For sports fans this is an exciting time of year.

The World Series has me praying a lot more than usual and you who know me can guess why.   The National Football season, college and the National Basketball games are  underway. . .and each time hoping for a championship trophy.

It is not easy to become a champion. . .it takes determination. . .practice. . .exercise. . .disciple and, yes. . .commitment to never give up, give in, back up, back down, sit down, quit or walk away until victory is achieved.

God has given each of us the heart of a champion far beyond the field of athletic endeavor.

Much like an earthly father who wants his children to be champions in whatever they undertake. . .our Heavenly Father desires for you and I. . .His children to win in the game of life.

We always refer to Jesus as a conqueror. . .one who conquered death, hell and the grave. . .yet we never call him a champion.

Throughout history, conquerors are those who went to war where there was the spilling of blood.

That’s why Jesus was and is a conqueror. . .He spilled blood. . .overcame demonic opposition to become a champion for our salvation.

In order for us to be conquerors. . .we must first champions in the areas of our lives where we’ve been given a vision, a goal, a dream or a calling.

We must prevail. . .as champions over the areas where we’ve been given stewardship.

There are seven characteristics of a champion.

Have you ever said. . .I just wasn’t in the right place at the right time?

Perhaps you said. . .my timing always seems to be wrong. . .I can’t catch a break.

Well, things didn’t work out the way we wanted. . .we were hoping for a different result.

John Wooden, the legendary basketball coach at UCLA, once said:

“Things turn out best for people who make the best out of the way things turn out.”

How can you make the best out of the way things turn out?

It’s simple really. . .by positioning yourself for the desired result.  Here are seven keys to help you do just that.

1) Look at Every Day As A Potential Day for Miracles.

We serve a right now God. . .wanting to manifesting His power TODAY.

Yes, we should stir our faith and the faith of others by the recounting of our Lord's miracles.  But, we must be expecting miracles "in the moment"...this moment. . .our defining moment.

Acts 5:12 in the New King James Version says:

“And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. . .”

I encourage you to write down the areas of your life where you need miracle manifestation.

Have you ever wondered how to get a fresh start?

Over the years. . .we’ve heard that expression so many times.

“Brother Harold and Sister Bev, I just want a fresh start.  How can I make that happen?”

Truthfully, you can have a fresh start. . .with God’s help. . .and guess what. . .He’s ready to help you. . .get going.

1 Corinthians 1:26 MSG

“. . .Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. . .”

Romans 8:11 MSG

“When God lives and breathes in you (and he does, as surely as he did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With his Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ's!”

Why does God want you to have a fresh start?

Exodus 9:16 in the New Living Translation says:

Has it been just an okay year. . .and you’re so ready for something new?

Are you ready to leave the pains and hurts of 2024 in the rearview mirror?

Are you ready to move to a spiritual place you’ve never been before?

Do you remember ever driving to a place you’ve never been before . . .found yourself not knowing if you were heading in the right direction but you still continued on?

I think this is particularly true. . .of most men. . .there is a hesitancy to stop and ask for directions. . .until it’s clearly obvious that you’re headed in the wrong direction.

There is an amazing parallel in life where some people know they’re headed in the wrong direction but they keep hesitating to make the decision to turn things around.

Jeremiah 8:4 in the Contemporary English Version says:

“[The People Took the Wrong Road ] The LORD said: People of Jerusalem, when you stumble and fall, you get back up, and if you take a wrong road, you turn around and go back.”

The lifestyle turnaround begins with asking for forgiveness for our sins and returning to God.

Acts 3:19 in the Amplified Bible says:

Have you ever wondered how to get a fresh start?

Over the years. . .we’ve heard that expression so many times.

“Brother Harold and Sister Bev, I just want a fresh start.  How can I make that happen?”

Truthfully, you can have a fresh start. . .with God’s help. . .and guess what. . .He’s ready to help you. . .get going.

1 Corinthians 1:26 MSG

“. . .Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. . .”

Romans 8:11 MSG

“When God lives and breathes in you (and he does, as surely as he did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With his Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ's!”

Why does God want you to have a fresh start?

Exodus 9:16 in the New Living Translation says:

“But I have spared you for a purpose—to show you my power and to spread my fame throughout the earth.”