By His Grace -

Archive for the Books category

The Dark Guest

Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 10:42 AM by David Zavadil

If you do not own a copy of The Valley of Vision, you must get a copy. These prayers and devotions are not only timeless but spot on in touch with the basic struggles and issues we all deal with each day. Read this one entitled "The Dark Guest."

O LORD,

Bend my hands and cut them off,

for I have often struck thee with a wayward will,

when these fingers should embrace thee by faith.

I am not yet weaned from all created glory,

hour, wisdom, and esteem of others,

for I have a secret motive to eye my name in all I do.

Let me not only speak the word sin, but see the thing itself.

Give me to view a discovered sinfulness,

to know that though my sins are crucified

they are never wholly mortified.

Hatred, malice, ill-will, vain-glory that hungers for and hunts after

man's approval and applause,

all are crucified forgiven,

but they rise again in my sinful heart.

O my crucified but never wholly mortified sinfulness!

O my life-long damage and daily shame!

O my indwelling and besetting sins!

O the tormenting slavery of a sinful heart!

Destroy, O God, the dark guest within

whose hidden presence makes my life a hell.

Yet thou has not left me her without grace;

The cross still stands and meets my needs

in the deepest strains of the soul.

I thank thee that my remembrance of it

is like David's sight of Goliath's sword

which preached forth thy deliverance.

The memory of my great sins, my many temptations, my falls,

bring afresh into my mind the remembrance

of thy great help, of thy support from heaven,

of the great grace that saved a wretch as I am.

There is no treasure so wonderful

as that continuous experience of thy grace toward me

which alone can subdue the risings of sin within:

Give me more of it.

Posted in Books (RSS), Commentary (RSS)

Respectable Sins Chapters 5,6

Posted on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 11:51 AM by David Zavadil

These two chapters of our book, Respectable Sins deal with our dealing with our sins. They are very practical in that Mr. Bridges seeks to give us "something to do." In Chapter 5, he begins with a look at the Holy Spirit in our lives. We are brought face to face with the presence of the Almighty within us in the person of the Holy Spirit and reminded of the redeeming work of Christ. We are encouraged to acknowledge and yield to the working of the Holy Spirit as a step in overcoming sin. While he does not use this phrase, we learn that many of us are professing Christians but practicing Atheists By that I mean, we assent to the presence of the Holy Spirit, but in practice rely on self almost exclusively. On the very first page of this chapter we read, "The absolute forgiveness of our sins is just as rock solid as the historic reality of Christ's death." This is the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

I found interesting the discussion of what Bridges calls, "dependent responsibility." He defines that this way,

...We are responsible before God to obey His Word, to put to death the sins in our lives, both the so-called acceptable sins and the obviously not acceptable ones. At the same time, we do not have the ability within ourselves to carry out this responsibility. We are in fact totally dependent upon the enabling power of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit works in us in a number of ways

He brings conviction of sin.
He enables and empowers us to deal with our sin.
He works "monergistically" ( I love that word), meaning alone, without our conscious involvement.

Chapter 6 gives us the "practical application" in dealing with sin. Rather than describing it, I am going to list the seven points Bridges gives us for practically dealing with our sin.

Apply the gospel.
Depend on the Holy Spirit.
Recognize your responsibility.
Identify specific respectable sins.
Memorize and apply appropriate Scriptures.
Cultivate the practice of prayer.
Involve one or a few other believers with you.

Next we will begin to look at specific sins. Join us again.

Posted in Bible Study (RSS), Books (RSS)

Respectable Sins Chapter 4

Posted on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 2:04 PM by David Zavadil

It has been a while since I have posted an entry about this book. We are now working through this in our Adult Sunday School class.

The author begins this chapter by introducing to saints of the past, John Newton and the Apostle Paul. He illustrates through their lives and their writings the way they viewed themselves as they grew in relationship to Jesus Christ. Newton summed it up best when he said, "My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior." Before we can deal with sin we need to understand our standing before God. We are sinners, fallen far short of God's glory. (Romans 3:23)

The question we all want to know is what is the remedy for our sinfulness? The short answer is the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel does four things for us in dealing with sin.

It plows the ground of our heart so that we can see our sin. (pg 34)
It frees me up to deal with my sin. (34)
It motivates and energizes me to deal with my sin (35)
It gives me assurance that God no longer counts my sin against me (35)

Each day we are to "preach the gospel to ourselves." This personal sermon prepares us to deal with our sinfulness throughout the day.

Here are some questions to think about. Why do we think everyone else needs to hear the gospel but us? What are some ways that I can preach the gospel to myself?

Posted in Bible Study (RSS), Books (RSS)

Surprised By Hope

Posted on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 1:10 PM by David Zavadil

I have begun reading. Wright begins by discussing the views held by many in the world about death, resurrection and heaven. I wonder how many people, even in the Church, have a TV or Movie view of these issues. Many treat them as is they are "great unknowns." Since we really don't know what happens, why dwell on it at all?"

What does death mean to the Christian? What do you believe the resurrection means to a believer? Is heaven really a place up high that we all will ascend to one day? Join me in thinking on these things over the next few weeks. Share thoughts with me as I prepare to teach on the hope we have in Christ.

Edited on: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 1:24 PM

Posted in Books (RSS)

Respectable Sins Reading Challenge

Posted on Friday, June 13, 2008 at 12:29 PM by David Zavadil

I have not faired so well in my quest to read a Puritan a month. Bunyan put me behind and I have been fighting the schedule ever since. I have been wanting to read Having purchased the book recently, I have decided to read this and discuss it with you the readers of this blog. If you have a copy, great, if not, purchase one by clicking the link above or at your local book store and then begin reading Chapter One. I will post some notes and my thoughts on the chapter on Monday June 23, 2008. We will read one chapter a week and then discuss the chapter on the following Monday. Chapter One on the 23rd, Chapter Two on the 30th, Chapter 3 on the 7th and so on. There will not be a post on July 21, 2008 as I will be in Ireland and may not have access to the internet. Post a comment and let me know if you will be joining me in this challenge.

Posted in Books (RSS), Just For Fun (RSS)

Comments Restored

Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 3:28 PM by David Zavadil

I have restored the comments on this blog. It is a new account so all of the previous comments, including the spam have been deleted. I plan on writing more and moderating the comments tighter. I pray that at some time this site will be used by people around the world for edification and growth.

Edited on: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 4:03 PM

Posted in Bible Study (RSS), Books (RSS), Commentary (RSS), Family happenings (RSS), Fear of God (RSS), Just For Fun (RSS), Locarb (RSS), Ministry (RSS), Mortification (RSS), Psalm 119 (RSS), Puritans (RSS), Stupid Movie Quotes (RSS), The Church (RSS), TNT (RSS)

Comments Spammed

Posted on Sunday, March 23, 2008 at 6:27 PM by David Zavadil

My comments were spammed recently so I have eliminated them until I can find a better system.

John Bunyan

Posted on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 4:25 PM by David Zavadil

Since I am reading Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners as part of the The Puritan ReadingChallenge , I thought I would post a few links to some Bunyan sites.

Bunyan at Luminarium

Bunyan Ministries

The John Bunyan Society

Acacia John Bunyan Online Library

Edited on: Tuesday, January 15, 2008 4:33 PM

Posted in Books (RSS), Puritans (RSS)

Puritan Reading list for 2008

Posted on Monday, January 07, 2008 at 4:36 PM by David Zavadil

As I stated earlier, I am posting my reading list for 2008. The list of The Puritan Reading Challenge at Timmy Brister dot com reads like this.

January- Sibbes, Bruised Reed

February- Flavel, Mystery of Providence

March -Watson, Godly Man's Picture

April -Brooks, Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices

May -Bunyan, Come and Welcome

June -Owen, Mortification of Sin

July -Bridge, Lifting Up

August -Burroughs, Rare Jewel

September- Bolton, True Bounds

October -Guthrie, Christian's Great Interest

November -Baxter, Reformed Pastor

December -Alleine, Sure Guide

Reformation Heritage Books has a deal where you can buy all of these at a reduced price just for this reading challenge. Trust me, they are worth the investment.

Since I have read a few of these books, or am reading a few currently, I will be making some changes. My list will read as follows:

January- Bunyan, Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners

February- Flavel, Mystery of Providence

March -Watson, Godly Man's Picture

April -Brooks, Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices

May -Love, Effectual Calling and Election

June -Owen, The Glory of Christ

July -Bridge, Lifting Up

August -Venning, Learning in Christ's School

September- Bolton, True Bounds

October -Guthrie, Christian's Great Interest

November -Baxter, Dying Thoughts

December -Alleine, Sure Guide

The folks at Banner of Truth have a deal for many of these books. Purchase 5 for $34 .

Posted in Books (RSS), Puritans (RSS)

The Puritan Challenge

Posted on Monday, January 07, 2008 at 10:41 AM by David Zavadil

It seems I was not the only one who felt called to the challenge of reading a puritan a month. The Puritan Reading Challenge has a plan for the monthly readings. I will be adapting, slightly, the list of readings as there are a few on the list I have already read. In the next day or two I will post my reading list for year. Won't you join me on this quest?

Edited on: Monday, January 07, 2008 10:44 AM

Posted in Bible Study (RSS), Books (RSS), Commentary (RSS), Just For Fun (RSS), Puritans (RSS)

A Puritan a Month

Posted on Wednesday, January 02, 2008 at 3:24 PM by David Zavadil

Thinking about the past year and about the coming year, I came to the conclusion that I have not been reading enough. This hurts my preaching and teaching and those who read or hear me. To combat this lack of reading I have resolved to increase my reading volume. One of the ways I am going to do this is by reading a Puritan a Month. I would like to invite you to join me on this adventure. during January I will be reading Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners by John Bunyon. I plan to purchase a copy of each book but will also make sure that there is an ecopy of each book so that those who may not have access to these books can still join us in reading. Leave me some comments with suggestions for February.

Edited on: Monday, January 07, 2008 10:44 AM

Posted in Books (RSS), Just For Fun (RSS), Puritans (RSS)

Join the Reading Challenge

Posted on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at 3:20 PM by David Zavadil

Join the challenge. Challies dot com is beginning a reading club tomorrow. Sign up today and join us in reading John Owen's The Mortification of Sin. You can download a copy here . The chapters are relatively short, but do not expect an easy read. Remember this is a challenge.