BLOG/VLOG - Totally Christian Karate

The Helmet of Salvation

August 8, 2024 by mitch

HELMET OF SALVATION

MARTIAL ART CROSS REFERENCE

RISING BLOCK/ HIGH BLOCK/ FACE BLOCK OUL-GOOL-MARKI / AGE UKE

SCRIPTURES

PSALMS 27:1, 35:3, 51:12, 53:6, 62:2; ISAIAH 12:2,25:9,45:17,51:6;

ACTS 13:47-48, 16:31; ROMANS 1:16; 2 CORINTHIANS 6:2;

EPHESIANS 2:8-9, 6:17; 1 PETER 1:3-12

APPLICATION

Do you hear Christians saying that you need to be saved? So you are left thinking, what do I need to be saved from? The answer is two fold. You are saved from sin. Sin is the breaking of The Creator’s moral law. It is the master of your life since you were born but when you are born again you have a new heart and love for the Kingdom of God. You will be saved from the power of sin that controls your life. You will also be saved from the wrath of God on a day that the Lord will judge everyone and give to them what they deserved.

Salvation from this judgement comes from believing that Jesus Christ paid the penalty of your sin, repenting from that sin and turning back to the Kingdom of God where you live to please Him in all that you think, say and do.

Putting on our helmet of salvation reminds us of the price that was paid for our souls and by Whom it was paid. Nothing we did earned us our salvation; it was a free gift of love from God.

Keeping your salvation in mind, be reminded daily of God’s gift. This will keep you in an attitude of gratitude throughout your day and protect you from the pride of thinking that you earned or deserve His great gift.

STUDY

Who is your Salvation?

What are you Saved from?

Where do you go after death if you are not Saved’?

Why did you have to be Saved’?

When are you Saved’?

How do you become Saved’?

How can you apply this to your life?

What is your prayer?

What is your memory verse?

Be Joyful Always

July 30, 2024 by mitch

JOY

MARTIAL ART CROSS REFERENCE

7th KYU / YELLOW BELT / 8th RANK

SCRIPTURE

LEVITICUS 9:24; DEUTERONOMY 16:15; 1CHRONICLES 16:27,33; 29:17;

NEHEMIAH 8:10;12:43; JOB 33:26; MATTHEW 13:44;28:8;

LUKE 1:14-15;2:10;10:21;24:52;JOHN 15:11;JOHN16:24;17:13;ACTS 3:2-8;

ROMANS 14:17-18;15:13; 2CORINTHIANS 8:2; GALATIANS 5:22-23; 1PETER 1:8-9

APPLICATION

Joy, the second “Fruit of the Spirit”, is almost as sought after as love. We are constantly striving and testing the waters of the world and our good works, searching to find what will bring us joy. Eventually we are worn out and defeated, left as prey for the enemy. The source of true joy ,however, is found in the presence of the Lord. When we praise, worship, and celebrate in His presence we find our joy is complete. Just as He is always accessible, so is joy.

Be courageous! Stand firm in the faith and in God’s mighty power! Be reminded of the events that took place on and around the Sea Of Galilee. Turn away from sin in your life and draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Remember that God has swept away your sin. Give Thanks! Rejoice in the Lord!

STUDY

Who is to have Joy?

What is Joy?

Where does your Joy come from?

Why do others need to see the Joy in your life?

When can you have this Joy?

How can the Joy of the Lord be your strength?

How does this apply to your life?

What is your prayer?

What is your memory verse?

Stand Firm In The Faith

July 25, 2024 by mitch

STAND FIRM FOUNDATION

CROSS REFERENCE

BACK STANCE / OWIT -GOOBE-JHASE / OWl GUBI / KOKUTSU OACHI

SCRIPTURE

ISAIAH 7:9b; MATTHEW 10:22, 13:18-30; 1CORINTHIANS 15:58, 16:13;

2 CORINTHIANS 1:21; PHILIPPIANS 1:27-28, 3:14,20-21; JAMES 5:8

APPLICATION

Can you be stubborn? Yes, I know, we all can be stubborn about many choices that we make. This can be a child who is dug in on what they want and being so committed to their desire that we usually give in and give them what they want? We as adults also become unmovable when we are set in our thoughts and ways. We stand firm, bracing for whatever may come our way to knock us off course of the path that we are traveling on. This behavior can be for the good or for evil.

Followers of Jesus Christ are commanded to stand firm in the faith. To stand firm in One Spirit, the Holy Spirit or the Spirit of Christ, living in love and fellowship with other believers. Stand firm in the truth, the Word of God, the Bible.

Wait upon your Savior who will return from heaven, where your citizenship is. Give yourself fully to the Lord’s work. Press on toward the goal to which you have been called. Let nothing move you from the hope and faith found in your relationship with the one, true, living God. Let not the trials, tribulations, and tragedy that come your way shrink the size of God in your mind; He is sovereign and mighty! Be strong and very courageous, for the Lord your God is with you. Stand Firm!

STUDY

Who should Stand Firm?

On or in what should you Stand Firm?

Where is the ability to Stand Firm found?

Why should you Stand Firm?

When are you to Stand Firm?

How are you to Stand Firm?

How does this apply to your life?

What is your prayer?

What is your memory verse?

Jesus Commands Sea of Galilee

July 22, 2024 by mitch

SEA OF GALILEE FOUNDATION

CROSS REFERENCE

BOW STANCE

SCRIPTURE

MATTHEW 4:12-23, 8:24-27; MARK 6:45-52; LUKE 5:1-11, 8:22-25;

JOHN 21:1-14

APPLICATION

What storms are you experiencing in your life today? Who do you turn to when you see the storm coming? Who do you cry out to in the middle of your storm? Who do you thank after your storm?

Jesus shows His disciples the power and safety of the Kingdom of God by showing up in the middle of their storm and commanding all to be calm and then bringing them to land and safety. Fulfilling what He told them to do which was to go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. All things have been made by Jesus, for Jesus and through Jesus. His Kingdom, which He offers to all people, is filled with righteousness, justice, love for others, joy and peace for life eternal in the presence of the King of all Creation.

Remembering the events that occurred on and around the Sea of Galilee helps us to draw closer to Jesus: the calling of the disciples, the calming of the water, the catching of fish and the promise of catching men for the Kingdom of God, walking on water, and the reinstatement of Peter. Just as it did for the disciples, storms in our lives can arise suddenly; but our faith in Jesus calms the worst of storms as we rest and trust in Him. Travel to the Sea of Galilee daily and be encouraged.

STUDY

Whom do you see at the Sea of Galilee?

What are some of the things that happened at the Sea of Galilee?

Where did Jesus calm the storm?

Why did the disciples panic in the storm?

When did Jesus reinstate Peter?

How does remembering the events at the Sea of Galilee help you?

How does this apply to your life?

What is your prayer?

What is your memory verse?

Draw Near to God

July 15, 2024 by mitch

DRAW NEAR TO GOD

Martial Art CROSS REFERENCE

SHUFFLE STEP FORWARD / PASOK / DIANBU

SCRIPTURE

PSALMS 34:10, 73:28, 105:3-4, 145:18; ISAIAH 55:6; MATTHEW 6:33;

HEBREWS 10:22; JAMES 4:7-8; I PETER 3:11

APPLICATION

Who do you reach out to when things aren’t going your way? When you are stressed, sad, mad, confused or overwhelmed. Maybe a friend who will listen, a parent, a doctor or a stranger that meet at the store. If you are looking for wisdom or comfort that will meet your need better than you could imagine then draw near to God. Lift your eyes and heart to heaven and speak to the One who made you and loves you.

Jesus says, ask and you shall receive, seek and you will find, knock on His door and He will open it and have a meal with you. God says anyone who seeks me with all of their heart will find me. There’s no better time to seek the Lord than when we are desperate and you can know that He will answer and help you.

In a time of need when the enemy has been allowed to tempt you to sin, or lies and tells you that nobody loves or cares for you, draw near to God. Pray. Read His Word. Worship and praise Him. Recall the names, promises, and power of our God as you submit yourself to Him. He is unchanging and trustworthy, and He promises that He will draw near to you.

Study

Who is to Draw Near to God?

What is God’s promise to you if you Draw Near to Him?

Where is God found?

Why does God want you to Draw Near to Him?

When should you Draw Near to God?

How should you Draw Near to God?

How does this apply to your life?

What is your prayer?

What is your memory verse?

Turn From Sin

July 12, 2024 by mitch

TURN FROM IT

CROSS REFERENCE

TURNING 90 DEGREES BY STEPPING FOR WARD OR BACKWARD

SCRIPTURE

GENESIS 4:6-7; 2KINGS 23; 2CHRONICLES 19; PROVERBS 4:14-15, 6:16-17; 1PETER 3:10-11

APPLICATION

Have you noticed what path your life is on? Is it a path that leads to destruction or is it a path that leads to eternal life that is filled with love, joy and peace? Are you filled with fear, anger or bitterness? How did you get on this path? Do you want to turn away from the path of sin?

Having been made in the image of God and freed by the atoning blood of Jesus Christ our Lord, we are free to turn away from the temptation of the enemy, our fleshly desires, and those around us who want company going down the path of the wicked. Learning to take every thought captive and making it obedient to want Jesus desires is the first step toward turning from the path of sin.

Submit yourself to God, as a soldier would to his king or his commander. Turn away from evil, as if it were smelly garbage. Seek peace and pursue it, as you would the winning lottery ticket if you had lost it.

STUDY

Who is to Turn from it?

Where do you not want to travel?

Why does God want you to Turn from these things?

When should you Turn from it?

How should you Turn From It?

How does this apply to your life?

What is your prayer?

What is your memory verse?

When You Fall Call Jesus

July 10, 2024 by mitch

FALL

CROSS REFERENCE

FALLING BACK/FORWARD/SIDE TO SIDE

SCRIPTURE

GENESIS 3;PSALMS 37:23,24,55:22;91:7,118:13,141:10,145:14, PROVERBS11:28,16:18, 24:15-17; ISAIAH 8:13-14; 40:28-31;MICAH 7:8; MATTHEW 7:24 25,10:29,11:6,26:41; JOHN12:24;ROMANS 3:22-23, 1CORINTHIANS 10:12;1TIMOTHY 3:6-7,6:9; HEBREWS 4:11; 2PETER 1:5-11: JUDE 24-25;REVELATION 4:9-10

APPLICATION

Are you getting tired of feeling like nothing ever works out? Blindly stumbling through every area of life. Relationships, work, devotion to God… Peace and wisdom become our cry to the Lord looking for help but it always seems that we first look to something or someone else who we can see physically.

As a young child learning to walk frequently stumbles and fall, so we all stumble and fall in our Christian walk. Our loving heavenly Father is right there with us, encouraging and guiding us through His Spirit, teaching us through each fall how to maintain a more balanced and steady walk. When we do fall, Jesus is there to pick us up, dust us off, and send us on our way.

Beware of over -confidence and pride. Keep alert to obstacles and temptations which the enemy puts in your path. These will trip you up! Depend on Him who is able to keep you from falling. God’s love and mercy are great.

Study

Who is able to keep you from falling?

What is God’s response to His children when they fall?

Where are you safe from falling?

Why does God lift you up when you fall?

When do you stumble and fall?

How can you keep from falling?

How does this apply to your life?

What is your prayer?

What is your memory verse?

Forgiveness East From West

July 8, 2024 by mitch

EAST – WEST SWEEP

MARTIAL ART CROSS REFERENCE

LEG SWEEP

SCRIPTURE

PSALM 103:11-12, PSALM 50:1

APPLICATION

Do you feel far from God? Are your thoughts and actions allowing your adversary, the devil to accuse you of not being capable of love or change in your life? Do you desire a relationship with the ONE who created all things, seen and unseen but feel too dirty to approach Him?

But let’s take a moment to remember who is this God, what is He like and what does He want. This God has a Kingdom in Heaven. He is Love and He wants you to be with Him in this Kingdom. Offering amnesty to those who repent and turn with all of their heart to be with Him and serve Him. This King will forgive all of your sins and adopt you because of Jesus, His Son paying for your sins by dying on the cross and being raised from the dead to give you new and eternal life with Him in this Kingdom.

The enemy’s scheme against each one of us is to separate us from God and from one another. He lies, accuses, and deceives to accomplish his goal. Remember that the east can never catch up with the west and this is how far God has separated our transgressions from us. As high are the heavens are above the earth, so great is God’s love for us. Rejoice always because of Jesus’s love for you.

STUDY

Against Whom have you sinned?

What are transgressions?

Where does the East meet the West?

Why did Jesus remove your transgressions from you?

When did Jesus separate your transgressions from you?

How did Jesus separate your transgressions from you?

How does this apply to your life?

What is your prayer?

What is your memory verse?

Faith Produces Courage

July 1, 2024 by mitch

COURAGE

CROSS REFERENCE

INSTEP OF FOOT/LANG TAO

SCRIPTURE

LEVITICUS 26:6-8; NUMBERS 13:30;14:6-12; DEUTERONOMY 31:7-8;22-23; JOSHUA 1:1-9;JUDGES 7:7; 1SAMUEL 17:32-50; 1CHRONICLES 22:13; 2CHRONICLES 32:7-8; ESTHER 4:8-16; PROVERBS 28:1; EZEKIEL 2:6;3:9; MARK 15:43; ACTS 3:12-26; 4:9-13; ROMANS 8:28-39; 1CORINTHIANS 16:13; PHILIPPIANS 1:27-28; 2TIMOTHY 1:7

APPLICATION

Almighty God, the creator of the heavens and the earth, knows who you are and what you are going through He loves you with an everlasting love, and plans to complete the good work He has begun in you. Who will separate you from the love of God? Of whom do you need to be afraid? The more time that you spend with God the better you will know Him; the better you know Him the more you will trust Him; the more that you trust Him the more that you will depend on Him;the more you live in total dependence on Him the greater your faith will grow; and the greater your faith, the more courage you will have! Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power, for He is with you!

STUDY

Who should have Courage?

What does showing your enemies your courage do to them?

Where does your Courage come from?

Why do you need Courage?

When do you need Courage?

How do you get Courage?

How does this apply to your life?

What is your prayer?

What is your memory verse?

Jesus The Stumbling Block

June 30, 2024 by mitch

STUMBLING BLOCK

CROSS REFERENCE

OUT TO IN BLOCK / INSIDE FOREARM / WRIST BLOCK UCHI UKE / AHNU RO MAHKI

SCRIPTURE

Ezekiel 3:20; Matthew 16:23; 1Corinthians 1:22-24 ; Romans 9:33; 1Peter 2:8

APPLICATION

Have you ever noticed the first thing that a person will do after stumbling on a path is to look at what they stumbled over. They wonder, how did they ever stumble over that, as they choose to make sure not to stumble over it again. They could blame the path they chose to stroll down, walking more carefully or remember the warning that jumped in front of them and choose a different path.

Jesus is a stumbling block to anyone walking down the wide or the wrong path. If they try to understand Him on the world’s terms and knowledge He seems foolish. If they try to get to God by their own deeds and power, the way of salvation appears too easy. They do not understand that nothing they can do is good enough to pay for their sins – only Christ, the atoning sacrifice.

Jesus is the power of God and the wisdom of God. Share the way to Him boldly and in love, and let God do the rest.

STUDY

Who is the Stumbling Block?

What makes people, Stumble over Jesus?

Where is the Stumbling Block found?

Why is Jesus called the Stumbling Block?

When do you Stumble in your faith?

How should you respond to those who Stumble?

How does this apply to your life?

What is your prayer?

What is your memory verse?