Jesus is my confidence…

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Jesus-christ1 Jesus lives! The vict’ry’s won!
Death no longer can appall me.
Jesus lives! Death’s reign is done!
From the grave Christ will recall me.
Brighter scenes will then commence;
This shall be my confidence.

2 Jesus lives! To Him the throne
High above all things is given.
I shall go where He is gone,
Live and reign with Him in heaven.
God is faithful; doubtings, hence!
This shall be my confidence.

3 Jesus lives! For me He died;
Hence will I, to Jesus living,
Pure in heart and act abide,
Praise to Him and glory giving.
All I need God will dispense;
This shall be my confidence.

4 Jesus lives! I know full well
Nothing Me from me shall sever,
Neither death nor pow’rs of hell
Part me now from Christ forever.
God will be my sure defense;
This shall be my confidence.

5 Jesus lives! And now is death
But the gate of life immortal;
This shall calm my trembling breath
When I pass its gloomy portal.
Faith shall cry, as fails each sense,
Jesus is my confidence!

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LÖHE ON 1. PETER 2:11

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

pilgrimDear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. (1Pe 2:11 NIV)

The Apostle encourages the Christians to live chaste and pure lives. This does not only relate to the 6th commandment, but goes further than that. Even the fifth and seventh commandments are directed against sinful desires, which war against our souls. Anger, revenge, theft, corruption and many other sinful desires war against our souls. They destroy the joy and gladness in our hearts. They work like frost in a spring night – destroying the blossoming fruits of the season in no time.

The word “war against your soul” can be understood in more than one way, but all will agree that the happiness of our souls and the associated holy lives are severely damaged by these sinful desires. How is the pilgrim to make his way home steadily if these things preoccupy him and keep him from going about his real business. Where is the joy and courage to come from to reach out to heaven if these things are pulling him back and holding him down? That is why we should concentrate our energy, strength and capacities to abstain from sinful desires, to rid ourselves of sinful ways and to put off all that holds us back and makes us sluggish in our Christian pilgrimage.

O holy God, who will be perceived only by those with clean hearts, grant us your Holy Spirit, that he cleanse our hearts from all sin and sanctify us through and through. Work in us both the will to do and the doing of good works. Strengthen, empower, confirm and capacitate us that we will be found pure and without blame on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Whoever strives to accommodate himself to this world, will be put to shame. The sinful world does not hold its promises. It is not dependable.

Whoever depends on God and the world, will limp on both sides. His heart will remain divided and won’t find peace. It’ll have trouble and pain – no end.

On God alone – that’s how it should be – he is the true sanctuary. Who trusts in God, builds on him alone, is blessed here and saved eternally. (Julius Sturm, 1816-1896)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Tuesday after the third Sunday after Easter: Jubilate. It is found on Pg. 182 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 23rd April 2013

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

german-bible-booksThe unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. (Psalm 119:130 NIV)

We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. (Hebrews 2:1 NIV)

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LÖHE ON 1. PETER 2:12-13.17

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

ChristianLive such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. (1Pe 2:12-13.17 NIV)

Respect for laws and customs of a place is part of a good life of foreigners in strange lands – at least in so far as these are compatible with the love for ones own fatherland. Therefore its part of God’s pilgrims in foreign lands to respect the government and to be subject to their ordinances – even if it demands tough stuff. God’s pilgrims don’t complain even if they have to abide by some strange and harsh rules. Even in those Roman times when Christians were persecuted most fiercely, the roman armies were already saturated with Christians. If they would have turned their weapons against Caesar, he would have felt it quite sorely and they might even have caused a successful revolt and have him disposed. However those Christians were not rebellious. They were humble and filled with humility and the desire to serve. They saw themselves as pilgrims and not fighting to establish their own kingdom on earth. They were content with their heavenly home and their abiding citizenship there. That’s where their minds were focused. The troubles of this time and age they bore willingly and kept the admonition “Honor the king!” in high regard – even when he persecuted them unjustly. Show proper respect to everyone was understood by them to include even the pagan authorities, who were making martyrs of them by the thousands. They prayed for those authorities, their own persecutors and tormentors. Their patience was great. God has promised that the meek will inherit the earth!

O Lord, you have ordained that we pray for all authority. We pray, let us not be moved by a spirit of disobedience and unfaithfulness. Sanctify amongst us a people, who will be eager and flourishing in good works and who will not tire to pray for all those in authority, that they will serve with diligence, patience, wisdom and justice. If we do have to suffer for Thy name’s sake, then grant us endurance too and strength to bear this injustice patiently and willingly to your honour and glory. Amen.

Come Children let us go – the Father is coming along. He’s with us – especially if the going gets tough. He strengthens our resolve with kind words and invitations. Oh yeah – we’re well off indeed + (Gerhard Terstegen, 1697-1769)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Monday after the third Sunday after Easter: Jubilate. It is found on Pg. 181 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 April 2013

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

H_Agia_Triada_Moni_Vatopediou_Agion_OrosThe triune God promises: I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. (Leviticus 26:12 NIV)

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in Jesus Christ. (Colossians 1:19 NIV)

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LÖHE ON 1. PETER 2:11

Posted on April 21, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Pilgrims-ProgressDear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world (1Pe 2:11 NIV)

Aliens are characterized by their strange ways and foreign habits. Pilgrims are such aliens, whose home- and fatherland is in a holy land to where they are on the way or at least where their thoughts and desires are focussed. If we are aliens and strangers in this world, then this worlds ways and customs will not be ours. If we are pilgrims then our ways and habits will be those of our holy destination, where we will finally be at home and thus truly belonging. Holy customs and habits will characterise God’s aliens and pilgrims. They live accordingly even in this world. It doesn’t take much for them to live in this way, because it’s their way of living and being. They speak that language and they are at home in its ways, habits and customs. Thus God’s pilgrims are not strained to live according to the divine rules and regulations. Rather they are empowered by the Spirit of that godly land and people to which they have been called and to where they are on the way.

Come children let’s be going as its toward evening and its dangerous standing in this deserted place. Come, strengthen your resolve to strive towards eternity. The destination is well worth it and very much our home.

You will not be disappointed having gone the narrow pilgrim’s route. We know the faithful caller. Come, follow and trust him. Turn your face and intention determined to Jerusalem!

If it goes against the sinful ways, then that’s good and right. Our sinful flesh and human intuition are not really keen pilgrims. Leave all that stops or hinders behind – we move forward through letting go and dying.

We have to move like pilgrims: free, light and unfettered. Collecting, holding on to much burdens pilgrim’s progress. Don’t carry yourself to death, but rather be content with little – we only need the very basics.

Decorate your hearts rather than your house or body. We’re just foreign guests and on the way already. Too much comfort is unsettling as we need to pass the short days of pilgrimage awake and alert.

Even if the path is narrow – lonely, stony and not safe with many thorns and crosses – remember: It’s only the way. Let it be, we’re on our way, following our leading saviour und breaking out of bondage to eternal liberty!   (Gerhard Terstegen, 1697-1769)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for the third Sunday after Easter: Jubilate. It is found on Pg. 180 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 April 2013

Posted on April 21, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

field-of-lily-travelizationThe LORD remembers us and will bless us. (Psalm 115:12 NIV)

If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! (Luke 12:28 NIV)

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LÖHE ON 1. PETER 2:25

Posted on April 20, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

sheepFor you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1Pe 2:25 NIV)
One soul after the other closes its ears to the voice of the hireling and listens more and more to that of the good shepherd. Who of us is still absent from the obedient herd, whose virtue consists in listening and obeying divine instructions? One after the other hears the call of the good shepherd: “I know my sheep and my sheep know me” (Joh 10:14 NIV) and answers with blessed confidence: “My friend is mine and I am his.” When will we have this confidence and good conscience to answer Jesus’ words: “My sheep know me” with blissful joy of the loving bride?
The Church is becoming more and more complete. The number of elect is being fulfilled and is about to be complete. The predestined flock is gathering in fullness around the throne of the lamb. How long will it still take until that crowd that St. John saw standing in awesome wonder will be as God has ordained? Are we going to be part of that or are we going to be missing? Are we going to belong to the enemy, who has been overcome by Christ – and excluded from the heavenly throng never to see the face of Jesus Christ, the good shepherd in eternity although he died for us also? That is a fear that gives way to peace, confidence, joy and bliss only by the grace of the good shepherd himself.
Oh Lord Jesus Christ, merciful saviour, who has said: “You did not choose me, but I chose you!”, convert us, then we are converted. Heal us, then we are healed. Help, then we are indeed helped. Amen.
We did not elect you, but you counted us as your own according to your holy and gracious will. Our strength is weak and failing and nobody is able to do the work if not empowered by you o Lord. Therefore break our futile will and grant insight that poverty is heavenly gain. Whoever despairs in himself puts his trust in you and thus bears your shame in glory. (Albert Knapp, 1798-1864)
This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Saturday after the second Sunday after Easter: Misericordias Domini. It is found on Pg. 179 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 April 2013

Posted on April 20, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

miracle-sunday-of-the-blind-man-sixth-sunday-of-pascha-03God does great things beyond our understanding. (Job 37:5 NIV)

Jesus said: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me. (Luke 7:22-23 NIV)

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Lutheran Order of service in isiZulu/seTswana

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Monreale_creation_Eva (1)“Jesus Christ is risen. He is risen indeed!” The Lutheran Order of Service for the third Sunday after Easter (Jubilate) is available here in isiZulu and seTswana. Today it comes with a sermon written by my father Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD (Welbedacht, KZN) based on Genesis chapter 1 verses 1-4a.26-31a; 2,1-4a in both isiZulu (wz1324130421 Jubilate) & seTswana (wt1324130421 Jubilate).

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.

I pray you have a very blessed Eastertide and have time to meditate on the watchword for this Sunday Jubilate recorded in the second Epistle of St. Paul in the 5th chapter: If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2Co 5:17 NIV)

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

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