June 18, 2007 8:23 PM The Truth About Divorce
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May 2000Shock Report Excerpted from Ministries Today, Page 16, May/June 2000 Christians Most Likely To DivorceAn alarming report says that Christians are more likely to divorce than non-Christians. The sobering findings come from a survey of nearly 4,000 adults by the California-based Barna Research Group (BRG). It revealed that 27 percent of born-again Christians are or have previously been divorced — compared to 24 percent of other married couples.
The BRG study also discovered that while only 11% of the adult population is currently divorced, one out of every four adults has experienced at least one marriage breakup. More whites (27%) divorce than African Americans (22%) or Hispanics (20%). Only 8% of Asians end their marriages. What happened to the thought that the church was to be “salt and light”? May God have mercy on His church. .................................................................................... Praise ReportIn March, I had the privilege of ministering a four day “Family Renewal” session at the Hinkletown Mennonite Church in Pennsylvania. What a blessed experience I had. The spirit of God met us in each service and the precious believers responded so readily to the spoken word. Many testified of changes the Lord had made in their lives during those services. I have been busy again with many radio interviews and May 10, I will be speaking for at least one hour on a Los Angeles, California, station at 3:00 a.m. One interview I had in Detroit, Michigan, kept all the phone lines lighted until long after the program was over. One lady who had heard me when I was on this same station before, called and said, “Your teaching saved my life. I am divorced and after many years was told by my church that I needed to get on with my life and find another partner. The scriptures you spoke the last time you were on this station witnessed to my spirit and Ihave cut off my new relationship because I now realize that I am still married and will be until my husband or I die. I have found that Jesus Christ is sufficient.” A pastor called in who had been preaching for over 40 years and said, “What this man is saying is the true gospel. Most pastors are so afraid of offending people that they are compromising their calling. Listen to him dear people; he is speaking truth.” The hostess of the program indicated that she hopes to have me back for two hours the next time. The Spanish version of “Till Death Do Us Part”:Thank you for your faithful prayers and gifts for this project. The translation is completed. The text has been put into book form. We are now waiting for the cover to be finished and an additional $2,000 to come in to get the book printed. Please ask the Lord if you should be a part of this vital outreach into an heretofore untouched area of society. The Italian Version: We have just been notified that the first printing of the Italian version has sold out and they are in the process of reprinting it now. All monies come to Webb Ministries from these sales, but remain with the missionaries in Italy who are faithfully teaching these truths there. Prayer Request: We have been contacted by a church group who minister in Russia and the Ukraine to see if the book has been translated into these languages yet. The divorce rate over there is horrendous and they desperately need this truth. This group has indicated that they would like to find others who would help them finance this project so they can take the book over with them when they return. Please pray! ......................................................................... Points to PonderSometimes we should analyze our methods of ministering to those who have experienced marital separation. I hear some people say, “I can’t conduct a marriage ceremony for you because you are divorced.” Actually, I think they probably realize that and are already struggling with it. I think a more positive and enlightening approach would be to say, “I cannot conduct a marriage ceremony for you because according to God’s eternal word, you are still married and will be until you or your partner passes away. I realize one or both of you have probably violated your marriage vows but you cannot break the covenant that caused God to bind you together for life. This is why Jesus said it is imperative to forgive even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.” By doing this, you have said what God says and established a biblical principle without attacking them. |
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