Corona Devo 1145

One of our sons is doing a series at their high school Bible group that he cleverly titled "I Can't Believe It's Bible" (a spin-off of "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter"), in which he or another student-leader share Bible accounts of something unbelievable in the Bible, like a talking donkey (Numbers 22), or the Resurrection (Matthew 28:1-10), and tie it in to a Biblical point.

But (at his age) I don't think I will suggest Paul's topic in I Corinthians 7 to him for next week's lesson.  But (apparently) it's on God's docket for us to review today.  I can't believe it's Bible, but God is reminding us of His teachings and standards for marriage and nookie.  

Believe it or not.  

But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. 

(3) The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 

(4) The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife.

(5) Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control...  ~I Corinthians 7:2-5

Were we expecting that as our "daily bread" today?  

Maybe not, but God writes everything in the Bible for good reason and for our good.  Everything in the Bible was written for us to learn and understand...and live out.

So (God says), each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband.  If we are engaging in any derivation of this (emotionally, physically, visually, verbally)...we should stop.

Verses 3 through 5 speak to our (physical/sexual) marital duties as husbands and wives, as we meet the needs, fulfill, and love our spouse.  Unfortunately, all too often we allow our mood, desire/lack-of-desire, fatigue, pride and attitude to determine our fulfillment of this duty to our spouse.  If we don't feel like saying yes, then we say no.

God says (to that): No! 

Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control...  ~I Corinthians 7:5

What is God saying?  

That we shouldn't "deprive" (phrase it however you like) our spouse from sexual relations because it will backfire on us.  The physical piece is a necessary piece to a healthy marriage, and God knows it.  He designed us and He designed marriage to work that way.

And if we deprive our marriage of this piece, Satan will tempt us, or Satan will tempt our spouse.  God doesn't want that...and we don't want that either.  

So...in obeying God and His Word--we protect our marriages...and our kids...and our families...and our definition of family.  In doing so, we protect our cities, communities, and Nation, because we are basing our definition of love and marriage on God's Word (The Bible), and on what God says marriage entails.

 And it turns out, it's not all about us.  It can't be, or marriage will not work.  We must become one flesh in commitment, love, spirit, attitude, and (I can't believe it's Bible!) in the bedroom.

For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.  ~Genesis 2:24

~~~

Washing dishes this afternoon, I saw a female cardinal perched on a branch close to my window.  Not far away, I glimpsed a glint of bright red as her partner landed on a nearby branch and hopped a few closer towards her.  Then they both flew away together.

Ever notice that about cardinals...almost always, when you see the male...the female partner is nearby (or vice versa).  I have read that they mate for life, and we have a couple that have a nest in our backyard.  Those two are always together.

I've never seen their bedroom, but I have seen them hatch and raise little cardinals last spring.  Those two are together for life and They.  Are. Together! 

But, they are birds and we are humans.  I get it!  And birds don't have husbands and wives like we do.  I know.  But we can still see the examples that God places in front of us, both in His Word and in His Creation. 

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.  ~2 Timothy 3:16-17

~~~

This isn't a topic that you will catch me bringing up at supper or over coffee, but God will be bold in teaching us His ways, because He desires all the best for us (and our marriages).

Still...I can't believe it's Bible.

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com

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