Never Give Up, Never Stop Praising!

I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

-          Philippians 4:12-13 ESV

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees.

-          Hebrews 12:12 ESV

In martial arts, there will be times that you want to give up. You will be tested and will be stretched out to your limits. When you overcome this, you will become more skillful—more agile, will have greater endurance, and will be better than before. Don’t you know that this too is true when it comes to our walk with God? There will be times that we will be pushed to our limits, even to the point wherein we want to give up. Why do God allow us to experience this when HE is portrayed as an ever loving God (John 3:16)?

Just like in martial arts, there will always be difficulties in our lives. This is caused by a lot of factors. But always know that God is not blind to what we face every day (Jeremiah 23:24). He knows what we are going through. Because of this, even though we are about to give up, bear in mind that God may let us bend but he will never let us break. This means that what we experience today is within our capabilities, within HIS grace.  

Why do God allow this to happen to me?

In martial arts, sometimes the sensei would push his students to do more even though his students are exhausted and about to give up. He does this because he wants his students not only to reach their limits but to surpass them, making them better and more skilful compared the last time. This is also the same with God. HE allows us to experience difficulties and trials because HE wants us to become a better Christian, stretching our love and faith to him all the more (James 1:2-4).

Are you about to give up?

Do you believe that your problem is so great that all you

can do is give up? If you answered yes, then you should think again. Sometimes God takes away everything that we have until all that we got is HIM. This is because there are times that we rely on our OWN strength and capabilities and forget that without him we can do nothing (John 15:5). This means that in our life’s most difficult situation, it is an opportunity for us to experience God all the more! Instead of being worried and burdened, we should instead be happy knowing that we will experience HIM and HIS love for us (Psalms 34:18).

Fight until the end!

Knowing that God—who created everything—is for us, we need not to worry and instead keep on fighting. Let us do our best and let God work on the things beyond our control. It is not about how many times you fell but about how many times you fought and about how many times you continued to praise HIM at that time.

Praise HIM when you’re sad. Praise him when you’re lonely. When you are about to give up, praise HIM all the more!

Verses to Remember:

• I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:12-13 ESV)
• Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees. (Hebrews 12:12 ESV)
• For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 ESV)
• Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? Declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? Declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:24 ESV)
• Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4 ESV)
• I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5 ESV)
• The LORD is near to the broken hearted and saves the crushed in spirit. (Psalms 34:18 ESV)

Questions to Ponder:

1.  How can I continue to praise God even when I am in my most difficult situation?
2.  Did I thanked God today?
3. Take time to pray today and thank God for everything, including the trials that you experience in your life, knowing that it is for your own benefit.

Fighting a Good Fight

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

-          2Timothy 4:7 ESV

Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle.

-          Psalms 144:1 ESV

-           

Martial arts nowadays is considered to be one of the most famous extreme sports. In fact, you can see a lot of it all over the media. However, did you ever think that martial arts is similar to your walk with God? Just like martial arts, all of us is struggling with our own battles in life. Some of us struggle about money, others struggle about relationship, and many more. In our day to day living, we experience a lot of struggles—which by the way, never ends until we die. With this being said, how then can we see to it that we triumph over these battles? How can we be victorious over our struggles in life?

Building a Personal Relationship with God

The only way I know on how to be victorious over our struggles in life is to build an intimate relationship with God.  Just like in martial arts, God is our sensei wherein HE equips us with the things that we need to learn in order for us to become ready for battle (spiritual), HE is our instructor, our trainer (Psalms 144:1). Now, don’t get me wrong this does not make all of our battles in life go away. In fact, our struggles become more intense when we build personal relationship with God. This is because it is within our nature that we are sinful. Hence, being God-centered means going against our sinful nature as a human.

So why then do we need God if it would make our struggles in life stronger?

Our struggles in life grow stronger because as we draw closer to God, we clearly see that the ways of the world are sinful. Because of this, it is only through him that we are able to fight these worldly desires. We have addictions that we recognize as impossible to get out from. However, with Christ in our life, we can be victorious over these addictions that we have (Philippians 4:13). Knowing that Christ has been able to overcome the world (John 16:33), who else can better help us if not HE?

Training for Battle

When a martial artist enter into a battle, he has undergone an intense training months beforehand. This is also the same in our Christian Life. In order for us to be ready for battle (spiritual), we need to be equipped with God’s word. It is in HIM that we are able to do what others see as impossible (Matthew 19:26). Let us also surround ourselves with people that can help us in our race in life. We are made for fellowship and thus having the right people around us can greatly help is in fighting our battles. Furthermore, we must acknowledge our weaknesses instead of denying them. This will great help us in identifying our enemy.

Do not be afraid

When in a match, a martial artist should not give in to his fear or else he loses everything. In the same way, let us not be afraid every time we face difficult situation in our life. Bear in mind that God will always help us (Isiah 41:10) and that his glory will be shown.

Instead of being afraid, seek God more. Pray until something happens. And most especially, do not give in to temptations and stand firm (Galatians 5:1).

Verses to Remember:

• I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2Timothy 4:7 ESV)
• Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle. (Psalms 144:1 ESV)
• I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
• I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 ESV)
• But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)
• Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 ESV)
• For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1)

Questions to Ponder:

• How can I fight a good fight in life?
• What are my weaknesses and how can I be victorious over them?
• How can I draw closer to God?