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Old Testament Martial Arts

Bible Watching for Jesus Prophecy

Source: Face Book Reel, "Old Testament Martial Arts," by Mike Winger,

Link to Source: Click here to view source

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2025-03-28

Scripture: John 5:46 ; Luke 24:27

Author: Mike Winger
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ILLUSTRATION

In a really insightful Facebook Reel, Bible teacher Mike Winger evokes memories of the famous "wax on, wax off" scenes from the 80s cult classic movie The Karate Kid to help illustrate how the development and study of the Old Testament helps prepare us in understanding the New. 

When Mr. Miyagi asked Daniel-son to wax on and wax off and to paint the fence he makes him do it in a specific way, right? You can’t just wax on, wax off. No, no. You have to do it like this [Miyagi shows Daniel-son the exact motion]. … Then one day he just flips out, and ahhh, I hate this, this is the dumbest thing … ta da … Mr. Miyagi just starts attacking him. And so Daniel-son responds, doing his what? Wax on, wax off! And all of a sudden he realizes, like, oh, these are like blocks and stuff, like I’m, I learned how to fight karate!

But I think that what we have to do is look at the Old Testament, as our first time through it, as … like you’re just learning how to, like, paint the fence, wax on, wax off. And you may not fully get the reasoning of all that yet, but you get it in you so that [when] you come to the New Testament you can just explode with understanding of both the New and the Old. 

Click here to watch the clip

APPLICATION

He conclues,

Think about it this way. If there had been no Old Testament, no Passover, no prophecies, [and] Jesus shows up, dies on the cross … Nobody gets it! There needed to be this period of revelation to prepare people for Jesus Christ, to make sense of who He was.

"For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me" (John 5:46, ESV).

"And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself" (Luke 24:27, ESV).

The Richness of Scripture

Bible Abiding Gratitude

Source: Missoula Cakes

Link to Source: Click here to view source

Contributed By: Marcelle Smith | Date Posted: 2023-09-02

Scripture: Colossians 3:16 ; Proverbs 34:8

Author: Marcelle Smith
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ILLUSTRATION

If dessert makes you feel bad afterwards, someone did something wrong - and it wasn’t you. That is to say, rich desserts do not have to be heavy.

According to Chef Jeremy of MissoulaCakes.com, we can have all the yums without the gut bomb often associated with desserts. He says the trick is two-fold: layers and contrast. He claims that the full yum experience means having multiple layers with different textures. 

As an example, he uses the scene from Willy Wonka where Violet is chewing the magical gum which transforms from turkey to stuffing and all the sides, then blueberry pie.

When a layered cake is done right, we can experience all of the richnes of the contrasting flavor distinctions, without the need for more fat and sugar.

APPLICATION

Scripture is like a well crafted cake, rich and full of layers and textures — everything from biblical history, the Law, and prophecy, to poetry and proverbs, filled beginning to end with moral and eccelsiastical instruction, all layered with measures of personal, communal, and even global admonition and instruction. 

Some might find that all a bit "heavy" to consume. Yet the Word of God is crafted so perfectly that it fills our lives with richness, with fullness, without any of the bloat. It is meant to be savored, consumed, and digested.

To that end, Paul admonishes us to embrace the whole of scripture, with all it's richness and many textures, so that it might have its fullest impact on our lives. We can experience all of its intended nourishment without feeling heavy. And like a delectible dessert shared among friends after a lavish meal, we can delight in it with grattitude and praise.

"Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts" (Colossians 3:16, NLT).

"Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!" (Psalm 34:8, NIV).

 

Loving the Source

Bible Intimacy with God Love (Divine)

Source: Life Experiences

Link to Source: Click here to view source

Contributed By: Michael McIntosh | Date Posted: 2023-05-13

Scripture: Psalms 119:16 ; John 14:21

Author: Michael McIntosh
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ILLUSTRATION

Recently a young man called to ask me if I could remember a certain sermon I had preached. More specifically he wanted to use an illustration about church history that I had used. It had been years since I preached at his church and I was amazed he had remembered the sermon and the illustration. I knew where the story had come from and began digging through some old books to find it. 

I found the book I was looking for that had been stacked away. I had not opened it in 20 years. I opened the old yellowing pages and began flipping through the marked up pages like I had just been reunited with some old friend.

There was a marker in the book. It was an old envelope now faded. My heart jumped when I noticed the handwriting. Could it be? Yes it was! A letter from my grandmother when I was in college. The date was still there on the post mark. I couldn't wait to read the letter.

APPLICATION

Emotion gripped me as I carefully removed the stationary from the envelope. What a treasure! My dear little grandmother who had loved me and believed in me. What did she have to say to me?  The note was so encouraging then, but even more so now.

I love that note. Why? Because I love the sender.

So how is it that we get to the point that we love the scriptures? Simple really. Fall in love with the sender, the source. When we realize the scriptures are a love note to us and we consider the source, and love God more, we develop a pure love for the text. 

"Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long" (Psalm 119:97, NIV).

"I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word" (Psalm 119:16).

'Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them" (John 14:21, NIV). 

"Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts" (Jeremiah 15:16, ESV).

Stop Everything and Listen

Word of God Bible Advice

Contributed By: Stephen Kingsley | Date Posted: 2022-05-20

Scripture: Romans 10:17 ; Hebrews 4:12

Author: Stephen Kingsley
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Man may be executed for failing Bible quiz.

Bible Discipleship Word of God

Contributed By: Howard Harden | Date Posted: 2020-03-08

Scripture: Joshua 1:8

Author: Howard Harden
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The Mine That Keeps Giving

Word of God Bible Wisdom

Contributed By: GENE LAVALLEY | Date Posted: 2019-05-23

Scripture: Proverbs 25:2 ; Psalms 12:6

Author: James Rogers
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Why Cheaters Think It's Ok To Cheat

Authority Honesty Bible

Contributed By: Neal Pollard | Date Posted: 2019-04-18

Scripture: James 3:1 ; Matthew 5:13

Author: Neal Pollard
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Devotional Crumbs

Word of God Bible Faith

Contributed By: Joe Ballard | Date Posted: 2018-07-19

Scripture: Matthew 15:26 ; Job 23:12

Author: Joe Ballard
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Misusing the Bible

Bible Word of God Obedience

Contributed By: Neal Pollard | Date Posted: 2018-04-15

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16 ; 2 Timothy 2:15

Author: Neal Pollard
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Asking The Best Questions

Seeker Wisdom Bible

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2017-12-13

Scripture: Matthew 7:7

Author: Illustration Exchange
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