For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you. (Deu 4:31 NIV)
For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. (Heb 2:17 NIV)
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Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Eph 5:20 KJV)It is the apostle’s wish that the entire life be filled with gratitude, song and praise towards God. If that principle would come to fruition all base coarseness and rudeness that try to prevent things being good, noble and beautiful from thriving amongst us would be set back quite severely. It would also combat the primitive tradition of following the most animalistic passions. Just listen to the daily banter and chit-chat. What’s being discussed? Many get their words and thoughts filled from the dirty gutters and follow even dirtier ways in their mind than what their feet tread on. Some are even ashamed to have elevated thoughts and modes of speech, because they believe that’s a sign of haughty aloofness, whereas wallowing in the mud is to them a sign of being down to earth. It is as if they are rather embarrassed if the Holy Spirit invites them to a holy and heavenly lifestyle. Meantime they should say thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for liberating them from the derogative bondage and vulgar existence. Who would not be keen to be freed in this way and led to a new and noble way of life.
Oh Lord Jesus Christ, free us from the damned illusion that a Christian should continue sinning as if it is normal and the only way. Sensitize our conscience that we are frightened by godlessness and unfaithfulness in our thoughts, words and deeds. Let us strive for holiness, purity and righteousness to which you have saved and freed us through your most precious blood. Amen.
God Himself is present: Let us now adore Him And with awe appear before Him. God is in His temple– All within keep silence, Prostrate lie with deepest reverence. Him alone God we own, Him, our God and Savior; Praise His name forever.
God Himself is present: Hear the harps resounding; See the hosts the throne surrounding! “Holy, holy, holy”– Hear the hymn ascending, Songs of saints and angels blending. Bow Thine ear To us here: Hear, O Christ, the praises That Thy Church now raises.
O Thou Fount of blessing, Purify my spirit, Trusting only in Thy merit. Like the holy angels, Who behold Thy glory, May I ceaselessly adore Thee. Let Thy will Ever still Rule Thy Church terrestrial As the hosts celestial. (Gerhard Tersteegen, 169701769 tr Frederick W. Foster 1760-1835)
This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Friday after the twentieth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 360 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.
You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. (Psa 139:3 NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Phi 4:6 NIV)
Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord. (Eph 5:19 NIV)Wherever we find this spiritual communication of speaking, singing and making music to the Lord, there a prudent lifestyle reigns. Yet some people are plagued by the delusion that God’s Spirit could dim or even obscure a realistic view and perspective on life. That’s a serious misunderstanding which has no grounding in reality and is not found in sober, pious hearts either. Even if there may be people who sing Psalms and hymns while nurturing strange and even crazy ideas, then that is not a result of a holy and spiritual life – on the contrary. We know from the authoritative mouth of the holy Apostle that a proper, decent and orderly Christian lifestyle is promoted and advanced most beneficially through the Holy Spirit and the most holy practices mentioned in this bible verse Eph.5:19. The first Christians were mutually supportive and most obligated to promote each others upliftment, sanctification and edification. Whenever they met, they would let melodious Psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit be heard. This holy music accompanied by strings and other instruments gave voice to their grateful and joyous faith, hope and love. Therefore we should not put down the Holy Spirit wherever he gives rise to such beautiful music and holy tunes. Rather we implore you most earnestly to promote this sanctified practice as a gift of the Holy Spirit, who himself is active and moving in this regard.
Oh Lord Jesus Christ, you are a true master of joy and jubilation too. Fill our hearts with happiness and thankfulness for all the good gifts, which we have received from your bounteous goodness and mercy so that we would continuously sing your praises in Psalms, Hymns and songs of the Holy Spirit thereby edifying the Christian congregation also. Grant that even in misery and hardship we would continue to glorify your wonderful and beautiful name and honour – like Paul and Silas in the prison of Philippi. Grant this in your grace and in fulfilment of your precious promises. Amen.
Sing praise to God, the highest good, The author of creation, The God of love who understood Our need for His salvation. With healing balm our souls He fills And ev’ry faithless murmur stills: To God all praise and glory!
What God’s almighty pow’r has made, In mercy He is keeping. By morning glow or evening shade His eye is never sleeping. Within the kingdom of His might All things are just and good and right: To God all praise and glory!
We sought the Lord in our distress; O God, in mercy hear us. Our Savior saw our helplessness And came with peace to cheer us. For this we thank and praise the Lord, Who is by one and all adored: To God all praise and glory!
He never shall forsake His flock, His chosen generation; He is their refuge and their rock, Their peace and their salvation. As with a mother’s tender hand, He leads His own, His chosen band: To God all praise and glory!
All who confess Christ’s holy name, Give God the praise and glory. Let all who know his pow’r proclaim Aloud the wondrous story. Cast ev’ry idol from its throne, For God is God, and He alone: To God all praise and glory! (J.J. Schütz 1640-1690 tr Frances E.Cox 1812-1897)
This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Thursday after the twentieth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 359 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.
God himself will redeem Israel from all their sins. (Psalm 130:8 NIV)
God exalted Jesus Christ to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. (Act 5:31 NIV)
Confessional sermon on John 15,1-8:
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (Eph 5:18 KJV)The drunkard is not capable of leading a careful and prudent life as a Christian. You don’t need the Holy Spirit to recognize that a drunkard follows a disorderly pattern that ultimately leads to destruction and despair. All Religions and human reason agree that drunkenness is a vice which destroys mans best qualities especially the clear use of reason and human logic and wisdom. Yet even, where through excessive use of alcohol the good use of reason has not yet been totally ruined, you still find shameful misuse, dissipation and debauchery damaging both body and soul. Now one should be able to assume that the commandment of such a plain and disastrous sin would be gladly obeyed and followed – especially considering the obvious evil resulting from it. It would seem that it would be quite unnecessary to point out the devastating consequences of alcohol abuse which brings about so many serious maladies in the individual, but also in society. If even pagans and Muslims can follow the rules of abstinence to avoid the calamities of this abuse, how much more should Christians be able to adhere to a wise utilization of this good gift of God by the power of the Holy Spirit? However our experience shows us otherwise. We are baptized Christians and live under the wholesome influence of God’s holy Word and his blessed Sacraments. There one would assume that the vice of alcohol abuse does not even need to be mentioned. Yet our anniversaries, festivities and parties too often prove the opposite
Oh Lord, our God, be merciful and turn this calamity. Grant a change of heart and lifestyle in our nation and enable us to become quite sober and free from this evil bondage. Help us to live decent and sanctified lives, so that we may avoid all disorderly and messy ways. Let us take good care of our souls and fill them with your Holy Spirit. Protect us in the coming night as we commend ourselves into your fatherly care and blessed protection and safekeeping. Amen.
Christ, mighty Saviour, Light of all creation, you make the daytime radiant with the sunlight and to the night give glittering adornment, stars in the heavens.
Now comes the day’s end as the sun is setting; mirror of daybreak, pledge of resurrection; while in the heavens choirs of stars appearing hallow the nightfall.
Therefore we come now evening rites to offer, joyfully chanting holy hymns to praise you, with all creation joining hearts and voices singing your glory.
Give heed, we pray you, to our supplication; that you may grant us pardon for offenses, strength for our weak hearts, rest for aching bodies, soothing the weary.
Though bodies slumber, hearts shall keep their vigil, forever resting in the peace of Jesus, in light or darkness worshiping our Saviour now and forever. (Latin from the 7th Century tr Alan McDougall 1895-1964)
This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Wednesday after the twentieth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 358 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.
Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back. (Isa 38:17 NIV)
Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (Joh 8:10-11 NIV)
Wilhelm's space 
Political comment: F.W. de Klerk speaking at the 30 Club in London
It is a great pleasure for me to be able to address you on “Africa today and Africa Tomorrow”.
It is an important topic – because whichever way we look at it the future of Africa it will, for better or for worse, have a significant impact on people in the United Kingdom and Europe. Africa could become an increasingly important trading partner and supplier of essential minerals and foods. It could also become a favourite tourist destination and a lucrative market for British and European exports.
However, if the continent fails, it could present Europe with almost insurmountable moral, financial and strategic challenges. The world is still shocked by the deaths of hundreds of Africans – mostly Eritreans – who were drowned when their hopelessly inadequate vessel sank on its way to Italy. But what would happen to Europe’s porous southern borders if there were persistent man-made crises or famines in Africa?
In 2000, at the beginning of the new millennium, South Africa’s President Thabo Mbeki claimed that the 21st century would belong to Africa:
After five hundred years of exploitation and domination by Europe, Africa would finally emerge from the shadows of global affairs and take its rightful place on the world stage.
The World Bank’s response was “Yes, Africa can claim the new century … but this is a qualified yes”. It was “conditional on Africa’s ability – aided by its development partners – to overcome the development traps that kept it confined to a vicious cycle of underdevelopment, conflict, and untold human suffering for most of the 20th century”.
In its lecture to African leaders, the World Bank proposed development strategies that would be focused on:
How has Africa fared since then – and is it still on track to claim the 21st century as the African century?
Read full text of speech HERE.
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