LÖHE ON GENESIS 24:31

Posted on January 27, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Cross“Come, you who are blessed by the LORD,” he said. “Why are you standing out here?” (Gen 24:31 NIV)

“Septuagesimae”: 70 day’s of Lenten preparations before Easter have now begun. The first Sunday of nine, which fall into this period is already in full-swing. Although these Sundays fall into this penitential schedule, they are siblings of Easter and therefore reflect the joy of the resurrection already during Lent. The earnestness of repentance has cast its shadow on these Sundays too. As we get closer to Good Friday the Gospel and Epistle readings progress to speak more and more clearly about the suffering, death and burial of Jesus Christ. The lessons were chosen to highlight the suffering of Christ and also our due response in repentance.

We can bow our hearts in this penitential seriousness as this bowing down is no enemy of the Sunday’s joy and Easter’s delight. Ernest seriousness and joyful delight go nicely together, are like good friends and companions and blessed guests, that we do not leave either outside but rather call them both as Elieser was called: “Come, you who are blessed by the LORD,” he said. “Why are you standing out here?”

Lord Jesus: You are the mediator between God and humankind. With humble gratitude we remember you in this sombre time of Lent, recollecting the gospel of your suffering, cross and dying. You suffered all that for us. By your grace help us that we follow your holy suffering and dying faithfully and win from it serious repentance, living faith and thankful love towards you – our Saviour – who is praised eternally with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Amen.  (Arper-Zillessen)

Why do you want to stand outside, o you Blessed  of the Lord? O my star, let it please you to enter me/mine. You, my Jesus, are my joy and helper at the right time. O Saviour help my heart of all wounds that hurt me.

In joy, o Lord Jesus Christ rest all comfort and joy. Your delight is the pasture, where one is satisfied and happy. Oh joyfull light light up my life before my heart breaks. Allow me to be revived in you o Jesus, come and let us see you!  (Paul Gerhard, 1607-1676. The translation is rather literal and neither poetic nor hymnal)

(Translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for  Sunday Septuagesiame as found on Pg. 96 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.)

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

Herrenhuter readings for Sunday, the 27th January 2013

Posted on January 27, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Plough“Break up your unplowed ground and do not sow among thorns.” (Jeremiah 4:3 NIV)

“No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62 NIV)

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

Devotions at LTS

Posted on January 26, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Church at prayerAs we look forward to the next academic Quarter at LTS, the prospect of regular devotions at LTS is uplifting. Find the schedule for the main worship services during weekdays here: 13,I Devotion LTS. Before the beginning of our regular classes at 8h00 we start with the Order of Responsive Prayer.

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

Lutheran Order of service

Posted on January 26, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

matthew.9.9-13The Lutheran Order of Service for Septuagesimae (3rd Sunday before Lent) is available here in isiZulu and seTswana. Today it comes with a sermon based on the gospel of the evangelist Saint Matthews in the 9th chapter verses 9-13 by our brother Rev. Mkhabela (Gamalakhe LC, KZN) in isiZulu (wz1311130127 Septuageisme) and translated as usual into seTswana (wt1311130127 Septuagesime) by my father Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD (Welbedacht, KZN).

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 Sunday and have time to meditate on the watchword from the prophet Daniel: We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. (9:18 NIV)

The liturgical colour is green and the Hallelujah verse is omitted.

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

LÖHE ON ACTS 20:32

Posted on January 26, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

insuranceSt. Paul says: “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” (Act 20:32 NIV)

Wherever God’s word is present, there he is with his grace too. Wherever one of his promises is present even if only in a few words, there he himself is too, there his helping hand is available, his eyes to lead and guide. Perceive what an immense fill of his presence is put right there in your hand.  He opens his most gracious lips. Fall down and praise him: “Speak, o Lord, your servant is listening!” Is it not so that it is very pleasant if someone speaks such weighty promises of life and salvation and simultaneously he is truly eternal, his words matter come what may and they hold fast and true even when yours are silenced? He has certified life insurance for you that remains valid and in power even beyond death and the limits of your earthly life. Yes, his words and firm promises of life and salvation are truly a pillow to rest safely and securely on. They are the caring hands that close our eyes at the end, the grave clothes initiated for us by his resurrection, the trombones and cornucopia at the end of time and this world. So by his grace and merciful promise I know more about him and the fruits of his death for my life with him in eternity than I know about this very present life I am going through here on earth.

O Lord Jesus Christ, grant that we keep your holy word as our most precious treasure in all poverty of this life, that we preserve it as dear and close as the most endurable comfort in all sinful distress, as firm guarantee of our eternal salvation and redemption. We ask this of you, the true and dependable word, the perfect light and most lucid clarity, worthy of praise and adoration and worship in eternity. Amen. (Hermann von Bezzel, 1861-1917)

Your Word, o Lord is mild dew for souls in need of comfort; do not allow just one little plant growing in your garden lack this heavenly nourishment. Rather let it revive those in need that each will flourish and blossom and in your time and future bear blessed fruit and seed aplenty.

Your Word, o Lord is a flaming sword, lightning that shatters rock, fire that consumes hearts and enters the very marrow of our bones. O let your word continue to destroy the power of sin and evil, purifying all hearts and lives.

Your Word, o Lord is the true guiding star on our pilgrimage; it even leads fools heavenward and makes wise the simple. Do not extinguish your heavenly light for us, but rather enlighten each soul, that nobody might miss you. (Karl Bernhard Grave, 1763-1841. The translation is rather literal and neither poetic nor hymnal)

(Translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for  Saturday after the 6th Sunday after Epiphany as found on Pg. 95 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.)

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

Herrenhuter readings for Saturday, the 26th January 2013

Posted on January 26, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Jesus-watches-his-disciplesThe Lord gives grace to the humble. (Proverbs 3:34 NIV)

Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. (Matthews 20:26 NIV)

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

LÖHE ON MATTHEWS 21:21

Posted on January 25, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

MOVINGMOUNTAINSJesus replied, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. (Mat 21:21 NIV)

Let’s answer “Amen” and not doubt! Believing steadfast and simply is the best way to thank our God and Lord Jesus Christ. Believing that all that’s written by the apostles and prophets concerning the blessings of his suffering is true. Believing that all that happened in and through Jesus Christ happened for us and our salvation, for you and for me, that his death delivered you too from the power of the devil, sin and death, that you too are now a child and heir of God!

If however you do not experience peace and joy in this your belief as you think you should as a believer in all that God has so graciously done for you, do not become ungrateful, don’t think that your faith is just vain and useless! Do not be put off, do not doubt, but rather live and die in the promise, that amidst all darkness that surrounds you, you still are blessed and very much a child of God. Hold out and cling to the hand of God. He oftentimes leads through dark valleys that you can not even see the rod and staff of your good Shepherd leading you on in the encompassing storm and gloom.  Just learn to give heed to your Lord and continue learning to understand him!  “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Rom 8:37 NIV) Do not even think that because its now night the son will never shine again. The night has its measure and ending and at the end the sun will rise again. And then if its day again, you will see very clearly, that his rod and staff guided you all the way just as his holy angels kept a watchful eye over your progress all along.

O Lord, our heart is wretched and poor, enrich it yourself. The abode of our soul is in ruins, edify and build it yourself. Our own dress is in shreds, dress us with your garments of righteousness. Grant that we only fear you and nothing else in this world. Grant that we love you above all else and desire all only in you. Grant that we only trust you and despise the comfort of this world. In such fear and love and trust unite us with the holy congregation of those, that you have already perfected in your sight and that praise you now and eternally. Amen.  (Chr. Geyer)

Take now both my hands as I renew my commitment to You o Lord Jesus Christ: I want to love you until the very end and therefore commit everything into your hands. O Lord Jesus Christ, engrave your name and your crosses signatory onto my forehead. Amen! Yes, Amen, Amen a thousand times.  (Hermann von Bezzel, 1861-1917) The translation is rather literal and neither poetic nor hymnal)

(Translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for  Friday after the 6th Sunday after Epiphany as found on Pg. 94 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.)

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

Herrenhuter readings for Friday, the 25th January 2013

Posted on January 25, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Jesus unterm KreuzYour ways, O God, are holy. (Psalm 77:13 NIV)

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! (Rom 11:33 NIV)

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

LÖHE ON JAMES 1:6-8

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

nestBut when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. (James 1:6-8 NIV)

When I was young I followed the argumentation of theologians and philosophers concerning God’s existence and the immortality of our human soul. However when I got to know the Holy Scriptures in their context such proofs were no longer called for – neither for nor against. After all understanding Holy Scriptures is a gift from God. I studied the doctrine concerning the soul’s condition after death and was surprised to find how many very clear and illuminating passages the Bible contained on this topic. If anywhere then here the saying holds true: “Whoever seeks,  finds!” Many unexpected, astonishing and blissful perspectives into the hereafter, into the inheritance of the saints in the light are granted in it. And I wish, you would experience the same. Then the divine patience and his forbearance would become more understandable.  Whoever knows what is waiting for him and knowing this in a fashion that is only possible to those enlightened by God’s word, is enabled to cope with all hardship no matter how heavy or lengthy this may seem. The joy is not eradicated by suffering, but is rather increased. In his spirit he is already striving towards the godly place, where there is no suffering, no crying and no tears either anymore. This truly is a most amazing and wonderful experience of eternal joys already tasted in advanced and ahead of time!

O almighty God! You have sent your prophets in days gone by and even today you reveal your holy will. Grant that we learn to be submissive to you and obedient to your holy word. Grant us appropriate reverence towards you and your word until we finally come to view you in your glory face to face and hear you speaking and in this hearing come to eternal peace. Amen.  (Jean Calvin)

Doubt is a bad carpenter and builder. There never was a worse one here on earth. The entire yard is full of bricks and stones, but doubt never starts building or construction. Always there’s something forgotten, something outstanding, something to be measured and the rain is pouring through the roof, so that nobody wants to stay there. If you do not put off doubt and instead hold onto God and his promises faithfully, yes, if the word from his mouth is not your anchor, rock and firm foundation then you will never build anything firm – not even a weak and delicate bird’s nest. (Reimar von Zweter 1236. The translation is rather somewhat literal and neither poetic nor hymnal)

(Translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for  Thursday after the 6th Sunday after Epiphany as found on Pg. 93 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.)

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

Herrenhuter readings for Thursday, the 24th January 2013

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Icon of unexpected JoyThe prospect of the righteous is joy! (Proverbs 10:28a NIV)

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. (Hebrews 10:36 NIV)

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