Gospel Living

In summary, Demarest describes the Christian's hope of coming glory in these four stages: The " intermediate state " of the saints after death.  Angels escort bodiless believers to heaven (Luke 16:22). Though bodiless, believers will retain their personal identities (Matt 17:3) and will enjoy fellowship with other believers, being "at home with the Lord" (2 Cor 5:8).  Though this is not yet the complete state of glory, it is heaven . The resurrection of the saints' transformed bodies at Christ's Second Coming (Tit 2:13).  Our bodies will be redeemed (Rom 8:23, cf. v. 11).  This is the imperishable body (1 Cor 15:54).  Our present troubles are nothing compared to this coming state (2 Cor 4:16–18)! The vindication of the saints before the judgment seat of Christ, who will examine their works as evidence of faith, gratitude, and love (Rom 14:10–12; 1 Cor 3:12–15; 2 Cor 5:10).  He exposes the believers' hearts, and He will praise them accordingl...

John MacArthur answers this question: A remarkable sidelight to the staggering political changes that have remade our world in recent months is the emergence of a vibrant Christianity from behind the Iron Curtain. All over the Communist bloc, where atheism was official dogma for half a century, the church is growing and alive. I have personally seen evidence even in China that the church there is thriving--even though for the most part it has been forced underground. By contrast, in "free" Europe, where democracy has ruled, the evangelical church is almost completely dead. Biblical Christianity there has long since ceased being a significant force. Atheism and humanism have taken over. Public policy is governed almost totally by philosophies that are intolerant of and even hostile to the truth of Scripture. It is happening in America, too. How do we explain this anomaly? Are our "freedoms" helping the church or hurting it? Continue reading >>>

(HT: Fail Blog )   The sign has the correct apostrophe for "it's."  It correctly has "Sunday" as a plural (as in, "Don't just come this Sunday/ some Sunday, join us each Sunday!").  But it mixes the metaphors.  Rockets rarely  need surgery.

This from the Gospel-Driven Church .  (HT: The Irish Calvinist .) 1. The guy who "subtly" reminds you how much he gives to the church. He thinks he is buying influence, and because some of his money pays your salary, he thinks he is buying more access to you and more pull with you than others have. Relieve him of this illusion if necessary. 2. The young guy who likes it when you rant against stuff or preach angry. Beware of pleasing young men too much. Young men are notoriously stupid. (I know, 'cause I am one.) 3. The guy or gal who doesn't like it when you rant against stuff or preach angry. Comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. If you're sincerely and reliably preaching the Word, toes are going to be stepped on from time to time. If you're not being self-indulgent about it and you are speaking the truth, beware those who think you should be more "positive" like those fellows on TV. 4. The lady with the unbelieving or spiritu...

Whoever spares the rod hates his son,     but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him (Pro 13:24) Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,     but the rod of discipline drives it far from him (Pro 22:15) Doug Wilson posted some interesting spanking stories on his blog: read them and enjoy . (HT: Challies ) I did want to highlight a couple of his statements that you may find helpful if you struggle with the spanking issue: Disciplined children are not abused children; they are secure children. Not surprisingly, secure children grow up into secure young men and women. Abused children are not really being disciplined—they actually become as undisciplined (in the biblical sense) as their angry and undisciplined parents. Abuse is not an excess of discipline—it is a total absence of righteous discipline.  Some may contend that abuse happens when spanking goes too far, and that is correct.  What is not correct is to then...

And you can too: the Truth is Still Truth Libronix PBB files . (HT: Dan Phillips )

Al Mohler has posted a good response to the recent news item involving the 13-year-old boy battling cancer and the mother who refused to seek treatment for him.