Thy Strong Word From Kfuo Radio

Rev. Dustin Beck of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, TX joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 2:13-22. The birth narrative continues with the LORD’s intervention to keep the holy family safe and to fulfill prophecies of His identity as the “perfect Israel.” Israel had left Egypt into the wilderness and failed. Jesus, true God and man, begins His journey and we see how His kingdom would reign. The example of Herod is the antithesis of Jesus’ reign: seeking power by bringing death. As we know Jesus used His power to die for other people’s salvation. “Lord God, we grieve the loss of the boys of Bethlehem. In this grief we have hope as Jesus faced the same fate. Thank You that You used Your power for the sake of salvation for sinners. As our perfect Israel, carry us and continue to save us. In Him, Amen”

Rev. John Shank, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church & School in Edwardsville, IL joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 2:1-12. The Magi were outside the normal expectation. They were from an unbelieving, Gentile land who were looking for the King of the Jews. The LORD used this time to proclaim the truth of where Christ was born, the true King. We are reminded that, due to sin, we are foreigners to God and by His grace He welcomes us to come and worship the King of Kings who has welcomed us into His kingdom. “Lord God, be our Light as the star was for the Magi. Fill us with the same joy of our salvation in Christ and intervene for us that we may be directed in Your way. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Jason Shockman, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Oconomowoc, WI joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 1. What are the origins of Christ? Matthew lays out his goal to show the kingly rule of Christ by showing that He came from royalty. But his kingly rule was not of lording over people, but we see his compassion by highlighting the inclusion of “outsider women” (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, & Bathsheba). We see how God’s plan is clearly not ours. Joseph was going to do the “faithful” thing by not putting her to shame, but God’s plan of salvation includes His way of faithfulness. By faith, we trust in His story of Christ, when our story doesn’t make sense as we know that our God is always with us—our Immanuel. “Lord God, help us to trust in Your story of compassion, power, and love. Fill us with Your compassion, strength, and love by Your Holy Spirit to live by faith like Joseph as we travel through these valley of tears. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Gibbs, professor emeritus of exegetical theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and author of the three Concordia Commentary volumes on Matthew, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to introduce the Gospel of Matthew. Find the Commentaries on Matthew at cph.org. Christ’s Reign has come. Christ’s reign continues. His reign is coming. His mercy is beyond our understanding as we commit sins. Since He is the king, we are not. Since He is strong, I am weak. He is the greatest, therefore we are needy. We begin our study of Matthew seeing how our Lord Jesus’ mercy is beyond our comprehension and we simply receive the grace He gives. “Lord God, give us Your Holy Spirit to read, mark, and inwardly digest the gift of Matthew’s Gospel to grow in Christ and for the comfort of our souls. In Him, Amen”

Rev. Dr. Jason Wagner, pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in High Ridge, MO joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 135. Boast in the LORD? The Psalmist literally tells us that we boast, not in ourselves, but in the work of God in the past and His work today. Why should we praise Him? He is great. He has defeated his enemies. He is above everything. He controls heaven and earth. He has compassion on His people. He brings justice for His people. How can we not boast in the LORD? “O Holy Spirit, open our hearts to believe the truth of the LORD in Christ. Keep us from idolatry and strengthen us to trust in You to boast in You forever. In His name, Amen”

Rev. Dr. Curtis Deterding, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Myers, FL joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Song of Songs 8. The Shulamite and Solomon give the last words of love. The LORD’s love brings His protection, guidance, and bearing fruit in love to others. The bride yearned to have her husband put his seal on her and make haste to return. In the same way the LORD puts his seal of grace upon us in Baptism, and promises to return to us at His time. All we can say is, “Come quickly, come Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:17, 20).” “Lord Jesus Christ, come quickly. You have placed Your seal upon us, Your right hand protect us, and we wait on You. Come quickly! Amen”

Rev. David Boisclair, pastor of Faith and Bethesda Lutheran Church in Pine Lawn, MO joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Song of Songs 7. Solomon expresses his deep love for the Shulamite by highlighting her beauty from head to toe. The desire to be together was beyond emotions but the beauty of the consummation of marriage. This desire to be united as one reminds us of the mystery of our unity in Christ. Christ gives himself up for His bride, the church, and presents her as without spot or wrinkle. “Lord God, You desire all to be saved, thank You for the words of Solomon and the Shulamite that paints a beautiful picture of the depth of Your love for us in Christ. Bless all marriages that their desire would be for one another and their lives are grounded in Christ. Amen”

Rev. Dr. Allan Buss, District President of the Northern Illinois District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Song of Songs 6. Solomon and the Shulamite woman desire to be together. The others call them back together and we hear the yearning of this couple to be united as one. The same happens with our life in Christ. We are united with Him, waiting for the final resurrection, but knowing that “I am His and He is mine.” “Lord Jesus, as You unite us with You, strengthen and grow us in faith to trust in You and have joy in Your love. In Your name, Amen”

Rev. David Fleming, pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church and School in Grand Rapids, MI & Executive Director of Spiritual Care with DOXOLOGY, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Song of Songs 5. Learn more about DOXOLOGY at doxology.us. The Shulamite woman praises her husband, although she has moments of apathy, it is Solomon she desires. She realizes there is none like him and he loves her as she loves him. The same connection we have with our LORD. We might become apathetic in faith, but our LORD is above all names, not only the LORD, but also our friend. “Lord Jesus Christ, You are the vine and we are the branches. You call us friends on account of Your cross. You delight in us, help us to delight in Your gifts of grace and love. In Your name, Amen”

Rev. Stewart Crown, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Palo Alto, CA joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Song of Songs 4. The Shulamite woman knows she is not perfect. Solomon speaks to her and pulls her into his framework by proclaiming what he knows to be true—She is beautiful from head to toe. Solomon not only proclaims her beauty but provides all the most expensive fruits, spices, & fragrances to show His deep love for her. Today, the LORD gives us the words and we see His action to the cross, that shape our identity as His forgiven children—we are washed clean and beautiful in His blood. “O Holy Spirit, use the Word to fill us with our identity in Christ as with Him we are declared beautiful in His righteousness. Fill us with Your words that we may live securely in Your loving grace. In His name, Amen”

Rev. Jeremy Klaustermeier of St. John Lutheran Church in Warrenton, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Song of Songs 3. The Shulamite woman had a dream, which is more like a nightmare, where she could not find her groom. The anxiety and fear of losing someone you love, even for a moment, is one of the worst nightmares we can imagine. Yet, the king does not stay far away, but comes in glory for the marriage feast to present his bride without blemish. The creation of his carriage for his wedding was a labor of love to prepare for his marriage. In the same way, the LORD has prepared a place for us in His home. He tells us to Go and look upon the King and wait for the day of gladness when the King returns. “Lord God, we wait trusting in You. As we wait, take our fears and fill us with Your love as we go and serve in Your name. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Dr. Nathan Meador, Executive Assistant for Mission and Mercy for the South Wisconsin District in Milwaukee, WI joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Song of Songs 2. Roses, lilies, apple trees, and fig trees. We see a vision of the church, not only as a bride of Christ, but as ones who are battling in a sinful and broken world. The church is like a rose among the thorns, the lily among the brambles, that the church will look beautiful but needs to endure among her enemies. The LORD is like an apple tree: Sturdy, providing shade, and producing fruit for our sustenance. He is our foundation, He provides what we need to live , and provides us the holy food to keep us with Him. “Lord God, sustain us in this life and for the next. Protect us from evil, provide for our needs, and help us to people who look to You for our hope. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. John Lukomski, co-host of Wrestling with the Basics on KFUO Radio joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Song of Songs 1. Find Wrestling with the Basics at kfuo.org/WrestlingWithTheBasics. The Shulamite woman admits her failures and she pleads with her husband to “draw me after you.” She is dark and lowly, but by grace the king sees her as a bride without blemish. The love of Solomon for the Shulamite gives us a glimpse of God’s love in Christ for us, the lowly, dark in sin, and many failures, but by His grace He brought us into His chambers of His family. “Lord God, draw us to Thee; For then we Walk in Thy steps forever; And hasten on Where Thou art gone, to be with Thee, dear Savior. Amen (LSB, 701)

Rev. Dr. Christopher Mitchell, Concordia Commentary Editor at Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO joins Rev. Brady Finnern to start off our study of Song of Songs. Find the Concordia Commentary for Song of Songs at cph.org/p-683-Song-of-Songs-Concordia-Commentary.aspx. Solomon, in the prime of his life, writes concerning the deep love for his Shulamite bride. The LORD gives us a glimpse of His love for the church by uplifting marriage of a husband and wife. The metaphorical and poetic language can be difficult to understand, but ultimately points us to the future hope of the eschatological marriage feast which is ours by Christ’s love on the cross. “O Holy Spirit, open our hearts and minds as we study the Song of Songs and point us to the anticipation of Christ’s coming and the future glory in the new heaven and earth. In His name, Amen”

Rev. Bill Cwirla, retired from parish ministry in Port Angeles, Washington, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 136. God’s steadfast love is a covenantal love. A love that He promised to be everlasting in Christ’s cross. The Psalmist proclaims the truth that our thanksgiving stands on two pillars: Creation and Redemption. Creation is His first act of love. He orders everything relationally for the sake of love for His creation and His people. Redemption shows His love by saving His people from slavery, Pharaoh, and ultimately from death by Christ’s empty tomb. We repeat these precious words over and over: His steadfast love endures forever. “Heavenly Father, thank You for Your creating and redeeming love throughout history. By the blood of Jesus, we see the redemption of God’s salvation for the Israelites, and we ask that You would continually open our eyes to see Your redeeming and creating light for me. In Him, Amen”

Rev. Steven Theiss, vacancy pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Psalm 137. The Israelites sat by the river in Babylon in grief. They were in captivity and were asked to sing. How often are we able to sing when in despair? The time we like to sing is for times of joy, not while in angst. The Israelites wrote this psalm remembering the “good old days”, hoping to never forget their motherland, and praying harm to the wicked who brought them out. God allows them to lament and allows us to do the same, even when our words are not holy toward others. He then reminds us of His promises that we have in Christ and the promised land of eternity. “Lord God, help us in our grief. Give us words to be strengthened and grant us peace to move forward by Your grace in Christ. Amen”

Rev. John Rickert, pastor of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Newark, Delaware, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 138. David gives thanks to the LORD with His whole heart. He gives thanks that His name is above all names, He gives strength, sustains us in trouble. Keep praying saints as He remembers the lowly, those who recognize their need for the LORD, and fulfills His purpose for each of us by His steadfast love. “I give thanks to You O LORD, that Your steadfast love endures forever and Your name is above all names. Deliver us, sustain us, do not forsake us, and give us words of thanksgiving back to You. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Paul Cain, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church and Martin Luther Grammar School in Sheridan, WY joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 14. David pulls out many difficult words as he laments. “There is none who does good, not even one.” We all fall short of the glory of God, corruption is real for each one of us, and our only chance for salvation is God. The LORD assures us that He is with us, His chosen ones, He is our refuge, and salvation has come in Christ from Zion. “Lord God, thank you for salvation from Christ. Keep us from foolishness and from the snares of the devil’s lies by Your Word and Holy Spirit. In Him, Amen”

Rev. Chris Matthis, pastor of Epiphany Lutheran Church in Castle Rock, CO joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 13. “How long, O LORD?” David laments as he does not see a way out of his situation. How often do you feel that way? “How long will you forget me forever?” The brokenness of this life was felt by David and by us. The LORD allows us to lament to Him as He is patient and He has provided a greater hope than any brokenness we could experience: steadfast love in Christ. By His suffering, He knows our suffering, and By His work, we know our salvation. “O LORD, light up our eyes with faith in Your promises. Thank you for the gift of lament and grant us a peace in the foundation of Christ’s steadfast love. Great is Your faithfulness. In Him, Amen”

Rev. Dr. John Nunes, interim pastor of Lutheran Church of St. John the Evangelist, Brooklyn, NY and author of the book, Meant for More: In, with, and under the ordinary, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to end our study of Ecclesiastes. Find Dr. Nunes' book at cph.org/meantformore. Solomon invites us into a poetic reflection on our life. First, the avoidance of meaningless and secondly, the urgency of being rooted in the LORD early in life before grayer days settle in. “Lord God, our Creator, lead us to know our meaning as Your children. Fill us with faith as to not wait to be filled with grace, but humbly receive and love as You love us in Christ. Amen”