A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.

Ease 75%, Level 6.8 [NLT]

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Grace and Peace be with you Christ's Soldier!

Today we read from the letter of Paul to the Ephesians. Paul was a great apostle. After Jesus had gone up to heaven, he chose Paul to help him. Paul never met Jesus on earth, but he knew the disciples. Paul traveled very far and often. He set up churches all over Asia and Europe. He would write letters to the churches to help them. He wanted to warn them of danger and evil. He wanted to make them strong and good. Today we hear him speak of being Christ's soldiers.

Paul said that we need to put on the armor of God. He said that would help us to stand firm against the Devil. He then named off every type of armor and weapon that a soldier of the Roman army used. He told how that was like a spiritual weapon or armor.

Do you remember the picture of your Uncle in Iraq last month? He had his rifle and a special vest. It was his "breastplate" to protect him. We don't call it a breastplate today. It is called "body armor". It helps to protect against bullets and bomb shrapnel. Your Uncle has a helmet too, and boots, a bayonet, a knife, and sometimes he may travel in an armored HUMVEE car that shields him. Well, Paul said that we could get spiritual armor to help keep the Devil from shooting us. Now regular Army weapons won't work against the Devil and his evil angels. It takes special armor from God. We need all of it. Let's look at what Paul told the Ephesians to take up.

• Belt of Truth
  You must put on the truth. You must wear it always like a belt about you. The truth will support your other weapons like a military belt. The truth will keep your body armor in place. The truth will set you free of sin and worry. Jesus Christ is truth; he said so... "I am the way, and the life, and the truth".
• Breastplate of Righteousness
  This armor is for your chest. It gives you the power to do what is right in the sight of God. In the Order of Centurions, Christ's soldiers always try to do what is right. We say, like Peter, "Fear God and do what is Right." That is sometimes a hard thing to do. No man can always do what is right. But with God's help we can always try. Jesus said, "No man is Good... only God." So God wants to help us to do good, but we must put on the Breastplate of Righteousness!
• Sandals of the Gospel of Peace
  Now, today, many soldiers wear combat boots. But in Paul's day, they had very good sandals to put on their feet. These were strong and of good leather. They had hard nails so they would not wear out on the Roman roads. The legionaries walked long and hard everywhere they went. Well, Paul wants our feet covered with the Gospel of Peace. Wherever we go, we should take peace with us, and Jesus will "guide our feet into the way of truth and paths of righteousness".
• Shield of Faith
  Paul said above all to take up the shield of faith. You see, faith is the most important thing. It will protect you from all the fiery arrows of the Devil. Satan will shoot at you, and try to wound you. Faith will put up a shield before you. Without faith, none of the other armor will work for you. You must believe in God. You must believe that Jesus will protect you from spirits of Evil. You must believe that if you fight hard for the truth, Jesus will welcome you into heaven when you leave this world. There is nothing that any evil spirit can do to you. There is noting that any living man can do to take you from the Love of Christ. We must trust God, or else nothing will work for us.
• Helmet of Salvation
  Today soldiers wear helmets too. This helmet is for Salvation. That word "salvation" means "save or savior". Jesus will save all those who believe on him. He said, "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, to the end that all that believe on him shall not perish, but have everlasting life". The way to that saving grace is through believe in Jesus.
• Sword of the Spirit
  Paul only speaks of this one weapon. It is the "Word of God". Jesus sent the Holy Spirit from the Father to be with all those who believe in him. The Spirit will guide and protect Christ's soldiers. This Sword is the truth, that is able to "separate even the bone from marrow." It separates the good from the bad. It separates the true from the false. When Jesus comes on the last great day, his Word will proceed from his mouth like a sword, and will kill all that is evil. Always hold tight to your Sword that God has given to you, it is the Bible, the Word of God.
• Prayer
  Last of all, Paul told them the work they must do as Soldiers of Christ - Prayer. You see, prayer is most important. When we pray as Jesus taught us, we say: "lead us not into temptation" and "deliver us from Evil". Another way to say that is "keep us from the Evil one" "keep us from the time of trial". Prayer is spiritual. It is the best weapon to use against the Devil. When Jesus went to the desert after he was baptized, he was tempted by the Devil. Satan tried to trick him with words from the Bible. Jesus used the Words of the Lord with truth to fight against the Devil. Jesus used prayer to strengthen him, and God sent his angles into the desert to comfort and care for Jesus. We know that God will do the same for us. For every temptation that comes to a Soldier of Christ, God will provide another way that is true and right... but this power only comes through prayer (and sometimes it takes fasting).

Now, unless you are trained, you won't do very well. Remember that picture of your Uncle and his friends? He was at the rifle range. They had been practicing with their rifles and pistols. Practice is most important. All good soldiers train hard. You can train as Christ's Soldier too. If you follow the Rule of the Order of Centurions, that will be very good training.

• First: Fear and Love God, and always try to do the Right thing
• Second: Pray at all times for God's help, for yourself and all the saints.
• Third: Follow God's commandments, to love him and your neighbor as yourself
• Fourth: Practice with your Sword.. the Bible.. learn the key verses that will help you in the day the Devil attacks you, and everyday to help you. Put on the whole armor of God.

Well, this has been a long lesson, hasn't it? It is a very important lesson for a Soldier of the Cross like you. Remember it well. When the Devil attacks, pick up your Sword. Call to your memory these words of Paul: Put on all of God's armor Say your prayers. God will defend you in the day of danger.

Farewell. Good health to you today and always. May God, the Father, and the Son and the Holy Ghost bless you, your family, and your cohorts!

Granddaddy

Ease 87%, Level 3.8

LESSON EXERCISES

* Can you name the people in this story, and tell about them?

* In you own words, what do you think this story is about?

* Draw a picture that tells the Gospel story. (You may copy or trace the one on the lesson if you wish.)

* Make up a story (parable) or share a true story that is like our lesson today.

* Sing a song about today's story Am I A Soldier Of The Cross?

Songs for Children

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Notice: This is an open letter to my Grandson Nathan. It is under copyright protection: The Rev. Mark Carroll, MMVI

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