• Home
  • Daily Devotional
    • Daily Devotional
  • Daily Reflections
    • Daily Reflections
  • Thoughts
    • Thoughts
  • Sermons
    • Christian Sermons
  • Bible
    • Bible
  • Prayer
    • Prayer
  • Daily Prayer
    • Daily Prayer
  • Christian Books
    • Christian Books
  • Quotes
    • Quotes
  • Biographies
    • Biographies
  • Christian Life
    • Christian Life
ourdailydevotional logo
christian devotional
  • Home
    • Home
  • Sermons
    • Christian Sermons
  • Devotional
    • Daily Devotional
    • Thoughts
  • Reflections
    • Christian Reflections
  • Prayer
    • Prayer
    • Daily Prayer
  • Bible
    • Bible
  • Books
    • Christian Books
  • Quotes
    • Christian Quotes
  • Life
    • Christian Life
  • Biography
    • Biography


HOME
DAILY DEVOTIONAL

To Worship is to Copy

J. Stephen Lang 148

Thomas had the duty of instructing novices in the spiritual life, and Imitation was probably a collection of books he wrote for that purpose. We know little else about the man. That is as it should be, because the book is more important than the author.

“Consérvate como peregrino y extranjero sobre la tierra”.

“Consérvate como peregrino y extranjero sobre la tierra”.




To Worship is to Copy| Daily Devotional by J. Stephen Lang

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children". Ephesians 5:1

1471: Thomas Haemmerlin, who probably died on this date, wrote one of the most popular books of all time, although no copy of it has his name on the cover.

He is better known as Thomas à Kempis, his hometown being the German town of Kempen.

It is likely, although not certain, that he wrote the amazing book The Imitation of Christ which has been translated into more languages than any other book except the Bible.

We are fairly certain Thomas died in 1471 sometime in late July or early August, though the exact day is in doubt.

He was born around 1380 and was a member of a group of lay Christians known as the Brethren of the Common Life, devoted to prayer and study of the Scriptures.

Thomas had the duty of instructing novices in the spiritual life, and Imitation was probably a collection of books he wrote for that purpose. We know little else about the man. That is as it should be, because the book is more important than the author.


“In all things have regard for the end, and in what fashion you will stand before a strict Judge, to whom nothing is hidden.”

This is one of the key themes of the book and also of the New Testament: this world is a preparation for the next and less important than the next.

“Keep yourself as a pilgrim and stranger upon earth.” Another key theme is: don’t trust people. This sounds a bit cynical, but it has a positive flip side: trust God.

One chapter is titled “On Inner Fellowship” and offers the consolation that whatever humans do to us, we are never alone.

Self-control is another key theme, and the book makes it clear that if we control our own bad impulses, we have less time to focus on the failings of others.

Perhaps the book’s classic status is due to its being clear and simple. Like the Bible, alas, it is probably purchased more than it is read. And that is a pity.

Prayer: Father, in a world where people model themselves after sinners, teach us to model ourselves on your Son. Amen.


Image of J. Stephen Lang

J. Stephen Lang

J. Stephen Lang's favorite game is Trivial Pursuit, and his favorite book is the Bible. Lang is a best-selling author whose titles include: Know the Bible in 30 Days, The Complete Book of Bible Trivia, 1,001 Things You Always Wanted to Know About the Bible, etc.

Cover book of The Christian History Devotional

The Christian History Devotional

J. Stephen Lang
One of the recurring themes in this book is that it isn’t easy to be a Christian. But it is supremely rewarding. The history of Christianity has countless examples of well-lived lives.
Al our vows and resolutions end in denial because we have no power to carry them out.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Afterwards Of The Life Of Power

Oswald Chambers
Between these times Peter had denied Jesus with oaths and curses, he had come to the end of himself and al his self-sufficiency, there was not one strand of himself he would ever rely upon again, and in his destitution he was in a fit condition to receive an impartation from the risen Lord.
When it is a question of the providential wil of God, wait for God to move.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Why Cannot I Follow Thee Now?

Oswald Chambers
There are times when you cannot understand why you cannot do what you want to do. When God brings the blank space, see that you do not fil it in, but wait. The blank space may come in order to teach you what sanctification means, or it may come after sanctification to teach you what service means.
Si Él no me hubiera amado con un amor tan profundo como el infierno y tan fuerte como la muerte, se habría apartado de mí hace mucho tiempo.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Jesus did Everything to Save Us

Charles Spurgeon
Pause, my soul, and wonder! You have goings forth in the person of Jesus from the days of eternity. Not only when you were born into the world did Christ love you, but His delights were also with the sons of men before there were any sons of men!
When you love you’re also generous, especially with your time, attention, assistance, and encouragement.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Pillar of Love

H. Norman Wright
Tom Marshall shares some wonderful insights on how to love. Here is an adaption from his book Right Relationships. It’s true. You’ve heard about the pillar before. Probably many times. But very possibly not in the following way.
Every person has pockets of under-developed resources within him or her.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Encouragement Is a Four-Eyed Fish

H. Norman Wright
Every person has pockets of under-developed resources within him or her. Your task is to search for these pockets in your spouse, discover them, and then expand them. At first what you discover may be rough and imperfect.
Our Daily Devotional Logo
followmeusa.net@gmail.com
OURDAILYDEVOTIONAL.NET
"We follow Jesus"
Sitemap | Sitemap | Sitemap Bible
Follow us on Youtube