In our school we will practice the words of our Lord (John 14:15); If you love me, keep my commandments. In Matthew 22:37-40 [37] Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. [38] This is the first and great commandment. [39] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. [40] On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. In other words, as for me and my family business - we will serve the Lord.
Q: When your students are training to whom they commit their training?
A: We commit are plans and personal life training to Jesus. He causes our thoughts to become agreeable with His Will, so that our physical health shall be established, and we may be able to give help to those in need. In His name my light shall so shine before all men that they may see my good works glorifying you, my dear Lord Jesus. It is the Lord who helps each and everyone one of us help plan our days, and stay focused on all our training. You are suppose to take care of your body, eat right, feel good and look good. You can read in 1 Tim4:8 that training your body will help you in some way, and 1Cor9:27 says to treat your body hard and make it your slave as you take good care of it! So commit your training to the Lord and give Him thanksgiving and all the glory.
Remember what the Lord says (Isaiah 42:8): "I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not give my GLORY to another." Furthermore, in John 7:18 Jesus said: "He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory."
Q: What about meditation?
A: We will have time to glorify JESUS' name. I will read the word of God from the BIBLE and we will allow His words to abide in us. You can't know God any better than you know His word as revealed in the bible. Yes, we will spend time in His presence so that we may come to know Jesus' heart more and more as we spend a little time of our training before Him. We will ask the Lord to have His way with us, to school us in His ways - not our ways or plans, but His ways and plans for us. Jesus' knows everything. We must learn to fight the urge to instruct Him or explain to Him how we want Him to solve our problems. We will reveal His purposes for us when we stand together in unity. We must trust the Lord. We thank God in advance for allowing us to meet Him every day. This is great Honor!
Q: What about if I start my awesome training and the Lord tells me not to continue?
A: Man makes plans but the Lord directs his path! I believe that when you make a plan you ought to say (James 4:15) if the Lord is willing, I shall live and I shall do this or that (for instance taking martial arts as an option sport to get physically fit plus you get the bonus to train like a warrior). There are many ways for the Lord to rebuild our energies and help us enjoy ourselves - so, if it is His will - You will come and train with us. It is the Lord who establishes peace for us (Isai 26:12) and all that you will accomplished He has done for you anyway. Therefore, commit to the Lord Jesus whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. (Prov 16:3) O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trust in you (Psalm 84:12)
Q: What about bowing to the Master Instructor?
A: Some martial arts uses the bowing as a form of greeting and respect. When I traveled to Korea even non-martial arts citizens greeted me with a bow everywhere I was in public, at the market, visiting other people's homes, etc.. in fact the older the person the lower the bow. I am from Puerto Rico, and the form of greeting in my country is a nice hug and sometimes the hug is given with a kiss on the cheek - but, here in USA people greet with the hand shake. Yet, we find out that in the bible bowing refers to worship. One thing I know for sure, and that is that the Lord knows what is in your heart, therefore; bowing to one another in training or in public is a form of respect - not to be confuse with worship. Ok.
Q: Well, if the Lord keeps me safe why should I take Martial Arts?
A: Because we must operate in goldly wisdom and discipline. (Prov 16:16) (Psalm 144:1) He trains me for battle. Also, this is an opportunity to establish and expand relationship with other believers in the neighborhood, to meet for training and friendship as we allow the Lord Jesus to enter into our everyday situations in our lives. Is all about Him! JESUS! I am a believer - not a doubter!
Q: What about if I hear someone at the dojang speaking negative, or saying a bad word what do I do?
A: First you should not speak anything negative to that person in return. All situations and circumstances at the dojang should be reported to Master Santiago your teacher. But, what if it you catch your parent parent or Master Santiago saying a negative word about you? Then you should tell your parent and Master Santiago to stop talking negative and to start declaring the word of God and the blessings of the Lord over you and to ask God for forgiveness. Together we must say and do the right things that will shape our future lives, families, and friends calling those things that are not yet established in our lives, as if they already were in Jesus name. The Lord says: go to Him and ask Him for forgiveness, old things have passed away, behold all things are become new (2Cor 5:17). God have chosen you from the beginning for such a time as this!
Q: What about if want to continue training but I want to feel free to worship another God in your school?
A: Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, (says the Lord Jesus) he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:4-5) We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Chris't behalf: BE reconciled to God.(1 Cor 5:20) You must learn to develop healthy alliances both with your taekwondo friends and family as well with your church. How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity. (Psalm 133:1)
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Master Santiago
godlistens@taigontkd.com