Thy Strong Word From Kfuo Radio

Rev. Bruce Timm of Redeemer Lutheran Church in St. Cloud, MN joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Kings 3. We need a preacher.  Jehoram, Jehosophat, and the king of Edom went to Elisha after seven days without water because “the word of the LORD was with him.”  Once again God provided: water for the thirsty, victory over enemies, and peace for the anxious.  We see a stark difference from the king of Moab to Elisha.  The king looked for peace by sacrificing his son to fake gods--Elisha looked to the LORD who would have his son sacrificed for the peace of forgiveness, life, and salvation.  “LORD God, give us a preacher to give us truth and peace.  Keep us from trying to find out God’s will from anything other than God’s Word and keep us with You.  Lord have mercy.  Amen” 

Rev. Dr. Walter Maier III, professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study II Kings 2. God continues His prophetic office from Moses to Elijah to Elisha all the way to Christ.  How can we not see Christ as we see Elijah cross the Jordan and ascend to heaven?  How can we not see the reality that God provides for His church even when they lose the great prophet Elijah?  Elisha takes the mantle and faithfully serves the LORD and His people.  May we trust the LORD will continue to provide for us no matter the circumstance.  “Lord God, thank you for the prophets Moses, Elijah, and Elisha.  Help us to be faithful to the end as we know that as Your Son ascended and reigns on high, we can trust in Your promises.  Lord have mercy.  Amen”

Rev. Matthew Clark of Ascension Lutheran Church, St. Louis, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to start our study of 2 Kings. Ahaziah had a great fall. All the king’s horses and all the kings’ men couldn't put Ahaziah back together again. The LORD tells us that Ahaziah “provoked the LORD to anger in every way that his father had done.” Even after seeing the great works of the LORD and unable to do anything on his own after his fall, Ahaziah looked to false gods to give him direction. The consequence was death. The consequence of our sin is death, but in faith, we look to the resurrected Christ who has had the victory and life eternal. “O Holy Spirit, point us back to Christ. When we are in need, grant us humble hearts of faith that your consuming fire may not destroy us, but bring us back to You. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Ross Shaver of Zion Lutheran Church, Nampa, ID joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Psalm 149. Praise the LORD! Why? The LORD takes pleasure in you. He adorns, that is covers you with His righteousness and grants you salvation in His love. To pray Psalm 149 also reminds us that the battle is not done. Each day we pray to our LORD who has had the victory and gives us the two-edged sword of Law & Gospel to engage in this battle against Satan, our flesh, and sin. “O LORD, You have taken pleasure in Your people due to Your Son’s cross. Humble us in faith to fight the good fight with Your two edged sword of Your Word. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Bryan Stecker, Grace Lutheran Church, Nashua, NH joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 3. What would you do if you had to flee for your life because of your child?  What if thousands of people are against you?  Our natural reaction is to either run in fear or make a battle plan.  Yet, David takes his fear and looks to the LORD.  The LORD is our shield, our glory, the lifter of my head, the God who answers from on high, and He is our Salvation.  “Lord Jesus Christ, as You are our salvation, grant us peace no matter the turmoil or the enemies that surround us.  Hear our prayers and arise to save us and take our fears.  Lord have mercy.  Amen”

Rev. David Juhl of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Momence, IL joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Psalm 2. Who has the authority?  The nations or the LORD?  One of the more humbling words in all of Scripture, “He who sits in the heavens laughs.”  This Psalm reminds us that He has all authority and power, yet He does not use that authority to “lord it over us”, but to give us His peace.  Use this Psalm for our elected officials, especially during an election campaign.  He has set the King on Zion, his holy hill and we can take refuge in Him.  “Lord God, You have begotten the Son to be our Prophet, priest, and King with all authority.  Help us to take refuge and serve You as You have taken the wrath of our sin.  In Christ, Amen”

Rev. John Lukomski, host of “Wrestling with the Basics” joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study I Kings 22. “The entire life of the Christian is a life of repentance”, Luther tells us.  Ahab needed to repent, even thinking he could fool God, but the message is simple, “You can’t fool God.”  It’s time to repent.  We sympathize with both kings because we know we are indeed saved by God’s grace, but sin still clings to us.  “O Holy Spirit, keep us in the true faith and fill us so that we may live a holy life of repentance knowing that You are a patient and forgiving God on account of Christ.  Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Adam Degroot, Calvary Lutheran Church, Rio Ranch, NM joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study I Kings 21. Ahab wants a vegetable garden, it seems reasonable, but he is willing to do whatever it takes to get it.  One sin leads to another sin.  Coveting leads to lies which leads to murder which leads to stealing which leads to a denial of the LORD.  By God’s grace, Ahab was led to repentance and realizing his need for the LORD.  We pray for the same.  Although sin leads us to even greater sin, God’s grace in Christ leads us to complete forgiveness and salvation.  “Lord God, keep us from sin and pour Your love into our hearts by Your Holy Spirit to rest in Your grace and live holy lives.  In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Dave Hinz of Trinity Lutheran Church, Sauk Rapids, MN joins host, Rev. Brady Finnern, to study I Kings 20. Ahab did not have a good track record, but yet the LORD still sent a prophet to him so that “you shall know that I am the LORD.” The Scriptures remind us that God provides daily bread to everyone, without prayers, even to all evil people. If He provides and comes to unbelieving people, that means He also will come to You. He comes to You to bring comfort but also to remind You to turn back to Him as He has given us all things in Christ’s death and resurrection. “Lord God, our track record is no better than Ahab. Bring us to repentance and come to us again with Your forgiveness won for us on the cross. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Steven Theiss, vacancy pastor, Immanuel Lutheran Church, New Wells, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study I Kings 19. Why in the world is Elijah afraid? He saw the LORD have the victory over 850 prophets, but now Queen Jezebel threatens his life and he runs? It is clear that although the battle was done, the war continued on. Elijah saw what we all see: sin continually seems to prevail. In his frustrations and weakness, the LORD provided Elijah with what he needed (bread, water, the Word, and people) to continue in His work. He does the same for us as we serve in the assurance that “he who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” “Lord God, sin will always be among us. Grant us Your continual forgiveness by the blood of Christ and provide what we need to faithfully work in Your kingdom. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Dennis McFadden of Fort Wayne, Indiana joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study I Kings 18. It is like a good old western film, “Meet me at high noon and we will see who comes out victorious.”  Elijah has called the 850 prophets of false gods for a showdown against the LORD.  What Ahab and others didn’t understand was that a blind, deaf, and mute gods can not give forgiveness or salvation no matter how long you pray or sacrifice yourself.  Elijah challenges us to not limp between two opinions.  There is one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, follow Him for He hears your prayers, sees your sins yet still died for you, and speaks His forgiveness to You on account of Christ.  “Lord God, thank You for proving once again that You are the one true God through Elijah.  Help us to know and speak the Truth, that in Christ, we are Your forgiven and loved children.  Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Nabil Nour of Trinity Lutheran, Hartford, SD joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study I Kings 18:1-19. “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  These words from John the baptist rings in our ears as we see the persistent lack of repentance from Ahab.  Even after 3 years and six months of drought, Ahab refuses to turn to the LORD.  Elijah comes back on the scene with a confrontation, much like a good Western film, and they are about to meet up on Mt. Carmel---850 vs. 1, many gods vs. the One true God, A whole nation vs. one man.  Who will be victorious?  We know the answer, which reminds us the victory we have in our Lord Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 15:57).  “Lord God, grant us repentance by Your Holy Spirit that we may incline our hearts to you and trust that Your way and Your truth is above anything else.  Lord have mercy.  Amen”

Rev. David Boisclair of Faith and Bethesda Lutheran Church in Pine Lawn, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Kings 17. Elijah was in a drought, famine, and presented with death and the LORD provided.  He provided sustenance at the beaks of ravens, food with a small amount of flour and oil, and a resurrection of a boy.  In the same way, the LORD provides for us “with all that I need to support this body and life.”  We pray for faith to trust that His promises are true, especially knowing that one day all will be resurrected and all believers in the name of Jesus will go to be with Him.  “Lord God, we pray for You to provide for all of our needs.  Help us, by Your grace, to trust in You when tragedy comes.  Lord have mercy, in the name of Christ.  Amen”

Rev. Keith Lingsch of Grace Lutheran Church, Naples, FL joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Kings 15 & 16. The common words of these chapters, “And he walked in all the sins that his father did before him.”  Reminds us of how many sins are so easy to follow, especially when modeled by our family.  These sins led to more brokenness, war with other nations, and idolatry.  The main issue for all the kings was a lack of faith in Yahweh to provide.  We have the issue: a lack of faith.  We address the sins that we are tempted to commit with repentance and faith.  “Lord God, Heavenly Father, send the Holy Spirit that we may repent of our sins, receive Your forgiveness, and by Your power live a holy Christian life.  Keep us from the sins of previous generations that we may love You and one another.  In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Tom Eckstein of Concordia Lutheran Church in Jamestown, ND, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Kings 14. It does not end well for the kings of Israel and Judah. Their sins followed them and it affected others. Without our ascended Lord Jesus, our ending is no different than that of Jeroboam’s people, but in repentance and faith in Christ, we are deemed worthy to be with Him. Our trust is not in any king like Jeroboam or Rehoboam, but in the King of Kings who we give thanks this Ascension day that He reigns over all things. “O Lord Jesus Christ, our ascended LORD, may we also ascend in heart and mind and continually dwell there with You. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. John Shank of Trinity Lutheran Church in Edwardsville, IL joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Kings 13. Whose word has authority? A prophet? A king? A man of God? The only word that had authority in chapter 13 is the Word of the LORD. We see the Word powerfully bring restoration and He invites us to return to Him for His forgiving healing and mercy. Only one man has ALWAYS spoken the truth, always spoke the Word of the LORD, and carried His cross even to death---our true Prophet, Priest, and King Jesus. “Lord Jesus Christ, You have authority over the devil, the world, and death,  Keep us steadfast in Your Word that we, who are weak, may cling to Your Word and trust in Your promises.  In Your name. Amen”

Rev. John Lukomski, host of Wrestling with the Basics on KFUO Radio joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Kings 12. Find Wrestling with the Basics at kfuo.org/wrestlingwiththebasics. The kingdom of Israel was no longer divided.  Although it was a long time coming, it grieved the people and us to see.  It shows us the division that can occur in any place (work, home, & church).  This division is true in our relationship with the LORD.  True unity with God only comes through Christ’s death for sinners like us.  We pray for unity in His name and seek Him whose name is above all names.  “Lord Jesus Christ, as You took all the sin of the world upon Yourself, we pray that we may look to You to bring healing and reconciliation to our divisions.  We thank You for the restoration with God the Father by Your cross and seek Your help to live holy lives in service to others.  In Your name.  Amen”  

Rev. Warren Woerth of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Arnold, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Kings 11. Well, that escalated quickly!  Solomon goes from praying and giving praises to the LORD with all the riches in the kingdom to a complete denial of the one, True God.  This is a humbling reminder to all of us that our lives are of repentance and asking the LORD to incline our hearts back to Him.  “Lord Jesus Christ, You have saved us, not by silver or gold, but by Your holy, precious blood, and Your innocent suffering and death.  Send Your Holy Spirit that our hearts stay inclined to You and we are brought to You that final day.  In Your name, Amen”

Rev. David Boisclair of Faith and Bethesda Lutheran Church in Pine Lawn, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Kings 10. The LORD had greatly blessed Solomon with wisdom, wealth, and faithful servants.  The word had gotten out around the nations, even over 1,000 miles away.  The nations held Solomon in high regard and it seemed as if he and the Israelites were unstoppable.  As we know that “the love of money is the root of all evil”, we can almost predict that a fall was inevitable.  We ask the LORD to help us to use His gifts to His glory. “Lord Jesus Christ, as You have been the greatest giver, help us to use our gifts---large or small---to give glory to You and in service to others as You serve us.  In Your name, Amen”

Rev. Curtis Deterding, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Myers, FL, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Kings 9. The LORD appeared to Solomon a second time, I Kings 3:5 was the first.  He brings beautiful words of promise, “I have heard your prayer”, “I will be putting my name there forever”, and in faith, “I will establish your throne over Israel forever.”  Yet, there is a big “IF” inserted.  If he is not faithful, there will be destruction, slavery, and disaster.  The LORD shows the seriousness of our sins.  Our sins can lead us away from Him, which not only separates us from our loving God now, but can also separate us from Him forever.  Thanks be to God in Christ whose love is beyond any love on earth, may He help us to rest in that grace.  “O Holy Spirit, incline our hearts back to You.  Keep us in the one true faith that we may find rest for our souls and trust in Your powerful name.  In Your name, Amen”