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.)

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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)

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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.)

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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)

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SELK News: Wilhelm Torgerson zum Professor ernannt

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

W.TorgersonWilhelm Torgerson zum Professor ernannt
Lehrtätigkeit am Seminar der kanadischen SELK-Schwesterkirche

St. Catharines (Kanada), 22.1.2013 – selk – Pfarrer i.R. Wilhelm Torgerson, D.D. (68), bis zu seiner Emeritierung im Jahr 2009 Direktor des Wittenberg-Projektes (http://www.in.lcms.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=130:wittenberg-project&catid=8), wurde durch die Aufsichtsbehörde des Concordia Lutherischen Theologischen Seminars von St. Catharines (Kanada | http://www.brocku.ca/concordiaseminary) bereits im Herbst des letzten Jahres zum „Professor Adjunct“ (außerplanmäßiger Professor bzw. Lehrbeauftragter) ernannt. Torgerson war bereits seit seiner Übersiedlung nach Kanada als Gastdozent mit dem Schwerpunkt Homiletik (Predigtlehre) an diesem Theologischen Seminar der Lutherischen Kirche-Kanada, einer Schwesterkirche der Selbständigen Evangelisch-Lutherischen Kirche (SELK), tätig.

Mit der Ernennung zum Professor Adjunct erhält Torgerson nun auch Sitz und Stimme in der Fakultät der Hochschule von St. Catharines. Die Lehrtätigkeit ist zunächst auf drei Jahre begrenzt. Finanziert wird die Dozentur durch die kanadische Schwan-Stiftung.

Neben seiner Lehrtätigkeit leitet Torgerson auch die sonntäglichen deutschsprachigen Gottesdienste der Gnaden-Gemeinde in St. Catharines. Den theologischen Ehrendoktortitel verlieh die Fakultät des Concordia Theologischen Seminars Fort Wayne (USA | http://www.ctsfw.edu) Torgerson bereits im Mai 2008.

Der in Minden/Westfalen geborene Torgerson wanderte als Kind mit seinen Eltern nach Kanada aus, absolvierte dort auch sein Theologiestudium und wurde 1971 im kanadischen Edmonton ordiniert. Er besitzt die kanadische Staatsangehörigkeit. Den größten Teil seiner Dienstzeit verbrachte Torgerson als Pfarrer der SELK-Gemeinden in Brunsbrock, Bremen, Hamburg (Dreieinigkeit) und Berlin (Mitte).
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LÖHE ON 2. PETER 1:16-18

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

TransfigurationWe did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. (2Pe 1:16-18 NIV)

The apostle Peter is spot-on with his declaration, that he did not follow cleverly invented stories, but rather God’s witness and that of his prophets. What do we want to do now? Do we not have the writings of the prophets and those of the apostles? And do we not know the witness of the father through the apostles? Do we not want to trust the divine witness and that of his holy saints?

Day is breaking, the Morningstar of fulfilment has appeared long ago. The era of fulfilment is coming to completion more and more. Soon the one we are waiting for, will appear. His name is “Amen”, because all divine promises are “yes” and “Amen” in him. Are we only going to believe, when we see him, who is to judge the living and the dead? Or do we believe now already?

O Lord you eternal light! Let us hold and keep and recognise more and more all what your prophets preached and your apostles witnessed and explained and your Father declared concerning your power and coming and thus be saved in this enlightened recognition! Amen

Your word, O Lord, let always be the lamp for our feet; preserve it with us clear and pure; grant that in all distress we enjoy from it strength, guidance and enduring comfort so that we continue to trust in it.

God Father, let Your word be widely spread to you honour. Help, Jesus, that Your teaching may enlighten and guide us. O Holy Spirit, let Your divine word work in us continually faith, love, patience and hope.  (David Denicke, 1603-1680. The translation is rather somewhat literal and neither poetic nor hymnal)

(Translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for  Wednesday after the 6th Sunday after Epiphany as found on Pg. 92 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 Wednesday, the 23rd January 2013

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

John-Swanson_Story-of-the-Prodigal-Son_PSDo I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? (Ezekiel 18:23 NIV)

For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.  (Luke 15:24 NIV)

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Herrenhuter readings for Tuesday, the 22nd January 2013

Posted on January 22, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

prison barsLearn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. (Isaiah 1:17a NIV)

Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. (Hebrews 13:3 NIV)

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LÖHE ON 2. PETER 1:19

Posted on January 22, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Holy TransfigurationAnd we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. (2Pe 1:19 NIV)

The holy apostles knew quite a bit concerning Christ’s power and future by reading and listening to the ancient prophecies in the books of the holy Prophets. Yet when these prophecies were actually fulfilled and the power and future of Christ was present in their midst, they saw much more than they had bargained for. The Lord took them along onto the holy Mountain and was transfigured before them. They could listen in on him talking about his glorious consummation with Moses and Elijah and they were made privy to the supreme Father’s testimonial concerning his beloved son. All this confirmed the prophecies of old. Thus the apostles were assured most firmly that their Lord Jesus Christ was indeed the promised one and that they were not to expect somebody else later on surpassing him ever.

In this way the divine experience emphasized the prophetic witness as the prophetic message had pointed them to Jesus Christ in the first place. History agreed with the prophecy and the prophecy illuminated history in its full, divine light.

O Lord Jesus Christ! Grant that your word lead and guide us, that it comfort us and give us all true love towards your word and dedicated faithfulness to read, study and learn it, so that we may always and eternally rejoice in it. Grant us your peace this night and day and your strength and grace for our work and calling in the morning. Amen.   (Hermann Bezzel)

The dear old sun’s light and glory has run it’s course and the world has gone rest. O soul do now, what you’re supposed to do: Go to heaven’s door and sing a song fixing your eyes, heart and mind on Jesus Christ.

You lovely stars shine bright and clear, you fill the night with light. Still my Jesus – the eternal celestial torch –   shines a thousand times brighter in my heart. He is my soul’s fame, my protection, my treasure and my very own. (Christian Scriver, 1629-1693: Literal, not poetic translation)

(Translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Tuesday after the 6th Sunday after Epiphany as found on Pg. 91 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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LÖHE ON 2. PETER 1:20

Posted on January 21, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Apostles and prophetsAbove all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. (2Pe 1:20 NIV)

Just as no true prophecy has a human origin, so too its true interpretation is not dependent on human will or intellect. Just as a person can’t decide to become a prophet on his own, so too it’s not possible on our own to interpret prophecy correctly either. The Spirit of the Lord awakens prophets and the true interpretation of these prophecies are also his own prerogative, just as Saint Joseph confessed in the Egyptian prison, when he heard the dreams of the cup-bearer and the baker.

The prophecies of the prophets are like lighthouses and beacons in the dark night of this world. There is bright light shinning forth from them. They have recognized general truths and it is useful to give attention to this light because it is still rather dark and even the prophecies don’t dispel all darkness as yet. The prophecies of St. John’s revelation have enlightened many souls to eternal salvation even if many of them are still enshrouded in mystery to this very day.

There will come a day, then all will truly be light and all the prophecies will be fulfilled and their mysteries will be totally clarified. Just as before the sun of day appears the morning star already shines brightly thus also some godly prophecies shine clearly even now as we are waiting for the final fulfilment of his will and promises.

O God and heavenly Father + We thank you for the holy word that has kept and preserved your revelation for many generations since the days of the prophets and apostles.  We ask you: Enlighten us through this word of revelation by the grace of your Holy Spirit, so that we may understand it better, follow it more willingly and be encouraged by its comfort evermore. We ask this in Jesus Christ’s name, he your Son and our Lord.  Amen

O God, we humans are reprobate in spiritual matters; Your being, will and law is far too high and beyond us;

We don’t know nor understand it, unless your divine word and light shows us the way to you and gives us true understanding.

That is why you sent your servants, the prophets, to make known your will and righteousness. Finally you sent your only begotten Son from the heavenly throne to teach and guide us in your truth.

O Lord we praise you for this salvation and ask you to keep and preserve us in it faithfully. Grant us your Holy Spirit, so that we may truly believe your holy word and accept it fittingly with honour, love and joy as your own word and not just ours! (David Denicke, 1603-1680)

(Translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Monday after the 6th Sunday after Epiphany as found on Pg. 90 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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