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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Herrenhuter readings for Monday, the 21st January 2013

Posted on January 21, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego“Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants!” (Daniel 3:28 NIV)

But not a hair of your head will perish. (Luke 21:18 NIV)

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LÖHE ON 2. PETER 1:21

Posted on January 20, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Prophets of oldFor prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2Pe 1:21 NIV)

No prophecy is the fruit of human deliberation. Even if a natural genius fixes his eyes into the future to view the mysteries of the kingdom hidden there, he will not discern anything but dark obscurity. Every prophecy is a divine gift of the Holy Spirit and God’s holy people have proclaimed and written down, what they were shown, following not so much their own pursuit, but rather as the Holy Spirit motivated them to oral or written communication. Therefore the prophetic word is the Holy Spirit’s word through human beings, but not of human origin.

O God and heavenly Father: You have revealed your paternal goodness and unfathomable mercy to your congregation in this world so that they would recognize you appropriately. We thank you for your holy word through which you have kept this your revelation pure and faithful throughout the generations right from the prophets of old and from the saintly apostles as good stewards of your gospel. We humbly ask you now, grant us your Holy Spirit that he may bring to life the word of your revelation in us. Grant that we may be immersed more and more deeply in your revelation, that we consider your divine message more and more willingly and that we be more and more comforted by your joyful and encouraging promises.   Amen (E. Linderholm)

Everything you taught today, write into our hearts, and grant that those, who heard it, may be obedient also.

Continue to preserve your word and prosper us continually, so that we may always serve you here as we should.

As I desire peace, o Father, stand by me and commend your holy angel over me that he be my watch and keeper.

Grant a good night to everyone and grant correction to all, who have gone against you and your will.

Help me to get up tomorrow that I may continue faithfully until the end of my calling in this world’s course.

And finally when my time is up, lead me into your heaven, where I’ll rest forever in your grace. (Kaspar Neumann, 1648-1715)

(Translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for the 6th Sunday after Epiphany as found on Pg. 89 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 Sunday, the 20th January 2013

Posted on January 20, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

ascensionSeek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility…  (Zephaniah 2:3a NIV)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1 NIV)

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Lutheran Order of service in isiZulu and seTswana

Posted on January 19, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

VerklaerungThe Lutheran Order of Service for the Last Sunday in Epiphany – Holiday of Transfiguration – is available here in isiZulu (wz1310130120 Phifaniya 6) and seTswana (wt1310130120 Epi 6). Today it comes with a sermon based on the gospel of the evangelist Saint John in the 12th chapter verses 34-36 (37-41) by our 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 fourth and last Sunday in Epiphany and have time to meditate on the watchword from the great prophet Isaiah:  The LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. (60:2 NIV)

The liturgical colour is white.

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Löhe on Psalm 138:8

Posted on January 19, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

HandwerkYour love, O LORD, endures forever– do not abandon the works of your hands. (Psalm 138:8 NIV)

The Lord reveals his face to those striving forward and he enables and empowers them to recognize the clear ocean of his good and eternal will. He let’s us run the long race patiently and fight bravely too until there are no enemies left and we will see him as the author and perfector of faith, our Lord Jesus Christ, whom we follow and who gives the precious assurance to his faithful servants: “I am your shield and your very great reward” (Gn.15:1)

Almighty and everlasting God, heavenly Father: As another week passes by and time is fleeting rapidly before our eyes and we too hasten along, graciously have mercy on our flawed and imperfect life. In your paternal goodness forgive again where we have deserved your righteous wrath in the past week with our thoughts, words and deeds. Help to rectify and put into good order, where we have messed up the workshop of our calling and responsible stewardship in the past week, so that our life may come back on track and be a sanctified preparation for the eternal peace and joy, that you have promised us graciously. Amen. (Württemberger Kirchenbuch, 1931)

Oh wouldst Thou in Thy glory come, As Thou, Lord, hast foretold it! I count the moment’s weary sum Until we may behold it; With burning lamp, the Church, Thy Bride, Is waiting for the holy tide When Thou, Lord, wilt unfold it.

I joy that from Thy love divine No power my soul can sever; That I may dare to call Thee mine, My Lord, my Friend, for ever! That I, O Prince of Life, shall be Made wholly one in heaven with Thee, In life that endeth never.

And therefore do my thinks o’erflow That one more year is ended, And of this Time, so poor, so slow, Another step ascended; And with a heart that may not wait I hasten towards the golden gate Where long my hopes have tended. (August Hermann Franke, 1663-1727 Translation from the Chorale Book of England)

(Translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Saturday after the 1st Sunday after Epiphany as found on Pg. 60 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 19th January 2013

Posted on January 19, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

lostThe LORD will judge his people and have compassion on his servants when he sees their strength is gone and no one is left, slave or free. (Deuteronomy 32:36 NIV)

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” (Luk 19:10 NIV)

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Löhe on Psalm 139:14-16

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

spiders-webI praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:14-16 NIV)

Every life story is God’s own work of art and providence. He used gold of the most valuable and noble sort, gold of the most finely spun kind to weave the precious lifespan of his only begotten son Jesus Christ. He used silver for John and plain cobwebs for yours and mine. However no rain of bullets nor bombs or dynamite can tear this cobweb, no devil nor evil conspiracy can harm or break the divine destiny for you, yet you can break it all by disobedience to godly guidance and providence.

Dear heavenly Father, I ask of you, open my heart and mouth that I may praise, sanctify and magnify your holy name that is above all else. You have created me to praise your holy name, therefore allow me to lead my life in honour of your glorious name and to serve you in sincere love and fear. Into your godly hands I commend myself this day with all and everything. You have saved me, o Lord the only true God and my faithful redeemer. Amen.

Oh Jesus Christ, when I was not even born yet, you were born for me and dedicated yourself to me. When I had not even got to know you, you had already chosen to elect me for yourself. Even before you made me by your creative hand, you had already decided how best you would become mine and I be yours forever.

In deepest night of death I lay, when you arose as brilliant cosmic sun with radiant light, life, joy and bliss. Oh lovely sun, oh sun of the Father – Jesus Christ – you shine so bright with your godly light enlightening saving faith in me, how dear, noble, precious and beautiful you are! (Paul Gerhard)

(Translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Friday after the 1st Sunday after Epiphany as found on Pg. 59 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 18th January 2013

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

hear“From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you.” (Isaiah 48:6b NIV)

Jesus Christ said: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Luke 8:8c NIV)

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