Baker Valley Christian Counseling Center

10/26/2026

10/01/2026

There are many things we say or do that we know are wrong and that we know we need to confess to the Father for forgiveness.

But there are others that are not so easy to recognize or name.

Sins of the heart.

We justify them.

We hold on to them.

We hide from them and try to bury them.

Those are what we must ask the Father to uncover and help us to see. Then He can help us to understand and accept.

Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

09/13/2026

💍 BEST MARRIAGE

“A GRACE-BUILT MARRIAGE THAT GLORIFIES CHRIST”

Key Text: 📖 Ephesians 5:25, 33 KJV
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.”

From a Dispensational perspective, Ephesians and Colossians are direct Pauline doctrine for the Body of Christ, making them especially important for understanding Christian marriage in the present Dispensation of Grace.

📖 INTRODUCTION — THE BEST MARRIAGE IS NOT A PERFECT MARRIAGE

There is no marriage between two perfect people. Marriage brings together two people who still have weaknesses, differences, emotions, expectations, and areas where they need spiritual growth.

Therefore, the goal should not merely be:
“How can I find the perfect spouse?”
A better question is:
“How can Christ's grace transform me into a faithful husband or wife?”

Under grace, marriage is not strengthened by legalism, manipulation, domination, or keeping a record of every failure. It is strengthened as husband and wife allow sound doctrine to work in them.
📖 Romans 6:14 — “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”
📖 Ephesians 4:32 teaches forgiveness.
📖 Ephesians 5:22–33 teaches marital order, sacrificial love, respect, nourishment, and unity.
📖 Colossians 3:12–19 teaches kindness, humility, forgiveness, love, and proper marital conduct.

Our eight principles spell:
M-A-R-R-I-A-G-E

1️⃣ M — MUTUAL LOVE
📖 Ephesians 5:25, 28, 33; Titus 2:4
A strong marriage cannot survive on romantic feelings alone. Biblical love becomes visible through commitment, sacrifice, and service.

🔹 A. MATURE LOVE
📖 Ephesians 5:25
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church...”
Christlike love asks:
“What can I give?”
Immature love continually asks:
“What am I getting?”
The husband is especially commanded to demonstrate sacrificial love patterned after Christ's love for the Church.

🔹 B. MINISTERING LOVE
📖 Ephesians 5:28–29
Paul speaks of nourishing and cherishing.
Love therefore involves practical care.
A spouse should not receive our leftovers while ministry, work, friends, hobbies, or social media receive our best attention.

🔹 C. MANIFESTED LOVE
📖 Ephesians 5:33
Love must become visible.
Say it.
Show it.
Practice it.

💡 Illustration: A marriage is like a garden. Saying, “I love my garden,” while never watering it will not keep it healthy. Love must be cultivated.

2️⃣ A — ALWAYS FORGIVE
📖 Ephesians 4:31–32; Colossians 3:13; 2 Corinthians 2:7
Marriage brings two imperfect people into close daily contact. Therefore, forgiveness is not optional equipment—it is essential.

🔹 A. ABANDON BITTERNESS
📖 Ephesians 4:31
“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger... be put away from you...”
Unresolved bitterness quietly poisons affection.
Yesterday's offense should not become tomorrow's weapon.

🔹 B. APPLY GRACE
📖 Ephesians 4:32
“...forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”
This is distinctly powerful Grace doctrine.
We do not forgive in order to make God forgive us.
We forgive because in Christ we have been forgiven.
Grace received vertically should produce grace horizontally.

🔹 C. AVOID RECORD-KEEPING
📖 1 Corinthians 13:5
Love “thinketh no evil.”
Marriage should not become a courtroom where every previous mistake is preserved as evidence for the next argument.
Forgiveness does not mean pretending serious wrongdoing never happened, but it refuses to cultivate revenge.
🔥 DON'T LET YESTERDAY'S OFFENSE DESTROY TODAY'S FELLOWSHIP.

3️⃣ R — RESPECT EACH OTHER
📖 Ephesians 5:21, 33; Philippians 2:3–4
Marriage must have both love and honor.

🔹 A. RECOGNIZE VALUE
📖 Philippians 2:3
“...in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
Your spouse is not your servant to exploit.
Marriage should not be governed by:
“How can I control you?”
but:
“How can I serve you according to God's Word?”

🔹 B. RESTRAIN SELFISHNESS
📖 Philippians 2:4
“Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”
Many marital conflicts revolve around one word:
ME.
My wants.
My feelings.
My schedule.
My money.
My plans.
Grace teaches us to consider the other person.

🔹 C. RENDER RESPECT
📖 Ephesians 5:33
Paul specifically instructs the wife to reverence her husband, while commanding the husband to love his wife.
Biblical order does not establish superior and inferior human worth.
📖 Galatians 3:28
Both husband and wife are equally complete in Christ, while Scripture still gives responsibilities within marriage.

4️⃣ R — REMAIN FAITHFUL
📖 1 Corinthians 7:2–5, 10–11; Ephesians 5:31
Marriage demands covenant faithfulness, purity, and exclusivity.

🔹 A. RESIST TEMPTATION
📖 1 Corinthians 7:2
Paul recognizes sexual temptation and teaches marital faithfulness.
Guard your:
eyes, conversations, private messages, emotional attachments, and relationships.
Do not deliberately nurture something that competes with your spouse.

🔹 B. REJECT IMMORALITY
📖 1 Corinthians 6:18
“Flee fornication.”
Grace never means permission to live carelessly.
📖 Titus 2:11–12
The same grace that saves us teaches us to deny ungodliness.

🔹 C. REINFORCE UNITY
📖 Ephesians 5:31
“...they two shall be one flesh.”
Protect the unity of your marriage.
When conflict comes, remember:
YOUR SPOUSE IS NOT THE ENEMY.
Work against the problem instead of constantly working against each other.

5️⃣ I — INVEST IN CHRIST TOGETHER
📖 Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:17; 2 Timothy 2:15
The poster says “Involve God Daily.” From a Mid-Acts perspective, we can sharpen that idea: build your home upon Christ and rightly divided Pauline truth.

🔹 A. INCREASE IN KNOWLEDGE
📖 Colossians 1:9–10
A spiritually healthy couple should continue growing in sound doctrine.
Do not stop learning after salvation.

🔹 B. INTERNALIZE THE WORD
📖 Colossians 3:16
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom...”
Don't merely display a Bible in the house.
Let biblical truth live in the house.
Let it influence your:
money, parenting, arguments, decisions, priorities, speech, and forgiveness.

🔹 C. IDENTIFY GOD'S PRESENT PROGRAM
📖 2 Timothy 2:15
A rightly divided home understands the distinction between Israel's prophetic program and the Body of Christ revealed through Paul's ministry.
📖 Ephesians 3:1–9.
Sound doctrine prevents couples from building their spiritual life on confused applications of Scripture.

6️⃣ A — ADMIT MISTAKES
📖 Ephesians 4:25–26; Colossians 3:9; Romans 12:3
Three words can rescue many conversations:
“I WAS WRONG.”

🔹 A. ACKNOWLEDGE FAILURE
📖 Romans 12:3
“...not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think...”
Pride says:
“I must win.”
Grace says:
“I want truth and reconciliation more than victory in this argument.”

🔹 B. ANSWER HONESTLY
📖 Ephesians 4:25
“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour...”
If honesty matters among members of the Body, how much should honesty characterize husband and wife?
Marriage requires truthful communication.

🔹 C. ADDRESS ANGER
📖 Ephesians 4:26–27
Problems ignored often become problems multiplied.
Do not allow anger to become bitterness.
Discuss disagreements with:
truth, patience, humility, and grace.
🔥 Sometimes the most spiritual sentence in marriage is simply:
“I WAS WRONG. PLEASE FORGIVE ME.”

7️⃣ G — GROW TOGETHER
📖 Philippians 1:9–11; Colossians 2:6–7; Ephesians 4:15
A healthy marriage should not remain spiritually stagnant.

🔹 A. GROW IN GRACE
📖 Titus 2:11–12
Grace is not only how we begin the Christian life.
Grace teaches us how to live it.
The Gospel changes our eternal position, and sound doctrine should progressively transform our practical walk.

🔹 B. GROW IN GODLINESS
📖 1 Timothy 4:7–8
Spiritual maturity should become visible at home.
It is easy to appear spiritual in church for two hours.
The real test is:
What kind of Christian are you around your spouse and children?

🔹 C. GROW IN GIVING
📖 2 Corinthians 9:7–8
A grace-centered marriage learns generosity rather than selfishness.
Give your spouse:
time, attention, encouragement, affection, patience, and practical support.

💡 Illustration: Two trees growing separately may lean in different directions. But husband and wife growing together in sound doctrine develop shared spiritual priorities.

8️⃣ E — ENJOY THE JOURNEY
📖 Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18; Philippians 4:11–13
Marriage is not merely an institution to endure.
It is a relationship to steward with gratitude.

🔹 A. ENJOY CONTENTMENT
📖 Philippians 4:11
Paul learned contentment regardless of circumstances.
Don't destroy your marriage by constantly comparing it with someone else's.
Especially today, social media can show you everyone's highlights while hiding their struggles.

🔹 B. EXPRESS GRATITUDE
📖 1 Thessalonians 5:18
“In every thing give thanks...”
Instead of constantly identifying what your spouse lacks, intentionally appreciate what they contribute.
A thankful heart changes the atmosphere of a home.

🔹 C. EXPECT CHALLENGES
📖 2 Corinthians 4:8–9
Grace does not promise a trouble-free marriage.
Financial problems may come.
Sickness may come.
Misunderstandings may come.
Disappointments may come.
But difficulties do not automatically mean the marriage has failed.
Grace enables two imperfect people to keep walking faithfully together.

🏁 CONCLUSION — WHAT MAKES THE “BEST MARRIAGE”?

The best marriage is not necessarily:
the richest marriage,
the most romantic marriage,
the most photographed marriage,
or the marriage without disagreements.
From a Grace perspective, a strong Christian marriage is one where sound doctrine becomes sound living.

📖 Ephesians 4:1
“...walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.”
A beautiful wedding lasts a day.
A biblical marriage requires daily faithfulness.
Your marriage does not need two perfect people.
It needs two people increasingly allowing the grace of God and the Word of Christ to govern their lives.

📣 CALL TO ACTION — THREE “C's”

🔹 A. CENTER YOUR MARRIAGE ON CHRIST
📖 Colossians 2:6–7
Before trying to change your spouse, allow sound doctrine to transform you.
Ask:
“Am I walking consistently with who I am in Christ?”

🔹 B. COMMUNICATE WITH GRACE
📖 Colossians 4:6
Let your speech be “alway with grace.”
Speak truth without cruelty.
Correct without humiliation.
Disagree without contempt.

🔹 C. COMMIT TO FAITHFULNESS
📖 1 Corinthians 4:2
“...it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”
Treat your marriage as a stewardship entrusted to you.
Don't merely ask:
“Am I happy?”
Also ask:
“Am I faithful?”

💭 FINAL THOUGHTS — REMEMBER “MARRIAGE”

1️⃣ M — MUTUAL LOVE
📖 Ephesians 5:25, 33
❤️ Love sacrificially.
2️⃣ A — ALWAYS FORGIVE
📖 Ephesians 4:32
🤝 Forgive because God has forgiven you for Christ's sake.
3️⃣ R — RESPECT EACH OTHER
📖 Ephesians 5:33
💎 Value rather than belittle one another.
4️⃣ R — REMAIN FAITHFUL
📖 1 Corinthians 7:2
💍 Guard your marital commitment.
5️⃣ I — INVEST IN CHRIST TOGETHER
📖 Colossians 3:16
📖 Let the Word of Christ dwell richly in your home.
6️⃣ A — ADMIT MISTAKES
📖 Ephesians 4:25–26
🙏 Choose humility over pride.
7️⃣ G — GROW TOGETHER
📖 Ephesians 4:15
🌱 Don't merely grow older together—grow spiritually together.
8️⃣ E — ENJOY THE JOURNEY
📖 Philippians 4:4
😊 Be thankful for the person God has placed
beside you.

❤️ THE BEST MARRIAGE IS NOT BUILT BY FINDING A PERFECT PERSON.
IT IS BUILT WHEN TWO IMPERFECT PEOPLE LEARN TO LIVE TOGETHER UNDER GRACE, WALK IN SOUND DOCTRINE, FORGIVE FREELY, LOVE SACRIFICIALLY, AND REMAIN FAITHFUL TO ONE ANOTHER.
✝️ SAME GRACE. SAME CHRIST. SOUND DOCTRINE. STRONGER TOGETHER.

09/12/2026

A CHRIST-CENTERED FAMILY STANDS STRONG

A strong family is not built simply by having a good home, enough money, or a comfortable life. A strong family is built when Christ is at the center of everything. When Jesus is the foundation, every member of the family learns that their role is not about control, pride, or personal importance—it is about love, sacrifice, responsibility, and serving one another.

The husband is called to protect, lead, and provide, not merely with strength and authority, but with humility, wisdom, faith, and sacrificial love. His leadership should point his family toward Christ, not toward himself.

The wife is called to comfort, teach, and nurture, creating an atmosphere where love, wisdom, grace, and godly character can grow. Her influence in the home can shape hearts and help build a family that honors God.

Children are taught to love and honor their parents, learning obedience, respect, gratitude, and—most importantly—a relationship with God. As they grow, they should see through their parents’ lives what it means to follow Jesus.

But above every role is CHRIST.

Because when Christ is removed from the center, even a beautiful family structure can become weak. But when Jesus is at the center, the family has an anchor during storms, a guide during difficult decisions, and a source of grace when mistakes happen.

The husband cannot replace Christ.
The wife cannot replace Christ.
Parents cannot replace Christ.
Children cannot replace Christ.

Everyone in the family needs Jesus.

A Christ-centered family will still face problems. There will still be disagreements, financial struggles, disappointments, failures, and difficult seasons. But the difference is that the family does not have to face those storms alone.

They can pray together.
They can forgive one another.
They can seek God's wisdom.
They can return to His Word.
They can choose love instead of pride.
And they can keep Christ at the center.

The goal is not to have a perfect family.

The goal is to have a family that keeps turning back to God.

Different roles.
Different responsibilities.
Different personalities.
One foundation. One Lord. One family.

📖 “But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” — Joshua 24:15

May our homes become places where Christ is honored, Scripture is valued, prayer is practiced, forgiveness is freely given, and love is demonstrated—not just spoken.

Build your family around Christ, because everything else can change, but a foundation built on Him will never be wasted. 🙏❤️

CHRIST FIRST. FAMILY UNITED. GOD GLORIFIED.

09/08/2026

Depression can make ordinary things feel difficult. Getting out of bed, answering a message, or being around people may take more strength than anyone realizes. If that is where you are today, Jesus sees you with compassion. You do not have to pretend you are doing well to be welcome in His presence. He loves you right here, before your feelings change and before you have the words to explain what you are experiencing.

The finished work of Jesus means your relationship with God rests on what He accomplished for you. Through His death and resurrection, you have been forgiven, brought near, and welcomed into God’s family. Those truths remain true on the days you feel overwhelmed or emotionally numb. Depression does not cancel your identity in Christ. You are still His beloved child, and you do not have to earn His tenderness by handling this season better.

Sometimes the struggle becomes heavier because you begin blaming yourself. You may wonder whether a stronger Christian would feel differently or whether God is disappointed in you. But Romans 8:1 tells us there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. You do not need to add spiritual shame to the pain you are already carrying. Struggling with depression is not proof that you have failed God. Jesus has already carried your condemnation, and you are free to receive compassion instead of accusing yourself.

You can be honest with the One who loves you. Your prayer can be as simple as, “Jesus, today is hard, and I need help.” You do not need an impressive prayer or an emotional worship experience for Him to hear you. Hebrews 4:16 invites us to approach God’s throne of grace with confidence and receive mercy and help. That invitation includes the days when you cry, the days when you feel nothing, and the days when you cannot finish a sentence. Your access to the Father was opened by Jesus, and your exhaustion has not closed it.

You also have permission to let someone know how difficult this has been. Receiving support from a trusted friend, pastor, counselor, or doctor is compatible with trusting Jesus. You do not have to carry this privately to prove your faith. Being loved means you can receive care, accept practical help, and let others walk beside you. You are a person worth listening to, worth making time for, and worth helping, even when depression makes that difficult to believe.

Today, you do not have to figure out your entire future. Take the next manageable step with the assurance that you are already loved. Your feelings may not change immediately, but they do not determine whether Jesus is holding you close. Romans 8:38–39 assures us that nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus. That includes this painful season. There is hope for you, there is help you are worthy of receiving, and there is no day when you must earn your place in His heart.

09/05/2026

🔥⚔️🦁

08/10/2026

06/22/2026

Happy Father’s Day! 💙

Today, we honor the fathers, grandfathers, and father figures who lead with love, sacrifice, and unwavering faith. Thank you for the countless ways you provide, protect, encourage, and inspire your families every day.

May God bless you with strength, wisdom, good health, and overflowing joy. Your impact reaches farther than you know, and your faithfulness leaves a legacy for generations.

🙏 Join us in celebrating fathers! Leave a message of appreciation in the comments below.