🎻🍷🍂On April 18, 2026, we examined Part One of today’s topic. This morning, we’ll continue with Part Two because it is vital.
After some years of marriage, many spouses begin to assume that the affectionate practices they cherished in the early days of their relationship—before the children arrived—are no longer necessary. This mindset has led to the ruin of many marriages. Why? Because it is those little things that actually hold a marriage together, giving it its peculiar tone, taste, flavour, qualities, and character. They are like the screws and bolts that hold the bigger components of engines, cars, bikes, planes, etc., together, making them function as one compact and complete unit.
🎻🍷🍂BODY SCRATCHING IN MARRIAGE IS BENEFICIAL
In Part One, we looked at “Body Scratching,” one of the nonsexual modes of interaction available to couples for building companionship and rejuvenating their love and romance, thereby keeping their relationship in top form. In that devotional, we observed that:
“From a scientific standpoint, these gentle interactions trigger the release of oxytocin, often called the ‘bonding hormone.’ Unlike sexual intimacy, which carries its own set of expectations and intensities, mutual scratching is a low-pressure way to keep your nervous systems co-regulated. These physical interactions lower cortisol levels, reducing the cumulative stress that often builds up over a long work week.”
🎻🍷🍂JEZEBELS, DELILAHS AND HERODIASES
Today, we focus on mutual body massaging. One of the things you can do when you return home from work or church is to give each other a good body massage. The benefits include relieving stress, strengthening emotional connection, creating a special opportunity for meaningful conversation, renewing your romantic life, and supporting your physical and mental wellbeing.
When the Bible says that spouses are “one flesh,” the demonstration of that oneness is largely expressed through various forms of nonsexual interactions: scratching each other, giving backrubs, mutual massaging, offering a pat on the back, and so on. These simple acts oil the wheels of romance and affection and keep the marriage moving smoothly.
Unfortunately, the absence of these simple nonsexual interactions in marriages—for months on end—is eroding romance and silently driving impatient spouses into the arms of Jezebels and Delilahs/Gigolos and Area Boys.
Even in the beginning, this was the divine order (see Lovebirds’ Devotional of March 4, 2026). After their day’s work was done, Adam and Eve would return to the grotto in the garden that was their home. They ate and drank, and thereafter spent time in companionship with each other. That time of fellowship included the kind of nonsexual interactions we are discussing. It made them even better acquainted with each other.
🎻🍷🍂NOT JUST A NAME
A vast majority of marriages are mere names. Why? Because they lack the “Acts of Marriage.” The Apostles were not mere names. The book titled The Acts of the Apostles is a testament to their proof-producing apostolic ministries. In the same way, your marriage should be far more than just the name “marriage” and the titles “Mr. and Mrs.”
Birthing many children is not proof of a healthy marriage. Single mothers do the same without being married.
“The Acts of Marriage” consist of sexual intimacy and the hundreds of diverse forms of nonsexual interactions that should characterise your union daily—yes, daily, not only on your wedding anniversary. So wake up!
Fill your union to overflowing with both sexual and nonsexual marital activities. As you do, yours will become a model marriage that glorifies God. In such a marriage, neither spouse will entertain thoughts of infidelity because they recognise it for what it truly is: a stinking sin!
💕❤️ Tonight’s Bedroom Assignment:
Reread this devotional together just before bedtime and discuss it with an open and sincere heart.
📚📖✒️ Quotes For Reflection:
“So, sex isn’t just something you do for pregnancy. No! It’s a basic necessity required for the survival, sustenance and growth of your Marriage.”(Anselm Ahman. Lovebirds’ Devotional, January 1, 2026)
✝️ Altar Call:
Jesus Christ is calling you! Come to Him today and be saved!
🌡️⚗️ Scientific Info To Boost Your Marriage:
“Bitterness poisons the relationship, causing a loss of trust which is the foundation of intimacy.”
🎸🎷🪘 Anointed Music Section