30-Second Time-Out: Champions Don’t Settle
One of the most strategic moments in football isn’t just the game itself—it’s the time-out. The time-out is where teams gather, regroup, and reset. It’s where the coach steps in to correct mistakes, adjust strategies, and refuel the players. Without time-outs, even the best teams would lose steam and direction.
Likewise, God has built time-outs into our spiritual lives—moments where He calls us to stop, reflect, and be refreshed in His presence.
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” —Acts 3:19-21
The Mentality of Champions
Super teams don’t settle for losing. They don’t accept defeat as an option. Championship teams refuse to live with a losing mentality. When winning is in your DNA, you won’t tolerate loss as your reality.
Yet, too often, the Church has accepted a losing mindset. Instead of dominating in life, we’ve played it safe, accepting whatever comes our way. But God never called us to be passive. We are not meant to sit back and watch evil run rampant. It’s time to rise up with an aggressive, faith-filled stance against the forces of darkness.
“Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone 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.” —1 Corinthians 9:24-25
No championship team wins by accident. They don’t stumble into greatness. They train, they strategize, and they play to dominate.
How Do You See Yourself?
If you’re going to win in life, you must look in the mirror and see:
The Victor, not the victim
The Champion, not the challenger
The Winner, not the loser
The Warrior, not the wimp
How you perceive yourself will determine the outcome of your life. Perception is powerful.
“We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!” —Numbers 13:33
The Israelites weren’t grasshoppers. They were the ones called to take the land. But because they saw themselves as weak, their enemies saw them that way, too. Your mindset sets the tone for how others perceive and treat you.
The Spirit of Faith
Winning in life requires an unshakable spirit of faith. We don’t fight as the challenger—we fight as the champion. Too many people approach life with a challenger’s mindset, unsure if they’ll make it. But we are already victorious through Christ!
When David faced Goliath, Goliath was labeled as the champion. But David carried the mindset of a true champion. His attitude determined his victory.
“Then Goliath, a Philistine champion from Gath, came out of the Philistine ranks to face the forces of Israel. He was over nine feet tall!” —1 Samuel 17:4
David didn’t back down in fear. He declared victory before he even swung his sling. That’s the confidence of a champion!
Champions Carry Confidence
Champions don’t waste time talking about their fears. Instead, they train, prepare, and declare their victory before it happens. They speak life, they walk in faith, and they move with boldness.
“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.” —Hebrews 10:35
Signs of Champions
If you want to be a champion in God’s Kingdom, you must develop these traits:
Champions Show Up. They don’t miss practice. They show up to serve, give, and play their part. They bring a winning attitude everywhere they go.
Champions Serve. They don’t just focus on their stats; they focus on the team. They support the coach’s vision and put the mission above themselves.
Champions Give Their Best. Every play, every move, every moment—they operate with excellence. Champions don’t settle for mediocrity.
Champions Pull Their Weight. They don’t let others carry them. They engage, contribute, and ensure that the team succeeds.
A Championship Church
If we want to build a championship church, we must embrace the mindset of winners. We’re not a team hoping for victory—we’re a team that already has the victory through Christ!
It’s time to stop just talking like champions and start acting like it. Step into the time-out, get refreshed, reset your focus, and return to the game ready to dominate. The world is waiting for a Church that refuses to settle.
Are you ready to play like a champion?
Pastor Doc Murphy
Comments