Dr H Reflections

Spiritual germination ∙∙

Spiritual germination ∙∙

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies, it bears much fruit. – John 12:24

John 12:24-26

24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels – a plentiful harvest of new lives.

25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.

26 Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.

The germination process is a fascinating enigma that continues to elude complete understanding by contemporary science. Plant seeds can be likened to compact survival kits packed with sufficient food, nutrients, and a blueprint for life. These seeds burst into life, cultivating roots and a small plant, eventually emerging from the soil as a sprout. This entire sequence of events is what we call germination. For sustained growth, the seedling relies on light, water, and nutrients present in its environment.

In its initial state, the seed is dormant, appearing lifeless and serving no apparent purpose – it seems dead. By itself, the seed serves no function, and it is, practically speaking, useless. However, once it’s planted, everything changes. The seed undergoes a metaphorical death, only to be reborn with renewed vitality.

Similarly, the concept of spiritual germination is equally miraculous and paradoxical. Spiritual life and growth only come by death. To bring salvation to humanity, the Lord Jesus Christ had to die. But His death was not the end. By the mighty power of the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ was raised from the dead to live again. He offers salvation and eternal life to anyone who will take it. Life comes from death.

“Jesus used the image of a seed to illustrate the great spiritual truth that there can be no glory without suffering, no fruitful life without death, no victory without surrender” (Wiersbe). All children of the King are His seeds. Each of us comes with life within, the Father’s eternal life, and an instruction manual of sorts. New pages unfold as we walk with Him.

REFLECT & PRAY

Only when we die to our personal ambitions and goals can we truly begin living for the Father.

Father how I long to fulfill Your dreams for my life. Encourage me to continually surrender my personal ambitions and goals in exchange for Yours.

INSIGHT

As children of the King, truly living and fulfilling the Father’s dreams and ambitions for our lives requires a trade-off. Dying to self is difficult, and each of us struggles with it. This personal challenge is presented to each child of the King.

“If a seed could talk, it would no doubt complain about being put into the cold, dark earth. But the only way it can achieve its goal is by being planted” (Wiersbe).

We can choose to remain alone, isolated, seemingly protected, and comfortable. But as such, we are not experiencing the spiritual life the Father intended for us. It is a decision that we have to make for ourselves. Once we choose to die to ourselves, it is a commitment that we will continue to make throughout our lives.

John 12:25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.

We are the seeds of the Father; He is the one who does the sowing. He plants us wherever He desires. Consider the story involving an isolated mission station. A group of outsiders decided to visit and speak with the missionaries living there. The dialogue ensued as follows:

“You certainly have buried yourself out here!” one of the visitors exclaimed.

“We haven’t buried ourselves,” the missionary replied. “We were planted!” (Wiersbe)

But there’s more. Only when we choose to follow the Lord Jesus Christ do we become the Father’s servants and Christ’s disciples.

John 12:26 Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.

The statement “I serve at the pleasure of the President” has been used since the 1700s. When somebody uses the phrase, it means, “I will continue to serve as long as the president wants me to.” It’s an official way to explain that the President is one’s direct boss, and only the President has the authority to remove that person from their post …and no one else. That person will continue to serve as long as the president wants them to.

The term “the pleasure of (someone),” as defined by Webster, implies that “an action is or can be performed because someone desires it.” The statement “I serve at the pleasure of” was frequently used by individuals who were in service to kings and other royal authorities. Serving the King was considered a significant honor.

“The origin (of the phrase) is the Latin durante bene placito regis, which translates as ‘during the pleasure of the king’” (William Safire).

Being children of the King bestows upon us the great honor and privilege of serving at the pleasure of the King of Kings. What a high and great calling to be a servant of the King. Yet the Father has called us to be just that.

How do we maximize our existence in this life? How do we achieve the most in this life? The teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ are explicit: it is done by living sacrificially, dying to ourselves, and surrendering our own desires instead of living for our own interests. Putting it another way, a life focused on self is a squandered life. Any benefits derived from a self-centered lifestyle are ephemeral and transitory. What we do in His service has everlasting consequences.

If we lead a Father-centered life, we acquire eternal significance and value. The Father will honor anyone who serves the Lord Jesus Christ (John 12:26). “People whose priorities are right have such an attitude of love for the things of God that all interest in the affairs of this life appears by comparison as hatred” (Constable).

“Of itself, a seed is weak and useless, but when it is planted, it ‘dies’ and becomes fruitful. There is both beauty and bounty when a seed ‘dies’ and fulfills its purpose. If a seed could talk, it would no doubt complain about being put into the cold, dark earth. But the only way it can achieve its goal is by being planted.”

“God’s children are like seeds. They are small and insignificant, but they have life in them, God’s life. However, that life can never be fulfilled unless we yield ourselves to God and permit Him to ‘plant us.’ We must die to self so that we may live unto God (Romans 6; Galatians 2:20). The only way to have a fruitful life is to follow Jesus Christ in death, burial, and resurrection.”

“In these words, Jesus challenges us today to surrender our lives to Him. Note the contrasts: loneliness or fruitfulness; losing your life or keeping your life; serving self or serving Christ; pleasing self or receiving God’s honor” (Wiersbe).

Galatians 2:20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

“Death is the way to life” (BKC).

What a great honor and privilege to be able to say, “I serve at the pleasure of my King, the King of kings.”

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God acts on behalf of those who wait ∙∙

God acts on behalf of those who wait ∙∙

Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down. – Isaiah 64:1

Psalms 18:1-13

1 He sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul. He sang: I love you, LORD; you are my strength.

2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.

3 I called on the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies.

4 The ropes of death entangled me; floods of destruction swept over me.

5 The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death laid a trap in my path.

6 But in my distress, I cried out to the LORD; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears.

7 Then the earth quaked and trembled. The foundations of the mountains shook; they quaked because of his anger.

13 The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded amid the hail and burning coals.

The Battle of the Alamo was a 13-day siege that met its tragic end on March 6, 1836, with the majority of the defenders being slaughtered by General Santa Anna’s forces. Throughout the siege, the commander, William B. Travis, sent numerous letters seeking additional men and resources, but less than 100 reinforcements arrived.

Faced with the overwhelming Mexican army, General Sam Houston decided against rushing to their aid with his inadequately trained troops. Instead, he initiated a series of tactical retreats to buy time to get his soldiers ready for battle.

Houston’s strategic withdrawals were met with resentment by his officers and soldiers, who criticized him for not being eager to fight the Mexicans. His insistence on proper military training was also met with resistance. His officers and troops were infuriated. However, after nearly a month of tactical pullbacks, the moment to act had arrived. The waiting was over. Houston commanded his men to confront Santa Anna’s forces at his chosen location.

On April 21, 1836, the forces under Houston initiated an attack, which resulted in a resounding defeat for the Mexican troops. Santa Anna was taken prisoner and forced into signing a treaty that recognized the independence of Texas.

For the Texans, the Battle of the Alamo became a symbol of heroic resistance, and their rallying cry became “Remember the Alamo!” Hence, the Lone Star Republic was born. Sam Houston emerged as a revered hero, with Texas bestowing numerous honors upon him, including having a city named after him – Houston, Texas.

Many children of the King become disheartened when their Father does not respond according to their expected timeline. Some even struggle to believe that the Father would wish to aid them.

Sadly, skepticism and doubt are an inherent part of the DNA of all fallen beings, including children of the King. When the Father does not act, we simply lose faith. How can we believe in a God who does not ever seem to do anything? We all face this gut-wrenching question at one time or another. We find ourselves caught in the midst of national and international upheaval. Everything is in a state of constant flux. There is no end in sight, and things seem to be getting worse. On top of that, we carry our own heartbreak. We long for the Father to intervene and take action.

The Jewish nation has endured such experiences on numerous occasions. Judah was devastated by the Babylonians, who reduced Jerusalem to ruins. The prophet Isaiah didn’t shy away from expressing their deep-seated doubts.

Isaiah 63:11-15

11 Then they remembered those days of old when Moses led his people out of Egypt. They cried out, “Where is the one who brought Israel through the sea, with Moses as their shepherd? Where is the one who sent his Holy Spirit to be among his people?

12 Where is the one whose power was displayed when Moses lifted up his hand – the one who divided the sea before them, making himself famous forever?

13 Where is the one who led them through the bottom of the sea? They were like fine stallions racing through the desert, never stumbling.

14 As with cattle going down into a peaceful valley, the Spirit of the LORD gave them rest. You led your people, LORD, and gained a magnificent reputation.”

15 LORD, look down from heaven; look from your holy, glorious home, and see us. Where is the passion and the might you used to show on our behalf? Where are your mercy and compassion now?

Did Isaiah pull away because of doubt? Absolutely not. Isaiah drew closer to the Father than ever. He boldly prayed to the Father, seeking His help and guidance.

Isaiah 64:1 Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down.

The difficulties we face, and the subsequent doubts we experience are actually remarkable gifts from the Father. They expose our lack of faith and our immense need to strengthen our bond with the Father. As we draw near to Him, He draws near to us.

James 4:8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you.

REFLECT & PRAY

Sadly, we often cannot imagine how God will act on our behalf. Yet He does exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. We can confidently expect Him to act when we wait for Him in faith (Stanley).

Father, how often do I pretend I can successfully manage my life independently? But the truth is, I can’t. I am in desperate need of You. Rend the heavens and come down.

INSIGHT

In the bizarre atmosphere of the 21st-century pandemic and post-pandemic fears, lockdowns, and ambivalence regarding vaccination, it seems far easier to lose our temper and our good sense and fall into fear and doubt. From the Father’s perspective, we are simply in a waiting room where hard lessons are taught and hopefully assimilated. Perspective transformation, patience, and hope are among the results.

Why does the Father so often ask us to wait? Waiting has many wonderful outcomes.

1. We discover His plan and purpose.

2. We receive supernatural physical energy and strength. Impatience drains us and wears us down. Actively waiting on Him energizes us. Waiting on Him is never wasted time!

3. We win battles. We overcome when we do things in His way and in His time. We are kept from foolish and precipitous acts.

4. We see our faith substantiated and realized. We are never put to shame or embarrassed by waiting on Him (Isaiah 49:23).

5. We see God working on our behalf. The Father works for those who wait for Him (Isaiah 64:4) (Stanley).

Although we are the children of the king, due to our fallen DNA, waiting is one of the most challenging things for us to do. Yet, waiting is not time wasted. The Father uses these times to sift our motives and strengthen our faith. When we choose to wait, the Father produces benefits that often are quite unexpected (Stanley).

Isaiah 49:23 Those who wait for me will never be put to shame.

The Father is our great hero; He also has a city named after Him: The City of God.

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Out of tragedy ∙∙

Out of tragedy ∙∙

Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. – Romans 4:20

1 Samuel 30:1-6

1 David and his men arrived home at their town of Ziklag, they found that the Amalekites had made a raid into the Negev and Ziklag; they had crushed Ziklag and burned it to the ground.

2 They had carried off the women and children and everyone else but without killing anyone.

3 When David and his men saw the ruins and realized what had happened to their families,

4 they wept until they could weep no more.

6 David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the LORD his God.

Our world is often filled with sorrow and disappointment. Sometimes, these hardships feel distant, affecting those we don’t personally know. However, at other times, they are very close and personal. Over the past few years, our world and nation have been battered by natural disasters like floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes. Recently, planet Earth has been stricken with global riots and a deadly, devastating global pandemic. The damage and loss of life are horrendous.

“If you want God’s best in your life and you want to make your life count, then you can expect to travel the road of adversity. It’s always there. And it’s amazing how somehow God uses adversities in our life to shape us, to make us fit, and to equip us to do the things that He desires to do in us and through us in life. And when you think about what adversity is, adversity is those ‘dark moments’ in our life” (Stanley).

The Father uses these challenging times and periods of darkness to grow and mature. Outer turbulence and its consequent inner turmoil are the raw materials from which strength of character and inner resolve are birthed and developed: from crisis comes courage, from tragedy, trust, from failure, faith, and from loss of leadership.

The dark moments are those times that may last for days, weeks, months, even years when “We feel depressed, anxious, fearful, thoughtless, sinful, you name it. All those things a person goes through” (Stanley).

These “dark moments” are inevitable. We cannot run, and we cannot hide. The question we must continually answer for ourselves is, how will we respond to them? It is so easy to become discouraged because of our difficulties and hardships. The road to anger, bitterness, and depression is short. But there is another path.

1 Samuel 30:6 David drew strength from the LORD his God.

Instead of wallowing in despair, David turns to the Father. He sought solace in the Father through prayer and worship. This character quality marked David’s entire life and made him a man of faith and a great leader. The Father honed David’s leadership skills and groomed him for the throne. David abandoned his own poor, faulty, and limited perspective. He had mastered the art of viewing things from the Father’s perspective. Even amid the “dark moments” that the Father introduced into his life, David had learned to see the end.

REFLECT & PRAY

Isaiah 46:9-10

9 Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me.

10 Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.

Father help me exchange my paltry and insufficient perspective for Yours. You see the end from the beginning and are always at work to accomplish Your will on Earth as it is in heaven.

INSIGHT

In this world, adversity, hardship, trouble, and times of darkness are unavoidable.

Job 5:7 For man is born for trouble, as sparks fly upward.

While many people allow adversity to morph into insurmountable challenges and setbacks, remarkably, others stand firm with confidence in the faithfulness of the Father. The latter has an overwhelming sense of stability and immovable strength. They weather the storm, head held high, confident, bold, not repressing anything. They feel certain their Father will see them through the heartache and bring them out whole, joyful, and more mature on the other side (Stanley).

Where is the Father when we are in the midst of adversity? Can we trust Him when He says He will never leave us or forsake us?

The Father is always with us in our adversity. Adversity is the barometer He uses to reveal to us our current level of faith and trust. However, He doesn’t leave us in these challenging times. As we learn to respond appropriately and withstand the “dark moments,” the Father cultivates our faith and trust.

The pivotal question for each of us is, do we genuinely want to worship the Father and bring glory and honor to Him? Our adversities mold our godly spiritual character. Adversity shouldn’t be seen as a sign of failure but rather as proof of an ongoing transformation. We are “a work in progress.” To be fully prepared for service, the children of the King must experience and endure heartache, disappointment, and pain. He uses these “dark times” to shape and refine us.

The Father has a specific plan for each child of the King as He shapes us and conforms us into the image of Lord Jesus Christ. He permits adversity only for as long as it serves its purpose. Once its role is fulfilled, He removes it (Stanley).

Hardship and sorrow are like a gas-powered lawnmower. Eventually, the lawnmower runs out of gas and ceases to run.

“The dark moments of our life last only as long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose. So, there is a limitation on them. There is a purpose for them. There’s a very specific purpose. They last only as long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose” (Stanley).

This often leaves us pondering numerous questions. “What is my purpose?” “What is His plan for my life?” Do not be surprised if the Father does not tell you. What He wants from you is your trust.

Remember, He alone is God, and there is none like him. Everything He plans will come to pass, for He can do whatever He wishes (Isaiah 46:9-10).

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Living with danger ∙

Living with danger ∙

Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world? – Matthew 24:3

Ezekiel 33:4-7

4 If those who hear the warning refuse to take action, it is their own fault if they die.

5 They heard the warning but ignored it, so the responsibility is theirs. If they had listened to the warning, they could have saved their lives.

6 But if the watchman sees the enemy coming and doesn’t sound the alarm to warn the people, he is responsible for their captivity. They will die in their sins, but I will hold the watchman responsible for their deaths.

7 Now, son of man, I am making you a watchman for the people of Israel. Therefore, listen to what I say and warn them for me.

Stromboli, an island off the coast of Sicily, is home to a small full-time population of around 500 residents. What sets this island apart is its active volcano, Mount Stromboli, which continuously rumbles and exhibits near-continuous summit explosions. By day, smoke billows from its peak, while at night, diamantine specks glisten in the darkness, occasionally accompanied by soaring lava that illuminates the sky and the land. This remarkable natural phenomenon has earned Mount Stromboli the nickname “Lighthouse of the Mediterranean.” The superheated lava flows harmlessly into the sea through a slope known as Sciara del Fouco, or the Stream of Fire.

Despite the constant rumblings and activity of the volcano, the local population has adapted to its presence, likening it to living near railroad tracks or an airport, albeit with significantly more inherent danger. However, amidst occasional moments of trepidation, it is described as a remarkably serene place to reside. Photographer and videographer Gaia Squarci noted that the island provides “a calm, with a tension underneath.”

Volcanologists view Mount Stromboli as a “living” natural laboratory, utilizing it to observe and document precursory signs of impending eruptions. They aim to accurately predict and forecast destructive eruptions, providing crucial warnings to those in harm’s way. The volcano has various detection instruments to identify significant changes that may indicate upcoming events, as volcanoes typically undergo inflation before erupting. In 2019, an early warning system was created to mitigate risks. But there is still a high degree of unpredictability.

Many well-grounded in biblical teaching are keenly aware of end time prophecies. A catastrophic destruction of planet Earth has been foretold. They are watching for signs indicating the approach of these coming events. This was a major concern for the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. They knew He was the Messiah, the King of Israel. Eager to understand, when He entered Jerusalem for the last time before His looming Crucifixion, they asked Him when the Kingdom would begin and what the sign of His return and the end of the age would be.

They asked Him, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?” (Matthew 24:3) They wanted to know and understand the timeline and signs of the end times, a quest that continues among many children of the King today.

REFLECT & PRAY

We would be prudent to learn from the Stromboli volcano volcanologists, be mindful of the predictions, and take effective measures when required.

Father You know the end from the beginning. You have provided prophecies of the future, which is already history to You. May we be faithful watchers who heed the signs and provide warnings.

INSIGHT

A vigilant observer must take action based on their observations. It is incumbent upon individuals to recognize warnings and respond accordingly. Our society is filled with observers: meteorologists who predict weather patterns, astrophysicists studying the cosmos, economists analyzing financial trends, public health officials monitoring disease outbreaks, and political analysts assessing public opinion.

How do the Father’s watchers become aware? It’s a blend of due diligence, dedicated research, and open-mindedness. The word of God contains prophetic warnings of the end times. Their hearts’ eyes should be open and enlightened to discern the Father at work. They should be responsive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and prompting. They must be sensitive and hear the Father’s voice.

Jesus Christ made both broad and specific predictions. It was as if He had set out biblically grounded detection tools to monitor last day trends. This was especially true for those serving as watchers.

Broad Predictions – The first half of the 70th week of Daniel

Matthew 24:4-12

4 Jesus told them, Don’t let anyone mislead you,

5 for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many.

6 And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately.

7 Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world.

8 But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.

9 Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers.

10 Many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other.

11 And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people.

12 Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.

Specific Predictions – The second half of the 70th week of Daniel

Matthew 24:14-30

14 And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world so that all nations will hear it, and then the end will come.

15 “The day is coming when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about – the abomination of desolation [the Antichrist] that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place.”

27 For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes.

30 And then, at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the Earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

When does He come? “Despite many attempts over the centuries to pinpoint the time of Jesus’ return, God’s Word stands: He will come at ‘an hour you do not expect.’ We are to remain in a perpetual state of readiness” (Stanley).

Matthew 24:44 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.

Ezekiel 33:6-7

6 If the watchman sees the enemy coming and doesn’t sound the alarm to warn the people, he is responsible for their captivity. They will die in their sins, but I will hold the watchman responsible for their deaths.

7 Now, son of man, I am making you a watchman for the people of Israel. Therefore, listen to what I say and warn them for me.

In the Old Testament, the prophets were the Father’s servants and appointed watchers. They were responsible for seeing, hearing, and sounding the alarm.

Each child of the King has a similar responsibility. We are the children of the light. We are not to be fooled by the darkness and deception of our fallen world.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

1 Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you.

2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.

3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.

4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.

5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.

6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.

9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.

10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.

11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

We are to keep watching and praying as the time draws ever closer for the triumphal Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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White-belt Christians

White-belt Christians

For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son. – Romans 8:29

1 Corinthians 2:14-3:3

14 But a natural man [soulish (unbeliever)] does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

15 Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others.

1 Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you, I could not talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you were of the flesh [belonged to this world] or as though you were babies in Christ.

2 I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you were not ready for anything stronger. And you still are not ready,

3 for you are still fleshly [controlled by your sinful nature] . . .. Aren’t you living like people of the world [unbelievers]?

How Do I Get a White Belt?

If you see someone wearing a white belt around their waist, the odds are that they are at the very beginning of their martial arts journey. To get a white belt, you simply have to show up. Most schools will not require you to do anything out of the ordinary before receiving your white belt. No prior knowledge of the sport is necessary before you receive your karate white belt.

Karate is a martial art with an ancient and rich history. Karate practitioners have been studying the art for hundreds of years. At the beginning of the 20th century, the belt system of tracking progress was initiated. Modern Karate belt styles use the kyu/dan system borrowed from Judo. The “Black Belt” was designed to show competence in the art. The most common belt colors used in Karate are respectively white, yellow, orange, green, blue, brown, and black.

Students begin their journey with a white belt. White belt students do not know how to control their minds or properly make karate moves. Progressing and moving on to other belts requires commitment and determination to learn and develop a Karate lifestyle.

Here’s a suggested progression time for each Karate belt. This is the minimum progression time. The goal is to gain knowledge and skills, not obtain the next belt.

Level Minimum Time between ranks

White Belt 3 months of active training as a white belt

Yellow Belt 6 months of active training as a yellow belt

Orange Belt 6 months of active training as an orange belt

Green Belt 9 months of active training as a green belt

Blue Belt 12 months of active training as a blue belt

Brown Belt 18 months of active training as a brown belt

Black Belt is divided into 10 levels of expertise and mastery.

The system is not based on the years of study but on the mastery of the discipline.

In many ways, 21st-century Christianity is much like Karate. It is an age-old faith with 2000 years of Christian tradition and practice, preceded by 2000 years of Jewish tradition and practice. To participate, you just have to show up. No discipline, commitment, or training is required. All folks that go to church are issued a white belt. They can be repurposed, as people church hop. Most show little inclination to master the art of growing in their relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and becoming disciples. They are content to be white-belt Christians.

Christianity and Karate have one common similarity. The goal of each is to become like your master.

In Karate, the goal is to become like the one who taught you.

In Christianity, we are to become like the one who bought you.

Romans 8:29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son.

REFLECT & PRAY

“Without God, we cannot; without us, God will not” (St. Augustine).

Father, encourage me to seek to become Your disciple at any cost, that I may know You and the power of the resurrection and the fellowship of the sufferings of Christ.

INSIGHT

Often, a Greek term contains subtle nuances that provide a deeper understanding of what Paul is saying in our English translations. To help to understand better, it is beneficial to know and comprehend these finer points.

In this section, two different Greek suffixes are placed on the ends of four significant words. The first is ikos, which means characterized by. It connotes how someone or something acts or appears to be. The second is inos, which means made of. That is, what something actually is.

The Greek word translated as natural man [unbeliever] is psuchikos. Psuchikos has the sense ofbeing characterized by merely soulish reasoning. This Greek term is also translated as natural, sensual, or soulish.

The Greek word that Paul uses for spiritual is pneumatikos. Pneumatikos means to be characterized by the spirit, that is, a spiritual person.

The Greek word translated as flesh [belonged to this world] is sarkinos. Sarkinosmeans to be made of the flesh, in this context, a baby or infant. Paul has a nuanced view of the human condition. He refers to new believers as merely human, focusing on their weakness, sinfulness, or transgression.

The Greek word translated as fleshly [controlled by your sinful nature] is sarkikos. Sarkikosmeans to be characterized by the flesh. “Although the Corinthians are Christians indwelt by the Spirit, their divisive behavior shows that they act like the unbelieving world around them” (ESV Study Bible).

Paul recognizes four categories of people: soulish people (unbelievers), baby Christians (new children of the King), carnal or fleshly Christians (children of the King who have had time to grow up but still act like babies), and the spiritually mature (children of the King who are growing to spiritual maturity in Christ).

All white belt children of the King begin as baby Christians. As time passes, if they do not progress, they are no longer babies; instead, they act like babies and are carnal or fleshly.

What belt do you have? Perhaps more importantly, what belt do you aspire to have?

The road to spiritual maturity is not easy but challenging. It may cost you everything you value. It takes determination and commitment. Every child of the King can become a disciple or remain a white-belt Christian. The choice is yours!

Choose wisely!

Luke 14:28 But don’t begin until you count the cost.

“Jesus promised his disciples three things – that they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy, and in constant trouble” (William Barclay).

The disciples were always in trouble, as their commitment to spreading the teachings of Jesus often put them at odds with societal norms and authorities. They faced backlash from religious leaders who felt threatened by their message, and from Roman officials who saw them as a disruptive force. Yet, despite these constant challenges, they remained steadfast in their mission, demonstrating the power of faith and resilience. Their troubles did not deter them; instead, they served to strengthen their resolve and deepen their belief in the transformative power of Christ’s teachings.

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