I continue to share from my time in Cuba the last two weeks, but I also want to ask you to pray for something special going on at The Community Fellowship.
This Sunday we are hosting a First Responder Appreciation Day for all police, fire, EMS and 911 workers. Please help us share this opportunity. Also, we will be starting Cop Church, a Bible study for first responders that will take place the first Monday and third Wednesday of each month. Pray for the impact on these special people.
Back to Cuba. As I have shared already one of the best parts of the trip was the time I spent with the leaders of the sports ministry. These are incredible people who have taken the call of God to serve and disciple athletes. The opportunities in their ministry really are huge and various.
What does it take to have a great team? I am asking from a spiritual point of view. How would God desire that we act and live toward our team? During our time together I saw these people do some things that touched my heart and was sincere in every way. These things will help you and me also have a great team, or a great family.
Pray for each other.
James 5:16 NASB
Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. A prayer of a righteous person, when it is brought about, can accomplish much.
Pray all the time. Pray when someone comes to your mind. Pray when you are with them and when you are not. Praying for someone may very well be the best way to love them, and let them know you are praying.
Serve one another
Galatians 5:13 NASB
For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.
There are many ways to serve people. Look for needs. Look for things happening where you can make their life richer or sweeter or easier. Go out of your way to do for someone who cannot return what you do for them.
Fight for one another
Jude 1:23-24 NASB
And have mercy on some, who are doubting; 23 save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.
Fighting is not about using your fist or being aggressive. This fighting is to make a person better and stronger. It could be in being honest about a situation or going with them to care for something that is difficult. Fighting for someone really is about being together to accomplish a task that the two or more of you can do in a better way.
This team in Cuba is amazing and doing these three things. Praying. Serving. Fighting. And doing all of them as a group.
In my time there I met some people that are getting it done and making a difference in the lives of people. Let me introduce you to a few of them.
Lazero. There are a lot of men by this name. But the first full day I was in town I entered the home of a gracious man. His wife is a nurse. He introduced me to two of the men he has discipled. He shared about how they and others are acting as chaplains and coaches of sports teams and sharing the Gospel with each. Lazero was excited about the strategy and has a heart of gold.
Julio. The next day I met an older gentleman who shared with me his testimony. He has been in prison and met Jesus as Savior along the way. His earlier life was a tough one and not pretty. Most recently his home had collapsed and he was staying in a small room at his church until his home could be repaired. Julio shared how he is impacting the lives of athletes by sharing his testimony and taking them through the word of God. This meeting was so inspiring.
Then some great sports teams and coaches. I was able to share a message with three different sports teams. A couple were baseball teams of men up to their early 20’s. Another was a soccer team of teenagers. Each listened closely as we talked about following God and being committed to His word and to living a life of faith.
Again I want to say thank you to all who supported, encouraged, prayed and helped make this trip possible. There are more trips and more times of encouragement coming. I will go back to Cuba in September with a large team. Would you like to be part of that?
Furthermore, I encourage you to build a great team around you and as well ensure that your family is strong. Pray for one another. Serve one another. Fight for one another. See what God has in store for you as you seek Him!
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