One of God's Greatest Gifts!

SCRIPTURE

1 Corinthians 7:1-7 (NRSV)
Guidance for the married

Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: "It is well for a man not to touch a woman." But because of cases of sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another except perhaps by agreement for a set time, to devote yourselves to prayer, and then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. This I say by way of concession, not of command.

I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has a particular gift from God, one having one kind and another a different kind.


DEVOTION

This is such a timely scripture reading! Thanks be to God!

At times like these it is not uncommon for Christians to go into a time of deep fasting and prayer. When great calamity strikes, trial or tribulation threatens, or there is untold pain and suffering amongst our brothers and sisters throughout the world, it is good and proper to enter into a time of fasting and prayer so that we can petition God for mercy, grace, succor, aid, and comfort!

For those of us who are married, we may choose to agree with our partners to abstain from sexual relations during this time of fasting and prayer. Scripture teaches that as long as both partners are in agreement, this is an appropriate choice.

As married couples abstain from sex, we take the focus off of ourselves, and our bodies, and put it squarely--and solely--on God!

Hallelujah!

But, let us remember that we should never abstain from sexual relationship with our partners indefinitely! Sex is one of God’s greatest gifts to us and it is a wonderful way of reconnecting with our spouses in body, mind, and spirit after being a part for a while.

It can be absolutely devastating when one person chooses to withhold this most precious gift from another. When we do this to our spouses, we do great damage to our marriage, relationship, and trust.

So, by all means, the Bible encourages us to fast, pray, and abstain especially when disaster strikes! But, then we are instructed to come back together and celebrate our lives and ministry to one other through our sexual relationship.

In sad times, sex can be a source of joy. In stressful times, sex can be a source of relaxation. In worrisome times, sex can be a way of reaffirming the beauty of life. And in good times, well…I think you get the picture. :-)

At its best, I have found that sex can be a form of prayer. It is the moment in which a married couple truly becomes one flesh, in the image and likeness of God!

I praise God for the wonderful gift of physical intimacy with my spouse! How about you?


Let us pray:

God, thank you that Jesus is called Immanuel: God with us! Even in the most terrible of moments, you never leave us nor forsake us. When you call me and my spouse to a time of fasting and prayer let us approach it with the utmost of seriousness. And when we are finished, let us always be faithful to our physical ministry to each other so that we will not be led into temptation. We love you and we always want our marriage to be a beautiful reflection of your relationship with your Church. We pray this in Jesus Name, Amen.



THE INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html