A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
 A daily, Bible-based message of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Click here to support our ministry.The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archive edition Friday, February 15, 2013  Yesterday we passed this water tower in Columbia PA which also serves as a huge billboard for Turkey Hill Dairy. Throughout our travels, among the sights that draw our interest, most especially Stephen, are colorful water towers such as this beautiful one in northern Virginia in the Shenandoah Valley along I-81. Marriage series: This week we have shared a series of messages with the main points based on Gary Chapman's book, "The Five Love Languages". In doing so we have used the outline of the five languages, featuring a different one each day. We want to provide messages that will strengthen marriages. However most of these points apply to all relationships. "Physical Intimacy" "When Isaac had been there a long time, Abimelech king of the Philistines looked down from a window and saw Isaac caressing his wife Rebekah" (Genesis 26:8). "The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband" (1 Corinthians 7:3). Growing up we never talked about physical intimacy in our home. My parents were very private about this and based on discussions with others my age I suspect most in my generation were raised similarly. Of course at that time the entertainment industry was under strict guidelines and on TV we watched shows like Andy Griffith, and still do. Now we are nearly 50 years after the sexual revolution of the sixties and people are far more candid about this subject matter which to some degree is a good thing but it has also resulted in an explosion in immorality. In the news recently is a church day care center in California with reports of very, very little children having sex with one another! The Scriptures likewise are rather discreet about the physical dimension of marital love, using the term "know" to encryptically describe the act of marital intimacy. Of course we also have the frank acknowledgment of moral failure such as David and Bathsheba. Today's first verse recounts a moment of some type of intimacy between Isaac and Rebekah leaving room for some imagination. Most modern versions use the word "caressing", although the KJV states "sporting" to translate a Hebrew word that suggests an intimate relationship. Apparently they were seen while engaging in some type of intimate act! This was after they had been married awhile. In chapter 25 they had their twin sons who by now were grown and Esau had sold his birthright (Genesis 25:27-34). Since Isaac married Rebekah when he was forty and Rebekah was infertile for awhile I would suppose he was at least in his sixties or even older at this time! The main purpose for this verse was to show that Isaac had deceived Abimelech in presenting Rebekah as his sister. Even in that ancient period when Abimelech, the king of the Philistines, saw them he recognized their "caressing" was an expression of marital intimacy. But the secondary implication is the normalcy of physical intimacy between a husband and his wife. The second daily verse is from a chapter in which the Apostle Paul gives instructions regarding marriage. The daily text states, "The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband." The "marital duty" in context is referring to sexual intimacy. Clearly the Bible affirms the proper place for this love language in marriage. Gary Chapman writes, "In a culture which worships at the altar of sex, the Christian must take care not to over-react and view sex as something sinful. The truth is that Hollywood did not invent sex. A holy God, totally separate from sin, made us sexual beings. We must not relinquish the sanctity of sex because some have exploited it. Sex is not the trademark of the world; it bears the personal label, "made by God." However, we must be quick to say that God gave us the 'owner's manual'. In God's plan sex is reserved for marriage. Within marriage, sex bonds us together, body, soul, and spirit." But this "physical intimacy" love language isn't just about the bedroom. Hugs, pats on the back, holding hands, kissing and thoughtful touches on the arm, shoulder, or face—can all be ways a marital couple express their love for one another. As we conclude this series on love languages we pray for all the marriages of our readers and that indeed the marital bond between husband and wife will be strengthened and honored by all. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father, we thank You for the first time we met our spouse, the romance that ensued, the steps that led us to say "I do" and the journey we walk together. We're thankful for the love that continues to grow as we tend to each other with kindness, affirm one another by our words and deeds, spend time working and playing together, serve each other in accordance to our needs, and the celebration of our sexual intimacy in the way You intended through the matrimonial bonds of our marriage. We are indeed grateful for the wonderful fulfillment we find in a loving spouse. Amen. Here are "The Five Love Languages" we have dealt with this week: 1) Affirming Words Monday's message 2) Quality Time Tuesday's message 3) Thoughtful Gifts Wednesday's message 4) Cooperative Service Thursday's message 5) Physical Intimacy Today's message  Valentine's Day Celebration at Red Lobster Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources |
 Stephen and Brooksyne Weber (Click on photo to enlarge) "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update (Revised 12/31/12)  Are our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. We ask you to consider an offering to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible. Click here to donate online.2013 YTD financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 2/14/13: $2,597.00. We express thanks to all who support our ministry! SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION  Were you forwarded this edition of Daily Encouragement Net? If you desire you can receive your own free! To receive these "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe to our email list. These messages are never sent by us unsolicited. It was sent to you because you either signed up to receive it OR it was forwarded it to you. You can also subscribe to the Wordpress rss feed or as an email subscription through Wordpress email subscription. (See the email subscription on the right side after opening this page.)Cancel: We respect and value your time and privacy. If you no longer desire to receive these messages you can remove your address from the list by merely using the link automatically inserted by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each email message. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Weekly Version: The weekly version is intended for those who may not check their email regularly or who may desire less frequent mailings. It is Friday's message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address. Daily Encouragement on Facebook and Twitter:  The daily message and prayer on Facebook. The daily message and prayer on Twitter.Reader Survey: Please take a few minutes to assist us in improving our ministry effectiveness by filling out this online reader survey. To take the survey click here. Please feel free to pass these messages on! Our other blogs: "A Daily Prayer" - A blog simply posting the daily prayer. We keep this up each day since it's merely the prayer from the Daily Encouragement Net message! "A Little Foolishness" - Humor/satire blog (a great outlet for non-serious writing but at times with a subtle message!) (Note: This material is satire!) "Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the faithful believer and church. (Actually this is my intent but I haven't done much with it!) "Hymns of Hope" - Brooksyne along with two friends made a CD using classic hymns. Brooksyne tells the background story of the 11 hymns. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. Personal Mission Statement "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."  How to become a child of God Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version. Other versions are also occasionally used. © Copyright 2013 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us  Endorsed chaplain "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net |
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