DAY 10

    01.20.21 | by Mike Neri

    1 Corinthians 7:5

     “Do not deprive each other, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”

     The apostle Paul is addressing principles for marriage to the Corinthians, which they had written to him about.  During the time Paul wrote about this it was customary for married people to abstain from lying together for an agreed and limited amount of time. I like the fact that Paul is clear about this and makes three very important points.  First Paul says, do not deprive each other. Notice that Paul is not making a suggestion but rather declaring a “Do not”.  Next, he says, but if you do deprive each other, make sure you agree and only for a limited time.  And lastly, make sure you come together again so that you are not tempted.  As we can see Paul’s teaching comes with healthy conditions that protect their marriage relationship.  I would guess that when couples followed this teaching, and devoted themselves to personal devotion, their marriages were strengthened.       

     Having been married twice myself I can say from experience that my devotion in my first marriage was not to the Lord, rather to my own selfish interests, other people, and material things. Neglecting my devotion to the Lord was definitely a big contributing factor for my failed marriage. Looking back and experiencing such great loss I regret not taking the time for regular, and steady personal devotion time with him.  I certainly don’t want to make that life changing mistake twice.  

     Devotion simply means to love and be loyal to. Won’t you join me in thinking about those things that we love or are loyal to the most. Some of these things could be robbing us of our devotion time with him which results in denying him what he wants the most from us, our devotion.      

    To both married and single, I encourage you to consider joining me during this special time that we are fasting and praying together.  Jesus said in Mathew chapter 7 verse 7, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be open to you. So I encourage you during our time together to intentionally dig deep into your devotion time where you will discover a deeper more intimate relationship with him.