2023 MARRIAGE RETREATS

How would you like a getaway with your spouse? How about a time of fellowship and learning together with me and a few other couples? I tell couples that attending one of the marriage retreats I lead is like about 12 hours of marriage counseling, but with an opportunity to interact and begin applying what you were learning!

It has been a blessing to work closely in leading marriage retreats for Marriage Preserve Ministry in Kokomo, Indiana, for several years now. The retreat begins Friday at 5:15 PM and ends at Noon on Sunday. The first retreat is being held March 3rd-5th and the second October 13th-15th. The cost is $375 and includes:

• Two Nights Lodging

• Training Materials & Teaching

• Counseling Session (if requested)

• 2 Meals

• Snacks and Drinks 

Scholarships are available; please contact Greg Davis at Preserve Marriage Ministries at greg.davis@preservemarriages.com.

We will cover topics that will enhance your marriage and send you home with a renewed plan to improve your marriage oneness! 

Topics Covered:

• Living & Loving Out Of My New Heart

• Building Joy & Creating Love Bonds

• Overcoming Fear Bonding

• Addressing Root Issues

• Communication Skills

• Making Decisions Together

• Giving and Receiving Love

Testimonies:

"I loved that Jeff went for the heart/root issues rather than just putting a "how-to" band-aid on it. My husband and I got a lot out of the sessions on taking thoughts captive and spiritual warfare. We found a lot of the principles to be practical toward parenting and other relationships as well. Overall, a great retreat and incredible ministry."

"This was an excellent Christian marriage retreat! Many Christian retreats are a bit "surfacy," provide insight into God's commands for marriage and practical applications, but do not truly get to the heart of God's intent for relationships, both individually and as a marriage."

It has been an enormous blessing to work alongside Greg Davis, a retired police officer who leads Preserve Marriage Ministries. He is very accommodating to answer a question you might have and meet any need you have regarding the retreat, including dietary concerns. Please feel free to call Greg at 765-864-2100.

Location:
4254 S. 00 E.W. 
Kokomo, IN 46902-5205 United States

To Register: Call Greg Davis 765-864-2100 or email 
greg.davis@preservemarriages.com

http://www.preservemarriages.com/event/beyond-the-ring-retreat-2018-12-07-2/all/

Overcoming Self-Contempt

Overcoming Self Contempt

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1

Condemnation is a judicial term that declares a person guilty and worthy of punishment from a judge or jury. Self-contempt is passing sentence on yourself for your own actions. These are significant issues in the lives of many of our clients. The Apostle Paul says that for those in Christ, there is no condemnation. That means absolutely zero! This critical reality is especially true for those abused or who have experienced performance-based conditional love. They have a difficult time receiving God's love and forgiveness for themselves. They are plagued by self-loathing and believe the lies of condemnation. 

It is a joy to come alongside others and help expose the lies they believe and receive freedom in Christ! One former client put it this way.

"Satan had convinced me that I was a hypocritical wretch. The lies and accusations were so subtle, mingled with enough truth that I felt trapped, powerless and afraid to believe anything else. Praise the Lord that I am finally free. I am a new person. I have learned that most of what I had believed were lies. I no longer have thoughts of killing myself. I can communicate and forgive. I have a new love for the Word of God, and I feel confident as I approach the throne of grace."

Affirmations for Dismantling Self-Contempt

•    I acknowledge my sin and receive forgiveness through Jesus Christ. 
•    I choose to love myself as God wants me to love myself. 
•    I do not need to punish or hurt myself. 
•    What was forced on me by others was not my fault. 
•    I refuse all false guilt. 
•    It is all right to be healed inside. 
•    I choose to take care of myself. 
•    I do not deserve to be hurt by others. 
•    I am not an evil person.
•    I will see myself as Christ sees me today. 
•    I deserve to be treated respectfully. 
•    It is all right to make a mistake. 
•    I am not a ____________ (whatever you call yourself inside). 
•    It is all right for me to have joy!
•    My body is not evil. 
•    I am precious in God's sight. 
•    I am not a mistake. 
•    God delights in me. 
•    I reject Satan's opinion of me and receive God's opinion of me.

Thank you for your prayers and continued support in helping hurting people. I pray the Lord will use these emails to encourage and help your walk with Jesus! 

2022 Fall Praise Banquet

We are very excited to invite you to the IBCC Fall Praise Banquet on Thursday evening of November 10th, at 6:30 pm at the Ritz Charles in Carmel, IN. 

Unfortunately, Covid-19 significantly impacted our banquet the last two years. We hope to reestablish the banquet this year as many of our friends and supporters look forward to this event every year. We are moving our annual get-together to a Thursday evening in hopes that it will help make it possible for more to attend. 

We are delighted to have testimonies and an IBCC ministry update, and I will share a special message for our supporters. The cost is $30.00 per person. To make a reservation for the banquet, reply to this email, use the donate button below, call our office at 317-585-1845, or email us at office@indianabcc.com. RSVP by October 28th.

Finally, many of our supporters look forward to the banquet to donate or commit to their upcoming yearly pledge. If you cannot attend this year’s banquet, prayerfully consider what the Lord would have you do to support IBCC. 

Serving Christ,

Jeffrey Pokone

RSVP by emailing us at office@indianabcc.com or call our office at 317-585-1845. You may pay for your reservation through the donate button on this website.

Love and Acceptance in Christ

Love and Acceptance in Christ

Many of our clients consistently struggle to understand and receive the reality of being in Christ. Unfortunately, they feel hopelessly stuck finding their value and acceptance from God and others through their performance. They never feel good enough. Here are ten critical Biblical truths that we help our clients embrace. 

• My holiness is not dependent on my efforts; it is dependent on the finished work of Christ and the Holy Spirit in me.

Ephesians 4:24 "put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

• I can stop trying to get holiness and accept that I am already holy.

1 Peter 1:16 "since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

• My achievements do not make me more holy, nor do my failures make me less holy. 

Philippians 3:8, 9 "I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake, I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish so that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith."

• The Holy Spirit is working in me to putting to death sin in my life. 

Romans 8:13 "For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live."

• I can receive God's forgiveness and thus forgive myself for my past failures. 

Colossians 2:13-14 "And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross."

• God loves me unconditionally. My performance does not determine his love and forgiveness. 

1 John 4:10" In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

• I am acceptable to God and others. My worth and value are in the finished work of Jesus Christ- NOT MY EFFORTS. His love and acceptance are gifts through faith, and He has saved me by grace. 

Ephesians 2:8-10 "For by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

• I can accept myself based on how Christ sees me. He created me and loved me unconditionally. His acceptance does not change because of my weaknesses. 

2 Corinthians 12:9 "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

• I am no longer condemned for my mistakes and failures because God knows about them and has forgiven ALL of my sins. 

Romans 8:1 "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

• My identity is not determined by my education, vocation, wealth, power, or position. My identity is a beloved child of God. 

1 Peter 2:9,10 "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."

Thank you for your prayers and continued support in helping hurting people. I pray that the Lord will use these emails to encourage and help you in your walk with Jesus! 

Repentance Is A Beautiful Thing

Repentance is a Beautiful Thing

2 Corinthians 7:10,11—"For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what vindication! At every point, you proved yourselves innocent n this matter.

Repentance is evidence of the transformational gospel in Christian life. Nothing matters more in my clients' lives than genuine repentance when struggling with habitual sin. It is a beautiful thing to witness. Why? Repentance brings life! Without it, the client will be unable to live out of their new heart in Christ. 

Paul was encouraged by the godly sorrow demonstrated in the Church at Corinth after his first letter to them. He described in 2 Corinthians 7:10,11 the characteristics of repentance. 

•  Earnestness: Sincere conviction that demonstrates aggressively pursuing righteousness. This attitude ends indifference and complacency toward sin. 
•  Clearing of yourselves: A desire to clear one's name by doing whatever it takes to restore trust and confidence.
•   Indignation: Genuine repentance leads to righteous anger over one's sin and displeasure at the shame it has brought on the Lord's name. 
•  Fear/Reverence - a healthy fear of God that acknowledges His perspective regarding sin leading to genuine repentance. 
•  Longing: Refers to the willingness of the repentant person to restore the relationship of the one they have sinned against. 
•   Zeal: This refers to loving someone or something so much that one hates anyone or anything that harms the object of his love. 
•   Vindication: refers to the desire to see divine justice done. The repentant person no longer tries to hide his sin and protect himself—he wants to know that the sin avenged no matter what it would cost him. 
•  Innocent in the matter: The essence of repentance is an aggressive pursuit of holiness out of conviction and not condemnation. The Greek word for clear means "pure" or "holy." They demonstrated the integrity of their repentance by their purity.

Thank you for your prayers and continued support in helping hurting people. I pray that the Lord will use these posts to encourage and help you in your walk with Jesus! 

How to Respond to Suffering

How to Respond to Suffering

Romans 8:38,39 "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Everyone will face seasons of suffering, Christians and non-Christians alike. Sometimes the season of suffering is very long, possibly until the day God takes us home to be with him. Grief may include the loss of a loved one, illness, divorce, disillusionment, temptation, or the consequences of sin—to name a few. We all must evaluate how to respond to our suffering. 

Whatever the cause, mishandling life’s trials can produce bitterness, pride, disillusionment, and fear—rather than the faith, character, strength, and endurance that God wants to provide.

God wants to strengthen our life message by suffering well through providing victory over personal suffering. Here are some practical suggestions for dealing with your grief:

1. Remember that God controls everything. He is Sovereign. 

Everything that happens in my life and this world is under the umbrella of His sovereignty. There is also nothing in my life that he does not know about. God is omnipotent or all-knowing. Nothing takes him by surprise. Job suffered a terrible loss in his life, but God had a hedge about Job limiting the destruction. God purposed to draw Job into a deeper understanding of who He was. He would learn that focusing on God produces an enduring faith. (Job 1:10, 20-22; 42:5) In God’s timing, Job emerged victoriously. God promises that every event in our lives will work for our good to transform us into the likeness of His Son. (Romans 8:28-29) We understand and are enabled to comfort others by receiving God’s loving comfort and grace during our sufferings (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). We can pray, “I trust in thee, O Lord—Thou art my God—my times are in thy hand.” (Psalm 32:14-15) Our lives are made fruitful by the pruning shears of a loving Father. (John 15:2)

2. Focus on the person and presence of the Lord Jesus.

Faith is trusting in the person of Jesus Christ and His Holy Word. (Hebrews 11:6, 13:5-6) Do not focus your attention (and emotions) on yourself and yours, the circumstance, or your offender. If we focus on the offender or event, that will emotionally dictate and control our lives. Immerse yourself in Scripture and make prayer a priority. Paul charged Timothy: “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned......the Holy Scriptures, which can make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:14-15) Be honest with God about your pain but surrender your desires and choose to trust Him — whatever the answer may be. Pray for acceptance, strength, and the desire to seek God’s will in all things. Look to Christ and love Him with all your heart, mind, and soul. Faith in God brings contentment in every circumstance. (Philippians 4:11-13)

3. Commit the situation to God.

We must trust God and accept that he is a Sovereign God regardless of what we think or feel. If you do not believe in the sovereignty of God, you will drive yourself crazy with questions. God is in charge of the situation and will work for our good when we trust him (Romans 8:28). When calamity comes, we must commit the problem to him. If someone hurts us deeply, he knows and loves us, and we must turn the hurtful situation to Him.   

4. Forgive all offenders from the heart.

Forgiveness is not a feeling; it is an act of will. Many do not “feel” like forgiving when others hurt them. We must forgive (Matthew 18:34-35; Hebrews 12:15) to keep our focus on the Lord, receive His enduring power and provision, and avoid spiritual torment. Forgiveness is not letting the offender off the hook. But it is releasing them to God. It is trusting God to deal with that person in His wise and just way as only He can do. In doing this, we deny Satan a foothold in our lives.

5. Ask God to forgive you if you have failed.

We may suffer because we have made bad choices following our wisdom and sinful will. When personal failures occur, ask for and accept God’s forgiveness. (1 John 1:9) Continuing thoughts of “what if” and “if only” will bring unnecessary torment. God is faithful, and He forgives sin. Do not despise God’s discipline in the continuing consequences of your sin. Allow them to deepen your humility and dependency on Jesus Christ.

6. Find God’s clear direction and obey it.

What are your choices? You can resist the circumstances, and question God’s wisdom (a victim mentality), or you can pour yourself into Bible study and prayer and faithfully obey Him. God will give us His direction through the Holy Spirit and His Word when we choose to listen and follow. We must give God control, looking diligently for His will. It might include more suffering. (Luke 9:23) But God extends His grace and peace to His faithful during their trials and suffering. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). The question is not “How long will this last?” but rather “How do I choose to respond?”

Thank you for your prayers and continued support in helping hurting people. I pray that the Lord will use these emails to encourage and help you in your walk with Jesus! 

Blessings,

Jeff

Walking in Christ

Colossians 2:6—"As you, therefore, have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving."

How we live our lives is impacted by our belief system. My belief system is my personal worldview—the eyeglasses through which I see life though—to perceive what is true about this world, myself, my life, relationships with others, and God. Our faith is consistent with what we believe is true and our behavior is consistent with what we believe. 

The Apostle Paul encourages us to walk in Christ, rooted and built up in Him. What does it mean to be rooted in Christ? The Greek word for "rooted" means to cause to take root, in being firmly planted, or established. As our hearts grow in understanding who we are in Christ, we become established in the faith and it will impact how we live our lives in Christ.

Every believer needs to know who the true God is, put their faith in Him, and know who they are in Christ.  This understanding helps, so that God can live through us as He desires, and we won't be deceived through ignorance or defective teaching—resulting in a powerless, defeated Christian life. 

Our walking in Christ comes from being in Christ. The pattern Paul uses in his letters to the churches demonstrates this. In the first half of his letters, he  focuses on the work of Christ, faith in Christ, and experiencing the life-changing impact of the Gospel of grace.  The second half is practical application, focusing on living out the Christian faith (Ex: Romans, Colossians, Ephesians).

How Does Faith Impact Our Walking in Christ? 

•    Beliefs- What do I believe?  Who do you put your faith in? What is the basis for your faith?
•    Values- How important is this to you? Do you value the things God values? How do you come to value something?
•    Thoughts and Perceptions-  What thoughts do you have? How do you know the truth? How do you discern between good and evil?
•    Feelings- How do you feel? What realities impact your heart? Do your emotions line up with the truth or a lie? Do you put your faith in what you feel?
•    Actions and Reactions- How do you respond? Do you demonstrate faith and love in your actions? 
•    Habits- What are your habits?  What are the daily routines in your life? Are there disciplines in your life that help your intimacy with God?
•    Lifestyle- What are you building your life around? Is your life built around God's Word?  Eternal purposes? Faith in God?

Thank you for your prayers and continued support in helping hurting people. I pray that the Lord will use these emails to encourage and help you in your walk with Jesus! 

Blessings,

Jeff

2022 Marriage Retreats

How would you like a getaway with your spouse? How about a time of fellowship and learning together with me and a few other couples? I tell couples that attending one of the marriage retreats I lead is like about 12 hours of marriage counseling, but with an opportunity to interact and begin applying what you were learning!

I am so excited to be able to offer a small group face to face marriage retreats this year! Due to Covid-19 concerns, we have limited space. Of course, we want to allow room for social distancing! It has been a blessing to work closely in leading marriage retreats for Marriage Preserve Ministry in Kokomo, Indiana, for several years now. The retreat begins Friday at 5:15 PM and ends at Noon on Sunday. The first retreat is being held March 18th-20th and the second October 14th-16th. The cost is $300 and includes:

• Two Nights Lodging

• Training Materials & Teaching

• Counseling Session (if requested)

• 2 Meals

• Snacks and Drinks 

Scholarships are available; please contact Greg Davis at Preserve Marriage Ministries at greg.davis@preservemarriages.com.

We will cover topics that will enhance your marriage and send you home with a renewed plan to improve your marriage oneness! 

Topics Covered:

• Living & Loving Out Of My New Heart

• Building Joy & Creating Love Bonds

• Overcoming Fear Bonding

• Addressing Root Issues

• Communication Skills

• Making Decisions Together

• Giving and Receiving Love

Testimonies:

"I loved that Jeff went for the heart/root issues rather than just putting a "how-to" band-aid on it. My husband and I got a lot out of the sessions on taking thoughts captive and spiritual warfare. We found a lot of the principles to be practical toward parenting and other relationships as well. Overall, a great retreat and incredible ministry."

"This was an excellent Christian marriage retreat! Many Christian retreats are a bit "surfacy," provide insight into God's commands for marriage and practical applications, but do not truly get to the heart of God's intent for relationships, both individually and as a marriage."

It has been an enormous blessing to work alongside Greg Davis, a retired police officer who leads Preserve Marriage Ministries. He is very accommodating to answer a question you might have and meet any need you have regarding the retreat, including dietary concerns. Please feel free to call Greg at 765-864-2100.

Location:
4254 S. 00 E.W. 
Kokomo, IN 46902-5205 United States

To Register: Call Greg Davis 765-864-2100 or email 
greg.davis@preservemarriages.com

http://www.preservemarriages.com/event/beyond-the-ring-retreat-2018-12-07-2/all/

2021 Fall Friends Gathering

Every fall, Indiana Biblical Counseling Center holds a praise banquet to gather the friends who support the counseling ministry. Last year due to Covid-19, we needed to postpone our banquet until this year. Many look forward to our fall banquet every year, and we are excited to invite you to the IBCC Fall Friends Gathering on the evening of November 5th, at 6:30 pm at the Ritz Charles in Carmel, IN.
 
We are delighted to have testimonies, an update on the IBCC ministry, and I will share a message for our supporters. If you would like to attend the banquet, mail the response card enclosed, call our office at 317-585-1845, or email our office at office@indianabcc.com. The cost is $25 per person.
 

Date: Friday, November 5, 2021
Time: 6:30-8:30 PM
Location: Ritz Charles
12156 N Meridian St
Carmel, IN 46032
Cost: $25 per person

RSVP by emailing our office at office@indianabcc.com or by purchasing your ticket via our donation link.

The Only Way to Freedom

"So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:31,32

Truth and freedom go together. That is the way God designed it to be. Lies and bondage go together as well. The path a person chooses to follow will impact their life and generations that follow. In the Gospel of John, the person of truth, Jesus Christ, gives his children the pathway of truth and the freedom it brings. 

The True Jesus 

Jesus said many false Christs would come in His name (Matthew 24:5). These come in the form of a false gospel. Jesus is the only true God and brought into the world grace and truth. There is no other god and no other way to find eternal life but through the true gospel of Jesus Christ, "Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6.

True Conversion 

A faithful follower of Jesus Christ who has received a new nature will produce a change in heart and life of a person. John 3:20,21 "For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works be exposed, But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God." Jesus is the true vine, and every branch that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does not bring fruit, he prunes bearing fruit (John 15:1,2).

Hearing the Truth 

In John 10:27, Jesus said that "my sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." Since you are a disciple, Jesus said you would know the truth, and that truth brings freedom to your life (John 8:31,32). The contrast Jesus made is to those that believe the father of lies, the devil (John 8:44-47).

The Spirit of Truth 

The Holy Spirit is the indwelling supernatural helper leading us into the truth. In John 14:16,17, Jesus brings comfort to his disciples with the blessing of the coming Spirit of truth, "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even as the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you." 

The Word of Truth

We are in a battle for what is truth. In John 17:15-19, facing death, Jesus prayed for his disciples to be removed from this world and sanctified in the truth, "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth"  John 17:17. He acknowledged that absolute truth came from the heavenly father, and God's word is foundational for living in God's kingdom. 

There is no greater joy in ministry than to walk alongside those that are pursuing truth. I pray that you and those you love will follow Jesus in finding freedom in Christ! 

Serving Christ, 

Jeff