Tebow Quotes

You and I were created by God to be so much more than normal…Following the crowd is not a winning approach to life. In the end it’s a loser’s game, because we never become who God created us to be by trying to be like everybody else.

Success comes in a lot of ways, but it doesn't come with money and it doesn't come with fame. It comes from having a meaning in your life, doing what you love and being passionate about what you do. That's having a life of success. When you have the ability to do what you love, love what you do and have the ability to impact people. That's having a life of success. That's what having a life of meaning is.

If I didn't work as hard as I could, then I think it would be a bit like saying, 'God, thanks for giving me this ability, but I don't really care about it. I'm going to do something else, and I'm not going to work quite as hard.

I don't know what my future holds, but I do know who holds my future.

I can't control the naysayers. I can control my attitude and work ethic and determination and that's what I'm focused on now.

People often seem to think that when you're following the Lord and trying to do His will, your path will always be clear, the decisions smooth and easy, and life will be lived happily ever after and all that. Sometimes that may be true, but I've found that more often, it's not. The muddled decisions still seem muddled, bad things still happen to believers, and great things can happen to nonbelievers. When it comes to making our decisions, the key that God is concerned with is that we are trusting and seeking Him. God's desire is for us to align our lives with His Word and His will.

the people who can finish and finish at the same pace or stronger than when they started, those are the ones who are going to succeed; those are the ones who are going to be great.

If I’ve already thought through a situation and have a response prepared ahead of time in the event temptation rears its ugly head, it is that much easier to resist.

We all know of people who thought they could to it (whatever “it” is) tomorrow. We have all procrastinated on such a way, and often to our personal regret. It happens time and again, putting off things that we convince ourselves might be better, more meaningful, more appropriate for another time. So often that better time either never comes or really isn’t better or more appropriate after all. And then, sadly, the window of opportunity -to do something great- closes.

But the more you make the choice to live above your feelings, to trust God instead of what you may feel like doing, the stronger your faith becomes. It’s not about being perfect. We will always been on a journey of growing closer to God.

Strong leaders encourage you to do things for your own benefit, not just theirs.

We were created by Love, in love, and for love.

I do not know what the future holds, but I know who holds my future.

What God knows about us is more important than what others think.

When who you are is grounded in whose you are, you realize it doesn’t matter what life throws your way.

You never know how the tough times you are going through today will inspire someone else tomorrow.

When we are willing to let God shape our identity, He will take whatever we have to offer and multiply it in ways and for a purpose that we cannot even begin to imagine.

And while I may get hurt, disappointed, or frustrated […], my foundation doesn’t have to change.

Success comes in a lot of ways, but it doesn't come with money and it doesn't come with fame. It comes from having a meaning in your life, doing what you love and being passionate about what you do. That’s having a life of success. When you have the ability to do what you love, love what you do and have the ability to impact people. … That’s having a life of success. That’s what having a life of meaning is.

Tim Tebow's Dad turned a screw-up into a testimony when a fire to burn weeds in a field got out of control. With his family still smelling like smoke from containing the fire, he conducted a lesson from verses where James compares danger of speech to an out-of-control spark.

Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.

Do you approach each day with confidence, knowing that someone's life can be eternally changed because of what you shared with or did for the person?

You know what I’ve learned in the process? How important it is not to allow either the highs or the lows in life to determine who you are.

AN UNLIKELY VICTORY Cut to the battlefield. When David steps out into the valley, his country’s army cheering him on while simultaneously thinking he

Regardless of how your life will impact others and what that will look like, I just know that when your identity is grounded in God, when you trust in Him, you become part of a bigger picture. And you begin to live out this wonderful poem He has written for your life. This is the truth when life is smooth sailing, and this is the truth when storms come.

It’s important to take God’s love personally, though it may not be an easy thing to do. Sure, God loves the world, but he also loves each one of us individually.

I would love to continue to be someone that is positive but also be someone that is objective,

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.

Success comes in a lot of ways, but it doesn't come with money and it doesn't come with fame. It comes from having a meaning in your life, doing what you love and being passionate about what you do. That's having a life of success.

was a hardcore homeschooler, K-12, baby. I was homeschooled before it was cool to be homeschooled. And you know what? I hardly remember anything from high school. I did all the Advanced Placement classes and SAT prep classes. I was a good student in high school, but I don’t remember much. I also hardly remember anything from college, and I graduated at the top of my class. But I do remember my parents’ devotion to the Lord.

Continue to fight. Continue to hope. Continue to have faith. I promise you, it’s worth it.

Tell someone how much you appreciate him or her.

What we do in life echoes in eternity.

How important it is not to allow either the highs or the lows in life dictate who you are.

The people who say, “Preach the gospel, and use words if necessary,” seem to forget that the very essence of the gospel is words. They might as well say, “Feed the poor, and use food if necessary,” or, “Pay the bills, and use money if necessary.” The gospel is primarily a message which must be communicated with words. It is good news which must be believed. The good news is that God sent Jesus to live and die in the place of sinners. People cannot embrace the good news if they don’t first hear the good news. Feeding the poor is a good thing, but it isn’t the same thing as proclaiming the message of the gospel. Caring for the homeless is a noble thing to do, but it isn’t preaching the gospel. Preach the gospel, and use words, always.

Sometimes we just need, even for a minute, to stop. Step outside of ourselves. Pay attention to the world around us. And do something, no matter how small, to lighten someone’s load. It’s about perspective.

I would even go so far as to say that the idea of a soul mate is harmful. If you go into marriage expecting your spouse to satisfy your every need and complement you perfectly, you will be sorely disappointed. If you expect your spouse to satisfy the deepest longings of your soul, you are in for a massive let down. Marriage is a covenant between two, imperfect, very flawed, sinful people. You’re not perfect and your spouse isn’t perfect, so don’t expect your marriage to be perfect.

Martin Luther wrote, “This life is not righteousness, but growth in righteousness. It is not healthy, but healing; not being, but becoming; not rest, but exercise. We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it. This is not the end, but it is the road.”4

My parents were absolutely fantastic, and they faithfully taught me the word of God, but it was God and only God who caused me to trust in Christ. If the responsibility for my salvation lay with my parents, I never would have trusted Christ at all (my parents would wholeheartedly agree).

Be yourself, and let God be God.

When is the last time you did something different? Something beyond your comfort zone?

While it makes you feel good to please people, it makes you feel fulfilled to please God.

He designed us to live in relationship with Him first and foremost, and then with others.

When you want to be the most powerful or the strongest, always choose love over fear. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).

I try to choose courage time and time again to believe that God’s got everything under control.

Success comes in a lot of ways, but it doesn't come with money and it doesn't come with fame. It comes from having a meaning in your life, doing what you love and being passionate about what you do. That's having a life of success. When you have the ability to do what you love, love what you do and have the ability to impact people. That's having a life of success. That's what having a life of meaning is.

If people like me, I will strive to know whose I am. If people don’t like me, I will still strive to know whose I am. If I play football, I will strive to know whose I am. If I never play again, I’ll still strive to know whose I am. Whether I’m praised or criticized, popular or outcast, rich or poor, I will always strive to remember that I belong. That I am loved. That I am a child of God.

Build a statue of me, just as I am right now, with this basket of meat and shirts. I am a monument to the trucking industry, supercenters, and the failure of urban planning. Build me out of the particle board they used to make the desk hutch in Home & Office Solutions. I will stand until the end of time. The termites will taste me and retch.

Our influence is not about whether we are adequate. It’s about allowing God to use us and our experiences to leave an eternal imprint on the people we encounter in our lives.

Hard truth can sting, but it’s better to deal with a bruised ego than a lifetime of regret.

We can use what we’ve been given for others. Success in itself isn’t a bad thing. There’s never been a day in my life in which I’ve wanted to lose, whether that’s a game or a deal. But I also know that if I allow success to be used in only a self-fulfilling way, I will lack purpose. Significance, however, is about others, loving and serving people. One of the greatest questions you can ask yourself is, Does my life change other people’s lives for the better? When you’re focused on others—when your priorities are wrapped around the Great Commission, bringing the love of Jesus to hurting people—your life counts for more than a title people will forget or an achievement someone will probably surpass in time. Years ago, I heard it said that one of the greatest tragedies in life is to look back one day and say, “I was successful in things that don’t matter.” I am writing this chapter so that you live today with tomorrow in mind and so that your end goal is not shaped by who the world says you are but rather is anchored in whose you are. I don’t want your end goal to be about praise, promotion, and applause; I want it to be about people, purpose, and passion.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”5 We do this by reaching out, by finding a need, however small, and filling it

If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be. —MAYA ANGELOU

ability,

Meyer

If you go into marriage expecting your spouse to satisfy your every need and complement you perfectly, you will be sorely disappointed. If you expect your spouse to satisfy the deepest longings of your soul, you are in for a massive let down.

Maybe our bucket lists should be more about faithfulness than awesomeness. Maybe our bucket lists should be more about serving others than serving ourselves. Maybe our bucket lists should be more about holiness and less about fun. When Jesus returns and creates a new heaven and new earth, I think we’ll look back on our bucket lists with contempt. All the things we strived and strained for will seem paltry and silly. The adventures this life offers can’t hold a candle compared to the adventures of the new heaven and new earth. Those are the adventures really worth living for.

Jesus didn’t say, “Find self-fulfillment, achieve your goals, and then follow me in your spare time.”  Jesus didn’t encourage his followers to achieve their highest potential. Jesus calls for total, wholehearted allegiance, and anything less is wickedness. All of our goals and dreams and desires must be submitted to King Jesus.

Meredith Dickey,” I say, smiling. “Shelby Tebow,” she says, shaking mine. “You want some coffee?” she asks. I do. The fatigue is taking over. Without caffeine, I don’t know how much longer I can last on my feet.

I feel it in my gut then: something is wrong. I’m not just thinking about Meredith and Delilah. Because it would be one thing if this was an isolated incident, then maybe I wouldn’t feel so concerned. But there’s Shelby Tebow to consider, a young woman who went for a jog in our neighborhood ten nights ago and never returned.

I tell Bea that I think we should skip the Tebows’ house. Something about going to the home of a missing woman to inquire about another missing woman feels in poor taste. But Bea disagrees. “We should go to their house because of the similarity, not despite it,” she says, and I know then that she’s right.

Timmy, if you know God has called you to do something and you get punched in the process and get a bloody nose, that’s okay. Keep going. But if you don’t know you’re called to do whatever you are doing, the first time you get a bloody nose, you’re going to look for every reason to retreat.

Notably Tebow, while honoring his creator, never interrupted any flag ceremony or disrespected anyone at all, and yet in the eyes of many Americans he was blackballed by the NFL---solely because of his moral and religious stance. When this occurred, there was no concern expressed by liberals that somehow Tebow's rights were extinguished, or that it was unfair that he no longer plays football.

Nothing compares to being a very small piece of the very big puzzle

but I define meditation as thoughtful reflection on Scripture, appropriating its truths personally and applying them to life.

We are all just secretly trying to figure out our next best move.

For most of my teenage years and into early adulthood, I had only focused on the immediate “next thing” in my life. I had never considered life in the big picture. Being in no-man’s-land can be discouraging because it leaves us anticipating an unknown future. When I think of my waiting season post–Miss Universe, I think of the frustration, anxiety, loneliness, and feelings of hopelessness I struggled with because I didn’t feel I was making significant progress in any area of my life.

Nothing worked because my self-confidence was running on empty. Looking back, I want to give this younger version of Demi a hug and remind her that Jesus doesn’t ask us to strive for success or fame. He doesn’t expect us to have every aspect of our lives perfectly sorted out. He simply asks us to follow Him.

During my waiting seasons, I have caught myself many times playing God instead of trusting God and serving God. In those moments of waiting, we might feel like nothing good happens, or that now is better. Waiting can seem like wasting time, but I have learned that there is a flip side to a waiting season.

We won’t make our final decision until we have actively read God’s Word, prayed, and spoken to every advisor and weighed everyone’s opinions. We never derail from this decision-making process no matter how much pressure we are under. Gathering wisdom can certainly put things on hold, but it gives you time to evaluate what you’re hoping for and consider possible outcomes. It also gives you time to gather more information and adjust expectations where needed. Once you’ve had time to gather the necessary facts and wise opinions, you can rely on discernment rather than fear or panic.

Ruth was willing to take action, to be obedient, and to get uncomfortable. She refused to sit around while she waited for what was next.

He washed the feet of His friends. In the culture of that time, foot washing was typically performed by the lowest servants and was considered a menial task. By taking on this role Himself, Jesus was breaking down social and cultural barriers to emphasize the importance of serving others. It was a powerful demonstration of humility and servitude. He was teaching His disciples that leadership in His kingdom is characterized by humble service, not positions of power or authority.

When life deals heavy blows, remember that in those moments the true victory comes from your courage to seek growth despite the enormous amount of grief you’re experiencing. Victory in those waiting situations could mean getting out of bed regardless of the headache and heartache you’re experiencing. Victory might also mean being vulnerable and recognizing that you’re not able to win on your own right now. Asking for help does not equal weakness.

He was a pretty busy guy but still allowed Himself to be interruptible. Whether in the grocery store, gas station, or on a walk with your kids, keep an eye out for those who are hurting. Don’t get too busy. Be willing to love others. You never know the positive effects your goodness can do. The effects of your compassion will branch out from one simple act of brotherly love.

Spending time with Jesus is not a chore or a burden; it’s meant to be an encounter where we get to deepen our intimacy with God.

If you fail to plan then you plan to fail.” A plan without a purpose is just a to-do list. I failed in figuring out my purpose as a part of my plan. Make sure you include the purpose behind your plan, and don’t stop until your goals are specific and detailed.

Being willing implies a proactive mindset, whether it’s undertaking a task, embracing change, or facing challenges with a positive attitude.

If you’re struggling to find or make friends, keep putting yourself in situations to connect.

During what might feel like a waiting season, be encouraged that no time is wasted. What feels like a no might be a “not now.” What feels like a failure might be fickle feelings. And what feels like a period of silence might be your preparation period. God works through the wait. He’s loud in the silence. Lean in. Look out for the God-winks. They’ll keep you going. Most of all, stay willing through the waiting.

God sees you as precious and valuable and has you on His mind always!

If you ever feel alone, forgotten, or uncertain about what step to take next, then pause and take a breath, search for the Pointer—the God of the whole universe—and ask Him to point you in the right direction. God works through the wait, even in the silence.

Just as a seed planted in fertile soil has the potential to blossom, I believe when we actively take risks, learn from failure, and take ownership of who God made us to be, we put ourselves in the best position to be used for kingdom impact.

I understand the temptation to give up on figuring out a way to move forward and give in to stewing over all the reasons that things went wrong. It might make us feel better in the short term, but it’s not a long-term solution to focus on the downside of a crummy first half. Instead, focus on seeing the upside of the second half. I can channel my inner toddler like the best of them, but the truth is that sulking in self-pity leads to blaming others, isolation, negative self-talk, victim mentality, and refusing help when we need it most. Overcoming this tendency to wallow is essential to believing in successful comebacks!

In short, when things get tough, our bodies produce a stress hormone called cortisol, which is supposed to help mobilize our energy reserves and temporarily suppress the immune system during times of stress. However, excessive cortisol production brought on by that rough first half—whether that looks like ongoing financial worries, relationship problems, work-related stress, poor sleep, a business plan that is falling apart, or that teenager who is pushing our last buttons—can result in a range of negative health effects, making us feel anxious and frustrated.13 This can make any task seem even harder, pushing us to quit to get some relief.

finishing when all the odds have been stacked against us is the deepest kind of satisfaction.

Rather than process internally first, I jump into action and do what needs to be done. But when the chaos calms and the dust settles, I collapse. When the pressure ceases, I’m depleted, burned out, empty, and questioning who I am. Placing my identity in the immediate situation or opportunity in front of me is a trap I recognize and manage more proactively now. Setting boundaries for myself, knowing what my traps are, and proactively identifying them has helped me not to ignore my emotions but to navigate them in a healthier way.

my sister taught me that when we look at all human beings through God’s lens, we will know that everyone is an image-bearer of God. When we look at imperfect people through the lens of a perfect Creator, we get to see people for who they were created to be. Scripture is clear that we were created in love, by love, and for love.

The unanswered questions made me question God’s kindness. I couldn’t comprehend the purpose of all this pain and torment, and I felt so far away from God. He felt like an acquaintance instead of a friend. The only comfort I was able to hold on to was God’s track record in other people’s lives. At the time, I highly doubted if God’s grace would count for our family. I highly doubted if He would show goodness and kindness to our family like He did throughout the Bible. I allowed the Enemy to do his job by creating doubt around God’s character. There was a time I felt like I only believed in Jesus because it felt like the right thing to do. Then my dad looked at me one day and said, “Demi, I don’t know what the purpose of all this is. Why do we believe in a God who allows an innocent child to suffer like this?

I love You, God! Right now, I can’t see how this will work together for good, but I trust it will. Show me how to show up with compassion for others even when I don’t feel like it. Make it clear to me where Your silver lining is around this dark cloud hanging over my life. Remind me that I am a part of Your perfect story and that You have never and will never fail me. Amen.

Although I was surrounded by loved ones, I decided to carry the weight of meeting all my own needs, so it was hard to understand that God was always there for me to depend on. When you spend a lot of time on your own, it feels like being adrift in the deep, dark depths of the ocean, and it’s hard to see that you’re not actually alone.

By seeing that trial as a temporary chapter in the grand narrative of our coexistence with God, they found resilience and a sense of purpose, understanding that their journey extends far beyond the confines of this mortal coil. Their eternal perspective empowered them to face adversity with courage and grace, even in the most trying of times.

having an eternal perspective means we can stand firmly in the face of adversity.

I know I’ve been challenged to be more forgiving, loving, kind, gentle, encouraging, thoughtful, and brave. That’s the kind of girl I want to be. It took a frightening experience for me to recognize the power of being the other kind of that girl—let me introduce you to her.

Let’s hope we’d all be that girl if someone was in need like I was on the day of my carjacking, but we can also be that girl in the small, intentional acts of kindness or service. Be open and attentive. Who knows whose world God may use you to change forever.

Being that girl is choosing to go. Being that girl is having situational awareness. But more than that, being that girl intercedes for people no matter the cost.

The most significant truth I realized was that alone we can be strong, but together, arm in arm, we can be Unbreakable.

Our ultimate example, of course, is Jesus. He willingly embarked on the most challenging journey in the history of the world for the sake of humanity. He walked the agonizing road to Golgotha fully aware of the excruciating physical and emotional torment that awaited Him. Being fully God and fully human, He could’ve stopped and called down a legion of angels to protect Him. He didn’t. He knew the weight of the world’s sin was heavy. He knew Roman crucifixion was torture. He knew the abandonment He would endure from His Father. Yet He pressed on. He went to the cross anyway. Not because it was a mere duty but because of an overwhelming love for you and me. Because we were worth it to Him. Jesus chose our best interests above all else. He took the hardest steps anyone could ever imagine, offering us redemption and eternal life. In that extraordinary act, Jesus exemplified the epitome of selflessness. As believers, one of our challenges is to die to ourselves and strive to be more like Jesus so the world can experience God’s love through us.

I have learned that a negative experience can feel personal, all-encompassing, and permanent, especially if you are not in a healthy state of mind. It can lead your mind to believe that it will definitely happen to you again, even if there is nothing indicating that this is the case.

God used my trauma and turned it into one of my life’s greatest purposes: fighting for those who can’t fight for themselves, being a voice for the voiceless, and empowering women all over the world to break barriers and overcome challenges with confidence.

There was only one perfect person to ever walk the face of this earth, and His name is Jesus. If we spent our entire lives striving for perfection, then we’d live a very defeated life because it’s just not possible. Have you heard the saying, “Progress is better than perfection”? Although I agree with it, I think there is something even better than progress—excellence. At its core, excellence means “to excel, to rise above, to surpass, to be great.”1 I saw a cute piece of wall décor that said, EXCELLENCE—ALWAYS STRIVING TO DO BETTER. NOT A SKILL BUT AN ATTITUDE. THE RESULT OF RISKING MORE THAN OTHERS THINK IS SAFE, DREAMING MORE THAN OTHERS THINK IS PRACTICAL, AND EXPECTING MORE THAN OTHERS THINK IS POSSIBLE.