Love and Respect part 3

*my notes from the book

This book is not simply about helping you save or improve your marriage. Those are important by products, but the real purpose by showing love and respect is to glorify God and obey what His word teaches.

We do not have a "marriage" crisis in the Christian community; we have a crisis of faith. It all comes down to one question "Do I or do I not have faith in what Jesus said?" The whole point is you can not love or respect unless you are doing it unto Jesus, and if He is not truly Lord of your life, it wont work.

Have confidence that God will work.  (and that His plan is for marriage for be FOR LIFE!)

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord not (your husband), because the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does. (Ephesians 6:7-8)

In marriage everything you do counts! Even if your spouse ignores you!

To the world it may make no sense for a wife to put on respect towards a husband who may be harsh or unloving. But it makes sense to God. These seemingly fruitless efforts matter to God because this is the kind of service the Lord rewards. What is wisdom to God is foolishness to the  world.

We are to do the good works that the Lord has planned for us, not to appease the Lord,or somehow pay "just a little bit" for our salvation, but simply to please Him.

There WILL be times when you fail. The difference between successful couples and unsuccessful couples is that successful couples keep getting up and dealing with issues. Unsuccessful couples want it easy. They want it now. They want their own needs to be met. This approach is the epitomy of immaturity.
It is easier to respect your husband out of obedience to God than  because of his behavior.


A wife’s unconditional respect to her husband reveals her reverence for Christ.
If you are not respecting your husband you MUST ask yourself "Am I really loving Christ?"

(Women) must get rid of the victim mind-set. Realize the only comfort and healing you are going to get is from the Lord and by trusting Him with your stuation, painful as it is. To do otherwise is sin.
Jesus can help you be dignified and loving. No matter how negative  your spouse may be, you cannot blame your negative actions on your spouse.