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MountainChristian

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  1. Praying
    MountainChristian got a reaction from Martyr_4_FutureJoy in Matthew 12:40   
    In the four gospels dates are not given for Jesus death. 
    We have the High Sabbath which was Passover and Sabbath. We guess there was a preparation day between the two Sabbaths giving us three days and three nights.
    Jesus died at the end of the High Sabbath's preparation day. = start or 0
    The High Sabbath = 1st night and 1st day
    The weekly or normal Sabbath's preparation = 2nd night and 2nd day
    The weekly Sabbath = 3rd night and 3rd day
    First day of the week, Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead
    The Scriptures do not give us a list of weekly days and for some reason the men wrote it vaguely.  Personally I think it is written vaguely  to demand faith that Jesus was in the grave 3 nights and days.  
     
  2. Like
    MountainChristian got a reaction from Alan in Preservation and the KJV   
    Brother Tyndale, which English Bible do you recommend and why do you recommend it? 
  3. Like
    MountainChristian got a reaction from Alan in Revelation chapter 19-22 Study.   
    When Jesus came the 1st time, it was hard for the Pharisees and Scribes to recognize Him from the glimpses that the prophets had. They came up with the idea of Messiah son of Joseph and Messiah son of David.
    Like the Pharisees and Scribes we only have glimpses from the prophets about Jesus second return. In modern times some Christians see two 2nd comings. One (2a) where Jesus rides on a cloud, as in like manner of how he left, and doesn't fully return to the earth. The other one (2b) where Jesus rides his white horse and does come fully to earth. 2a is an escape of wrath for believers (mostly grafted in gentiles), while 2b is a rescue for the remaining believers (mostly grafted in Jews) and hell for wearers of 666. The majority of Christians see only one return without explaining Jesus on a cloud and Jesus on a horse. 
     
     
     
     
  4. Thanks
    MountainChristian reacted to Rosie in A friend's suicide   
    so sorry to hear this
  5. Thanks
    MountainChristian reacted to HappyChristian in A friend's suicide   
    I'm sorry, MC. Praying for you.
  6. Thanks
    MountainChristian reacted to No Nicolaitans in A friend's suicide   
    No one wants to speak the truth at funerals; it will cause grave harm and hurt feelings to the listeners.
    Does that make it right? No.
    Funerals are a band-aid to help those in attendance. Who knows what good could be done from preaching the truth in a loving way instead of trying to pacify those in attendance...it's a very fine line that not many are able to handle. It is possible to share the truth without offending those in attendance.
    I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. I, too, have lost a long-time friend in the past...use this as a way to encourage yourself to spread the truth to those in need.
    MC, you're in my prayers...as are those who have lost their loved one.
  7. Thanks
    MountainChristian got a reaction from Jim_Alaska in A friend's suicide   
    I went to a funeral of a man I've known since the 2nd grade. Before killing himself he too had health problems very similar to mine. I've seen him at the doctor's office from time to time. I have joint problems and arthritis, he did too but his was from toxic chemical exposure. I was told at the funeral the doctor told him it was going to get worse and worse.
    About 2 months ago I talked very seriously with him about going to church. He admitted to me he needed to clean himself up a bit, he was living with a woman and looked like he was in the Taliban. I have no idea how long it had been since his hair and beard has been trimmed. I agreed with him. He was a member of the big Southern Baptist Church here and I talked to him about at least going there.
    As far as I know I was the only one to talk to the man about not giving up. He told me right to my face he had dark times but was hanging in there. I told him there is always hope with God. That was two months ago. He never called to tell me he was falling apart.
    At the funeral not one of the four southern Baptist Pastors condemned any part of what he had done. One Pastor I've known for years said the Bible doesn't really mean a man shouldn't have long hair, that's just a culture thing. Another Pastor excused living together and talked about how much he loved his companion. Finally not one word about suicide being wrong or an offer to help anyone who might be feeling like killing themselves. They excused it too and said it's okay, he was in a lot of pain. All of this was said in the pulpit of the largest church in my county.
    I think so many excuses was made for his sins until finally killing himself was okay too. Well its not okay, if anyone reading this feels suicidal please let someone know. God will use a man or woman to help you. Sometimes we walk so near death we can see its shadow but God is with us and death does not get us. There is hope in Jesus Christ. Maybe you will be one of the rare people God gives a miracle. I've had very dark times myself and I can tell you God is there. I've heard it's only going to get worse from the doctors but God is still there and He helps. God will help you cope with the symptoms, and yes it might be your illness unto death but God will never leave you. Send me a pm or pm one of the ministers on this site or one of the mods, just let someone know. Please don't kill yourself, ask for help.
     
    Ken Smith
  8. Thanks
    MountainChristian got a reaction from HappyChristian in A friend's suicide   
    I went to a funeral of a man I've known since the 2nd grade. Before killing himself he too had health problems very similar to mine. I've seen him at the doctor's office from time to time. I have joint problems and arthritis, he did too but his was from toxic chemical exposure. I was told at the funeral the doctor told him it was going to get worse and worse.
    About 2 months ago I talked very seriously with him about going to church. He admitted to me he needed to clean himself up a bit, he was living with a woman and looked like he was in the Taliban. I have no idea how long it had been since his hair and beard has been trimmed. I agreed with him. He was a member of the big Southern Baptist Church here and I talked to him about at least going there.
    As far as I know I was the only one to talk to the man about not giving up. He told me right to my face he had dark times but was hanging in there. I told him there is always hope with God. That was two months ago. He never called to tell me he was falling apart.
    At the funeral not one of the four southern Baptist Pastors condemned any part of what he had done. One Pastor I've known for years said the Bible doesn't really mean a man shouldn't have long hair, that's just a culture thing. Another Pastor excused living together and talked about how much he loved his companion. Finally not one word about suicide being wrong or an offer to help anyone who might be feeling like killing themselves. They excused it too and said it's okay, he was in a lot of pain. All of this was said in the pulpit of the largest church in my county.
    I think so many excuses was made for his sins until finally killing himself was okay too. Well its not okay, if anyone reading this feels suicidal please let someone know. God will use a man or woman to help you. Sometimes we walk so near death we can see its shadow but God is with us and death does not get us. There is hope in Jesus Christ. Maybe you will be one of the rare people God gives a miracle. I've had very dark times myself and I can tell you God is there. I've heard it's only going to get worse from the doctors but God is still there and He helps. God will help you cope with the symptoms, and yes it might be your illness unto death but God will never leave you. Send me a pm or pm one of the ministers on this site or one of the mods, just let someone know. Please don't kill yourself, ask for help.
     
    Ken Smith
  9. Thanks
    MountainChristian got a reaction from No Nicolaitans in A friend's suicide   
    I went to a funeral of a man I've known since the 2nd grade. Before killing himself he too had health problems very similar to mine. I've seen him at the doctor's office from time to time. I have joint problems and arthritis, he did too but his was from toxic chemical exposure. I was told at the funeral the doctor told him it was going to get worse and worse.
    About 2 months ago I talked very seriously with him about going to church. He admitted to me he needed to clean himself up a bit, he was living with a woman and looked like he was in the Taliban. I have no idea how long it had been since his hair and beard has been trimmed. I agreed with him. He was a member of the big Southern Baptist Church here and I talked to him about at least going there.
    As far as I know I was the only one to talk to the man about not giving up. He told me right to my face he had dark times but was hanging in there. I told him there is always hope with God. That was two months ago. He never called to tell me he was falling apart.
    At the funeral not one of the four southern Baptist Pastors condemned any part of what he had done. One Pastor I've known for years said the Bible doesn't really mean a man shouldn't have long hair, that's just a culture thing. Another Pastor excused living together and talked about how much he loved his companion. Finally not one word about suicide being wrong or an offer to help anyone who might be feeling like killing themselves. They excused it too and said it's okay, he was in a lot of pain. All of this was said in the pulpit of the largest church in my county.
    I think so many excuses was made for his sins until finally killing himself was okay too. Well its not okay, if anyone reading this feels suicidal please let someone know. God will use a man or woman to help you. Sometimes we walk so near death we can see its shadow but God is with us and death does not get us. There is hope in Jesus Christ. Maybe you will be one of the rare people God gives a miracle. I've had very dark times myself and I can tell you God is there. I've heard it's only going to get worse from the doctors but God is still there and He helps. God will help you cope with the symptoms, and yes it might be your illness unto death but God will never leave you. Send me a pm or pm one of the ministers on this site or one of the mods, just let someone know. Please don't kill yourself, ask for help.
     
    Ken Smith
  10. Thanks
    MountainChristian got a reaction from DaveW in A friend's suicide   
    I went to a funeral of a man I've known since the 2nd grade. Before killing himself he too had health problems very similar to mine. I've seen him at the doctor's office from time to time. I have joint problems and arthritis, he did too but his was from toxic chemical exposure. I was told at the funeral the doctor told him it was going to get worse and worse.
    About 2 months ago I talked very seriously with him about going to church. He admitted to me he needed to clean himself up a bit, he was living with a woman and looked like he was in the Taliban. I have no idea how long it had been since his hair and beard has been trimmed. I agreed with him. He was a member of the big Southern Baptist Church here and I talked to him about at least going there.
    As far as I know I was the only one to talk to the man about not giving up. He told me right to my face he had dark times but was hanging in there. I told him there is always hope with God. That was two months ago. He never called to tell me he was falling apart.
    At the funeral not one of the four southern Baptist Pastors condemned any part of what he had done. One Pastor I've known for years said the Bible doesn't really mean a man shouldn't have long hair, that's just a culture thing. Another Pastor excused living together and talked about how much he loved his companion. Finally not one word about suicide being wrong or an offer to help anyone who might be feeling like killing themselves. They excused it too and said it's okay, he was in a lot of pain. All of this was said in the pulpit of the largest church in my county.
    I think so many excuses was made for his sins until finally killing himself was okay too. Well its not okay, if anyone reading this feels suicidal please let someone know. God will use a man or woman to help you. Sometimes we walk so near death we can see its shadow but God is with us and death does not get us. There is hope in Jesus Christ. Maybe you will be one of the rare people God gives a miracle. I've had very dark times myself and I can tell you God is there. I've heard it's only going to get worse from the doctors but God is still there and He helps. God will help you cope with the symptoms, and yes it might be your illness unto death but God will never leave you. Send me a pm or pm one of the ministers on this site or one of the mods, just let someone know. Please don't kill yourself, ask for help.
     
    Ken Smith
  11. Thanks
    MountainChristian got a reaction from InSeasonOut in A friend's suicide   
    I went to a funeral of a man I've known since the 2nd grade. Before killing himself he too had health problems very similar to mine. I've seen him at the doctor's office from time to time. I have joint problems and arthritis, he did too but his was from toxic chemical exposure. I was told at the funeral the doctor told him it was going to get worse and worse.
    About 2 months ago I talked very seriously with him about going to church. He admitted to me he needed to clean himself up a bit, he was living with a woman and looked like he was in the Taliban. I have no idea how long it had been since his hair and beard has been trimmed. I agreed with him. He was a member of the big Southern Baptist Church here and I talked to him about at least going there.
    As far as I know I was the only one to talk to the man about not giving up. He told me right to my face he had dark times but was hanging in there. I told him there is always hope with God. That was two months ago. He never called to tell me he was falling apart.
    At the funeral not one of the four southern Baptist Pastors condemned any part of what he had done. One Pastor I've known for years said the Bible doesn't really mean a man shouldn't have long hair, that's just a culture thing. Another Pastor excused living together and talked about how much he loved his companion. Finally not one word about suicide being wrong or an offer to help anyone who might be feeling like killing themselves. They excused it too and said it's okay, he was in a lot of pain. All of this was said in the pulpit of the largest church in my county.
    I think so many excuses was made for his sins until finally killing himself was okay too. Well its not okay, if anyone reading this feels suicidal please let someone know. God will use a man or woman to help you. Sometimes we walk so near death we can see its shadow but God is with us and death does not get us. There is hope in Jesus Christ. Maybe you will be one of the rare people God gives a miracle. I've had very dark times myself and I can tell you God is there. I've heard it's only going to get worse from the doctors but God is still there and He helps. God will help you cope with the symptoms, and yes it might be your illness unto death but God will never leave you. Send me a pm or pm one of the ministers on this site or one of the mods, just let someone know. Please don't kill yourself, ask for help.
     
    Ken Smith
  12. Thanks
    MountainChristian reacted to weary warrior in Easter's Connections to Roman Catholic Heresy   
    I agree, Jim. Lent is still not so big up here in Alaska. I don't know that I have ever seen anyone sporting the ashes, or talking about the observance in general. As you point out, Alaska is still pretty remote from the rest of the US (although that remoteness is shrinking in some ways due to the internet). The other factor is that the RC church has very little presence up here. Russian Orthodox is much more prevalent. However, the average Alaskan still sees RO as a foreign religion, only followed by coastal Alaska Natives and a remnant of old-order Russians that still have communities. It has no real influence among the main stream population.
    As for IB churches in AK, they too have still not yet gotten sucked into this Catholic tradition. I do not know how long you have been out of Alaska, but you will be pleased to hear that our isolation still preserves us to this day from certain societal ills that have crept into the church in other areas of the country. 
  13. Thanks
    MountainChristian reacted to No Nicolaitans in Easter's Connections to Roman Catholic Heresy   
    Well said Bro. Jim. I'm constantly amazed at how Baptists (and other denominations) in my area are seeming to jump on this whole Lent bandwagon more and more each year...and defend it with passion. 
  14. Thanks
    MountainChristian reacted to Jim_Alaska in Easter's Connections to Roman Catholic Heresy   
    Yes, I agree NN. I am continually amazed that in all my years in Alaska I was never exposed to this sort of thing among Independent Baptists. This was probably because the few Independent Baptist churches there were so remote from the rest of the Independent Baptist world.
    Once I got down to the lower states and especially since I have joined this message board, I began to hear more and more of how pervasive this is among supposedly sound Independent Baptists.
    I am convinced that we who see this tendency clearly must speak out against it forcefully and never let down our guard. To not do so only accelerates the tendency to let error creep in to our churches.
  15. Thanks
    MountainChristian reacted to Jim_Alaska in Easter's Connections to Roman Catholic Heresy   
    I did not want to drag Donald’s thread regarding Holy Week off topic, but I did have some observations I wanted to address in reading the thread and its comments. His thread stared out with the topic being “The Holy Week”, but quickly digressed into Easter being the correct or incorrect word for the day.
    This was posted in the KJV Bible forum which was correct. This is another reason for my starting another thread in a forum other than the KJV forum, because what I have to say does not deal with a KJV issue, but rather observations regarding the whole holy week issue in general.
    So, in that context I would like to mention just a few things that struck me as I read others comments and observations.
    As a child I was raised with a strong Roman Catholic influence. This was due in large part by being raised in a section of the country where Roman Catholic influence held sway with the general population. My grandmother was a staunch Roman Catholic, my father was fighting in WW2, and my mother did not attend any church, so my grandmother saw to it that I attended church with her every Sunday. She also enrolled me in Catholic school which also included prepping me for my first communion.
    Now that I qualified my background I’ll get on with what I really want to comment on. To be clear the subject I want to deal with is the whole “holy week” issue.
    ● First, the term holy week is straight out of Roman Catholic teaching. It speaks to what
       is known in the RC church as “Lent.”
    ● There are many things that pertain to the RC observation of Lent that are neither
       Biblical or holy. Possibly the most important thing I want to address is the whole RC
       idea of Lent. Lent is a RC word, not to be found in scripture. It pertains to the week
       before the celebration of Easter. As such, I find no justification for Baptists having
       anything to do with it. I do not believe that even the mention of Lent among Baptists
       has any place in the church of the living God. 
    1. During the RC season of Lent there are certain customs that ­­­must be observed by the
        Faithful. One is “Ash Wednesday,” which has no basis in scripture. This custom
        performed by a priest by dabbing a dot of ash on the forehead of the faithful is to
        visually signify that the recipient is faithfully observing Lent.
    2. Roman Catholics are well known for the custom of not eating meat on Friday. But this
        is never more important than during the season of Lent. Fish is the dish, no meat.  
        During Lent we find the RC custom of, “Good Friday. ”Not only is this not found in  
        scripture, but scripture actually speaks against this custom.
        1Cor 8:8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better;       neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. Col 2:16  Let no man therefore judge you in    meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath      days:
    3. During the season of Lent the faithful are expected to “give up” something for the full
        season. This is supposed to be something that the person likes, again, no scriptural
        basis for this custom.
    4. Then there is “Palm Sunday”. In the RC church this is not only an observance, but also         is to be celebrated. While scripture does make reference to this occasion, there is no           scriptural basis for celebrating or worshiping this day.
        John 12:12  On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they
       heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 Took branches of palm trees, and went
       forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the
       name of the Lord.
    I said all of this because among some modern day Baptists these things are spoken of from some pulpits by younger pastors who have been exposed to some sort of ecumenical teaching or exposure to these words and phrases. These things have no place among fundamental Baptists. I am convinced that some of these newer educated pastors never even think of the ramifications of perpetuating these things, or where it ultimately leads in the scope of any ecumenical tendencies that seem to be creeping into our churches.
  16. Thanks
    MountainChristian got a reaction from Pastor Scott Markle in Preservation and the KJV   
    Brother Tyndale, which English Bible do you recommend and why do you recommend it? 
  17. Thanks
    MountainChristian reacted to Pastor Scott Markle in Preservation and the KJV   
    By the way, in both Hebrew and Greek pronouns can also be built right into the change in form or ending of a Hebrew or Greek word (for both verbs and nouns).
  18. Thanks
    MountainChristian got a reaction from Pastor Scott Markle in Preservation and the KJV   
    Thank you Brothers, this gives me a great peace of mind. 
  19. Thanks
    MountainChristian reacted to Jordan Kurecki in Preservation and the KJV   
    Glad you pointed this out to clarify.
    Here is an example.
    the spanish word Hablar means to talk.
    when you put O at the end of the word it means "I talk"
    So Hablo means "I talk".
    It's one Spanish word but translates exactly to two words in English. It's not that you are adding words.
  20. Thanks
    MountainChristian reacted to Pastor Scott Markle in Preservation and the KJV   
    Brother Ken,
    In English grammar the English verb changes verb tenses, voices, and moods by changing verb endings and by adding helping verbs, such as -- "am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been, have, has, had, do, does, did, should, could, would, will (wilt), shall, can, may, might, must."  However, in both Hebrew and Greek we do not find such a use of separate "helping" verbs.  Rather, in Hebrew and Greek the verb tenses, voices, and moods are developed simply through changing verb forms and endings.  As such, that which English grammar accomplishes with "helping" verbs Hebrew and Greek builds right into the change of verb forms and endings themselves.  Even so, the use of these "helping" verbs in an English translation actually DOES find its source in the Hebrew and Greek, not as individual "helping" verbs, but as that which is grammatically built into the individual Hebrew or Greek verb form and ending.  The given Hebrew or Greek verb, including its particular form and ending, IS the source word for the English verb and its helping verb.
  21. Thanks
    MountainChristian reacted to Orval in Abraham's Divorce? What?! Help Please.   
    Great question! 
     
    I believe part of the answer is found in the words “what God hath joined together”.  It is quite clear that this joining with Hagar was not ok with God but allowed.  On the other hand, God did not allow for Sarah to be known by another and acted to stop it.  Sarah enlisted Abraham in her plot for children by referring to ancient customs clearly practiced through most of the Old Testament ie. Jacob and his four wives.  Historically the wealthy were always able to have more wives because they had the where withal to provide for their families (think David and Solomon here).
    The answer to the question asking if this were divorce is no.  Divorce specifically called for a writing of a bill of divorcement (charges brought against) (Deut. 24:1-4) and was to be issued by the spouse and not the spouses other wife and involved no less than sixty days .  It does not seem Abraham had any fault with Hagar for it grieved him to send them away.   Secondly if there were sexual impropriety then the man could not bring an accusation against the woman because he would impugn the woman’s character making it impossible to divorce her.  (Deut. 22:13-21)
    Neither of these were evident indicating Hagar was a bondmaid and not a wife or that as a bondmaid she could be sent away with nothing but Abraham decided to show kindness and let her take her son with her.  (Ex. 21:11)
    The story is likely included not just as a historical account but as Galatians suggests it is a contrast between using our own efforts to accomplish Gods will and waiting for God to fulfill his promises in His time.  The flesh and the impulses of the flesh are available at the same time the opportunity to wait for the promise.  But if you are going to trust God then you must say no to the contrivances of the flesh.  You cannot have the fruit of the flesh and live by faith at the same time.
     
    I say again it was not a divorce, do we cling to the fruit of the flesh or the fruit of the Spirit.  The allegory is clear.
     
      
  22. Thanks
    MountainChristian reacted to No Nicolaitans in Abraham's Divorce? What?! Help Please.   
    MC,
    My answer is speculation, so take it as such.
    When I read the "wife" part, I read it as that was something Sarai (Sarah) was doing...not what God was doing. SHE gave Hagar to be Abram's wife. Yes, the Holy Ghost inspired Moses to include the account in scripture, but that doesn't mean the action was God's action or choosing.
    As I read over the account, when God and the angel of the LORD are personally speaking, I don't see God or the angel of the LORD refer to Hagar as Abram's wife. Rather, they refer to her as "Sarai's maid" and "bondwoman"...but never as Abram's wife.
    In fact, when Hagar fled in Genesis 16, the angel of the LORD told her to return to...her mistress (Sarai)...he didn't say to return to her husband (Abram). She was still viewed as Sarai's maid/bondwoman by God.
    As always, I could be wrong...that's how I see it though.
  23. Thanks
    MountainChristian got a reaction from No Nicolaitans in Abraham's Divorce? What?! Help Please.   
    Ms. Ronda if I made you stumble I'm very sorry and I sincerely apologize. 
    The reason I added Paul's teaching, was v11 "And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son." Abraham was rich but at how little he gave Hagar, "And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar,....." that had to hurt. Abraham lived under looking forward grace, as we live under looking back grace. The law wasn't given until Moses.
    Then there is Jesus adding Abraham to his day, and that is a day of grace. John 1:17......:grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."
    John 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad." 
    I can see now my mind was too focused on Hagar being called a wife. 
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    NN, the Holy Ghost calls Hagar his wife in verse v3, then God calls her a bondwoman in v12 because she is both. Slave and wife. Does that sound wrong?
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Brother Mike thanks for baring you soul. I know this subject is painful for you, I could hear it in your words.
     
     
  24. Thanks
    MountainChristian reacted to No Nicolaitans in Abraham's Divorce? What?! Help Please.   
    My view of it is this...
    After all that transpired in regard to Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Ishmael, and including the birth of Isaac...we find this in Genesis 21:12 (which is a verse already pointed out)...
    Genesis 21:12
    And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.
    Four things I notice in that one verse...
    It's God talking. God referred to Hagar as "thy bondwoman" instead of "thy wife". God told Abraham to do what Sarah said; which was, to cast Hagar and Ishmael out. Doing so would remove a "human hindrance and interference" to God's will and plan; which was, that through Isaac "shall thy seed be called"...not through Ishmael. God was in agreement with casting them out; therefore, there was no wrong done on Abraham's part.
     
  25. Thanks
    MountainChristian reacted to Ukulelemike in Abraham's Divorce? What?! Help Please.   
    I think one thing that we often miss in  biblical marriage and divorce, is the will of God.
    We all hear the vers, "What God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." Well, what if we marry outside of God's will? Does that still apply? Does our deciding to marry, say, an unbeliever, somehow make God agree to it, and now that unbiblical marriage IS what God hath joined together?  Clearly, we know that the Bible says that if a believer is married to an unbelieving spouse, (whether by choice, or one gets saved after mariage), we are to remain together if the unbeliever wants to stay with the believer. BUT, if the unbeliever departs, they are not bound to them, let them leave. Now of course, I would interpret that as, if the unbeliever departs, us not being bound to them, it opens up not just divorce but remarriage. But that is not the question, per se. If a marriage is made OUTSIDE of God's revealed will, is it binding in His eyes?
    Clearly, Hagar and Abraham's union was NOT God's will, and He allowed Abraham to send her away, as Sarah wished. Might God send away an unbelieving spouse from a believer's wife, if His will would be hampered by that unbeliever remaining?
    Now, this may cause a fight, but my example stems from my own life: I answered a clear call to pastor while married. A year later, i had lost my job, (military), and my wife left me, (an unbeliever, though I didn't know it-thought she was until the day she left, left God, moved in with another man as his wife, and rejected God and his church, and never looked back). At this point I believed I could not be a pastor-however, I have had many good godly preachers and pastors (all IFB) who believe that the gifts and callings of God are without repentance. Was God surprised when my wife left? Or was I called in spite of that? Surely she would have hampered the ministry. I was willing to stay with her, but she would not. She divorced me.  I actually began to seek a different life, doubting my suitability to be a pastor, or to look for another ministry, but so much of my life, as hard as I tried to go another way, choices were taken from me, literally forcing me across country where I gained more training and encouragement until I told the Lord I would be where and what He wanted. Very quickly after that I had my prayers answered and was brought back home, bills paid, a free car givine to me from the choir director at the church I was at, (he didn't know I was praying for one), and within a year I was offerred the church I am at now, after a year preaching in a nursing home.
    So I believe I am where the Lord wants me, despite being divorced. I know many will disagree, but I don't see that I am breaking the "husband of one wife" issue: I AM the husband of one wife, because I was not bound to the first that left, according to scripture. 
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