The Believer's Armor

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. (Ephesians 6:13-15)

This past weekend my son gave the message at the Boys Correctional Facility. The boys were really down when they came in to the Chapel area. Apparently one of them had lied about something and didn't want to admit it, so they were all being punished.

My son started to play a game with them called Battle, where each side had to find a scripture. Whoever found it first and read got points. They began to get involved and after the game was over, he talked to them about what it was like being a Mavericks ManiACC and being a Christian. He also gave them some of his testimony about growing up. He explained that sometimes we look at people and think they have it all together, but everyone struggles. He explained no one is sucessful without working at it. He went on to talk about how we all want instant gratification and we have a tendency to think if we only had this or that, it would be the thing that satisfies, but no matter what we have, we will never find that satisfaction in things!

As he went through the Armor of God, he mentioned of course all the pieces of armor but talked about how the Breastplate protects our heart and the Helmet of Salvation protects our mind. Then he followed it up with how we need to be looking for answers, for acceptance in God, in His Word because it is the only thing that satisfies.

He also talked about how we sometimes give God a checklist and we say to Him, "God I go to church, I tithe, I serve others, I don't do this, I don't do that and so now God where are you? Why haven't you answered my prayers? Why am I still going through this?

I was so blessed, I could go on and on with all of the points and the things he pointed out in the Armor, but this post would be too long. To make a long story short, I want to say, the boys were all standing and clapping when it was over. They wanted pictures with him and the young man who came with him to play the guitar. I was truly proud of the boys at the Correctional Facility. They were raising their hands and thanking them for taking the time to come and asked them to come back.

I always remember this saying I heard years ago...people may not remember everything you said, but they will remember how you made them feel. I know each boy there felt loved and accepted when we all left. Two came up after the service and asked if we would pray with them to accept Christ. It was an awesome time in the Lord.