Löhe on 1.Corinthians 1:9

Posted on October 5, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Der Mond is aufgegangenGod is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1Co 1:9 NIV)

All spiritual gifts and graces are found solely in Jesus Christ. Outside of him and without him there is no spiritual fulfillment nor true salvation. Whoever is called by the triune God to believe in Jesus Christ as his only Lord and Saviour can rejoice and be grateful, because God is faithful and surely keeps his promises. The Lord himself is preparing you by his gracious means to his goal of complete harmony and union with him on that day, when he will be all in all and his glory will be manifest forever. Trust in his faithfulness. Confide in his goodness. Give thanks to him for all the grace, mercy, love and peace he has bestowed so richly on you through his Son Jesus Christ – our Lord and God. Go forward with confidence and gratitude. Continue to the very end. Experience his goodness and mercy that are new every morning. The more you enjoy, the more be grateful and sing his praises more and more.

Lord, another day and week are coming to a close. We approach you, the eternal God, who knows no change or faltering in your good will and loving resolve for us and your Church even as we pass in daily rhythm from light to darkness and night to day again.  We commit this week back into your merciful hands. Forgive were we failed, heal all shortcomings and hurting wounds. We are tired by the ever quickening pace of life. We long for your uncreated light of eternity. Lord, we thank you that you carry us in forbearance and mercy. We thank you that you are leading us to your everlasting peace. We thank you that tomorrow is your day. Let our souls rest in you. Grant that we may hear your voice clearly. Lord, forgive us, save us, strengthen and prepare us. Our hope is in you. You guide us safe and surely according to your absolute will. You will bring us to perfection. We praise you o Father of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. You are the God of all goodness and our most blessed refuge of safety and tranquility. We praise and thank you now and forever. Amen.

1. Christ, mighty Savior,  Light of all creation, you make the daytime radiant with the sunlight and to the night give glittering adornment, stars in the heavens.

2. 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.

3. 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.

 4. 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.

5. Though bodies slumber, hearts shall keep their vigil, forever resting in the peace of Jesus, in light or darkness worshiping our Savior now and forever. (Latin 7th Century tr Alan McDougall 1895-1964)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Saturday after the eighteenth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 347 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 Saturday, the 5th October 2013

Posted on October 5, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Seminary tapistryThou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. (Psa 23:5 KJV)

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: (Col 1:12 KJV)

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My grannies birthday

Posted on October 4, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

DSC_0025 (2)One hundred and two years ago my grandmother (Oma) Marianne was born.

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Lutheran Order of service in isiZulu/seTswana

Posted on October 4, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Codex_Aureus_-_Healing_Of_The_ParalyticThe Lutheran Order of Service for this years 19th Sunday after the high holiday of the most holy Trinity is available here in isiZulu and seTswana. Today it comes with a sermon based on God’s holy word from the gospel of the apostle St. John in the 5th chapter verses 1-16 by in isiZulu (wt1349131006 n Tr 19) by Rev. J.T. Nkambule (LC Ncotshane, MP)and another one by  Rev. Mkhabela (LC Gamalakhe, KZN) translated as usual into seTswana (wt1349131006 n Tr 19) by my father Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD (Welbedacht, KZN).

The readings for this Sunday are:

Old Testament:       Exodus 34, 4-10

The Epistle:            Ephesians 4, 22-32

The Gospel:            Mark 2, 1-12

The liturgical colour is green.

The collect: O almighty and most merciful God, of Thy bountiful goodness keep us, we beseech Thee, from all things that may hurt us, that we, being ready, both in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those things that Thou wouldst have done; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Spirit now and forever. Amen. (The Lutheran Hymnal Pg. 80)

May you have a very blessed weekend and have time to meditate on the watchword for the Sunday: Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved (Jer 17:14 NIV) – and if you are called to preach this weekend, may the triune God give you joy and strength, enthusiasm and wisdom, knowledge and insight – and the true words and pictures to preach his holy will purely and his promises faithfully! However if you are not preaching, but listening – then listen as if God is talking to you + His precious gospel is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” (Rom 1:16 NIV)

We thank the Lutheran Heritage Foundation for supporting the distribution of hard-copies of these orders of worship and sermons throughout Southern Africa. If you also want a copy please do not hesitate to subscribe by writing to EAWWeber@bundunet.co.za.

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Löhe on 1.Corinthians 1:8

Posted on October 4, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

last-judgement-giotto-di-bondoneHe will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1Co 1:8 NIV)

The Church in Corinth was rich in spiritual gifts and blessings. Their joy was to be complete and fulfilled at the return of their Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Could this joyful anticipation be lost? Or is our spiritual condition such, that we face no danger of loss or disruption of such hopeful expectation? Is not even our most ardent hope in danger of withering like the green pastures that receive no rain or invigorating dew? Off course these are just rhetorical questions. That is why even the most blessed and happy Christian takes good care to confirm and solidify his gracious calling. Everybody who has not reached the final destination can fall victim to fear and anxiety, despair and loss of faith. That is why we seek further and look for the wonderful gift of permanence and endurance. This coincides entirely with the endurance of our ongoing repentance, faith and sanctification and therefore on our spiritual condition by God’s grace and calling. As we look forward to his glorious coming, we also focus on him as the author and perfector of our faith – throughout the various stages of our life as we move closer and closer to him and our final destination – meeting him face to face. On his behalf and in his stead the holy Apostle St. Paul comforts and strengthens us and our Christian faith and hope: The triune God will keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Oh merciful Lord, our heavenly God and Father, we humbly pray in the name of our most gracious savior Jesus Christ: Strengthen and keep our weak faith, prevent our hope from fading and strengthen our love for you and all people as we wait for your glorious return to judge the living and the dead. Grant in your goodness that we will be found faithful.  Amen. (Arper-Zillessen)

Preserve your Word, O Savior, To us this latter day, And let your kingdom flourish; Enlarge your Church, we pray. Oh, keep our faith from failing; Keep hope’s bright star aglow. Let nothing from truth turn us While living here below.

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. (Andreas Gryphius, 1616-1664 tr William J. Schaefer, 1891-1976)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Friday after the eighteenth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 346 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 Friday, the 4th October 2013

Posted on October 4, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Peace makersThose who promote peace have joy. (Pro 12:20 NIV)

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. (Heb 12:14 NIV)

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Löhe on 1.Corinthians 1:7

Posted on October 3, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

ascension 1Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. (1Co 1:7 NIV)

Wherever God’s grace rules, where his Word sounds clearly, his light shines and enlightens and his divine conviction dwells in hearts, minds and lives of people – there you have all the conditions for a prosperous and flourishing life. Even if the holy Apostle does not at this place enumerate or mention the spiritual gifts in detail, he still shows us the way, how this wealth and richness can be achieved. We just need to find grace, word, enlightenment and confirmation. We may well ask if the blessed and well-off Corinthians did not have anything more to wish for. If these Christians are so blessed with spiritual gifts, do they still miss something or desire even more? Yes, there is still something outstanding and that is only to be had in the future. It is not there to grab and enjoy. Without doubt this future will bring to the children of God glory and gratification that will by far outstrip their keenest expectations: as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. (1Co 1:7 NIV) The glorious, triumphant exultation of our Lord at the culmination of all history, time and space is the goal of all apostolic desire and hope. That is the Christian hope as such. This fulfillment is still outstanding. That’s why the Church is still waiting and she still endures tension. Without this the Church would probably slack down and become complacent and downright lazy.  Spiritual wealth and richness without such vitalizing hope and focus can’t keep people quite happy on their own.

Lord and God, our merciful savior Jesus Christ: We are comforted in your blessed promise that you will come soon and bring us sojourners safely home. We are looking forward to seeing you. Bring us from fear to peace and from this ongoing struggle to experience your victory and triumph with you in eternity – for your eternal faithfulness sake.  Amen. (Arper-Zillessen)

Oh, how blest are they whose toils are ended, Who through death have unto God ascended! They have arisen From the cares which keep us still in prison.

Come, 0 Christ, and loose the chains that bind us; Lead us forth and cast this world behind us. With You, th’Anointed, Finds the soul its joy and rest appointed. (LSB 679: Simon Dach, 1605-1659 tr Henry W. Longfellow, 1807-1892)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Thursday after the eighteenth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 345 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 3rd October 2013

Posted on October 3, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

tugelaBut let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! (Amo 5:24 NIV)

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Rom 12:21 NIV)

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Das Luther-Zitat aus VELKD-INFO

Posted on October 2, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Luther - jung„Es gibt aber drei verschiedene Stufen und alle führen zum Himmel … Die erste ist, nicht zu wandeln im Rat der Gottlosen, d. h. kräftigen Widerstand zu leisten, zurückzufliehen und in den Rat der Frommen zu
gehen […] Die zweite Stufe heißt: nicht auf den Weg der Sünder zu treten, d. h. sich nicht seine eigene Gerechtigkeit zu schaffen, sich nicht zu entschuldigen, sich nicht zu rechtfertigen, sich nicht selbst etwas
zuzuschreiben. Sondern vielmehr sich der Gerechtigkeit Gottes zu stellen und sich ihr zu unterwerfen, ein Bekenntnis abzulegen: grundsätzlich sich selbst anzuklagen, sich selbst zu richten, Gott zu rechtfertigen, Dank zu sagen, bereit zu sein zu hören und stille zu sein, der Meinung und der Mahnung anderer nachzugeben. Das heißt auf dem
Wege der Heiligen stehen. Die Heiligen „stehen“ nämlich, weil sie sich auf Demut und Bekenntnis stützen. Die dritte Stufe besteht darin, nicht Böses zu lehren (d. h. nach Kräften gute Dinge zu lehren).“
Das Zitat bezieht sich auf Psalm 1, 6: „Denn der Herr kennt den Weg der
Gerechten, aber der Gottlosen Werk vergeht.“ und ist entnommen aus: Martin Luther: Erste Vorlesungen über die Psalmen (1513/1515). Gesammelte Werke, hrsg. von Kurt Aland, S. 297-298. Vandenhoeck und Ruprecht, Göttingen,
und Directmedia Publishing.
• Martin Luther schreibt seine Auslegung zum Psalm 1 im Jahre 1513. Dies ist einer der frühen zusammenhängenden Texte, die uns vom Reformator
überliefert sind, und in diesem Jahr genau 500 Jahre zurückliegt. Damit legt es sich auch nahe, seine Auslegung zu Psalm 1 in einen Zusammenhang mit der Dekade „Luther 2017 – 500 Jahre Reformation“ zu bringen.
• Die drei Stufen zum Himmel entsprechen drei Aspekten ein- und derselben Bewegung: Sie negieren gängige Schemata des Glaubens und Verhaltens und eröffnen damit einen zunächst unvermessenen Bereich alternativer Möglichkeiten. Die Deutung Luthers nimmt die Logik eines
Entweder-oder des Palms auf.
• Als erste Stufe empfiehlt Luther unter anderem „Widerstand zu leisten“. Darin spiegelt sich ein Verhalten in der Wendung nach außen, ein Schritt gegen die Vereinnahmung oder eine leichtfüßige Stromlinienförmigkeit.
Der erste Schritt dient der Positionierung des eigenen Lebens.
• In der zweiten Stufe stellt Luther die eigene, menschliche Gerechtigkeit gegen die Gerechtigkeit Gottes. Von dorther sind Werke oder Leistungen des Menschen im Hinblick auf seinen Wert vor Gott ausgeschlossen. Der Glaubende ist Glaubender allein durch Gottes Gerechtigkeit. Er deutet
die Weisung in Richtung einer „mystischen“ Bereitschaft zum „Lassen“ und beschreibt damit die Haltung gegenüber Gott.
• Die dritte Stufe schließlich beschreibt die Grundeinstellung gegenüber dem Anderen und kann mit der Auslegung Luthers zum achten Gebot resümiert werden: „Wir sollen Gott fürchten und lieben, dass wir unsern Nächsten nicht belügen, verraten, verleumden oder seinen Ruf verderben, sondern sollen ihn entschuldigen, Gutes von ihm reden und alles zum Besten kehren.“
Dr. Eberhard Blanke (Pressesprecher der VELKD)

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VELKD Update

Posted on October 2, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

VELKDThe latest VELKD update: http://www.velkd.de/downloads/VELKD-Informationen-Nr_141_download.pdf

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