You comfort me +

Posted on August 5, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Zechariah_Prophet“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people.” (Luk 1:68 NIV) Suggested reading: Lk 67-75.

At the birth of his son John father Zechariah praises God’s good and salutary will towards his people. Although the savior, who was announced by the prophets has not appeared as yet, still this praying priest utters a rock-solid conviction. God has visited his people. He has saved them. Zechariah knows the words of the Old Testament, which speak of the Messiah’s forerunner.  He will prepare the way of the Lord. The Holy Spirit instructs Zechariah to recognize his own son John as this final predecessor of the coming Lord Jesus Christ. This recognition gives rise to the assurance: The time has come for the divine Messiah. The rays of the rising star of Judah are igniting the horizon of this world and the praying Zechariah is empowered to witness them in his praises. His words describe the coming Son of God appropriately – they give us a fitting indication and summary of his glorious mission. God himself is visiting his people. He is not going to just go by and grant them only a fleeting visit before disappearing into distant and foreign realms. No, this visit is to be permanent. God will stay with his people and grant them redemption and lasting salvation. All attempts to get rid of this divine presence will fail. Not even the cross will be able to discontinue this godly company that is to accompany his people from now on: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Mat 28:20 NIV)

Therefore rejoice in the coming of your Lord. He enters your live with all its sin and misery to set you free and gladden you heart. He offers himself as your savior and redeemer. He does not force himself onto anyone – for he’s no insolent intruder. Rather he comes as sure and able helper in all trouble and hardship. He brings you God’s lasting peace +

Dear Lord: Forgive me, where I have opposed and rejected your entry into my life and world. You bring joy and healing, life and salvation. Let me rejoice in your presence and take control of my heart and life. Amen.

This is a translation of the devotion edited by Günter Wachler and Egfried Brachmann for Monday after  the tenth Sunday after Trinity. It is found on Pg. 248 in “Du tröstest mein Herz. Tägliche Hausandachten   (You comfort my heart. Daily devotions.) and published by the Evangelische Verlagsanstalt, Berlin without a date.

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NO MORE LÖHE

Posted on August 5, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

LÖHEWell, after translating a bit more than 200 devotions by Löhe, my only copy of his sermonettes in German is lost since Thursday, when my suitcase left for Europe and I was left behind, because I didn’t have a transit visa for Britain on my way to Vienna. (So much for their instance, that suitcases can’t go without their owners) Up to date that suitcase has not been returned and my back-up of 4 devotions that I had translated ahead of time has now run out. I am sorry that this has come to such an abrupt stop and that I can’t do anything about it. I will miss the occasional comments of Prof. Dr. Gruner of the University of Pretoria and the regular sharing of Dr.  Kirsti Kiviranta from Helsinki.  Perhaps these translations will continue if the book pitches up again. If not, that’s that then.

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Herrenhuter readings for Monday, the 5th August 2013

Posted on August 5, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

worldAll the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name. (Psa 86:9 NIV)

St. Paul writes: We hope that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. (2Co 10:16 NIV)

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Löhe on 1.Corinthians 12:1

Posted on August 4, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Holy Spirit1Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. (1Co 12:1 NIV)

These gifts are not our ordinary gifts, but something very special. They are spiritual – they are his and the apostles wants to enlighten us concerning these so that we’re not in the dark about them any longer. There are regular and extra-ordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit. The ordinary ones are those, that are required for eternal life. They are prerequisites for salvation. They are part of the very bare necessities of a Christian life. They need to be held in high esteem and we need to be very grateful for them too. In the extra-ordinary and special gifts of the Holy Spirit many think of the gifts of various languages, healing and prophecy – and believe that that’s that and that they were solely for the purpose of getting the Church on track initially. Yet next to these miraculous gifts the apostle mentions some more extra-ordinary gifts, which are required for Church governance and leadership in the congregation. That is why everyone, who cares for the Church, who loves her and bears her well-being in his mind and heart, should pray that these spiritual gifts not be taken from the Church, but rather bestowed on her in richest measure – for the benefit of many and the glorification of the heavenly Father. Wherever you find these gifts in the Church, there she is well taken care of and she has holidays and good times, because she has God’s treasures and riches in abundance. Blessed is such a Church. Then it is like the city on the mountain – shining far into the land with its luminous splendor and beauty. If however the Church lacks these special gifts and has too few gifted men of God, then she’s facing hard times indeed and should pray even more fervently that the triune God in his great mercy would send them deliverance and gracious outcomes, pour out his spiritual gifts in richest measure to graciously overcome our poverty and misery – even if we do not deserve anything like that at all.

We thank you o Lord, our triune God, that you have kept us this Sunday by your grace and mercy. You have feed us most satisfactorily with your most holy and precious word. Please protect us through this coming night, keep our soul in holy communion with you. We long to be with you – o Lord. Let us remain with and in you. Bless our rest, so that we may see the coming daylight once again and finally after this holy Sabbath come to celebrate that eternal Sabbath with you in your kingdom. (General Prayerbook 1928)

Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest, and make our hearts your place of rest; Come with Thy grace and heav’nly aid, And fill the hearts which Thou hast made.

To Thee, the Counsellor we cry; To Thee, the Gift of God most high; The Fount of life, the Fire of love, The soul’s Anointing from above.

In you with graces sev’nfold, We God’s almighty hand behold; While you with tongues of fire proclaim to all the world his holy name.

Thy light to every sense impart, And shed Thy love in every heart; Thy own unfailing might supply  To strength our infirmity.

Drive far away our wily foe, And Your abiding peace bestow; With You as our protecting guide, no evil can with us abide.

Teach us to know the Father, Son, and You, from both, as Three in one that we Your name may ever bless and in our lives the truth confess.

Praise we the Father and the Son and Holy Spirit, with them One, And may the Son on us bestow the gifts that from the Spirit flow! Amen. (Rabanus Maurus, 776-856 tr Ecward Caswall, 1814-1878)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion the tenth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 285 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 4th August 2013

Posted on August 4, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Jesus stills the stormDo not be afraid, for I am with you! (Isa 43:5 NIV)

In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” (Luk 8:25 NIV)

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Löhe on 1.Corinthians 10,13

Posted on August 3, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

cross IXNo temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (1Co 10:13 NIV)

This is a threefold comfort. Firstly, God takes our weakness into consideration. St. Paul wrote: “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.” That means, the temptations have been cut to size, made to fit and suit us common people. Then secondly, God equips us with the necessary endurance and capacity to be able to bear the coming temptations: “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” Oh, these are truly words of great comfort and sure consolation. By nature we are weak and incapable to face these challenges, yet God’s faithfulness is far greater than all necessities and burdens. “He does burden us, but he helps us too!” Finally while no hardship endures eternally, his grace does and carries us through. The temptations will run its course, but in such a way that we will be able to stand up under it. The apostle encourages and comforts us: “He will surely do it!” Whoever grasps this, has it all and as much as he needs – eternal comfort and everlasting joy.

In conclusion let us address the questions, whether it is God, who brings on these temptations. Well, he does not tempt anyone, yet he knows them and helps us to provide a way out so taht you can stand up under it. He is with us in temptations also. Therefore take courage. Don’t despair. Rather remember that it will not be as deep and harrowing as we might fear. “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial” (Jam 1:12 NIV)

Lord God, heavenly Father! Childlike we pray: Strengthen us in our weakness, empower us with your grace and mercy and don’t allow the glowing wick to be extinguished. Rather give us new courage and hope while dispersing anxiety and fear of lurking dangers and encompassing evil. Grant that we will faithfully withstand all attacks by sin, world, devil and hell so that we finally will be victorious and triumph against these evil monstrosities, bearing your gift – the crown of eternal life. We ask this in Jesus Christ’s name, he our triumphant Lord, our God and King. Amen.  

1 Thanks to Thee, O Christ victorious! Thanks to Thee, O Lord of Life! Death hath now no power o’er us, Thou hast conquered in the strife. Thanks because Thou didst arise And hast opened paradise! None can fully sing the glory Of the resurrection story.

2 Thou hast died for my transgression, All my sins on Thee were laid; Thou hast won for me salvation, On the cross my debt was paid. From the grave I shall arise And shall meet Thee in the skies. Death itself is transitory; I shall lift my head in glory.

3 For the joy Thine advent gave me, For Thy holy, precious Word; For Thy Baptism, which doth save me, For Thy blest Communion board; For Thy death, the bitter scorn, For Thy resurrection morn, Lord, I thank Thee and extol Thee, And in heav’n I shall behold Thee. Thomas Hansen Kingo, 1634-1703 tr George A.T. Rygh, 1860-1942)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Saturday after the ninth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 284 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 3rd August 2013

Posted on August 3, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Pharoah‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me?  (Exo 10:3 NIV)

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luk 18:14 NIV)

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21st Ordination anniversary

Posted on August 2, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber
In this church I was ordained to serve as pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church on the 2nd August 1992. God is gracious, merciful and his love is unending! Praise be to him now and forever. Amen.

In this church I was ordained to serve as pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church on the 2nd August 1992. God is gracious, merciful and his love is unending! Praise be to him now and forever. Amen.

21 years ago President Ernst-August Albers assisted by Bishop Georg Schulz DD and President emeritus Gunter Scharlach and various brothers from both FELSiSA, LCSA and SELK/LKM ordained me into the holy office of the pastoral ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Wittenberg, Mpumalanga.

God is good and his apostle is so right: Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer , he desires a noble task. (1Ti 3:1 NIV) Πιστὸς ὁ λόγος. Εἴ τις ἐπισκοπῆς ὀρέγεται, καλοῦ ἔργου ἐπιθυμεῖ. (1Ti 3:1 BGT) For us Germans Luther has translated that most appropriately: Das ist je gewißlich wahr, so jemand ein Bischofsamt begehret, der begehret ein köstlich Werk. (1Ti 3:1 L45)

And together with the holy Christian Church we teach and confess, that this office was instituted by God himself to create saving faith through the gospel and sacraments for: Through these, as through means, he gives the Holy Spirit who produces faith, where and when he wills, in those who hear the gospel. It teaches that we have a gracious God, not through our merit but through Christ’s merit, when we so believe.” (CA V,2-3)

We off course know that puts us under divine compulsion and responsibility: Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! (1Co 9:16 NIV)

Praise God’s word and calling with me by joining in the hymn we so often sing at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane: “God’s Word is our great heritage And shall be ours forever; To spread its light from age to age Shall be our chief endeavour. 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 Fredrik Severin Grundtvig, 1783-1872 tr O.G. Belsheim 1861-1925. 

 

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Löhe on 1.Corinthians 10,11

Posted on August 2, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

broad and narrowThese things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us. (1Co 10:11 NIV)

This reminds me of the great festivities of the living God recorded in the Old Testament, during which the people joyfully celebrated God’s goodness and mercy, thanking and praising him and worshipping his glory while eating, drinking, singing and being merry with dance and music. I think too of the celebrations of the living God in the New Testament – Christmas, Easter, Pentecost and Church anniversaries – and there too people eat, drink and are merry. And then the people refer back to the Old Testament and want to excuse their merriment while eating, drinking and dancing with this historic referral: These are not pagan festivals, that we are celebrating. Yet the people are misguided. I regret this from the bottom of my heart. It is true: The early Christians ate their meals together. Body and soul rejoiced in the living God while at it. Yet, when many Christians rejoice in celebrations and festivities, then they go beyond the merriment of the early Church in their revelry and carousing. Many eat and drink too much. Their merriment is not just in praise of the living God, nor does it reflect the love of Jesus Christ, but rather forgets the creator and giver of all good and perfect gifts. His word is ignored, talk is uncouth and downright rude. Food and drink are spiced up with cursing and swearing. Such entertainment is more sinful than good, serving the archenemy and his evil cause and thus becoming more of a pagan party than one of faithful Christians. Therefore this word is also written as a warning for us and I pray earnestly that we would heed his warning and return to the good old ways of the Church in humility, sobriety, purity and holiness. After all that is joy and happiness in the Lord! O faithful Lord Jesus, you are our teacher and guide in all things. Keep us on the right track. Grant that we don’t sin against you. Especially if we are merry and happy together, let us not forget to invite you as our main guest and that we consciously eat and drink in your presence, that we listen and speak with the assured that you are in our midst and listening too. Grant us the sensitivity to realize where we should not go or be without betraying you and your holy ways. Let us live in your holy and gracious presence all our lives – also in this coming night – until the very end, so that we will be with you now and forever. Amen. “Away from us!” the demon cried When Christ, the Lord, drew near. “Our dank, disordered world is lost When You, the Light, appear!” But Jesus spoke with God’s own pow’r; “Come forth!” was His command; For evil cannot bear the Light Nor sin the Truth withstand. O risen Christ, God’s living Word, To us, we pray, draw near. Come, speak the truth that cleanses sin With love that conquers fear. Drive out the doubt that cripples faith; Expel our pride and greed That we, from pow’rs that threaten us, May, by Your grace, be freed. Then help us, Lord, to greet each day With hearts and wills made new And, when You call us forth to serve, To rise and follow You. (Hermann G. Stuempfle Jr. *1923) This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Friday after the ninth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 283 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 2nd August 2013

Posted on August 2, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

tuscany-vineyardI, the LORD, watch over my fruitful vineyard; I water it continually. I guard it day and night so that no one may harm it. (Isa 27:3 NIV)

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1Th 5:23 NIV)

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