What is Biblical Counseling?
Discipleship
Biblical counseling is discipleship. It is part of the one-anothering that is described in the New Testament. We are called to love one another and be a part of each other's lives, helping each other to grow into the image of Christ. Proverbs 27:17 says, As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another".
We approach life and it's difficulties with our eyes fixed on our Savior and helping others in the body to do the same. My goal is to help you move forward with the Lord on your path of sanctification- becoming more like Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14 says, "Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Why do we go to therapists trained by the world when God in His Word and by His Spirit has given us everything we need for life and godliness? We don't need to rely on therapy...we need more of Jesus! 2 Peter 1:2 says, "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." Praise God for all He has given us! Why do we look anywhere else for help?
Romans 15:14 says, "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." Let's be about our Father's business and help one another grow in grace! There is no trouble in our lives that God through His Word can't help us address.
Trials are a blessing! James says to "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. As you are struggling, let's use this opportunity to press into the Lord and His Word and be conformed to Christ!
Encouragement & Comfort
Hebrews 10:24-25 says, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much more as you see the Day approaching." In biblical counseling we come alongside a person to offer whatever is needed spiritually. Often times people are in need of encouragement in their walk and comfort when walking through a difficult season of life. It is wonderful to sit under good Bible teachings on Sunday mornings from God's Word, but we also need one-on-one ministry happening in our lives. For someone to listen, speak truth into our lives specifically and lift us up in prayer. I have been called by the Lord and equipped to make myself available to women in the body of Christ at Calvary Chapel and beyond.
Strengthening & Warning
"And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith.." Acts 14:21-22. My calling is to help strengthen souls. I desire to speak the truth in love with a gentle voice and offer a word of warning if it might be needed when a sister is drifting from her Lord. We need to care enough about each other to speak up when we are straying from the straight and narrow path and be our brother's keeper. "Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" Colossians 3:16. It is such a blessing to support and pray for a sister that knows she is struggling and help lift her up to our Heavenly Father and to remind her what is true.
"Warn the unruly, comfort the faint-hearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all." 1 Thessalonians 5:14
The Gospel
"Moreover brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you- unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received; that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
The Romans Road to Freedom:
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
"If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord', and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9
"For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13
In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Corinthians 6:2
