LÖHE ON JAMES 1:19

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

slow to talkMy dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. (Jam 1:19 NIV)

Quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry – that sounds nearly like human wisdom. What does this mean in this apostolic context? The apostle talks about strengthening and preserving our new life in Christ even under pressure and in temptations. Does he now continue by giving run-off-the-mill advice? The words of this holy scribe hint at something bigger than that. He admonishes us to be quick to listen to the word of truth. We should not give much attention to the temptations and sinful enticing, but rather to the word, that brings forth faith and saves us.

It’s not the best students, who listen and learn today and tomorrow want to be teachers already. For this the word is far to rich and meaningful. You can’t master it so quickly – if ever. Concentrate on being a scholar of the word. Let the word find root in you before you open your mouth and wait for it to bear fruit and loosens your tongue to talk avidly.  If you become a preacher too soon, your resource might just dry up too quickly. We know the rule: Quick words, quick sins and quick condemnation. We have two ears for God’s word, yet only one shut mouth – and that’s to be opened by the Holy Spirit for proper speech and wholesome teaching.

The last part: “be slow to become angry” teaches us that we should not be turned away from the godly word and truth by our passions and easy anger of the old Adam in us. This obstructs the righteousness God is creating in those reborn by his truthful word.

Almighty Lord and God – you protect all those, who trust in you. Without your grace we can do nothing and without it we are nothing. Grant us your mercy in richest measure so that by your doing we might think what is right and through your power do it too – through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Keep me from saying words, that later need recalling; Guard me lest idle speech, May from my lips be falling; But when within my place, I must and ought to speak, Then to my words give grace, Lest I offend the weak. (Johann Hermann 1585-1647; tr Catherine Winkworth 1827-78)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Tuesday after the fourth Sunday after Easter: Cantate. It is found on Pg. 189 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.

Posted in Meditations by P.Wilhelm Löhe (Translation) | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Herrenhuter readings for Tuesday, the 30th April 2013

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

pompomsYou who are far away, hear what I have done; you who are near, acknowledge my power! (Isaiah 33:13 NIV)

For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. (1. Thessalonians 1:4-5 NIV)

Posted in Losung & Lehrtext | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

LÖHE ON JAMES 1:18

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

firstfruitsHe chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. (Jam 1:18 NIV)

Somebody, who is born through the word of truth has the calling to be a kind of firstfruit. Yet temptations will still be with him as he’s not yet perfect by a long shot. He remains vulnerable. Just think of Eve in Paradise. She really was in a perfect state – and yet the tempter did not pass her by. Thus the master of lies and deception tempts the children of God and tries to usurp the divine throne. He’s the imposter – makes himself out to be an angel of light and put down the true Lord as a fake. Blessed is he, who withstands these treacherous attempts of the father of lies, who closes mouth and ears to anger and rather opens his ears for the word of truth and doesn’t shut out this truth from his heart. It’s not just a beautiful noise, but rather a power of God to save. Listen and don’t stop receiving the divine gifts and graces through this very word of God. You’ll get to know, that God’s hands and richest blessings are active, wherever his holy gospel rings out.

Lord: Let us hear your word and head your voice. Speak to us so that we understand and don’t be far from us with your comfort – especially if we’re scared and afraid to loose our soul, because your arrows are striking us where it hurts. Strengthen us in temptation and lead us through your strong word to victory and triumph. Keep us in the coming night so that the old evil foe may have no power over us. Amen.

1. I walk in danger all the way.  The thought shall never leave me  That Satan, who has marked his prey, Is plotting to deceive me. This foe with hidden snares May seize me unawares If e’er I fail to watch and pray. I walk in danger all the way.

 2. I pass through trials all the way, With sin and ills contending; In patience I must bear each day The cross of God’s own sending. Oft in adversity I know not where to flee;      When storms of woe my soul dismay, I pass through trials all the way.

 3. Death doth pursue me all the way, Nowhere I rest securely; He comes by night, he comes by day, And takes his prey most surely.  A failing breath, and I In death’s strong grasp may lie To face eternity for aye. Death dost pursue me all the way. 

4. I walk with angels all the way,   They shield me and befriend me; All Satan’s power is held at bay When heavenly hosts attend me; They are my sure defense, All fear and sorrow, hence! Unharmed by foes, do what they may, I walk with angels all the way.

5. I walk with Jesus all the way,  His guidance never fails me; Within His wounds I find a stay When Satan’s power assails me; And by His footsteps led, My path I safely tread.         In spite of ills that threaten may, I walk with Jesus all the way.

 6. My walk is heavenward all the way; Await my soul, the morrow, When thou shalt find release for aye From all thy sin and sorrow. All worldly pomp, begone! To heaven I now press on. For all the world I would not stay; My walk is heavenward all the way.  (Hans A. Brorson 1694-1764 tr Ditlev G. Ristad, 1863-1938)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Monday after the fourth Sunday after Easter: Cantate. It is found on Pg. 188 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.

Posted in Meditations by P.Wilhelm Löhe (Translation) | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Herrenhuter readings for Monday, the 29th April 2013

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

hardheartedDo not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. (Deuteronomy 15:7 NIV)
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'” (Acts 20:35 NIV)

Posted in Losung & Lehrtext | Leave a comment

LÖHE ON JAMES 1:16-17

Posted on April 28, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Who trusts in GodDon’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:16-17 NIV)

Here the apostle James warns us not to think bad about God and not to believe that evil comes from him. That is why he adds: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (Jam 1:16-17 NIV) The Lord does not change his goodness into evil and does not do good today and evil tomorrow. We might think that it is not so necessary to highlight the truth and it is not so important to warn of false and mistaken opinions. You are fortunate and blessed if you have no doubt about God’s goodness. However skeptics and those of just little faith often question God’s perfect goodness. It’s a real temptation if you are led dark and difficult pathways – in poverty, weakness and lonely suffering. It’s then that the tempter’s voice is most threatening: “Curse God and die!” Blessed is the man, who withstands these temptations. That is why the apostle James warns so sternly: “Don’t be deceived!” It is really like praising gratitude if he continues: “Every good and perfect gift is from above!”

Who trusts in God, a strong abode In Heav’n and earth possesses; Who looks in love to Christ above, No fear his heart oppresses. In Thee alone, dear Lord, we own Sweet hope and consolation; Our shield from foes, our balm for woes, Our great and sure salvation.

Though Satan’s wrath beset our path, And worldly scorn assail us; While Thou art near we will not fear, Thy strength shall never fail us. Thy rod and staff, shall keep us safe, And guide our steps forever; Nor shades of death, nor hell beneath, Our souls from Thee shall sever.

In all the strife of mortal life, Our feet shall stand securely; Temptation’s hour shall lose its power, For Thou shalt guard us surely. O God, renew, with heavenly dew, Our body, soul, and spirit, Until we stand at Thy right hand, Through Jesus’ saving merit. (Joachim Magdeburg 1525 tr Benjamin H. Kennedy 1804-99)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for the fourth Sunday after Easter: Cantate. It is found on Pg. 187 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.

Posted in Losung & Lehrtext | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Herrenhuter readings for Sunday, the 28th April 2013

Posted on April 28, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

JonaWho knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.” (Jon 3:9 NIV)

For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. (1Th 5:9-10 NIV)

Posted in Losung & Lehrtext | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Order of Lutheran Service in Zulu/Tswana

Posted on April 27, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

baptismal font“Jesus Christ is risen. He is risen indeed!” The Lutheran Order of Service for the fourth Sunday after Easter (Cantate) is available here in isiZulu and seTswana. Today it comes with a sermon written by Rev. Muswenkosi Mntambo  (LTS in Tshwane, GP) based on Isaiah 12,1-6 in isiZulu (wt1325130428 Kantate) and translated by my father Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD into seTswana (wz1325130428 Kantate).

I pray you have a very blessed Eastertide and have time to meditate on the watchword of our Lord Jesus Christ recorded in Psalm 98:1a: Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things. (Psa 98:1a NIV)

The liturgical colour is white and the Church rejoices with Hallelujahs, the Magnificat and the Gloria in exelsis.

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.

Posted in Lutheran Order of service | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

LÖHE ON 2.CORINTHIANS 6:10

Posted on April 27, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

cross and lightSorrowful, yet always rejoicing. (2Co 6:10 NIV)

Sadness is a ticket to joy. There are various perspectives of heaven. Mine too shall be realized – even if no one sees the glorious splendour out yonder, who has not first gone through sorrow and trouble here. Yet, those, who will eventually see the heavenly happiness can even bear the sorrows of this world with a smile.

Joy is but a fleeting guest here on earth. It’s like the sparkling wine of Cana, which is enjoyed now and again – but not constantly. Whatever is not permanent is not vital either. Often I was in quite some sorrow, but afterwards I realized that even in these dark times happiness was there like a sleeping Christ or as an angel in the desert – sustaining me with heavenly and divine sustenance. I realized that God does not leave us people alone since he left his son on the cross to die in harsh isolation. That is why I live in anticipation of his coming and presence, take up my cross and follow his directions. He knows where I should be and what I should do and say. Therefore speak – o Lord – your servant is listening. I do his bidding – sometimes with, sometimes without rejoicing – realizing that the blessing of obeying his commandments are not dependant on my joy or sorrow, but rather on the grace, mercy and goodness of the most humble and almighty Lord of the Church Jesus Christ. All glory be to him alone!

Lord, you omniscient and merciful God, you know the hardship, suffering and trouble of your children. You know, when and how they require your help and salvation. Let us persevere patiently in all suffering, carrying our cross without complaint until we reach our destiny, where we will at last be free of all sin and singing your praises even for the hardships suffered during our lifetimes.  Amen.  

O what wonderful love that can lead its most cherished children through dark and hard times. You lead your darlings to eternal joys, but through deep waters. Every pain strikes your heart first – o blessed saviour. Your the one that cuts and feels the pain too – o Priest, who suffered all for us.

Quiet heart and racing mind, bring peace to our torn soul. Grant us rest – o Father on high. Listen to my cry from below and pull me toward you – into the deepest unity – now and forever. I prefer to live for you alone – o Lord – removed from all, but from you, my hearts desire.  (Wilhem Hermann, 1826-1856)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Saturday after the third Sunday after Easter: Jubilate. It is found on Pg. 186 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.

Posted in Losung & Lehrtext | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Herrenhuter readings for Saturday, the 27th April 2013

Posted on April 27, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

covenant arkI will make an everlasting covenant with you!  (Isaiah 55:3 NIV)

We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. (Hebrews 6:12 NIV)

Posted in Losung & Lehrtext | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Program at Launch of Tswana Book of Concord

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

DSC_0394Here is the proposed program for the launch today in the auditorium of the Merensky library at the University of Pretoria: Launch of the Tswana Book of Concord

Posted in Lutheran Church in Southern Africa | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment