Jesus the Goodness of God Our flesh is constantly bent on evil because of its nature, and so outwardly and inwardly temptations and trials come, bringing opportunities for you to choose the good and so glorify your Father in heaven. Jesus the goodness of God gives you the power to wield your sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, to disarm the enemy. Watch him retreat as you choose good over evil. God is always reaching out His hand to you, empowering you by His Spirit to live a life of integrity and so bring praise to His Name_ As you hold out the Word of life, trust God to light your path. Remember that you are a diplomat, an ambassador bringing good news of the Word of truth to a fallen and deceived world. Build one another up in the faith, confessing your sins, praying and exhorting one another in Christ. Remember that you are covered in the righteous blood of Christ and that your sins have been forgiven. Allow God’s goodness to fill you with over flowing joy!
“Everyone needs to know how to protect themselves in a threatening situation,” says Tracy Radford of Totally Christian Karate (TCK). For 20 years, this fifth-level black belt martial arts instructor has been equipping children and adults to defend themselves against both physical and spiritual attacks. Discipleship training with a kick!
“TCK is a fully insured, safe, humane mixed martial arts program,” she says. “We won’t teach you how to be a bully. We teach only self-defense and containment so that students, ages 4 to 80, can protect themselves and possibly a friend or family member.”
Radford started martial arts training at age 13. “I was a hyper kid. It helped me focus and gave me an outlet for all my energy.” Years later, she met TCK’s founder, Mitch Freistat. She enrolled as a student and became an instructor. When Freistat moved to Florida, Radford took over the leadership of Asheville TCK. “I’ve known some of the students since they were five years old, and many are now TCK instructors. They’ve overcome physical challenges, learning disabilities, and family tragedies. They’re more than students. They’re family—my spiritual children and grandchildren.”
“The physical training supports us in spiritual battles, not the other way around. We may never have to defend ourselves or our loved ones physically, but as Christians we’ll be engaged in spiritual warfare daily.” Integral to TCK training are 104 Bible studies, which are mastered alongside 104 martial arts skills during a two-year period. “Every move has a name, like ‘shield of faith’ and ‘belt of truth.’ Students learn scripture verses with each move.” Every 75-minute class includes cardio warm-ups and stretch drills, learning a new move, working in skill-level groups, Bible study and prayer.
“Everyone is encouraged to give their absolute best, but we also understand that everyone’s best is different,” Radford adds. “I have ADD myself, so I know how effective the TCK system is with students who have learning disabilities. It combines movement with learning and increases their focus and self-control.” TCK welcomes both “at risk” students and children in therapeutic foster care. “Sometimes they only participate for a few weeks or months, but the Bible truths we plant in their hearts each week may produce fruit we never see.” TCK also offers demonstrations and seminars based on the armor of God, which are suitable for VBS programs, schools, and youth groups. Women’s self-defense classes are available as well.
Because the Biltmore Square Mall closed, Radford is looking for a new facility with at least 2500 square feet. Currently, classes meet at four different area churches—Covenant Community, Biltmore Baptist, the ACTS church, and Trinity of Fairview.
“Other martial arts programs teach that power comes from within you, that you can do anything. At TCK we teach the opposite: power is God-given and we can’t do anything without Him. We are fearfully and wonderfully made, but what empowers us is knowing Whose we are.”
“We take a sport, something active, and make it a part of your daily faith walk.” Martial arts makes it fun, but the spiritual warfare training makes it invaluable for any Christian of any age.
The first class is free, so why not give Totally Christian Karate a chance to “kick” your spirit and body into optimum shape?
For more information about the classes, demonstrations, and seminars TCK offers, visit www.totallychristiankarate.com or call 423-464-3851
Just as the officers and mighty men pledged their submission to Solomon their King, we are to pledge submission to our King. This submission is not a sign of weakness, but of wisdom and strength. There can only be one king in your life at a time. Sometimes we allow the King of the universe to take the throne of our lives, and sometimes we sit on that throne. This failure to submit was our enemy’s downfall. Stay in submission to your King with a quiet and gentle spirit, so that you may hear His still small voice as He tries to bless you with wisdom and instructions which are for your good and His good pleasure.
If the angels, authorities, and powers in heaven are in submission to Christ, how much more should you and I be! Submit yourself and all of your life as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, for He alone is trustworthy.
STUDY
Who should you Submit to daily?
What part of your life should you Submit to your king?
Where in your life do you find the most difficulty Submitting to God?
Integrity, a powerful weapon and seldom found in the world and can be used to powerfully impact the lives of others. Obeying the law, paying taxes, being faithful in marriage. dealing honestly in business, living up to your word, and doing right even when no one else is looking are examples of actions and attitudes of integrity which break down the enemy’s strongholds in other people’s lives and our own. The enemy knows that if he can cause us to compromise our integrity, our effectiveness as a witness for Christ will be lessened. And so he attacks in this area persistently.
There is a great cloud of witnesses counting on your integrity to glorify God and to promote the gospel in love and in truth to the world around you. Be on guard against the enemy’s schemes! Do what is right!
STUDY
Who needs to have Integrity?
What is Integrity?
Where in your life do you struggle with Integrity?
Why is acting with Integrity important?
When have you acted with Integrity and were persecuted for it?
How does living with Integrity effect your relationship with God?
Remember the Grace given to you. Satan constantly accuses us of not being good enough to enter the presence of God. Without grace, this would be true, However, we enter God’s presence not upon our own worthiness, but in the righteousness of Christ. This righteousness is a gift from a loving heavenly Father, which we may receive or refuse. This precious gift is free to the receiver, yet cost the Giver dearly., This gift brings with it a changed heart and life which draws the receiver closer to the One who loves him and has His best in mind for him. Remind yourself daily of the Grace which has been given to you by your loving Father through the gift of His Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And watch the enemy flee! Give to people not what they deserve but what they don’t deserve, Grace.
MARTIAL ART CROSS REFERENCE
BACK KICK / TEEP DAN LANG / SIPA NG KABAYO / HORSE KICK / OWl CHAKI / USHIRO GERI / HOU DENGTUI
Satan constantly accuses us of not being good enough to enter the presence of God. Pointing out all of our mistakes and sinful thoughts that are against our Savior. Without grace, these accusations would be true. However, we enter God’s presence not upon our own worthiness, but in the righteousness of Christ. This righteousness is a gift from a loving heavenly Father, which we may receive or refuse. This precious gift is free to the receiver, yet a high cost for the Giver. This gift brings with it a changed heart and life which draws the receiver closer to the One who loves him and has His best in mind for him. Grace is getting what you do not deserve while mercy is not getting what you do deserve. Remind yourself daily of the Grace which has been given to you by your loving Father through the gift of His Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And watch the enemy flee!
CROSS REFERENCE
BACK KICK / TEEP DAN LANG / SIPA NG KABAYO / HORSE KICK / OWl CHAKI / USHIRO GERI / HOU DENGTUI
An understanding of how precious you are to God is a great and mighty weapon against the enemy. For your heavenly Father sacrificed His one and only Son, who is precious to Him, for you, so that you can be with Him in heaven forever. How great is the love of God!, Remember daily how precious you are to God!
Jesus, the precious Stone, makes all things of God precious to us through Him: His blood, His Word, His thoughts, His promises, the Law, faith, and the sure foundation of a life built upon the precious Cornerstone.
CROSS REFERENCE
VERTICAL PUNCH / JAB / VERTICAL FIST / T A TE-ZUKI
Fellow soldier, remember the size and power of your Commander in heaven! The enemy will try to shake you from the solid foundation you have chosen, through trials and tribulations that come into your life. Remember, Jesus is your sure foundation, your cornerstone! Your success against the enemy, depends upon how firmly you stand in His Word and apply it to your life. Step out in faith; see that He is ever faithful; and watch your own faith grow.
The baptism unto repentance and the baptism of the Holy Spirit are life-changing experiences which totally destroy any hold that the enemy has on you. For you have given your old self to God in exchange for a new birth of the Spirit; you no longer live, but it is Christ that lives in you. This indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the pledge of a good conscience towards God enables you to be more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus. For He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world. You are now guided into all truth by the wonderful Counselor, Who is able to understand the things of God. Rejoice! God is with you and in you and will complete the plan He has for your life.
Meditating on the kindness God has shown us brings forth a response of thankfulness and praise, increasing our spiritual desire for a deeper relationship with Him. As God has drawn us to Him with His loving kindness, so He desires to use you and me to draw others to Him as well. Therefore, be as Christ, who reached out in love to those considered the least in His society, becoming one with them. He willingly accepted rejection and bore the shame of the cross. Take up your cross and follow Him. Reach out to the least in your life. As Christ intercedes for us, continue to intercede for those who need Him. Live godly lives, avoiding godless chatter, following the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Wait in expectation for God to work in your life and in the lives of others. Persevere! Kindness is a powerful weapon which dispels the darkness of the enemy.
