The official world record for the longest marriage for a living couple belongs to Herbert and Zelmyra Fisher, who were married for a total of 86 years and 290 days. In 2011, Herbert passed away at 105, and a few years later in 2013, Zelmyra followed at 105 years old as well.  

I Corinthians 13:4-8 MSG

Love never gives up.

Love cares more for others than for self.

Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.

Love doesn’t strut,

Doesn’t have a swelled head,

Doesn’t force itself on others,

Isn’t always “me first,”

Doesn’t fly off the handle,

Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,

Doesn’t revel when others grovel,

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,

Puts up with anything,

Trusts God always,

Always looks for the best,

Never looks back,

But keeps going to the end.

8-10 Love never dies.

Before their death, the Fishers were interviewed about their secrets to long lasting love…and their answers were astoundingly simple. Marry your best friend, be committed, work hard and remember marriage is not a contest, never keep score, God put you on the same team to win!  Pretty good advice from a couple that remained happily married for over 86 years!

Here are three secrets to a lasting marriage:

#1 Love is not a fickle feeling

Once you’ve decided to go all in.  Once you’ve said, “I DO” you move from feelings to commitment.  The feelings may or may not remain but your decision to stick with your spouse is not based on emotion, it’s based on a commitment you made to your spouse and the Lord.

One pastor put it this way, “Love, by its very nature, isn’t a fairy tale feeling, but a commitment. Love isn’t a story with a happy ending; love is a story with no ending.”

“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” 1 Corinthians 13:7 NLT

#2 Never bring up mistakes of the past.

• If they’re breathing, your mate will eventually offend you. Learn to forgive.
• Stop criticizing others or it will come back on you. If you forgive others, you will be forgiven.

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. – (Luke 6:37 NLT).

#3  Sex should be a Priority:

Every Time we engage in sex we are renewing our covenant to each other.

Don’t allow your busy schedule, your kids, or your age keep you from the marriage bed!  It is important to come together and express your love in a physical way to your spouse.  Every time you engage in sex you communicate once more to your spouse that you are committed.  Each time you come together you physically demonstrate that you are choosing them.  

“The husband should fulfill his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband’s needs. The wife gives authority over her body to her husband, and the husband gives authority over his body to his wife.” 1 Corinthians 7:3-4 NLT