The huddle is where the next play is being called out.  This gives the team the plan of the route that is necessary to keep the ball moving down the field offensively to score, but defensively, it’s a plan to stop the opponent from scoring.  It’s the same for us as Christians.  We need an offense plan as well as a defense plan.  The trick of it all is that sometimes there is no huddle to call out a plan that can be executed very well; it’s missed its main route of action.  Here’s a scripture to get us to understand how important it is to be in a huddle to execute a plan.  1 Corinthians 1:10 “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”  So, if a wide receiver chooses not to run their route accordingly as agreed within a huddle the plan won’t go too well.  This also puts the quarterback in a position where he won’t be able to throw the ball where it needs to be.  This means there’s no agreement with the quarterback and the wide receiver now.  The same thing can happen with the running back. If the plan says go right and they go left, there’s no agreement and the plan is busted up from the word hike.  Remember, that all routes plan whether it’s offense or defense; timing is involved.  Do we really need to huddle up and have a plan of agreement? Yes, it’s the strategy of conquering the enemy that is needed.
 
      Think about Habakkuk 2:2 “And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.”  What can this tell us?  This represents a team who spends time practicing together and going over the plays again and again.  This is to help those players to come into an agreement quicker in the huddle so, they are able to execute their plan promptly.  What’s a unique thing about this is? It’s a plan from the head coach who oversees the victory.  Who gives out such a plan for us Christians?  God does and it’s in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”  This is a promise of God.  Again, if, we don’t come into an agreement during his huddle time to get into tune with his plan, we will not get very far.  We must understand that God doesn’t break his promise; it’s us who breaks the promise by not following God’s plan for our life.  Can we see the structure of how powerful a huddle is necessary even with God?  What other way can a huddle show a power of agreement?
 
     The huddle can also be used as a quick pep talk to bring encouragement.  Remember, a lot can be said in a few brief seconds. So, yes a quick pep talk in a huddle can be a link to a power of agreement.  For example, a star player goes down and an important play is needed to be executed, a quick pep talk is needed to help bring an agreement to say, “It still can be done.” This may be a funny way of showing it, but let’s look at Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 “9) Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10) For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.”   Can you see it?  The star player may have gone down and had to sit out on a major play, but the whole team isn’t down.  That’s when a quick pep talk can be a reminder that they’re still a team and need to agree with that, so they can have confidence to continue to keep going.  Let’s go to another scripture that can be used in a huddle.  Matthew 18:19-20 “19) Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20) For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”  Notice, if the team can’t agree, the play will be damaged once the ball is hiked.  So, we need to always remember verse 20 “gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”  What can also be so special about this?  This implies that even the head coach and the rest of the coaches know there needs to be an agreement and it should be relayed in the huddle, so the play can still take place.  Here, we can show a funny way of showing the Trinity in a huddle.  It’s in verse 1 John 5:4-7 “4) For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5) Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 6) This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7) For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”  We can see from the last verse it’s just like saying the coaches even know it can be done and they are in support with the team.  WOW!  What an agreement.  Now, can we see how a huddle can really define unity within a team?  We, as Christians, have the best coaches available to overcome our enemy whether we are on offense or defense.  This means when a player is down, it’s time to step up and help secure that victory together when we’re called into the huddle.
 
     It’s time to huddle up and come into an agreement with God’s plans and see the winning victory whether we are obtaining or protecting our blessing.  Let’s also huddle up as a team and agree to help others to get to know Jesus as Lord and Savior, so they can obtain the winning victory as well.
 
     Anyone not saved and received this message and wants to be a part of this huddle. Go to "Do You Know Jesus" Link and read the salvation message and get into the Jesus huddle with the rest of the team.

​This teaching will take you from the pieces of leather, sewing threads that hold it together, reason for the laces, and to the air put in the football can represent why we should partner with the Trinity. Then we will also see the Leather as a protection.

First we must remember we were called to work with the Trinity since the beginning and were made in the image of God which can be found in Genesis 1:26 “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” also in Ephesians 2:6 “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ  Jesus:” Now we can fully see we are to have a full relationship with God. Now! What does this have to do with all football pieces?

Well a football has four pieces of leather. These four pieces represent four different people. That means each piece of leather is important and if there is a piece missing it will not look like a football. Time to make the leather pieces start looking more like a football.  How? We have to sew those pieces together. The same goes for use we have to begin a relationship with the Trinity. How can we begin this process?  First piece, we already talked about it from the two scriptures above made in God’s image.   Second piece, we acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and Savior. This can be found in Romans 2:23 and Romans 10:9-10 which leads us to salvation. Third, this will lead us to know the Holy Spirit. Why? Jesus said he left us with the comforter in John 14:26 “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” We should now see how we are the fourth piece look at Ephesians 6:20 “For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” Wow! Look at the underlined section we are part of working with the Trinity.

Now let’s talk about the being sewn together. What is so important about this it gives us strength to work together?  We can look at this from two points of views. First view is when one of us is weak because the Trinity isn’t. The Trinity is there to help us out Ecclesiastes 4:12 “And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Second view is us working with the Trinity to build God’s Kingdom here on earth. Look at these two scriptures 1 Corinthians 3:6 “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” and Ezekiel 37:9 “Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.” Notice the underlined words? These four winds say symbolically we are working with the Trinity.  So, this should be a clear picture that we are to be working with the Trinity.

The laces tell us about our griping point on the football and our alignment of our walk with the Trinity.  How can this be?  When we get ready to snap a football the laces have to be in alignment with the quarterback’s hands. Why? It places the laces into a position for the quarterback to already have a grip on the ball so he can throw it.  Now for the kicker it is the positioning of the laces. This helps it to guide the football through the goal post. How can we get a grip and alignment in our spiritual walk? First we can obtain a grip by referring back to Joshua 1:8 “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Second, we align ourselves to what he wants us to get done so look back at Habakkuk 2:1-3 “1) I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. 2) And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. 3) For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”

Then you must put air in the football to help it take its shape. If the football is flat it still doesn’t quite look like a football as if it was properly aired up or even works effectively. This means we have two different looks and how those looks affect us. Either we show a representation of Jesus in us (inflated) or we don’t (deflated). Let’s take a look at 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” this says it all when we take on Christ we are inflated and people can see it and our attitude will begin to show it as well.  We are deflated if this scripture can’t describe us to others.

The leather also conceals and protects the air inside of the football. The Leather cover holds the bible together and it conceals the plans for our life. We must remember air gives us life. The word gives us life as well. The leather will protect are air to see our protection Jesus sealed us forever by accepting him John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” God kept his promise of sealing us think about Hebrews 13:5 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Let’s not forget about Jesus sending the Comforter as mentioned in John 14:26.

​The Lord spoke and said take notice that prayer is mostly used to protect or to ask for prevention of the enemy from attacking what belongs to my children, their family and friends it’s time to get into a defensive mode.  In football Defensive Players are like prayer warriors.  A Defensive Players job is to protect the goal line behind them. They are to prevent the other team from making a score. When the opponent scores that means they are winning.  How do they stop them from scoring? By tackle, intercepting, causing the opponent to fumble, and all the other ways they can stop them from scoring. Let’s take this to a spiritual level.  The goal line they are defending is like all their blessing. Now their job is to stop the enemy from coming in and taking away the blessings. Today we need to be just like the defensive players and get into stopping the enemy’s attack.  We call this Prayer.
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Recognizing the attacks:
In football the defensive players are trained to recognize the opponent’s plays. Then they set-up their defense by what they see.  What so unique about this are two things: They can either cause the opponent to call a time out and change their plan or to go with it and overcome the defense. Us Christians need to recognize the same thing. We must find study material, bible study classes, and any other resources to defend our blessings that belong to us. Here are a few scriptures on how the enemy can attack: John 10:10 “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:”, 1Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:“ (all out attack on these two scriptures), and Genesis 3:3 “But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.” (trickery) this is just a few to mention. We need to be able to see these attacks ourselves just like those defensive players and put a stop to our enemy from entering in and taking our blessings from us, our family and friends. Alright! Now we can start defending what belongs to us.

Work as a team:
A true defensive team knows they got other players on their team. They also know that they need to work together to stop the opponent from scoring. They know that each players role not the same as theirs. They all have a unique position and do different types of jobs in stopping that opponent from scoring. Today, Christians need the same thing in our prayer team. That is to work together to stop the enemy from entering each other’s goal line. We all have our own unique scriptures that we like to use to combat the enemy. So this is the big picture each of our one or two verses added to two or more others verses from others become a team of verses that can combat the enemy. We then take down the enemy’s attack a lot easier. Here are a few scriptures to remind us we need a defensive team: Ecclesiastes 4:9 “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.”, Matthew 18:19-20 19) “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20) For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” and Joshua 6:3 “And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days.” WOW! What a team we have now.

Using the scriptures:
Did you notice that the players have on equipment? The equipment is used to protect them as they get physical with their opponents. After, they put them on they can begin taking on their opponent. We should do the same in our prayer walk as well by referring to Ephesians 6:13 “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” to the end of the chapter. Now that we have our equipment; let’s start using scriptures to tackle and stop the enemy from progressing forward. Some good examples to start with: 1Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” and James 4:7 “Submit   yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” to open up prayer with. Then 1Peter 2:24 “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” and Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.” these and any other scriptures we can apply in stopping the enemy from his progression. Halleluiah! It’s time to give our Lord Praise and Glory of Victory for answering our prayers and start receiving our victory.

IMPORTANT CLOSING:
We must understand this!  Our Lord and Savor will never leave us. Just keep looking for that victory to come to pass. 2Chornicles 15:2 “And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.”

​The Lord said, “My people should be like good coaches who really understand the rules and know when to throw the challenge flag out.”  Please, explain the rules to us Lord?  “My verses (the word) are the rules!” says the Lord.  Now explain the process Lord!  “I will give you three words Stance, Knowing, and Action.  Like coaches they have to make a stance and know they have the power to use the rules (having a stance Jesus inside), had to study the rules to get full understanding (knowing the Word), and then they can pull out and throw the red flag out (take Action)”, said the Lord.  Okay! Let’s look at how we can begin pulling out and throwing that challenge flag.  “Just don’t forget my mercy and grace is in place for the coaches and you.  That is how I get theirs and your attention “that I am that I am.” said the Lord.  Please read the closing for more about his mercy and grace towards our life as well.

​
STANCE: Coaches take a stance because they understand their position and authority.  What kind of stance do we need?  Stance here has two applications to it: Did we make Jesus Lord of our life (position)?  (Psalms 27:1 A Psalm of David.  The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?)  Do we believe what his word can do for us (authority)?  This scripture implies we can co-reign and co-rule with Jesus inside of us.  Philipians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.  This proves our stance is good.  How?  “The Lord Is my light and salvation” in Psalms 27:1 confirms Jesus is in our heart and lord of our life (stance or position), and “I can do all things through Christ” in Philipians 4:13 clearly state’s our faith in his word for our lives and through him we can use his word (authority).  WOW!  What a stance!  This opens the door for us to start reaching for that flag too.

KNOWING: Coaches, who take time out to read and study the rule book; will know whether they can throw out the flag or not.  Do we really know the word and why it’s so important to know it?  Do we even know what scripture to stand on?  Why?  We can’t even challenge if we don’t even have a scripture to stand on?  Remember were challenged by the action of satan who’s come to challenge us. Look at these scriptures: “John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:” and “1Peter 5:8-9: 8) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9) Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”  The enemy knows what he’s challenging it’s our stance and strength.  Well Good News!  We can start standing right here with this scripture.  Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success, and  John 10:10 I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.  Now were studying the word properly which leads to knowing the word.  Now!  We can defeat our enemy’s attacks just like the coaches.  ALRIGHT! Now we can pull out that flag.

ACTION: Now the coach finally throws that flag.  He is taking action with the rules (word). Why?  Because he knows where he stands (position) and is fully confident in knowing the rules (word). We can take that same action by using Jesus’ name.  Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.  John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.  Halleluiah! This says we trust and believe the word and we can use his word for our victory.  Now! We can throw the flag.

IMPORTANT CLOSING: We must understand this! Just like the coaches when they don’t study the rules fully or make mistakes.  By God's grace, things happen and they get that break.  The Lord gives us all kinds of opportunities; especially when we don’t deserve them.  Where do they show up at?  When we think were lucky, can’t understand what just happened, and etc. Were just like the coaches when we don’t recognize or accept his word (Jesus) right away.  This means his love was there! Please take time to read the salvation on the back.

​The running back is in a unique position. Their position is to be next to the quarterback. Our position should be the same as the running back. We should always be that close to our Lord and Savior (Quarterback).  When the running back gets in their position; they’re ready to receive a hand off (the plan).   Meaning the ball can be given to them at any time.  When the ball is handed to them; they know what their objective is now (the plan). They will execute out the plan to gain the entire yardage they can get. The goal is a first down all the way to the end zone for a touchdown. Let’s see how this position should work in our lives. This message will talk about our position (relationship with someone), receiving (being in the right place), and executing to reach our goal (the plan) whether it be a first down or a touchdown.

​
​POSITION:
What is so promising about being in position?  It’s about a relationship with someone.
“Relationship with someone” = When we are this close to our Lord he have established a relationship with him. John 15:5 “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing”.  Notice Jesus is the vine (quarterback). We are the branches (running back). This closeness will allow us to communicate and understand each other so that we won’t have any flaws.

RECEIVING:
“Being in the right place” = Says we are in position.
Our objective is to being ready to receive that hand off which contains his plan.  Habakkak 2:1-3 “1: I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. 2: And the LORD answered me, and said, write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. 3: For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” These verses should give us the indication of being in the right place to receive his plan.  We need to be in that right place; if not a bad hand off could take place. In football, we call this a fumble.

EXECUTING: 
“Reaching our goal” = Execute means we are required to do the plan the Lord has given us.
​ His first plan is to help spread his word. Mark 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”  The running back (us) is now required to executing the plan. The words “Go ye” meaning “We go” tells us he has given us a plan we’re to accomplish for him. When we do this it’s not about brownie points.  This is a plan for everyone to help others to reach their first down marker (salvation). This also helps others to reach their touchdown (blessings to the fullest) as well.
 
IMPORTANT CLOSING:
 We must understand this! When the Lord gives us a plan to execute; he already trusts us to accomplish it.  It means we have his approval!  It’s time we get busy with the plan.

    We know that a wide receiver is someone who catches a pass from the quarterback and tries to make forward progress from catching that pass.  That catch can result from a few yards or to the end zone for a touchdown.  Well the Lord showed sometimes unique about a receiver.  A receiver is like a lost person in this world.  They’re down the field away from their  teammates.  This is symbolic to us who aren’t close to Jesus, Father God, and the Holy Spirit.  A receiver who is down the field is like someone who looks lost and running in all direction that is going  nowhere. Could this be us?  Are we looking for something to get our life back on track?  Look at it from this stand point!  We know that a  receiver is looking for a football to catch and make a difference. Why do we say that? Well think about it!  That receiver is down the field; no longer by his teammates and is looking in the air for that catch.  We need to be in position and ready to receive something that will make a difference in our lives. How can we do this?  It’s time to repent.  Matthew 4:17 says “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  We are now putting ourselves into position to receive that football (Jesus our Salvation into eternal life).  Just reach out and receive that catch and so things can turn around.  That is what receiver does.  They want to catch that ball in a game and move forward.
 
     What happens when a receiver goes after his catch?  They will either catch the ball and make progress or miss it by taking their eyes off of it, couldn’t get a hold of the ball securely, or a defender blocks it to prevent the receiver from catching the ball, or the defender intercepts it and steals it completely.  Think about it! This is what happens to us when it comes to receiving God’s word. We catch the word and move forward, or take our eyes off of it and miss the blessing, or the enemy steps in for a block or intercepts it.
Salvation happens the same way.  Our Heavenly Father throws us a pass.  Do we and receive it or miss the big catch?  The big catch is what?  Do we accept Jesus?  John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  WOW!  Jesus is our football that we need to catch.  Do you get it now?  We are lost going down the field until we receive that invitation (football) coming our way.  When you catch it!  It will cause us to move forward and can lead us to move forward (blessings) up to a touchdown (full blessings).  We need to see no matter how far down the field we are the Father can always send his invitation to us.  We’re never to deep that we can’t receive his word.  WOW!  This is great news for us.  What is next is very important to us.

     First, don’t take our eyes off the word (football).  Second, don’t allow the enemy to come into play by blocking it or intercept it.  Why?  He can stop us from catching our pass.  This is found in John 10:10 “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:”.  The first half of the verse is what the enemy does.  First, he comes in for the block (steal).  Second he attempts to intercept it (kill).  Third, he makes the interception (destroy).  So, we must be aware of his defense attacks.  Let’s learn how to break away from our coverage that’s stopping us from receiving and going forward.  It’s important in a passing game: to lose our man that is covering us by faking him out by doing a good footwork move to breaking away from him.  We can do this by following this verse James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”  Did you catch it?  We resist the devil: did a fake move on him by doing some fancy foot work to divert him from making a play on us and was able to catch that blessing of salvation or any other blessings that we are trying to receive from the Father through Jesus’ name.

Closing
     We hope you take time out and receive this message and look on the back of this tract and accept the salvation of the Lord and get your catch and be on your way to a touchdown.