LÖHE ON EPHESIANS 5:4

Posted on March 6, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Jesus preachingNor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place. (Eph 5:4 NIV)

The apostle Saint James calls the tongue a fire and a world of evil (James 3:6). In the same vein you could call it a world of rubbish and dirt. Just listen to the youth on the playground or grown-ups socializing. There’s a lot of obscenity, foolish talk and coarse joking going on even if that is clearly in contradiction to the apostolic admonition to the Ephesians.  It doesn’t go with a Christian way of life. The danger is that this coarse vocabulary and style is just the tip of the ice-berg and only a reflection of the inner life of corrupt, evil and sick heart. That’s what needs repentance, conversion and healing. Christ himself is the blessed tutor, who instructs, guides and demonstrates positive communication of wholesome blessings and sharing life-giving words which comfort, uplift, edify and sustain instead of cursing, degrading, hurting, breaking down, insulting and shaming – killing if they could. The old Adam tries to pull us down into the mire, whereas the Holy Spirit does his tireless work of sanctification in us to continually promote Christ and his life style in us so that we don’t tire to strive to live pleasing to God and as a blessing to our fellow beings.

Lord, our God! You are holy and nothing unclean can exist in your presence. Help, that we, who tend to unholiness and uncleanliness would give up all that does not meet your approval. Protect us especially to fall into the sins of our tongue, so that we do not bring disrepute and calamity over us and our fellow beings. Sanctify us through and through, so that body, soul and spirit may be kept blameless until the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Protect us in this night also from every evil thought and dream. Let us find rest in you o Lord and awaken us to sing your praises. Amen.

In life and pastime, in peace and war, at home or work, at all times let us remain honest, disciplined, hard-working and faithful to honour you and benefit our neighbour.

Lord God, you gladly and graciously forgive sinners. You happily welcome your fallen children home. Even in punishment you think of forgiveness and healing. We fall down before you and worship you as our God and Savior. Amen, Amen. (Max von Schenkendorf, 1783-1817 )

This is a translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Wednesday after Sunday Oculi (3rd Sunday in Lent). The hymn by von Schenkendorf was translated rather literally and not poetically. Both are found on Pg. 134 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 Wednesday, the 6th March 2013

Posted on March 6, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

arrogant1“Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.” (1.Samuel 2:3 NIV)

Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. (1.John 3:18 NIV)

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Löhe on Ephesians 5:3

Posted on March 5, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

resurrection-iconBut among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. (Eph 5:3 NIV)

That is a tremendous demand by the apostle. Which congregation can say that it fulfils this apostolic mandate wholeheartedly? Most levels of society have lost all divine orientation with regards to the sixth commandment. Even in the Christian congregation men and women have lots to confess in this regard. It is not a question of intellect or schooling. It is the same challenge everywhere. Negative examples abound and not much positive remains to answer this apostolic commandment, that there should not even be a hint of sexual immorality never mind talk or practice of any kind of impurity or greed.

The apostle is not one of those, who would adapt the divine law to fit our whims or inclinations. He would not even change the commandment if there was no sign of compliance either. The strict demand calls for deep rooted penance, especially as the appropriate levels of sanctification are not attained. He demands great and truly holy things from us, so that we are at least led to this profound penance where we do not live up to the required holiness and sanctity in sanctification.

Renew me, O eternal Light, And let my heart and soul be bright, Illumined with the light of grace That issues from your holy face.

Remove the power of sin from me And cleanse all my impurity That I may have the strength and will Temptations of the flesh to still.

Create in me a new heart, Lord, That gladly I obey your Word. Let what you will be my desire, And with new life my soul inspire.

Grant that I only you may love And seek those things which are above Till I behold you face to face, O Light eternal, through your grace. (Johann Friedrich Ruopp, 1672-1708; translated August Crull, 1845-1923)

This is a translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Tuesday after Sunday Oculi (3rd Sunday in Lent) and is found on Pg. 133 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 Tuesday, the 5th March 2013

Posted on March 5, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Isa28.16CrossCornerstone“Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.” (Isaiah 29:14 NIV)

God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. (Hebrews 2:4 NIV)

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LÖHE ON EPHESIANS 5:1-2

Posted on March 4, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

jesus-fallsBe imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  (Eph 5:1-2 NIV)

Here we are put under the impression, that we are called more to imitate and follow Jesus Christ than the Father; but God the Father appears to us in the Son Jesus Christ and only in the Son Jesus Christ do we recognize, that it means to imitate and follow the Father. It is the love towards those, whom the Father loves and also the Son. The Father and the Son do not express their love in the same way as we do. The Father receives sacrifice, but does offer sacrifice himself and yet he loves the human kind. The Son offers himself as pleasing and fragrant sacrifice to the Father. In this sacrificial offering he shows his love towards those, whom the Father loves. We however can not love like the Father loves, before whom all things are and from whom they all receive their being, nor can we love like the love, through whom all things are and continue to have their existence. Yet we ought to love like both and even if we can not be gift and offering for our brethren, we should be actively engaged for others even to the point of willingly suffering vicariously and in love for others fearing neither cross nor death.

Almighty, eternal God! We thank and praise you, that for Christ’s sake you have adopted us your children. We plead you, rule and guide us through your Holy Spirit, so that we would love you and our neighbor as your son loved us and gave himself as a living sacrifice and sweet fragrance for us and our salvation… We commit ourselves into your grace and ask you to wake us again in the morrow that we would rise afresh and healthy to praise and thank you. We ask this in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.

The inner Christian life is radiant even if their exterior is suffering and passing away. The eternal heavenly gifts that the king of the heavens has in store for them are yet unknown. What nobody has felt or experienced yet, is already enlightened them and is guiding them heavenward.

Externally they often appear poor and humble, a theatre for the angels really, and despised by the world, yet inwardly they are filled with glorious things, dressed with jewels and crowns that please Jesus. They are timeless miracles prepared for their king, who dwells amongst lilies, roses and orchids – to serve him willingly and therefore fitted in holy garments and finery.

Inwardly they are of divine ancestry, having their origin in God and through his most powerful word; his holy fires  are aflame in them, enlightened from above, sustained and nourished from there. The angels are their siblings, that join in their singing and praise with blissful and most exuberant songs and hymns. That sounds majestic and wonderfully in honour of their God and Lord + (Christian Friedrich Richter, 1676-1711)

This is a translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Monday after Sunday Oculi (3rd Sunday in Lent). The hymn was translated rather literally, but not poetically. Both are found on Pg. 132 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 4th March 2013

Posted on March 4, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Lost sonRise up and help us; redeem us because of your unfailing love. (Psalm 44:26 NIV)

Jesus Christ says: “The kingdom of God is within you.“(Luke 17:21 NIV)

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LÖHE ON EPHESIANS 5:1

Posted on March 3, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Jesus Christ sufferedBe imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children (Eph 5:1 NIV)

If somebody else than the apostle St. Paul would have given this admonition to imitate God and to follow his example, then we might have responded, that you can not imitate or follow God. We are but dust and how should we imitate or follow the ultimate and paramount being? If somebody should want to follow the sun, we would deem him crazy. What therefore of someone who wants to follow or imitate God? This argumentation has some logical value surely. However we read this admonition of God’s special envoy and apostle, who gives us this command in the name of the Highest: Be imitators of God!   He gives us the reasoning behind this: … as dearly loved children! Because we are children, born of God, therefore we can, are allowed to and should follow the Father, who has begotten us as his children. And because we as his children are also loved by him, therefore we have even an added and better drawing card towards the divine good and following of our Father. We are God’s children by the grace of our most holy Baptism. Since then the divine and new creation is in us with its positive strength and power to give ear and following to this divine call from our Father to imitate him and be his followers.

Almighty, merciful Father! We thank and praise you, that you are our Father and hast made us your children. Grant that we live as your children and that we abide faithfully by your commandments in our lives, so that the world would recognize the grace that we have received. Let our way of life demonstrate your love and kindness and thus be a constant invitation to join in the praise of your grace and glory. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

 (J. Otter)

It’s not hard to be a Christian and to live according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Our old Adam would like to make us believe that this is not so and opposes our calling to follow Jesus with our cross and into his death, but grace continues to keep us on track and let’s us survive this struggle too.

You are called to be a child of faith and practice love, that you yourself have received. Don’t be despondent, but rather pick up courage and don’t be afraid – for it’s not too difficult at all.

Your father requires your heart to fill it with pure grace. The faithful God does not push the pain too far, it is mainly your own faint heart that objects and laments. Therefore commit yourself to your Lord and God. He will take good care – even beyond suffering and death.

Cast away all trouble and tribulation, which burdens and plagues your heart and mind. Remain faithful and keep up hope even while fear and sorrow gnaw at your heart. Pray: “Father, have mercy on me” and behold it will be done! (Christian Friedrich Richter, 1676-1711)

This is a translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Sunday Oculi (Third Sunday in Lent). The hymn was translated rather literally, but not poetically. Both are found on Pg. 131 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 3rd March 2013

Posted on March 3, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

peterpaulrubens_christ_on_the_cross“To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.‘” (Isaiah 65:1 NIV)

And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!“ (Mark 15:39 NIV)

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LÖHE ON MATTHEWS 15:28

Posted on March 2, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

jesus-and-the-gentile-woman“Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.”  (Mat 15:28 NIV)

Humble souls receive the promise in their struggles, that they will receive, what they are asking for. In the Psalms we read: Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4 NIV) That is very much in line with this gospel: “May it be as you desire!” The humbled and faithful person has a will, sometimes even a strong one, which may express itself in confident petitions, yet this strong will is not necessarily sinful. The humbled person desires firstly to follow Jesus and abide by his will. Prior to choosing with confident desire, he has established that this is truly good, right and salutary according to the divine will and revelation. That’s how it is with the Canaanite mother. She knows exactly that her pleading is right and pleasing to the Lord Jesus Christ, for she is praying for the salvation of a human soul from the claws of the devil. That makes for bold prayers and looking up the Lord’s help with confidence. In and with the power of Jesus we face the machinations of the devil confidently. Therefore these friendly and lovely words of our Lord as he finally consoles the pleading mother.

Dearest Lord Jesus! Your rule is often mysterious, but always blessed and salvific. You test our faith oftentimes and you allow suffering and cross, temptation and deprivation to come over your loved ones. Always you hasten to be with them at the right time. Strengthen our confidence in you, that we will remain patient and full of hope as we worship and adore you as our Lord and savior, that lives and rules with God the Father and the Holy Spirit now and forever. Amen.   

As long as I live, I stick to you o Lord my God. In all hardship I put my trust in you, even if you continue to rule mysteriously, just prove yourself salvific. (From Löhes “Samenkörner” = “Seed kernels”)

This is a translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Saturday after the Sunday Reminiscere (Second Sunday in Lent). The hymn by Paul Gerhard was translated rather literally, but not poetically. Both are found on Pg. 130 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and puplished in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.

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Herrenhuter readings for Saturday, the 2nd March 2013

Posted on March 2, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

under your wingsI will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. (Psalm 57:1 NIV)

You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. (James 5:11 NIV)

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