The season of Christmas is a memorable time for many people. The special holidays and decorations accompany festive gatherings and events, especially those events centered around the incarnation of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Yet, some people do not see Christmas as a time of celebration but a season of pain. Consumer Christmas and social media consistently remind us about the items we lack or the events we missed. Many people experience Christmas as a season of loneliness, anxiety, and depression. What truths can we remember during the Christmas season and the rest of the year to fight against depression, isolation, and worry? 

In this week’s episode of the Biblical Counseling Podcast, Pastor Jeff Christianson draws the listener’s attention to one of the greatest miracles ever performed: the incarnation. The Christmas season is a special time for reflecting upon the descent of the Son of God into our fallen world as God’s Son took on human nature. Fully God and fully man, Jesus Christ is Immanuel, God with us. Pastor Jeff reminds us that the truths of Christmas should stagger us. Not only did the Son of God humble himself in an unfathomable manner, he promises to remain with us and abide within us. Jesus says in John 14:3, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” 

Biblical counselors must remind counselees of God’s amazing promise to abide in his people forever. Christ’s condescension and his perpetual identification with us in our humanity will forever bear witness to Christ’s continual presence among his people. All other religions propose that we may dwell with God only after producing enough works to gain his pleasure; only Christianity speaks of a God who dwells among the lowly and secures as salvation at his own expense. 

At Christmas time, many sing the beloved hymn “O Come, O Come, Immanuel,”

O come, O come, Immanuel,

and ransom captive Israel

that mourns in lonely exile here

until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel

shall come to you, O Israel.

There are many people who struggle with feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression from being isolated from others. They may feel as if they are mourning in lonely exile. For example, many people who survive suicide attempts concede that they felt alone and believed that no one cared about them. While biblical counselors cannot promise to make themselves available to every counselees whenever a need arises, counselors can point counselees to the one who never leaves them nor forsakes them. The truth of Christ’s perpetual presence among his people comforts the distressed soul. Furthermore, counselees can find repose from the fact that Christ understands feelings of loneliness and isolation, as he experienced abandonment of his friends at his most pressing hour. Struggling Christians can identify with their crucified savior who intimately knows the feelings of loneliness. 

Christians are responsible for making themselves available to those around them. During the business of the holiday season, events and checklists can overshadow real people who need company or a phone call. This holiday season or any time of year, who needs the comfort of your presence? Who needs your condescension into the mess of their lives? As Christians, do we model Christ’s willingness to open himself up to the pain and suffering of others at the personal cost to himself? We who are rich in Christ, do we make ourselves poor out of love for others? 

Want to learn more? Listen to this podcast to hear Pastor Jeff address: 

• An explanation and application of Jesus’s name, Immanuel

• An analysis of loneliness, depression, and anxiety during the holiday season

• An encouragement toward making yourself available to the promptings of the Holy Spirit for ministry opportunities

Jeff Christianson

Biblical Counseling Academy


PO Box 3021
Glenwood Springs, CO 81602


Admissions Office: (828) 707-9034

Make An Appointment: https://calendly.com/jeffchristianson/work-with-me

Join the Academy: https://www.jeffchristianson.com/counselor-certification-waitlist

Make A Donation: https://calvarychapel.breezechms.com/give/online

Now Enrolling: BiblicalCounselingAcademy.com

Biblical counselors face criticisms for believing that Scripture contains everything that we need for counseling others. Many psychologists label this thinking as simplistic. Are biblical counselors simplistic by believing in the sufficiency of God’s Word? How do we think about the complexities of secular psychology and the simplicity of the Christian message? 

In this week’s episode of the Biblical Counseling Podcast, Pastor Jeff Christianson defends the sufficiency of Scripture from the assaults of secular voices and opinions. Many Christians have been deceived by the allures of psychology’s insights and models. Pastor Jeff reminds listeners that the greatest threat to the church is the temptation to abandon Jesus Christ, the wonderful counselor (Is 9:6). Scripture speaks of the constant temptation to abandon God as the source of life for lesser substitutes which never satisfy our hearts (Jer 2:13). 

Teaching from James 1:21-22, Pastor Jeff reminds listeners that the Word of God alone can save our souls. Humility defines every biblical counselor’s posture. We must come humbly to God’s Word and seek his wisdom. While secular psychology offers many observations and hypotheses, only God’s Word takes us from death to life. Also, we must put God’s Word to practice to avoid self-deception. The counselee who hears God’s Word but fails to put these words into practice is deceived and puffed up. We must devour God’s Word, absorbing its truths into our hearts. Then, we must apply God’s Word, fully convinced of Scripture’s authority. If God has called us to serve as his counselors, we must prepare ourselves with his Word to function as his instruments. 

Secular psychology impresses many people with its observations and studies. In 2 Corinthians 11:3, Paul warns us to watch for Satan’s deceptive tactics, which lure us away from the simplicity of Christ. While psychology parades around its complexities and insights, we know that psychology cannot penetrate the depths of our hearts. Only the true and simple message of Christ gives life to our souls. The gospel is not simplistic or non-substantial, it is simple yet profound, that God would send his Son into the world to redeem sinners and rebels. Yet, psychological theory is one of Satan’s most crafty tactics to hurt the church since it presents a way to life and self-modification without God. Many Christians are caught up in the pursuit of psychological training and submit themselves to the world’s standards of becoming a good psychotherapist. But the riches of wisdom and insight are only found in the gospel of Jesus Christ (Eph 3:8). 

Want to learn more from Pastor Jeff? Listen to this podcast to hear Pastor Jeff address: 

• The greatest assault facing the church today

• The proper posture for submitting to God’s Word

• The deceptiveness of psychotherapy’s complexity 

Jeff Christianson

Biblical Counseling Academy


PO Box 3021
Glenwood Springs, CO 81602


Admissions Office: (828) 707-9034

Make An Appointment: https://calendly.com/jeffchristianson/work-with-me

Join the Academy: https://www.jeffchristianson.com/counselor-certification-waitlist

Make A Donation: https://calvarychapel.breezechms.com/give/online

Now Enrolling: BiblicalCounselingAcademy.com

[Jude 1:3 NKJV]  Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

Jude 3 tells us to "contend earnestly for the faith." What does this mean for us today? It serves as a reminder to maintain our convictions, to stand up for what we believe in, and to be steadfast in the face of difficulties. 

These days, people are always asking questions about what they believe. It's important for us to hold onto what we know is true. When we stand strong in our faith, we strengthen our own beliefs and show others that there is hope and truth in the world.

Earnestly contending for the faith includes the ministry of reproof, the pointing out of wrong or error. 

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7:15)

We are also responsible to expose and warn against such false teachings, just like Jesus did.

Jeff Christianson

Biblical Counseling Academy


PO Box 3021
Glenwood Springs, CO 81602


Admissions Office: (828) 707-9034

Make An Appointment: https://calendly.com/jeffchristianson/work-with-me

Join the Academy: https://www.jeffchristianson.com/counselor-certification-waitlist

Make A Donation: https://calvarychapel.breezechms.com/give/online

Now Enrolling: BiblicalCounselingAcademy.com

(Acts 2:23 NKJV) (23) "Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;

The Bible shows us something amazing: God's plan and what people do are always working together. God planned for Jesus to die on the cross. It was part of His big plan, and Jesus knew it and wanted to do it.

The Bible often shows us that God is in control, but people also have choices to make. It's like two things happening at the same time. It's not surprising that God is in charge,  But people are also involved in everything they do. They make choices, and they are responsible to God for those choices.

Jeff Christianson

Biblical Counseling Academy


PO Box 3021
Glenwood Springs, CO 81602


Admissions Office: (828) 707-9034

Make An Appointment: https://calendly.com/jeffchristianson/work-with-me

Join the Academy: https://www.jeffchristianson.com/counselor-certification-waitlist

Make A Donation: https://calvarychapel.breezechms.com/give/online

Now Enrolling: BiblicalCounselingAcademy.com

God’s Sovereignty and Man’s Free Will

The Election by God

"...elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father..." (1 Peter 1:2a)

• We will look at several verses with terms like chosen, elect, and predestinated. 

• These are strong terms that emphasize the sovereignty of God. 

• God is in charge. 

• God has the right to lay things out the way His perfect wisdom and love laid them out. 

• And it includes the election by God. 

The Free Choice by Man 

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

• God so loved the world that whoever believes. 

• His love is for the world. 

• Not just “love”, but He “so loved” all of those who would perish.

• And believing is offered to whoever will. 

Jeff Christianson

Biblical Counseling Academy


PO Box 3021
Glenwood Springs, CO 81602


Admissions Office: (828) 707-9034

Make An Appointment: https://calendly.com/jeffchristianson/work-with-me

Join the Academy: https://www.jeffchristianson.com/counselor-certification-waitlist

Make A Donation: https://calvarychapel.breezechms.com/give/online

Now Enrolling: BiblicalCounselingAcademy.com

TRINITY

The concept of the Trinity is the idea of three in one. We have one God, consisting of three persons. Another term that somewhat captures this idea is: Triunity. 

• What we are doing is using a term to describe something that exists—a descriptive term—because words like Trinity and Triunity are not found in the Bible.

• Let’s acknowledge that to anyone who argues against the Trinity. 

• Yes, the word Trinity does not appear in the Bible, and that's acceptable, but let’s use another term. 

• If you want a more comprehensive description, you could say the one Godhead comprised of three persons. 

• However, it’s easier to use the term Trinity. 

• This one Godhead consists of three persons who are all God of the same essence. 

The Bible is full of teachings that support this idea. 

• A simple term to describe it is Trinity; however, a better term, though it might not be widely used, is Triunity. It conveys a three-fold oneness. 

• Trinity works well too.

Jeff Christianson

Biblical Counseling Academy


PO Box 3021
Glenwood Springs, CO 81602


Admissions Office: (828) 707-9034

Make An Appointment: https://calendly.com/jeffchristianson/work-with-me

Join the Academy: https://www.jeffchristianson.com/counselor-certification-waitlist

The Preeminence of Christ in counseling. When exploring this topic, the Gospel of John is a rich source of wisdom and insight, offering a deep understanding of Christ's role in providing comfort, healing, and direction to those in need.

In the Book of John, we witness the love, compassion, and wisdom in the person of Jesus Christ. His teachings and actions represent the essence of true counseling ministry, where individuals are met with understanding and grace. Jesus demonstrates the transformative power of compassionate counseling rooted in faith and love.

Through His teachings and actions, Jesus Christ stands as the ultimate Counselor, Healer, and Redeemer. May we draw inspiration from the wisdom in the Book of John, allowing Christ's light and truth to guide us in our ministry of counseling. 

Jeff Christianson

Biblical Counseling Academy


PO Box 3021
Glenwood Springs, CO 81602


Admissions Office: (828) 707-9034

Make An Appointment: https://calendly.com/jeffchristianson/work-with-me

Join the Academy: https://www.jeffchristianson.com/counselor-certification-waitlist

In the following series of podcast episodes, "Jesus is God the Son" will cause us to worship as we magnify the deity, centrality, supremacy, sufficiency and sovereignty of Jesus Christ across the Scriptures.

Jeff Christianson

Biblical Counseling Academy


PO Box 3021
Glenwood Springs, CO 81602


Admissions Office: (828) 707-9034

Make An Appointment: https://calendly.com/jeffchristianson/work-with-me

Join the Academy: https://www.jeffchristianson.com/counselor-certification-waitlist

In the following series of podcast episodes, "Jesus is God the Son" will cause us to worship as we magnify the deity and sovereignty of Jesus Christ across the Scriptures.

Some verses that we cover are as follows:

• The Eternal Word in John 1:1-4: The truth of Jesus as the eternal Word who was with God and was God from the beginning, emphasizing His divine nature and role in creation.

• The Prince of Peace in Isaiah 9:6: The prophetic declaration of Jesus as the Prince of Peace in Isaiah 9:6, highlighting His authority, majesty, and role as the bringer of peace and salvation.

• The Righteous Branch in Jeremiah 23:5-6: The prophetic vision of Jesus as the Righteous Branch raised up for David, who will reign as King with justice, wisdom, and righteousness, fulfilling God's promise of redemption.

Get in Touch - - 

Jeff Christianson

Biblical Counseling Academy


Mail: PO Box 3021
Glenwood Springs, CO 81602


Admissions Office: (828) 707-9034

Make An Appointment: https://calendly.com/jeffchristianson/work-with-me

Join the Academy: https://www.jeffchristianson.com/counselor-certification-waitlist

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh.”  1 Timothy 3:16

Jeff Christianson

Biblical Counseling Academy


PO Box 3021
Glenwood Springs, CO 81602


Admissions Office: (828) 707-9034

Make An Appointment: https://calendly.com/jeffchristianson/work-with-me

Join the Academy: https://www.jeffchristianson.com/counselor-certification-waitlist