Löhe on Philippians 1:9

Posted on October 30, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

st PaulAnd this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight. (Phi 1:9 NIV)

The love of the congregation in Philippi was special and outstanding. The love they had towards God and the Lord Jesus Christ, which was demonstrated also in their love towards his apostle and missionary St. Paul. Yet the congregation was still far off from being perfect in the knowledge and depth of insight. That is why the Apostle prays for this growth and increase even as he links it to their existing love and divine affection. This love is to guide the Philippians as they grow in insight and knowledge, yes, as they are sensitised to the workings of the Holy Spirit in their midst and beyond.

Dear and most beloved God, let your spirit of love dwell amongst us most abundantly so that even the most trying and sad experiences will not make us despondent, rather encourage us to be even more faithful and merciful never tiring to hope and to believe. Purify our love from all self-centeredness, false prejudice, blindness so that we live holy and sanctified lives pleasing to you. Amen. (P.Wurster)

Renew me, O eternal Light, And let my heart and soul be bright, Illumined with the light of grace That issues from your holy face.

Remove the power of sin from me And cleanse all my impurity That I may have the strength and will Temptations of the flesh to still.

Create in me a new heart, Lord, That gladly I obey your Word. Let what you will be my desire, And with new life my soul inspire.

Grant that I only you may love And seek those things which are above Till I behold you face to face, O Light eternal, through your grace. (Johann Friedrich Ruopp, 1672-1708 tr August Crull 1845-1923)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Thursday after the twenty second Sunday after the high holiday of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 373 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 30th October 2013

Posted on October 30, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

sowetoDo not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you. (Pro 3:29 NIV)

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. (1Co 13:4 NIV)

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Neues aus der Mission: “Please – not so loud!”

Posted on October 29, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Ntsimako„Please – not so loud“ Response to Dean Tsimako preaching in the SELK at the Missionfestival in Widdershausen/Obersuhl. This is what was publicized by SELK News about his work there:

Heringen-Widdershausen, 29.10.2013 – selk – „Lange stand das Schlagzeug unbenutzt auf der Empore. Jetzt kam es zum Missionsfestgottesdienst wieder zum Einsatz – wunderbar!“, freut sich Pfarrer i.R. Reinhold Schimmelpfennig über die musikalische Unterstützung von Tobias Reiter (Obersuhl) an den Drums: Am 26. und 27. Oktober feierte der Pfarrbezirk Widdershausen/Obersuhl der Selbständigen Evangelisch-Lutherischen Kirche (SELK) sein Missionsfest. „Wir freuen uns, dass wir Missionar Buka Tsimako aus Botswana samt Familie und Missionsdirektor Roger Zieger als Gäste gewinnen konnten“, berichtet Gemeindeglied Michael Volkmar aus Obersuhl.

Höhepunkt war der gemeinsame Festgottesdienst des Pfarrbezirks. Aber weder Posaunenchor noch Orgel oder Schlagzeug waren an diesem Sonntag in der St. Thomaskirche (Widdershausen) zu laut. Vielmehr provozierte die Predigt von Missionar Tsimako eine Hörerin zu der seltenen Reaktion aus den hinteren Kirchenbänken: „Please – not so loud“.

„Der braucht kein Mikro. Wirklich eine besondere Erfahrung: Mit was für einer Leidenschaft und Lautstärke dieser Mann predigt – enorm“, zeigte sich die Hörerin nach dem Gottesdienst beeindruckt. Übersetzt wurde die Predigt von Roger Zieger, die Gottesdienstleitung lag in den Händen von Pfarrvikar Benjamin Anwand.

Nach dem Gottesdienst folgten viele der etwa 100 Gottesdienstgäste der Einladung zum gemeinsamen Brunch und füllten den Gemeindesaal in Widdershausen bis auf den letzten Platz.

Aber auch die Kollektenteller füllten sich an diesem Wochenende. Über 8.000 Euro zählte der Rendant am Ende des Missionsfestes als Kollekte für die Arbeit der Lutherischen Kirchenmission (LKM) der SELK.

Zusätzlich stand der Tag auch im Zeichen der Bausteinsammlung (http://www.bausteinsammlung.de) für die Modernisierungs- und Sanierungsmaßnahmen am Missionshaus der LKM in Bleckmar (Kreis Celle). „Fröhlich angepriesen von den Konfirmanden kauften die Gemeindeglieder und Festgäste fast alle Bausteine auf. Schön, dass das Fest auch in dieser Hinsicht einen gelungen Beitrag zur weiteren Arbeit der Lutherischen Kirchenmission leisten kann“, so Anwand.

„Neben der finanziellen Unterstützung steht für uns als Mission aber vor allem eins im Mittelpunkt solcher Fest: dass die Mission in unseren Gemeinden wieder ein Gesicht bekommt und solche Feste dazu helfen, dass sich Gemeinden mit der Mission identifizieren können“, erklärt LKM-Missionsdirektor Roger Zieger (Bleckmar/Berlin).

Dazu trug auch der gut besuchte Gemeindeabend am Samstag in Obersuhl bei. Dort berichtete Missionar Buka Tsimako vor über 50 Gästen von der Arbeit in den lutherischen Gemeinden in Botswana. Auch seine Frau Doreen Tsimako kam zu Wort. Sie erzählte von ihrem Engagement als Krankenschwester in Botswana, vor allem vom Kampf gegen Aids.
——————–
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© SELK 2013
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There are volunteers outside the church too …

Posted on October 29, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

bob woodwardFound this in today’s “Fact of the Day” in the “Daily Maverick”: Who says the best don’t come cheap? Bob Woodward is one of the most famous journalists in the world. His reporting into the Watergate scandal, alongside colleague Carl Bernstein, earned him a Pulitzer Prize and brought down a government. Robert Redford played him in a movie. He still works at the Washington Post, where he began his career, receiving for his services the princely sum of $25 per month. That’s not a typo. A few years ago, aware of the paper’s precarious financial situation, Woodward offered to work essentially for free – and the paper gratefully accepted. Woodward earns enough from his books and speaking engagements to make this possible, and will continue the arrangement under the Post’s new owner, Jeff Bezos. “He’s worth every penny,” joked Bezos.

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Löhe on Philippians 1:7

Posted on October 29, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

rembrandt-saint-paul-in-prisonIt is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. (Phi 1:7 NIV)

As the apostle St. Paul was writing this letter to the Philippians, he was imprisoned in Rome. In this serious situation the remembrance of the Philippian congregation and the other Churches in Macedonia was very comforting to him, because they were sharing the partnership in the gospel. They shared the same faith and confession even as they shared similar discriminations and persecutions for their Christian confidence. St. Paul knew that he was not alone in this calamity, but that his brethren were sharing this very same fate and that they too were bearing it with patience and joy for Christ’s sake. That is why they were in his very heart and the love which he had towards them, gave rise to the strongest hope of all the best in and through them. This hope is a singular matter. Not all people are Philippians and not all stay and remain in the partnership of the gospel, not all are shareholders of the faith either. Some fall by the wayside, some forsake their Christian hope, others get lost on the way. Yet God would that all people be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. (1.Tim.2,4) Yet people, people would not listen! Their opposition, their unwillingness, their unfaithfulness is the reason why Jesus Christ cries and weeps outside of Jerusalem. Therefore test yourself! Don’t kill off the hope that is in you. Cling to the Lord and plead him to strengthen and keep you in the saving faith – now and always.

Lord Jesus Christ! Receive our prayers that we bring before you. Direct our paths to life according to your will and commandments. Sanctify our souls, purify our bodies, guide our thoughts, consecrate our senses and save us from all sorrow and trouble. Keep and preserve us by your holy angels so that we may be protected against all evil and remain unified with you in the true and saving faith. To you be all thanks and praise now and forever. Amen. (W.Löhe)

1.  Entrust your days and burdens To God’s most loving hand; He cares for you while ruling The sky, the sea, the land. For He who guides the tempests Along their thund’rous ways Will find for you a pathway And guide you all your days.

2.  Rely on God your Savior And find your life secure. Make His work your foundation That your work may endure. No anxious thought, no worry, No self-tormenting care Can win your Father’s favor; His heart is moved by prayer.

3.  Take heart, have hope, my spirit, And do not be dismayed; God helps in ev’ry trial And makes you unafraid. Await His time with patience Through darkest hours of night Until the sun you hoped for Delights your eager sight.

4.  Leave all to His direction; His wisdom rules for you In ways to rouse your wonder     At all His love can do. Soon He, His promise keeping, With wonder-working pow’rs         Will banish from your spirit What gave you troubled hours.

5.  O blessed heir of heaven, You’ll hear the song resound Of endless jubilation When you with life are crowned. In your right hand your maker Will place the victor’s palm, And you will thank Him gladly With heaven’s joyful psalm.

6.  Our hands and feel, Lord, strengthen With joy our spirits bless Until we see the ending Of all our life’s distress. And so throughout our lifetime Keep us within Your care And at our end then bring us To heav’n to praise You there. (Paul Gerhard 1607-1676 tr F. Samuel Janzow 1913-2001)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Tuesday after the twenty second Sunday after the high holiday of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 371 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 29th October 2013

Posted on October 29, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

SolomonAnd you acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. (1Ch 28:9 NIV)

The Lord said to St. Paul: “I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me.” (Act 26:16 NIV)

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Löhe on Philippians 1:6

Posted on October 28, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

DSC_0051I – apostle St. Paul – am confident of this, that the triune God, who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Phi 1:6 NIV)

It is quite obvious that God has started a good work amongst the Philippians. This positive history encourages us as we are looking into the future. Without any doubt it is of the most crucial and vital concern that we remain in the partnership of the gospel until the very end. It this partnership should cease it would spell disaster and that day would be the worst day of our life. For if we would no longer partake in the gospel the very waters of eternal salvation and the blessed life in Jesus Christ would cease flowing and his very hand of grace, mercy and love would be thus withdrawn. Yet for those, who have tasted how friendly our most holy God is and who have come to share this living partnership with the gospel and with the living God himself, we have the confidence that they will remain in this partnership due to his faithfulness and goodness. The godly blessing and divine perseverance encourages us to retain this hopefulness even under great duress. The apostle St. Paul puts his hope and confidence for the final completion of the Philippians not so much on their good head-start, but rather on the faithfulness of the Lord, who began this good work in them in the first place. Trusting in him, we are confident that the end will be good and salvific too: I am confident of this, that he, who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Phi 1:6 NIV) Whoever remains faithful until then, has won. The Lord’s help until then means victory and completion and eternal salvation.

Faithful God and Father, you have started your good work amongst us. We are grateful for that and we praise you for this daily. Let this good work now continue to flourish to the honour of your holy name. Bless the good work of parents and teachers. Let your holy Word bear abundant fruit in the pastoral service amongst the ill, the youth, the lost and confused, but also amongst the healthy, prosperous and faithful. Strengthen and complete your most precious work in each one of us. You only can do it. Amen. (P.Wurster)

1 Our God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home:

2 Beneath the shadow of thy throne thy saints have dwelt secure; sufficient is thine arm alone, and our defense is sure.

3 Before the hills in order stood, or earth received its frame, from everlasting thou art God, to endless years the same.

4 A thousand ages in thy sight are like an evening gone, short as the watch that ends the night before the rising sun.

5 Time, like an ever rolling stream, bears all our years away; they fly forgotten, as a dream dies at the opening day.

6 Our God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, be thou our guard while life shall last, and our eternal home. (Isaac Watts, 1674-1748)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Monday after the twenty second Sunday after the high holiday of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 369 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 28th October 2013

Posted on October 28, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

St Paul iconAnswer me, LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again. (1Ki 18:37 NIV)

St. Paul writes: “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.” (Col 1:9 NIV)

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Löhe on Philippians 1:3-5

Posted on October 27, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

DSC_0179I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. (Phi 1:3-5 NIV)

This is quite an approach against all of us, who wouldn’t even be able to say that they have done that for their most beloved fellow kin, whereas St. Paul does it even for the entire congregation in Philippi. He emphasizes that he joyfully prays for them all and that in every prayer for them, this prayer mounds into joyful gratitude. To pray in this way – often, joyfully, gratefully – that was the big strength and virtue of the apostle St. Paul. Do we pray joyfully for others – even entire congregations? Do we pray often and does our prayer mound into words of thanks and gratitude? Who of us would have the good conscience to admit this? Most often we are so weak and poor with regards to prayer – especially if it is for others and where gratefulness is concerned. We compare poorly with the apostle. How will this fare even further if we realize the reason for the apostles gratitude? He is grateful for their “partnership in the gospel”. This is the reason for the apostle to rejoice and give thanks and praise to the Lord of the Church. This very fact we most often take for granted like the air we breathe. This partnership in the gospel is obviously a very high and precious gift and treasure for the Church and all its people. This partnership in the gospel is actually the partnership with God too. As we pray it is appropriate that we don’t overlook this partnership in the gospel and with God. It is something he has blessed our Churches and congregations with too – and in most abundant measure.

O Lord God you have called and justified your people. We are to trust in your faithfulness and wait for your grace always as we receive wonderful gifts and treasures from your fatherly goodness. You are our light, strength and gracious Father. Grant that we remain grateful for your grace and mercy – especially for the partnership in your most holy gospel and forgiving presence. Amen. (Hermann Bezzel)

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. (Thomas Ken, 1637-1711)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for the twenty second Sunday after the high holiday of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 369 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 Sunday, the 27th October 2013

Posted on October 27, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

walkways and bywaysThen you will remember your ways … and when I make atonement for you for all you have done, you will remember and be ashamed … declares the Sovereign LORD. ‘” (Eze 16:61.63 NIV)

Or do you not know that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? (Rom 2:4 KJV)

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