Five Marks of a God-Centered Life

Posted on April 13, 2026 by Mark Cole

“Love the Lord your God, walk in all His ways, obey His commands, hold firmly to Him, and serve Him with all your heart and all your soul.” – Joshua 22:5

This verse gives us a clear, practical picture of what a God-centered life looks like. Not vague. Not theoretical. It’s five simple, powerful marks that shape a life that truly honors Him.

Let’s look at each one.

1. A Heart That Loves God

Everything begins here.

Before God asks for your obedience or your service, He asks for your love. Christianity is not first about what you do—it’s about who you love.

When your heart is set on God:

  • You want to be with Him
  • You listen for His voice
  • You desire to please Him

If this is missing, everything else becomes routine. But when love is alive, your whole spiritual life comes alive.

2. A Life That Walks in His Ways

A God-centered life is not just inward—it shows up in how you live.

To “walk in His ways” means your daily decisions reflect God’s truth. It affects your character, your relationships, and your priorities.

This is where faith becomes visible:

  • Choosing integrity over compromise
  • Showing kindness when it’s not deserved
  • Trusting God when the path isn’t clear

It’s not about perfection—it’s about direction. You’re moving toward Him, step by step.

3. A Will That Obeys His Commands

Obedience is where many people struggle—but it’s also where real growth happens.

God’s commands are not there to limit you—they are there to guide and protect you. A God-centered life takes God at His word and responds.

Here’s the bottom line:
If we truly love God, we will obey Him.

Not perfectly—but sincerely and consistently.

Obedience is love in action.

4. A Faith That Holds Firmly to Him

There will be seasons when following God is not easy.

Prayers may feel unanswered. Circumstances may not make sense. Emotions may run low.

This is where this mark matters most: hold firmly to Him.

You don’t let go when life gets hard. You stay anchored in God:

  • In trials
  • In waiting seasons
  • In spiritual battles

A God-centered life is steady, not because life is easy, but because your grip on God is strong.

5. A Life That Serves Him Wholeheartedly

Finally, a God-centered life is a serving life.

This isn’t just about church roles—it’s about offering your whole life to God. Your gifts, your time, your energy, your influence.

And notice the emphasis: with all your heart and all your soul.

Not halfway. Not occasionally. Fully.

When you love God deeply, serving Him becomes a natural overflow.

Bringing It All Together

A God-centered life is not built on one moment—it’s built on daily choices.

  • Love Him deeply
  • Walk with Him consistently
  • Obey Him faithfully
  • Hold to Him firmly
  • Serve Him wholeheartedly

That kind of life doesn’t drift. It grows. It endures. It bears fruit in every season.

Take an honest look at your life:

Which of these five marks is strongest right now?
Which one needs attention?

Don’t try to fix everything at once. Start with one area and lean into it this week.

Because in the end, a God-centered life isn’t complicated—but it is intentional.

And it’s worth everything.

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Not One Promise Failed

Posted on April 12, 2026 by Mark Cole

There are moments in Scripture that feel like a deep exhale—moments where everything God has been building toward comes into focus. This verse is one of them:

“Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything He had spoken came true.”

That’s not poetic exaggeration. It’s a statement of fact. After years of wandering, battles, waiting, setbacks, and victories, Joshua looks back and says: God kept every single promise.

Not most.
Not some.
Every one.

God Makes Promises—And Keeps Them

From the very beginning, God had spoken clearly to His people. He promised Abraham a land, a people, and a future. Generations passed. There were seasons where that promise must have felt distant—almost impossible.

Slavery in Egypt.
Forty years in the wilderness.
Enemies in the Promised Land.

At many points, it didn’t look like God was keeping His word.

But He was.

God doesn’t operate on our timelines. He operates on His purposes. What feels like delay to us is often preparation in God’s hands.

The Long Road to Fulfillment

This verse only makes sense when you remember the journey behind it.

  • Israel had to trust God in the unknown
  • They had to walk through discipline and correction
  • They had to step out in faith again and again
  • They had to fight battles they couldn’t win on their own

And yet, through all of that, God was steadily, faithfully bringing His promises to pass.

That’s important: the fulfillment didn’t cancel the struggle—it came through it.

What This Means for Us

If God kept every promise to Israel, what does that say about His character today?

He hasn’t changed.

You may be in a season where:

  • You’re waiting on an answer
  • You’re holding onto a promise that feels delayed
  • You’re wondering if God has forgotten

He hasn’t.

But here’s where you need to be clear-eyed: not every expectation we have is a promise from God. We have to anchor ourselves in what He has actually said, not just what we hope will happen.

Once you know His promises—really know them—you can stand on them with confidence.

Three Anchors for Your Life

1. God is faithful, even when the process is slow
Israel waited generations. We struggle with waiting weeks or months. Don’t mistake slowness for unfaithfulness.

2. God fulfills His promises completely
The verse says “not a single one” failed. God doesn’t partially deliver. He finishes what He starts.

3. God’s word is trustworthy
When God speaks, it’s as good as done—even if you haven’t seen it yet.

A Personal Challenge

Take some time and ask yourself:

  • What promises of God am I holding onto right now?
  • Am I trusting His timing, or trying to force my own?
  • Am I walking in obedience while I wait?

Because here’s the truth: the same God who fulfilled every promise to Israel is at work in your life right now.

Final Thought

One day, you’ll look back over your life the same way Israel did over theirs. And if you’ve walked with God, trusted Him, and followed Him through the highs and lows, you’ll be able to say:

“Not one of His promises failed me.”

That’s the kind of life worth living.

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How To Stay Calm

Posted on April 12, 2026 by Mark Cole

In a culture that moves fast, demands more, and rarely slows down, staying calm can feel like a lost art. Yet calmness isn’t a personality trait reserved for a few—it’s a skill that can be learned, practiced, and strengthened over time.

Calm people aren’t free from pressure. They’ve simply learned how to respond differently.

Here’s how you can too.

1. Slow Your Body Down

Your body and your mind are connected. When your body is tense, your thoughts will follow.

Start here:

  • Breathe slowly and deeply
  • Relax your shoulders
  • Unclench your jaw
  • Sit or stand still for a moment

Even a few deep breaths can interrupt anxiety and reset your system. Calm begins physically before it becomes emotional.

2. Control What You Can—Release What You Can’t

Much of our stress comes from trying to control things that are simply out of our hands—other people’s opinions, future outcomes, unexpected problems.

A better approach:

  • Focus on your response
  • Do what is right in front of you
  • Let go of the rest

This isn’t passivity—it’s wisdom. Calm people don’t carry burdens they were never meant to carry.

3. Guard Your Thoughts

Your thoughts shape your emotional state.

If you constantly think:

  • “What if this goes wrong?”
  • “I can’t handle this”
  • “Everything is falling apart”

…your mind will create anxiety, even if nothing has actually happened yet.

Instead, train your thoughts:

  • “I will handle this one step at a time”
  • “God is with me”
  • “I’ve made it through difficult moments before”

Calm is often the result of disciplined thinking.

4. Limit Noise and Input

We live in an age of constant input—news, social media, messages, opinions. Too much noise creates inner chaos.

If you want calm:

  • Turn off unnecessary notifications
  • Step away from the news cycle
  • Create quiet moments in your day

You don’t need to know everything. You need peace more than information.

5. Build Daily Rhythms of Peace

Calm doesn’t come from one good decision—it comes from daily habits.

Simple rhythms that help:

  • Time with God each morning
  • Reading Scripture
  • Prayer and reflection
  • Walking or light exercise

These aren’t just “nice ideas”—they are stabilizers for your soul.

6. Pause Before You React

Most stress comes not from situations, but from our reactions to them.

When something difficult happens:

  • Pause
  • Take a breath
  • Give yourself a moment before responding

That small gap between stimulus and response is where calm is formed.

7. Trust God With the Outcome

At the deepest level, calm comes from trust.

If you believe everything depends on you, you’ll live under constant pressure. But if you trust that God is at work—even in uncertainty—you can rest.

Scripture teaches that God is our refuge and our strength—always present, always ready to help in times of trouble. It also assures us that He is working all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. When that truth settles into your heart, it changes the way you face everything.

You may not control the storm—but you can remain steady in the middle of it.

Final Thought

Staying calm isn’t about escaping life’s pressures—it’s about learning how to stand firm within them.

It’s built:

  • Breath by breath
  • Thought by thought
  • Day by day

And over time, you become the kind of person who doesn’t panic easily… because you’ve trained your heart to rest, trust, and respond with peace.

That kind of calm is powerful.

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For Everyone Who Asks, Seeks, and Knocks

Posted on April 11, 2026 by Mark Cole

Jesus made a bold and sweeping promise:

“For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:8)

At first glance, these words seem almost too good to be true. Everyone? Always? Yet Jesus spoke them with complete authority. There are no qualifiers here—no fine print. Just a clear invitation into a life of active, persistent faith.

Let’s look more closely at what He meant.

1. Ask: The Simplicity of Prayer

To ask is to recognize need.

It takes humility to ask. It admits, “I don’t have everything I need. I depend on God.” That posture alone positions us to receive.

Jesus is telling us that God is not distant or reluctant. He is a Father who welcomes requests. Not just the big, desperate prayers—but the daily ones too.

Too many people don’t receive because they don’t ask.

  • They assume God isn’t interested
  • They feel unworthy
  • They rely on their own strength

But Jesus removes every excuse. If you ask, you will receive.

That doesn’t mean God gives everything exactly as requested—but He always responds with what is good, wise, and loving.

2. Seek: The Pursuit of God

Seeking goes deeper than asking.

Asking is a moment. Seeking is a lifestyle.

To seek God means:

  • Pursuing His presence
  • Searching His Word
  • Desiring His will above your own

This is where faith becomes intentional. It’s not passive—it’s active, focused, and determined.

Jesus promises that those who seek will find.

Not might find. Not occasionally find. Will find.

But here’s the key: you will find what you are truly seeking.

If you seek answers, you’ll find insight.
If you seek direction, you’ll find guidance.
If you seek God Himself, you’ll find a relationship that satisfies your soul.

3. Knock: The Persistence of Faith

Knocking implies resistance.

There’s a door. It’s closed. And you don’t walk away—you knock.

This is where many people quit.

They ask once and stop.
They seek briefly and lose focus.
They knock lightly and walk away too soon.

But Jesus teaches persistence.

Keep knocking.

  • When the answer is delayed
  • When circumstances don’t change
  • When the door seems firmly shut

Why? Because God often works through the process, not just the outcome.

Persistence builds faith. It deepens trust. It aligns your heart with His.

And Jesus assures us: the door will be opened.

4. The Character of God Behind the Promise

This promise only makes sense when you understand who God is.

Just a few verses later, Jesus compares God to a loving father who gives good gifts to his children.

God is not:

  • Unwilling
  • Unkind
  • Distracted

He is attentive, generous, and faithful.

If earthly fathers know how to give good gifts, how much more does God?

This means:

  • When you ask, He listens
  • When you seek, He reveals
  • When you knock, He responds

5. A Life That Receives

This passage isn’t about a formula—it’s about a relationship.

It invites you into a rhythm:

  • Ask daily
  • Seek continually
  • Knock persistently

And over time, you begin to see:

  • Prayers answered
  • Direction clarified
  • Doors opened

Not always in your timing. Not always in the way you expected. But always in a way that reflects God’s wisdom and love.

Final Thought

Jesus didn’t say this to create false hope—He said it to build real faith.

So don’t hold back.

Ask boldly.
Seek earnestly.
Knock persistently.

Because according to Jesus, everyone who does… receives, finds, and sees doors open.

And that includes you.

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The Lord’s Prayer: A Simple Path to a Powerful Life

Posted on April 11, 2026 by Mark Cole

Few passages in Scripture are as well-known—and yet as deeply rich—as the Lord’s Prayer. When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, He didn’t give them a long, complicated formula. He gave them something simple, direct, and profound.

This prayer isn’t just something to recite—it’s a pattern for how to live, think, and relate to God.

Let’s walk through it, line by line, and uncover the lessons it teaches us.

1. “Our Father in heaven…”

Prayer begins with relationship.

God is not distant or detached—He is Father. This speaks of closeness, care, provision, and love. But notice it also says our Father. We are not alone; we are part of a family.

And yet, He is “in heaven.” He is near, but He is also holy, powerful, and above all.

Lesson:
Come to God with both intimacy and reverence. He is your Father—but He is also your King.

2. “Hallowed be Your name”

Before we ask for anything, we honor God.

To “hallow” means to set apart as holy. It’s a declaration that God is worthy of worship, respect, and awe.

This shifts our focus—from ourselves to Him.

Lesson:
Start your prayers with worship. When God is in His rightful place, everything else becomes clearer.

3. “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”

This is where prayer becomes surrender.

We are not just asking God to bless our plans—we are asking Him to establish His rule in our lives, our families, our churches, and our world.

This requires humility. It means laying down our preferences and trusting His purposes.

Lesson:
The most powerful prayers are not “My will be done,” but “Your will be done.”

4. “Give us this day our daily bread”

Now we bring our needs.

Jesus teaches us to depend on God daily—not just for spiritual things, but for practical provision. “Daily bread” reminds us that God is concerned about the details of our lives.

It also keeps us from anxiety about the future.

Lesson:
Trust God for today. He is a faithful provider, one day at a time.

5. “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors”

Prayer brings us face to face with our need for grace.

We all fall short. We all need forgiveness. But Jesus ties this directly to how we treat others. A forgiven heart must become a forgiving heart.

Holding onto bitterness will quietly poison your soul.

Lesson:
Receive God’s forgiveness—and release others. You can’t walk in freedom while holding onto offense.

6. “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”

This is a prayer for guidance and protection.

We acknowledge our weakness and our need for God’s help in resisting temptation and avoiding paths that lead us away from Him.

We are in a real spiritual battle—and we need God’s strength to stand firm.

Lesson:
Don’t overestimate your strength. Stay close to God and ask Him to guide your steps.

7. “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever”

The prayer ends where it began—with God.

It closes in confidence and worship. No matter what we face, God is in control. His kingdom will prevail. His power is sufficient. His glory will endure.

Lesson:
End your prayers with faith. God is able.

Bringing It All Together

The Lord’s Prayer gives us a clear pattern:

  • Relationship – Our Father
  • Worship – Hallowed be Your name
  • Surrender – Your will be done
  • Provision – Give us our daily bread
  • Forgiveness – Be forgiven and forgive others
  • Protection – Lead us and deliver us
  • Faith – Yours is the kingdom

This is not just a prayer to repeat—it’s a framework to shape your daily walk with God.

A Final Thought

If you want to grow in prayer, don’t aim for length—aim for depth.

Take this prayer slowly. Let each line guide your conversation with God. Some days you may spend ten minutes on just one phrase—and that’s where real transformation happens.

Jesus didn’t just teach us how to pray—He showed us how to live.

And if you build your life on these simple truths, you won’t just pray better—you’ll live closer to God than you ever have before.

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Lessons in Prayer from Jesus

Posted on April 11, 2026 by Mark Cole

If you want to grow in prayer, there’s no better place to look than the life of Jesus. He didn’t just teach about prayer—He modeled it. His prayers were real, consistent, powerful, and deeply relational. When you study how He prayed, you begin to see not just what prayer is, but how it shapes a life that pleases God.

Here are some of the most important lessons we can learn from Jesus about prayer:

1. Prayer Was a Priority, Not an Afterthought

Jesus didn’t squeeze prayer into leftover time—He built His life around it.

He often withdrew to lonely places to pray, sometimes early in the morning, sometimes late at night. Before major decisions—like choosing His disciples—He spent extended time in prayer.

Lesson: If Jesus needed prayer, how much more do we?
Make prayer a fixed part of your day, not something you do only when you’re in trouble.

2. Prayer Is About Relationship, Not Performance

When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He began with: “Our Father…”

That one phrase changes everything. Prayer is not about impressing God with words—it’s about connecting with Him as a loving Father.

Jesus warned against long, showy prayers meant to impress others. Instead, He pointed to simple, sincere, heartfelt communication.

Lesson: Talk to God like a Father who knows you, loves you, and wants to hear from you.

3. Simplicity Matters More Than Length

The prayer Jesus taught (often called the Lord’s Prayer) is short, clear, and powerful. It includes worship, surrender, provision, forgiveness, and guidance—all in a few lines.

Lesson: You don’t need complicated language.
Pray clearly. Pray honestly. Pray from the heart.

4. Surrender Is Central to Prayer

In the Garden of Gethsemane, facing the cross, Jesus prayed:
“Not My will, but Yours be done.”

That’s one of the most profound prayers ever prayed. Even in deep anguish, He submitted to the Father’s will.

Lesson: Real prayer isn’t about getting your way—it’s about aligning your heart with God’s will.

5. Persistence Pays Off

Jesus told parables about persistent prayer—like the widow who kept coming to the judge until she received justice.

He encouraged His followers to keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking.

Lesson: Don’t quit praying too soon.
Some answers take time, and persistence builds faith.

6. Faith Is Essential

Again and again, Jesus connected prayer with faith:
“Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

This doesn’t mean we control outcomes—but it does mean we trust God fully when we pray.

Lesson: Pray expecting God to act. Doubt weakens prayer; faith strengthens it.

7. Prayer and Forgiveness Go Together

Jesus taught that when we pray, we must forgive others.

Unforgiveness hardens the heart and creates a barrier in our relationship with God.

Lesson: Keep short accounts with people. A clean heart leads to powerful prayer.

8. Pray for Others

Jesus regularly prayed for His disciples—and even for those who would believe in Him in the future.

On the cross, He prayed for His enemies: “Father, forgive them.”

Lesson: Prayer isn’t just about your needs.
Intercede for others—your family, your church, your leaders, even those who hurt you.

9. Combine Prayer with Fasting (When Needed)

Jesus fasted and prayed, especially before significant moments of ministry. He also taught that some spiritual breakthroughs come through prayer and fasting.

Lesson: There are seasons where deeper focus is needed. Fasting sharpens your spiritual sensitivity.

10. Prayer Produces Power and Peace

After times of prayer, Jesus moved forward with clarity, authority, and peace—even in the face of opposition.

Prayer didn’t remove challenges—but it prepared Him to face them.

Lesson: Prayer won’t always change your situation immediately—but it will change you—and that changes everything.

Final Thought

Jesus didn’t just teach us to pray—He invited us into the same relationship He had with the Father.

If you want to grow spiritually, don’t overcomplicate it. Start here:

  • Set a daily time
  • Speak honestly
  • Listen quietly
  • Trust deeply
  • Keep going

A strong prayer life isn’t built in a day—but it is built daily.

And over time, you’ll discover what Jesus already knew:
Prayer is not a duty—it’s a lifeline.

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What Makes God Smile?

Posted on April 10, 2026 by Mark Cole

If we had to reduce it to one clear answer, it would be this:

A person who truly loves Him.

Not casually. Not occasionally. But with their whole heart, soul, and mind.

Jesus said this is the greatest commandment—the foundation of everything else. So if we want to know what makes God smile, we start here.

1. Loving God With All Your Heart, Soul, and Mind

God is not primarily looking for performance—He’s looking for love.

  • Heart – affection, passion, desire
  • Soul – your inner life, your devotion
  • Mind – your thoughts, attention, and focus

This kind of love means:

  • You think about Him
  • You want to be with Him
  • You care about what He cares about

It’s not forced. It’s cultivated.

And when God sees someone choosing to love Him fully—not perfectly, but genuinely—that brings Him deep joy.

2. Faith That Flows From Love

Faith isn’t just believing facts about God—it’s trusting Someone you love.

When you love God, you naturally:

  • Trust His promises
  • Lean on Him in difficulty
  • Believe He is good

Faith without love can become mechanical.
But faith rooted in love? That moves the heart of God.

3. Obedience That Comes From Relationship

Jesus made this connection crystal clear:

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

Obedience is no longer about duty—it becomes a response.

You obey not to earn love, but because you already love Him.

That changes everything:

  • You want to please Him
  • You care about His ways
  • You grieve when you fall short

That kind of obedience brings a smile to God’s face.

4. Wanting to Be With Him

Love always moves toward presence.

When you love God:

  • You spend time with Him
  • You talk to Him
  • You listen

Not out of obligation—but desire.

A rushed, distracted life doesn’t reflect love well. But when someone slows down to seek God, it says something powerful:

“Being with You matters to me.”

That never goes unnoticed.

5. Loving What He Loves—People

If you truly love God, it will show in how you treat others.

  • You forgive more quickly
  • You show compassion
  • You serve without needing recognition

Why? Because His heart becomes your heart.

You can’t claim deep love for God while ignoring people made in His image. But when love for others flows naturally from your love for Him—that pleases God deeply.

6. A Heart That Keeps Coming Back

Even those who love God stumble.

But here’s what matters: they come back.

  • They repent
  • They humble themselves
  • They return to Him again and again

That persistence in relationship—that refusal to walk away—is precious to God.

Final Thought

What makes God smile?

Not perfection.
Not activity.
Not even ministry success.

Love.

A real, growing, wholehearted love for Him.

Everything else—faith, obedience, worship, fruitfulness—flows out of that one reality.

So the question isn’t just:
“What am I doing for God?”

It’s this:
“Do I truly love Him—with all my heart, soul, and mind?”

That’s where it begins.
And that’s what makes God smile most.

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What Should I Do to Inherit Eternal Life?

Posted on April 10, 2026 by Mark Cole

It’s one of the most important questions ever asked. A man once came to Jesus with this very concern: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” It’s a question that cuts through religion, culture, and even good intentions. It goes straight to the heart of what really matters—our relationship with God and our eternal destiny.

1. Start With the Right Understanding

The question itself reveals something important: inheritance is not something you earn—it’s something you receive.

You don’t work your way into an inheritance. You are given it because of relationship.

Eternal life is not primarily about what you do—it’s about who you belong to.

2. Recognize That Good Isn’t Good Enough

When Jesus responded, He pointed the man to the commandments—things like not stealing, not committing adultery, honoring parents. The man replied that he had kept them all.

On the surface, that sounds impressive. But Jesus was exposing something deeper: outward obedience doesn’t always equal inward surrender.

Many people today live “good” lives—moral, kind, generous—but still lack a true relationship with God. Eternal life isn’t the reward for being better than others.

It’s about a transformed heart.

3. Deal With What Holds Your Heart

Jesus then told the man to sell his possessions and follow Him. That wasn’t a universal command for everyone to give away everything—it was a direct challenge to what this man loved most.

And that’s where the conversation gets personal.

What is the one thing you hold onto more tightly than God?

  • Success?
  • Comfort?
  • Money?
  • Reputation?
  • Control?

Jesus always puts His finger on the one thing that competes for first place in our lives. Eternal life begins when we surrender that place fully to Him.

4. Follow Jesus—Completely

At its core, the answer to the question is simple, but not easy:

Follow Jesus.

Not casually. Not occasionally. But fully.

This means:

  • Trusting Him as Savior
  • Submitting to Him as Lord
  • Walking with Him daily

Eternal life is not just a future promise—it begins now in a living relationship with Christ.

5. Understand That It’s Impossible—Without God

After the man walked away, Jesus said something striking: “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

That’s the turning point.

You cannot earn eternal life through effort, discipline, or morality. It is a work of God’s grace in your life.

Salvation is not achieved—it is received.

6. Respond in Faith

So what should you do?

  • Believe in Jesus
  • Repent of your sin
  • Surrender your life
  • Follow Him daily

That’s it. But it’s everything.

Final Thought

The man who asked the question walked away sad—because he wasn’t willing to let go of what stood between him and Jesus.

You don’t want to do that.

Eternal life is offered freely—but it will cost you your whole life in return. And when you give it, you’ll discover something remarkable:

You’re not losing your life—you’re finding it.

So the real question is not just, “What should I do?”
It’s, “Are you willing to surrender your life to follow Him?”

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A Weekly Pickleball Improvement Plan (3x Per Week)

Posted on April 10, 2026 by Mark Cole

If you’re playing three times a week, you’re in a sweet spot—not just for enjoyment, but for real improvement. But here’s the truth: just playing games won’t maximize your growth. You need a simple, focused plan.

This weekly rhythm will help you improve steadily without overcomplicating things.

Day 1: Skill Focus + Controlled Play

Goal: Sharpen specific skills

Start your session with 20–30 minutes of intentional practice before jumping into games.

Focus on one or two areas:

  • Third shot drops
  • Dinking consistency
  • Serve and return depth
  • Reset shots under pressure

Then play games—but with purpose:

  • Try to use what you practiced, even if you lose points
  • Don’t worry about winning—this is your “training day”

Mindset: I’m here to improve, not impress.

Day 2: Competitive Play + Strategy

Goal: Apply skills in real games

This is your “game day.”

  • Play full, competitive matches
  • Keep score seriously
  • Play against players who challenge you

Focus on strategy:

  • Target the weaker opponent
  • Control the middle
  • Be patient in rallies
  • Choose high-percentage shots

After each game, take 30 seconds and ask:

  • What worked?
  • What broke down under pressure?

Mindset: Play smart, not just hard.

Day 3: Pressure Training + Touch Game

Goal: Build composure and control

This is where many players plateau—but not you.

Start with:

  • Dinking drills (crosscourt and straight-on)
  • Reset drills (softening hard shots into the kitchen)

Then create pressure situations:

  • Play skinny singles (half court)
  • Play games where you can only score using dinks
  • Start points at the kitchen line

Finish with regular games, focusing on:

  • Staying calm under pressure
  • Extending rallies
  • Letting opponents make mistakes

Mindset: Stay steady, no matter what.

Weekly Focus Rotation

Each week, choose one primary focus:

  • Week 1: Soft game (dinks and drops)
  • Week 2: Net play (volleys and speed-ups)
  • Week 3: Defense (resets and blocks)
  • Week 4: Strategy and shot selection

Then repeat the cycle.

Simple Habits That Will Accelerate Growth

  • Warm up properly – Don’t rush into games cold
  • Watch better players – You’ll learn positioning and timing
  • Play with stronger players – They expose your weaknesses
  • Stay humble and teachable – Growth stops when pride starts

Final Thought

If you just play three times a week, you’ll maintain your level.
If you practice with intention three times a week, you will improve—noticeably.

It doesn’t require more time. It requires more focus.

Stick with this plan for a few months, and you’ll find yourself:

  • More consistent
  • More confident
  • And far more difficult to beat
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10 Advanced Pickleball Tips

Posted on April 10, 2026 by Mark Cole

Once you’ve grasped the basics, improvement in pickleball becomes more intentional. At higher levels, it’s no longer about just getting the ball back—it’s about control, strategy, and discipline. These advanced tips will help you move from a solid player to a serious competitor.

1. Control the Tempo of the Game

Great players don’t just react—they dictate pace. Learn when to slow the game down with dinks and when to speed it up with a well-timed drive or volley. If you control the tempo, you control the match.

2. Develop a Reliable Third Shot Drop

This is one of the most important shots in advanced play. A soft, accurate third shot drop allows you to move from defense to offense and get to the kitchen line safely. Practice this relentlessly.

3. Learn to Reset Under Pressure

When your opponents are attacking, your goal isn’t to win the point—it’s to neutralize it. A soft reset shot into the kitchen can turn a losing rally into a winnable one.

4. Use Placement Over Power

At higher levels, power alone won’t win points. Aim for your opponent’s feet, backhand, or open court. Precision forces errors and creates opportunities.

5. Disguise Your Shots

Don’t telegraph your intentions. Use similar preparation for dinks, drives, and speed-ups. The later your opponent realizes what you’re doing, the more effective your shot becomes.

6. Master the Backhand

Many players avoid their backhand—advanced players rely on it. A strong, controlled backhand (especially for dinks and blocks) makes you far more difficult to exploit.

7. Anticipate, Don’t Just React

Watch your opponent’s paddle angle, body position, and tendencies. The best players are already moving before the ball is struck because they’ve learned to read the game.

8. Dominate the Middle

In doubles, the middle is often the smartest place to hit. It creates confusion, reduces angles, and targets the weakest coverage area. Teams that control the middle win more points.

9. Stay Mentally Steady

Advanced games are often decided by a few points. Avoid emotional swings. A calm, focused player will outperform a more talented but inconsistent one every time.

10. Play High-Percentage Pickleball

This is where maturity shows. Don’t go for low-percentage winners. Choose smart, repeatable shots that keep you in control of the rally. Over time, consistency beats flashiness.

Final Thought:
At the advanced level, pickleball becomes a thinking game. Patience, awareness, and discipline separate the good from the great. If you commit to these principles, you won’t just play better—you’ll start to understand the game at a deeper level.

Up next: If you want to keep growing, here is a weekly improvement plan.

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