WHO WILL GET THE PRAISE AND GLORY? -
"Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from the nations, that we
may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise. Praise
be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.
Let all the people say, "Amen!" Praise the LORD." Psalm 106:47-48
I just did a Google search for the term "marriage restoration." Over
nine million web pages were returned. I can only imagine what a
hurting and abandoned spouse faces when they are selecting their
source of help from nine million choices.
From the onset, let me say that Charlyne and I do not pray that
everyone will find our web site. We only want the people that God
sends our way to find us. My wife and I do not have all the
answers, so we pray that people will find a marriage restoration
site where Jesus Christ is exalted.
Charlyne and I do not restore marriages. We are unable to heal
hurting relationships. Our assignment from God is to point wounded
people to Him, for His healing touch, and for us to provide hurting
people with encouragement along the way.
To help you better understand the two distinct types of marriage
restoration organizations, I first need to ask you a question. It is
a question that every first year Bible college or seminary student
can answer. In fact, it is such a basic question that every mature
Christian should be able to answer it. Here it is: What is the
purpose of man?
The Bible is clear in the answer. The purpose of man is to give
glory to God. It is that simple, yet it is not simple at all. Giving
glory to God includes holy living, striving to be more like Jesus,
and telling others about Him every day. It also includes our praise
to Him.
Let’s look at a few fictional web sites. Suzy Saleslady widely
promotes her secular site and her marriage restoration workbook. The
name of God is not even part od her restoration equation. It is all
about what she knows, not what God can do. Assuming an individual
purchased Suzy's workbook, and did everything exactly like Suzy
said to do it, and their spouse comes home, who would get the glory,
Suzy or God? If God is not going to be praised by the results, why
would He have an interest in Suzy’s plans for marriage restoration?
Would He not be working in marriages where people are praying, and
looking to Him, ready to praise Him when the marriage is restored?
Dr. Ima Bigshot also has a web site. On it, he cites how 99% of
divorces have been stopped when people have bought his material and
followed his plan. No mention is made, in the book, nor on the web
site, of what our Lord God can do for a hurting couple.
"A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to
his steps." Proverbs 14:15
Let’s look at one more web site from those nine million. The creator
of this organization uses the title, "Reverend" before his name, and
refers to his activities as a "ministry," Nevertheless, there is an
obvious absence of scripture. There are no references to our Lord
Jesus. To be acceptable to the world, some of this man’s work is
available without spiritual reference. The "God" he writes about is
a strange and distant one, unlike the Holy Spirit that a Bible-
based church or organization teaches is walking every step of this
journey with you today. This site even mention prayer, but it is
strangely silent about a God who will answer prayers.
Who gets the glory when a follower of that "ministry" has a spouse
return? Does that couple praise God or that man?
"You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe
that—and shudder." James 2:19
A few years ago, Charlyne received a call from the producer of a
nationwide secular television program. We were being invited to come
to New York to appear as guests on an upcoming show about adultery.
The producer’s offer included limousine transportation, airline
tickets, hotel, meals, and more. It was the trip of a lifetime.
Charlyne began to explain how our marriage had been restored by the
power of the Holy Spirit. The producer said, "We believe in God and
everything." We had seen that program, and knew that anything we
said about Jesus would be edited out. God would not be praised
through our appearing. As difficult as it was to say no to the
invitation, we declined.
"Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does
marvelous deeds. Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the
whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen." Psalm 72:18-20
As stated in the beginning, neither the Steinkamps, nor Rejoice
Marriage Ministries, has all the answers. Our assessment from God is
to lead you to Christ, helping you to understand how the Holy Spirit
of God is waiting to help you, guiding you and protecting you through
your marriage troubles.
"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others,
faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 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"
1 Peter 4:10-12
"If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of
God." That is an overwhelming thought; that God wants the Steinkamps
to minister to hurting spouses "...as one speaking the very words of
God."
The bottom line is our trademarked comment that "God Heals Hurting
Marriages." We have it on everything from billboards to books. He
alone is the source of your restored marriage. Be sure to give Him
alone all the praise and glory after you prodigal returns, as well as
every step along the way to restoration.
"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. And you also were
included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of
your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a
seal, the promised Holy Spirit." Ephesians 1:11-13
"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear
God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."
Ecclesiastes 12:13
Blessings,
Bob Steinkamp
Rejoice Marriage Ministries
may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise. Praise
be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.
Let all the people say, "Amen!" Praise the LORD." Psalm 106:47-48
I just did a Google search for the term "marriage restoration." Over
nine million web pages were returned. I can only imagine what a
hurting and abandoned spouse faces when they are selecting their
source of help from nine million choices.
From the onset, let me say that Charlyne and I do not pray that
everyone will find our web site. We only want the people that God
sends our way to find us. My wife and I do not have all the
answers, so we pray that people will find a marriage restoration
site where Jesus Christ is exalted.
Charlyne and I do not restore marriages. We are unable to heal
hurting relationships. Our assignment from God is to point wounded
people to Him, for His healing touch, and for us to provide hurting
people with encouragement along the way.
To help you better understand the two distinct types of marriage
restoration organizations, I first need to ask you a question. It is
a question that every first year Bible college or seminary student
can answer. In fact, it is such a basic question that every mature
Christian should be able to answer it. Here it is: What is the
purpose of man?
The Bible is clear in the answer. The purpose of man is to give
glory to God. It is that simple, yet it is not simple at all. Giving
glory to God includes holy living, striving to be more like Jesus,
and telling others about Him every day. It also includes our praise
to Him.
Let’s look at a few fictional web sites. Suzy Saleslady widely
promotes her secular site and her marriage restoration workbook. The
name of God is not even part od her restoration equation. It is all
about what she knows, not what God can do. Assuming an individual
purchased Suzy's workbook, and did everything exactly like Suzy
said to do it, and their spouse comes home, who would get the glory,
Suzy or God? If God is not going to be praised by the results, why
would He have an interest in Suzy’s plans for marriage restoration?
Would He not be working in marriages where people are praying, and
looking to Him, ready to praise Him when the marriage is restored?
Dr. Ima Bigshot also has a web site. On it, he cites how 99% of
divorces have been stopped when people have bought his material and
followed his plan. No mention is made, in the book, nor on the web
site, of what our Lord God can do for a hurting couple.
"A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to
his steps." Proverbs 14:15
Let’s look at one more web site from those nine million. The creator
of this organization uses the title, "Reverend" before his name, and
refers to his activities as a "ministry," Nevertheless, there is an
obvious absence of scripture. There are no references to our Lord
Jesus. To be acceptable to the world, some of this man’s work is
available without spiritual reference. The "God" he writes about is
a strange and distant one, unlike the Holy Spirit that a Bible-
based church or organization teaches is walking every step of this
journey with you today. This site even mention prayer, but it is
strangely silent about a God who will answer prayers.
Who gets the glory when a follower of that "ministry" has a spouse
return? Does that couple praise God or that man?
"You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe
that—and shudder." James 2:19
A few years ago, Charlyne received a call from the producer of a
nationwide secular television program. We were being invited to come
to New York to appear as guests on an upcoming show about adultery.
The producer’s offer included limousine transportation, airline
tickets, hotel, meals, and more. It was the trip of a lifetime.
Charlyne began to explain how our marriage had been restored by the
power of the Holy Spirit. The producer said, "We believe in God and
everything." We had seen that program, and knew that anything we
said about Jesus would be edited out. God would not be praised
through our appearing. As difficult as it was to say no to the
invitation, we declined.
"Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does
marvelous deeds. Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the
whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen." Psalm 72:18-20
As stated in the beginning, neither the Steinkamps, nor Rejoice
Marriage Ministries, has all the answers. Our assessment from God is
to lead you to Christ, helping you to understand how the Holy Spirit
of God is waiting to help you, guiding you and protecting you through
your marriage troubles.
"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others,
faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 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"
1 Peter 4:10-12
"If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of
God." That is an overwhelming thought; that God wants the Steinkamps
to minister to hurting spouses "...as one speaking the very words of
God."
The bottom line is our trademarked comment that "God Heals Hurting
Marriages." We have it on everything from billboards to books. He
alone is the source of your restored marriage. Be sure to give Him
alone all the praise and glory after you prodigal returns, as well as
every step along the way to restoration.
"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. And you also were
included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of
your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a
seal, the promised Holy Spirit." Ephesians 1:11-13
"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear
God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."
Ecclesiastes 12:13
Blessings,
Bob Steinkamp
Rejoice Marriage Ministries
posted by TIUranta at 6:00 AM
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