“Just as the sinner’s despair of any hope from himself is the first prerequisite of a sound conversion, so the loss of all confidence in himself is the first essential in the believer’s growth in grace.” (A.W. Pink)

By Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! The productivity of believers has been enormous this week, and so, put on your seat belts, and let’s go!

• What is the difference between the PCA and PCUSA? Joe Carter gives a comparison list that may be helpful for us to pay attention to, in case you ever wondered what the differences are (and there are many).
• Have you ever heard Muslims claim that Muhammad is prophesied in the Bible? I remember going to an Islamic campus group my freshman year in college, and the presentation was focused solely on that. Since it was the first time I had heard about it, I have always been on the lookout for articles/debates/lectures that deal with this common claim. Here’s a lecture that gives an in-depth refutation of Muhammad prophesied in the Bible, in case you meet a Muslim, and the conversation turns this direction.
• Single Life has just finished going over a series of messages from 1 Peter, whose main theme is suffering. If you want to reinforce what was learned, over at Desiring God, one of their writers wrote on preparing for the storms of life.
• In this week’s Wednesday’s Word, Paul Tripp focused on one quality that the apostle Paul says helps us to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,” (Ephesians 4:1): forbearance. He has a way of getting to the heart of the matter quickly, and we are much the better for it. This is a subject that can find application today.
• Bryan DeWire has a timely reminder that the things we say, type, or text should be done with 1 Timothy 4:12 in mind. This is the kind of reminder I need, even in commenting on the links I’ve been able to share with you. Remember that your next conversation is an opportunity to bless others, and not curse.
• Stand to Reason highlights recent news that polyamorists (people involved in relationships of three or more) are now coming out, seeking acceptance from society. This article comes in the wake of rulings that are favoring same-sex ‘marriages.’ They link to previous posts that laid out the implications of redefining marriage away from the union of a man and a woman to an intense love and care for another, irrespective of gender.
• Going through premarital has been both a blessing and hard work (you thought I was going to say, ”curse,” didn’t you?), and I have really enjoyed learning some marital wisdom from our pastor. In that same vein, Mark Altrogge gives four of the best pieces of marital advice he has ever heard. I think this will go a long way for what I hope to accomplish in my marriage. Bookmarking this one.
• In light of the World Cup, Jesse Johnson finds a helpful analogy of defense and offense for how we should live as believers in this fallen world, and it doesn’t involve going for the draw.
• Do you long to be part of a church that has a culture of evangelism in its ranks? If not, this article (http://www.9marks.org/blog/eight-longings-culture-evangelism) may whet your appetite.
• Desiring God has a post on the history of missions and revival, from the time of Jonathan Edwards to the present, and some soul-searching questions for us to ask. This would be good for us to read and pray through.
• Michael Kruger writes his last post reviewing Bart Ehrman’s new book How Jesus Became God–The Exaltation of a Jewish Preacher from Galilee, focusing on a flawed argument that many critics of Scripture use, and believers would be wise to notice and point out these things the next time we’re subjected to this.
• How do parents begin to talk to their kids about gender in this world where gender is now seen as fluid and not fixed? This may be the earlier talk to have with your kids than what was previously the talk in generations past.

That’s all for this week! Looking forward to seeing you all on Sunday for corporate worship of our Lord and FITS!

Soli Deo Gloria