Words we train by
Every rotating quote from our home page, listed in full with its reference and source — so you can read, memorize, and come back to the words that shape how we train.
God's Word
Psalm 144:1 (ESV)
Trains My Hands
“Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle.” The training belongs to God, and so does the outcome — strong hands, humble hearts.
Source: Psalm 144:1, The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV)
“Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle.” — this is the verse behind our name and our seal.
Proverbs 27:17 (ESV)
Iron Sharpens Iron
Your partner is not your opponent. Sharpening happens through friction that leaves both men better, not broken.
Source: Proverbs 27:17, The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV)
Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
Rak Chazak
“Be strong and courageous… for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Courage is a decision you make before you step on the mat.
Source: Joshua 1:9, The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV)
1 Timothy 4:7–8 (ESV)
Train For Godliness
Mat time builds the body. We use the same repetition — showing up, drilling, correcting — to train the heart.
Source: 1 Timothy 4:7–8, The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV)
Before we gather, we read. Here is one approved verse to hold onto each month, from your chosen start month through the next session — so we arrive on the mat already meditating on the same words.
Start the plan from
Reading plan starts in August 2026 (this month). Your choice is remembered on this device.
Reading plan updated: 4 months starting August 2026. First verse: Psalm 144:1, The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV).
Use the arrow keys to move between months, Home and End to jump to the first or last month, and Tab to reach the source link inside the focused month.
This month
Trains My Hands
Psalm 144:1 (ESV)
Source: Psalm 144:1, The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV)
Rak Chazak
Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
Source: Joshua 1:9, The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV)
Iron Sharpens Iron
Proverbs 27:17 (ESV)
Source: Proverbs 27:17, The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV)
Train For Godliness
1 Timothy 4:7–8 (ESV)
Source: 1 Timothy 4:7–8, The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV)
Want a nudge each month? Add the plan to your calendar and you'll get one reminder on the 1st at 7:00 AM Central with that month's verse and a link straight to it. Reminders live in your own calendar — no signup, no list, nothing stored.
Add monthly verse remindersDownloads a calendar file with 4 reminders, starting August 2026. Works with Apple Calendar, Google Calendar, and Outlook.
The reading order starts again at the top after the last verse. Memorize the month's verse before you step on the mat — we often echo it during warm-up.
One short email on the 1st of each month with that month's verse and a link to read and share it. Email only — unsubscribe from any email.
Preview before you opt in
Straight away when you sign up
Subject: Your monthly verse starts now — Psalm 144:1, The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV)
Trains My HandsPsalm 144:1 (ESV) — Psalm 144:1, The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV)Read Psalm 144:1, The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) — the verse link included in this email
Next scheduled send — September 1, 2026, 7:00 AM Central
Subject: September 2026 verse — Joshua 1:9, The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV)
Rak ChazakJoshua 1:9 (ESV) — Joshua 1:9, The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV)Read Joshua 1:9, The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) — the verse link included in this email
Heard at the mat
Pastor Keith Craft
Choose Your Hard
Every man chooses a hard. The hard of discipline, training, and prayer today — or the hard of regret and weakness later. On the mats we learn to choose the first hard, on purpose, alongside brothers.
Source: Pastor Keith Craft, Elevate Life Church, McKinney TX
These are the words we train on. Come put them into practice alongside brothers who are choosing the same hard.
