Culture and religion have a lot to say about an individual’s relationship with their body, as it is the mechanism through which we interact with the world. Different cultures and religions, though, have different understandings about what constitutes a person, and what that person’s relationship should be to their physical bodies.

The Greeks believed the body was a trap for the soul, and that death permanently separated the two, which was for the best. Hindu religions believe the same soul can reincarnate into different bodies. In the Bible, the person is described as being a soul, a spirit, and a body, all of which will go on into eternity.

Throughout life, many people will struggle with how they relate to their bodies. But the Bible provides a blueprint for how to have a relationship with your temporal body and how to prepare for the eternal body promised by the Word of God.

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In a famous song written by Stuart Townend, believers sing the word, “Till on that cross as Jesus died the wrath of God was satisfied.” It can be comforting to know God’s righteous anger has been appeased by the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross, the sinless lamb dying in the place of countless sinners. When looking at the book of Revelation, which gives humanity a glimpse into the end of days, we see a verse which says,

“Then I heard a loud voice from the temple telling the seven angels, ‘Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God’” (Revelation 16:1).

It is a fair question to ask – if God’s wrath is appeased by the death of Jesus, why does there need to be a time when His wrath is poured out in a way that will be greater than it was in Egypt with the ten plagues? It is not because God did not offer grace and is just biding His time because He is a bitter, vengeful deity. Rather it is because He must judge the wicked in order to be righteous and holy.

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While Sunday is the start of the week, especially for Christians, Monday is often the day where people really have to lock into their tasks, start problem-solving, and deal with the realities of the week. It is easy to focus on Christ on the Sabbath, as it is a day set aside to rest and develop one’s relationship with the Savior. However, our relationship with Christ is the most important one anyone will have, and it requires daily nurturing. Building some habits on Monday to start off the week focused on the Lord is one way to grow that relationship deeper and stronger. Every day can be a day to draw closer to the Lord, even the one that is commonly voted the worst day of the week.

These seven habits can be incorporated into the believer’s Monday routine, to make sure they start the week focused on the Lord. You can try one or two of them, or all of them. See what best fits your schedule.

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The Books of Wisdom are some of the best places to glean advice from the Lord that we can daily apply to energize our spirits in the morning, and to uplift our spirits in times of distress. Each has its own format. The Psalms are a collection of songs written by various people, but primarily King David. The Proverbs are a group of allusions to wisdom in couplets, and the Song of Solomon is attributed to King Solomon about the beauty of intimacy in godly marriages.

The Book of Ecclesiastes is also attributed to King Solomon, but it has a decidedly different tone than the others. There is a much greater sense of sobriety, and it focuses on the worthlessness of worldly goods, wisdom, and a life without God.

Despite the somber tone of the Book of Ecclesiastes and its poetic nature, there is still a lot of wisdom to be gleaned from Solomon’s melancholic musings.

Here are seven life lessons from Ecclesiastes.

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The Devil is a liar who wants people to remain in darkness and confusion. One of the ways he has been doing this since the ministry of Jesus Christ began is by lying about Jesus’ identity. Whether it is leading people to believe the Messiah would come as a conqueror who would overthrow Rome, inspiring people to lie about the resurrection, or some other misleading idea that has caused people to doubt Jesus’ claims about Himself.

One of the pervasive lies and confusions that has arisen since Jesus’ resurrection is that He is not Jewish. The Bible is clear the Messiah would be a descendent of David, from the tribe of Judah, as a part of the sign and assurance of God’s promise of redemption for mankind. If Jesus was not Jewish, then He would not fulfill the prophecies about the Messiah, and God’s promises have yet to be kept. People would use that as an excuse to reject the Bible, or to look elsewhere for salvation.

Jesus’ earthly heritage and identity was Jewish, but He came to save all people from eternal damnation.

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When navigating the world, we want to have confidence in others, but it can be difficult as people fail and let one another down. The Bible assures the believer that there is someone they can always approach with confidence, that He can be trusted to be faithful - Jesus Christ.

Committing Scripture to memory is a powerful way to grow closer to the Lord, to be prepared for spiritual warfare, and to encourage oneself or others during difficult times. For edification and to grow closer to God, one of the best books of the Bible to memorize (outside of the gospels) is the book of Psalms. It is a collection of songs and poems that focus on the relationship between the Creator and humanity.

They are personal, making it easy to identify with. Some of them are also short, making them an easy place to start if you have never tried memorizing Bible passages. This list of 10 Psalms is a mixture of short and long, of thanksgiving and of need, to strengthen the believer’s walk with the Savior - Jesus Christ.

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Getting married is a huge milestone in anyone’s life, but for the Christian it comes with certain spiritual and personal expectations that make it as serious an undertaking as it is a joyful one. As a symbol in the world for what Jesus’ relationship is like with His Church, Christians should not pursue marriage lightly, but reverently.

One of the best ways to take the relationship seriously is to undergo pre-marital counseling while planning the wedding. Most pastors will require some level of counseling before agreeing to marry a couple. Even if they don’t, getting with an older couple you trust, a professional counsellor, or some other healthy avenue is something all couples should consider depending on their needs. It can seem like an inconvenience, especially during the chaotic engagement period, but it is worth it to build a firm foundation for your relationship.

Here are 9 reasons Christian couples should consider premarital counseling.

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God communicates with everyone, whether He is trying to reach them to build a relationship, to communicate with them prophetically, or to convict them through edification of guidance. One of the most direct ways He reaches people is through dreams, but that is not the only way He communicates.

Studying the Bible shows 21 confirmed dreams that came directly from the Lord. There was always a purpose in sending a dream, whether to give insight into the future, to get someone’s attention, or to give warnings and prophecy.

Understanding the dreams we see in the Bible gives insight into the recipient’s relationship with God, and how He wants to communicate with His people. 

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This book provides a bridge from the Old Testament to the New, and shows that while there are divisions in this life, all are one in Christ. One day we shall live as one people in God’s kingdom.

This sermon is good for seeing the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ through the lens of the Old Testament, understanding God’s plan through the Hebrew people and the nation of Israel, and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Stephen’s sermon was powerful at the time, and continues to resonate with believers today.

Believers often stand and declare that God is holy; the Bible calls Him holy, and the angels declare it to be true. Sin separates people from God because He is holy. His holiness is an awesome, all-encompassing thing that seems to be beyond mortal comprehension. The Bible does give s glimpses into holiness, and our relationship to it. Sin is the opposite of holiness, and through it, each person severs their ability to have a relationship with the Lord.

When examining God’s character, His holiness is one of the key elements to comprehend. When in the full presence of God’s holiness, the prophet Isaiah had a strong reaction:

“And I said: ‘Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!’” (Isaiah 6:5).

Despite his relationship with God as a prophet, when confronted with the majesty of God on His throne, Isaiah fell under deep conviction. This life on earth is full of opportunities to recognize our sins before facing God on His throne. Because of our sin, we cannot be in His holy presence for eternity without the intercession of the blood of Jesus Christ. If someone does not confront their sin in light of who God really is, they may not recognize why they need to repent, put their faith in Jesus Christ, and pursue a relationship with the Lord.

Here then, are five things to know about God’s holiness.

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When analyzing a story with about something as difficult to believe as Jonah being swallowed by a whale, it is important to remember that, while the Bible does have parables and metaphors in it, it is God’s Word that communicates real, historical events. Nothing is impossible for the Lord.

When considering what the Bible says explicitly, as well as examples in both the Old and New Testaments, we can see that God did not expect women to only remain in the home. In fact, we see many examples of godly and righteous women industriously employed in the marketplace.