“Worry begins when a person is trying to love equally both the Creator and something in creation (or when they are not trying to love the Creator at all, having replaced him with something in his creation). That something may be ourselves, of course. And to love Creator and created equally is impossible.” (Timothy Lane, Living without Worry: How to replace anxiety with peace)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! The links are here, waiting for you! So let’s get to it!

• The writers of The Statement on Social Justice and the Gospel continue to expound on each article with…articles. Dr. James White focuses on Article 10: Sexuality and Marriage, and Pastor Tom Buck writes on Article 11: Complementarianism.
• Denny Burk focuses this week on two very contentious issues amongst believers and the wider culture: spanking and transgenderism.
• Guys tend to have trouble making close friends as they get older. How can we develop a deeper friendship with another man? Pastor Drew Hunter offers some context to the problem, as well as five tips to grow in this very unspoken but common issue.
• Every once in a while, SBTS President Al Mohler interviews a leading speaker/writer on a topic that affects Christians in the public sphere on his ‘Thinking in Public’ podcast. This week, he interviews senior writer for the National Review, David French, on American conservatism, past, present, and future. No matter where you stand politically, this is definitely worth giving a listen.
• Amy Hall writes of the common misconception that pursuing apologetics may expand the mind, but crowd out the heart.
• Gloria Furman gives some wisdom in how to start a conversation about Jesus with someone who doesn’t know Him.
• How does validating someone during counseling look like? Eliza Jane Huie lays out the meaning of validation, its benefits, and how to offer it to your counselee.
• What is an effective and honest way to deal with anxiety? Biblical counselor Lee Lewis argues humility is the way to go.

That’s all for this week! Please pray for the youth and collegians, as they will be meeting tonight. Don’t forget: baptism service is this Sunday at 4pm! See you all at church!

Soli Deo Gloria

“It is important to note that in their emphasis on “faith alone,” the Reformers did not deny the importance of good works in the lives of believers. They taught that saving faith is a repentant faith and they stressed obedience to the commands of Christ. Nonetheless, they insisted that good works ought to be viewed only as the fruit or consequence of salvation, rather than the root or cause of it. Thus, they could assert that although believers are saved by grace through faith alone, saving faith is never alone. True faith always gives evidence of itself through fruits of repentance and obedience.” (Nathan Busenitz, Long Before Luther: Tracing the Heart of the Gospel From Christ to the Reformation)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! Since the Reformation is right around the corner, I decided to sandwich the links with ones focused on it. I hope it tastes great! Here are this week’s links!

• Have you ever wondered what the Roman Catholic Church teaches about justification? Well, if you’re wondering, now that I asked the question, R.C. Sproul gave a short summary of the material issue of the Protestant Reformation, justification by faith alone.
• Tim Challies writes a timely article for young believers that is a must-read by offering the following advice: give the Lord a lot to work with.
• What does it look like to live a Spirit-filled life when you identify as a cessationist? Pastor John Divito lays out three aspects of our life in Christ while living the cessaionist life. Denny Burk preached a sermon this past Sunday, answering the question: are prophecy and tongues still for today?
• What does it look like to live for the glory of God in every stage of life? Al Mohler wrote a book that answers that very question, and is making it available for free! Don’t miss out on learning from one of Christianity’s greatest living minds today!
• If you have never read about the life of Deborah from the Old Testament, let Kathleen Nielson show you how her life demonstrates how God makes women strong.
• Kevin DeYoung writes a ’10 things you should know’ post on the 10 commandments. Even if you might know all 10 commandments, you may not know these 10 things. He also writes of the meaning of the third commandment, to not take the Lord’s name in vain.
• How can a church begin to embrace biblical counseling as part of its ministry, especially in the first year of implementation? Tim Allchin, himself an executive director of a biblical counseling training center, provides four realistic goals a church can begin aiming for to be most effective in this area.
• Over at The Cripplegate, Eric Davis writes on how best to leave a church (yes, it actually is possible!), while Jordan Standridge focuses on three ways to best glorify God.
• Since this weekend comes before Reformation Day (oh, and that other thing people celebrate on October 31st), Michael Reeves focuses on why the Reformation still matters, 501 years after Martin Luther posted his 95 theses.

That’s all for this week! Please pray for the church, as this week is flocks week, and the majority will be meeting tonight, and that God be glorified in the Women’s Ministry’s Table for Six fellowship event tomorrow. See you all on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria

“Maturity in Christians is marked not by gray hair, but by the fruit believers bear in keeping with their sanctification…If we’re going to see a generation of young men rise to the occasion and begin to disciple their families, it will be due in large part to the reestablishment of the biblical paradigm of mature believers pouring their lives into younger Christians, and demonstrating godliness and maturity to them by their daily lives.” (Voddie Baucham Jr., Family Shepherds: Calling and Equipping Men to Lead Their Homes)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! Another week has come and gone, and our God has been faithful to sustain us in every way. I hope this week’s links finds you well, and pushes you to greater holiness. Here they are!

• Ligonier Ministries has been conducting a survey every two years on the state of the American population on matters of theology, and every time, it has been very revealing. This week, they produced their biennial report, and you will again be amazed at the state of our country.
• Denny Burk, CBMW President, has begun a series of posts discussing the confusion in our culture concerning gender norms, expectations, and stereotypes. First, he discusses the state of culture and the affect it has in the church, then lays out instructions by way of Titus 2:1-6 to older men, older women, and younger women. Be on the lookout for his last post on instructions to the younger men.
• Josh Brahm of Equal Rights Institute gives a detailed response to the recent Netflix documentary Reversing Roe, which appear to present both sides of the debate, and yet shows its bias. Be sure to watch both the documentary, and the responses.
• Jonathan Morrow interviews Greg Koukl on how to present the gospel as a story that makes sense of reality, and how Christianity is the best explanation for how the world actually is. You will be helped in your approach to address non-Christians with the claims of Christ.
• Kevin DeYoung points out three Enlightenment myths that many people believe, and seeks to disabuse them (and some of us!) of.
• Michael Kruger continues his series on deconstructing the 10 commandments of progressive Christianity by addressing the mantra, “We should care more about love and less about sex.” Very perceptive and compassionate.
• Crossway has posted, from their Knowing the Bible series, a summary of how each book of the Bible gives a glimpse of the gospel. It’s a long read, but definitely worth bookmarking!

That’s all for this week! Please pray for the youth and collegians as they meet for Bible study tonight. See you all on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria

“Prayer is effective and God can and does work mightily in response to it, but He usually lets us wrestle with our habitual fears for a season. That’s because He wants us to grow to hate them and to desire to be free from them for the right reason: His glory.” (Elyse Fitzpatrick, Overcoming Fear, Worry, and Anxiety)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! Praise God for His blessing in guiding us through another week! May these links be another source of blessing, to draw you to His Word, and point you upward to Christ, the founder and perfecter of our faith.

• Al Mohler was recently celebrated for completing 25 years as president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. A wonderfully made video chronicling his arrival, trials, and triumph was shown at a banquet for him. Watch, and give thanks to God for His faithfulness in Mohler’s life of faithfulness.
• We can definitely say we believe the gospel, but have we possibly turned the gospel into a form of legalism? Biblical counselor Rick Thomas points us to our friendships in the church and ask some very pointed questions that will draw us to live in light of the gospel. Be ready for some sharpening to take place.
• What does it look like to counsel together as a married couple? Robert Jones starts off this three-part series of counseling together by addressing 10 benefits from doing so, while Howard Eyrich discusses four considerations in non-spousal co-counseling. Garrett Higbee ends the series with a call for leaders and maturing brothers and sisters in Christ to be an advocate for a counselee, and how that changed his counseling philosophy to effectively provide soul care and equip the body to the work of ministry.
• Sometimes, it really helps to be reminded of what heaven on earth is going to be like. Nancy Guthrie gives us a taste, and it is sweet.
• Dr. Dale Johnson, Executive Director Elect of ACBC, gives some new areas of focus which the organization is going to be involved in. Consider yourself informed.
• Sean McDowell identifies what the three features of a self-refuting statement commonly are.
• In Canada, cannabis use will be legalized. While believers are called to evaluate the merits of any claim, knowing the consequences of marijuana use can be an effective means of pointing people to the one solution that can truly save. Jake LeFave, a church planter in Vancouver, gives a great layout to responding to those who want to legalize marijuana use.
• Does God truly desire for all to be saved? If He does, then why isn’t everyone? Pastor Clint Archer gives a short, 500-word response.
• Paul Washer from HeartCry Missionary Society and a couple other workers in this group give a current update to those who are currently suffering persecution in Asia. Please be in prayer for our brothers and sisters!

That’s all for this week! Please pray for the youth and collegians, as they meet tonight at church, that many would turn from their sin and come to saving faith in Christ. See you on Sunday, God-willing!

Soli Deo Gloria

“So we begin to see already that God intentionally brings woundedness to those he loves. And in fact, those God uses the most he breaks, in some manner, for his sovereign purposes. Think about your life. Perhaps there is a physical scar or debilitating condition you carry. Or maybe the scar or weakness is much more subtle and unseen by the human eye, but no less profound in its effect on your life. God used Jacob to show us that he uses such people not despite their weakness but rather because of and through these very weaknesses.” (Michael S. Beates, Disability and the Gospel: How God Uses Our Brokenness to Display His Grace)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! Despite all the political discussion in the news concerning Brett Kavanaugh, here are some links that will point you Godward.

• Digital ink is still being spilled on The Statement on Social Justice and the Gospel, and I wanted to keep you all updated. Tom Ascol is beginning a series of articles explaining each of the 14 articles of affirmation and denial. The first one is on Scripture, so get to it!
• Along with that new series, articles are still being posted on the official website. Tom Ascol wrote an article on white privilege, while Calvin Beisner focuses on answering whether Scripture requires wealth redistribution and equalization or not.
• At the TMS blog, pastor Ace Davis writes a three-part series on self-control: what it is and how it applies in our lives, three areas to practice self-control, and four walls to cultivate self-control in your life.
• Parents, how can you rebuild authority in the lives of your kids if you feel like it’s starting to wane? Julie Lowe gives some wise words about this current cultural crisis that has been affecting many homes.
• Darrell Bock interviews DTS student Paul Golhashem, a convert from Islam, about how to engage in conversation with Muslims. Watch and learn.
• Tim Challies writes some questions to go along with the Westminster Larger Catechism regarding the ninth commandment in relation to our use of social media. This is a two-parter, so be on the lookout for the second article!
• How can you explore your emotions biblically? Counselor Brenda Pauken gives many passages of Scripture that exposes our emotions and God’s emotions, and how we can deal with ungodly emotions as well. This is definitely one to bookmark!

That’s all for this week! Please pray for the youth and collegians, as they meet tonight at church for Bible study. Have a blessed time at church this Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria

“The idea that the Bible is ‘infallible’ means that it does not deceive. To say that the Bible is ‘inerrant’ is to make the additional claim that it does not assert any errors of fact: whether the Bible refers to events in the life of Christ, or to other details of history and geography, what it asserts is true.” (Timothy Ward, Words of Life: Scripture as the Living and Active Word of God)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! Another week has come, and the Lord has been good, including some links for your reading (and listening and viewing) pleasure. Here are this week’s links!

• Since Al Mohler’s remarks about why he didn’t sign the Statement on Social Justice & the Gospel, one of the authors, pastor and apologist James White, responded to some of the objections Mohler raised. Just making sure you’re all aware that there is a back-and-forth taking place between prominent evangelicals that we would respect. Not only should we respect them still, but we should also emulate their behavior towards the other side. Amy Hall, at Stand to Reason, gives a clear distinction between justice and grace that has a lot to do with the idea of social justice. If we aren’t clear on justice, we won’t be clear on our gospel proclamation.
• Alasdair Groves interviews David Powlison on how to minister to those in the church who have a psychiatric disorder at CCEF’s On the Go podcast. You may be the one who is called to help those in need, so take a listen.
• If you have ever doubted God’s goodness in your life, this little post from Peter Pike at Triablogue can be a good place to review the big truths of God’s Word in dealing with or anticipating doubt.
• There’s times in the Christian life where our focus can be short-sighted to the point that we lose our joy in Christ. There are a couple of ways that believers tend to do this, and Tim Chester points them out, as well as how to recover from this short-sightedness.
• If you haven’t heard of scientism, it’s the philosophical position held by many in society today that science is the only or main source of knowledge. J.P. Moreland explains 10 things you should know about this worldview. Aaron Brake at Stand to Reason points out not only what science presupposes, but also what it can’t account for (he also links to a video where this is pointed out to an atheist to great effect). This will be helpful to keep in mind as you speak of the truth of the Christian worldview wherever you go.
• TGC Australia has an article critiquing Bethel Church’s theology and practice in Redding, CA, and their influence in Australia through their Awakening Australia event. Very eye-opening, to say the least, and not in a good way.
• Can a man and a woman be good friends? What would that look like, especially in the church? Tim Challies gives some thoughts on this issue. This is definitely worth discussing, brothers and sisters.
• Pastor Jon Lee writes of a common situation in a family home where the father comes home with a certain agenda that doesn’t involve God, and the other where it does. It’s a small taste of what the sufficiency of Scripture looks like in practice, and the differences couldn’t be more clear. May we all pray to be as molded by the Word as the second situation calls for.

That’s all for this week! Please pray for the youth and collegians, as they meet tonight for Bible study. See you next week!

Soli Deo Gloria

“We were made to enjoy Him. Our minds were shaped and fashioned to think about God, to reflect and meditate on His majesty and beauty and to experience the intellectual thrill of theological discovery. Our emotions were made to feel His power, love, and longing for us. Our wills were made to choose His will and ways; our spirits were formed to experience the ecstasy of communion with Him; our bodies were fashioned to be the temple where He Himself would delight to dwell!” (Sam Storms, Pleasures Evermore: The Life-Changing Power of Enjoying God)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! Our focus this week is on the issue of social justice, archaeology, and biblical counseling. Without further ado, here are your links!

• In a recent Ask Anything Live event, Al Mohler was asked a few times to address the issue of social justice amongst believers. Here is the link with the proper background info to the recent posting of the Statement on Social Justice and the Gospel. Speaking of which, articles from the perspective of the initial signatories of this statement have been popping up this week, including articles by Josh Buice and Tom Ascol. Kevin DeYoung answers the question “Is social justice a gospel issue?” Justin Taylor, in referencing DeYoung’s article, highlights D.A. Carson’s article from 2014 on what should be considered a gospel issue. Whatever your position on these issues, it’s always best to stay informed from the primary spokesmen on both sides of the aisle. May we all speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).
• Biblical counselor Mark Shaw writes on the issue of men and their middle-age crisis in two parts (one and two) from a biblical perspective. It’s always a breath of fresh air when a Christian worldview is applied in contrast to the wisdom of the world.
• How can you talk more like Christ? This is a great question, with a great answer by biblical counselor Lucy Ann Moll.
• How can you grow in your listening skills? Ed Welch gives some great counsel on valuable listening.
• Youth are called to remember our Creator in this stage of life. Why should we do that? David Murray gives four reasons to do so. May all our youth remember the One who made us.
• Alasdair Groves sits down with CCEF counselor Mike Emlet to discuss how he personally engages with Scripture on their most recent On the Go podcast. Listen in!
• The Associates for Biblical Research, in their most recent episode of Digging for Truth, present a pastoral perspective on archaeology and the Bible. You will learn much and appreciate God’s faithfulness in verifying what He has said in His Word.

That’s all for this week! Please pray for our youth and collegians, as they meet tonight for Bible study. See you all on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria

“Prayerfully, you will discover that Christianity is not relegated to a couple “spiritual” activities a week, but you will see how the gospel invades our work, our leisure, our errands, and our families. In short, the gospel redeems and transforms all of life.” (Jason K. Allen, Being a Christian: How Jesus Redeems All of Life)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! The week has come and gone, but the links are here to stay. Enjoy!

• Do you believe singleness to be a curse? Have you been treated as if you’ve been ‘infected’? What would be a loving, biblical approach to helping those who feel the loneliness that often attaches to singleness? Greg Morse at Desiring God gives some timely words that will serve to point you back to Christ. Read it and pray, whether single or married.
• Parents, ideas about marriage are many and varied, and your kids will either learn about them from you or from the culture. However, will you also teach and model marriage as God designed it? Dani Ortlund argues that as believers, we need to show and instruct our children the beauty of marriage first.
• Tim Challies gives some pointers on how to raise our children to be in but not of the world.
• Recently, atheist scientist Richard Dawkins announced plans to write a book for kids and another for teens, advocating for outgrowing God as equivalent to atheism. Over at Christian Mom Thoughts, Natasha Crain writes of five terrible reasons your kids may think they can outgrow Christianity. Fascinating read.
• One year ago, CBMW published the Nashville Statement, which gave an evangelical perspective on biblical sexuality. In light of this, they held a symposium with seven articles written by seven of the original signatories. It would do you well to see how a clear articulation of a biblical worldview concerning this topic continues to be needed in our day.
• What books would John Piper recommend a believer read to grow in his/her faith? Make sure you have the budget, because there’s a lot to choose from!
• Heath Lambert helps us to think about understanding fear biblically.
• Does God change his mind? Paul Tautges writes a concise answer that will be sure to get you into Scripture.
• How would biblical counselor Ed Welch answer the question, “How is the church doing at caring for one another?” Well, here’s his answer. Remember, he wrote a couple books about the matter.
• Do inconsistencies in the gospels undermine Scripture’s inerrancy? SBTS professor Robert Plummer responds.

That’s all for this week! Please pray for the youth and collegians, as they meet for the start of the new year! See you all on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria

“One purpose for which God caused Scripture to be written is to train us that we might be ‘equipped for every good work.’ This applies to all of life. If there is any ‘good work’ that God wants a Christian to do, this passage indicates that God has made provision in his Word for training the Christian in it. Thus, there is no ‘good work’ that God wants us to do other than those that are taught (at least in a broad sense) somewhere in Scripture: it is written to equip us for every good work.” (Wayne Grudem, Christian Ethics: An Introduction to Biblical Moral Reasoning)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! God has sustained us this week, and though it may be time to take a break from work or school, we can’t leave you without giving you a look at what has been blessing the church by way of the blogosphere. So here are this week’s links!

• If you’re looking for a short and sweet summary of the life of John Owen, look no further.
• John MacArthur continues his series on social justice and the gospel by recounting his ministry defending the gospel from those within the church and how currently, social justice seems to be another evangelical fad not worth embracing.
• How should we minister the gospel to Mormons (until recently, LDS President Russell Nelson, has requested they no longer accept being labeled as such)? DTS Professor Darrell Bock and Richard Hornock discuss the issue on the most recent The Table Podcast.
• How are we called to live in what has been recently identified as a ‘post-truth’ culture? Sean McDowell asks this of RZIM speaker Abdu Murray, who has written a book on the same topic. He also provided tips on how to engage the culture apologetically and evangelistically. Great insights!
• Many youth are starting college this year, and a question that needs to be asked and answered is this: will you lose your faith in college? John Piper would have some much-needed advice he would give himself if he were 22 again.
• What should you consider when confronting a friend in their sin? Ed Welch provides five things for us to think through in our pursuit of one-another care.
• Rick Thomas provides some help in knowing where to start when discipling a younger believer. Don’t assume you know where to start, since that may be the beginning of a number of problems. Know the one you’re trying to help.
• How do we deal with anxiety? Biblical counselor Paul Tautges has written a devotional on this very topic, and can be a great pointer to the true comfort we receive in Christ. Read, and act in faith.

That’s all for this week! Please be in prayer as we wrap up our summer Bible study with a focus on God’s holiness. See you all on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria

“Radically ordinary hospitality is this: using your Christian home in a daily way that seeks to make strangers neighbors, and neighbors family of God. It brings glory to God, serves others, and lives out the gospel in word and deed. If you are prohibited from using your living space in this way, it counts if you support in some way some household in your church that is doing it. The purpose of radically ordinary hospitality is to build, focus, deepen, and strengthen the family of God, pointing others to the Bible-believing local church, and being earthly and spiritual good to everyone we know.” (Rosaria Butterfield, The Gospel Comes with a House Key: Practicing Radically Ordinary Hospitality in Our Post-Christian World)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! I hope your weeks have been filled with recognizing God’s grace in your life, and pray these week’s links are a continuation of that theme.

• How do you deal with doubts as a believer? Do you ignore, run away, or walk through it? That is the topic of discussion on The Impact 360 Institute podcast, where Jonathan Morrow interviews Alisa Childers (ZOEgirl, anyone?) on how she overcame her many doubts about Christianity in her early 30s. Pass it along!
• With a recent interview pastor Andy Stanley had with Jonathan Merritt about a controversial sermon Stanley preached on unhitching ourselves from the Old Testament, Michael Kruger revisits his response to Stanley’s view of Scripture back in 2016 that is worth (re-)reading. Make sure to check out Al Mohler’s response to Stanley, too.
• What is lust? John Piper, in his Look at the Book series, provides a lab of defining lust in the light of Scripture. Now, how should Christians battle lust? Heath Lambert in his most recent Truth in Love podcast gives five ways to deal with this common temptation.
• Over at the Gentle Reformation blog, Aimee Byrd is interviewed about her newly published book, Why Can’t We Be Friends? Avoidance Is Not Purity. She discusses the Billy Graham/Mike Pence rule, and practical suggestions for how to cultivate healthy friendships with brothers and sisters in Christ.
• Denny Burk reflects on the Trinity debate that occurred two years ago between many influential evangelical theologians, and links to a sermon he preached a few weeks back on 1 Corinthians 11:3, a crucial text in the debate.
• When you make an upcoming big decision in life, how should you go about it? Marshall Segal suggests something many believers at times neglect: asking someone older (and godlier) than you for counsel.
• Andy Naselli asks a couple of questions to the Director of Keswick Ministries, Dr. James Robson, concerning past Keswick theology (“Let go and let God”), and its current stance on progressive sanctification. Don’t miss out on Naselli’s previous work on the issue.
• Pastor Jordan Standridge specifies the lost art of hospitality and lists four areas in the Christian life that benefits from a life of hospitality. May we all grow in our love for our neighbor through this neglected practice.
• Clinical psychologist Jordan Peterson has become somewhat of a YouTube personality, celebrity, and even substitute father-figure for many young men. How are Christians to think through some of his thought and writing? English theologian Dr. Alastair J. Roberts gives some insight into how a believer can process some of Peterson’s views.
• Pastor John MacArthur began a new blog series that plans to address the contrast between “social justice” and the gospel of Christ, beginning with a couple of stories you may have never heard about MacArthur before. You won’t want to miss this!

That’s all for this week! Continue to pray for our all-church Bible study tonight, as we learn about the God who rules. See you all on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria