You Are Good Enough!

You Are Good Enough!

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors though him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels, 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." Romans 8:37-39 

I was born with a sinful nature that did its own selfish thing apart from God. However, God loved and chose me in Christ before the foundation of the world! Little did I know all of what that meant when the Holy Spirit first opened my eyes to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Now I rest in the reality of His love and acceptance, regardless of how others might view me. When I look into the face of Jesus, he smiles at me, and I am good enough!

In this life, we all experience rejection. The wounds of rejection can go deep into our hearts. We must root out and guard our hearts and minds against the lies that come from rejection in our lives. Some grow up in a constant stream of rejection in their lives. However, if you are in Christ, you can find healing in the reality of his love and acceptance. I understand that this is a journey, and it's okay to struggle. But remember, you are not alone in this. 

Here are some common lies of rejection and the truth of who I am in Christ! 

Lie: Love must be earned. Everyone, including God, accepts me if I work hard to please them.

Truth: God's love for me is unconditional because I'm His child (John 1:12,13). This truth provides a deep sense of security and comfort, knowing that His love is not based on my performance or worthiness. 

Lie: Certain people must accept me to feel okay about myself. 

Truth: Christ considers me as His friend (John 15:15).

Lie: I must do everything well or right to be accepted.

Truth: I am justified and have peace with God through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). This truth brings a deep sense of peace and assurance, knowing that my acceptance is not based on my actions, but on His grace.

Lie: Sooner or later, God will reject me and turn away from me.

Truth: You no longer need to fear rejection again, for Christ will never leave you or forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5)

Lie: I have no real value to God and others and feel worthless as a person.

Truth: God bought me with the price of His Son; therefore, I am of infinite value to Him (1 Corinthians 6:20).

Lie: I am unloved and alone in this life. 

Truth: God chose to love me for all eternity and adopt me into His family (Ephesians 1:5). This truth instills a deep sense of belonging and acceptance, knowing that I am loved and valued by Him.

Lie: There are some things I've done that God can't forgive, or God can't keep on forgiving me. 

Truth: I am redeemed and forgiven of all my sins (Colossians 1:13,14).

Lie: God is angry with me, and I deserve to be punished, condemned, and abandoned. 

Truth: I am free forever from condemnation and set free in Christ from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-4).

Lie: Sooner or later, something is going to happen to impact God's love for me. 

Truth: I cannot be separated from God's love (Romans 8:35-39).

Lie: My relationship with God depends on me trying harder to please Him.

Truth: I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).

Lie: I still struggle with sin. God will eventually quit working in my life and give up on me.

Truth: I am confident that the good work that God has begun in me will be perfected (Philippians 1:6).

I pray that the lies that you feel and believe will be exposed and replaced with the truth of who you are in Christ! I encourage you to take some time to reflect on these truths and how they can transform your perspective on rejection and self-worth. 

2025 Fall Dinner

2025 Fall Dinner

We are excited to invite our friends to the IBCC Fall Dinner on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 6:30 p.m..

Our yearly event will be at Seasons 52 restaurant outside The Fashion Mall at Keystone. The address is 8650 Keystone Crossing, Indianapolis, IN 46240. 

We are delighted to share the discipleship counseling ministry in helping hurting people. We will have testimonies of God's grace and ministry update. The cost is $30.00 per person, and please feel free to bring any guests. If you want to make a dinner reservation, call our office at 317-585-1845, or email us at office@indianabcc.com. The deadline for RSVP is Monday, November 3rd. Payment can be made online at our website, www.indianabcc.com. 

Many of our supporters look forward to the fall dinner to donate or commit to their upcoming yearly pledge. If you cannot attend this year's dinner, prayerfully consider what the Lord would have you do for 2025.

Isaiah 61:1: "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound."

We hope you can make it! 

The Sword of the Spirit

The Sword of the Spirit

"let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light…put on the Lord Jesus Christ…" Romans 13:12-14

With Christ living within you and daily expressed in your life, you have put on God's protective armor. In the previous articles on the "Armor of God," I have discussed the defensive armor of spiritual warfare:  the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, and the helmet of salvation. God provides these basic items for your protection; your spiritual enemies cannot penetrate them. The sixth piece of God's armor, the Sword of the Spirit, is not just a defensive tool but a powerful offensive weapon-the Word of God, a source of immense power and strength for every believer.

We do not wait for the enemy to attack with the armor of God, but instead, we join Christ in an offensive battle, taking up the Word of God. In Ephesians 6:17, Paul instructs believers to overcome Satan and his hosts by taking "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Sadly, a form of biblical illiteracy has taken root, and believers have become passive in utilizing the sixth piece of God's armor. It is not just a suggestion but our solemn responsibility to actively study, understand, and apply the Word of God in our lives as followers of Christ. This passivity has resulted in a deficiency in understanding God's Word. In particular the blessings we possess in Christ. People thus become easy prey to the destructive forces of evil. Christians are seeking help from counseling philosophies and techniques that overlook vital biblical truths. Many churches are compromising their preaching and teaching. There are a plethora of self-help books that are replacing the sound exegetical study of God's Word. When the enemy comes in like a flood, few have the Biblical discernment to respond to Satan's deceptions. 

We learn from Christ's pattern for using the Word of God. For example, Satan attacked our Lord with three direct temptations (Matthew 4:1-11). The first one was, 'Don't trust God. Make stones into bread. Don't wait for God to supply your needs (Matthew 4:3). Jesus responded with a quote from Deuteronomy 8:3 that was related exactly to that temptation'…It is written, man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every Word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.' (Matthew 4:4). Then satan said, 'Dive off the temple and let God catch you' (Matthew 4:6). Satan wanted Christ to trust God for a wrong desire. Jesus uses Deuteronomy 6:16 to deal with that temptation, 'It is written again, you shall not put the Lord your God to the test' (Matthew 4:7). Then satan said, 'Bow down and worship me' (Matthew 4:9). Again, Jesus used Scripture, Deuteronomy 6:13, to deal with the temptation, 'Be gone, Satan! For it is written, you shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve. Christ precisely used the sword of the Word.

We must stand with our full spiritual armor, ready to gain victories in our daily battles. Remember, we already know the outcome of the war. Victory is not just a possibility but an unavoidable reality for us as believers. This assurance of victory should fill us with hope and confidence as we face our daily battles. I desire to help others understand their identity in Christ and find the blessings of standing firm in victory. The Sword of the Spirit is the perfect weapon God has provided!

The Helmet of Salvation

The Helmet of Salvation

It's a reality that many Christians today grapple with a range of emotions: humiliation, anger, fear, sadness, hopelessness, and despair. These are the very feelings that many of us, including our clients, struggle in our daily lives, within our families, and even in our marriages. The quest for peace and victory that is rightfully ours in Christ can be a daily struggle. God's Word reveals that the Christian's conflict has three dimensions.
•  The flesh. (Galatians 5:16-26)

•The world. (John 15:18-27)
• The spiritual darkness of Satan and his demons. (Ephesians 6:10-17)
 
In Ephesians 6:17, the Apostle Paul tells us to "…take the helmet of salvation…" This helmet is another essential piece of armor required for spiritual victory. A Roman soldier would be foolish to go into battle without his helmet. Helmets could be made in two ways: with leather and some metal patches or solid cast metal. The Roman's helmet would protect the head from arrows (fiery darts), but its primary function was to ward off blows from a very destructive weapon called a broadsword. The broadsword was three to four feet long. It had a massive handle held with both hands, like a baseball bat. The enemy soldier lifted it over his head and brought it down to touch his opponent's head. This weapon dealt such a crushing blow to the skull that a helmet was necessary to deflect it. In the spiritual realm, Satan's lies are like the blows of a broadsword, and the helmet of salvation protects us from these destructive attacks!
 
The word "salvation" in Ephesians 6:17 underscores the continuous deliverance our salvation brings. Paul is pointing to our hope of deliverance in times of spiritual battle because we are God's children! Our redemption is in Christ. We are loved, accepted, and secure in Him, and this ongoing deliverance is our constant hope!
 
Paul is quoting from Isaiah 59:17, "he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak." THE LORD JESUS CHRIST is our unfailing hope of deliverance! The helmet of salvation delivers us from the most menacing of all attacks. This crucial attack comes to mind as our enemy feeds us doubts and lies about Christ, His Word, and His protection. No matter how bad things may become or how hopeless our lives may seem, God loves us and is with us. God has already rescued us from the bondage to the prince of the realm of the air, and He has already seated us with Christ in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:1-10). We can remain confident of our victory in Christ by acknowledging this salvation as our helmet.
 
THE GREAT NEWS IS WE ARE DELIVERED! With the helmet of salvation on our heads, we are protected in Christ and can choose to give no consent to Satan's attack with negative thoughts and emotions. God's truth delivers you from old habits and thought patterns as He continues His work of transforming you by renewing your mind (Romans 12:2). You have been set free to fall in love with Jesus Christ, and this victory in Christ is our source of empowerment and confidence.
 

The Shield of Faith

The Shield of Faith

"in all circumstances, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one." Ephesians 6:16

The reality of war in the physical world is constantly in the headlines. However, the least recognized and understood is the spiritual warfare that affects individual lives. This attack is from the powerful enemy of our soul, who is determined to destroy us (John 10:10). All Christians experience times of spiritual attack in their lives. God permits these testing times to allow us to take up the shield of faith against the enemy.

IBCC exists to help people "…to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins…" Acts 26:18. We help people use the shield of faith as they identify Satan's lies and deceptions – the flaming missiles hurled at them, such as the lie that they are not worthy of God's love or the deception that their past sins define them. 

The Apostle Paul tells us that part of putting on the whole armor of God is taking up the shield of faith. We must pick up the shield of faith and hold it in place to defend ourselves in battle. The Roman shield Paul refers to was four feet long and two and a half feet wide. It protected the whole body. The other pieces of armor left some parts of the body vulnerable, and thus, the shield was required to stop lethal penetrations. When the spiritual battle becomes heated with arrows flying, the Christian takes up the shield of faith. The Roman shield was made with linen and leather hide and dipped in water. When the fiery darts hit it, they were extinguished. After one battle, a Roman soldier counted over 200 darts sticking into his shield! 

What are the fiery darts that come from Satan and his demons? They are his seducing lies and temptations. Satan fires his missiles of impurity, selfishness, doubt, fear, disappointment, lust, greed, vanity, covetousness, hopelessness, and so forth. 

During the battle, the believer is bombarded with Satan's fiery darts. Our first line of defense is the shield of faith. "Without faith, it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." Hebrews 11:6. The shield of faith is not just knowing God's truth in our heads but believing in our hearts that what God has said is true, so much so that we can act against the enemy. To use the shield of faith when a deceptive thought, accusation, or temptation comes, we meet it head-on with what we know to be true about God, His Word, and who we are in Christ!

We can enlarge and strengthen our shield of faith by spending time in the Word of God. In my personal life and in the lives of those I counsel, I find that without consistent time spent with God and His Word, we can be left defenseless. "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that your brotherhood is experiencing the same kinds of suffering worldwide." I Peter 5:8-9. 

Do you genuinely believe in your heart that what God says is true? As you pick up the shield of faith, you can stop the flaming arrows of the evil one. You will be enabled to stand firm in the spiritual battles of life!

Shoes of Peace

The Shoes of Peace

"As for shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace." Ephesians 6:15

Many of our clients lack feeling at peace with God and, consequently, have difficulty in their lives and spiritual battles. Lies of condemnation, such as 'You are not good enough' or 'God cannot forgive you for such a horrible sin,' and 'If God loved me, things would be better in my life.'   Satan gains an advantage over Christians by questioning the limits of God's grace and mercy in their lives. This causes people to retreat spiritually and become passive. However, the Gospel of Peace can help us overcome these battles, empowering us and giving us hope. 

Roman soldiers wore boots with nails in them to provide traction and prevent slipping in combat. The Shoes of Peace pertains to the good news that, through Jesus Christ, believers are at peace with God. God is for them; he is on their side, and no one can be separated from the love of God. We can stand firm, knowing that God is for us, and He is our strength in the spiritual battles of this life. 

I am here to share this great news with our counselees: that they can find peace with God. Christ is victorious over sin and satan! There is no more condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus! In Colossians 2:13-15, the Bible tells us that God has made us alive in Christ and has forgiven ALL our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us of our sins, past, present, and future. He took that record of our sin and destroyed it by nailing it to Christ's cross. God disarmed the rulers and authorities of evil.

Let us stand ready in the Shoes of Peace. Romans 5:1: "Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Because of the Good News of the Gospel, we are at peace with Him and stand in the confidence of God's forgiveness, His union with us, and His commitment to continually fight for us. We can put on the "readiness of the gospel…" and boldly proclaim to others the victory that Christ has for them.

Having peace with God enables us to have daily fellowship with the Lord, allowing the peace of Christ to rule in our hearts as we come boldly to the throne of grace in prayer, supplication, thanksgiving, and praise continually (Philippians 4:6-7). This daily connection with the Lord is not just a routine but a source of strength and comfort. It's a personal connection that makes us feel loved and valued. We are told in Colossians 3:16 to "let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly." The context of dwelling in this verse refers to having Christ at home in our hearts, in spiritual abundance. It is essential to make the gospel message central to all our living, teaching, preaching, and counseling. When we meditate on and personalize scriptures that teach us the wonderful doctrine of justification and reconciliation between man and God (Colossians 2:20-22), these scriptures confront Satan's lies when he questions your right standing in Christ.

My heart is filled with joy when a client finds relief and comfort in their understanding of the Shoes of Peace. The lies that the accuser of the brethren has used for years are rendered powerless in their lives. A client who lived with years of guilt wrote us, "Since our time together, I have been holding on to what I learned that Jesus loves me, and he is not mad at me because of my past sin, and I have the peace of God in my life." This is the kind of peace and comfort that the Shoes of Peace brings, and I hope that all my clients can experience it.

Breastplate of Righteousness

The Breastplate of RIghteousness 

"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" Philippians 3:9 

Even on my darkest day, I am the righteousness of Christ!

Years ago, my wife and I experienced a profound transformation when we grasped and surrendered to our identity in Christ. This Biblical truth revolutionized our lives, igniting a new level of spiritual growth. We learned to love one another from our renewed hearts in Christ, a love that was genuine and profound. 

One crucial element of the Armor of God that we came to understand intimately is the Breastplate of Righteousness. This breastplate serves as a shield for our most vulnerable area—our heart, the seat of our feelings and emotions. It provides a secure barrier, preventing us from being wounded or succumbing to the fear of rejection. 

Our acceptance comes from being right with God, now and forever. We are alive with the righteous life of Christ. Once and for all, Jesus has removed our sin and guilt (Romans 8:1, II Corinthians 5:21). When we believe this and rejoice in it, Satan's accusations will glance off our "breastplates" and fall away. The Word of God tells us we already have that piece of armor on in Ephesians 6:14b: "…and having on the breastplate of righteousness". Another translation reads it this way: "…and the body of Armor of God's righteousness". This righteousness, this armor, is a powerful weapon in our spiritual warfare, one that we can wear with confidence and strength.

In Christ's time on earth, no Roman soldier would go into battle without his breastplate, a tough, sleeveless armor covering his whole torso. The purpose of the breastplate is to protect the vital organs, including the heart. In Jewish thinking, the heart represents the mind, will, and emotions. The mind and emotions are two areas where satan most fiercely attacks believers. The enemy will attack to wound our hearts with condemnation and accusation, leading to despair. If we trust ourselves for our righteousness, we are left defenseless. We must cover ourselves with the righteousness of Christ!

Here are some points to consider:

Three Ways That Satan Attacks
1.     Accusations (Revelation 12:10) – Despair comes from believing what Satan says rather than what God says about my righteousness in Christ (II Corinthians 5:21).

2.    Condemnation (Romans 8:1) – Satan condemns me to keep me from coming to Jesus for help and repentance.

3.    Spiritual Pride and Legalism (Romans 10:3) – trusting in my righteousness, which is rooted in the pride of our flesh.

When we sin, there is NO CONDEMNATION for those in Christ! Yes, we need to acknowledge our sins, and Jesus is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us of all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9). We can stand with Christ's righteousness around us like a breastplate. Satan has nothing to accuse us of because we are made righteous in Christ. We can now have a clear conscience before God and Man (Acts 24:16). This is the essence of true freedom. 

Belt of Trtuh

The Belt of Truth

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and the power of his might. Put on the armor of God that ye may be able to stand against the devil's wiles. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places"  Ephesians 6:10-12

The armor of God is an appropriate way to end the book of Ephesians. Paul tells us that if you are a Christian, as defined in chapters 1-3, and if you are living as a Christian should live, as determined by chapters 4-6, you will come under spiritual attack. It is impossible to live in the manner Paul described without conflict that the enemy would like to take advantage in our lives. Thus, the final thing Paul tells us is to be strong in the Lord and put on the armor of God.

The first piece of armor is the Belt of Truth, which is crucial in spiritual warfare. 'Stand therefore, having your loins girt with truth…' Ephesians 6:14. Since a significant part of ancient combat was hand-to-hand, a loose tunic would be a hindrance and even a danger. Before battle, the tunic was carefully cinched up and tucked into the heavy leather belt that girded (restrained) the soldier's loins. Similarly, the belt of Truth restrains us from the lies and deceptions of the enemy, enabling us to stand firm in our faith.

God's belt of Truth ties it all together, demonstrating that the believer is ready for battle. The Greek word for Truth refers to the accuracy of Truth or the quality of a truthful attitude in thinking and speaking.

"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:13

Consider five important ways for using the belt of Truth:

1.     Since Satan is a liar (John 8:44), your belt of Truth is constantly under attack, taking one or more forms:

• Lies about the character of God.

• Deception about who you are in Christ.

• Lies that promote fear regarding life's future direction.

• Temptation to sin.

2.     Seek the Truth in close relationship and dependence on the person of Truth – Jesus Christ. "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and truth, and the life. No one comes to Father except through me." John 14:6

3.    Read, study, and apply the Scriptures, letting the Word of Truth sanctify your life daily. "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." John 17:17

4.    Submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit – The Spirit of Truth. "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth." John 16:13

5.    Resist the enemy by choosing, knowing, and standing in Truth. "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7 

Matching Funds

Matching Funds 

I praise the Lord for your concern for IBCC and for helping hurting people! Our counseling ministry has been in operation for twenty-eight years. Our prayer and desire are to continue demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ and offering a place of mercy, grace, and God’s truth for those hurting and needing help.
 
Our matching fund campaign is a unique opportunity to make a difference. With a generous pledge of $12,000 to be matched, we are excited to present an opportunity for you to play an essential role in counseling our clients in need in 2025! The campaign, which you can help us kick start, concludes on September 15th, 2025. 
 
How can you participate? 
 
Participating in our matching fund campaign is simple. Just complete the enclosed form, 'Your Gifts Bring Freedom Matching Funds,' or write 'matching funds' on your check. If you prefer to donate online, you can do so through our website (www.indianabcc.com) via PayPal and note your donation for the matching funds. Your contribution will be automatically matched, doubling the impact of your support.
 
We are truly grateful for your thoughtful consideration and appreciate your prayers and financial support. Thank you! 
 
Your past contributions have been instrumental in our ability to provide a haven for those in need. We ask that you continue to pray for our clients, staff, and ministry so that we may persist as a beacon of hope and healing. 


Rev. Jeffrey Pokone
IBCC Center Director/Counselor

How to Process Your Fear

"...for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."
-- 2 Timothy 1:7

Fear was the first emotion recorded in Scripture after the fall. Adam said, "I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself" (Genesis 3:10). Ever since the fall of man, fear is an emotion we all need to address in our lives.

Feeling fear is a natural response when our emotional, psychological and physical safety is threatened. For fear to intensify, it must possess two attributes: we must perceive it as imminent (present) and potent (dominant) over us. For example, the number one fear people experience is death. When we are young and healthy, death seems far away. However, when diagnosed with a life-threatening illness like cancer, fear, and anxiety can overwhelm us. The truth is those in Christ are all delivered from the fear of death! (Hebrews 2:15)

Acknowledging and understanding your fears and addressing them with the truth early in the process can be of great help. 

Asking yourself and processing these questions can help you begin to work through your fears. Work through one concern at a time. You might want to start by addressing your greatest fear first. 

1. What is my reason to fear? Is it a rational fear? Does the initial fear lead to other related concerns? 

2. How imminent is it? How powerful is it?  

3. How realistic is it? 

4. You cannot remove everything in your life that causes you fear. However, you can work on lowering its intensity. These are the critical questions to address it...What thoughts do I have that makes this object of fear grow in intensity? Am I asking myself repetitive what about or what-if questions that are increasing my fear? What lies am I believing? 

5. What Biblical truth can bring me comfort and speak truth to my fears? Make a list with two columns. On one side, write down the list of negative thoughts or lies that build on the fear and the other column, the Biblical truth that speaks to each negative belief or lie. 

6. What bodily sensations does this fear cause me to have? Increased heart rate? Tingling in my arms? Heavy breathing and pressure on my chest? Are my physical symptoms caused by my emotions or do I have a physical issue? Do I need to seek medical help? 

7. What reactions does this fear cause me to have? Is my reaction healthy for me and others around me? Is there panic or a fearful response?

8. What bad habits that come from my fear? Am I developing phobias, avoidant behaviors, addictions, obsessions?

9. Is there someone I can reach out to help me work through these questions and gain a healthier perspective?

10. What does it look like for me to allow Christ to comfort me in my fears? (1 Peter 5:7)

When the resurrected Christ first appeared to His disciples He found them cowering in fear of the Jews. He simply said to them, "Peace be with you" (John 20:19). God's provision for personal redemption had come and they no longer had to be afraid. The same is true for us today!