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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Löhe on 1.Corinthians 1:6

Posted on October 2, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

fireworksGod is thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. (1Co 1:6 NIV)

Our thoughts and ideas fly to and fro. There is hardly anything fixed or constant in them. The argumentation for this one are the reasons against for the other. Even those things that seemed quite stable and permanent for a while, begin to shake and move after just a short reprieve. In this constant fluctuation and uncertain foundations our soul is constantly endangered to loose all grounding and firm footing. That is why the word is so true: For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace (Heb 13:9 KJV). This is the best we can hope for our friends – that their hearts be established on the firm foundation of God’s truth and conviction of the biblical revelation. If we have the Word of Jesus Christ and still not come to peace and quiet, it is like a hidden bug gnawing away at our heart and causing us radical distress. We won’t find joyful peace until our heart is firmly anchored in Jesus Christ and his blessed salvation. Through faith in him all fear of calamity and death dissipate and all weakness parts. We look into the future, which might look bleak and glum, but his promises assure us of the coming bliss and deliverance. That is the strong confidence the Corinthians share with all Christians. The testimony about Christ resided mightily amongst them just like a firm rock in the gushing sea. This word granted them insight, but also inexpressible joy and the firm conviction that they were well taken care of and that their eternal salvation was in good hands with Jesus Christ – their Lord and God. That is why the apostle St. Paul was so happy and grateful for this gracious blessings amongst his people.

We bow our knees before you oh Lord and God. We bring before you all our sin, care and anxiety, but also our innermost desires and passions. Forgive us all our transgressions and iniquities. Forgive us our sins of haste and oversight. Forgive us were we did not listen to you and our ears were blocked for your gentle admonitions. Remove all guilt and shame from us and our souls as we seek your grace and peace. We thrust all our burdens onto you. Pacify our hearts. Bring to rest our thoughts and wondering ideas. You know what is good for us. You know how to keep us from collapsing and despairing. As our thoughts are in conflict, battling it out in excuses and accusations, while ever at a loss to understand and ground themselves, we plead you to grant us the one thing that is crucial. Give us the fullness of your peace, that the world doesn’t know and can’t give.  Amen. (Arper-Zillessen)

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul. Refrain: It is well, it is well, With my soul, with my soul, It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, And hath she’d His own blood for my soul. Refrain: It is well, it is well, With my soul, with my soul, It is well, it is well, with my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not in part but the whole, It was nailed trough his cross, and I bear it no more, Bless the Lord, bless the Lord, O my soul! Refrain: It is well, it is well, With my soul, with my soul, It is well, it is well, with my soul.

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Wednesday after the eighteenth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 344 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 2nd October 2013

Posted on October 2, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

good samaritan3It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy. (Pro 14:21 NIV)

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. (Luk 6:36 NIV)

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Löhe on 1.Cor.1:5

Posted on October 1, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Word-&-sac-poster-edges-copFor in him you have been enriched in every way– with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge– (1Co 1:5 NIV)

Here we witness the spiritual prosperity of this Corinthian congregation and church with which the almighty Lord wanted to surpass the glory and opulence of that famous trading metropolis in the Mediterranean. More than anything else the Corinthians received God’s holy word and with that the doctrine and teaching concerning all vital aspects of the eternal and temporal life. This word granted insight and wisdom and truth. It did not just pass over them like some noise passing while asleep during Church or following some other ideas while switching off during the worship service. No – this word reached the hearts of the hearers. It brought light and insight to their hearts. The divine wisdom brought along Christian wisdom, so that there was ample light, advice and judgment concerning all things in that congregation and church. The Corinthians were not so poor with regards to the Word of God as many of our congregations are today. The devil did not succeed in robbing the good seed of the Word planted with godly sermons, rather the Corinthians were enlightened and filled with the Holy Spirit. That is why the Apostle St. Paul is thanking and praising God. For us on the contrary many find the word of God burdensome and a bit of a plague. Sermons and Christian teachings are endured as tiresome and somewhat of a bother too. On the other hand a lot of idle, vain and worldly chatter and banter are viewed as entertaining and so delightful. The divine Word however is experienced as joyless and cheap. What do we give for the revelation and insight into the divine matters? It’s regarded as useless and even as a handicap for a prosperous and flourishing life in this world. Let us therefore learn from the holy apostle what is truly a more precious treasure than all gold and silver of this world – the Word and knowledge of the Lord, our God.

Almighty, eternal God and Father! You have blessed us so richly and handsomely with all sorts of wholesome and goodly gifts of salvation and eternal life. We plead your gracious goodness and mercy, awake in us gratitude and joy over your fatherly love and preserve for us the truthful use of your holy Word so that it may keep and nurture us in this life in true faith until the coming of your dear Son in glory. Amen. 

God’s Word is our great heritage And shall be ours forever; To spread its light from age to age Shall be our chief endeavor. Through life it guides our way, In death it is our stay. Lord, grant, while worlds endure, We keep its teachings pure. Throughout all generations. (Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig, 1783-1872 tr Ole G. Belsheim, 1861-1925)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Tuesday after the eighteenth  Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 343 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 1st October 2013

Posted on October 1, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

elisha and his servant“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (2Ki 6:16 NIV)

Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Heb 12:3 NIV)

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Löhe on 1.Cor.1:4

Posted on September 30, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

St. Paul writingI always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. (1Co 1:4 NIV)

St. Paul thanks God for the multiple grace bestowed onto the congregation in Corinth. This gratitude reveals the great intercessor to us. Thanking is more difficult than asking, especially if we are to thank for gifts bestowed on others and not to us. Some people just pray for themselves and do not remember others, when they stand before God in prayer. So if it is remarkable that somebody would pray for others, it is even more so if he thanks God for them. If such a blessed moment would descend on you and you should thank God for others, then you should not just imagine that you are a companion of the apostle in praise and gratitude. You are but praying for a moment and then you already stop again. St. Paul however could confess that he always thanks God for them. This gratitude is more of a stable condition with the apostle – not just an instantaneous flash or passing fancy. He has learnt to be thankful through his experience and training. Even as he is going through personal suffering, persecution and severe troubles, he still rejoices and gives thanks for the gifts and grace received by others. We are not at this level of personal sanctification yet. Therefore we look with some shame on our own status: Praying for others is common, thanking for them is at a higher level and most elevated is to pray continuously in thanksgiving for others.

Lord, merciful saviour! Teach us to pray, just as you taught your disciples to pray so that we may first and foremost remember those divine petitions and not cling to the things below. Liberate us from ourselves so that we may pray for others in their suffering, sin and need, but also thank you for the grace and good gifts of peace, mercy and bountiful riches that you have bestowed on others – even our enemies. Let us grow according to the apostolic example, who in the midst of hardship and sufferings brought praise and thanksgiving for the good gifts received by the Corinthian Church. Grant that we continuously pray for our family, relatives, friends, neighbours and fellow citizens, for our congregation and your holy Church and her mission of salvation both here and beyond our borders, for our nation and continent. Amen.  

Now let all loudly sing praise to God the Lord; Christendom, proudly laud Him with one accord, Gently He bids thee come before Him; Haste, then, O Israel, now adore Him; Haste, then, O Israel, now adore Him.

For the Lord reigneth over the universe; All He sustaineth, all things His praise rehearse, The angel host His glory telling, Psalter and harp are the anthem swelling; Psalter and harp are the anthem swelling.

Come, heathen races, cast off all grief and care, For pleasant places your Savior doth prepare, Where His blest Word abroad is sounded, Pardon for sinners and grace unbounded; Pardon for sinners and grace unbounded.

Richly He feeds us always and everywhere; Gently He leads us with a true father’s care; The late and early rains He sends us, Daily His blessing, His love, attends us, Daily His blessing, His love, attends us.

Sing we His praises who is thus merciful; Christendom raises songs to His glorious rule. Rejoice! No foe shall now alarm us; He will protect us, and who can harm us? He will protect us, and who can harm us? (Matthäus A. v. Löwenstern, 1644 tr Catherine Winkworth, 1863)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Monday after the eighteenth  Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 341 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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