

Today, stop focusing on where you wish you were.
Focus on becoming the best version of yourself exactly where God has placed you today.

Because faithfulness today often creates opportunity tomorrow.

Bloom where you are planted.

Your season is preparing you for something greater.

Prayer
Lord, help me remain faithful where You have placed me. Teach me to focus on growth instead of comparison and gratitude instead of complaining. Help me make the most of every opportunity and trust that You are working in my life even when I cannot see the results yet. Amen.

Challenge for Today
Instead of complaining about something today:
✅ Find one reason to be grateful.
✅ Encourage a teammate.
✅ Give maximum effort in your current role.
✅ Trust God’s timing.

Bloom where you are planted, and let God handle the harvest. 🌱⚡🥎

05/21/2026

STAY CONNECTED

Scripture

“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.” — John 15:5

Devotional

One of the most important concepts in a softball swing is staying connected.

When a hitter stays connected, everything works together:
the lower half,
the core,
the hands,
and the barrel.

Power is transferred efficiently because every part is working as one.

But when a hitter becomes disconnected, energy leaks occur. Timing suffers. Consistency disappears. The swing becomes less effective.

The same thing happens in our spiritual lives.

When we stay connected to God through prayer, Scripture, worship, and obedience, His strength flows through us.

We experience:
greater peace,
better perspective,
stronger faith,
and more consistent character.

But when we drift away from Him, we often begin relying on our own strength.

Stress increases.
Fear grows.
Frustration rises.
Confidence fades.

Jesus made it clear in John 15 that real fruit comes from remaining connected to Him.

Just like a branch cannot survive apart from the vine, we were never designed to thrive apart from God.

Many athletes work hard to strengthen their bodies.

Today, ask yourself:
How connected am I to the One who gives me strength?

Because your spiritual connection affects everything else:
your attitude,
your confidence,
your leadership,
your relationships,
and your response to adversity.

Stay connected.

The strongest athletes are not just physically strong.
They are spiritually connected.

Prayer
Lord, help me remain connected to You every day. Teach me to seek You before I seek success, and to trust Your strength more than my own abilities. Help me grow in faith, character, and purpose as I stay connected to You. Amen.

Challenge for Today
Spend 10 uninterrupted minutes with God today.
Read Scripture.
Pray.
Listen.
Strengthen the connection.
Because the fruit you want on the field begins with the connection you build off the field.

05/20/2026

BE THE SPARK

Scripture
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Devotional
Every team has energy.

The question is:
What kind of energy are you bringing?

Some players drain the dugout:
negative body language,
complaining,
frustration,
selfishness,
blaming others,
shutting down after mistakes.

But great teammates do the opposite.

They become the spark.

They bring:
encouragement,
toughness,
positivity,
confidence,
effort,
and belief.

One player’s energy can change the atmosphere of an entire team.

That is why leadership is not always about being the loudest player or the best player.

Sometimes leadership is:
picking up a teammate,
bringing energy after adversity,
celebrating others,
staying positive under pressure,
and refusing to let negativity spread.

The Bible constantly reminds us to build others up—not tear them down.

Your words matter.
Your attitude matters.
Your reactions matter.

Championship culture is built by people who choose encouragement over criticism and belief over negativity.

Today, ask yourself:
“Am I draining the team… or fueling it?”

Be the teammate who brings light into difficult moments.
Be the spark.

Prayer
Lord, help me encourage others with my words, attitude, and actions. Teach me to bring positive energy, confidence, and leadership to those around me. Help me build people up instead of tearing them down. Amen.

Challenge for Today
Today, intentionally:
encourage three teammates,
celebrate someone else’s success,
bring great body language,
and become a source of positive energy.

Energy spreads. Make sure yours lifts people up.

Sports Ministry

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