The power of Influence

"Blessed is the influence of one true, loving human soul on another." - George Eliot

Is there someone who has influenced your life? It could be from a spiritual perspective, or someone who has influenced your career, sport or even your hobby? Influence is such a powerful thing and we should never underestimate it.

Reflecting on Thomas a Kempis' "The Imitation of Christ" I can see how he influenced John Wesley in many ways. One of the things which Wesley introduced was an Annual Covenant service, where Christians we encouraged to renew their commitment to Jesus. The words of the Covenant prayer are profound and challenging, but I ask you to read these words from Thomas a Kempis and spot the similarity with the Covenant prayer.

"Do with me whatever you choose, because it can only be good. If you want me to be in darkness, I will bless you; if you want me to be in light, I will bless you again. If I am comforted, I will be grateful; and If I am afflicated, I will be equally grateful...

... for you sake, I will gladly bear what I must, wherever it may be. I will accept good and evil, sweet and bitter, joy and sorrow, and for all of it I will give you thanks."

So, as you go about your tasks today, stop and think what influence you may have on someone else. We just never know what we may pass on to someone else.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

You are right!

How often have you cared to admit that someone else may be right and we may be wrong? It is not an easy thing to admit that we are wrong, but we can't always be right. In fact, it borders on pride, if we are never humble enough to admit we may have got something wrong.

In his short reflection on 'Trusting God', Thomas a Kempis, writes:

"Lord, You are right. You care about me more than I care about myself."

There are times that we fall into a trap of believing that God doesn't care about us or that God doesn't know better, but that is incorrect. God does love us and God wants to lead us into paths that are best for us. We just need to learn to say, "Lord, I trust you and you are right!"

Read: Matthew 6 as a reminder that God takes care of us.

Living in Grace
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Monday Morning Prayer

I was given a copy of this prayer for a Monday Morning and I think it is brilliant. There are so many lines in the prayer that are worth thinking about, perhaps even praying ourselves. Enjoy and please pass it on.

"It's Monday morning again, Lord,
another week in view.
Please help me do the best I can
and walk along with you.
Whatever's around the corner, lord,
Just somewhere out of sight,
Help me to meet it cheerfully
And seek your guiding light.

The weekend goes so quickly, Lord,
And Monday's always near.
I think there must be more of them
All scattered through the year.
Please teach me to be patient, Lord,
And find the strength I seek.
It's Monday morning yet again...
Go with me through the week." - Iris Hesselden

Living in Grace
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P.S. My thanks to Neville for sending this prayer to me.

How to pray...

Often when we pray for things we need, we are caught in a dilemma. We may feel a little awkward asking for these things and wonder if God is willing to respond to these prayers. On the other hand, we know that God has invited us to bring our requests to him. So, this is why I like Thomas a Kempis' comments on this topic.

"My child, this is the way to pray:
'Lord, if it is pleasing to you, fulfill my request. 
If this will honour you, let it be done in your name.
If it is good for me, grant that I may use it for your honour.
But, if you know that it will hurt me, take the desire away from me.'"

This is a balance prayer. It is prayed with faith, but also with the humility to recognise that what I want, may not be what God wants.

What do you think?
Compare this prayer with Jesus words in Matthew 21:22: - 
 

"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

And Paul's words in  Ephesians 6:18: - 
 

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people."

Living in Grace
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IF

"If you abandon us, we sink and perish;
but if you come to us, we are raised up and we live.
We are unstable, but you make us stand firm;
we are cold, but you inspire us." - Thomas a Kempis

We can sometimes go crazy asking the "what if" questions....
"What if" this happens or "what if" that happens."IF" can be such an uncertain word.

We can never know what tomorrow holds for us, but we can know a few things for certain:

• God loves us
• God wants to make us whole
• God knows us
• God cares for us
• God speaks to us

"...if God comes to us, we are raised up and live!"

Now, that is something worth giving thanks for.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

What do you have to complain about?

It was this question that got me thinking today?

"What do you have to complain about?" (Thomas a Kempis)

Of course I have a few things that I feel I could complain about right now (and I am sure you do also):
The poor service delivery in our city.
The weakening Rand.
The political situation in our country.
Bad drivers.
Rising cost of living.

My leaking roof!
______________ (you fill the space)

But then it struck me - do I really need to complain about all these things? How blessed I am in so many other areas. Sure, there are many things wrong in our city and country, but there are loads of great things that we could celebrate.

In a spiritual sense, we are greatly blessed by God's mercy and grace. God could complain about us on so many levels. God could create an endless list of the ways I mess up everyday. He could call it: "The Thousand ways Delme messed up today!"
And if he kept score, then I would be damned - pure and simple! I would stand no chance. But thankfully God offers me grace instead of judgement. I am a blessed man.

Thomas a Kempis adds, "If you were to receive what you earned, you would be condemned to hell. But I have spared you because you are precious to me. I want you to know my love."

Worth thinking about!

Living in Grace
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Peace

"O Lord, my God, I know that patience is necessary for me because many things disturb me every day. No matter what plans I make to keep myself at peace, I cannot avoid life's struggle and sorrow." - Thomas a Kempis

Life is a struggle. We will have difficulties and challenges, but the only one who can give us peace is Jesus. Turn to the Lord today and may His spirit bring you peace.

Living in Grace
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