BCL Online Picks — March 19, 2026

March 19, 2026/BCL/BCL Online Picks

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This week’s online picks feature the hidden danger of envy, seven marks of a Spirit-filled life, the stories men still love, common grace from our good God, and more!

1. The Evil of Envy

In this byFaith article, Chris Hutchinson uncovers the hidden danger of envy—showing how it quietly distorts our hearts and relationships. More than simply wanting what others have, envy resents their good altogether. With clarity and pastoral insight, he helps us see why this sin is so serious—and how the gospel calls us to something better. (Many thanks to the Heidelblog for bringing this article to our attention!) Read it here →

2. The Seven Marks of a Spirit-Filled Life

What is the “justified, cross-transformed, Spirit-filled life”? In this Substack article, Campbell Markham offers seven searching marks that may challenge how we measure spiritual maturity. It’s a clear, convicting reminder that salvation in Christ is not only about eternal life but also about being conformed to the image of the Son. Read it here →

3. The Stories Men Still Love

Why are men gravitating to shows like Suits, The Blacklist, and All-American? In this Substack article, Virgil Walker identifies three common threads—competence, brotherhood, and responsibility—running through these series and explains how even flawed storytelling can reveal something true about what men were made to do. Read it here →

4. Perfect Peace in a Problem-Filled World

When the world feels anything but peaceful, where can true peace be found? In this Reformation21 article, pastor Rob Ventura reflects on how believers can experience rest and contentment in the midst of turmoil. Drawing from Isaiah, he shows that this peace isn’t found in circumstances but in a mind fixed on God and a heart that trusts him. Read it here →

5. The Goodness of God and Common Grace

What is “common grace” and what role does it play in our lives? In this Gospel Coalition essay, Sam Storms reminds us that common grace is anything but small—it’s the overflow of God’s goodness to a world that doesn’t deserve it. From daily provision to the restraint of evil, these ordinary blessings are constant signs of divine kindness to all people. Far from being insignificant, common grace quietly upholds life itself and points us to an extraordinarily generous God. Read it here →

6. The Danger of AI Isn’t Misinformation. It’s Mis-Formation.

What if the greatest danger of AI isn’t false answers but what it’s doing to us? In this Gospel Coalition article, Jonathan Sams argues that the real threat is “mis-formation,” as habitual reliance on AI reshapes how we think, learn, and seek wisdom. He warns that quick answers can quietly replace the slow, formative work of Scripture, prayer, and life in the church. It’s a sobering call to consider not just what AI gives us but also what it may be taking away. Read it here →

7. A New Day for God’s People

What does an ancient Persian king have to do with God’s promises? In this Ligonier Ministries devotional, we see how God used Cyrus of Persia (modern-day Iran) to bring about a new day for his people. Even a pagan ruler was under the Lord’s sovereign hand, accomplishing his redemptive purposes. It’s a striking reminder that God is always at work in world events, often in unexpected ways. Read it here →