As we welcome in 2021, I welcome you to the first Team Talk of the year. Although we are facing the same virus and many of the same challenges and uncertainties that came with it last year, we will surely be presented with new challenges unique to this season.
The sporting season is hanging in the balance and we who love sport — and maybe even have a career in sport — are waiting patiently for the powers-that-be to make decisions regarding our respective sports. And we know that even these decisions can easily change from month to month or even week to week. In this time we must hold onto our faith in Jesus Christ and keep on being a light in the darkness of uncertainty and hopelessness
I have prepared some food for thought for you. Let us continue to pray without ceasing and reach out to others as many people, whatever field they are in, are carrying heavy burdens at this time.
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May the Lord bless you and your family this year and may you walk in His love and experience His joy always. God is doing great things in the sporting world regardless and I am so amped to bring you encouraging testimonies in future editions of Team Talk that will both inspire your heart and give you hope to never give up. To fight the good fight. You can and will do all things this year in and through the strength Christ gives us. Amen.
Read: Acts 9:1-31
Vs 17: Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
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I recall a time when I was partying hard, using and selling drugs, that I suddenly had the desire to pray and seek God. This is going to sound crazy but I would be in the club, with drugs in hand and suddenly praying and asking God to protect me and set me free. It was a few weeks later that I had an encounter with Jesus and He began to move in my life.
Later I found out that my mother, bless her heart, had been praying for me and so was my aunt and my cousin. I also found out that my mom’s Bible study group were also praying for me. A group of complete strangers to me. The love they had for Jesus and for my mom and I drove them to pray for me.
Love for Jesus will do that. It will drive you to pray for people. It will drive you to pray for complete strangers. It will drive you to pray for those who have hurt you. It will drive you to pray even for your enemies. ( Matthew 5:44)
Ananias was praying and the Lord spoke to him about going to pray for Saul, who later became Paul, a great apostle of Jesus who performed many great miracles and reached many people for the Kingdom of God. Ananias was a complete stranger to Saul but he was obedient to God and played a significant role in Saul’s life, just like those dear ladies played in mine. I owe my life to them and of course to God.
I also want to mention the many faithful men and women of God who pray day and night for the suburbs, cities and countries they reside in. I believe that it is their obedience and love for Jesus that moves the hand of God to do what only He can do, reconcile man to himself. ( James 5:16)
Beloved, I urge you to be obedient to Gods word. To pray daily, not only for your family ( this is very important), but also for your team mates, coaches and support staff. Be ready for when God prompts you to give someone an encouraging word or a message of hope. Be ready to go and visit an injured player in the rehab/recovery room. God may even prompt you to go and pray for a rival athlete who is going through bad form or a difficult time. Let’s pray for the many passionate fans that usually attend games but cannot. Pray that those who do not know Jesus will have an encounter with Him.
So many people are praying for us every day. Most of them complete strangers. I came to know Jesus and received healing and deliverance because someone decided to pray for me. Glory to God. Thank you Jesus.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, may my ears be open to hear when you are prompting me to reach out to others and please give me the courage to be obedient to you in Jesus name. Amen.
God bless
JP Flugel
fusionsportsministry@gmail.com
