Come, See and Savor The Savior

By Phillip Capper from Wellington, New Zealand (Ocean Beach daybreak, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Dear Friends and Followers of Jesus Christ,

Do you want to help others do that which they were created to do—worship God in all circumstances? I have the wonderful opportunity to invite you to do just that. Biblical counseling classes at Rod and Staff Ministries are starting soon, and I hope you will prayerfully consider registering for classes yourself and inviting others to do likewise. I took my first class two years ago, and I’m thankful to God that I did.

I was a regular reader of God’s Word, a regular attender of God’s church, and a regular pursuer of loving God and others. I thought I wanted to please God more than anything, but during my first biblical counseling class I learned there was something else I wanted more: pleasing self. Little did I know of the war waging in my own soul. Little did I know of the remarkable joys of repentance. And to my shame…little did I know of my Savior. Biblical counseling classes helped me to know the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

I wanted to receive training for formal counseling, but I received training for that and much more. I received training for all of life. Training in biblical counseling is for the mom and the dad, the daughter and the son, the brother and the sister. It’s for the single person and the married person, the employer and the employee, the pastors and the flock. Biblical counseling is for everyone (Gal 6:1). Every Christian every day is already counseling informally. Is the wisdom you offer derived from the Word or the world? Would you know how to tell the difference? Training in biblical counseling is helping me learn how to offer the counsel that The Wonderful Counselor would approve.

Do you yourself know what God is doing in the turbulent trials and in the sweet sunshine? Do you know how to help others see that God is good and that God is great in both of them? Does your life in every moment, in the dull details and in the daily delights, of every day bring glory to God in the exaltation of Christ? The training at Rod and Staff Ministries is helping me to see and savor my Savior in ways I wouldn’t have otherwise. I am learning how to help others ascribe God glory even during great tragedy and pain.

Please, would you consider registering for classes and inviting others to do likewise? Come and drink deeply from the Fountain of Living Waters. You will learn much about your Savior. As you learn how to help others exult God in the exaltation of Christ for their good and God’s glory, you yourself will grow in both your conformity to Christ and your capacity to enjoy Him for all eternity. It will be a tremendous blessing for you and for the glory of our Father.

To Him be glory forever.

10,000 Blessings in The Wonderful Counselor,

Shawna Barnard

Student, Rod and Staff Ministries