Walnut Grove Cumberland Presbyterian Church

06/04/2026

Lessons From the Karate Kid (Living Peacefully, Passionately and Purposefully for God): Day 4 • Devotional

https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/71433/day/4?segment=0
Lesson 4: Being Still vs Doing Nothing
In the previous lesson, we spoke about being respectful to others. We first need to be respectful to others before we can be respected. In today’s lesson, we are covering an interesting but important topic; we’ll be speaking about the difference between being still and doing nothing.
In the 2010 Karate Kid movie starring Jaden Smith, Mr. Han, the teacher, takes his student, Dre, to a monastery-like place in the Wudang Mountains of China. While there, Dre sees a lot of interesting things and interesting people, but the most interesting thing for Dre was something that happened at the top of the mountain.
At the top of the mountain, he saw a woman doing her practises right in front of a dangerous, most likely venomous snake. The funny thing is that instead of being scared to death because of the snake, she was very calm. In fact, she was so calm that she controlled the snake, and the snake followed her exact movements the whole time. As she moved her body to the left, the snake moved to the left; as she moved to the right, the snake moved to the right.
Later on, Dre asked Mr. Han about what he had just seen. Mr. Han explained to him that the key to the practice was that she was still, and that is what helped her control the snake. Dre was slightly confused, and he said something in the line of, “So if I want to do that, I literally need to be doing nothing.” That is when Mr. Han said something very interesting; he said, “Being still and doing nothing are two very different things.”
This made me think…”What was Mr.Han really trying to say there?” Then the Lord revealed something important to me. He revealed to me that doing nothing means to be physically inactive, but that being still means to be peaceful in your heart and mind. You can do nothing in the physical realm but still be unpeaceful in your heart and mind. So then how can we be truly “still?”
Even though this movie is non-Christian and this particular scene takes place in a non-Christian environment, we can still learn a good, Godly lesson. To be “still” means that we need to give over the things that are stealing our peace to Jesus. This can be your work issues, house issues, financial stress, school issues, medical problems, relationship issues, concerns about the future, etc.
In Philippians 4:6-7, the Lord tells us through Paul, the writer, “(6)Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7)And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Wow! That’s powerful, isn’t it? The recipe for peaceful living is to give your fears and worries to Jesus and let Him take care of it. The strange thing is that it is actually a humble thing to let Jesus “take care” of our cares. In 1 Peter 5:6-7, it says, “(6) Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: (7) Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” It is a humble thing to cast our cares upon Jesus!
The way we can cast our cares upon Him is by focusing on Godly thoughts instead of worldly thoughts (Philippians 4:8, Colossians 3:1-3). Let the lies out of your heart, let the Word into your heart, and let Jesus take care of your cares. He cares for you and He wants you to stop taking the care upon yourself. God loves you, and I pray that this lesson will become a reality in your life.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV

Lesson 4: Being Still vs Doing Nothing In the previous lesson, we spoke about being respectful to others. We first need to be respectful to others b

06/03/2026

Lessons From the Karate Kid (Living Peacefully, Passionately and Purposefully for God): Day 3 • Devotional

https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/71433/day/3?segment=0
Lesson 3: Be Respectful to Everyone
In yesterday’s lesson, we spoke about what it means to live for Christ from the heart and not just from the head. Today, we’ll be speaking about showing respect to people around you.
In the Karate Kid, Mr. Miyagi teaches Daniel to refrain from fighting as much as possible. In the second Karate Kid movie, Mr. Miyagi was being attacked by a rival Karate teacher who disliked Daniel for winning the Karate championship. Mr. Miyagi, however, instead of fighting back, just dodged the flying fists until the attacker hurt his own hands by smashing a car window into pieces. Mr. Miyagi instantly won the fight without doing anything really.
I believe that the lesson Mr. Miyagi was trying to teach Daniel here is respecting others. There are too many fighters and bullies out there who don’t respect others or their boundaries. They hurt people; many times through picking fights, but that is just because they really are broken on the inside. Mr. Miyagi believes that it’s important to respect others and their boundaries and that by avoiding unnecessary fighting as much as possible, this shows respect.
Respect is first given, then it can be returned to us. Sometimes we have to initiate respect first. As the Bible says in Luke 6:31, “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” The Bible also says in Luke 6:38, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” Respect must first be given to others before we can receive it from others.
The point of today’s lesson is to respect others first and treat them like you would want to be treated. Sometimes people won’t respect you back, but don’t let that change who you are, just because of their bad character.
I pray that you learned something today and that God is revealing new things to you through this lesson. Have a blessed day!

“Do to others as you would have them do to you. “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭31‬-‭38‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬-‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Lesson 3: Be Respectful to Everyone In yesterday’s lesson, we spoke about what it means to live for Christ from the heart and not just from the head

06/02/2026

Lessons From the Karate Kid (Living Peacefully, Passionately and Purposefully for God): Day 2 • Devotional

https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/71433/day/2?segment=0
Lesson 2: Do It From the Heart
Yesterday, we spoke about how Mr. Miyagi and Mr. Han in The Karate Kid films taught their students to value peace rather than fighting. Today I want to talk about another point that these two teachers taught their students, which is, “Karate comes from the heart, not the head.”
Now, we don’t all do Karate or Kung Fu, but the same principle can be applied to our lives. In one of the Karate Kid movies, Mr. Miyagi says to Daniel, “Karate comes from here (pointing to the heart), not here (pointing to the head).” I thought that Karate was just a martial art. So what was Mr. Miyagi trying to say here?
Mr. Miyagi was really saying, “Do Karate as if you mean it. Do it with passion and not just out of anger or for self-defence.” Karate teaches you respect for others and a way of peaceful living. Karate is supposed to be a way of living, not just a martial art.
Wouldn’t it be good if we as Christians can live our lives like that? Don’t just be a Christian because your family/friends are Christians or they go to church, and you don’t want to be left behind. Be a Christian as if you are doing it for Jesus Himself. Serve God from the heart, not just from the head.
The Bible says in John 4:24 that God is looking for true worshippers to worship Him in Spirit and in truth. What does this mean? It means that we should serve Jesus from the heart. Living for Jesus is a continual process, not just a one-time event. We should live daily for Jesus from our hearts, not just our heads.
When you go to the store today, shine the light of Jesus. When you go to work today, shine the light of Jesus. When you have difficult people who frustrate you today, shine the light of Jesus. The darkness of the world cannot stand against Jesus’ light in you. (1 John 4:4)
Today, I want to encourage you to be different in this world. You may be the only representative of Jesus that someone ever gets to see. Let Jesus live in your heart and let Him live through your life to others. Just like these two martial arts teachers taught their students, we should do what we do from the heart. Worshipping Jesus comes from the heart, not the head.
I pray and believe that you will find this lesson encouraging, and I hope you learned something new today. Have a blessed day.

“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.””
‭‭John‬ ‭4‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV

Lesson 2: Do It From the Heart Yesterday, we spoke about how Mr. Miyagi and Mr. Han in The Karate Kid films taught their students to value peace rat

06/01/2026

Lessons From the Karate Kid (Living Peacefully, Passionately and Purposefully for God): Day 1 • Devotional

https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/71433/day/1?segment=0
Lesson 1: Peace Is Often the Stronger Choice
Hey there, my name is Divan, and I would like to share something cool that I feel can benefit your life. I want to share how the Lord showed me some powerful things from a MOVIE that we can apply to our lives.
I don’t know about you, but I personally am a big fan of the Karate Kid series of films. I love the deep meaning behind the films and the detail that was put into making these films. They just have a way of keeping me captivated all the way through.
As I was watching these films, I found Mr. Miyagi and Mr. Han’s characters to be very interesting. Even though these are just movie characters, I still feel like the Lord showed me important life lessons that we can learn from them.
The first lesson that I learned and want to share is that peace is often the stronger choice. Through fighting, countries have been destroyed, people are destroyed and relationships have been ruined. Fighting is a tool that the enemy (the devil) uses to hurt us and cause us to lose focus on the things that really matter, which is seeking God first. (Matthew 6:33)
In all the Karate Kid films, you would find one bully that always picks on the main character. They do this because this is the way they have been taught to live life. They do this to provoke the other person and show that they are stronger, but in the end, funny enough, they end up as the losers. Mr. Miyagi and Mr. Han are smart and experienced enough to know that fights don’t always end well. That is why they teach Karate as a means to defend yourself better, not just to attack others.
“He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.”-Proverbs 14:29. This sounds like high English to us, but basically what this Bible verse is saying is that anger leads to foolishness and ends in bad results. Sometimes it’s more worthwhile to keep your peace than to fight over something small.
I am not saying that we need to be completely passive and never stand up for what is right, but what I am trying to say is: don’t fight unnecessarily, it only leads to bad results and anger-filled souls. The lesson we can take from these Karate Kid movies today is “peace is often the stronger choice.”
I pray and believe that you will find this encouraging and insightful. Have a blessed day.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭33‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭14‬:‭29‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Lesson 1: Peace Is Often the Stronger Choice Hey there, my name is Divan, and I would like to share something cool that I feel can benefit your life

05/31/2026

5/31/2026

05/31/2026

Prayers of Gratitude for Tired Parents: Day 7 • Devotional

https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/70241/day/7?segment=0
Trusting God Through Changing Seasons
Scripture
Psalm 46:1
Devotional
Parenting is a season of constant change.
Your children are growing, stretching, and becoming who God created them to be.
At the same time, you are changing too.
Some days the process feels beautiful.�Other days, it feels exhausting.
In the middle of these changes, God remains steady.
He is the anchor for your family.
When everything around you feels uncertain, His presence is constant.
He is your refuge and strength.
Prayer
Steadfast God,�Guide our family through every season of growth.�Give me wisdom to lead my children with love and grace.�Anchor our home in Your presence and peace.�Amen.


“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

# # Trusting God Through Changing Seasons # # # Scripture Psalm 46:1 # # # Devotional Parenting is a season of constant change. Your children

05/30/2026

Prayers of Gratitude for Tired Parents: Day 6 • Devotional

https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/70241/day/6?segment=0
A Simple Prayer for Anxious Days
Scripture
John 14:27
Devotional
When anxiety rises, sometimes the best prayer is a simple one.
Find a quiet moment.�Sit with your feet on the ground and your hands resting on your knees.
Turn your palms downward.
Tell God what you are releasing today.
“God, I release my fears about…”�“God, I release my stress about…”
Then turn your palms upward.
Ask God what He wants to give you in return.
Peace.�Hope.�Strength.�Rest.
His presence is enough.


“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

# # A Simple Prayer for Anxious Days # # # Scripture John 14:27 # # # Devotional When anxiety rises, sometimes the best prayer is a simple one.

05/29/2026

Prayers of Gratitude for Tired Parents: Day 5 • Devotional

https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/70241/day/5?segment=0
Modeling Gratitude for Our Children
Scripture
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Devotional
Our children are watching us.
Not just how we work or how we discipline—but how we respond to life.
Do they see gratitude?�Or frustration?
Do they hear complaints?�Or thanksgiving?
None of us models this perfectly.
But every day gives us a new opportunity to practice gratitude in front of them.
When we notice God’s goodness—even in difficult moments—we teach our children to see life through the lens of grace.
Prayer
God, help me model gratitude for my family.�Free me from cynicism and frustration.�Teach me to notice Your goodness—even on hard days.�Amen.


“give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

# # Modeling Gratitude for Our Children # # # Scripture 1 Thessalonians 5:18 # # # Devotional Our children are watching us. Not just how we wo

05/28/2026

Prayers of Gratitude for Tired Parents: Day 4 • Devotional

https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/70241/day/4?segment=0
When Anxiety Takes Over
Scripture
Matthew 6:25–27
Devotional
Parents are experts at worrying.
Our minds imagine every possible “what if.”
What if something happens to my child?�What if I fail as a parent?�What if everything goes wrong?
Jesus gently reminds us that worry cannot add even a single hour to our lives.
But prayer can bring peace.
God knows your children even better than you do.�He formed them.�He loves them deeply.
You don’t have to carry every possible future in your mind.
Today, you can release those worries to Him.
Prayer
Lord, I bring my fears to You today.�The small worries and the big ones I can’t stop imagining.�Help me trust that my children are safe in Your hands.�Give me peace that replaces my anxiety.�Amen.


““Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭25‬-‭27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

# # When Anxiety Takes Over # # # Scripture Matthew 6:25–27 # # # Devotional Parents are experts at worrying. Our minds imagine every possible

05/27/2026

Prayers of Gratitude for Tired Parents: Day 3 • Devotional

https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/70241/day/3?segment=0
Contentment in the Everyday
Scripture
Philippians 4:4–7
Devotional
Sometimes our minds drift toward what we don’t have.
The vacation we can’t afford.�The perfectly organized house we’ll never maintain.�The family that seems to have everything together.
But parenting is full of quiet gifts we once dreamed about.
There may have been a time when you longed to become a parent.
Today—messy, exhausting, beautiful today—is that answered prayer.
The crumbs on the floor.�The mismatched socks.�The late-night snuggles.
These small moments are not interruptions to life.
They are life.
When we learn to receive today as a gift, gratitude begins to grow.
Prayer
God of good gifts,�Help me notice the beauty in what I already have.�Remind me that much of what I once hoped for is now in front of me.�Fill my heart with gratitude for the ordinary moments of today.�Amen.


“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

# # Contentment in the Everyday # # # Scripture Philippians 4:4–7 # # # Devotional Sometimes our minds drift toward what we don’t have. The va