Happy Thanksgiving to our American friends!

Posted on November 28, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Running-ostrichHopefully you are together with your families and having a wonderful time. We give thanks for you and your great friendship too + Like always the issue really is about whether you can catch the bird and cook it – or if it just keep’s getting away!

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Löhe on 2. Thessalonians 1:7

Posted on November 28, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

last_judgement_brugge_largeAnd to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels. (2Th 1:7 KJV)

The Lord is hidden from view right now. Still he’s going to reveal himself together with his angels in power, might and glory to finally bring justice and righteousness to victorious culmination. The righteous judgement of the Lord will set the records straight and all things right. Because we live so entirely from God’s mercy and grace, it’s easy to overlook and forget about God’s justice. God deals so merciful with us, that we tend to push his justice onto the backburner of insignificance.  Yet it is an abbreviated and far from perfect perspective. From the cross on Golgotha until the coming very last Judgement Day Church history is a wonderful order of both – justice and mercy. Even if they are such grand opposites, they both are part of the wonderful will of God as revealed in his holy Word. His praises are sung as the God, who is merciful and just! We, who strive for Christian perfection in holiness and sanctity should strive to clothe ourselves in God’s mercy and pray continuously for righteousness and justice. In this two-fold orientation we will understand this profound word of the apostle that he addressed to the Thessalonians.   Amen.

Oh merciful Father! There is a lot of evil on the run in this world and such much trouble afflicts your holy Church here on earth. That is why we pray to you and ask for help and support for your Church. Grant us respite in all suffering, fight against the arrogant assaults of our enemies and foes of your congregation. Come soon o Lord, so that we enter the eternal kingdom, that you have prepared for us from the very beginning. Amen. (Wilhelm Löhe)

Fight the good fight with all thy might; Christ is thy Strength, and Christ thy Right; Lay hold on life, and it shall be Thy joy and crown eternally. (John S.B. Monsell, 1811-1875)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Thursday after the twenty sixth Sunday after the high holiday of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 401 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.

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Herrenhuter readings for Thursday, the 28th November 2013

Posted on November 28, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Jesus Christ the risen LordThe living God – he rescues and he saves. (Dan 6:27 NIV) And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world. (1Jo 4:14 NIV)

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Löhe on 2. Thessalonians 1:6

Posted on November 27, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

DSC_0006Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you… (2Th 1:6 KJV)

To suffer for Christ’s sake is sure indication of God’s present and impeding judgements. If we go through such sufferings, they hardly ever strike us as honourable and glorious. Neither do we normally react to them as joyfully as did the apostles of old, who deemed it a privilege that they had been considered worthy to suffer hardship for Christ’s sake. Mostly we accept such afflictions as God’s righteous judgement and punishment over our sins. Yet we should not forget to view them rather as an honour and sure sign of election by our heavenly father, who has called us to follow the way of our Lord Jesus Christ. We should be elevated by this high calling and not be put off by them. On the other side we should also be humbled, because contrary to our Lord we always suffer as such, who have richly deserved this agonizing and painful fate. Thus we are both elevated and humbled, made big and small simultaneously and in this way our heart is most aptly prepared to accept God’s guidance and providence faithfully and patiently. Present and even harsh judgement sanctifies and purifies us and our lives, whereas the enemies of Christ will finally succumb to be eternally condemned. Amen.

Lord, our God, we know that your congregations and Church is required to bear your cross. This also serves us that we don’t become arrogant and haughty. You have promised, that you would not leave her destitute or alone as orphans in all her afflictions. Therefore grant us a time of reprieve. Do this, that all the world will recognize that your people are not forsaken, but that their faith and trust in you does not put anyone to shame lastingly. If we are afflicted on account of your most holy name, grant that we will be joyful and brave in the ways of confessional faithfulness trusting that you will not forsake us, but rather deliver us from all evil for your name’s sake when the time is right and in the ways you deem best. Amen.

1 Lord of our life and God of our salvation, Star of our night and Hope of ev’ry nation: Hear and receive Your Church’s supplication, Lord God Almighty.

2 See round Your ark the hungry billows curling; See how Your foes their banners are unfurling. And with great spite their fiery darts are hurling, O Lord, preserve us.

3 Lord, be our light when worldly darkness veils us; Lord, be our shield when earthly armor fails us; And in the day when hell itself assails us, Grant us Your peace, Lord:

4 Peace in our hearts, where sinful thoughts are raging, Peace in Your Church, our troubled souls assuaging, Peace when the world its endless war is waging, Peace in Your heaven. (Matthäus Alles von Löwenstern 1594-1648 tr Philip Pusey 1799-1855)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Wednesday after the twenty sixth Sunday after the high holiday of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 400 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.

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Herrenhuter readings for Wednesday, the 27th November 2013

Posted on November 27, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

IX the judge“The LORD reigns for ever and ever.” (Exo 15:18 NIV) and Jesus said: “All things have been committed to me by my Father.”  (Luk 10:22 NIV)

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Löhe on 2. Thessalonians 1:5

Posted on November 26, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

VCrown©2010All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. (2Th 1:5 NIV)

The Thessalonians were discriminated against and persecuted by both Jews and Gentiles. The pagans were normally agreeable to acknowledge all religions as long as they too were tolerated as one of the many options in the pluralistic polytheism of that time. However faced by the exclusive intolerance of the Christian faith they objected and started to hound the Christians in what was to become one of the worst persecutions of the early Church.  The Jews too initially accepted the Christian way as a Jewish sect – at least as long as the temple was in place and the Christians worshipped there too. Yet the Pauline clarification of “only by grace”, “only through Christ” and “only by faith” was offensive to the Jews. This opposition caused the conflict in Thessalonica. As the congregation sided more openly with St. Paul, the opposition became more and more aggressive. They tried to oppose him wherever he spread the saving gospel. They tried to destroy all Christian congregations and Church plantings by the apostle. The Christians were earnestly reprimanded to suffer willingly and not to resort to violence or any armed struggle, but rather to commit their lot to God, who judges righteously and does not neglect his people – even in the most severe affliction. Amen.

1 Christ is the world’s Redeemer, The lover of the pure, The fount of heav’nly wisdom, Our trust and hope secure, The armor of His soldiers, The Lord of earth and sky; Our health while we are living, Our life when we shall die.

2 Christ has our host surrounded With clouds of martyrs bright, Who wave their palms in triumph And fire us for the fight. This Christ the cross ascended To save a world undone, And, suff’ring for the sinful, Our full redemption won.

3 Glory to God the Father, The unbegotten One; All honor be to Jesus, His sole begotten Son, And to the Holy Spirit– The perfect Trinity. Let all the worlds give answer: Amen! So let it be. (Columba 521-597 tr Duncan MacGregor 1854-1923.)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Tuesday after the twenty sixth Sunday after the high holiday of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 399 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.

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Herrenhuter readings for Tuesday, the 26th November 2013

Posted on November 26, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Arme WitweOne person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. (Pro 11:24 NIV) and Then Jesus said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” (Luk 12:15 NIV)

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Löhe on 2. Thessalonians 1:3

Posted on November 25, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

After church in Pella this morningWe ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. (2Th 1:3 NIV)

This is the apostolic thanksgiving for the spiritual condition of the congregation and Church in Thessalonica. God has wonderfully answered his prayers penned down in his first letter to this congregation. The reason for his gratitude is threefold: Faith, love and patience. St. Paul is praising this church most highly. The growth of this congregation in spiritual gifts and Christian virtues was reason enough for him to thank God most elaborately. The Church joins the apostle in this thanksgiving if it intones with the pastor leading them in the liturgy of the Lord’s supper: It is truly meet, right and salutary that we should in all time and in all places give thanks to thee, O Lord. The apostle gives thanks for growth and expansion of the congregation. It is appropriate for a congregation to grow and not remain static year-in, year-out. Like everything alive, a congregation ought to grow. St. Paul even attests: Your faith is growing more and more and your love is increasing. Must we sink our heads in shame for our lack of growth in faith and love? Or can we join him in his thanksgiving for God’s good gifts and mercies showered upon us and our Church? Amen.

Lord God, Father in heaven, King and master of the Church! We fall down before you and acknowledge your grace and never-ending mercy. We are but poor creatures. You want to enrich and empower us by your divine love. We are but sinful people. You want to grant us your overwhelming grace. We are migrant pilgrims, wandering around in the vale of death. You want to give us your peace and eternal rest. O Lord, let us remain in the company of the saints, where your blessings abound. Free us from ourselves, that we don’t remain fixed on our own abilities and strengths, but rather expect all from you. Grant us growth in your Son Jesus Christ, he our head and our everything. Amen.  (A. Stöcker)

Preserve your Word and preaching. The truth that makes us whole, The mirror of your glory, The power that saves the soul. Oh, may this living water, This dew of heavenly grace, Sustain us while here living Until we see your face.

Preserve in wave and tempest Your storm-tossed little flock; Assailed by wind and weather, May it endure each shock. Stand at the helm, our pilot, And set the course aright; Then we will reach the harbour In your eternal light. (Andreas Gryphius 1616-1664 tr David Spaiser LW 337)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for the twenty sixth Sunday after the high holiday of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 397 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.

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Herrenhuter readings for Monday, the 25th November 2013

Posted on November 25, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Ascension-of-our-Lord-God-and-Saviour-Jesus-Christ1Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death. (Psa 68:20 NIV) and Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. (Heb 4:14 NIV)

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Come Lord Jesus, come soon +

Posted on November 24, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

DSC_0067Preaching in Nhlangano, Swaziland was a great privilege and joyful pleasure. Attentive listeners and an avid translator in Mr. Jabulani Mdluli were part of the mix. It’s a pity that the Zulu translation of this sermon on St. Mark 13:31-37 is not quite as audible as my loud voice – but we’ll all get over that (I hope): 

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