When life coach and televangelist Paula White went into her marriage 18 years ago, she thought she'd end her life with her husband, Randy. Divorce was not anything she ever wanted to happen, she recently said.
Today's Christian News Online - The Christian Post
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (JN 8:32)
CP HOME
> church > General
Christian Divorce Trends Fuel Debates
By
Lillian Kwon
Christian Post Reporter
Wed, Nov. 28 2007 05:04 PM EST
[-] Text [+]
Prev1Next
Most Commented Articles
La. Governor Signs 'Science Education Act'
Obama Prying Loose Evangelicals from Republicans
Federal Marriage Amendment Re-introduced in Senate
Why I Thank God for Charles Darwin
Anglican Head Sees Risks in Conservative Proposals
PCUSA Assembly Approves Deleting Gay Clergy Ban
Arizona Puts Marriage Amendment on Ballot - Again
Comments
What really burns me is that Paula will not admit that her marriage has failed. It is like she cannot show herself to be human enough to have failed at something. She is putting a spin on this divorce as if God is sending it as some kind of "season" in her life, like as if He is doing it to make her stronger, refine her, blah blah blah. She and Randy have both said that their ministries have taken them in separate directions. Garbage! If your ministry is pulling your marriage apart, then you need to take a long hard look at the ministry and decide if these are things that GOD is asking you to do, or are you being like Saul and offering up sacrifices when God is only asking for your obedience?
People who are public figures standing for Christ have alot of people watching very closely to their every move. Paula and Randy put their stamp of approval on okaying divorce. They need to be prayed for because they are not trusting God and believing that God is the great deliverer for all situations. They are standing in the gap for many of weak faith and now these people see failure and it disarms God's ability to take people through hard situations. Stand up and be strong in the power of God's might Randy and Paula, wake up and see the hour of deciet that our society is living in. Jesus is coming again and we all have to be strong!
A quote from the story, "Bynum said she believes her experience may broaden her ability to reach people." How sad that we validate our "experiences" saying they broaden us for ministry. Perhaps they do, but shall we creat these experiences just so we'll have a platform to speak. I beleive it is a great discredit to her witness. Unless your man is beatin on ya or the children or abusing you in some way, such as verbally, if the man is a Christian there isn't any reason the marriage vow should be broken.
Does anyone think it strange that Paula White and Donald Trump had already collaborated on Finance Seminars, and that she is now living in an apartment in the Trump Tower? As far as I know, he's never mentioned being a Christian?
Paula is indeed a sinner like the rest of us....however, she has brought this ''result'' upon herself and its a bit irratating to read of how she is ''so brave in her trial'' and how she herself is so bewildered how ''poor little me is sent such suffering''. Paula? you are NOT suffereing for Christ. You are a sinner, you are dissobedient. No mariage is perfect, no relationship is perfect. I suggest before you rapidy move on to marriage 3 & 4, that you read about the Fruits of the Spirit. This may be helpful to you as we are all told that we are expected to display, patience, longsuffereing, kindness, FORGIVENESS, gentleness.....etc. Have a read in the book of Galatians and then get back on the talk show circuit...Mmmmmm. I need to re read too....this wasn't so gentle huh?
Whatever reasons RANDY and PAULA WHITE had for the divorce...I just pray that the LORD would just fix whatever went wrong.As I learned about their divorce...my heart broke.I don't approve of divorce but well...They are human just like us...sinners just like us...But I know the LORD loves them just like He loves everyonelse.Whatever they decide to do now that will be between them and the LORD.Whatever wrong thing they have done Instead of judging them... we must pray for them.I'm sure that THE LORD DOESN'T CARE ABOUT ANYONE'S UGLY/NEGATIVE OPINION.Doesn't the bible say that we must pray for one another?...and that only the LORD has the right to judge? We all don't know what happened exactly so please before saying anything the LORD wouldn't want you to say...ask yourself..."Am I without sin?" If you find yourself saying "no..." then keep your thoughts to yourself and ask GOD to forgive you....
holito8 - I dislike ignorance as much as you (its why I spend so much time on this site - I don't like seeing my faith hyjacked). I read both passages and will repeat what I said before - the Constitution was written by man, the US was formed by man. We are mostly a nation of believers but more importantly we are a nation based on certain freedoms.
You can says what you want, but you are still disagreeing with God. Let me take you to New Testament because you are still not seeing; Read Roman 13:1-14 or as much as you can.
Scripture doesn't allow for divorce for but a few choice reasons, and those reasons are still allowed but not commanded (see Hosea). Is one free to do this thing? Yes. Is it permitted within His church without repercussions? No. Leaders are those display character qualities that are expected from God, not on par with the society at large.
Jim
holito8 - I dislike ignorance as much as you (its why I spend so much time on this site - I don't like seeing my faith hyjacked). I read both passages and will repeat what I said before - the Constitution was written by man, the US was formed by man. We are mostly a nation of believers but more importantly we are a nation based on certain freedoms.
ifeelfine72, mcfbc, God can use anyone to accomplish His will. He stirred the spirit king Cyrus king of Persia ( a non Jew) to allow His people to return and rebuild the temple. Read 2 Chronciles 36:22-23, Ezra 1:1-11. He make a proclamation throughouth all his kindgom. Read before you speak; I dislike ignorance. If God did it then, He can do it again.
Nerohdam: "Believe it or not the principles of the United States were based on the Bible"
rubinlueski: "So that's why the US ended up with slavery."
Actually, that's not factual. Slavery existed in the US long before the Continental Congress drafted the Articles of Confederation OR the Constitution. Slavery also existed in other countries who did not base their governing principles on the Bible, arguably more so in countries which did not believe in the God of the Bible. And this is still true today.
I've just noticed the description of Paula White as a "life coach". After two failed marriages, it struck me to wonder just how "qualified" she is to coach anyone about life. I know she is wealthy, that her "ministry" has brought in far more money than her now-ex-husband's, and I hope that's not a deterrent to some deep soul-searching on her part. (I read recently that the church is deep in debt, and I do think that warrants investigation.) I feel VERY sorry for the people of this church, and I pray they don't give up on God simply because their "ministers" gave up on obeying Him concerning the marriage covenant.
re-marriage is sortof a cop-out,.
it's like "OH! we made a mistake again, let's fix THAT!"
wrong machine stupids(aimed towards these two who divorced in this article)
that one(the marriage one) isnt broken,
YOU are the ones who are broken!
YOU need fixed!
(end of metaphorical message to fools)
*sigh* I dont want to sound like a worryer, but has the USA's time in God's splendor come to an end?
They can always get re-married. It's been done before.
Christians have been bickering about this in the United States since before there was a United States. Most of the founding fathers were deists, not necessarily Christians. Some were very firm in their religious convictions, others not so much. Jefferson and Washington called themselves Christians but barely were. Adams I believe was too but barely. It is exactly that reason why they made freedom of religion.
God did not write the constitution - man did.
I didn't know God wrote the Constitution?
rubinlueski - you said "In regards to Europeans, the majority have religious beliefs, but view it as something that is private and leave it at home and church, not the in the court house or government. As the United States of America becomes a more diverse society with other religious groups growing in numbers - Hindu's, Buddhists, Muslims, Shinto's, keeping religion out of government is all the more important to protect the liberties for all."
Here's a quote from your separation of church and state guy; Thomas Jefferson asked, "can the liberties of a nation be...secure if we have removed their only firm basis: a conviction in the minds of men that these liberties are the gift of God?"
It is this very belief that allows for our freedom, and includes freedom for all those hindus, etc. etc. If our founding fathers had left their religion at home or at church, what would our nation be like? And btw, you do know that they used to hold "church" in the public governmental buildings, don't you?
rubinlueski, Did you know God protected your right of choice. The Constitution/ Bill of Rights is His document ensuring your freedom along with His people. God always says to choose whom you will follow. Now look at other countries that are not founded on Christian beliefs, how many of them are free? Many Muslim countries are not so welcoming to other beliefs, or you could try some of the more commuist, buddist or hindu countries. Israel is the Land of Prosperity(Promised). USA is the Land of Opportunity.
Slavery was a cultural evil born out of man's sin and laziness. It was never God’s original intent. Likewise divorce NEVER originated from God but was the result of mankind’s rebellion against God within marriage. Every covenant that God makes with Mankind was never flippant, but was meant to be non-negotiable and permanent. It was never a contract of ink hereby a person could whimsically say, 'Well contracts were made to be broken...' A covenant was always forged through blood. Therefore, if a person ever broke a covenant with someone it could cost that person his or her life. Divorce still unleashes a spirit of violence in the land. It hurts children and destroys the foundation of family. It is not an accident that children wounded from divorced homes are more likely to be rebellious against authority especially against the Highest Authority - God, Trust is corrupted and the unique depths of a persons soul, which was shared with the spouse, is trashed like a piece of waste by him or her causing a wound that only God can heal. God's standard has never changed about sin. God hated divorce during the period the Old Covenant and He hates divorce now during this period of the New Covenant that was forged by the Blood of Christ. God expects all who have a covenant relationship with God live it out daily. How in the world can ministers of God expect to minister to people without the presence of God in their lives, without a conviction of personal holiness, and without obeying God's word in their own lives?
The Gospel of the Kingdom === >>
http://evolutionfacts.blogspot.com/#the_message_that_we_were_born_to_hear
there were slavery here because of ignorance not God.
Nerohdam, you stated "Believe it or not the principles of the United States were based on the Bible"
So that's why the US ended up with slavery.
from Exodus 20:2–17:
" You shall not covet your neighbour’s house; you shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour."
I suppose what that meant was, don't covet your neighbours slaves, get your own.
I also believe the book of Daniel and Revelations has great insight as to current times and those who must be careful as many will fall pray to this message of inclusion. The message of inclusion plays games with the thoughts OF MAN and the feelings OF MAN but this sweet message is not just and true. If we could all get along then that would imply there is no sin. But it is sin that shows that we can not all get along. Man has been going at it for centuries to solve this problem of injustice, war, sickness and with each "advance" in medicine, technology and what ever man made "solution" it has gotten us nowhere. Only God in his infinite wisdom has given that solution based upon what He has done and nothing of our own device.
rubinlueski - Believe it or not the principles of the United States were based on the Bible. Perhaps that is why so many of those in the ACLU would prefer not to see In God We Trust on US Coins. But I guess Christianity was not involved in that State process and it miraculously appeared. :)
Also, your mention of Europeans keeping their faith private and at home is contrary to what is taught in the Bible. I am also assuming you are not a Christian as we are to take the Word with us everywhere. Not to keep it at home and in "private". Tony Blair recently commented on your statements when he said he kept his faith private. I guess that is what makes the blessed US different than our English counterparts.
I regard to your argument to allow you to choose. I don't disagree that you have a right to choose but I don't agree with your argument to suppress my message. As I will say that the hindus and other various religions can express their views as well but in your opinion to tout inclusion you exclude Christianity to be voiced.
satan loves nothing better when the message is no spread. That means you are ineffective. As the book of James extolls, your faith must produce action based upon what Christ has done in your life. Faith without works is dead. And to pre-empt those, I am not saying that one needs faith and works for salvation, I am saying you must also practice what you preach. And the great commission clearly states we must go out and spread the Good News.
Nerohdam, Indeed the founding fathers wanted to protect religious freedom, but not support state sponsored religion. We all have the right to worship in our own way, the ten commandments do not belong in the court house or the public square for example. The blue laws were an invasion of my right to do certain things on Sundays such as the purchase alcohol and various other forms of commerce. Fortunately blue laws have largely been abolished. For those opposed to such activities, don't do it, but allow me to choose for myself. In regards to Europeans, the majority have religious beliefs, but view it as something that is private and leave it at home and church, not the in the court house or government. As the United States of America becomes a more diverse society with other religious groups growing in numbers - Hindu's, Buddhists, Muslims, Shinto's, keeping religion out of government is all the more important to protect the liberties for all.
rubinlueski - Perhaps the reason most europeans do not know Jesus Christ is for the same reason you state. Also if you will check closely the founding fathers based the consitution and the new government based upon religious freedom. In the name of separation of church and state you propose that anyone that has a view of religion not be given any voice. That is so far removed from the origins of the constitution that organizations like the ACLU would try and have you believe otherwise. If that is your views then perhaps you should see how the cutlural revolution in China ended. North Korea is another good example. Look at the Soviet Union. There are clear present day examples showing that the core foundations of a judeo-christian belief system that is not present in a government simply does not work.
Religion in government leads to theocratic rule and all the problems that go with it. The Europeans learned this lesson long ago, and discovered after countless bloody religious wars, its best to keep religion OUT OF GOVERNMENT. Fortunately for Europeans, their governments are largely secular today. Muslim countries, Iraq, Pakistan , Iran and Saudi Arabia to name a few, someday will figure it out too, hopefully with not too much more bloodshed and oppression (They would be a lot further ahead on this if the US stayed out of their business, but we want their oil). Fortunately here in the USA, we are able to prevent religion from encroaching too much in government. Except for brief periods where religious groups attain some level of influence in the affairs of government, it fades as most Americans do not want religion in government. One of the best things I have seen in my live time is the elimination of most Blue Laws in the US.
rubinlueski: whay don't you say what you just said to the Founding Fathers of our country - Benjamin Rush in specifics about keeping the Ten Commandments out of the public square.
GMG, aaahhhh, yeah right, the ten commandments, most of them seem pretty silly to me. with the possible exception of say dont steal or murder. One of my favorites though, is the version from exodus, in parrt- "Neither shall you desire your neighbour’s house, or field, or male or female slave" Slaves, what is this? its ok to have slaves, but dont covet your neighbors...silly stuff, at least to me. If it suits you-great, just dont impose the ten's on me and leave them at church, not the public square.
Yep, "the state may make no law governing religion", this is indeed what our country's founders envisioned.
I don't find the 10 commandments frightening, the precepts are pretty logical and reasoned and form a firm foundation for our laws (by those same founders), which does in fact mean that God intervenes in our everyday life.
As an agnostic, I find the posts on christianpost.com to be both entertaining and freighting. Entertaining in the sense that the comments and beliefs seem like the stuff of centuries past when natural phenomenon were explained in supernatural terms and essentially void of any notion of logic and reason, where god(s) intervened in our daily lives. Freighting in the sense that some of this stuff finds its way into public policy. It is important that religion is as far removed from government as possible- STRONG SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE, just as the vast majority of our countries founders envisioned
I think that we are forgetting one thing. Those in leadership can be forgiven, and should be forgiven for any sin, But they should not return to a public platform until they renew their relationship with Christ.They should be restored by the body of Christ, and be made to work through the deeper issue. We have too many people speaking for God who have never dealt with the real issue that brought about the divorce. Divorce or any other sin is a symptom of a greater issue. I do not agree that a "greater anointing" will be upon someone that has blatantly disregarded the word of God. I don't know the White's or Junaita Bynum but I can tell you if these precious folks don't deal with these issues, they will come back to haunt them. God is more interested in us than what we do for him.
SportinLife -
What you said is true on both accounts. The homosexual agenda in this country is absolutely a direct assault on living a moral life and having moral relationships. But there are so called Christians who also disregard the Bible whenever it suits them no matter if it's divorce, homosexuality, drunkeness, etc. Thus, those who do are really not Christians according to 1st John where he says that to paraphrase "those who have the love of Him inside him, cannot sin." Folks like Paula and Randy White to be frank are more concerned with money and prestige, which is happening in churches all across this country, and it's not just happening in the megachurches alone.
A true Christian understands that the Bible is not something that is flexible to one's personal whims, wishes and or agenda. We are to live a life of service to Him(Jesus and God) and thus as servants we go by the rules of our Master, which is the Word of God. Jesus in Revelation specifically warned against the compromising church and what we are seeing today is exactly that.
But please make no mistake that the tone of your post is quite clear. In that you are doing a "nyahh nyahh" at Christians, and reveling in your self perceived state of being right and looking down on Christians as being hypocrites. A true Christian knows they are a hypocrite, but a fool is one who sits on high pointing the finger. Like a Pharisee?
I was sad to learn that this was Randy and Paula White's second marriage; they had both been divorced before. Unfortunately, there are VERY FEW pastors who teach what the Bible says about divorce anymore. They seem to have more fear of man than of God. I pray for God's mercy on our nation, even more on the church in America. To whom much is given, much is required.
Its very troubling to see evangelical leaders giving into temptation. Their role is so central for the entire Christian community. I know that evangelicals have been strong witnesses for me as a Catholic. For that I will be always grateful. However, no matter how strong our faith is, we live in a cultural sewer that encourages divorce, so I am not surprised to see this. Here is my opinion of the etiology of the problem:
This part may be a bit controversial but I hope it doesn't sound partisan. Until 1930 and the Lambeth conference in England there was not a single protestant out there who believed in stopping procreation during sex. During the Lambeth conference the Anglican/Episcopalian Church first gave in to the temptation of allowing for birth control. Or as I call it, stopping God's desire for new life. After the Lambeth conference, one by one, the mainline protestant denominations all caved in a allowed birth control. What is evident is that before 1930, the Christian community was largely united in the Christian view that sex should be the ultimate gift to one another. A gift that expresses and validates God's total and complete love for us. God gave us the ability to procreate so that we could feel what it is like to love completely and totally, to love as he loves, totally and unconditionally. Sex without openness to bringing new life, is a mediocre I love you.
I am sure most would have to agree with this statement but perhaps some are asking "what in the world does stopping life during sex have to do with divorce?" The answer is that so goes sex, so goes marriage. "what?" you say, are you a repressed individual, hung up on sex? No, but I have a very high view of sex. The sexual act is the ultimate image of Christ and his Church because when open to life it is the ULTIMATE I LOVE YOU. When it is "I love you, but not that much to bring children into the world with you" it is conditional love. We need to live a truly Christian marriage imaging Christ's love for the Church. Its not a dusty old Catholic legalism to suggest that divorcing procreation from sex is an incomplete "I love you." All are capable of seeing this. The evil one has divided Christ's Church on procreation to drive us further from total and complete love.
NEW BOOK - SNAKES IN THE PULPIT
WWW.SNAKESINTHEPULPIT.COM
WWW.REUBENARMSTRONGSHOW.COM
THIS BOOK EXPOSES THESE SO - CALLED PASTORS-- THEY ARE SNAKES
Excuses, excuses.
Christians are quick to blame gay people for "destroying marriage", but--no surprise--they're even quicker to throw out and ignore the bible when it threatens to limit their own lives, rather than someone else's.
I personally know some very good God fearing people who have had to divorce because of radically abusive marriages. True, the Scripture does state that God doesn't like divorce, but He much more dislikes His children abusing each other in one way or the other. The Catholic church has realized this and in many cases allows an annulment after a couple is divorced. Annulment states that there was an impediment to the marriage in the first place and that caused it not to be valid. If you marry a mentally or emotionally sick person how can that be a valid marriage ?
Randy and Paul White...how you need to REPENT and turn to God and allow Him to restore your marriage. You do not need to continue your "ministries?" Who's to say they will prosper if you are living in disobedience!!!
Have you not read - God Hates Divorce!!! John Piper is absolutely correct!! Marriage is a covenantal relationship which is representative of the Christian's relationship with God, and if "evangelical," so-called "Chrisitans" are getting more liberal with this, I fear for the future of Christianity in this nation.
How much different the alternatives are, and is it no surprise that the Islamic faith is attracting so many more adherents??
Christian believers, you need to be ashamed of yourselves if you make allowances for divorce or even encourage other believers to divorce. We should be holding on and working through these things and helping others restore their relationships, not applauding those who run away from their marriages because of infidelity and the like. Teachers who are encouraging these things are snakes and wolves in sheeps' clothing.
For shame, for shame. REPENT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND!!!
I don't have a problem with people who have experienced divorce getting back into ministry. I have a good friend who has pastored for years after his divorce. However, he didn's stay in the pulpit. He stepped aside for years and sought counseling and accountability to deal with the issues. After a time those who were holding him accountable, Godly men who took sin seriously, decided he could go back to the pulpit.
Here you have none of this. Where is the accountability from their church? Where are Godly leaders to advise them to step down. Of couse they want to continue their ministry. I am sure when you are in such power that you can delude yourself into thinking the ministry cannot survive without you. Unfortunately I don't think this will be the last time we hear about these two, and the news won't be good.
Ifeelfine - Ok, I hear what you are saying. But you still haven't explained why you think that the passage 1Cor 7:12-14 is being taken out of context.
You and I have touched on this subject before, and I probably don't have to remind you that I, too, believe marriage is a covenant, and that you don't say "I do" just to turn around and say "I don't" just because things are tough. Maybe seeing it through your eyes will give me a better perspective, and the worst that can happen is I say I don't see it. It any case there's no loss because at least there is a better understanding of where we're coming from.
Quote:
“I think conservative CHRISTIANS ARE BECOMING MORE LIBERALIZED in the sense of, I guess, MAKING MORE ROOM FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE,” said Mark Galli, Christianity Today magazine's managing editor, according to Religion News Service. “You’ll see a lot of churches that plunge right in and have divorce ministries. ... Marriage is a really difficult thing in our culture right now.”
Biblical response:
"For the time will come when MEN WILL NOT PUT UP WITH SOUND DOCTRINE. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say WHAT THEIR ITCHING EARS WANT TO HEAR." 2 Timothy 4:3
"You adulterous people, don't you know that FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WORLD IS HATRED TOWARD GOD? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." James 4:4
Sound Doctrine:
"But I tell you that ANYONE who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an ADULTERESS, and ANYONE who marries the divorced woman COMMITS ADULTERY." Matthew 5:32
"He answered, “ANYONE WHO DIVORCESwife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.” Mark 10:11-12
“Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery." Luke 16:18
"So then, if she marries another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress, even though she marries another man." Romans 7:3
"To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife." 1 Corinthians 7:10-11
We need to research the Church Fathers on how they viewed God's Will. How did the early Christians overcome the difficulty and why is it we cannot see past the difficulty.
http://www.directionforourtimes.com/docs/booklet-divorce.pdf Heaven Speaks booklet on the topic of divorce.
Homilies of Church Fathers: St. John Chrysostom http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf113.iii.iv.xxi.html
It is only when we ask God for help do we give Him permission to act in our lives for the betterment of our lives. Asking for help is prayer. God has given us the freewill to choose freely with the expectation that we will choose what is right. We need to explore our faith with early Church Fathers whose writings and counsels are still relevant today. To find their collection visit http://www.ccel.org/
GMG - there is nothing about that passage that allows for divorce. Jesus gave the final word on divorce.
Why is it that "churches plunge right in" with divorce ministries instead of marraige ministries. I understand there's emotional healing needed for those who have been through a divorce, but isn't the best defense a good offense?
And what about Malachi 2? "For the Lord God says that He hates divorce ..."
Ifeelfine - Ok, then please explain what you think that passage says.
PastorLeo and GMG - You're both taking that scripture way out of context. Check out Mark or Matthew for what Jesus has to say on the subject. Period, end of story.
NEW BOOK - SNAKES IN THE PULPIT
THIS BOOK EXPOSES EDDIE LONG, JOEL OSTEEN,JUANITA BYNUM, EDDIE LONG,JOEL OSTEEN
WWW.SNAKESINTHEPULPIT.COM
WWW.REUBENARMSTRONGSHOW.COM
These are a few expamle of the dire times we live. Let us not forget we are taking a vow before God that is why it is said "do not take this choice lightly." Now, when you break this vow is only to your husband or wife but more importantly to God. A vow before God; you are going to the Almighty and asking Him to give you this person as a mate; You are asking Him to keep you from tempations of "others." Now how can you tell another to stay in a marriage when you have walked away. We got to stand on the foundation of God when we cannot see our way thru. God will bring you thru the wilderness and across the desert, but we have got to hold to His unchanging hand.
Chica,
I don’t own these words. If they help you by all means use them and anything else you choose from my website or book. Again, we cannot violate one of God’s commandments and expect another commandment to cover it up.
The consequences for disobedience (sin) cannot be ignored. An un-repented sin of the past is a present sin, as well as, an unresolved issue of the past is an unresolved issue of the present. We all have to deal with them because time will not make them go away.
Wordgirl,
Awesome testimony! Remind your husband that his first ministry is to you. You are his first assignment from the Lord because he vowed to the Lord. Your vows come before any and all calls into ministry.
God bless you both,
Pastor Leo Bogee
World Christian Leadership & Training Ministries
( www.wclandtm.com )
Ifeelfine72,
There is such a scripture and it is 1 Corinthians 7:15. It is in the context of 7:10-16. An unbelieving spouse that departs (files for divorce), the divorce is acceptable in the eyes of God. Paul says that the believing brother or sister is not under bondage (no longer married to that person) in such cases. In other words, they are free to marry.
Paul uses the word depart, but it is divorce in the context of his lesson in those scriptures. That is why I said that God accepts divorce in this case because the scripture says so. The overriding scripture, as I stated, is 2 Corinthians 6:14, “do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.” Disobedience to this command of God sets up the marriage to fail, unless the unbeliever accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior too.
You can receive it or not, it is up to you. Paul does not write irrelevant passages. I am not debating it, I am simply presenting it. We will just agree to disagree on this point.
Thank you for your concern and challenge, it is right to do so.
Pastor Leo Bogee
World Christian Leadership & Training Ministries
( www.wclandtm.com )
Ifeelfine -
For goodness sake, you were given that scripture days ago - 1 Cor 7:12-14. Stubborn fella, aren't ya?
Pastor Leo
Yeah, the devil had won that round in my life. He twisted a bible verse in my head!
Ecclesiastes 5:4 says, “When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; for He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed – better not to vow and not pay”
...You SEE, before I was born again, I told God I would marry this guy later on. Of course NOW I realize if you vow to do something sinful, you should not fulfill that.
See, after I got born again, I broke up with him. But 2 months later he came back in tears saying he would be a Christian now, and so on. So I eloped out of guilt and fear. I was so miserable I knew I had made a mistake, and I knew I never wanted to stray from the Word of God again. For 3 years I felt like the devil had stuck a flag in me saying he had claimed part of me. I wanted to die.
We started going to Cornerstone Church San Antonio. I got help with my sexual abuse issues, and we found some godly leaders. One day in counseling I got the revalation that I wasn't weak anymore. I had the authority of Jesus and didn't need to be scared of my husband anymore. So that day I acted accordingly, and that's the day he finally asked God for help in his life. The holy spirit was let loose in him, I've never seen anything like it. God blessed him so much since that day 9/07. He's blessed him to be an MMA fighter. His name is Israel which means to fight with God. Now he fights on the same team as God. And amazingly he's been annointed with healing.
Isaiah 61: I have come to give liberty to the captives...Instead of your shame you will get a double portion of honor.
PastorLeo - God does not allow unbelievers to get divorced. There is no such scripture - no exception!
Yeah, you can't just say, "I kill people but it's ok because God knows my heart." Or "I am a prostitute but God accepts all of us." Then that's not the God of the bible. If you reject the word, his son Jesus, then you reject God.
I have contacted INSP channel concerning the continuing support of her ministry through allowing her airtime. I was told, basically, that they would not judge and that we are all sinners. the compromise has started and is going strong. i pray that God would once again break the hearts of Christians and bring a repentant heart once again to this nation.
Very well put, Pastor Leo.
"God did not assign you to get them saved. They are assigned to get you backslidden."
Can I use that one? It's much the same as Greg Laurie says, "For every one non-Christian who gets saved after marrying a Christian, 100 more Christians are drawn away from the Lord from neglect after marrying and non-Christian." It's so true. I feel in my heart the Church needs to devote more prayer time to the Church, or at least as much time as we do praying for the unsaved. I hate every round the devil wins!
LOL! Outrageous! LOL!
How can these people openly rebel against the Word of God by divorcing on the grounds of “OUR ministries are moving in different directions,” That is new one. It's usually, "my wife doesn't understand me". Or we grown apart. But that's for the world. People who don't believe in Jesus.
But " our ministries are going in different direction"? Yeah, going down. Marriage is the mystery of Christian and the church. Is this joke or something? Exaltly what can they preach about? Whaaat? If the righteous are scarcely saved, and I'm not saying Paul and Randy are true Christians at all, what will be the sinner and ungodly?
Pastor Leo is right. They abhorred the Lord with this arrogant mockery. God hates divorce. And for any lame reason. There is no excuse for these phony prosperity televangelist divorces. They abhor the Lord with their hypocrisy. Money is their god.
Danny
Know that marriage was the FIRST ministry. (Adam and Eve). imagined if they got tired of each other and divorced. i think people are taken marriage and serious and how God views it. But us that have and do must intercede and displace the principality of divorce with the love and truth of our savioe jesus.
Wordgirl,
Thank God that you had the faith to stick it out and stand on His promises. However, marrying a non-believer is trouble and it will always be trouble. 2 Corinthians 6:14 says, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.” That is why God allows divorce when the unbelieving spouse wants out of the relationship. If they will not receive your Jesus as Lord and Savior, they will not receive you. God did not assign you to get them saved. They are assigned to get you backslidden. You cannot disregard or disobey one of God’s commands and expect another command to cover you.
Christians only have two vows. One is the vow to except Jesus as your Lord and Savior. That is a vow, a covenant for all eternity, if you don’t break your word in the vow. The second is the vow of marriage. It too is a covenant with the Lord and with your spouse. Ecclesiastes 5:4 says, “When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; for He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed – better not to vow and not pay”
A Christian marriage is a 3-fold cord. You, your spouse, and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not going to divorce you, so you must first break up with the HIM, and then break up with your spouse. If you say that you no longer love your spouse, then I already know that you and God have broken up first. Because Romans 5:5 says, “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.” If the love of God is no longer flowing in your marriage from your heart, then you or your spouse is blocking it. Get right with God once again and He will restore your marriage (give you the desires of your heart).
If you are both Christians, then you are with the RIGHT PERSON. There is no one else that God has for you. Don’t let anyone tell you that you missed God in your selection. A man will find a good woman, to marry, is God’s order for marriage. If the woman accepts the man that finds her, then they marry. When you say your vows, then the anointing for your marriage is released from God. God’s love for your spouse is released AFTER you vow. That is why shacking-up will NEVER prepare anyone for marriage, because God is not in it. Sex before marriage will not prepare you for marriage, because God is not involved in it either.
A woman should NEVER find a man. If you do, then he will rule over you. (The punishment Eve received from God for her sin.) God ruled over her before she sinned. If a man rules over you he will put you on the street corner, abuse you, use you, rape you, murder you, and abuse your children. When God rules over you a man will love you unconditionally.
Continue to trust in God and His promises. It sounds like He is already blessing you both and taking you into your calling in service to Him.
Pastor Leo Bogee
World Christian Leadership & Training Ministries
( www.wclandtm.com )
good!
There's a bush outside of my house, and the leaves turn red every fall. I never really notice the leaves turning colors. I see this bush every day, but never notice that it's turning until it's too late. One day the leaves are green, and then it's like over night they turn pitch red. But it doesn't happen like that. They change little by little, until one day I wake up and notice that it has changed drastically. That is what is happening with the Church. Things are changing little by little. The Bible says, however, that the gates of hell will not prevail against the Church. So that is a ray of hope for people seriously concerned with holiness.
I was happy to see a quote from John Piper on this website, because Piper is pretty serious about Biblically doctrine. No offense, but on this site that is very rare.
Corection to the clsoing scripture from Ezekiel 34. Part of Mark 7:6-7 was copied with it.
"Thus says the Lord God: Behold I am against the shepherds, and I will require My flock at their hand; I will cause them to cease feeding the sheep, and the shepherds shall feed themselves no more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouths, that they may no longer be food for them.
Ezekiel 34:10.
Pastor Leo Bogee
World Christian Leadership & Training Ministries
( www.wclandtm.com )
“Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honor
Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship
Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” Mark 7:6-7.
Far too many righteous men and women of God will remain silent concerning this “Tet Offensive” of DIVORCE that is being waged against the Body of Christ. Since marriage is a vowed covenant between spouses and God, breaking that covenant also breaks your relationship with God. You must FIRST break with God in order to break with your spouse. You are in full rebellion against God, pastors included.
Pastors who think that God has given them some special dispensation to build their Own church are in for certain destruction. They use the scriptures to fit their lifestyles. They actually believe that the congregation is their personal property.” They act as if God sent people to them to make them rich and successful. Today, they are no longer pastors, but CEO’S, Business Owners, Doctors, and Life Coaches, how ridiculous! They take and take from the Body of Christ, in the name of the Lord, and hide behind the lie that they are God’s anointed ministers. God’s anointing is for OTHER people, not for the person who received it. There is NO anointing on any self-serving person. They are apparently confusing the anointing with demonic obsession.
How can these people openly rebel against the Word of God by divorcing on the grounds of “OUR ministries are moving in different directions,” what a joke? God’s ministries move in unison. They don’t have a ministry, they have a Club, a personal following. Like Korah in Numbers 16:31-35, those who support their rebellion will be swallowed up and consumed by fire with them.
“Then when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin,
when it is full-grown, brings forth DEATH” James 1:15
I do pray that they will repent for their lies and deceit of God’s people. If so, then of course forgiveness will follow. However, too many people put forgiveness BEFORE repentance. The Lord will forgive them because He gave them the right to repent. However, they must repent FIRST. The excuse that “God knows their heart” is a ridiculous thing to say in place of open repentance to the Lord.
"Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require My flock at their hand; I will
cause them to cease feeding the sheep, and the shepherds shall feed themselves no
more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouths, that they may no longer be
food for them. Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: This
people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they
worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” Ezekiel 34:10
LORD HAVE MERCY!
Pastor Leo Bogee
World Christian Leadership & Training Ministries
(www.wclandtm.com)
I'm with John Piper. The world is going to think the church is "easing up" on their strict marriage/ divorce principles. It's the same as the homosexual issue. These high-profile leaders are divorcing and it hurts the witness of the entire Church. No wonder they think we're hypocrites. And each of these women are talking new book, new speaking opportunities? And people wonder why I'm approaching middleage and stil not married. Lord help us!
way too much compromising between the church and world. they should be running to the church for an example, help and etc. not the other way around.
And IRONICALLY, Paula White seriously stopped an interview Feb 2004 to prophesy to me that the man I was about to marry, I shouldn't marry him. She said I would be able to hear from God and he wouldn't. That was true. I did marry him 2 months later and it was the worst decision of my life. He wasn't even a believer.
my marriage was on the brink of divorce, after 1 1/2 years, it was horrible worst marriage ever.... mostly my fault, and finally I let God have my life, ever inch. he has made me new, my marriage new, and even called me into the ministry. Praise be to God!!!
If Paula says some people are being judgmental, well the bible says the church is supposed to judge eachother, just not the outside world. And if someone is doing wrong and refused to do right, they are supposed to be treated worse than a tax collecter. And leaders are held to even higher standars, according to the bible verse about leaders in the church.
I stumbled upon this a few days ago and just thought of this issue:
Ezekiel 16:
5 No one had the slightest interest in you; no one pitied you or cared for you. On the day you were born, you were unwanted, dumped in a field and left to die.
6 “But I came by and saw you there, helplessly kicking about in your own blood. As you lay there, I said, ‘Live!’ 7 And I helped you to thrive like a plant in the field.
Your clothes were made of fine linen and were beautifully embroidered. You ate the finest foods—choice flour, honey, and olive oil—and became more beautiful than ever. You looked like a queen, and so you were! 14 Your fame soon spread throughout the world because of your beauty. I dressed you in my splendor and perfected your beauty, says the Sovereign Lord.
15 “But you thought your fame and beauty were your own. So you gave yourself as a prostitute to every man who came along. Your beauty was theirs for the asking.
BTW, I think God won't let go of her, He'll bring Paula White back to Him in one way or the other. Because that's the kind of husband He is.
Amen! We NEED God's grace we're so messed up. I think my marriage was the worst possible marriage in the world. It felt like a torture camp from the first week through the third year. Finally I allowed God to change me, and then my husband was born again. He became a new person, and is more annointed than I ever imagined. He was the worst possible ! ! ! ! If God can change this situation, he can change ANY situation....OK he was a jobless abusive felon.
You don't have to accept their abuse, but you also don't have to divorce them to find another man to give you the love your dad didn't give you. If you follow God's word, THEN He will give you the desires of your heart. He can't protect you when you're out there doing your own thing. All my trouble could have been avoided if I hadn't bent God's word. I had sex with my husband before we were married, then I felt guilty about it and married him. That's probably why there's so much divorce for Christians.
But at least they are friends!! LOL
Lol!
Hey, this reminds of the Sonny and Cher show when I was child. They divorced each other and still performed a good show. Now In TV land when celebrities divorce each other like Lucy and Desi or Sonny and Cher. Christians too put on a good show. But now Christians have the Paula White Show. Or the Steve Camp divorce saga. So now we can imitate worldly unsaved, ungodly and believing celebrates making a joke of our religion. LOL!
Gee, when Christians can't keep a marriage together, being disciples of Christ. In which we Christians are supposed to shine as LIGHTS in the world being the SALT of the earth. No wonder the America, Israel, and the whole world is going to hell in hand basket.
If the salt loses it savior it is good for nothing and thrown out.....................................................
Danny