Marriage was designed by God . He intended for two people to be joined together—inseparable . Other than our relationship with God, marriage is the greatest relationship in the Christian life . I have been married to my wife Sharon for fifty years—that is a long time! Our marriage, at times, has been tough, but what has kept our marriage unbreakable? We made a vow—a covenant with each other—we would never divorce . Even as a nonbeliever, I knew I would not divorce my wife; our marriage was to be a permanent union, until death do us part. During difficult times, we thought of our children; we knew it was vital for them that we follow God’s model for marriage and for our grandchildren, as well . Before I came to Christ, as a nonbeliever, I had a bad marriage . I was an abusive husband . When I came to Christ, I looked back in sadness at what I had done to Sharon; but because I truly repented, God forgave me . My wife also forgave me . Understandably, it took time for Sharon to rebuild her trust in me, but together we have moved forward in Christ .

Honestly, even as a pastor, I am not perfect, but I know that Sharon and I have remained together all these years, only by the grace of God . We have learned to get along together . In fact, my wife has been a real help to me in the ministry . She has stood by me in the call God has placed on my life . I have learned a lot from her because she grew up in ministry with her parents, who were missionaries in South America . Honestly, I do not think I would have made it in life without her by my side . The marriage vow is an intimate, permanent bond that is made between a husband and his wife, before God . In the very beginning, God ordained marriage; He brought Adam and Eve together (Genesis 2:21–25) . 8 Knowing marriage was ordained and arranged by the Lord, we can be sure it is the will of God for men and women to be joined together—to become one flesh . Marriage is a blessed union between one man and one woman . Marriage is not something imperfect, created by man . One thing we must keep in mind: when God brings a man and woman together in marriage, it is a holy union . The man and woman are not perfect, but imperfect . When a couple submits to the Lord and to one another in love, their marriage will be blessed and fruitful .

If you had a troubled marriage before you came to the Lord, you can still have a marriage blessed by God, if you and your spouse both submit to the Lord and follow God’s wisdom for your marriage, found in His Word . To those who are going through a difficult period in your marriage, open your heart to God . Ask God to help you work on your marriage . He is the One who instituted marriage, so keep Him at the center, and you will have an inseparable union . I am praying that through the power of the Holy Spirit, many marriages will be healed, as mine needed to be . As a pastor, I hope that husbands will have a renewed desire to love their wives, and the wives will unconditionally love their husbands . My wife and I are praying together that the Lord will do a tremendous work and use this book to help so many married couples in the church, and all around the world .