PLAYING LIFE BY THE RULES IN ORDER TO WIN I am faith-filled and fear-free because . . . I cannot lose when I play life by the rules!

In a sermon, Dr. Barbara King of Hillside Chapel in Atlanta, Georgia, said, "You are playing on the court of life.  Hopefully, you have come to win!"  She was saying you cannot go through life wondering whose game you are playing, by what rules you are playing or whether or not you are equipped to win.  When you arrive on any of life's playing fields, you must know you have come to win!  At the same time you must accept the fact that there will be fouls thrown your way, that you may occasionally strike out.  Strikes and fouls do not mean that you will lose the game.  They mean you must remain alert!  Fouls and strikes indicate that there are others on the field with the same thing in mind: winning! Do not be surprised if you get pushed, kicked or tackled.  Do not be upset if you have to lose a point here or there.  Remember, the rules of life do not change, but some people think they can avoid playing by the rules.  Know that everyone on the playing field has the same skills and the same opportunities.  How they use their skills and approach the opportunities are a reflection of their knowledge of the rules. They cannot strike you out unless you let them!  They cannot beat you down unless you let them!  And no one can win what you have come to win! The rules of the game of life are quite simple.  Always tell the truth.  Never live in fear of anything or anyone.  Be conscious of what you are thinking so that you can always think positively.  Do everything that you do for the love of doing it.  If you devote yoruself, your time and your energy to following these rules, have no doubt -- you cannot lose! Until today, you may have believed you had to cheat, cut corners, compete with others in order to win at the game of life.  Just for today, try following the rules. Today I am devoted to playing life by the rules in order to win! From Until Today!  by Iyanla Vanzant