3 Reasons You Need a B-Team

* This is an excerpt from the audio message 3 Reasons You Need a B-Team, given at Living Word Church on November 19th.

“Who are you to tell me what I need?”

Maybe that’s not what you are thinking, but a few years ago I might have if I saw this article. But today? It is no exaggeration, I believe everyone needs a B-Team.

The obvious next question is, if this B-Team is so important, what in the world is it?

At the end of 2016, God told me I needed to take another step to getting free from a Lone Ranger lifestyle. I don’t know whether He or I came up with the term B-Team (B is for my name, Bob, you could name your team anything), but I know the idea is something He initiated. Very simply, it was a team of a few brothers that have been encouragement, support and who have challenged me to grow in this season of life. So, when I found myself discouraged, having a bad day or week I would contact my B-Team by message, call or meeting. When I was facing a difficult situation, or I had really blown it by losing my patience with my family, I would contact my team to share what I had done and ask for prayer support.

It may not seem that monumental but there are 3 reasons this is absolutely changing my life and it will change anyone who will give it a try on a consistent basis.

To listen to the audio message ‘3 Reasons You Need a B-Team‘ click -> HERE

Here are the 3 reasons you need a B-Team:

Freedom – The number one reason you need a B-Team is because freedom lives in light. Actually, grace, love, strength, faith, and humility all live in the light! Sometimes we live our lives with the idea that the only thing worse than being bound in dysfunction and destructive behaviors is being found out.

Hiding my struggle and weakness says, “I would rather be bound than found.”

Father has brought me to truth in James 5:16 over and over again “confess your faults and be healed.” I have come to realize that secret cycles of sin, struggle and dysfunction are lasting cycles. The longer I keep them a secret because of fear and shame the longer I will face losing battles in those areas. John 3:20 says we avoid light for “fear of sins being exposed.” Fear is always based on a lie and fear says, “if you step into the light you will be shamed and exposed.” TRUTH says, “step into the light and you will be covered.”

2. Celebration – The second reason you need a B-Team is because there’s no party in solitary. One of the greatest punishments in prison is solitary confinement. We are surrounded by people but we keep the good things to ourselves and live a life of solitary celebration which isn’t really that celebratory. We sometimes forget that God is a God of celebration! He actually instituted 7 annual feasts in Jewish calendar to remember and celebrate what He had done and what He was going to do. Jesus told us there is a party in heaven when person comes to know Him! He rejoices over you and celebrates your progress and growth.

If we are going to look and live more like He does, we will have to celebrate the joys others are experiencing (Romans 12:15 rejoice and mourn with those that are as well).

Celebration teaches us to see and expect the goodness of God in our lives.

When we celebrate together we learn that we are not alone and maintain a sense of hope and expectation together. Celebrating together is a reflection of God’s nature! (click that sentence for some cool info about “together”)

3. Stewardship – The final reason you need a B-Team is that I can’t care for you well if I don’t care for me well. It is about stewardship of the gift of your own heart.

QUESTION: What would you do if you were walking down the street and you came around the corner to see your best friend being attacked by a couple strangers on the street? MOST of you would find your inner HULK and do something about it!

Have you ever found it easier to fight for others than for your self? Sometimes we get beat up in our thoughts and emotions by our self or the enemy think that is ok. Many times we even take it a step further because we think we deserve it! We sometimes believe we deserve the abuse of condemnation, the abuse of isolation, the abuse of accusation, the abuse of performance, failure and perfectionism so we allow or agree with nasty thoughts and feelings about ourselves.

WHY ?? Because we are trying to pay for something Jesus already bought!

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Finding and engaging a B-Team is taking responsibility to see to it that I am loved and cared for instead of just randomly hoping it happens. If I never took my car to have regular maintenance, I wouldn’t say, “no one loves my car, why is it broken uncared for and neglected?” But, sometimes our hearts suffer from a lack of maintenance because we don’t put them in places to be cared for by Father and His family. Here are 3 reasons we all need a B-Team for our hearts. We have to take responsibility to insure our heart is cared for. There are some practical ideas to choosing your team in the discussion below. Who are those you could consider to be a support? Start with even just one person and you will be better off for it sooner than later.

Break it down and apply it with some coffee for friends:

Have you ever blamed your family, community, church or friends for your car not having maintenance done? Have you ever been angry with others for your heart not having care? Is our “soul care” our responsibility or others? How so?
How do I begin to gather my own B-Team? It probably should only be a couple to begin with:
- Who is someone that has been an encourager to you?
- Who is someone right now that is sharing the load with you in prayer or support?
- Who is someone that challenges you to grow?
- Who are those that stand with you in difficulty?
Take a look at ‭‭James‬ ‭1:22‬ ‭NLT‬‬, “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.”
- Also look at James 5:16, 1 John 1:6-7, Romans 12:15, Galatians 6:2
Is it possible to fulfill these verses like James 1 says and live an isolated life? Why or why not?
Find Small group, a support group for an issue you are facing, begin with one friend, mentor, encourager. Contact one or 2 people today and let them know how they have encouraged or blessed you. Ask if they would consider being on your team for 2018.