Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: Better Sex

Weekend Music links on iTunes: All to You - Lincoln Brewster, Your Grace Is Enough - Christ Tomlin, Holding Nothing Back - Tim Hughes, 'Til I See You - Hillsong

Read:  Galatians 6:1-5, Hebrews 13:4

Think:  After her 20 year marriage was over, my sister was very concerned about dating.  She loves the Lord and didn’t want to chance getting intimate with anyone but her spouse.   A few years later she fell in love with another strong believer.  At age 55 she remarried and their first kiss was at their wedding.  Now, that is purity to be admired.   Most of us are grateful we aren’t faced with that sort of discipline or persuasion, as Jane Austen might call it.

Ben reminds us that the bible gives us boundaries or guardrails for sexual expression.   The bible pushes against our culture.  Don’t have sex outside of the marriage covenant.  “The marriage bed should be kept pure.” Hebrews 13:4 

The Lord helps us through the power of His word by giving many reminders of how He wants us to treat each other, even when speaking to the church “you must learn to be considerate of one another, cultivating a life in common.” 1 Cor. 1:10 MSG    He calls us to submit to one another in love, respect and honor.  He demonstrates a pretty fantastic way to adore our mate as Solomon writes of the Shulamite woman in Song of Solomon.

Scientists agree that 90% of birds are monogamous.  More fascinating is that the pygmy marmoset is faithful, dedicated, and shares symptoms of pregnancy with his lady.  This is a fine example of bearing one another’s burdens, as in Galatians 6:2.  Living out our marriage relationship with obedience to God’s word will bring about newness, wholeness and healing. 

Do:  Read the bible daily.  Ask God to break any strongholds in you that are preventing you from fully loving your spouse.   Come alongside them when they’re going through a tough time and be sincere enough that they sense your love and caring. 

Pray:  God, help me to be the best lover in all ways to my spouse.  Thank you for giving him/her to me.  Help me to keep our marriage alive and to walk in obedience to your word, always considering their needs above mine. In Jesus Name, Amen. 

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

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