Hebron Christian Academy Baseball

10/06/2026

BASES OF SUCCESS DAILY DEVOTION

INTEGRITY — The Receipt Test

Today’s Base: Integrity

Primary Scripture: Proverbs 20:7

Supporting Scripture: Luke 16:10; Psalm 15:1–2

THE STORY — THE RECEIPT TEST
Imagine you stop at a store after practice and buy a drink and a snack. You hand the cashier a $20 bill. When you get back to the truck, you look at the receipt and realize the cashier accidentally gave you $10 too much in change.

Nobody noticed. Your friends tell you, “That’s their mistake. Keep it.”

Now the decision has almost nothing to do with ten dollars. It has everything to do with who you are when doing the right thing costs you something.

Integrity is often tested in moments that seem too small to matter. Jesus taught that whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much. God cares about the little decisions because those decisions are shaping the man you are becoming.

Proverbs 20:7 describes someone who walks in integrity. A walk is a pattern: step after step, choice after choice.

BASEBALL, SCHOOL, FAMILY & LIFE
Baseball is full of receipt tests. Did you really touch every base during conditioning? Did you complete every rep? When a coach asks what happened on a play, do you explain what actually happened—or tell the version that makes you look good?

School has them too. Did you do your own work? Did you receive credit you did not earn? Did you see an answer on somebody else’s screen?

At home, integrity might mean admitting you broke something before anyone discovers it, telling your parents the whole story, or following the rule when they are not there to enforce it.

Here is the question: Who are you when honesty costs you something and dishonesty would probably never be discovered?

For a follower of Jesus, the answer cannot depend on whether someone is watching. We live before God.

Integrity is third base in our Bases of Success. Faith establishes whom we trust. Discipline shapes our habits. Toughness keeps us faithful under pressure. Integrity makes sure the person underneath the uniform matches the person everybody sees wearing it.

TALK ABOUT IT
1. Why are the small integrity decisions sometimes more dangerous than the obvious big ones?

2. Where are teenagers most tempted to justify dishonesty by saying, “Everybody does it”?

3. Which matters more: having a good reputation or actually being a man of integrity? What is the difference?

TODAY’S CHALLENGE — PASS THE RECEIPT TEST
Watch for one small moment today when doing the right thing costs you something—time, convenience, credit, embarrassment, or an advantage.

Tell the truth. Give back what is not yours. Own the mistake. Do the rep. Give someone else the credit.

Do the right thing even if nobody would ever know the difference.

Because God knows—and the man you are becoming is being built one decision at a time.

CLOSING PRAYER
Father, make us men of integrity. Help us understand that character is built in small decisions long before the big moments arrive. Give us courage to tell the truth when lying would be easier, to own our mistakes when excuses would protect us, and to do what is right when nobody else is watching. Let our lives at practice, at school, at home, and everywhere else match the faith we claim in public. Build Hebron Baseball on Your Word and shape us into trustworthy young men who represent Jesus well. In His name, Amen.

09/25/2026

BASES OF SUCCESS DAILY DEVOTION
INTEGRITY — The Shortcut That Costs Too Much
Today’s Base: Integrity
Primary Scripture: Proverbs 20:7 — “The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him!”
The Story — David Refuses the Shortcut
David knew God had called him to become king, but he was living in a season where that promise seemed a long way off. In 1 Samuel 24, David suddenly had an opportunity to take matters into his own hands. His men saw the moment as the perfect shortcut to the future David had been promised.
David refused.
He understood something important: a good destination never makes a wrong road right. If God intended to fulfill His promise, David didn’t need to compromise his character to make it happen.
The Baseball Connection
Shortcuts are everywhere.
In baseball, it might be skipping a rep when the coaches aren’t watching, shaving a number on a measurable, pretending you completed conditioning correctly, blaming a mistake on somebody else, or taking credit for something you didn’t do.
At school, it could be copying work or using help in a way your teacher specifically prohibited. At home, it could be telling only part of the truth because the whole truth might bring consequences.
The temptation usually sounds the same: This is easier. Nobody will know. It gets me where I want to go.
But integrity asks a different question:
Does this honor God?
Proverbs 20:7 says the righteous person walks in integrity. Integrity isn’t one huge heroic decision. It’s a pattern of small choices made over and over until doing what’s right becomes the way you walk.
Talent may earn you an opportunity. Performance may earn you recognition. Character determines what kind of man you become when those opportunities arrive.
Talk About It
What shortcut tempts you most? Where are you tempted to cut a corner because doing it correctly is harder?
Who are you when the result matters? Integrity gets tested when telling the truth or doing the right thing might cost you something.
What matters more—getting there or who you become getting there? David wanted the future God had promised, but he wanted to honor God more.
Today’s Challenge — NO SHORTCUTS
Find one place today where you could get away with cutting a corner and deliberately do it the right way.
Run the whole sprint. Finish the rep. Tell the whole truth. Do your own work. Pick up what isn’t yours. Admit the mistake.
Then don’t announce it.
Integrity is doing it God’s way even when the shortcut would be easier.
Closing Prayer
Father, make us men of integrity. Give us courage to do what is right when the wrong choice would be easier, faster, or unnoticed. Help us care more about honoring You than protecting our image or getting what we want. Build character in us through the small choices we make today. Let our teammates, classmates, families, and coaches know they can trust us because our lives are grounded in Your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

09/23/2026

09/21/2026

BASES OF SUCCESS DAILY DEVOTION
ACCOUNTABILITY — Who’s in Your Dugout?
Today’s Base: Accountability
Primary Scripture: Romans 14:12 — “So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.”
Supporting Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:1–13; Proverbs 27:17
THE STORY — DAVID NEEDED A NATHAN
King David had made a terrible series of choices. He took Bathsheba, another man’s wife, and then tried to cover his sin. Eventually, David arranged for her husband, Uriah, to be placed in the fiercest part of a battle where he was killed.
David was the king. He had power, authority, and people around him who could have simply told him what he wanted to hear.
But God sent Nathan.
Nathan told David a story about a rich man who stole a poor man’s only lamb. David became furious and demanded justice. Then Nathan looked at the king and essentially said, “You are that man.”
Imagine that moment.
Nathan was willing to tell the truth to someone powerful, and David was finally willing to stop making excuses. David responded, “I have sinned against the Lord.”
That is accountability.
Accountability is not having someone around who agrees with everything you do. It is having people in your life who care enough about you to tell you the truth—and having enough humility to listen.
THE BASEBALL CONNECTION
Nobody becomes a great baseball player by only hearing, “Good job.”
Sometimes a coach has to say, “Your effort wasn’t good enough.”
A teammate may need to say, “That’s not how we do things here.”
A hitting coach may tell you that your swing needs work. A pitching coach may point out something you cannot feel yourself. Film may expose a mistake you were convinced you didn’t make.
The question isn’t whether you’ll be corrected. The question is how you respond when correction comes.
Immature players defend themselves. They blame the umpire, the coach, the field, their teammate, or the situation.
Mature players ask, “What do I need to own?”
The same thing applies away from baseball. At school, accountability means owning the grade you earned instead of blaming the teacher. At home, it means admitting when your attitude was wrong. In friendships, it means allowing someone to challenge you when you’re headed toward a bad decision.
And ultimately, Romans 14:12 reminds us that our accountability goes even higher than coaches, teachers, or parents:
Every one of us will give an account of our lives to God.
That should change the way we live when nobody is checking.
TALK ABOUT IT
1. Who is your Nathan?
Who has permission to tell you the truth—even when you don’t want to hear it? If nobody in your life can correct you, that is dangerous.
2. What is your first reaction to correction?
Do you listen, or immediately explain? Accountability begins when we stop defending ourselves long enough to ask whether the correction is true.
3. Are you the kind of teammate who helps others get better?
Biblical accountability isn’t attacking somebody or embarrassing them. It is caring enough to speak truth with the goal of restoration and growth.
TODAY’S CHALLENGE — OWN IT FAST
Today, when you are corrected about something—baseball, school, home, attitude, effort—fight the urge to immediately explain yourself.
Instead, say:
“I got it. I’ll fix it.”
Then fix it.
And before the day ends, ask one trusted person this question:
“What is one thing you see in me that I need to get better at?”
Listen to the answer without defending yourself.
That takes humility. That takes courage. That is accountability.
CLOSING PRAYER
Father, thank You for loving us enough to correct us. Give us humble hearts that are willing to hear the truth. Put people in our lives who will challenge us when we are wrong, encourage us when we struggle, and point us back toward You. Help us stop making excuses and quickly own our mistakes. Teach us to be teammates, sons, brothers, students, coaches, husbands, and fathers who are accountable to one another and ultimately accountable to You. May the way we live honor Jesus Christ. In His name, Amen

09/19/2026

BASES OF SUCCESS DAILY DEVOTION
TOUGHNESS — Stay in the Box

Today’s Base: Toughness
Primary Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:13 — Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

THE STORY — PAUL AND SILAS AT MIDNIGHT

Acts 16 tells us that Paul and Silas were imprisoned after faithfully doing what God had called them to do. Their circumstances were painful and discouraging. Yet at midnight, instead of allowing the situation to determine their attitude, they prayed and sang hymns to God.

Later, an earthquake opened the prison doors. But the greatest display of toughness came before their circumstances changed. At midnight, when nothing seemed better, they chose faithfulness anyway.

That is biblical toughness.

THE BASEBALL CONNECTION

In baseball, everybody looks tough when things are going well. It is easy to have energy when you are getting hits, starting, winning, and hearing your name announced.

The real test comes after the strikeout, the error, the tough call, the correction from a coach, or the day someone else gets the opportunity you wanted.

A tough player does not pretend disappointment does not hurt. He refuses to let disappointment control his next response.

Think about a hitter with two strikes. He cannot change the first two pitches. His job is simple: stay in the box and compete for the next pitch.

The same is true at school. A bad test grade does not excuse quitting. At home, frustration does not excuse disrespect. In relationships, being disappointed does not give us permission to treat someone poorly. And in our walk with Christ, difficult circumstances do not mean God has stopped being faithful.

Paul and Silas remind us: Toughness is not how loud you are when you win. Toughness is how faithful you remain when life is hard.

That is why 1 Corinthians 16:13 tells us to stand firm in the faith. Our toughness is not built on pride or trying to prove how hard we are. It grows from knowing who we belong to.

TALK ABOUT IT

1. What happens to your attitude when things go against you? What would your teammates, teachers, and family say?

2. What is your “midnight” right now? Is there something difficult where God may be teaching you to remain faithful before your circumstances change?

3. What does standing firm look like today? Sometimes toughness means competing harder. Sometimes it means accepting correction. Sometimes it means apologizing, staying patient, or doing the right thing when you are frustrated.

TODAY’S CHALLENGE — WIN THE NEXT PITCH

When something goes wrong today, do not carry it into the next moment.

Tell yourself: “Next pitch.”

Bad rep? Next pitch.
Bad grade? Next pitch.
Coach corrects you? Next pitch.
Argument at home? Make it right — next pitch.
Something does not go your way? Next pitch.

You cannot always control what happens to you. You can control whether you remain faithful in what happens next.

CLOSING PRAYER

Father, teach us what real toughness looks like. Help us stand firm in our faith when circumstances are difficult. When we fail, get corrected, feel disappointed, or face something we cannot control, keep our eyes on You. Give us courage without arrogance, strength without anger, and perseverance that comes from trusting Christ. Help us become young men who stay faithful in hard moments and encourage the people around us to do the same. May the way we compete, learn, lead, and live bring honor to Jesus. In His name, Amen.

09/18/2026

BASES OF SUCCESS DAILY DEVOTION

DISCIPLINE — The Work Nobody Applauds

Today’s Base: Discipline
Primary Scripture: Hebrews 12:11 — “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

THE STORY — Daniel’s Decision Before the Pressure
Daniel was a young man when his entire world changed. He was taken from his home to Babylon, surrounded by a different culture, given a new name, taught a new way of life, and placed under pressure to become someone different from the man God had called him to be.

Daniel 1:8 says that Daniel “resolved” that he would not defile himself.

That word matters. Daniel made his decision before the pressure came.
He didn’t wait until temptation showed up and then try to decide what kind of man he wanted to be. He had already settled it. His convictions determined his choices.
Daniel then lived that way consistently—not for one dramatic afternoon, but day after day. Eventually, the discipline practiced in private prepared him for much bigger moments in public.

Years later, when Daniel was threatened with the lions’ den for praying to God, Scripture says he went home and prayed just as he had done before. The pressure changed. Daniel’s habits didn’t.

That is discipline.

THE BASEBALL CONNECTION
Everybody likes the result. Very few people love the process that produces it.

Players want the line-drive double, the 90-mph fastball, the clean backhand in the six-hole, the starting job, the championship, and the college opportunity.

But those things are usually built somewhere nobody is applauding: another set in the weight room, ten more quality swings, arm-care work, sprint mechanics, eating correctly, getting enough sleep, doing homework instead of scrolling, showing up on time, and repeating fundamentals when they become boring.

Discipline is doing what needs to be done even when you don’t feel like doing it.

Hebrews 12:11 doesn’t pretend discipline is fun. It says discipline can be painful now, but it produces a harvest later.

That principle reaches far beyond baseball.

At school, discipline means doing the assignment before the deadline forces you to. At home, it means handling your responsibilities without being chased down by your parents. In relationships, it means controlling your words when you’re angry. Spiritually, it means opening God’s Word and praying even on mornings when you don’t feel especially spiritual.

You don’t suddenly become disciplined when the big moment arrives. The big moment reveals the discipline you built beforehand.

TALK ABOUT IT
1. What have you already decided? Daniel “resolved” beforehand. What standards in your life need to become decisions instead of daily negotiations?

2. Where are you chasing results without embracing the process? Think baseball, academics, relationships, your physical health, and your walk with Christ. What result do you want—and what repeated discipline actually produces it?

3. Who are you when nobody is watching? Coaches can’t watch every rep. Teachers can’t watch every assignment. Parents can’t monitor every decision. But God sees the private work that shapes the public person.

TODAY’S CHALLENGE — WIN ONE BORING REP
Identify one thing today that you know you need to do but usually avoid because it is difficult, uncomfortable, or boring.
Then do it without being reminded.

Take the extra swings correctly. Finish the schoolwork. Put the phone down. Do the arm care. Clean up after yourself. Read Scripture. Encourage the teammate who needs it.

Don’t chase a feeling. Build a habit.

Championship moments are often won through ordinary disciplines practiced long before anyone sees the result.

CLOSING PRAYER
Father, thank You for loving us enough to train and shape us. Give us discipline when doing the right thing is difficult, uncomfortable, or unnoticed. Help us become young men who decide beforehand that we will honor You. Teach us to embrace the process instead of only wanting the reward. Give us discipline in baseball, in the classroom, at home, in our relationships, and especially in our walk with You. May the habits we build today prepare us to honor Christ when bigger moments come. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

09/17/2026

Happy Birthday Martin🥳🎉🎂

We hope you had a great day 👊🏼

09/17/2026

BASES OF SUCCESS DAILY DEVOTION
FAITH — Step Before You See

Our Base: Faith

Foundation Scripture: Hebrews 11:1 — “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

THE STORY — Peter Gets Out of the Boat
In Matthew 14, the disciples are in a boat in the middle of a storm when they see Jesus walking toward them on the water. Peter says, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.”

Jesus gives him one word: “Come.”

Think about what Peter had to do next. He had to put a foot over the side of the boat before he knew what was going to happen.

The boat was safe. The water wasn’t. The storm was still raging. Nothing about the circumstances made sense.

But Jesus had spoken.

So Peter stepped.

And for a moment, a fisherman did something impossible — he walked on water toward Jesus.

Then Peter began looking at the wind instead of Christ. Fear replaced faith, and he began to sink. But even then, Jesus reached out and caught him.

Peter’s faith wasn’t perfect. But he was the only disciple who got out of the boat.

THE BASEBALL CONNECTION
Baseball requires you to act before you know the outcome.

A hitter steps into the box without knowing whether or not he’ll get a hit. A pitcher attacks the zone without knowing what the hitter will do. A player competes for a position without knowing whether he’ll win it. A team begins a season without knowing how it will end.

Life works the same way.

You won’t always know why God has you where He has you. You won’t always see the plan. You won’t always understand what He’s doing.

Faith isn’t having all the answers. Faith is trusting the One who does.

Hebrews 11:1 tells us that faith gives us confidence even when we cannot see what comes next.

That is why Faith is the mound in our Bases of Success. Everything in baseball starts from the mound, and everything in our program starts with faith in Jesus Christ.

TALK ABOUT IT
Where is your “boat” right now? What comfortable or safe thing might God be asking you to step out of?

What has your attention? Are you looking more at the “wind” — playing time, grades, relationships, expectations, failure — or at Christ?

Can people see your faith through your actions? Faith isn’t merely something we say we have. It changes how we live, compete, treat people, and respond when things don’t go our way.

TODAY’S CHALLENGE
Take one step of faith today.

Do something you know is right even if you don’t know the outcome. Encourage somebody. Admit a mistake. Pray with somebody. Have the difficult conversation. Work when nobody is watching. Trust God with something you’ve been trying to control yourself.

Don’t wait until you can see the whole path.

Jesus said, “Come.” Peter stepped.

CLOSING PRAYER
Father, thank You that our confidence doesn’t have to come from knowing what happens next. Our confidence comes from knowing You. Give us faith to trust You when we can’t see the outcome. Help us keep our eyes on Jesus instead of the storms around us. Give us courage to step when You call us, and let the way we play, study, lead, and live show others that our faith is real. Build our program on the foundation of Your Word and help us honor Christ in everything we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

09/09/2026

Happy Birthday Jake🥳🎂🎉

We hope you have an awesome day 👊🏼