Douglas Jacoby Podcast

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

This podcast (12 minutes) contains and is based on most of "On the Loss of All Comfort" (Book 2, Chapter 9).

Scripture: Phil 4:11-13; Ps 30:6-8,10-11; Job 7:18; Rev 2:7.

Practical application:(1) Don't allow ourselves to lose faith or perspective just because we are going through hard times.(2) Don't allow ourselves to lose faith or perspective just because we are going through long, extended, hard times when we feel despair.(3) Let's not portray ourselves to insiders (fellow pilgrims) or to outsiders as though we have never struggled with temptation, wavered in zeal, or felt the "withdrawal of divine favor."

Thomas à Kempis was a realist, as well as an idealist. His example is well worth emulating..Personal sharing:Person.

• Grace & Ungrace I (introduction, from Lamentations) -- Douglas Jacoby
• Grace & Ungrace II -- Douglas & Vicki Jacoby
• Grace & Ungrace III -- Douglas & Vicki Jacoby

Next

: "On Bearing Injustices" (Book 3, Chapter 19 -- original title: Bearing Injuries is the Proof of True Patience") and "On Christ's Obedience to the Father" (Book 3, Chapter 13).

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

"On Human Misery" (Book 1, Chapter 22) and "On Our Weakness" (Book 3, Chapter 20).

Scriptures: Phil 3:7-9; Ps 73; Ps 25:17; 2 Cor 6:2; Heb 10:36; 2 Cor 5:4; 1 Thess 5:3; Prov 30:7-9; Col 3:1-4; Ps 32:5; 40:2; 69:14; 1 John 2:15: Job 30:7; Luke 9:23.

Practical points, observations, and questions:
* Life isn't convenient. What does it take to irritate me?
* Do what we can to remind ourselves that the things of the world are temporary. (E.g., pray in a cemetery.)
* Don't buy into the lies of the enemy. We are to often "charmed by the world's delights." When we love our earthly lives, we end up caring nothing for the kingdom of God.
* Regardless of our spiritual "age," there is always time to get back on track and keep growing spiritually. Let's not procrastinate!
* "Unless we forcefully discipline ourselves, we will not conquer ourselves." In what areas am I soft on myself?
* Although we will not achieve perfection, we must keep moving forward.
* To stay humble, recall how often we break our own resolutions!
* Despise the world. Determine to fight indiscipline. Deny ourselves. Don't be deceived by the world! "What will become of us at the end if we are uncommitted and idle?"

Next: "On the Lack of All Comfort" (Book 2, Chapter 9).

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

Today's devotional (9 minutes) combines "On Not Trusting Oneself" (Book 2, Chapter 5) and "On Trusting God in Hidden Matters" (Book 3, Chapter 58). I read these two powerful chapters without comment.

Scriptures: Matt 7:3; 16:26: Jer 34:24; Ps 119:137; 19:9; Rom 11:33; 1 Cor 14:33; Ps 21:3; Rom 8:29; Jn 15:16,19; Gal 1:15; Matt 18:10; Rev 4:10; Matt 18:1; 1 Jn 3:1; Isa 60:22; 65:20; Matt 18:3-4; Luke 6:24;20; 3 Jn 4; Luke 18:9-14

Next: "On Human Misery" (Book 1, Chapter 22) and "On Our Weakness" (Book 3, Chapter 20)

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

Today's podcast (12 minutes) blends together excerpts from "Knowledge in Truth," "Wisdom in Action," and "Not Believing Everyone" (Book 1, Chapters 3 and 4, and Book 3, Chapter 45).

Scriptures: Rom 1:21; (Sir 19:14; 14:1; 34:9); (Tob 4:18); Ps 60:11; 37:39; (Wis 1:1); John 14:6; Rom 3:4; Matt 10:17,36; 24:23); James 3:1; Phil 3:4-8.

Application: Types of information of which we should beware: (1) Academic learning without regard for God; (2) "every bit of news" (gossip, slander, misleading portrayals in the media); (3) words of censure (if we are grounded in Christ, we may benefit, and not overreact) and praise (exalting people / their deeds can actually harm them -- esp. when they believe their own press).

Next: "On Not Trusting Oneself."

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

"On How to Hear the Words of God" (Book 3, Chapter 3), with excerpts from "On the Inward Voice of Christ" (Book 3, Chapter 1) and "On Truth Without the Noise of Words" (Book 3, Chapter 2).

Scripture:
John 16:13-14; Ps 94:19; John 12:48; Mic 6:8; Gen 17:1; (Wis 1:1); John 8:32; Ps 25:5; 1 John 3:22; (Tob 3:5); Ps 119:20; (2 Macc 7:38); (Sir 11:4); Isa 29:13; Matt 10:20; Ps 143:10; and many more!

Application:

• Make a list of the "time-wasters" in my life, and determine to streamline my day so that I can give proper attention to God's Word.
• Strive for silence -- shutting out the noisy distractions of the world. This is essential if we are to take Christ's words into our hearts.
• Aim to know the God behind the words (in his Word).
• Determine to be faithful till the very end.

Next: "Knowledge in Truth, Wisdom in Action, & Not Believing Everyone" (blending Book 1, Chapters 3 and 4 with Book 3, Chapter 45).

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

Scripture: Ecc 2:11; 1 John 2:17; Ps 51:12; Eph 3:16; Eph 4:14. (Also Wis 9:4)

Key phrases:
* "In captivity": True freedom is found in Christ, not the world.
* "How strange": The world (and worldly Christians) think it strange when one lives wholeheartedly for God (1 Pet 4:4). Yet Christ finds it "strange" that we do not live this way.
* "Unnecessary cares": So many of our burdens and pains are self-inflicted. Multiplying money, land, houses, works of art, travel, collections of stamps or coins -- or anything else without God in mind -- leads us to a state of being "never at peace or free from care.":
* Worthlessness of money": What is highly valued among people is often detestable in the sight of God (Luke 16:15). How much of our income goes to supporting a higher standard of living than necessary? (Has this placed us in debt? -- one indicator that we are overextending.)
* "Fickle praise": The praise and honor sought by men and women is often not the praise we should be seeking -- from the one who will say to us, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
* True foundation": To avoid drifting spiritually, taken away from Christ by the ground shifting under out feet, we must live in him.

Next: "On How to Hear the Words of God" (Book 3, Chapter 3), with excerpts from "On the Inward Voice of Christ" (Book 3, Chapter 1) and "On Truth Without the Noise of Words" (Book 3, Chapter 2).

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

Scriptures:
* 2 Cor 4:18
* Romans 12:3,16
* James 4:6
* John 15:4
* 1 Cor 4:7
* Matt 11:7
* Isa 40:6.

Practicals:

• Be willing to take on thankless or dirty tasks.
• Don't be arrogant because of the education you have been privileged to receive.
• Older people (especially), let's not take pride in our wealth or possessions or financial security.
• Nor should we boast in the powerful or important people we know.
• Nor should we glory in our athleticism or fitness. Longevity and health are not promised.
• Any particular skills we have are not really our own -- everything we have, we have received.
• Last, if we are not at peace, perhaps it is because we are lacking in humility.

Our next devotional: "How Selfish Love Hinders Us" (Book 3, Chapter 27)

For 31 à Kempis quotes, visit the Anthology page and scroll down.

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

How close do I feel to God?

We are called to love him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. This is the first and greatest commandment.

The church is the bride of Christ. Jesus is the groom (not the boyfriend). Intimacy with God is to be reverent.

We must cultivate intimacy with God:

• In the songs we sing
• In the words we pray
• Through dealing with sin
• Through submitting our will to Christ
• By not failing to cultivate this relationship

Scripture: John 15:15; 11:28; Rom 13:1; John 6:68; Jer 10:6; John 6:44.

Further podcasts that relate to this one are Brother Lawrence and the entire CLEANseries (32 in all).

Next meditation: "On Fleeing from Futile Hope and Pride" (Book 1, Chapter 7)

Great à Kempis quote: Nothing will hinder you more than thinking only about yourself.

Feedback (so far) on The Imitation:

* Love the à Kempis podcasts—fabulous start to each day. Thank you, praise God!
* I’m encouraging our whole house church to follow along with the Imitation of Christ study series.
* The podcasts are thought-provoking—very helpful and refreshing for me. This teaching is a gift from God to me right now. I am sharing what I'm learning with my sisters (who live in four other cities). The Word will not return void.
* This is very powerful—so glad you decided to podcast from The Imitation. This also fits perfectly with our church's 2019 theme.
* The quiet times are short, but very powerful and life-changing. Thank you!

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

To have a sensitive heart receptive to divine love, we must keep our consciences clear as we live for God (1 Tim 1:5,19).

Scripture: Eph 3:17-18; 2 Cor 1:3; Ps 3:3; 119:11; 59:16; 1 Tim 1:5,19; Matt 11:30; 1 John 4:7; Song 2:16; Isa 5:1; 1 Cor 13:4-7.

Other passages referred to in my podcast: Isa 40:30-31; 2 Cor 6:3-10.

Application areas: 

• anger
• gluttony
• lust
• alcohol & drugs
• impulse buying
• laziness
• loud attention seeking

For more on keeping a pure conscience, listen to the CLEAN series. 

To download a .pdf version of an alternate (an older) translation of The Imitation of Christ, click here.

Cool à Kempis quote: You do not grow in holiness because of the praise you receive, nor do you become evil because of the blame poured upon you.

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

"The simplicity of the book's language and the direct appeal to the religious sensitivity of the individual in an uncomplicated way are perhaps the primary reasons why this little book has been so widely received and so deeply influential." — Britannica

Scriptures alluded to or cited: 1 Cor 1:18; Matt 16:14; 25:41,46; Ps 112:7; Rom 8:29; John 19:17; Rom 6:8; Luke 24:46; Job 14:1; John 13:8; 2 Cor 12:2; Acts 9:16; 5:41; Luke 9:23 (Mark 8:34; Matt 16:24); Rom 8:17; 1 Pet 2:24; Acts 14:22.

Application:

• Do I love pleasure, relaxation, and comfort? Do I complain about little things?
• Am I a disciplined person? Do I aim to achieve the minimum, or is my life maximized for Christian impact?
• In my personal pain, do I discern God's grace?
• Will I make a concerted effort today to follow the royal way of the Cross?

Tomorrow: "On the Power of Divine Love" (à Kempis's title). Note: Starting tomorrow, please log in as a website member for the remaining 27 Imitation devotional podcasts.

Cool à Kempis quotes:

• If Christ is amongst us, then it is necessary that we sometimes yield up our own opinion for the sake of peace.
• Who struggles more than those who strive to overcome themselves?
• Also, check out the daily à Kempis tweets.