Biblical Counseling Podcast

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"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you" (1 Peter 4:12).

• Problems and difficulties are built right into the Christian life.
• Christians undergoing them are apt to think it very bewildering and strange.

"But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters..."

"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (I Peter 1:6-7).

• Testings, trials, and fiery ordeals come to prove the genuineness of our faith, demonstrating its reality.

• The fires of life, warfare, and circumstances test us, but if we walk through them God's way, we will bring praise, glory, and honor to the Lord.

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing" (James 1:2-4).

"For the joy that was set before Him [Jesus] endured the cross…" (Hebrews 12:2).

"But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing" (James 1:4).

In II Corinthians 1:8-11, we get an insight into some of Paul's sufferings:

"But we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead" (II Corinthians 1:8-9).

"Who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us" (II Corinthians 1:10).

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us" (II Corinthians 4:7).

• God has placed His Treasure in vulnerable earthen vessels ("Christ in you, the hope of glory": Colossians 1:27), so that the power that comes forth in our lives has to be of Him, and the glory goes to Him alone.

"We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed" (II Corinthians 4:8-9).

An Episode Addressing Current Matters. The War in Israel and Biblical Counseling. BiblicalCounselingAcademy.com

Jesus said when you see these things begin to happen, do what?

• Look up.
• "Look up for your redemption is drawing near."
• What does that mean?
• It means look to heaven and be reminded of this: that God is in control.

Number one, studying Bible prophecy helps me to remember that God is in control of all events in the world today.

And number two, it gives you a heavenly perspective.

BiblicalCounselingAcademy.com

PS: From time to time, we rebroadcast the most popular/favorite episodes. Enjoy this podcast and let us know what your thoughts are in the community section below.

Romans 15:14 (NKJV)

"Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another."

BiblicalCounselingAcademy.com

How do you discern the difference between counseling and discipleship?

Tune in to this episode to deepen your understanding of Biblical Counseling and its relationship with discipleship. Whether you're a seasoned counselor, a church leader, or someone seeking guidance in your own life, this episode promises valuable insights to enhance your approach to helping others and nurturing spiritual development.

The Biblical Counseling Academy is now enrolling.

https://www.jeffchristianson.com/counselor-certification-2

Ephesians 4:3 Being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. NASB Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. NKJV Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. NIV BiblicalCounselingAcademy.com

Jesus said when you see these things begin to happen, do what?

• Look up.

• "Look up for your redemption is drawing near."

• What does that mean?

• It means look to heaven and be reminded of this: that God is in control.

Number one, studying Bible prophecy helps me to remember that God is in control of all events in the world today.

And number two, it gives you a heavenly perspective.

BiblicalCounselingAcademy.com

2 Corinthians 11:3,"But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."

BiblicalCounselingAcademy.com

Welcome to the Biblical Counseling Podcast! In today's episode, Pastor Jeff talks about the topic of God's resources, not our own, not our own abilities versus God's ability. Not that we're sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God. And we know this dovetails really well with you who receive and give counsel. We need to rely on God's resources, we draw upon this in biblical theology, this is the basics, and it gets forgotten so often in the counseling ministry and just life in general, we can lean on our own abilities or intellect or personality or just education and things like that. And we want to more and more rely upon God's resources and not our own.

God's sufficiency, not ours, is a powerful and humbling truth that is emphasized throughout the Bible. This means that we cannot depend solely on our own strength, wisdom, or resources to meet our needs and overcome our challenges. Instead, we must rely on God's goodness, faithfulness, and provision to sustain us and help us to accomplish His purposes.

In 2 Corinthians 3:5, the Apostle Paul writes, "Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God." This verse reminds us that anything good that we accomplish or receive is not due to our own merit or power, but is a gift from God. We must recognize our own limitations and weaknesses, and put our trust in God who is infinitely capable and loving.

This truth of God's sufficiency challenges us to let go of our pride, self-reliance, and fear, and to instead approach every situation with faith and dependence on Him. As we do so, we can experience the peace, joy, and power that come from knowing and serving a God who is more than enough to meet all of our needs.

"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." - Isaiah 41:10