Have you received the greatest promise that our Father in heaven has given to us? Yes, the payment and forgiveness of our sins by the blood of Jesus is great but think of what comes after the death, burial and ascension into heaven. The promise of the Kingdom of God coming to this earth and the new heaven, the new earth and the new city of Jerusalem coming down from heaven.
It’s the promise of the Holy Spirit from God. This promise gives us power, position and our Saviors authority of the use of His name. This power casts out demons, allows the ability to speak in other tongues, take up serpents, drink anything deadly and it will do no harm and lay your hands on the sick and they will recover.
Our flesh constantly cries out, “I want, I want!” or “Me, Me!” To approach God and to do His work we must be absent from our fleshly desires. God is Spirit and He requires that we approach Him in the Spirit, leaving behind our literal body and spiritual flesh when seeking His face. Be alert! The enemy will attempt to use your sinful nature, or flesh, against you as you pursue righteousness. Remember these Scriptures when trying to make decisions, doing God’s work, or seeking a closer relationship with your Lord and others.
Why is it important to avoid Godless chatter? Can’t I just say what is on my mind? Does God know what I am thinking? Does God know what I am going to say before I say it? Can’t I talk about sports, politics, the weather, TV shows, music and entertainment news? The World and its vices have so much to offer to my senses and mind. The World can keep me talking all the time, memorizing worldly comedy and songs. Talking about my family, friends and neighbors personal business and lives. It is easy to get bound up in chatter other than what pleases the One who loves me and created me to be His. When I became a follower and disciple of Jesus I gave up my will and surrendered it to Jesus for the Kingdom of God. So, a course joke, a slanted comment, or simply talking about the weather and sports as your daily diet for conversation can lead me away from the mission I have from God. The enemy earnestly desires to get my mind off of God, in order to render me unfruitful and to keep me from maturing in Christ. Check all thoughts and conversations, bringing them to Christ for His approval. For just as Godless chatter can lead you away from Him, Godly conversation will draw you and others closer to Him. Be transformed by renewing your mind through reading, memorizing, and meditating on God’s Word. Build up one another; encourage! Praise and worship together, drawing each other closer to God.
The enemy uses every worldly means, including our own flesh, to give us direction for our lives. And the direction that he desires is away from God. He uses TV, counselors, friends, self-help books, seminars, emotions, even family members… anything and anyone who does not direct us to God and His Word. But God has placed inside every believer the wonderful Counselor, the Holy Spirit; and He has given us His Word, the Holy Bible. All that we could ever need for perfect guidance has been given to us! The living God, who knows all things, dwells inside of us; and He desires to guide us into all truth. Seek God’s guidance daily; He promises to give generously to all who ask.
The enemy would have us turn our backs on one another – physically in our relationships, and spiritually in prayer. He would also like us to believe that God does not care about us and has abandoned us. But Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and God the Father each in His own way continually intercedes for us. In the Scriptures, we also see men interceding for one another through prayer. Continue to lift one another up before the throne of God. Make a list and use it as your daily marching orders. Stay on your knees and continue to fight the good fight of the faith.
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
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
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.
Who is “as the least”? Do you walk out of your way to avoid a homeless person? Do you shake your head at those who dress and act differently than you? Do you treat physically or mentally disadvantaged people with respect – or do you avoid them? Would you go out of your way to help those whom society considers not worthy of help? God did. Even though Jesus had all the power of the universe flowing through His veins, He chose to be one of us, to be as the least of us. How God uses the weak and foolish things of this world to confound the wise!
God alone is worthy of glory! And yet He considers us precious in His sight. All of us, from the least to the greatest, have great worth in God’s sight, for we bear His image, marred as that image may be. What great love He has for us! Show this love to others, that they may see God through us.
If you notice the person that always sits alone, reach out to them. The person that is rude and always pushing people away, show them the love of Jesus. Reach out to the child that is always last in line, take them to the front. Jesus is always looking for those who are treated as the least.
Has someone you know or a complete stranger done something to help or, bless you? At the time, these individuals stand out in our minds. But little by little, as time goes by, we tend to forget how important this act of kindness was to us. Take time every morning and throughout your day to remember all that occurred before, during, and after our Lord’s death on the cross. For you will be drawn closer to Him, living in an attitude of gratitude leading to worship and praise, living in the Spirit all through your day. The enemy won’t have a chance to diminish in your memory this gracious and loving sacrifice because you will be worshipping in the presence of your King, ever mindful of this great gift.
Remember our Lord’s death on the cross living in an attitude of gratitude
CROSS REFERENCE
X BLOCK I CROSS WRISTS BLOCK I EOTCGEOREO-MARKI IJUJI
