Löhe on 1.Peter 3:9

Posted on July 1, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Christ crucifiedDo not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. (1Pe 3:9 NIV)

These words take us right into this our world. There we are drawn into the horrible conflicts with the children of this world and tempted to respond in kind pitting insult against insult and answering evil with evil too. Christians are provoked by their inherent natural bent towards retaliation too. Yes, revenge in word and deed is a serious temptation for us following Christ too. That is why the holy Apostle takes sides so clearly against this negative tendency and temptation, showing the better alternative in the salvific way opened by Christ to us following him and trusting in his superior ways and gracious promises. Christians have a higher calling and should walk the high road of Christ’s example – not dropping down to the levels of worldly evil – even if there’s always the danger of falling right down there very quickly.

Christians are called to inherit the divine blessing. At the end of time and at the last judgment they are to hear the gracious and sweetest words of God, receiving them in salvation and eternal bliss. Just think how a good word of encouragement and motivation from above does to suffering and downcast people. Then imagine what a comfort and upliftment these words of the highest authority and absolute Judge carry for us and all tired pilgrims, who are struggling to keep the faith in this our tempted and assaulted life! He has promised to invite us in with these wonderful words: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ (Mat 25:21 NIV) Doesn’t that prospect move your heart to joy and great expectation? Then don’t repay evil with evil nor insult with insult. Remember you are Christ’s own. Follow him and his way +

Lord Jesus Christ – our savior and redeemer: Help that we don’t align ourselves to this world. Prevent us from repaying evil with evil or insult with insult. Let us not follow the alluring ways of this world or the insinuations of the evil one. Rather grant us a rich measure of your grace, that we follow your example and bless even our enemies and wish well, where we have been insulted and aggrieved. May we inherit your blessings and enter your eternal joy and peace. Amen.  

Be faithful in your love towards God, who loved you from the beginning. Practice to be good to your neighbour even if he’s hurt and insulted you wrongly. Remember your saviour and how he interceded for his enemies! So lift your eyes up to him crucified and learn to live faithfully like him+   (Benjamin Prätorius, 1636-1674)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Monday after the fifth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 251 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 1st July 2013

Posted on July 1, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

segenI save you, and you will be a blessing. (Zec 8:13 NIV)

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. (1Pe 3:9 NIV)

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Löhe on 1.Peter 3:8

Posted on June 30, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

brotherhood-alliance2Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. (1Pe 3:8 NIV)

These lovely words serve us well as a mirror to reflect how we are and how we should be. These words describe Jesus Christ’s members and how they should be towards one another. They should be of one mind, desiring and avoiding the same, judging all things in the light of the gospel and filled with the same Spirit and will. If people are of one mind, but fail in being sympathetic, then their lives remain miserable. This word describes the manner of being compassionate and caring. You need a soul that is sensitive and understanding for that. Thirdly you need brotherly love. This presupposes a common lineage and heritage, which binds together in an indissoluble togetherness and even unity. Compassion and humility add even more to this wonderful fellowship and brotherhood amongst Christians. If these virtues determine life, then the glory of God is reflected therein.

Lord Jesus Christ: Grant that we put off the old sinful version of ourselves and give us your Holy Spirit that we be clothed with your holy being and thus renewed by your grace and virtue. Take all that hinders and keeps us from you and grant us all that would promote us towards you. Create us to be people subject to your will and living according to your ordinances and mandates. Live in us and work your good in us for your love’s sake. Amen.  

He is to grow, so that in our pilgrimage he’s more and more visible and I elected by his grace am prepared likewise to be his child and heir more and more.

His hands I kiss since he has graciously fulfilled his promises to me and remember sadly that my own ways had just caused damage and sinful hurt. Yet by grace he saved me!

He’s growing and joy, peace, liberty and life too. Eternally with us, he takes us forward step by step and brings us home to see, what we have been hoping for all along.

He’s growing, so that in our pilgrimage he’s more and more visible and for his sake others too will follow in his narrow ways – going home to be where we belong.  (Hedwig von Redern, geb 1866)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for the fifth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 250 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 30th June 2013

Posted on June 30, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

“I will not let you go unless you bless me.” (Gen 32:26 NIV)

When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.” (Act 3:26 NIV)

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Löhe on Luke 6:38

Posted on June 29, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

inselA good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. (Luk 6:38 NIV)

Nobody will miss the obvious promise, but also the hidden threat in these words. Even if love does not work for reward or gratitude, yet our love is not just divine, but also rather human. Therefore it needs motivation and encouragement now and again. That is why our good Lord, who knows us well, has given us such comforting promises, but also such serious warnings and admonitions. It is his gracious will that his servants and ordained ministers would present both to his people – especially the holy Church. The warning threats should frighten the sluggish and lazy, whereas the promise should encourage the despondent and dejected. If the Lord is not ashamed to warn us with admonition and to motivate us with his promises, then we should not be ashamed if we accept these warnings and motivations in good faith and spirit too. Whoever deems that he can do without these “means of grace” from God’s side, doesn’t really know them and their benefit. Whoever believes it is just too common and below himself to strive after heavenly reward and to flee all punishment, should take good care that he doesn’t fall down from his imagined loftiness and lands down amidst the ruins of his own expertise and vain craftiness.

Lord God, heavenly father! We pray: Work in us with your gracious Spirit, that we shall not rest assuredly in our own sinfulness, but rather remain in constant repentance and contrition, willing to daily renew the faithful resolve to only follow your word and will. Comfort us with what your Son Jesus Christ has graciously achieved for us, the forgiveness of our sins and the reconciliation with you our heavenly father. Help us out mercifully to come to your eternal kingdom! Amen. (Veit Dietrich)

Oh you have patiently sought out my soul to draw it ever closer to you, so that I might be pulled from sin and rather be found in you, where I have reconciliation through your most precious blood. Thousand, thousand times be thanks to you for that o King.

You’ve worked with love, you worked with sorrow – just to make it right with my heart and soul o God. You would have me be dedicated totally to you and live in and with you now and always. Thousand, thousand times be thanks to you for that o King.  (Ludwig Andreas Gotter, 1661-1735)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Saturday after the fourth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 249 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 29th June 2013

Posted on June 29, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

hummingbirdWhen my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who know my way. (Psa 142:3 NIV)

Jesus said: But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. (Luk 21:14-15 NIV)

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Löhe on Rom.8:23

Posted on June 28, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

natures groaningNot only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. (Rom 8:23 NIV)

Our bodies are related to creation – yes, are part of creation really – and therefore share its lot and predicament. We too are subject to frustration and bound to decay. So we’ll disintegrate and return to dust when we die. Although we have the firstfruits of the Spirit and in faith have already attained the adoptions as sons by our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, yet we still are groaning inwardly and waiting eagerly to receive the final salvation of our bodies from the shame and destruction by death through the glorious resurrection of our bodies and thus come to enjoy the promised fruits of our Lord’s redemption and salvation. There is no greater fear and dread than that facing death and our utter demise. Thus there is no greater expectation or yearning than desiring to be free of death and our ruination on the one side and on the other to be connected to the source of eternal life and salvation. This yearning for deliverance from death breathes – yes, rather groans – in all of creation. Our souls and bodies echo this deep cry in all of nature. All and everything in this created cosmos carries this deep nostalgia with it. Our joy and happiness lie beyond all this. How could we arrange ourselves here in this transient abode as if it would last and forget our heavenly destiny and predestination to everlasting joy?

Dear heavenly father, you the creator and ruler of the universe: Hear the pleading of your creation and the let our completion and fulfillment appear without much further delay. Let also your dear son appear again in glory so that we may rejoice and our bodies and souls may finally be rescued, saved, healed and perfected soon. Oh Lord, let body and soul be united in such a way that we will celebrate in celestial joy and ongoing delight. Amen.

What blissful joy and glorious sight we’ll have in Christ’s most gracious light? How happy all will sound! With more than thousand seraphim rejoicing with clear voice and tongue intoning glorious hymns just for him.

O would I be already there o sweetest God before your throne to waive most glorious palms. Then I would sing your holy name’s praise like perfect angels loud and clear with a thousand psalms for sure, a thousand psalms for sure.

Yet as I am still living here and carrying this my bodies frame, its yoke and daily burden, yet I will sing and praise your name, here and in every place I go for your everlasting glory, your everlasting glory. (Paul Gerhard, 1607-1676)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Friday after the fourth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 248 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 28th June 2013

Posted on June 28, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Resurexit“I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.” (Job 42:2 NIV)

Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.“ (Luk 18:27 NIV)

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Lutheran Order of service in isiZulu/seTswana

Posted on June 27, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

01-anonymous-building-the-tower-of-babel-duomo-di-monreale-monreale-sicily-itThe Lutheran Order of Service for the 5th Sunday after Trinity is available here in isiZulu and seTswana. Today it comes with a sermon on the gospel of St. Luke chapter 14 verses 25-33 written by Rev. Ratshefola (NW) in seTswana (wt1335130630 n Tr 5) and another one by brother Rev. F.Mtshali (LC in Fernie, MP) in isiZulu (wz1335130630 n Tr 5).

May you have a very blessed weekend and have time to meditate on the watchword for this Sunday: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph 2:8-10 NIV) The liturgical colour is green.

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 Rom.8:22

Posted on June 27, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

droughtWe know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. (Rom 8:22 NIV)

We hear of a marvelous sympathy of creation with mankind and especially with God’s children. That is a surprising revelation and has taken many aback. Some smile derogatively if issues get addressed that surpass our understanding and go well beyond our heads, some just find it ridiculous. We agree with these words of St. Paul and join the praises of this partnership amongst creatures of God – nature and man, rational and irrational, logical and illogical. This joint partnership of creation with mankind is illustrated in a double fashion. Firstly it is described as a sharing of earthly suffering, which is followed up secondly with the shared participation of heavenly joys in that other world which is to come and which we are expecting with great longing. This special longing and profound desire seems to join us with all creatures and it bridges the present groaning with the happiness to come. Here everything is groaning – mankind and his entire kingdom and earthly reign – the natural expanse. Yet there all will be rejoicing together. Together with God’s people all of nature will enter the eternal bliss and glory to enjoy and flourish without end.

The day is passed, my mind and soul are longing to see that day, when we’ll be free of all distress.

The night has come. Stay with me o Jesus with your light diminish sin’s darkness in my heart.

The sun’s light we miss. O uncreated sun shine your bright light to grant joy and peace tonight.

All that moved, all that worked is resting now at last. Oh Lord, continue your work in me!

All want to enjoy some rest this night. Oh Jesus, let restlessness of day pass and grant your peace.

When will this rhythm of day and night stop? When will that day come that knows no night?

In that world moon and stars shine so much brighter than here, where Zion still mourns and groans.

Then we’ll never miss this sinking sun as the lamb will be the light that lightens all but never dims.

Hallelujah – oh would God I’d be there already to join the celestial choir: “Holy, holy, holy!”

O Jesus my help and my rest. Let me get there so that I may live forever in your gracious light.

(Johann Anastasius Freylinghausen, 1670-1739)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Thursday after the fourth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 247 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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