As we stand for the restoration of our marriages, it’s so important to fully understand that God created us for His praise and glory, because that’s the only way we’ll ever have the victorious life Jesus came to give us. 1 Peter 2:9 tells us But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. And Psalm 150:6 even says Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD. And Isaiah 43:18-21 certainly applies as we stand for the restoration of our marriages; confirming that God created us for His praise, and even that He wants us to LOOK for reasons to praise Him, because it says “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the desert and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise. And Ephesians 1:11-12 says In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. Therefore God is not pleased with us when we don’t praise Him and give Him the honor and glory He deserves, thus NOT fulfilling the purpose for which we were created. And we see a powerful illustration of that in Jeremiah 13:10-14, which says These wicked people, who refuse to listen to my words, who follow the stubbornness of their hearts and go after other gods to serve and worship them, will be like this belt—completely useless! For as a belt is bound around a man’s waist, so I bound the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah to me,’ declares the LORD, ‘to be my people for my renown and praise and honor. But they have not listened.’ “Say to them: ‘This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Every wineskin should be filled with wine.’ And if they say to you, ‘Don’t we know that every wineskin should be filled with wine?’ then tell them, ‘This is what the LORD says: I am going to fill with drunkenness all who live in this land, including the kings who sit on David’s throne, the priests, the prophets and all those living in Jerusalem. I will smash them one against the other, fathers and sons alike, declares the LORD. I will allow no pity or mercy or compassion to keep me from destroying them.’ “ If that doesn’t get our attention and make us understand how serious God is about getting the praise from us that He deserves, I can’t imagine what will! GOD IS VERY SERIOUS ABOUT PRAISE! I know I have offended people in the past because I’m such a stickler for publicly giving God praise for everything He does for us and for refusing to allow grumbling and complaining, but that’s because I get it, and I know and understand the power praising God releases into our lives, especially as we stand for the restoration of our marriages. One of the most amazing stories in the Bible demonstrating the victorious power of praise is found in 2 Chronicles 20, where verse 22 says As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. So I encourage everyone to read and study it, because it’s particularly encouraging to us when we face all the forces coming against us as we stand for our marriages, whether from earthly or spiritual realms.

Yesterday was a particularly rewarding day for me personally, because I saw that at least two of the FAM Fellowship members were beginning to really understand the importance of giving God praise, honor and glory for EVERYTHING He does for us, and I talked to two (and heard of another) women who actually realized that the Lord HAD to bring trouble to their marriages to make them realize how bad things were and give them an opportunity to make the changes necessary to make their marriages what God always wanted and intended them to be. The following messages were posted on the ladies’ private site yesterday morning, for which I appreciate Janet and Sharon’s permission to share here, as well as some of the responses from other members. (Note: SNO = spouse name omitted)

Even Small Blessings are Worthy of Praise!!

Upon reflection, I had to confess that there were so many things that I should have been thanking God for, but wasn’t, and so I have made a resolve to praise and thank him for everything he is doing in my life. For the past few weeks my husband has really pulled back and has been very distant. I have not seen or heard from him for a couple of weeks. Yesterday I was not feeling well; it seems I was coming down with the flu, and I was really feeling rotten at work. And then out of the blue, my phone rang and it was SNO on the phone calling to say hi. He wasn’t talking about anything significant; he just wanted to see how I was doing. As soon as I hung up, I said thank you Lord. Though this may seem like something small and insignificant, I had to thank my Lord as I know there are many who have not heard from their spouses in years. God is so faithful. He gives us small blessings to see if we can be trusted with the really big blessings He has in store for us. Praise be to God!!

Response by Robin on May 24th, 2007 at 9:25 am
Janet, this is really wonderful! I have found that the times of silence from my husband are the times to really trust God, to stand on His word, wield my sword, and hold up my shield. And most of the time, after I put my total trust in the savior, SNO calls or comes around. But in the process, I do as you do and thank God for the great things that He is doing in me and for me.

Response by Alex on May 24th, 2007 at 9:33 am
Janet, I’m glad you got that phone call and you should expect more, because when we’re faithful to bring God glory through praise and when we’re grateful with what we have, as you are-God’s gonna bless that!! Hugs, Alex

Response by Linda Wattu on May 24th, 2007 at 9:36 am
RIGHT ON, Janet! You know I’ve been waiting to see this – I’ve sort of been hounding her about it! And I promise you, you WILL see things change, because the Lord had been giving you some awesome praises and you were hiding them away in your heart instead of giving Him the glory for all to see! And God WILL NOT be denied His glory. So make note of this day, because I predict that you will be able to look back on it as a turning point in the restoration of your marriage – now God will go to work on SNO’s heart – so watch out!

Dear Lord, I thank you for bringing Janet to the understanding of how serious you are about getting the praise, honor and glory for EVERYTHING you do in our lives and that when we show ourselves unworthy and unreliable to praise you in the small things, there’s no reason for you to expect us to do any better if you give us the BIG blessings and praises. There’s no use giving us a powerful testimony for your glory when you know it won’t be used that way – because we are really more focused on our own needs and pleasure! And, Lord, Janet is by NO MEANS the only one in this fellowship who needed that same understanding, so I pray that through the power of your Holy Spirit you will bring that same revelation to the hearts of every FAM Fellowship member, because I so want every one of them to see your power and glory fully manifested in their lives and in the restoration of their marriages and families! You are so awesome and so worthy to be praised and we need to praise you over and over again for the many wonderful blessings you pour out into our lives EVERY day! We are a blessed people and it’s time we recognize just how blessed we are and use the power of our testimonies to stop the devil DEAD IN HIS TRACKS! Your Word tells us very plainly that the WORD OF OUR TESTIMONY has the power to defeat the devil and to hurl him down, so we have no one but ourselves to blame when he continues to steal, kill and destroy everything precious and dear in our lives! It’s time to stand up to him with the weapons of warfare you have so graciously provided; and praising your Holy name and the works of your mighty hand is certainly a powerful one! We love and adore you, Sweet Jesus, and we do give you ALL PRAISE, HONOR AND GLORY, as we thank you and ask these things in your most powerful name! Amen.

Response by Maria on May 24th, 2007 at 11:03 am
Janet, it’s so wonderful that when you felt the most rotten and miserable there was that wonderful call to cheer you up. God is good all the time and we give Him praise and glory for stepping in when most needed. We praise you Lord and give you all the glory, always.

Response by Thursa on May 24th, 2007 at 11:13 am
Praise God Janet!!! This is wonderful and VERY significant that you shared it! God has told us to show Him glory and praise Him during all times. So we must be obedient so that He can just shower all sorts of blessings on us! And when we do start looking for God in EVERYTHING, I’m telling you, we are so very blessed that it is AMAZING!!! God is AMAZING!!!

Thanks again for sharing the wonderful blessing God gave you, and start looking for more because they are coming!!!!

Response by Kathy in Oregon on May 24th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
Janet, be blessed and encouraged because God orchestrated that call from SNO! He is in control of all things and He loves you and cares for you and knew just when to send that call so that you would be uplifted and encouraged. God is so amazing and when we look for Him and seek Him in all things, we can’t help but find Him! I just thank and praise God for all that He is doing in your and SNO’s lives and marriage! Love, Kathy

Response by Diane on May 24th, 2007 at 4:20 pm
Yes, Praise the Lord, Janet, and keep praising. Nothing is SMALL. Everything God does in our lives has a plan and a purpose, so keep thanking Him and sharing. I believe the sharing is VERY important. This is all for Gods glory and we get the Victory. Be encouraged and blessed. Diane

Also Learning to Give Praise

As I read through the daily praise reports, it makes me reflect on my situation and how blessed I am at this moment. My husband is still in the home, and we do talk daily about current events, the children, etc… We will even occasionally watch a movie or a TV show together and laugh about it. I must thank God that he is still a part of my and our children’s daily lives. Although last Friday was very unpleasant for us (I said some things that I should not have said that really irritated him and caused him to leave his home and write me a very nasty email), we all went to see Shrek 3 last Saturday, did some shopping afterward, and went to dinner. It was a great day for all of us. On Monday morning, SNO and I went to our son’s awards ceremony at school, where my son received several awards, and both SNO and I were very proud of him.

I must give all praises to God to put it on SNO’s heart to stay home; even though he has verbalized several times that it is over between us. I have learned so much from all of you, and these praise reports and testimonies are so uplifting and give me hope.

Response by Thursa on May 24th, 2007 at 11:18 am
Sharon, thanks so much for sharing your praise report. It was very wonderful to hear! God will bless you more and more as you show your obedience in sharing your praises! And with the verse Linda often shares from Revelation, it IS our testimony that helps manifest Satan’s defeat. So send Satan running and shout from all the rooftops the WONDERFUL things God has done!!!

Response by Alex on May 24th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
Sharon, you’re right. God built us to praise him and as we learn how to do it and we rejoice in giving that praise, we find that many things change inwardly and outwardly. I agree that you have reason to praise him and I know God will give you more and more opportunities to do so, including the full and complete restoration of your marriage! Hugs, Alex

Response by Linda Wattu on May 24th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Sharon, after our last conversation, you know this does my heart good! What an awesome praise report about the power and glory of Jesus Christ! Honey, NEVER forget this incident and how the Lord turned around what looked SO hopeless – and in just a matter of hours at that! I told you I haven’t seen anything manifest the power of God so quickly and completely as humility, and this certainly proves that! Now, you know I want to know what happened when you got home, so you’ll have to call with an update! God is working that change we talked about in you, Sharon, and SNO WILL find it totally captivating and irresistible, so just keep your eyes firmly focused on God and He will work out the rest. And your testimony will be very encouraging for others who think they’ve totally blown it too, because it proves that God can and will turn around even our biggest mess ups! Thanks so much for sharing this and blessing us so with this wonderful praise report! Who but God could have done something so totally awesome!

Dear Lord, we so thank you for the miraculous work of restoration you are doing in Sharon and SNO’s marriage. And we thank you for the change you are working in Sharon’s heart and mind, Lord, as she learns a totally new way of doing things, which we know you are ALWAYS SO FAITHFUL to bless and reward! Thank you for softening SNO’s heart and giving him the ability to forgive his wife. I know he loves her, Lord, and he will be the happiest of men as he witnesses the transformation you are making in her before his very eyes. Let him see your love and goodness in her, Lord, and be drawn into right relationship with you, so that when this family is fully restored, you will be at the center of all they do! We love you, Lord, and we praise your Holy name as we give thanks and praise you. We ask all this in your name, Jesus. Amen.

Response by Robin on May 24th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
Hi Sharon and Welcome to our family!!!! The word say in Revelation 12:11 that we overcome the enemy by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony. It is so easy to look upon our conditions and circumstances and complain!! But it’s greater and more rewarding when we look to the Author and Finisher of our faith, Jesus Christ, and remember that all things are possible through Him! Our God is an AWESOME GOD!!!!! P.S. When you get a chance read Philippians 4

Response by Diane on May 24th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
Hello, Sharon, and you are so right that you should share all praises. It is great that your husband is still home, so just keep praying and praising. Even when we think we have messed up, God will turn it for good. Just ask for forgiveness and God is faithful to wipe the slate clean. Keep being thankful to Our Mighty One and He will soften your husband’s heart. We have witnessed so many great God things and He wants to do this all for you and your family. Just keep reading and loving God, and He will make the pieces all fit together. Be encouraged and share all the blessings God gives and He will keep on giving. Satan doesn’t like it when we share for God’s glory, so keep sharing and put the devil on the run. Diane

Yes, we serve a great and mighty God who is ALWAYS blessing us in so many ways, but He does command and expect us to praise Him and give Him all the glory He deserves. I’m reminded of when I was trying to convince another one of our members to share her praises on the private website, which she does now, and she told me she was writing it all down in her journal. So I asked her just how much glory she thought God gets out of that; not one bit! Luke 8:16 even says “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. And 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 says Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. And there’s no doubt that encouragement is one of the greatest comforts possible when we’re down and out and discouraged, or that the words of our praise reports and testimonies bring encouragement, hope and comfort to others who are suffering in similar circumstances. So the following verses are just a few to consider as we strive to understand what the Lord teaches us about praising Him for EVERYTHING and that we’re to continually do so. And the more we make praise our habit, the more blessed and encouraged we’ll be, because the Lord WILL bless and reward us by giving us even more to praise Him for, which is confirmed in The Parable of the Talents.

Psalm 100:4-5
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Isaiah 63:7
I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us— yes, the many good things he has done for the house of Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses.

Jeremiah 33:9
Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.’

1 Peter 4:11
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Psalm 150:1-2
Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.

Romans 15:11
And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and sing praises to him, all you peoples.”

Psalm 34:1-3
I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.

Psalm 71:14-15
But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure.

Posted Friday, May 25th, 2007 at 10:54 am in Seeds Of Faith.