May 29, 2006
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Love does not seek it’s own way…
- The husband should not deprive his wife of sexual intimacy, which is her right as a married woman, nor should the wife deprive her husband. 1 Cor. 7:3
This duty for the wife is oftentimes easier in the early years of marriage when our bodies are at their prime and before our home is filled with children and added responsibilities. Our desires seem to come naturally without much thought of actually setting our wills to obey this command. But, as our homes are filled with more children and the strength of our bodies weaken, we may come to a place in our marriage when we must choose to obey God’s Word while denying ourselves.
If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. Luke 9:23
My life laid down for my husband’s… just as Christ laid His own life down for mine. This principle is to be lived out daily in our homes as we die to our feelings in order to obey God’s Word.
As we seek to be obedient to what God commands in this area of intimacy we must seek to do it in an attitude of love. It’s easy to just go ‘through the motion’ while having a resentful spirit because we see our husband’s request as just one more thing added to our already long ‘to do’ list. “Doesn’t he KNOW everything I need to be doing? Doesn’t he CARE that I’m tired or that I have a headache?” This attitude profits nothing. Love does not seek it’s own….love bears all things…love endures all things… love never fails! 1 Cor. 13:1-8
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Phil. 2:4
Easy? Heavens no! But, the reward is great!
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you SERVE THE LORD CHRIST. Col. 3:23-24
Comments (5)
Thank you for sharing this. You come up with the most thoughtful and challenging devotionals, Georgene. God bless you as you continue to search the Scriptures for us other ladies here on xanga.
In today’s society of the false belief that one “must” have the perfect body for your mate, your devotional speaks to me,and encourages that we are to love our mate, as Christ wants us to. This includes looking past all the physical faults of his and our own bodies. Thanks, I really needed this encouragement, and nudge.
Thank you for sharing this. I have often said to my hubby that the reason the Lord has our eyes dim for close ups as we age is so we still look as newly weds to each other….because he still looks the same to me and me to him no changes after 40 some years….. we joke of this as we age…I appreciate your site…….
Good post! My mother sat me down before I married and told me that there would be many times when my husband would want to be intimate and that I would not want to. She said that I should go ahead because it is what God would have me to do. She also said that I would be glad later that I did and that it would make for a better marriage. Sex is not a problem in marriage until you don’t do it. Then it seems to affect the whole situation as well as attitudes and emotions. I always remembered her words when those times came up. She is a very wise woman.
God bless you,
Faye
Georgene, thank you for this encouraging post. We must not forget to minister to our husbands in this manner. May God give us all the strength and energy to do all that needs to be done and yet not forget to love our husbands.