Stronghold Counseling Services, Inc.

Stronghold Counseling Services, Inc. Stronghold Counseling Services began as a vision of a ministry in the Sioux Falls area. We offer a gr

12/26/2025

God’s presence never diminishes. Our awareness of His presence may falter, but the reality of His presence never changes.
Max Lucado

12/26/2025

For the 4th time in 6 yrs, the most downloaded verse among YouVersion’s 1B users is Isaiah 41:10, “Do not fear, for I am with you.”

12/25/2025

“I am not alone at all, I thought. I was never alone at all. And that, of course, is the message of Christmas. We are never alone. Not when the night is darkest, the wind coldest, the world seemingly most indifferent. For this is still the time God chooses.”
― Taylor Caldwell

Immanuel - God with us

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas from Stronghold Counseling

12/24/2025

The Birth of Jesus Christ
Luke 2

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up pfrom Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God jin the highest,and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

12/23/2025

While Christmas is a time of high highs for some, it’s a time of amplified grief for others. Be patient. Be kind. If we knew the struggles people are facing, our tone would change instantly. Because we don’t know, grace isn’t optional—it’s the only reasonable posture.

Mike Woodruff

12/23/2025

He gave up His place with God and made Himself nothing. He was born as a man and became like a servant. — Philippians 2:7

It all happened in a most remarkable moment… a moment like no other.
God became a man. Divinity arrived. Heaven opened herself and placed her most precious One in a human womb.

The Omnipotent, in one instant, became flesh and blood. The One who was larger than the universe became a microscopic embryo. And He who sustains the world with a word chose to be dependent upon the nourishment of a young girl.

God had come near.

He gave up His place with God and made Himself nothing. He was born as a man and became like a servant. — Philippians 2:7

~ God Came Near
Max Lucado

12/22/2025

Seems like the only common bond between [Jesus’ ancestors] was a promise. A promise fromHeaven that God would use them to send His Son.

Why did God use these people? Didn’t have to. Could have just laid the Savior on a doorstep.Would have been simpler that way. And why does God tell us their stories?

Simple. He wants us to know that when the world goes wild, He stays calm.

Want proof? Read the last name on the list [of Jesus’ lineage]. In spite of all the crooked halosand tasteless gambols of His people, the last name on the list is the first one promised — Jesus.

No more names are listed. No more are needed. As if God is announcing to a doubting world,“See, I did it. Just like I said I would.”

Joseph was the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus. Jesus is called the Christ. — Matthew 1:16

~ When God Whispers Your Name
Max Lucado

Merry Christmas from Stronghold! These are the staff that didn't run and hide when someone said picture.Thank-you for t...
12/21/2025

Merry Christmas from Stronghold! These are the staff that didn't run and hide when someone said picture.

Thank-you for trusting us with your hard moments! Blessings to you and your family this holiday season.

12/21/2025

Why did He do it? A shack would have sufficed, but He gave us a mansion. Did He have to give the birds a song and the mountains a peak? Was He required to put stripes on the zebra and the hump on the camel?

Why wrap creation in such splendor? Why go to such trouble to give such gifts?

Why do you? You do the same. I’ve seen you searching for a gift. I’ve seen you stalking the malls and walking the aisles. I’m not talking about the obligatory gifts. I’m talking about that extra-special person and that extra-special gift.

Why do you do it? You do it so the heart will stop. You do it so the jaw will drop. You do it to hear those words of disbelief “You did this for me?”

That’s why you do it. And that is why God did it. Next time a sunrise steals your breath or a meadow of flowers leaves you speechless, remain that way. Say nothing and listen as heaven whispers, “Do you like it? I did it just for you.”

Thanks be to God for His gift that is too wonderful for words. — 2 Corinthians 9:15

Grace for the Moment
by Max Lucado

12/20/2025

One week, while making his way through the Psalms, Isaac Watts wrote “Joy to the World” based on Psalm 98:4. Today there are more versions of “Joy to the World” than any other praise song, with new versions being sung all the time.

The story of Jesus coming to earth was a message of joy to the world. Just imagine — prophets had been pointing forward to the coming of a Messiah. The people had been waiting for generations. The Scriptures told of a time when a Savior would appear. Everything had been building, and suddenly it was time. Joy to the world!

Now we find ourselves waiting with the same anticipation. The Scriptures tell of a time when the Lord will come back. Jesus Himself said that He would be returning for us. We are looking forward to Christ’s return to earth.

No wonder Watts’s song has appealed to so many people for so many years. There really isn’t any better way to describe the arrival of Christ than “Joy to the world.”

Lord, there will be no greater joy than the day I see my King.

100 Favorite Hymns by Stacy Edwards

12/19/2025

We're halfway through December... and I have to ask: Have we missed the point?

I had this moment last week. I was trying to finish a message, respond to emails, and buy a gift for one of my kids at the same time. And then my daughter walked into the room just wanting to tell me about her day. I nodded along, totally distracted... and she noticed.

I missed a moment with her because I was rushing through something for her. That's when it hit me: I do the same thing with Jesus. I'm doing things for Him... but not with Him.

Between gift lists, Amazon carts, school parties, travel plans, and family dynamics, you will blink and suddenly Christmas is here. And ironically, in the month we say is all about Jesus… we're often the most distracted from Him.

This isn't even new. The very first Christmas was full of distractions, too.

The Messiah came… and most people missed it.

There were no headlines, no TikTok clips, no trending reels. Just a quiet cry in the middle of the night. Born not in a palace, but in a place where animals sleep.

The religious people were too busy. The political leaders were too proud. The inn was too full (or guest room 😉) And everyone else? They were just trying to survive the census.

But not everyone missed Him.
A few shepherds with nothing to offer came running (learn more about that here).
Pagan astrologers from the East disrupted everything to follow a star.
A teenage girl said “yes” to a terrifying plan.
An old man in the temple waited decades just to see Him.
And they all show us something:
The people who found Jesus were the ones who made space for Him.

Jonathan Pokluda

Address

4300 S Louise Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD
57106

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 8pm
Tuesday 8am - 8pm
Wednesday 8am - 8pm
Thursday 8am - 8pm
Friday 8am - 12pm

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+16053347713

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