America's Finest Shotokan Karate

10/12/2026

10/01/2026

Take Thoughts Captive

One of the most common ways we experience spiritual warfare is in the mind. The enemy is constantly hurling lies at us and trying to get us to agree with the discouraging, destructive, and dangerous things he says.

But Satan isn’t creative. Creation belongs to God. So the best he can do is figure out which lies hurt us the most and torment us with them over and over again. The attacks impacting us most today are probably the same attacks he’s been throwing at us our whole lives. But his lies only have power when we choose to agree with them.

When we agree with a lie, we give it credibility. We internalize it and let it become a part of who we believe we are. You’ll know you’ve made an agreement with a lie because it will sound like the voice in your head. If we heard an evil, hissing voice like something out of a movie, we’d never listen to it. But because it’s in our own voice, we’re so much more willing to believe it as truth.

When our thoughts are aligned with God’s word, the devil can’t lie to us. The apostle Paul encourages us to take our thoughts captive. That means not letting our thoughts run wild, but checking our thoughts against the truth of God’s word. He also urges us to think on whatever is true, noble, lovely, and praiseworthy. He understood the mind is a battlefield, and he wanted us to cast out everything that doesn’t line up with God.

Again, taking thoughts captive and casting out lies is active. We can’t simply think “go away.” Satan can’t read our minds. Sometimes we allow him to influence our thoughts when we pick up the lies he hurls at us, but only God is all-knowing and able to hear our thoughts. When Jesus was in the desert being tempted by Satan, Jesus spoke Scripture and told him to go away. In the same way, we have the authority to command him to flee in the name of Jesus.

With practice, it gets easier to spot the inconsistencies between what you’re hearing and what God promises. You’ll get faster at taking thoughts captive, speaking against lies, and realigning with truth. Ask God to help you spot the lies and remind you of the truth so you can more easily fight back!

09/30/2026

Your Place Has a Purpose
You are right where you belong.

It is easy to forget that truth when life feels uncertain or ministry feels heavy. We look around and compare, wondering why our place seems smaller or less visible. We question our role, our season, or our value. Yet Paul reminds us that the Church, the Body of Christ, is made up of many members, each uniquely designed for a purpose. You have been placed by God, not accidentally, but intentionally.

When we think of “church,” our minds often go to a building. We say, “We’re going to church,” or, “We’re leaving church.” But the Bible paints a different picture. The Church is not brick and mortar; it is flesh and blood. It is you and me, redeemed by Jesus, called out of darkness, and brought together to live for His glory. That means wherever God has you, your home, workplace, neighborhood, or city, you are part of His living, breathing Church.

Paul says we are “individually members of one another.” That means your life touches someone else’s faith. Your obedience encourages someone else’s perseverance. Your presence strengthens the Body. You matter, not because of your title or your task, but because the Spirit of God has made you part of His family.

Sometimes it is easy to wonder if you are making a difference. You may serve faithfully yet feel unseen. You may pray for others while quietly carrying your own burdens. But remember, God sees. He knows exactly where He has placed you and why. In the same way every part of the human body has a function, so too does every believer in the Church. A heart cannot envy the hand; an eye cannot wish to be an ear. When each part does what it was created to do, the body flourishes.

If you are in a place where you feel overlooked or uncertain, take heart. God has not misplaced you. You are not hidden from His purpose. Even when you cannot see the full picture, He is weaving your life into the greater work of His kingdom. Your faithfulness in this season is shaping eternity.

So serve where you are. Love the people in front of you. Pray for the ones beside you. Trust that the Lord has you right where you belong.

09/24/2026

God is the Creator and sustainer of all life. Every living thing stays alive because God actively gives and keeps life going. Every breath people and animals take comes directly from Him. Be thankful for every moment you're given.

09/23/2026

For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.
Luke 19:10

For those who know me and for those who don’t I’ve been doing Martial Arts since the age of nine and throughout my Martial Arts journey I had the privilege to trained and competed with many wonderful people. I also had the the privilege of spending time in training with my sensei Reno N. Morales Phil Mc Craig, William Oliver, and a wonderful friend and Christian brother Jonas Nunez. I believe that God has blessed me with His dojo for 26yrs and by his grace gave me the talents to teach not only martial arts but also to spread the gospel to those I teach or train with as well. So as a Christians God commission us to use all the talents and gifts he has given us for his purpose and His glory to draw others to him. I don't care about rank titles or fame all I care that I been a good and faithful servant. With all that being said, if you don’t like the martial art Chritian post, there’s no need for the nasty language and your negative comments. God bless

Prayer
 Lord, it is not me they attack it is you, for your love is so great for them and you invite them to something much greater, but they choose not to accept it or to see it. Lord let there be a great harvest of souls. Awaken the lost, convict their hearts, draw them to repentance, and lead them to salvation through Jesus Christ.

09/19/2026

God gave us the desire to pursue relationships with people around us. This means,we have an opportunity to encourage one another and pursue God together. But in order to do this, we have to be willing to care for our relationships with others and be intentional about helping them grow and remain healthy.
One of the best ways we can do this is by pausing to appreciate the people who support and encourage us. So today, take some time to thank God for the people who've poured into you. Then, consider how you can encourage someone else.