Thy Strong Word From Kfuo Radio

Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Luverne, MN, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study the Epistle Philemon. Paul makes a plea with Philemon to be reconciled with a former bondservant Onesimus to be seen no longer as a slave but “as a brother in Christ.” Paul shows us a way for Christians to be “ambassadors of reconciliation” towards one another as Christ has reconciled us to the Father (2 Corinthians 5:18). “O LORD, help us to reconcile with others so our hearts may be refreshed with You and those whom You have died for. In Christ, Amen.”

Rev. Joshua Knippa, pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Nederland, TX, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Kings 20. Hezekiah’s struggles are not unlike our own.  He has moments where he trusts the LORD and comes to Him in prayer and praise.  Other times, he questions or takes credit for what God provided.  We ask the LORD for faith that we may speak of His glory and seek His help in time of need.  After all, we heard it said today, “Don’t put a cape on anyone in the Bible but Jesus!”  “Lord God, to You be all the glory.  In trials, help us to pray.  In joy, help us to give thanks.  With your Promises, help us to not desire more than what You provide.  Lord have mercy.  Amen”

Rev. Paul Hemenway, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Springfield, IL joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Kings 19. Assyria was knocking at the door of Judah, hundreds and thousands of soldiers of a well-funded military were ready for war.  Hezekiah seeks the Word of the LORD from Isaiah and responds with prayer.  The LORD heard this prayer was faithful to protect and keep His people.  Hezekiah’s prayer (v.14-19) should be ours and we pray it today,  “O LORD save us so that all kingdoms know that You are the LORD.  Amen”  

Rev. Lucas Witt, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Baltimore, MD, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Kings 18. The people of Judah had a new king who “trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel.”  That trust was tested when the Assyrian army attacked their cities and the Assyrian officials questioned the power and grace of God.  The officials made a compelling argument to submit to their authority, the people were silent.  Not silent due to fear, but a silent trust in Hezekiah and the LORD to protect them.  “Lord God, help us to trust in You.  We will be tempted by the perceived power of this world, but remind us of Your authority and power by the cross and empty tomb.  Lord have mercy.  Amen”

Rev. Philip Hoppe, pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in Finlayson, MN & St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bruno, MN joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Kings 17. Many times God allows destruction and trials for reasons we do not know.  However the LORD clearly shows us why Israel was taken from their homeland: sin, idolatry, sacrificially offering their children, building of altars to other gods, stubbornness, and ultimately a loss of faith.  These issues not only affected one person, but their families, their children’s children, and all future generations.  Repent, believe, and live a holy life.  “Lord God, destroy our idols and fill us with Your Holy Spirit to stay strong in Christ and help us to live a holy life.  In Christ, Amen” 

Rev. Neil Wehmas, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ida Grove, WI joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Kings 16. You have heard it said, “We have nothing to fear, but fear itself.”  This does have a grain of truth, but like Ahaz, we need to be reminded that it is the LORD who is our Light and our Salvation and He keeps His promises.  King Ahaz feared Syria and Israel to the point that he made an alliance with Assyria.  This alliance did not end well and caused Ahaz to sacrifice his faith and conviction.  We ask that the LORD would keep us strong in Him that alliances are not to this world, but in faith, we trust in Him.  “Lord God, take our fears and fill us with faith.  Help us to trust in You even when the world that surrounds us seems to be falling, fixing our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith.  Lord have mercy, Amen”

Rev. John Lukomski, host of Wrestling with the Basics on KFUO Radio, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Kings 15. Find Wrestling with the Basics at kfuo.org/wrestlingwiththebasics. The kings of Israel are on a runaway train of evil kings (Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, and Pekah) and even though the kings of Judah were more faithful (Azariah & Jotham), they could not officially drop all false worship.  If God was patient with the evil kings, He surely will be patient with us.  Repent and believe again for God’s mercies never come to an end and they are new every morning.  Great is His faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23).  “Lord God, by Your Holy Spirit keep us in Your graces and renew us in faith.  We see your patience and mercy throughout the Bible and we see it in Christ’s cross.  Help us to repent and live in patience and peace in this world and the next.  In Christ, Amen” 

Rev. Peter Burfeind, pastor of Agnus Dei Lutheran Church in Marshall, MI & Our Savior Lutheran Church in Union City, MI joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Kings 14. Amaziah is now king.  He follows in his fathers footsteps by seeking more power, but the desire led to defeat, trampled walls, and death by the hands of his own people.  We seek power and influence in this life and it will lead to many problems.  Yet, our LORD shows His power in the weakness of the cross.  We seek humility and faith that we shall trust in the LORD and also live a holy life in His name.  “Lord God, give us a repentant and humble life, that we may serve You with righteousness, blessedness and innocence forever.  Amen” 

Rev. Gregory Alms of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Catonsville, MD joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Kings 13. The only hero in the Bible is God.  The kings, the Israelites, and even the prophet Elisha all meet their graves but today we see how God uses lowly means to show His resurrection.  In all the chaos of Israel and Judah, we hear of the LORD who listens to the plea of the king.  He not only listened, but answered his prayer for deliverance.  Our LORD listens to us.  In faith, we ask for His grace for each day as we always have the hope of the resurrection as our foundation.  “Lord God, the grave stares at each one of us, but You are the hero who has conquered that grave and listens to our pleas for mercy today.  Help us O LORD, and keep us in Your gracious arms.  In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Steven Theiss, vacancy pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Kings 12. King Joash and Jehoida, the priest, worked together to help restore for the good of God’s people.  After 23 years it appears there was a problem of accountability.  Working together, Judah made sure that the Temple was restored and the gracious gifts were used appropriately.  We pray for the same stewardship of people’s gifts and our churches to be used for His glory. “Lord Jesus, sustain Your church and help us to be generous with our gifts so that our houses of worship point people back to You and that people’s gifts are used in appropriate ways.  In Your name, Amen”  

Rev. Matthew Tooman, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wahpeton, ND, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Kings 11. The lineage of David had to be preserved and the LORD used His people to assure that the last lineage of David, 7 year-old Joash, would become king. This is proof again that God preserves His Church and His guiding hands keeps us in His grace. When the people said, “Long live the king”, it is similar to our confession of faith, “Forever live the King of Kings”, for the kingdom of Christ will last forever. “Lord Jesus, You are our King of Kings. It is clear that You are the one we are to trust as You prove that power is not from our actions, but by Your weakness on the cross we have the power of Your salvation. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Jared Nies, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Corliss, MN, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Kings 10. When God says “Thus says the LORD”, He means it.  Sin and false worship have long lasting consequences.  These consequences go beyond our generation and for those who are closest too us.  Although we may not see the destruction that occurred for Ahab’s family, we get a glimpse of God’s love for us—while we deserve this kind of wrath, He took this wrath on Himself.  We see the blood of Ahab’s family and the Baal worshippers and realize that Christ’s blood was shed for me.  “Lord God, help us to break our idols and once again refocus our lives to You.  Our sins have been washed, not by the blood of humans, but by the innocent blood of our Lord.  To You be all the glory.  Amen”

Rev. Bob Hiller, pastor of Community Lutheran Church in Escondido and San Marcos, CA, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Kings 9. God calls Jehu to be king, but just like any calling from the LORD, it will not be all unicorns and rainbows.  God calls him to be a king of wrath upon Ahaziah, Joram, & Jezebel.  God’s Word is faithful, even in wrath because His Law is to be followed, but thanks be to God that He has faithfully taken this wrath upon Himself.  When we see the treacherous ways that the kings received wrath, we see the cross and give thanks for all that He has done for us.  “Lord God, in Your love You laid all wrath that we deserved on Your Son, give us repentant hearts and faith with thanksgiving to follow Your ways and trust in You.  Lord have mercy.  Amen”

Rev. Scott Adle, pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Collinsville, IL joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Kings 8. The words, “God is a jealous God to the 3rd and 4th generation of those who hate me.” from Exodus 20 were never more true.  The more we hear of the family connections to the Ahab, the more sin and destruction occur.  We also see the faithfulness of the LORD to the 1,000 generations of those who love Him.  This is a reminder that although a generation or two of kings or families might be unfaithful, God always calls us to repentance and His love in Christ is above our sin.  “Lord God, we thank You for the gift of repentance and faith.  We pray that Your Spirit of Truth would keep us and our families in faith and a life of continual repentance.  Lord have mercy.  Amen”

Rev. Tom Eckstein of Concordia Lutheran Church, Jamestown, ND, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Kings 6:32-7:20. In grief the king asks “Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?” We don’t like to wait, especially in trials. For the Israelites God provided by word of lepers from the camp of the Syrians. It was almost unimaginable just days before. Through Christ goggles, we look at our own lives and see how God provides in unlikely ways which shows us why we are able to wait for the LORD: the cross and empty tomb. He provides salvation. Why would He not give us all things? “Lord God, help us to wait on You. Help us to see how You have provided in the past and we are able to wait knowing the ultimate hope of new life with You. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. John Shank of Trinity Lutheran Church in Edwardsville, IL joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Kings 6. If the LORD can make iron float, surely the LORD can save me. God so loved the Israelites that even in some of the worst sins imaginable, He was patient and worked through the prophets to give people the truth. He is the LORD of hosts, He sends His angels to battle for us as He has already had the victory! “LORD God, we commend ourselves to You, our bodies, our soul and all things. Let your holy angel be with us, that the evil foe may have no power over us. Amen”

Rev. John Lukomski, host of Wrestling with the Basics on KFUO Radio, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Kings 5:15-27. Find Wrestling with the Basics at kfuo.org/wrestlingwiththebasics. Naaman went forward in faith and in the LORD’s peace.  Gehazi moved forward trusting in what he could get from others.  Elisha gives us the words we all need as His children, “Go in peace.”  In His peace we move forward knowing that He is our Prince of Peace.  “Lord God, fill us with Your peace so that when temptations to trust in anything other than You knocks at our doors, that we come back to You trusting that if You can handle leprosy, You can handle any burden we bear.  In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Dr. Thomas Egger, President of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Kings 5:1-14. The LORD is the LORD of the lowly.  God worked through a little girl and a leper, not by silver, gold, or fancy clothes, but by a few words and some water.  In our world, “Might makes right.”  Whoever has the most power & money wins the day, but God shows us that He works for the lowly and the lowly do great things by His Word---forgiveness, life, and salvation.  “Lord God, as You have called us as Your own through a few nails, pieces of wood and claimed us through some words and water, bring Your healing upon us in body and soul that we may trust in You and allow Your will to be done.  In Christ, Amen”

Rev. David Boisclair of Faith and Bethesda Lutheran Church in Pine Lawn, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Kings 4:18-44. The Shunamite woman loses her son and while seeking help from Elisha she says, “All is well.”  Clearly, she is grieving and in pain, but she speaks words of faith in the LORD.  We pray for the same faith when going through loss and trial.  Throughout chapter 4 we see how the LORD provides: gifts to live, our children, & food in famine.  Ultimately it points us to the greatest gift of salvation in Christ.  He is our bread of life, the prince of peace, and the only Son to save us from our sin.  “Lord God, we pray that Your Holy Spirit will open our hearts and mouths to trust in You.  Point our eyes back to Christ and fill us with peace to proclaim Your truth and rest in You.  In Christ. Amen”

Rev. Curtis Deterding of Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Myers, FL joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Kings 4:1-17. The widow had nothing but a vessel of oil. The Shunammite woman was wealthy. Yet, we all have needs and the LORD provides “all that we need to support this body and life.” God worked through Elisha for God’s people and God sends helpers in your life to provide, serve, and care for you and others. For all this generosity from God “it is our duty to thanks and praise, serve and obey Him.” “Heavenly Father, as You provided for the widow and Shunammite woman, provide for our needs. As You used Elisha to serve You people, help us to serve others as You have served us in Christ. Lord have mercy. Amen”