Fully Prepared.

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11

I watched Tiger Woods win his 66th professional golf tournament yesterday. Even though it was a nail-biter and went down to the final putt on the 18th hole; I had the feeling while riveted to the television screen for more than 4 hours, that he would win. Tiger enters tournaments prepared. You can tell by the muscles that ripple beneath his golf shirt and are on display in his biceps and forearms. His deliberate manner and intensity attacks the psyche of his opponents like he attacks the golf course with his masterful shots. As Christians, we must never forget that our power and success also comes from preparation.

The 6th Chapter of Ephesians describes in great detail the preparation necessary for the Christian. To be strong in the Lord, writes Paul, we must put on the whole armor of God. He describes the enemy as being not flesh and blood but spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places. Therefore, he writes, we need to put on truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation and the word of God. Finally, he writes, we must pray always. Even in our crass, pessimistic and skeptical world, a strong, committed, prayed-up Christian will stand out.

My prayer for you today is that you start today and everyday prepared to win the days battles.

Deacon Larry Woodard