Wilhelm's space

Up in Tutume, Botswana, moruti Boss Sebeelo visits the congregational shut-ins regularly i.e. every week he does his rounds. Some of the old people he picks up and takes them to those, who are not as mobile. Then together while sitting in the shade of the huts, they sing, pray, confess and listen to the word of forgiveness before tasting how friendly the Lord is, who gave his true body and real blood for us to eat and to drink for the forgiveness of all our sins. Reason enough to rejoice with the words we sang this morning: “Alles Ding waehrt seine Zeit, Gottes Lieb in Ewigkeit…” or in English: “All things else have but their day, God’s great love abides for aye.”

For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. (Isa 60:2 ESV)

Holiday of our Lord\’s Transfiguration

February 9, 2011 – Wednesday Morning
Now he is comforted.
But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.  1
Your sun shall no more go down, nor your moon withdraw itself; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended. 2
He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken. 3
I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” 4
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” 5

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1 Luk 16:25; 2 Isa 60:20; 3 Isa 25:8; 4 Rev 7:14-17; 5 Rev 21:4;

Now he is comforted ...

2 “That the leaders took the lead in Israel, that the people offered themselves willingly, bless the LORD! 3 “Hear, O kings; give ear, O princes; to the LORD I will sing; I will make melody to the LORD, the God of Israel. (Jdg 5:2-3 ESV) …”Curse Meroz, says the angel of the LORD, curse its inhabitants thoroughly, because they did not come to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty. (Jdg 5:23 ESV)… “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” 16 And the LORD said to him, “But I will be with you…, (Jdg 6:15-16 ESV) … And Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord GOD! For now I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face.” 23 But the LORD said to him, “Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not die.” 24 Then Gideon built an altar there to the LORD and called it, The LORD Is Peace. (Jdg 6:22-24 ESV) … So Gideon took ten men of his servants and did as the LORD had told him. But because he was too afraid of his family and the men of the town to do it by day, he did it by night. (Jdg 6:27 ESV)

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. (Psa 19:1-4 ESV) … The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. (Psa 19:7-10 ESV) …Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. (Psa 19:13-14 ESV)

Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. (Psa 29:1 ESV) … May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace! (Psa 29:11 ESV)

Paul, an apostle–not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead– 2 and all the brothers who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (Gal 1:1-5 ESV) …9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. 10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. 11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. 12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. (Gal 1:9-12 ESV) … And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me.
(Gal 1:22-1 ESV)

“I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.” 2 I was mute and silent; I held my peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse. 3 My heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue: 4 “O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! 5 Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah 6 Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather! 7 “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you. 8 Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the scorn of the fool! 9 I am mute; I do not open my mouth, for it is you who have done it. 10 Remove your stroke from me; I am spent by the hostility of your hand. 11 When you discipline a man with rebukes for sin, you consume like a moth what is dear to him; surely all mankind is a mere breath! Selah 12 “Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears! For I am a sojourner with you, a guest, like all my fathers. 13 Look away from me, that I may smile again, before I depart and am no more!” (Psa 39:1-13 ESV)

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. (Luk 18:1 ESV) …And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luk 18:7-8 ESV) …  ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ (Luk 18:13 ESV) … “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” (Luk 18:16-17 ESV) … Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luk 18:18 ESV) … “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” (Luk 18:22 ESV) … Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27 But he said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” (Luk 18:24-27 ESV) … And Peter said, “See, we have left our homes and followed you.” 29 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.” 31 And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. 32 For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. 33 And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” 34 But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said. (Luk 18:28-34 ESV) … “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Luk 18:38 ESV) … “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” 42 And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” 43 And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God. (Luk 18:41-43 ESV)

Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, 2 both low and high, rich and poor together! 3 My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. 4 I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre. 5 Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me, 6 those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? 7 Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, 8 for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, 9 that he should live on forever and never see the pit. 10 For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others. 11 Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they called lands by their own names. 12 Man in his pomp will not remain; he is like the beasts that perish. 13 This is the path of those who have foolish confidence; yet after them people approve of their boasts. Selah 14 Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; death shall be their shepherd, and the upright shall rule over them in the morning. Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell. 15 But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah 16 Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases. 17 For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him. 18 For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed–and though you get praise when you do well for yourself– 19 his soul will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never again see light. 20 Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish. (Psa 49:1-20 ESV)

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. 2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. 3 For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. 4 When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. 6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. (1Co 5:1-8 ESV)

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2Ti 1:6-7 ESV)

Gott unser Schöpfer, du willst, daß unser Leib ein Tempel des heiligen Geistes sei. Ich bitte dich, hilf mir, alle meine Glieder und Sinne in Zucht zu halten. Bewahre meine Zunge, das sie nicht Voreiliges und Unnützes rede und damit Unheil anrichte. Reinige meine Gedanken und mein Herz. Gib mir Kraft, zur rechten Zeit Ja und Nein zu sagen und die Entscheidung nicht zu scheuen. Gib mir durch deine Gnade ein freies und festes Herz. Amen.

Herr, laß uns freudig den Weg deiner Gebote gehen und mach uns stille vor dir, um im stillen Wandel von deiner Gnade zu zeugen und deine Kräfte in diese Welt hineinzutragen. Lass dein Licht durch uns leuchten, daß die Menschen gute Werke an uns sehen und den Vater im Himmel preisen. Richte unser Leben also, daß uns am Ende keiner verklage, dem wir Erbarmen und Liebe schuldig geblieben sind, und wir aufgenommen werden in die ewigen Hütten. Amen.

Ich bitte dich für meine Kinder und Patenkinder, laß sie fröhlich aufwachsen. Hilf mir, daß ich sie für dich erziehe in Liebe, Ernst und Zucht. Bewahre sie vor allem Übel, vor Verführung und Ärgernis. Gib, daß sie das Ziel ihres Lebens hier und dort erreichen. Führe du sie an deiner Vaterhand auf deinen Wegen und schenke mir die Freude, mit ihnen einst einzugehen in das ewige Leben. Amen.

Gib uns den rechten Blick für unsere Kinder, Zeit und Geduld. Schenke uns Liebe und Zucht, Güte und Festigkeit, wo sie nötig sind. Lehre uns, unsere Kinder recht zu begleiten, auch wenn sie sich uns verschließen und wir sie nicht verstehen. Bewahre sie vor bösem Einfluß und schlechten Wegen, erwecke vielmehr ihr Herz zu fröhlichem Glauben an dich. Laß uns weise sein, ihnen deinen Willen so zu bezeugen, daß sie Lust bekommen, danach zu leben. Wehre dem Geist der Sorge und der Unzufriedenheit in unserer Familie, damit unsere Kinder erkennen können, wie du für sie und uns alle sorgst. In deine Führung befehlen wir unsere Kinder. Hilf uns, sie lieb zu behalten, weil du sie uns gabst.

Herr, du bist reich für alle. Du erhälst die Welt und uns bis auf diesen Tag. Die Erde ist voll der Spuren deiner Herrlichkeit. Sie quillt über von deinen Gütern und Gaben. Aber Menschen hungern, nicht nur einige Arme und Unglückliche, Millionen hungern, Hunderte von Millionen in großen Ländern und Völker. Herr, erbarme dich! Du hast alle deine Kinder lieb. Du hast sie alle gemeint in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Segen: Der Herr unser Gott, sei uns freundlich und fördere das Werk unserer Hände bei uns. Ja, das Werk unserer Hände wollest du fördern! (Ps.90,17)

With the academic year daily devotions have again started at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane. In the morning Seminarians follow the Lutheran Order of Matins and in the evening that of Vespers. Wednesdays we have the opportunity for Confession and Absolution. Thursdays it’s my turn at Vespers. Here is the first sermon I held there in the evening – it comes in the traditional 3 parts, although careful observers might conclude that the divisions are somewhat haphazard or even arbitrary.

Part 1:

Part 2: 

Part 3: 

February 4, 2011

Pray that you don't fall into temptation

Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.
Only he must not acquire many horses for himself or cause the people to return to Egypt in order to acquire many horses, since the LORD has said to you, ‘You shall never return that way again.’ 1
If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return.  But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.  He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.  2
but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. 3
Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” 4
But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.  5
Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 6
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.  7

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1 Deu 17:16; 2 Heb 11:15,16,25,26; 3 Heb 10:38,39; 4 Luk 9:62; 5 Gal 6:14; 6 2Co 6:17; 7 Phi 1:6;

Herr Jesu! In dieser Morgenstunde gedenke ich dessen, daß du an diesem Tag der Woche am Kreuz das Werk der Erlösung vollbracht hast. Allen Schmerz und alle Schmach deines Todes hast du aus Liebe zu uns Menschen erduldet. Laß dein heiliges Opfer an mir wirksam werden, daß ich als ein erlöster Mensch auch zu dienen lerne. Du rufst mich heute in mancherlei Aufgaben. Erfülle mich mit deinem Heilandssinn, damit ich mit allen meinen Gaben Leibes und der Seele anderen helfe und für sie da bin. Amen.

Heiliger Gott. Du willst, daß das Bild Jesu in mein Herz geprägt werde. Vergib, wo ich dir widerstanden habe. Laß nicht ab, du treuer Herr, mein Inneres zu gestalten und zu formen. Bewahre mich heute vor jeder Trägheit und vor falscher Sicherheit. Laß alles, was mir begegnet, dazu dienen, daß durch Demütigung und Leiden, durch Vollbringen und Gelingen Christus in mir Gestalt gewinne. Gib, daß der Glaube wachse in deiner Gemeinde und das Zeugnis der Wahrheit laut werde mitten im Unglauben unserer Zeit. Amen.

Vater unser: Und führe uns nicht in Versuchung. Was ist das? Gott versucht zwar niemand; aber wir bitten in diesem Gebet, daß uns Gott behüte und erhalte, damit uns der Teufel, die Welt und unser Fleisch nicht betrüge und verführe in Unglauben, Verzweiflung und andere große Schande und Laster; und wenn wir damit angefochten würden, daß wir doch endlich gewinnen und den Sieg behalten.

Vespers at LTS in Tshwane: Students are singing LSB 409 Hail, o Source of every blessings … Beautiful song during Epiphany!

Today the first German class was held at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane. This is a community service of the University of Pretoria and Angelika Weber is introducing this new project in which most enrolled students took a lively interest. German remains an important language for the study of theology and the rector is eager to pursue the student exchange program envisioned with the sister Seminary in Germany: “Lutherische Theologsiche Hochschule in Oberursel i.T.” and African students have a special aptitude to learn languages. Angelika is happy to be involved with the LTS students again and they were happy to work with her. God’s blessings on this new development.

Be strong, … and work; for I am with you.
Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work, for I am with you, declares the LORD of hosts,  1
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.  2
I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 3
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  4
Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” 5
Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Let your hands be strong, you who in these days have been hearing these words from the mouth of the prophets who were present on the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.  6
Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.” 7
And the LORD turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?”  8
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  9
Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.  10
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.  11
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  12  ______________
1 Hag 2:4; 2 Joh 15:5; 3 Phi 4:13; 4 Eph 6:10; 5 Neh 8:10; 6 Zec 8:9; 7 Isa 35:3,4; 8 Jdg 6:14; 9 Rom 8:31; 10 2Co 4:1; 11 Gal 6:9; 12 1Co 15:57;

On the other hand, when we seriously ponder the Word [of God], hear it, and put it to use, such is its power that it never departs without fruit. It always awakens new understanding, pleasure, and devotion, and it constantly creates clean hearts and minds. For this Word is not idle or dead, but effective and living. [Kolb, R., Wengert, T. J., & Arand, C. P. (2000). The Book of Concord : The confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (399). Minneapolis: Fortress Press.]

C.F.W.Walther quotes Johann Gerhard: “The more purely and soundly the word of God is preached in the church, the closer the preaching and teaching comes to the norm of Holy Scripture, the purer and sounder the church will be; but the farther it recedes from the rule of the Word, the more impure and corrupt will be the state of the church.” [The true visible Church etc 2005, CPH St.Louis: Pg.18]