All of us are in a relationship, want to be in a relationship, or in and out of relationships. So this subject is relevant to each of us no matter where we're at. And when we're in a relationship we usually want it to work, no matter what kind of relationship that is.

1. In Love for Life
Building or Rebuilding a Great Marriage
Mike Mazzalongo
#3 – Cords of Love

2. Ecc. 4:9-12
9 Two
are better than one because they have a good
10 For if either of them falls, the
return for their labor.
one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one
who falls when there is not another to lift him up.
11 Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep
12 And if one
warm, but how can one be warm alone?
can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him.
A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.

3. Book of Ruth

4. Cords of Love
1. Cord of Kindness – 1:1-15

5. Kindness is what gives a
relationship staying power.

6. Cords of Love
1. Cord of Kindness – 1:1-15
2. Cord of Loyalty – 1:16-22

7. Ruth 1:15-18
15 Then
she said, Behold, your sister-in-law has gone back
to her people and her gods; return after your sister-in16 But Ruth said, Do not urge me to leave you or turn
law.
back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and
where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my
17 Where you die, I will die,
people, and your God, my God.
and there I will be buried. Thus may the LORD do to me,
and worse, if anything but death parts you and me.
18 When she saw that she was determined to go with her,
she said no more to her.

8. Nothing strengthens a
relationship more than a show
of loyalty at a critical moment.

9. Cords of Love
1. Cord of Kindness – 1:1-15
2. Cord of Loyalty – 1:16-22
3. Cord of Hard Work – 2:1-23

10. Best way to “Stir Up” a relationship:
• Communicate honestly

11. Best way to “Stir Up” a relationship:
• Communicate honestly
• Do things together

12. Best way to “Stir Up” a relationship:
• Communicate honestly
• Do things together
• Share Spiritual things

13. A relationship based on Christ
has hope not only for this life
but for the next one as well.

14. Cords of Love
1. Cord of Kindness – 1:1-15
2. Cord of Loyalty – 1:16-22
3. Cord of Hard Work – 2:1-23
4. Cord of Patience – 3:1-4:12

15. Patience Teaches you…
• Listen to difficult advice
• Some problems take time to settle
• Flawed people have flawed relationships
• Patience pays dividends

16. Patience is what enables us to
love despite the unlovely things
we eventually see in our partners.

17. Cords of Love
1. Cord of Kindness – 1:1-15
2. Cord of Loyalty – 1:16-22
3. Cord of Hard Work – 2:1-23
4. Cord of Patience – 3:1-4:12
5. Cord of Faith – 4:13-22

18. Boaz – Ruth
David
Joseph
Jesus

19. Cords of Love
• Cord of Kindness – Build it up

20. Cords of Love
• Cord of Kindness – Build it up
• Cord of Loyalty – Binds it

21. Cords of Love
• Cord of Kindness – Build it up
• Cord of Loyalty – Binds it
• Cord of Hard Work – Develops it

22. Cords of Love
• Cord of Kindness – Build it up
• Cord of Loyalty – Binds it
• Cord of Hard Work – Develops it
• Cord of Patience – Balances it

23. Cords of Love
• Cord of Kindness – Build it up
• Cord of Loyalty – Binds it
• Cord of Hard Work – Develops it
• Cord of Patience – Balances it
• Cord of Faith – Transforms it

24. Kindness
Loyalty
Work
Patience
Faith
Love

25. Next Lesson:
Holy Sex - Part 1