Theme:   Love Sex and Marriage - God's Design for Sex

This eDevotional was written by a volunteer from Timberlake Church.

READ:  Song of Solomon 4:7, 4:12 and 7:10

THINK: As we heard the tune from Marvin Gaye this Sunday before Ben’s sermon, did you squirm in your seat and wonder how he was going to tackle this one? I sure did and believe that he handled it very well, standing in front of hundreds and hundreds of people talking about this hot topic. I’m glad it wasn’t me.

What stuck with me is the idea that sex is a gift from God. Just as He has blessed us with many things, He gives us another gift that we should treasure. If we look at our bodies as God’s temple, we see that His intent is for us to use them to honor him. We honor God by knowing and showing that sexual intimacy is tender, passionate, sensuous and most important, holy. Treating our spouse with the respect and love he or she deserves is the way to display God’s true intention.

Do you know your spouse’s love language? If not, you should discover it. My spouse feels most valued and loved  - and maybe even frisky :-) - when I vacuum the house, fold the laundry and (here' a real turn-on!) clean the toilets. This is important to her and it’s my job to recognize and perform that love language. This says to my spouse “You are altogether beautiful, my darling, beautiful in every way.” Song of Songs 4:7. Maybe it’s a simple touch without any intent of going further. I remember attending a date night lecture (with 30 other couples, romantic yes?) that well-known Christian Marriage counselors Les and Leslie Parrot spoke at. Many of their books are on strengthening love relationships. Les told the men (and showed us) how to gently come up behind our wives and give her a tender neck rub…then to walk away. The walk away part was intended to say, “I see your beauty and appreciate it.” Remember, use the right words, build absolute trust, and know that God’s gift is holy.

DO: Find out your spouse’s love language and make efforts to perform it so that they see you are really paying attention to what matters most to them. Give a gentle touch without further expectations.

PRAY:  Father, thank you for the wonderful gift You have given us. Let us always remember to honor You by respecting this gift. Help us to treasure our mates and to devote the time and care our relationships need to make them the best that they can be! Amen.