10 Reasons Not to Have Sex Outside of Marriage

by Mary Fairchild
Examples of couples engaging in extra-marital sex are all around us. There's no way to avoid it—today's culture fills our minds with hundreds of reasons to just go ahead and have sex outside of marriage.
But as Christians, we don't want to follow everyone else. We want to follow Christ and know what the Bible says about sex before marriage.
10 Good Reasons Not to Have Sex Outside of Marriage
Reason #1 - God Tells Us Not to Have Sex Outside of Marriage
In the seventh of God's Ten Commandments , he instructs us not to have sex with anyone other than our spouse. It's clear that God forbids sex outside of marriage. When we obey God, he is pleased. He honors our obedience by blessing us.
Deuteronomy 28:1-3
If you fully obey the LORD your God ... [he] will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God ... (NIV)
God has a good reason for giving us this command. First and foremost, he knows what's best for us. When we obey him, we trust God to look out for our best interests.
Reason #2 - The Exclusive Blessing of the Wedding Night
There's something special about a couple's first time. In this physical act, the two become one flesh. Yet sex represents more than just physical oneness—a spiritual union takes place. God planned for this exclusive experience of discovery and pleasure to happen only within the intimacy of marriage. If we don't wait, we miss out on a unique blessing from God.
1 Corinthians 6:16
Sex is as much spiritual mystery as physical fact. As written in Scripture, "The two become one." Since we want to become spiritually one with the Master, we must not pursue the kind of sex that avoids commitment and intimacy, leaving us more lonely than ever—the kind of sex that can never "become one." (The Message)
Reason #3 - Be Spiritually Healthier
If we live as carnal Christians, we'll seek to gratify the desires of the flesh and please ourselves. The Bible says we cannot please God if we live this way. We'll be miserable under the weight of our sin. As we feed our fleshly desires, our spirit will grow weak and our relationship with God will be destroyed. Complacency over sin leads to worse sin, and eventually, spiritual death.
Romans 8:8,13
Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live ... (NIV)
Reason #4 - Be Physically Healthier
This is a no-brainer. If we refrain from sex outside of marriage, we will be protected from the risk of sexually transmitted diseases.
1 Corinthians 6:18
Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body.
(NLT)
Reason #5 - Be Emotionally Healthier
One reason God tells us to keep the marriage bed pure relates to baggage. We carry baggage into our sexual relationships. Past memories, emotional scars, and unwanted mental images can defile our thoughts, making the marriage bed less than pure. Certainly, God can forgive the past, but that doesn't immediately free us from lingering mental and emotional baggage.
Hebrews 13:4
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. (NIV)
Reason #6 - Consider Your Partner's Well-Being
If we put concerns for our partner's needs and spiritual well-being above our own, we'll be compelled to wait for sex. We, like God, will want what's best for them.
Philippians 2:3
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; (NASB)
Reason #7 - Waiting Is a Test of True Love
Love is patient. That's as simple as it gets. We can discern the sincerity of our partner's love by his or her willingness to wait.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5
Love is patient, love is kind ... It is not rude, it is not self-seeking ... (NIV)
Reason #8 - Avoid Negative Consequences
There are consequences to sin. Its effects can be devastating. An unwanted pregnancy, a decision to have an abortion or place a child for adoption, broken relationships with family—these are just a few of the possible outcomes we could face when we have sex outside of marriage.
Consider the snowball effect of sin. And what if the relationship does not last? Hebrews 12:1 says that sin hinders our lives and easily entangles us. We are better off to avoid sin's negative consequences.
Reason #9 - Keep Your Testimony Intact
We don't set a very good example of godly living when we disobey God. The Bible says in 1 Timothy 4:12 to "be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity." (NIV)
In Matthew 5:13 Jesus compares his followers to "salt" and "light" in the world. When we lose our
Christian testimony, we no longer shine the light of Christ. We lose our "saltiness," becoming flavorless and bland. We can no longer attract the world to Christ. Luke 14:34-35 puts it strongly, saying that salt without saltiness is worthless, not even fit for the manure pile.
Reason #10 - Don't Settle for Less
When we choose to have sex outside of marriage, we settle for less than God's perfect will—for ourselves and our partner. We may live to regret it.
Here's food for thought: If your partner wants sex before marriage, consider this a warning sign of his or her spiritual condition. If you are the one who wants sex before marriage, consider this an indicator of your own spiritual condition

Christmas family devotion

by Mary Fairchild
Are you looking for Scriptures to read on Christmas Day? Perhaps you're planning a Christmas family devotional, or just looking for
Bible verses to write in your Christmas cards. This collection of Christmas Bible verses is arranged according to various themes and events surrounding the Christmas story and the birth of Jesus .
If presents, wrapping paper, mistletoe, and Santa Claus are distracting you from the true reason for this season, take a few minutes to meditate on these Christmas Bible verses and make Christ the central focus of your Christmas this year.
The Birth of Jesus
Matthew 1:18-25
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to
Joseph , but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins."
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel "—which means, "God with us."
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Luke 2:1-14
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
The Visit of the Shepherds
Luke 2:15-20
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
The Visit of the Magi (Wise Men)
Matthew 2:1-12
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod , Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:
'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'"
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh . And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Peace on Earth
Luke 2:14
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Immanuel
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Matthew 1:23
Behold, a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
The Gift of Eternal Life
1 John 5:11
And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Titus 3:4-7
But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the
Holy Spirit , whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
John 10:27-28
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me.
1 Timothy 1:15-17
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
The Birth of Jesus Foretold
Isaiah 40:1-11
Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD's hand double for all her sins.
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever.
O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!
Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
Luke 1:26-38
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God."
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
Mary Visits Elizabeth
Luke 1:39-45
At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah 's home and greeted Elizabeth . When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice, she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"
Mary's Song
Luke 1:46-55
And Mary said:
"My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever,
even as he said to our fathers."
Zechariah's Song
Luke 1:67-79
His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
"Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
because he has come and has redeemed his people.
He has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David
(as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),
salvation from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us—
to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant,
the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,
and to enable us to serve him without fear
in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
to shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace."

Bible Verses for Mother's Day 7 Scriptures to Bless Moms on Mother's Day

by Mary Fairchild
Speaking about his mother, Billy Graham said, "Of all the people I have ever known, she had the greatest influence on me." As Christians , let us honor and treasure our mothers for the influence they have had in shaping our lives as believers. One way to bless your loving mom or godly wife this Mother's Day is to share one of these Bible verses about moms.
A Mother’s Influence
A kind, encouraging mother has a tremendous effect on her child’s life. Mothers, more than fathers, are sensitive to the hurts and slights a child encounters growing up. They have the power to remind that the love of God heals all wounds. They can instill in their child the solid values of Scripture, truths that will guide him or her into being a person of integrity.
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. ( Proverbs 22:6, ESV )
Respect for Parents
The Ten Commandments include a special order to honor our father and mother. God gave us the family as the building block of society. When parents are obeyed and respected, and when children are treated with love and discipline, society and individuals prosper.
Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. ( Exodus 20:12, ESV)
The Author of Life
God is the Creator of life. He decrees that life should be cherished, from conception to its natural end. In his plan, motherhood is a special gift, a cooperation with our Heavenly Father to bring forth his blessing of life. None of us is a mistake. We were wonderfully formed by a loving God.
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. ( Psalm 139:13, ESV)
What Truly Matters
In our upside-down society, cutthroat businesspeople are often respected, while stay-at-home mothers are belittled. In God’s eyes, however, motherhood is a high calling, a vocation he esteems. It is better to gain the respect of God than the praise of men.
A gracious woman gets honor, and violent men get riches. (Proverbs 11:16, ESV)
Cling to God
Wisdom comes from God; foolishness comes from the world. When a woman founds her household on the Word of God, she lays a foundation that will last forever. In contrast, a woman who follows the morals and fads of the world chases after nonsense. Her family will fall apart.
The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down. (Proverbs 14:1, ESV)
Marriage is a Blessing
God established marriage in the Garden of Eden . A wife in a happy marriage is thrice-blessed: in the love she gives her husband, in the love her husband gives her, and in the love she receives from God.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD. (Proverbs 18:22, ESV)
Be Exceptional
What is a woman’s greatest accomplishment? To build Christlike character. When a wife or mother shows the compassion of our Savior, she raises up those around her. She is a helpmate to her husband and an inspiration to her children. To reflect the qualities of Jesus is far better than any honor the world could bestow.
An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates. (Proverbs 31:10-12 and 25-31, ESV)
True to the End
His disciples abandoned him. The crowds stayed away. But at the disgraceful, criminal’s execution of Jesus, there stood his mother Mary , true to the end. She was proud of her son. Nothing could keep her away. Jesus returned her love by providing for her care. After his resurrection , what a happy reunion it must have been, a mother’s and son’s love that would never end.
But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. ( John 19:25-27, ESV)

Bible Verses About Homosexuality

This extensive collection of Scriptures is provided as an aid for those who wish to study
what the Bible says about homosexuality.
Bible Verses About Homosexuality
Genesis 2:20-24
...But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.
(NIV)
Genesis 19:1-11
That evening the two angels came to the entrance of the city of Sodom. Lot was sitting there, and when he saw them, he stood up to meet them. Then he welcomed them and bowed with his face to the ground. "My lords," he said, "come to my home to wash your feet, and be my guests for the night. You may then get up early in the morning and be on your way again." "Oh no," they replied. "We'll just spend the night out here in the city square." But Lot insisted, so at last, they went home with him.
Lot prepared a feast for them, complete with fresh bread made without yeast, and they ate. But before they retired for the night, all the men of Sodom, young and old, came from all over the city and surrounded the house. They shouted to Lot, "Where are the men who came to spend the night with you? Bring them out to us so we can have sex with them!"
So Lot stepped outside to talk to them, shutting the door behind him. "Please, my brothers," he begged, "don't do such a wicked thing. Look, I have two virgin daughters. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do with them as you wish. But please, leave these men alone, for they are my guests and are under my protection."
"Stand back!" they shouted. "This fellow came to town as an outsider, and now he's acting like our judge! We'll treat you far worse than those other men!" And they lunged toward Lot to break down the door. But the two angels reached out, pulled Lot into the house, and bolted the door. Then they blinded all the men, young and old, who were at the door of the house, so they gave up trying to get inside. (NLT)
Leviticus 18:22
"Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin." (NLT)
Leviticus 20:13
"If a man practices homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman, both men have committed a detestable act. They must both be put to death, for they are guilty of a capital offense." (NLT)
Judges 19:16-24
That evening an old man came home from his work in the fields. He was from the hill country of Ephraim, but he was living in Gibeah, where the people were from the tribe of Benjamin. When he saw the travelers sitting in the town square, he asked them where they were from and where they were going.
"We have been in Bethlehem in Judah," the man replied. "We are on our way to a remote area in the hill country of Ephraim, which is my home. I traveled to Bethlehem, and now I'm returning home. But no one has taken us in for the night, even though we have everything we need. We have straw and feed for our donkeys and plenty of bread and wine for ourselves."
"You are welcome to stay with me," the old man said. "I will give you anything you might need. But whatever you do, don't spend the night in the square." So he took them home with him and fed the donkeys. After they washed their feet, they ate and drank together. While they were enjoying themselves, a crowd of troublemakers from the town surrounded the house. They began beating at the door and shouting to the old man, "Bring out the man who is staying with you so we can have sex with him." The old man stepped outside to talk to them.
"No, my brothers, don't do such an evil thing. For this man is a guest in my house, and such a thing would be shameful. Here, take my virgin daughter and this man's concubine. I will bring them out to you, and you can abuse them and do whatever you like. But don't do such a shameful thing to this man." (NLT)
1 Kings 14:24
And there were also male cult prostitutes in the land. They did according to all the abominations of the nations that the LORD drove out before the people of Israel. (ESV)
1 Kings 15:12
He put away the male cult prostitutes out of the land and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. (ESV)
2 Kings 23:7
He also tore down the living quarters of the male and female shrine prostitutes that were inside the Temple of the LORD, where the women wove coverings for the Asherah pole. (NLT)
Romans 1:18-32
But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness... Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.
So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other's bodies. They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.
That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.
Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy.
They know God's justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too. (NLT)
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Don't you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery , or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive or cheat people --none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
(NLT)
1 Timothy 1:8-10
Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine ... (ESV)
Jude 7
And don't forget Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring towns, which were filled with immorality and every kind of sexual perversion. Those cities were destroyed by fire and serve as a warning of the eternal fire of God's judgment. (NIV)

Book of Ephesians Intro to the Book of Ephesians: How to Live a Life That Honors God

by Jack Zavada
What does the ideal Christian church look like? How should Christians behave?
These important questions are answered in the book of Ephesians. This instructional letter is packed with practical advice, all given in an encouraging tone. Ephesians also contains two of the most memorable passages in the New Testament : the doctrine that salvation comes by
grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ , and the metaphor of the Full Armor of God.
Today, 2,000 years later, Christians are still debating a controversial passage in Ephesians commanding wives to submit to their husbands and husbands to love their wives ( Ephesians 5:22-33 ).
Who Wrote Ephesians?
The Apostle Paul is credited as the author. Ephesians was written about 62 A.D. This epistle is addressed to the saints at the church in
Ephesus , a prosperous port city in the Roman province of Asia Minor. Ephesus boasted international trade, a thriving silversmith guild, and a theater that seated 20,000 people.
Landscape of the Book of Ephesians
Paul wrote Ephesians while under house arrest as a prisoner in Rome. The other prison epistles are the books of Philippians , Colossians , and
Philemon. Some scholars believe Ephesians was a circular letter distributed to several early Christian churches, which may explain why the reference to Ephesus is missing from copies of some manuscripts.
Themes in the Book of Ephesians
Christ has reconciled the whole of creation to himself and to God the Father.
People of all nations are united to Christ and to one another in the church, through the working of the Trinity. Paul uses several word pictures to describe the church: body, temple, mystery, new man, bride, and soldier.
Christians should lead holy lives that give honor to God. Paul issues specific guidelines for right living.
Key Characters in the Book of Ephesians
Paul, Tychicus.
Key Verses:
Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works so that no one can boast. ( NIV )
Ephesians 4:4-6
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (NIV)
Ephesians 5:22, 28
Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord...In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. (NIV)
Ephesians 6:11-12
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (NIV)
Outline of the Book of Ephesians
Opening salutation - Ephesians 1:1-2.
Christ redeems all things - Ephesians 1:3-14.
Paul gives thanks and prays for the Ephesians - Ephesians 1:15-23.
Redemption has been accomplished - Ephesians 2:1-3:13.
Prayer for Ephesians' strength, praise to God - Ephesians 3:14-21.
Specific instructions for Christian living - Ephesians 4:1-6:10.
Putting on the Full Armor of God - Ephesians 6:10-20.
Conclusion and blessing - Ephesians 6:21-24.
Old Testament Books of the Bible (Index)
New Testament Books of the Bible (Index)

by Mary Fairchild
As you enter into a divine covenant with God and your spouse at your Christian wedding ceremony, you might consider including some verses from the Bible. Here are some themes that cover a variety of topics—love, marriage, loyalty—that you can work into your wedding vows,
The Holy Union
God outlines his plan for marriage in Genesis in the Old Testament, where Adam and Eve are united into one flesh in the inaugural wedding. The following words from Genesis 2:18, 21-24, ESV make for a powerful addition to any vows:
"Then the Lord God said, 'It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.'...So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, 'This, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman because she was taken out of Man.' Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."
Love and Loyalty
This famous passage from Ruth 1:16-17,
NKJV, is a popular choice for Christian couples for their wedding ceremony. The words are spoken in the Bible by a daughter-in-law,
Ruth, to her mother-in-law, Naomi, a widow. When Naomi's two married sons also die, one of her daughters-in-law pledges to accompany her back to her homeland:
"Entreat me not to leave you,
Or to turn back from following after you;
For wherever you go, I will go;
And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;
Your people shall be my people,
And your God, my God.
Where you die, I will die,
And there will I be buried.
The Lord do so to me, and more also,
If anything but death parts you and me."
Happily Ever After
The Book of Proverbs is packed with God's wisdom for living happily ever after. Married couples can benefit from its timeless advice for avoiding trouble and honoring God all the days of their lives:
"He who finds a wife finds a good thing,
And obtains favor from the Lord"—Proverbs 18:22, NKJV
"There are three things that amaze me—
no, four things that I don't understand:
how an eagle glides through the sky,
how a snake slithers on a rock,
how a ship navigates the ocean,
how a man loves a woman."—Proverbs 30:18-19,
NLT
"Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies."—Proverbs 31:10, KJV
Spiritual and Physical Love
The Song of Songs, a sensuous love poem about the spiritual and sexual love between a husband and wife, provides a touching portrait of love and affection within marriage. While celebrating the gift of romantic love, it also teaches husbands and wives how to treat each other:
"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—for your love is more delightful than wine."—Song of Solomon 1:2, NIV
"My lover is mine, and I am his."—Song of Solomon 2:16, NLT
"How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much more pleasing is your love than wine and the fragrance of your perfume than any spice!"—Song of Solomon 4:10, NIV
"Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame."—Song of Solomon 8:6, NIV
"Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned."—Song of Solomon 8:7, NIV
Lifelong Companionship
This passage from Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, NIV, lists some of the benefits and blessings of companionship and marriage. Practically speaking, two are stronger than one—life partners are better able to weather the storms of adversity, temptation, and grief:
"Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
Two Becoming One
In Matthew 19:4-6, NLT, Jesus Christ quotes Old Testament Scriptures from Genesis to emphasize God's desire for married couples to understand their unique union. When Christians are married, they no longer ought to think of themselves as two separate people, but one integrated unit because they have been joined as one by God:
"'Haven't you read the Scriptures?' Jesus replied. 'They record that from the beginning "God made them male and female."' And he said, 'This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.' Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together."
What Love Is
Known as "The Love Chapter," 1 Corinthians 13 is a favorite passage often quoted in wedding ceremonies. The Apostle Paul describes 15 characteristics of love to the believers in the church at Corinth:
"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels but have not love , I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing."—1 Corinthians 13:1-3, NIV
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails ..."— 1 Corinthians 13:4–8a , NIV
"And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love ."— 1 Corinthians 13:13 , NIV
Protection and Sacrifice
The book of Ephesians paints us a picture of companionship and intimacy in a godly marriage. Husbands are encouraged to lay down their lives in sacrificial love and protection for their wives in a manner similar to how Christ sacrificed for us. In response to godly love and protection, wives are expected to respect and honor their husbands and submit to their leadership:
"Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace."—Ephesians 4:1-3, NLT
And from Ephesians 5:22-33, NLT, we get a series of passages that offer a wealth of wonderful advice:
"For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything."
"For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God's word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife shows love for himself. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church.
And we are members of his body."
"As the Scriptures say, 'A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.' This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband."
God Is Love
Many more worthy Bible verses appropriate for wedding vows can be found throughout the Old and New Testaments. God, the author of the Bible, is love—not just one of His attributes, but His very nature. He alone loves in the completeness and perfection of love, and so His Word presents the standard for how to love one another in marriage:
"And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."—Colossians 3:14, NIV
"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins ."—1 Peter 4:8, ESV
"So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love , but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us."—1 John 4:16-19, ESV

Christian Wedding Music

Wedding music plays a significant role in your Christian ceremony. Choices may include a worship song sung by the entire congregation of guests, a hymn, an instrumental, or a special solo. The possibilities are endless, and you will typically have the freedom to be creative.
Remember, though, that your Christian wedding music can be a powerful expression of worship, as well as an instrument of reflection on your feelings and ideas as a couple. As you carefully plan your wedding song choices, here are some things to keep in mind.
Wedding Music Tips
It's important before you begin planning to check with the minister who will officiate your wedding to see if the church has any guidelines or restrictions regarding the wedding music for your ceremony and reception.
Remember, your musical choices will set the mood for your wedding ceremony .
Choose songs that are appropriate to the context of your wedding as a worship service.
Be sure the lyrics express faith , love, joy and commitment.
You may want to choose a special friend or family member who is musically gifted to offer one or all of the songs.
If either of you (Bride or Groom) happen to be musically talented, you may want to be involved in presenting one of the songs. However, you should be sure to consider how nerves may affect your ability to effectively play or sing on your wedding day.
Incorporating a congregational song or hymn will allow another opportunity to involve your guests in the worship experience.
A primary objective of your wedding ceremony is to testify as a couple that you are making a solemn and eternal covenant with each other before God. Your ceremony ought to be a
testimony of your lives before God, demonstrating your Christian witness. So, your wedding music is a great way to personalize this message for your guests while expressing your worship of God. Keep this in mind when choosing your songs.
Find out if sound equipment will be set up, available, and in good working condition for the wedding ceremony and reception. You may need to rent sound equipment and hire someone to set it up and run the system.
Also, find out if a sound technician and DJ will be at your disposal for the rehearsal, ceremony, and reception. Plan to either pay or tip the technician and pay for the DJ's services. Be sure to include the live wedding music in your rehearsal to work through any technical issues before the big day.
If you plan to hire musicians to play at your wedding or reception, be sure to find out if they have guidelines, restrictions, or any specific requirements. If your ceremony and reception will be held outdoors, consider how this will affect your wedding music, and be sure to have a backup plan for weather.
Check out these Top 10 Christian Wedding & Love Songs.
To make the day even more meaningful, you may want to spend some time learning the biblical significance of today's Christian wedding traditions .

Christian Wedding Symbols and Traditions

by Mary Fairchild
Christian marriage is more than a contract; it's a covenant relationship. For this reason, we see symbols of the covenant God made with
Abraham in many of today's Christian wedding traditions.
The Covenant Ceremony
"Easton's Bible Dictionary" explains that the Hebrew word for covenant is berith, which comes from the root meaning "to cut." A blood covenant was a formal, solemn, and binding agreement—a vow or pledge —between two parties made by "cutting" or dividing of animals into two parts.
In Genesis 15:9–10, the blood covenant began with the sacrifice of animals . After splitting them precisely in half, the animal halves were arranged opposite each other on the ground, leaving a pathway between them. The two parties making the covenant would walk from either end of the path, meeting in the middle.
The meeting ground between animal pieces was regarded as holy ground. There the two individuals would cut the palms of their right hands and then join these hands together as they mutually pledged a vow, promising all of their rights, possessions, and benefits to the other. Next, the two would exchange their belt and outer coat, and in so doing, take some part of the other person's name.
The wedding ceremony itself is a picture of the blood covenant. Let's look further now to consider the biblical significance of many Christian wedding traditions.
Seating of Family on Opposite Sides of the Church
Family and friends of the bride and groom are seated on opposite sides of the church to symbolize the cutting of the blood covenant. These witnesses—family, friends, and invited guests—are all participants in the wedding covenant. Many have made sacrifices to help
prepare the couple for marriage and support them in their holy union.
Center Aisle and White Runner
The center aisle represents the meeting ground or pathway between the animal pieces where the blood covenant is established. The white runner symbolizes holy ground where two lives are joined as one by God (Exodus 3:5, Matthew 19:6).
Seating of the Parents
In biblical times, the parents of the bride and groom were ultimately responsible for discerning God's will concerning the choice of a spouse for their children. The wedding tradition of seating the parents in a place of prominence is meant to recognize their responsibility for the couple's union.
Groom Enters First
Ephesians 5:23–32 reveals that earthly marriages are a picture of the church's union with Christ. God initiated the relationship through Christ, who called and came for his bride, the church . Christ is the Groom, who established the blood covenant first initiated by God. For this reason, the groom enters the church auditorium first.
Father Escorts and Gives Away Bride
In Jewish tradition, it was the father's duty to present his daughter in marriage as a pure virgin bride. As parents, the father and his wife also took responsibility for endorsing their daughter's choice in a husband. By escorting her down the aisle, a father says, "I have done my very best to present you, my daughter, as a pure bride. I approve of this man as your choice for a husband, and now I bring you to him." When the minister asks, "Who gives this woman?," the father responds, "Her mother and I." This giving away of the bride demonstrates the parents' blessing on the union and the transfer of care and responsibility to the husband.
White Wedding Dress
The white wedding dress has a twofold significance. It is a symbol of the wife's purity in heart and life, as well as her reverence to God. It's also a picture of the righteousness of Christ described in Revelation 19:7–8. Christ clothes his bride, the church, in his own righteousness as a garment of "fine linen, bright and clean."
Bridal Veil
Not only does the bridal veil show the modesty and purity of the bride and her reverence for God, it reminds us of the temple veil that was torn in two when Christ died on the cross . The removing of the veil took away the separation between God and man, giving believers access into the very presence of God. Since Christian marriage is a picture of the union between Christ and the church, we see another reflection of this relationship in the removal of the bridal veil. Through marriage, the couple now has full access to one another (1 Corinthians 7:4).
Joining Right Hands
In the blood covenant, the two individuals would join together the bleeding palms of their right hands. When their blood mixed, they would exchange a vow, forever promising all of their rights and resources to the other. In a wedding, as the bride and groom face one another to say their vows, they join right hands and publicly commit everything they are, and everything they possess, in a covenant relationship. They leave their families, forsake all others, and become one with their spouse.
Exchanging of Rings
While the wedding ring is an outward symbol of the couple's inward bond, illustrating with an unending circle the eternal quality of love, it signifies even more in light of the blood covenant. A ring was used as a seal of authority. When pressed into hot wax, the impression of the ring left an official seal on legal documents. Therefore, a couple wearing wedding rings is demonstrating their submission to God's authority over their marriage. The couple recognizes that God brought them together and that he is intricately involved in every part of their covenant relationship.
A ring also represents resources. When the couple exchanges wedding rings, this symbolizes the giving of all their resources—wealth, possessions, talents, emotions—to the other in marriage. In the blood covenant, the two parties exchanged belts, which form a circle when worn. Thus, the exchanging of the rings is another sign of their covenant relationship. Similarly, God chose a rainbow , which forms a circle, as a sign of his covenant with Noah (Genesis 9:12–16).
Pronouncement of Husband and Wife
The pronouncement officially declares that the bride and groom are now husband and wife. This moment establishes the precise beginning of their covenant. The two are now one in the eyes of God.
Presentation of the Couple
When the minister introduces the couple to the wedding guests, he is drawing attention to their new identity and name change brought about by marriage. Similarly, in the blood covenant, the two parties exchanged some part of their names. In Genesis 15, God gave Abram a new name, Abraham, by adding letters from his own name, Yahweh.
The Reception
A ceremonial meal was often part of the blood covenant. At a wedding reception, guests share with the couple in the blessings of the covenant. The reception also illustrates the wedding supper of the Lamb described in Revelation 19.
Cutting and Feeding of Cake
The cutting of the cake is another picture of the cutting of the covenant. When the bride and groom take pieces of cake and feed it to each other, once again, they are showing they have given their all to the other and will care for each other as one flesh. At a Christian wedding, the cutting and feeding of cake can be done joyfully but should be done lovingly and reverently, in a way that honors the covenant relationship.
Throwing of Rice
The rice-throwing tradition at weddings originated with the throwing of seed. It was meant to remind couples of one of the primary purposes of marriage—to create a family that will serve and honor the Lord. Therefore, guests symbolically throw rice as a gesture of blessing for the spiritual and physical fruitfulness of the marriage.
By learning the biblical significance of today's wedding customs, your special day is certain to be more meaningful.

20 Bible Verses for Your Christian Wedding Ceremony

by Mary Fairchild
As you enter into a divine covenant with God and your spouse at your Christian wedding ceremony, you might consider including some verses from the Bible. Here are some themes that cover a variety of topics—love, marriage, loyalty—that you can work into your wedding vows,
The Holy Union
God outlines his plan for marriage in Genesis in the Old Testament, where Adam and Eve are united into one flesh in the inaugural wedding. The following words from Genesis 2:18, 21-24, ESV make for a powerful addition to any vows:
"Then the Lord God said, 'It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.'...So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, 'This, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman because she was taken out of Man.' Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."
Love and Loyalty
This famous passage from Ruth 1:16-17,
NKJV, is a popular choice for Christian couples for their wedding ceremony. The words are spoken in the Bible by a daughter-in-law,
Ruth, to her mother-in-law, Naomi, a widow. When Naomi's two married sons also die, one of her daughters-in-law pledges to accompany her back to her homeland:
"Entreat me not to leave you,
Or to turn back from following after you;
For wherever you go, I will go;
And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;
Your people shall be my people,
And your God, my God.
Where you die, I will die,
And there will I be buried.
The Lord do so to me, and more also,
If anything but death parts you and me."
Happily Ever After
The Book of Proverbs is packed with God's wisdom for living happily ever after. Married couples can benefit from its timeless advice for avoiding trouble and honoring God all the days of their lives:
"He who finds a wife finds a good thing,
And obtains favor from the Lord"—Proverbs 18:22, NKJV
"There are three things that amaze me—
no, four things that I don't understand:
how an eagle glides through the sky,
how a snake slithers on a rock,
how a ship navigates the ocean,
how a man loves a woman."—Proverbs 30:18-19,
NLT
"Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies."—Proverbs 31:10, KJV
Spiritual and Physical Love
The Song of Songs, a sensuous love poem about the spiritual and sexual love between a husband and wife, provides a touching portrait of love and affection within marriage. While celebrating the gift of romantic love, it also teaches husbands and wives how to treat each other:
"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—for your love is more delightful than wine."—Song of Solomon 1:2, NIV
"My lover is mine, and I am his."—Song of Solomon 2:16, NLT
"How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much more pleasing is your love than wine and the fragrance of your perfume than any spice!"—Song of Solomon 4:10, NIV
"Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame."—Song of Solomon 8:6, NIV
"Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned."—Song of Solomon 8:7, NIV
Lifelong Companionship
This passage from Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, NIV, lists some of the benefits and blessings of companionship and marriage. Practically speaking, two are stronger than one—life partners are better able to weather the storms of adversity, temptation, and grief:
"Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
Two Becoming One
In Matthew 19:4-6, NLT, Jesus Christ quotes Old Testament Scriptures from Genesis to emphasize God's desire for married couples to understand their unique union. When Christians are married, they no longer ought to think of themselves as two separate people, but one integrated unit because they have been joined as one by God:
"'Haven't you read the Scriptures?' Jesus replied. 'They record that from the beginning "God made them male and female."' And he said, 'This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.' Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together."
What Love Is
Known as "The Love Chapter," 1 Corinthians 13 is a favorite passage often quoted in wedding ceremonies. The Apostle Paul describes 15 characteristics of love to the believers in the church at Corinth:
"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels but have not love , I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing."—1 Corinthians 13:1-3, NIV
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails ..."— 1 Corinthians 13:4–8a , NIV
"And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love ."— 1 Corinthians 13:13 , NIV
Protection and Sacrifice
The book of Ephesians paints us a picture of companionship and intimacy in a godly marriage. Husbands are encouraged to lay down their lives in sacrificial love and protection for their wives in a manner similar to how Christ sacrificed for us. In response to godly love and protection, wives are expected to respect and honor their husbands and submit to their leadership:
"Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace."—Ephesians 4:1-3, NLT
And from Ephesians 5:22-33, NLT, we get a series of passages that offer a wealth of wonderful advice:
"For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything."
"For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God's word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife shows love for himself. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church.
And we are members of his body."
"As the Scriptures say, 'A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.' This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband."
God Is Love
Many more worthy Bible verses appropriate for wedding vows can be found throughout the Old and New Testaments. God, the author of the Bible, is love—not just one of His attributes, but His very nature. He alone loves in the completeness and perfection of love, and so His Word presents the standard for how to love one another in marriage:
"And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."—Colossians 3:14, NIV
"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins ."—1 Peter 4:8, ESV
"So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love , but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us."—1 John 4:16-19, ESV

Bible Verses About Relationships

by Mary Fairchild
Our earthly relationships are important to the Lord. God the Father ordained the institution of
marriage and designed for us to live within families. Whether we're talking about friendships,
dating relationships , marriages, families, or dealings between brothers and sisters in Christ, the Bible has a great deal to say about our relationships with one another.
Dating Relationships
Proverbs 4:23
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. (NLT)
Song of Solomon 4:9
You have captivated my heart, my sister, my bride; you have captivated my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace. (ESV)
Romans 12:1–2
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (NASB)
1 Corinthians 6:18
Run from sexual sin ! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. (NLT)
1 Corinthians 15:33
Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals." (ESV)
2 Corinthians 6:14–15
Don't team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? (NLT)
1 Timothy 5:1b-2
...Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers. Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters. (NLT)
Husband and Wife Relationships
Genesis 2:18–25
Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." ... So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.
Then the man said, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed. (ESV)
Proverbs 31:10–11
Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. (NLT)
Matthew 19:5
...and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh' ... (NKJV)
1 Corinthians 7:1–40
...Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control ...
Read entire text . (NKJV)
Ephesians 5:23–33
For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her ... In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself ... and let the wife see that she respects her husband. (ESV)
1 Peter 3:7
In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God's gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered. (NLT)
Family Relationships
Exodus 20:12
"Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God is giving you." (NLT)
Leviticus 19:3
"Each of you must respect his mother and father, and you must observe my Sabbaths. I am the LORD your God." (NIV)
Deuteronomy 5:16
"Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you." (NIV)
Psalm 127:3
Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him. (NLT)
Proverbs 31:28–31
Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: "There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!" Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise. (NLT)
John 19:26–27
When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, "Dear woman, here is your son." And he said to this disciple, "Here is your mother." And from then on this disciple took her into his home. (NLT)
Ephesians 6:1–3
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise: "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth." (NKJV)
Friendships
Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. (NKJV)
Proverbs 18:24
There are "friends" who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. (NLT)
Proverbs 27:6
Wounds from a sincere friend are better than
many kisses from an enemy. (NLT)
Proverbs 27:9–10
The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. Never abandon a friend -- either yours or your father's. When disaster strikes, you won't have to ask your brother for assistance. It's better to go to a neighbor than to a brother who lives far away. (NLT)
General Relationships and Brothers and Sisters in Christ
Ecclesiastes 4:9–12
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. (NLT)
Matthew 5:38–42
"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you." (ESV)
Matthew 6:14–15
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (ESV)
Matthew 18:15–17
"If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won't accept the church's decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector." (NLT)
1 Corinthians 6:1–7
When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers! Don't you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can't you decide even these little things among yourselves? Don't you realize that we will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disputes in this life.
If you have legal disputes about such matters, why go to outside judges who are not respected by the church? I am saying this to shame you. Isn't there anyone in all the church who is wise enough to decide these issues? But instead, one believer sues another -- right in front of unbelievers! Even to have such lawsuits with one another is a defeat for you. Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated? (NLT)
Galatians 5:13
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (ESV)
1 Timothy 5:1–3
Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers. Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters. Take care of any widow who has no one else to care for her. (NLT)
Hebrews 10:24
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works ... (NKJV)
1 John 3:1
See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don't recognize that we are God's children because they don't know him. (NLT).

What Does the Bible Say About Sex? Sex in the B

by Kelli Mahoney
Let’s talk about sex. Yes, the “S” word. As young Christians, we've probably been warned not to have sex before marriage . Maybe you've gotten the impression that God thinks sex is bad, but the Bible says something quite contrary. If looked at from a godly perspective, sex in the Bible is a very good thing.
What Does the Bible Say About Sex?
Wait. What? Sex is a good thing? God created sex. Not only did God design sex for reproduction--for us to make babies--he created sexual intimacy for our pleasure. The Bible says that sex is a way for a husband and wife to express their love to one another. God created sex to be a beautiful and enjoyable expression of love:
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number.” (Genesis 1: 27-28, NIV)
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. (Genesis 2:24, NIV)
May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer — may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love. (Proverbs 5:18-19, NIV)
 “How beautiful you are and how pleasing, O love, with your delights!” (Song of Songs 7:6, NIV)
The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. (1 Corinthians 6:13, NIV)
The husband should fulfill his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband’s needs. The wife gives authority over her body to her husband, and the husband gives authority over his body to his wife. (1 Corinthians 7:3-5, NLT)
That's right. A lot of talk goes on around us about sex. We read about it in just about every
magazine and newspaper, we see it on television shows and in movies. It's in the music we listen to. Our culture is saturated with sex, making it seem like sex before marriage is okay because it feels good.
But the Bible does not agree. God calls us all to control our passions and wait for marriage:
But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. (1 Corinthians 7:2-3, NIV)
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. (Hebrews 13:4, NIV)
It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, NIV)
What If I’ve Already Had Sex?
If you had sex before becoming a Christian, remember, God forgives our past sins . Our transgressions are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross.
If you were already a believer but fell into sexual sin, there is still hope for you. While you cannot become a virgin again in a physical sense, you can obtain God’s forgiveness . Just ask God to forgive you and then make a genuine commitment not to continue sinning in that way.
True repentance means turning away from sin. What angers God is a willful sin, when you know you are sinning, but keep on participating in that sin. While giving up sex may be difficult, God calls us to remain sexually pure until marriage.
Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:38-39, NIV)
You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell. (Acts 15:29, NLT)
Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God's people. (Ephesians 5:3, NLT)
God's will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor—not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways. Never harm or cheat a Christian brother in this matter by violating his wife, for the Lord avenges all such sins, as we have solemnly warned you before. God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives. (1 Thessalonians 4:3–7, NLT)
Here's the good news: if you truly repent from sexual sin, God will make you new and clean again, restoring your purity in a spiritual sense.
How Can I Resist?
As believers, we must fight off temptation every day. Being tempted is not the sin . Only when we give into the temptation do we sin. So how do we resist the temptation to have sex outside of marriage?
The desire for sexual intimacy can be very strong, especially if you have already had sex. Only by relying on God for strength can we truly overcome the temptation.
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (1 Corinthians 10:13 – NIV)

pls read this for the salvation of our soul

by Jack Zavada
One of the most common misconceptions among both Christians and unbelievers is that you can get to heaven just by being a good person.
The irony of that misbelief is that it completely ignores the necessity of Jesus Christ 's sacrifice on the cross for the sins of the world. What's more, it shows a fundamental lack of understanding of what God considers "good."
How Good Is Good Enough?
The Bible , God's inspired Word , has much to say about humanity's so-called "goodness."
"Everyone has turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one." ( Psalm 53:3, NIV )
"All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away." ( Isaiah 64:6, NIV)
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone." ( Luke 18:19, NIV)
Goodness, according to most people, is being better than murderers, rapists, drug dealers and robbers. Giving to charity and being polite may be some people's idea of goodness. They recognize their flaws but think, on the whole, they're pretty decent human beings.
God, on the other hand, is not just good. God is
holy. Throughout the Bible, we are reminded of his absolute sinlessness. He is incapable of breaking his laws, the Ten Commandments . In the book of Leviticus , holiness is mentioned 152 times. God's standard to get into heaven, then, is not goodness, but holiness, complete freedom from sin .
The Inescapable Problem of Sin
Since Adam and Eve and the Fall, every human being has been born with a sinful nature. Our instincts are not toward goodness but are toward sin. We may think we are good, compared to others, but we are not holy.
If we look at the story of Israel in the Old Testament, we each see a parallel to the endless struggle in our own life: obeying God, disobeying God; clinging to God, rejecting God. Eventually, we all backslide into sin. No one can meet God's standard of holiness to get into heaven.
In Old Testament times, God addressed this problem of sin by commanding the Hebrews to
sacrifice animals to atone for their sins:
"For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life." (Leviticus 17:11, NIV)
The sacrificial system involving the desert tabernacle and later the temple in Jerusalem was never meant to be a permanent solution to humanity's sin. All of the Bible points to a Messiah, a coming Savior promised by God to deal with the problem of sin once and for all.
"When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever." ( 2 Samuel 7:12-13, NIV)
"Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand." (Isaiah 53:10, NIV)
This Messiah, Jesus Christ, was punished for all the sins of humanity. He took the penalty human beings deserved by dying on the cross, and God's requirement for a perfect blood sacrifice was satisfied.
God's great plan of salvation is based not on people being good — because they can never be good enough — but on the atoning death of Jesus Christ.
How to Get To Heaven God's Way
Because people can never be good enough to get to heaven, God provided a way, through
justification , for them to be credited with the
righteousness of Jesus Christ:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." ( John 3:16, NIV)
Getting to heaven is not a matter of keeping the Commandments, because no one can. Neither is it a matter of being ethical, going to church , saying a certain number of prayers, making pilgrimages, or attaining levels of enlightenment. Those things may represent goodness by religious standards, but Jesus reveals what matters to him and his Father:
"In reply Jesus declared, 'I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’” (John 3:3, NIV)
"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" (John 14:6, NIV)
Receiving salvation through Christ is a simple step-by-step process that has nothing to do with works or goodness. Eternal life in heaven comes through God's grace , a gift. It is gained through
faith in Jesus, not performance.
The Bible is the final authority on heaven, and its truth is crystal clear:
"That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." ( Romans 10:9, NIV)

How to Get to Heaven (Christianity)

There are a lot of misconceptions among Christians on how to get to heaven. Some falsely believe they can get to heaven through doing good deeds, while others may believe that simply going to church every Sunday will get them there. Not so. If you do not know the teachings of theologians such as Martin Luther and John Calvin, then learn using this article and your Bible--and turn to Christ, for this is the message of God's word--that Jesus came to die for sinners and to save them from the wrath to come. It is Jesus and only Jesus who can turn away the righteous judgment of God upon the sinner. Why? Read on...
Steps
Ask yourself, are you a sinner? Have you ever lied, stolen, lusted, coveted, or been angry with someone unjustly? If you've lied, then you're a liar. If you've stolen, then you are a thief. You've broken the Law of God. God has said, "You shall not steal; You shall not lie; You shall have no other gods before Me; You shall not murder, etc." (Exodus 20:1-17). He has given the standard of righteousness; and if you have broken any of God's commandments, then you have fallen short of that standard and are under the inevitable judgment of God (1 John 3:4; Isaiah 59:2; Rom. 6:23). When you die, you will face Him; and on the Day of Judgment, he will deliver the proper judgment to all people. He must because he is righteous and holy. Here is the the salvation plan!
Learn the gospel (the good news), starting with the historical events of Jesus who lived, taught, died for sinners on the cross, was buried, and rose from the dead (1 Cor. 15:1-4). The theologians teach that His death was a sacrifice that turns away the wrath of God (1 John 2:2). Historical Christianity has always taught that His death was a sacrifice of atonement, united to the Father in love (Heb. 10:12, 13:15). His grace is the only way to be saved from God's righteous judgment upon those who have sinned (for all have sinned) by breaking his Law.
Hear the Gospel of Jesus, and receive the only good news you need. You need his grace alone. Your works alone won't help you (Rom. 3:10-12; Isaiah 64:6), but by God's grace your works can be meritorious (Matt. 10:42, James 2:24). With the help of Jesus, you can be good enough (Matt. 5:48, Philippians 1:6) and you can always offer your body as a sacrifice to God (Rom. 12:1). It is only by the love and grace of God found in Jesus and His sacrifice that you can be delivered from the righteous wrath of God upon all who have broken His law. Jesus saves you from God's righteous judgment.
The Bible says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). That means that your sins have caused a separation between you and God (Isaiah 59:2), and the result is death (Rom. 6:23) and wrath (Eph. 2:3).
Be saved from the wrath of God. "It is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.", (Ephesians 2:8-10). You must trust in what Jesus did on the cross to forgive you of your sins and not trust anything else--not even your own sincerity or works.
Realize that Jesus is the one who died for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2). He is the only way to God the Father (John 14:6). He alone reveals God (Matt. 11:27). He has all authority in heaven and earth (Matt. 28:18). It is only through Him that you can be saved from God's just judgement (Eph. 2:3). He can forgive you of your sin (Luke 5:20; Matt. 9:1-8). He can remove the guilt that is upon your soul. Jesus can set you free from the bondage of sin that blinds your eyes, weakens your soul, and brings you to despair. He can do this because He bore sin in His body on the cross (1 Peter. 2:24) so that those who trust in Him would be saved.
If you are not a Christian and want to be delivered from the righteous judgment of God, then come to the One who died for the sins of the world. Come to the One who died for sinners (Matt. 11:28). Believe and trust in Jesus. Receive Jesus, who is God in flesh (John 1:1, 14) and who died and rose from the dead (1 Cor. 15:1-4), as your Lord and Savior.
Ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins (John 14:14; Matt. 9:1-8). Receive Christ (John 1:12) and the sacrifice he made on the cross (1 Pet. 2:24). Repent of your sins. This means to change your mind about sin and agree with God that it is an offence to Him and is separating you from His fellowship. Only He can wash you clean from your sins, and only Jesus can deliver you from the future judgment of a holy and infinite God. Pray to Jesus. Seek Him. Ask Him to save you. Put your trust in him.
After you are saved from your sins and forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ there are some things that will help you continue to grow and live for God as you begin your new life with Him.
Be Baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit . - Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
Live a holy and consecrated life. Peter 1:16 - Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Read the scriptures; they say: Psalm 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.
Love God and others. - Mark 12:30-31 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is no other commandment greater than these.
Tell the good news to others. - Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Remember that Jesus will come again. - Act 1:6-11 When they, therefore, had come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost has come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

what was the Bible say happen after you die

Every day thousands of people will take their final breath and slip into eternity, either into heaven or into hell. Although we may never know their names, the reality of death happens every day.
What happens the moment after you die?
The moment after you die, your soul temporarily departs from your body to await the Resurrection.
Those who place their faith in Christ will be carried by the angels into the presence of the Lord. They are now comforted. Absent from the body and present with the Lord.
Meanwhile, unbelievers await in Hades for the final Judgment.
“And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments… And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.” ~ Luke 16:23a-24
“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” ~ Ecclesiastes 12:7
Although, we grieve over the loss of our loved ones, we sorrow, but not as those who have no hope. “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:14, 17-18
While the unbeliever’s body remains resting, who can fathom the torments he is experiencing?! His spirit screams! “Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming…” ~ Isaiah 14:9a
Unprepared is he to meet God!
Although he cries in his torment, his prayer offers no comfort whatsoever, for a great gulf is fixed where no one can pass to the other side. Alone he is left in his misery. Alone in his memories. The flame of hope forever extinguished of seeing his loved ones again.
On the contrary, precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. Escorted by the angels into the presence of the Lord, they are now comforted. Their trials and suffering are past. Although their presence will be deeply missed, they have hope of seeing their loved ones again.
***
Dear Soul,
Do you have the assurance that if you were to die today, you’ll be in the presence of the Lord in heaven? Death for a believer is but a doorway that opens into eternal life. Those who fall asleep in Jesus will be reunited with their loved ones in heaven.
Those you’ve laid in the grave in tears, you shall meet them again with joy! Oh, to see their smile and feel their touch… never to part again!
Yet, if you don’t believe in the Lord, you’re going to hell. There is no pleasant way to say it.
The Scripture says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” ~ Romans 3:23
Soul, that includes you and me.
Only when we realize the awfulness of our sin against God and feel its deep sorrow in our hearts can we turn from the sin we once loved and accept the Lord Jesus as our Savior. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” ~ Romans 10:9
Don’t fall asleep without Jesus until you are assured of a place in heaven.
Tonight, if you would like to receive the gift of eternal life, first you must believe in the Lord. You have to ask for your sins to be forgiven and put your trust in the Lord. To be a believer in the Lord, ask for eternal life. There’s only one way to heaven, and that’s through the Lord Jesus. That’s God’s wonderful plan of salvation.
You can begin a personal relationship with Him by praying from your heart a prayer such as the following:
“Oh God, I’m a sinner. I’ve been a sinner all of my life. Forgive me, Lord. I receive Jesus as my Savior. I trust Him as my Lord. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
If you have never received the Lord Jesus as your personal Savior, but have received Him today after reading this invitation, please let us know.
We would love to hear from you. Your first name is sufficient, or place an “x” in the space to remain anonymous.
Today, I made peace with God...

How to Write a Letter of Application for a job

Preparing Your Letter
Grab a piece of paper and make two columns. In the left column write “Requirements” and in the right, “My Skills”. Read the job application carefully and become familiar with the requirements for this job. Next you will compare those to your skills and experiences on your resume.
In the left column write down the requirements and skills needed for the job.
In the right column write down points from your resume that fit those.
Having these points of interest that correlate to the job will help you provide the most important information in your cover letter quickly and effectively.
Start your letter by adding your contact information at the top. You want to make it as easy as possible for your prospective employer to contact you and know who you are. Before you begin your letter, make sure that you have the proper
letterhead .
Make sure your document is aligned to the left.
Include the current date, then separated by a space, add your contact information:
Name
Address
Phone number
Email address
Personal website (if you have one)
LinkedIn profile
Include the company’s information. After you include your information, you need to include the name of the employer to whom you are applying for the job, his title, name of company and address. [1]
By including the contact information of the company to which you are applying, you are showing that you have taken the time to write a specific letter or application to this company, and have done your research on the hiring manager for the position.
Doing your homework puts you ahead of a majority of applications which are clearly generic cut and paste letters, and shows you are dedicated.
If you don’t know the name of the hiring manager, search the company’s website to see if you can find him. Go to LinkedIn, and even search Twitter. If you can’t narrow down a specific name, see if you can find the head of the department to which you are applying. If all else fails and you have no name, it’s ok to address your cover letter to the hiring manager of the department. Example: “[Department] Hiring Manager”.
Address your letter to the person whom you are writing. To begin your letter, you want to be formal and start with a proper address. Don’t address it to “To Whomsoever it May Concern”, as this is informal, generic, and gives the impression that you haven’t researched the company.
Once again, if you don’t have the hiring manager’s name, a simple “Dear [Department] Hiring Manager” will do.
Part Two of Three:
Writing Your Letter
Write an engaging first paragraph. Employers read a lot of cover letters, and most of the time a hiring manager will scan them quickly deciding if your letter goes in the trash or the “keep” pile. Don’t bury the lead, treat your application letter like a news article.[2]
Open with a strong, declarative statement that informs your reader that you are excited to be applying for [the position] at [company].
Be short and specific with what attracted you to the job. What is it about the company that you like? Give an example, and don’t be afraid to be a little conversational depending on how casual the company is.
Show the manager that you are not only familiar with the company’s work, but that you are a good fit by writing in a similar tone to the company.
For example: if you are applying to a company that writes news articles, try to embody a tone that is similar to those articles. Are they serious, do they add humor? If it’s a more formal company like a big marketing firm or financial institution, you might want to be more authoritative, but always be polite.
State where you found the position to which you are applying. Before applying, do some research and see if you know anyone at the company. It’s always better to have an in and reference, and don’t be afraid to name drop if you have the employee’s permission.
If you don’t have a contact at the company, still be sure to include where you found the application, such as via a job site, the company’s site, in a newspaper, etc.
Explain why hiring you will benefit the employer. You don’t want to tell them why getting hired will benefit you. There’s a reason this position is open, there’s a problem that needs solving. You’re here to solve it.
Look at your list of accomplishments and experience and find one or two examples that you can speak about. These should highlight why you will be great in the role.
For example, if you see that the position needs someone who can lead a team and handle multiple projects at once, look at your accomplishments to see if you have any experience that solves that need. If you've led team members before, briefly speak to how your leadership skills increased productivity across multiple projects.
Anytime that you can provide stats and numbers, do so. When describing why hiring you will benefit the employer, try to use stats like an increase in revenue or a cut down on costs under your leadership.
Briefly summarize your strengths, qualifications, and experience. In your second paragraph, you want to mirror the job qualifications to two or three of your abilities and experiences that show why you’re perfect for the role.
Refer to your CV or resume, and your skills section from your outline for more explanations of your qualifications and skills.
Look for quick anecdotes that highlight how you’ve been able to solve issues that the company you are applying for might have based on the requirements.
Include the most relevant aspects of your career. While more recent accomplishments are a good place to start, you may have done something in the past that fits perfectly to the requirements; don’t be afraid to dig deep.
Paint a picture of yourself that’s not on your resume. A hiring manager can read your CV or resume and see what you have done in your previous jobs. You want to show the hiring manager who the person behind the accomplishments is. [3]
In one or two sentences, express how the company has impacted you personally. If you are applying to your dream job, chances are this company has somehow shaped your life.
Don’t get too sappy, and keep it short. But by showing the human side of yourself with a story, you show that you’re more than just facts on a piece of paper.
Part Three of Three:
Finishing Up Your Letter
Briefly summarize why you’re the perfect candidate for the job in one sentence. Ending your letter of application on the right note is a very important part of your letter as it can help you land the interview. [4]
When you explain how you can contribute to the company, remember that you want to put yourself in the shoes of the hiring manager. It’s about how your contributions will help the company, not how the company will help you.
Ask yourself what you would be looking for in a candidate if you were hiring.
Invite the hiring manager to contact you. Inform your reader that you would love the opportunity to speak further about the position and provide your contact info again.
You can conclude your letter by thanking the hiring manager and ending with a statement like I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.
Don’t just ask the hiring manager to contact you if he feels you are a good fit. Show some confidence (without being cocky) by telling him that you look forward to speaking further.
Sign off. Signing off can seem like an afterthought, or become frustrating if you don’t know what is appropriate. Use
Yours sincerely or simply “Best”.
Being too formal can hurt you here as you may come off insincere, or it may not fit the style of the rest of your letter.
By saying something like “Best” or “Best wishes”, you show respect without sounding like you’re writing a love letter.
[5] Alternatively, something like “Cheers” may be too informal and can come off as presumptuous.
Write your name underneath. After you sign off, write your full name on the last line, and consider including a signature.
If you have set up a signature on your word processor, you can insert it under your name.
Alternatively, you can print out your letter and sign your name by hand if you wish. Although with this method, you will have to scan your letter back into your computer.
A signature is not always required.