Surviving Marriage Series

1. We must apply them

a. To our friends

b. To strangers around us,

c. most importantly, to our spouses.

IV. Living your life to give honor and glory, to Jesus. How important is it?

If it is important, then you must begin to love your mate in the way described above. Loving is not only a feeling. Loving is an act of obedience and faith that Jesus says we must express even to our enemies. (Luke 6:27) He does not command us to feel, he commands us to act. Feeling will follow.

A. Developing this attributes in our marriage

1 Our valleys become fewer and less deep.

2. Expressed in our marriage will help avert crisis,

3. In most marriages these attributes will bring about change.

B. Objectives in applying these loving attributes to our marriage

1. You will come to an increased understanding of issues.

2. You will communicate with, rather than at, each other.

3. You will refocus on your own responsibilities rather than your mate’s

Deficiencies.

4. You will garner a genuine appreciation for the other’s feelings.

5. There will be a controlled release of tension.

You need to understand that you can not change your mate. The only person you are responsible to before God that you can change is yourself. But if you change yourself there is a very good possibility that your mate will not be far behind.

Conclusion:

Accomplished, these objectives will allow for a rekindled love for each other and a heightened opportunity for reconciliation. M. Shelley says are the objectives of almost all marital counseling.

Although we are applying these “Love Chapter” principles to marriage, they are equally important to apply to our lives in general. These are simply the characteristics of a mature Christian living out his life in the world.

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1The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, ci 984 . Zondervan: Grand Rapids

2The Holy Bible New International Version. 1996, c1984 . Zondervan: Grand Rapids

3Shelley, M. 1 997. Vol. 3: Building your church through counsel and care: 30 strategies to transform your ministry. Library of leadership development. Bethany House: Minneapolis, Minn.

4Shelley, M. 1 997. Vol. 3: Building your church through counsel and core: 30 strategies to transform your ministry. Library of leadership development. Bethany House: Minneapolis, Minn.