Herrenhuter readings for Sunday, the 18th August 2013

Posted on August 18, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

 

Kreuz in IrlandWho can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD or fully declare his praise? (Psa 106:2 NIV)

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. (2Pe 1:3 NIV)

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Löhe on John 16:33

Posted on August 17, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Christus victor 1But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (Joh 16:33 NIV)

When Jesus first said these words, his disciples did not understand him. According to his previous announcement concerning his deliverance into the hands of sinners all now appeared as if he was succumbing ton the world. How on earth can he then say: “I have overcome the world”? How does this being overcome and yet still overcoming fit together? Defeat and victory? Yet both fit like hand in glove. He was to overcome in his death und triumph over world even as he was crucified on the cross in shame and greatest agony. That passes all understanding – especially before it became truth in Jesus Christ and his glorification on the cross. Yet even now – in hindsight – it is not so intelligible for all to grasp just like that. Rather it remains a mystery proclaimed in all the world to create faith where and when it pleases God. This divine gospel bear witness that his ultimate suffering and most shameful death were necessary in God’s eyes and the only way to overcome sin, death and the old evil foe. Therefore he is so confident of his victory even before and although he is still going to go through extreme trepidation and exceeding fear and most profound anguish as he takes the cup of wrath to drain it to its very last dregs, proclaiming: “I have overcome the world!”

That’s the blessed gospel. The faithful servant of God, Dr. Martin Luther, comforted many people in their bodily tribulation and spiritual torments with this consoling message after and while he himself was powerfully supported and maintained by the very same godly words. That is why he opined: These words are precious enough to warrant our kneeling down and crawling all the way to Rome and Jerusalem to take hold of them! They are most suitable for all seasons in the Church. It was truth in Jesus Christ’s proclamation. He proved it on Golgotha and we still live off this most precious reality even today until he comes again in glory to show us and make it clear for everybody else to see with their very own eyes. That is how he brought about our salvation and the eternal Sabbath too – the heavenly rest for God’s own.

O Lord teach us to fear you alone, so that we are thus freed from all other trepidation and overcome all intimidation too being thus comforted by your all powerful, most gracious and abiding presence. Nothing and nobody can effectively accuse us anymore as you are there to justify and redeem us of all our debt and guilt. There is nobody, who could condemn us when you yourself adjudicate us free, absolved and forgiven. All praise, honor and glory is yours o heavenly Father and only true and triune God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – and from you to us here on earth grace, peace and mercy. Amen.

The foe in triumph shouted When Christ lay in the tomb; But, lo, he now is routed, His boast is turned to gloom. For Christ again is free; In glorious victory He Who is strong to save Has triumphed o’er the grave.

This is a sight that gladdens; What peace it doth impart! Now nothing ever saddens The joy within my heart. No gloom shall ever shake, No foe shall ever take, The hope which God’s own Son In love for me hath won.

Now hell, its prince, the devil Of all their powers are shorn; Now I am safe from evil, And sin I laugh to scorn. Grim Death with all his might Cannot my soul affright; He is a powerless form, Howe’er he rave and storm.

The world against me rageth Its fury I disdain; Though bitter war it wageth Its work is all in vain. My heart from care is free, No trouble troubles me. Misfortune now is play And night is bright as day.

Now I will cling forever To Christ, my Savior true; My Lord will leave me never, Whate’er He passeth through. He rends Death’s iron chain, He breaks through sin and pain, He shatters hell’s dark thrall, I follow Him through all.

To halls of heavenly splendour With Him I penetrate; And trouble ne’er may hinder Nor make me hesitate. Let tempests rage at will, My Savior shields me still; He grants abiding peace And bids all tumult cease.

He brings me to the portal That leads to bliss untold, Whereon this rhyme immortal Is found in script of gold: “Who there My cross hath shared Finds here a crown prepared; Who there with Me hath died Shall here be glorified.” (Paul Gerhard  1607-1676 tr John Kelly 1833-1890)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Saturday after the eleventh Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 298 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 17th August 2013

Posted on August 17, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Holy Spirit red flareThen this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.’ (Jer 33:9 NIV)

Exalted to the right hand of God, Jesus Christ has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. (Act 2:33 NIV)

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Matins on Friday, the 16th August

Posted on August 16, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Listen to this mornings Matins at the LTS lead by the 2nd year student Paul Baibai from the LC in Sudan: 

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Fire in Mofolo N

Posted on August 16, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

2009-05-31 14.47.04Our brother Rev. David P. Tswaedi DD serving in the Lutheran Church at Mofolo N wrote this note in the early hours today: “Our church storage with garden equipments, petrol lawnmower, books, assests for other leagues, etc was gutted by fire at midnight. We worked till the wee hours of this morning. We left things strewn around after we had extinguished the fire now I’m going back there to sort out what needs to attended to.” We pray that they have not lost any irreparable or irreplaceable papers and records – and not suffered too much financial damage due to this calamity. Hopefully they find some rest today and will recover soon so that Rev. Tswaedi DD can rejoin us teaching at the LTS in Tshwane.

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Löhe on John 16:33

Posted on August 16, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Jesus calms the storm 2In this world you will have trouble.  (Joh 16:33 NIV)

This life has troubles and fears in which we human beings are just not able to cope and where all our wisdom can’t comfort and all our powers fail. If a King dies no army of this world will save him and if a physician and medical professor is facing death no medical art or craft will save him. They must go and we must face it. This world does not bear any help nor comfort for this our mortality. In this our final strive – just as in our daily battles of sanctification and holy Christian living one single word from God’s mouth is much better and by far outweighs all worldly wit and fortitude.

Even the disciples of our Lord experienced this very fear and panic even  before they found their comfort and peace in Jesus Christ himself. How sorrowful and despairing were they after he had died on Golgotha? All hope had expired and was utterly lost to them. Those two disciples on the way to Emmaus revealed this their mourning and despondency to their strange companion on the way: “And we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.” (Luk 24:21 NIV) We find them behind closed doors fearing the retribution and persecution from the authorities.

Yes, these first disciples knew of anxiety (Angst) and tribulation. Yet they too were allowed to experience the reconciling and comforting words from the mouth of their risen Lord and Savior. The peace that passes all understanding floods through their hearts and lives when Jesus greets them: “Peace be with you +” This word of our Lord changes fearful men into heroes in mission and conquerors of the world. It’s efficacious for sure – and it does mighty and wonderful things – creating all out of nothing.

We are by nature quite similar to those early Christians – fearful and rather miserable, not very powerful at all and least of all in doing good and promoting it in this world. Yet by the grace of God and through his most powerful gospel we too can be inspired like them, moving mountains by just little faith and heroes of God’s love and reconciliation, peacemakers of the Lord, witnesses of his gospel and forgiveness too – the gospel which grants life out of death through the forgiveness of sins and thus makes us Children of God and heirs of heaven.

O Lord Jesus Christ, you yourself offered prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears and learnt faithful obedience and reverent submission in suffering and hardships. We plead you to show us your judgment over your enemies and lead us out of all terror and alarm to victory and triumph in you and your glory. You are praised now and forever Amen.

Lord of our life, and God of our salvation, Star of our night, and Hope of every nation, Hear and receive Thy church’s supplication, Lord God Almighty.

See round Thine ark the hungry billows curling! See how Thy foes their banners are unfurling! And with great spite their fiery darts are hurling, Oh Lord, preserve us.

Lord, be our light when worldly darkness veils us; Lord, be our shield when earthly armor fails us; And in the day when hell itself assails us, Grant us Thy peace, Lord:

Peace, in our hearts, our evil thoughts are raging, Peace, in Thy church, our troubled souls assuaging, Peace, when the world its endless war is waging; Peace in your heaven! (Matthäus Appels von Löwenstern, 1594-1648; tr Philip Pusey 1799-1855)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Friday after the eleventh Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 297 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 16th August 2013

Posted on August 16, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

John the Baptist 1I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me.  (Mal 3:1 NIV)

John the Baptist answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire“ (Luk 3:16 NIV)

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Adoption is the best solution

Posted on August 15, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Well, that is the opinion of Susan Cillier expressed in today’s paper: Noordwes-Beeld – Aanneming beste uitweg.

She wriAdd Polltes that South Africa has more than 2 million orphans and children at risk. This number could rise to 5,5 million by 2015. 

This is a problem aggravated by neglect and also rejection. She gives examples of a mother leaving her two year old toddler at a crossing in Klerksdorp or that on average in Rustenburg 5 babies are discarded at taxi-ranks every month. Single mothers, poverty, teenage-pregnancies, HIV/Aids and ignorance are part of this sad mix.

Adoption is really a very positive alternative for such children. The national adoption coalition in South Africa is making a concerted effort to address this challenge with the Add-Option campaign. It helps with awareness, but also practical options to adopt such children in need of care and protection. They work hard at addressing misconceptions and prejudices by stressing that only few adopted children have behavioral defects, most adoptions across racial boundaries are successful, you don’t have to be rich or perfect to adopt a child and that most adoptions are real success stories.

More is to be learnt from their website: http://www.adoption.org.zo or telephone 0800 864 658.

 

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… the mission goes on!

Posted on August 15, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Herod the kingDuring Matins Rev. M.J. Nkambule (MTh) preached on Acts 12:21-25 – King Herod persecuting the Church and how the Church survived and even continued to thrive as it went about its mission from God.  Listen here to what he said: 

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Löhe on 1. Corinthians 15:10

Posted on August 15, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

St. Paul teachingBut by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them– yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. (1Co 15:10 NIV)

Doesn’t that sound quite the Pharisee? Paul comparing himself with the other apostles? He doesn’t compare himself with robbers, thieves, adulterers or tax collectors as that other Pharisee did in Jesus parable (Lk.18:10ff), but rather with his brothers in the high calling of the apostolate. Especially if he appears as the shining example in this comparison: “I worked harder than all of them…” Well, doesn’t that mean that he trumped the very best, the most blessed people in fruits and blessings and good works? That’s what he writes to those talkative, yes garrulous bunch in Corinth. They will make sure that that hits the headlines and reaches the rest of the apostles too. Yes, St. Paul accounts more to himself  than that notorious Pharisee mentioned above and in his own glorification he supersedes all others. And still St. Paul is no Pharisee anymore. Yes, comparing St. Paul with the Pharisee praying in the temple is really quite revealing in that it shows that these two are entirely different altogether and in now way of the same kind. The difference is made up of that little word “grace”. That changes everything. “By the grace of God I am what I am”. That praying Pharisee in the temple was convinced of his own merit and worthiness. The saintly apostle however gives thanks to God for his great and rich life, which was so full of incomparable suffering and hardship as he knows it is all thanks to the grace of God. He’s not proud, but quite humble. He praises God and gives him all honor and glory for he has called and converted the biggest sinner and turned him into the greatest missionary of all times. Not only his sermons and correspondence, but rather his entire life and doing was a splendid recommendation of the new way of salvation, that Jesus Christ had revealed as the new testament for God’s people. It is the way of grace, which leads out of depths to glorious heights, out of death to life with God.

O Lord Jesus Christ, our Lord and our King! You have revealed your glory and magnanimity in your apostle St. Paul. You transformed the persecutor of your Church into the precious instrument to build and consolidate it throughout the Roman empire. You converted a self-righteous Pharisee into a poor miserable sinner, who lives solely by your gracious forgiveness and is a living praise of your grace and mercy. You turned a person, who was self-content into a disciple, who sacrifices all of his life out of gratitude to your service. Let us learn from his shining example, that we too would gladly and willingly offer all and everything to lead this life in your grace as a blessing to your Church. Lord, we will not let you go unless you bless us. Amen.

By grace! On this I’ll rest when dying; In Jesus’ promise I rejoice; For though I know my heart’s condition, I also know my Savior’s voice. My heart is glad, all grief has flown Since I am saved by grace alone. (Korneluis Heinrich Dretzel 1742)

 This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Thursday after the eleventh Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 296 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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