Give Sexual Relations to One Another

This morning I continue to study the word “husband” and have been led to the passage titled “Principles for Marriage” in 1 Corinthians. There is a lot here for both husband and wife, the verses of focus this morning are below which relates to sexual relations in the marriage.

“²But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. ³The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. ⁴For 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.” – 1 Corinthians 7:2-4 (ESV)

Here we see that it is right and just to have sexual relations with your spouse. We see that this is the way to avoid the temptations that arise of sexual relations outside of the marriage. We see that neither husband nor wife have full single authority over there own bodies. But, the one thing I believe that I miss on the regular is that we are to “give” to one another sexual relations.

I hear regularly, whether in person or in society, that husbands and wives go without or hold out sexual relations with one another. This is not biblical at all. Just reviewing the verses above, husbands and wives are to have sexual relations, and not just for the purpose of procreation. They are to have sexual relations to guard one another against sexual immorality. They also provide pleasure to one another and strengthen their relationship.

I go back to the idea missed on the regular by me to “give” sexual relations to the one another. I am going to focus on my husband’s duty of giving with the understanding that the wife has a similar if not exact duty of giving as well. You see, I promised to give myself to Lori over 29 years ago when we stood at the alter to be joined as husband and wife. My life and body are no longer my own as she has a stake in everything that is me. I have a duty to ensure that Lori is taken care of in all areas, physical, emotional, social, as well as sexual. It is my responsibility to provide for her in all ways. I do not withhold emotional support so why would I withhold sexual support.

It is natural for men and women to have sexual desires as God made us for one another. I have given myself to be with Lori as one and that means that what she needs I should provide. When she needs food, it is my duty to provide food. When she needs a hug, it is my duty to provide a hug. When she needs a roof over her head, it is my duty to provide a roof. And, when she needs sexual relations it is my duty to provide her those sexual relations. Lori should not have to look outside our marriage for anything she needs.

Notice the wording and the process. When something is needed by our wife, we are to provide or “give” to her that which is needed. We are not in the business of taking from her. We are in the business of giving to her. Lori should be giving to me just as I am to give to her, but again, neither of us are to take from one another. Yes, the duty is there, but there is no cause for the forceful taking of anything. All should be freely offered to one another, and that goes for sexual relations just as much as anything else. We are “give” to one another everything including sexual relations.

What is your view of sexual relations in your marriage? Are you out there demanding and taking from your spouse? What if you were to instead “give” yourself to one another through duty to one another?

Sacrifice Your Heart

“¹⁷The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”

— Psalm 51:17 (ESV)

What is the sacrifice that the LORD cherishes the most, our heart. The LORD wants our heart before and in lieu of anything else. He wants us to give ourselves fully to Him. That is the hardest to give as it is the cherished thing we have of and for ourselves.

I have a lovely wife of 29 years in April of 2026, and all that time ago I gave her my heart and I love her dearly. But, there is another who had my heart first and in the priority ladder will always come first, the LORD. I could not devote myself to Lori if I had not given y heart to the LORD. He took me, in all my brokenness and renewed me. The LORD cleaned me up and made me presentable to Lori as the one who would devote to her and cherish her.

“¹⁰Create in me a clean heart, O God,

and renew a right spirit within me.”

— Psalm 51:10 (ESV)

God has made me right. He has cleaned me up. He has renewed me. All because I have sacrificed my heart to Him to do so.

How do you look at sacrifice? Are you trying to give the LORD physical things? What if you were to give Him your heart to clean, renew and make right?

Give Freely From the Heart

“⁹Take care lest there be an unworthy thought in your heart and you say, ‘The seventh year, the year of release is near,’ and your eye look grudgingly on your poor brother, and you give him nothing, and he cry to the Lord against you, and you be guilty of sin. ¹⁰You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake.” – Deuteronomy 15:9-10 (ESV)

This passage is from that titled in my ESV Bible as “The Sabbatical Year”. The instruction in the full passage is to give freely to your brothers and neighbors. Whether lending or full on gifting, you are to be sure to provide for the needs of your poor brothers and sisters. In this Sabbatical year, there is a moratorium in the collection of the lent resources. That can be fully forgiven or simply paused for the year. But no matter where you are in relation to the Sabbatical year, you are to continue to give freely to your poor brothers and sisters.

The part of the verse that I was led to this morning is that of giving freely from the heart. We are to want to support our neighbors and brothers. We are to almost go out of our way to provide for their needs, and do so from a deep sense of love and compassion without concern for payback. We are to be heartfelt in providing and not do so with any animosity in our heart.

I admit to being cynical and have a hard time with supporting others that have opportunity to support themselves. I have seen too often, those who take advantage of the generosity of others and wonder if there really is need based on the actions of those receiving. But, I have to remember the second part of verse 10 above, “because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake.”

You see, it is not about what my brother, sister, and neighbor has going on in their heart, when the need is identified, it is my role to work to fill that need. Yes, their may be ill intent on the part of the receiver, and they will be dealt with by the LORD just as I will be dealt with based on my actions to provide. There should be no grudgingly giving. I have to give freely from the heart to meet the needs of my brother, sister, and neighbor. In that I will find my reward in heaven.

What is your view of giving? Are you reluctant based on the actions of those who you provide? What if you were to give freely from the heart and allow God to provide judgment?

Give From the Heart

There are a lot of campaigns out there to be involved in. There are charities, climate organizations, political races, churches, and any number of other places to give. All of them may be worthy in their own right and the mind of those who are running them. But that does not meant that they are all for our contribution. Whatever we are giving should not be an impulse and should be given from the heart.

“¹The LORD said to Moses, ’²Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me.’” – Exodus 25:1-2 (ESV)

Here we see the LORD’s instruction to build a sanctuary for Him to dwell. Where the sanctuary was for the LORD and from the people, God did not demand a certain value from each person. The LORD was looking for donations/contribution to be voluntary and from the heart, “From every man whose heart moves him”.

In society today, I feel as though there is somewhat of a guilt trip laid on the people to give to any and all campaigns out there. There is always a sad story followed by an open hand or bucket being passed.

For me, I can say that I have passed those buckets right by. I walk right by the bake sales at the department storefronts. I put my hand up to indicate to stay back at the popcorn sale. I make it a point to not get drawn into every campaign that crosses near me. Not because they are not in “need” of help, but because my heart is not in it at that time.

God asks the people to consider in their heart whether or not to give to the sanctuary building fund. My church is currently in a building fund raising time. And I have committed to giving beyond my normal offering in support of that building, but not without careful and prayerful consideration and fully from my heart.

“³And they received from Moses all the contribution that the people of Israel had brought for doing the work on the sanctuary. They still kept bringing him freewill offerings every morning, ⁴so that all the craftsmen who were doing every sort of task on the sanctuary came, each from the task that he was doing, ⁵and said to Moses, ‘The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the Lord has commanded us to do.’” – Exodus 36:3-5 (ESV)

When we give from the heart, God will receive more than enough. The people gave freely to the building of the sanctuary and their gifts were more than enough. So much so that in the next two verses (Ex. 36:6-7) Moses tells the people to stop contributing.

Generosity is important, but where that giving comes from is of more importance. How many times have we seen giving publicized to the point that we celebrate those who gave the most. It still goes on today. But it should not be about the publicity and should be about the campaign. Giving should come from the heart and those contributions should be to the campaigns that touch your heart. There are plenty of campaigns out there and I am sure that one or more will touch your heart. If they do, consider contribution, but if they do not touch your heart, it is okay to walk away.

What is your thought on giving to campaigns? Are you giving out of a sense of guilt and giving to any and all that you come in contact? What if you were to contribute to those that touch your heart and know that when you and everyone else does, there will be more than enough to meet the need?

Who Leads You, God or King

I know, that seems like a question that may get some conflicting thoughts. And I will say that at first consideration, it does to me as well. This morning in my reading and study, I was asked to consider that very question and dug into them.

The Israelites wanted a king and the LORD granted their want. But as with most things, wants and needs are two very different things. The Israelites saw that grand size and wealth and pageantry of the other nations and wanted that very thing for themselves without considering the cost.

In 1 Samuel 8:10-22 Samuel laid out the cost to them. A king will take sons to be in the army, take daughters to serve him, take the best of fields for his pleasure, take your servants to serve as his, take the best of the flocks for his. Everything that was had by the Israelites was not theirs any longer, as ll belonged to the world and the king who reigned over it. Even after learning of all that a king will take, the people were still blinded by their want, and so the LORD gave it to them. The results were as to be expected, just what Samuel had laid out to them.

Contrast that with having our God. He is our king. He does not take, we give. Everything that we have, just as with a king, belongs to Him. The difference is that we continue to work it and have it for us. Our sons, stay with us until their time to have their own families. And the same for our daughters. That which comes from our fields is still for us to work and experience the bounty. Our servants, would remain in our household. Our flocks are for us to work and experience. All that we have is ours and the bounty that comes from it we attribute to the LORD and give freely back to Him.

Our kingdom should be ruled by God. He is the example of the true king in our lives. He provides for us as He only wants the best for us. No, we may not be rich with things of the world. We may not have millions of acres and/or millions of dollars. We will however have what we need to be content and enjoy our time together, and more importantly, our time with Him. By giving ourselves to God as our king, all will be provided for us.

“³³But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

Who is leading your life? Are you beholden to a king and all that he takes from you? What if you were to worship God as your king and know that He provides all that we need?

All Will Receive the Spirit

“³²And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls.” – Joel 3:32 (ESV)

So, “everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved”. It is not everyone period. Salvation is for those who recognize themselves as sinners and repent and ask to be saved from the consequence of that sin, which is death as a result of the wrath of God. Just wanted to get that out there before referencing the receipt of the Spirit. All is those who have placed their faith in the LORD that He is who He says He is and does what He says He will do.

Now that we have the who all is, lets see what we receive.

“²⁸And it shall come to pass afterward,

that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;

your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

your old men shall dream dreams,

and your young men shall see visions.

²⁹Even on the male and female servants

in those days I will pour out my Spirit.”

— Joel 3:28-29 (ESV)

We receive the ability to prophesy, dream, and see visions. We will not only have received salvation, but we receive the Spirit to guide us and help us to declare to others that which the LORD has laid upon us. The Spirit is the helper that is sent by God at the request of Jesus to be there with us always as we take the gospel to the world.

“¹⁸And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,” — Ephesians 5:18-19 (ESV)

And how do we prophecy, dream, and see visions, but through psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, singing, and melody “with you heart”. We are “filled with the Spirit” and therefore all should come from within and from the whole of us, not superficially from the outside.

“²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)

And just what is the fruit of the Spirit that we are to give out from our heart but “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control”. These we have received as the Spirit has been poured out on us and now we are to give to others as has been given to us. We have received and now is out time to give. All of us who have been saved have received the Spirit and all shall pay it forward so more have the chance to receive.

What is your thoughts on the receipt of the Spirit? Do all receive and have a responsibility with what is received? What if you recognized that the Spirit is poured out on those who accept Jesus as Savior and then have the responsibility to give as they have received?

All that Wealth Will NOT Remain

We have been conditioned by society to build wealth so that we can have an easier time of things in this world. We have been told and shown that the life of great things will make us happy and that we are making things better for ourselves. Well, it does not remain.

“¹²Man in his pomp will not remain;

he is like the beasts that perish.”

— Psalm 49:12 (ESV)

You see, all that is gathered in this world is only for this world. We cannot/do not get to take it with us to the next. It is something that is useful in this world alone and only those who do not have will see and want what they have. Yet they are blinded by their “riches” and do not see the fault in it all.

Now, I am not saying that wealth is always getting in the way of righteousness and cannot be used for God’s good work. Just the opposite. God provides for His people to do the work He has for them. Using wealth to do His work is certainly in the cards for some. I am not one of them, but I do know that the LORD has and will continue to use those with wealth for the advancement of the gospel, and that is not always in the form of provided monetary gifts to others.

Think of those who provide financial backing for those who are spreading the gospel. Those spreading are not building homes and schools and churches, they were given the opportunity to preach and teach through the generosity of another. We tend to see things in this world from a tangible perspective and miss opportunities to simply provide the way for someone. Like those who provide scholarships for youths to attend Christian summer camp. Monetary wealth can and should be used for His good works.

When kept with the self, the riches of this world are of no use. Yes, they may provide some momentary relief from a difficult situation or in some cases provide a lavish lifestyle. But, it will not remain with you once you leave this world and does not improve your station in the next. Where real wealth is found and is beneficial in your life is in the use of that financial wealth to support others in their ability to have their spiritual needs met.

What is your thoughts on financial well being? Are you one to seek it out for your own lavish lifestyle? What if you realized it cannot be taken with you and instead you use it for the advancement of the gospel?

His Law in Your Heart

It seems as though there are new “laws” and rules popping up all the time. Whether it is related to online use or what is unacceptable in the driving through an area. But notice the way we look at laws, we tend to see them as restrictive and speaking as to what not to do. We may even dread the idea of having another law to keep up with and adhere. But let’s look here at what David says about the Law of the LORD.

“⁸I delight to do your will, O my God;

your law is within my heart.”

— Psalm 40:8 (ESV)

“²but his delight is in the law of the Lord,

and on his law he meditates day and night.”

— Psalm 1:2 (ESV)

I see that David is loving the Law of the LORD. He does not see any restriction and actually welcomes and cherishes the Law of the LORD by keeping it “within my heart” and meditating “day and night” on it. There is no what not to do, David sees the Law of the LORD as the what to do in giving and getting the most to and from the LORD. In fact, look at the volume of what comes from the LORD according to David.

“⁵You have multiplied, O Lord my God,

your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;

none can compare with you!

I will proclaim and tell of them,

yet they are more than can be told.”

— Psalm 40:5 (ESV)

They are too many to be declared to the world.

Here is what I am seeing and learned this morning. The LORD provides all, and I mean all according to His Law. He is gracious to the point of so much abundance that we cannot let it known the full extent. I am to keep His law in my heart, not to be sure of what not to do as it is not restrictive as one might think, but to delight in the wonder and greatness of the Law that allows me to give and get the most to and from the LORD.

What is your approach to the Law of the LORD? Are you working to be sure that you are doing what is “acceptable” and seeing it as restricting? What if you meditated on the Law of the LORD and kept it in your heart to delight in it, giving and getting the most to and from Him?

Our Obligation to the LORD

Yes, I have obligation to the LORD. He has given more than I deserve and I am obligated to Him for that gift.

I know what you might be thinking, “it was a gift, how do I owe for it”. Well, it is not that I owe anything, it is thanks that I am obligated to give in return. That thanks is partly conveyed in our receiving of the gift, and the balance is conveyed in word and action. I am obligated to say “Thank you” for the gift of salvation and reciprocate with my actions to demonstrate my acceptance of the gift and dedication of my life and self to Him.

But, our reciprocation is not just receipt, thanks, and dedication, it is to be the FIRST things we do. In verses 35 through 37 of Nehemiah 10, there is the outline of those things that are obligated to the LORD. Those things are noted as not just the things, but the first of those things.

“³⁵We obligate ourselves to bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all fruit of every tree, year by year, to the house of the Lord; ³⁶also to bring to the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God, the firstborn of our sons and of our cattle, as it is written in the Law, and the firstborn of our herds and of our flocks; ³⁷and to bring the first of our dough, and our contributions, the fruit of every tree, the wine and the oil, to the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and to bring to the Levites the tithes from our ground, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all our towns where we labor.” – Nehemiah 10:35-37 (ESV)

So, the obligation I have to the LORD is to reciprocate with the FIRST of everything to Him. I arise in the mornings and pray thanks and petition to the LORD. I give the first of my day to Him. I study His Word first and then on with the rest of my day. I give first to Him and then live on the rest. I am dedicating my life and self to Him and His worship. I am prioritizing the LORD over all else.

What a thing to say it out loud for me and all to hear, as I have done in the above paragraph. It is one thing to internalize things, it is another to say it aloud. I will obligate, and not just obligate, but the first of me to the LORD. He GAVE me the GIFT of salvation and I am obligated to thanks and dedication to Him in return.

What is your thoughts on your obligation to the LORD? Did you just get the gift of salvation and it is time to move on? What if you realized the gift and reciprocated with receipt, thanks, and dedication to Him and did so through obligation and with the first of you?

God Desires Your Heart

Until now, I have been reading and studying the word “desire” and it is been on our side, man. This morning I was brought to the book of Hosea where I found the desire of the LORD.

“⁶For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,

the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”

— Hosea 6:6 (ESV)

I forget sometimes that man was created in the image of God and to have a relationship with Him. Relationships are more than just acquaintances. Relationships of real worth are from the heart. I know that in my relationship with Lori, I have given her all of me, most of all my heart. There is nothing I won’t do for her as a result of the love I have for her and our relationship.

Our relationship with God is no different. He gives us all that He is for our sake and to care for us. He gives His heart to us and desires that we give ours to Him. There is nothing we should not do for Him as a result of the love we have for Him and our relationship.

Yes, the last two paragraphs end the same way. I meant that to make the point. Those we have relationships with desire us fully, including and mainly our heart. If we are willing to give to those of this world, would it not fully make sense to give to the LORD the same, or more importantly, first.

God does not require much from us. He wants us to do His will in this world to spread the gospel. And, first of all, He desires that we give our hearts to Him. He saved me from death and I owe Him, the least I can give is all of me, beginning with what He desires and that is my heart.

What are you giving to the LORD? Are you trying to satisfy His desire through monetary and other gifts? What if instead you simply gave Him the one thing He desires, your heart?