Löhe on Romans 8:13a

Posted on July 22, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

graveyardFor if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die. (Rom 8:13 NIV)

A Christian can do good. The closer the Holy Spirit is to him and the more he dwells in him, the more good he will be able to do prompted and motivated by this very same Spirit. Yet he can do bad stuff too. This choice between good and evil is before him daily and in all life situations. Making bad choices and following evil ways, the new life slowly but surely dies off bit by bit and step by step. It becomes a habit and the ongoing rejection of the Holy Spirit’s influence and working leads to his repression and severe limitation until the Holy Spirit is cast out and the new life dies off entirely. That is what St. Paul speaks of in this verse and passage. Many have experienced the truth of this personally. They had all that was required to fight the good fight as Christian soldiers victoriously. Yet their mind was not focused on the goal. Their will lost sight of their purpose in life and they afterwards became worse than they were before. The opposite is also true however. If the Christian lives according to the prompting and guidance of the Holy Spirit, then the new life becomes stronger and stronger with every victory of good and godly blessings. A certain practise encourages familiarity and even a degree of perfection in virtuous living. That is a good and God pleasing life.

Dear and beloved and most faithful saviour Jesus Christ. You have brought the world an eternal salvation and you want to bring your people to the freedom of the God’s children. We ask you: Free us from the blatant and obscure fetters of sin. You know them all. You know our desire and longing for freedom and purity. You alone can satisfy this sufficiently and effectively. Help us to pray and wrestle at your side, so that we too may finally be victorious and carry the crown of glory. Let us experience the joyful truth: Whomever you liberate, is truly liberated. Amen. (Church book of Württemberg 1931)  

Fight the good fight with all your might; Christ is your strength, and Christ your right. Lay hold on life, and it shall be Your joy and crown eternally.

Run the straight race through God’s good grace; Lift up your eyes, and seek His face, Life with its way before us lies. Christ is the path, and Christ the prize.

Cast care aside, lean on your guide; His boundless mercy will provide. Trust, and enduring faith shall prove Christ is your life and Christ your love.

Faint not nor fear, His arms are near; He changes not who holds you dear; Only believe, and you will se That Christ is all eternally. (John S. B,. Monsell, 1911-75)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Monday after the eighth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 272 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 22nd July 2013

Posted on July 22, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Church building“This is what the LORD says: As I have brought all this great calamity on this people, so I will give them all the prosperity I have promised them.” (Jer 32:42 NIV)

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” (Luk 12:32 NIV)

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Löhe on Romans 8:12

Posted on July 21, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

History picsTherefore, brothers, we have an obligation–but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. (Rom 8:12 NIV)

This sinful body and its nature and being are alive and active as long as we’re still living on this earth. Yet, we are under no obligation towards it anymore. We have been freed from its tyranny and sinful reign. It’s temptations and invitations are more or less pressing on us and our ways as if we owe it our attention, service and allegiance even. Too many advocate the cravings and inclinations of our body and mind as if they have their own right and a ruling status. They seem to believe that if we don’t obey our sinful nature, then we are going to loose out or at least miss our highest calling. Nothing could be further from the truth! God’s holy word reveals to us, that we owe our sinful nature nothing. We are debtors of the Holy Spirit, yes! He grants us his gifts and treasures. He gives us his most holy fruits. He calls, pulls and motivates us. Faithfully he presents us with most precious offerings and gifts. That is why we should be grateful to him and we owe him our allegiance and most faithful and dedicated service. Dear brothers and sisters: You are God’s children. Since your holy Baptism you have been gifted with the Holy Spirit. Even if you have resisted his most loving influence and persuasion up to now, you should rather give in to him without further delay. Follow his holy calling willingly and live according to his most holy will and determination. It is for your best!

Almighty and most merciful Father! We laud and magnify your holy name, that you have made yourself our Father. Create in us – your holy children – a pure heart so that we would abide faithfully in you and your ways o Lord. Let us live according to your will and commandments, so that the world may see your grace, that we have received. Let our ways reflect your goodness, that they may thank and praise you too. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen.  

Jesus, Thy boundless love to me No thought can reach, no tongue declare; Unite my thankful heart with Thee And reign without a rival there. To Thee alone, dear Lord, I live; Myself to Thee, dear Lord, I give.

O, grant that nothing in my soul May dwell but Thy pure love alone! Oh, may Thy love possess me whole, My joy, my treasure, and my crown! All coldness from my heart remove; My every act, word, thought, be love.

This love unwearied I pursue And dauntlessly to Thee aspire. Oh, may Thy love my hope renew Burn in my soul like heavenly fire! And day and night be all my care To guard this sacred treasure there.

In suffering be Thy love my peace, In weakness be Thy love my power; And when the storms of life shall cease, Jesus, in that important hour, In death as life be Thou my guide, And save me, who for me hast died. (Paul Gerhard 1607-1667 tr John B Wesley, 1703-1791)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for the eighth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 271 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 21st July 2013

Posted on July 21, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

kollwitz-widows-and-orphansThe LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow (Psa 146:9 NIV)

We love because he first loved us. (1Jo 4:19 NIV)

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Southern Africa Tours

Posted on July 20, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Come and see for yourself: Southern Africa Tours.

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Löhe on Romans 6,23

Posted on July 20, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

rootedFor the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 6:23 NIV)

Just as serving sin brought about dying and eternal death so serving righteousness faithfully brings about sanctification and eternal life. Temporal and spiritual dying stand in contrast to the sanctification of this very life, just as eternal death is contrasted with eternal life. A certain succession like steps on a ladder are highlighted here: Service of righteousness – sanctification – eternal life. A tree is drawn before us – glorious and most beautiful. His roots are grounded in the mortal wounds of Jesus Christ. The main stem is service of righteousness. It bears a twofold fruit as its branches spread both across the earth and into heaven. Here it bears sanctification, there it bears eternal life. What a glorious growth and most blessed fruition dear brothers. This new stage in their lives must have really encouraged the Romans as they anticipate these glorious fruits in the present time and future eternity, yes, even experience them here and now already. Those Romans are long dead and gone into the eternal habitations and home of all Christians in heaven. They already enjoy the eternal gifts of God’s grace and mercy, that crowns their lives most favourably. We are still alive. We can have both. Either the fruits of sin and godlessness or those of righteousness. May all recklessness be far away from us and our ways! Ear and heart turn fervently to the holy word of God. May holy deliberations and divine blessings reign our lives – for Christ’s sake!

Lord, our saviour! Let us be filled with a strong aversion of sin and flee its temptations most decidedly. Grant us that we dedicate ourselves entirely to serve righteousness and holiness. Let us grow in you and follow your motivation to grow ever more in holy flourishing and sanctified fruition. Lord, let us move forward joyfully as your very own to your most holy sanctuary this coming Sunday, where you are preparing to present us with your most precious gifts and treasures of grace, peace, love and mercy. We ask  for us and our loved ones near and far, and for all, who preach your word tomorrow and for those who hear it. Amen.

Grant your shepherds power and richest measure of your Holy Spirit to promote pure doctrine and holy lives. You word is the divine pasture for your people on their way. Let all hearers be doers too, so that no hypocrites amongst us may deny your grace’s workings. (Heinrich Cornelius Hecker 1699-1743).

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Saturday after the seventh Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 270 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 20th July 2013

Posted on July 20, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

capstoneThe stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. (Psa 118:22-23 NIV)

As you come to him, the living Stone–rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him– (1Pe 2:4 NIV)

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Enjoy Scotland and help our Seminary

Posted on July 19, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Just look at this fantastic offer: Mt. Calvary Balmoral

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GOD’S MONEY: STEWARDSHIP & FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Posted on July 19, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

moneyGOD’S MONEY: STEWARDSHIP & FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Purpose of the course: To equip church, community and non-profit leaders with financial management skills for building sustainable organizations.

Date: 5 – 7 Aug 2013        Price: R1000                      Venue: Pretoria University

 RECOMMENDATION: “I attended the course God’s Money: Stewardship and Financial Management. The 3 day course was of great value to me. I recommend it for our treasurers of the congregational councils or any member of our church interested in finance and fundraising. Financial detail of budgets, balance sheets and cash flows are explained in lay terms. At the cost of R1000 it is money well spend. You don’t need a financial background to attend the course.” Hans Schütte – Lay member, Church Council, ELCSA (NT)

 Attached please find the enrolment forms to register with the university directly. Please note that this course will be run from 5 – 7 August at UP full time. The cost of the course for the 3 days is R1000.00 per person and does not include accommodation or transport to UP. Please do not delay if you would like to attend the course. I may be contacted for further information.

 Kind regards,

Uli Johl.

ujohl@elcsant.org.za

Cell: 0832541814

p.p. Liselotte Knöcklein

Office of the Bishop ELCSA (N-T)
P.O. Box 7095, Bonaero Park 1622
Kempton Park, South Africa
Tel. +027-11-979 7137
Fax.+027-86- 502 6891
l.knocklein@elcsant.org.za
bishop@elcsant.org.za
www.elcsant.org.za

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A simple way to pray

Posted on July 19, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

ConcordiaDr. Martin Luther wrote a brief overview for his friend how to pray. Read it here: A_Simple_Way_To_Pray-v1-Luther

“This document represents Luther’s mature catechetical piety, the integration of theology and prayer in the context of catechesis. He shows here his long-standing attention to the practical concerns of the Christian life. His response to the question of his barber shows how the reformer viewed this kind of Reformation – believers living at the nexus of the Word of God, catechesis, and prayer. As a confessor of the faith, Luther recommends that believers ‘pray’ the chief articles of the church’s confession, that is ‘the Lay Bible’, as found in the catechism.” (William R. Russel, Praying for Reform. Luther, Prayer and the Christian Life. Minneapolis, Augsburg Fortress 2005 Pg. 71)

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