Thy Strong Word From Kfuo Radio

Rev. Robert Wentzel of Trinity Lutheran Church, Bemidji, Minnesota joins host Rev. Brady Finnern of Messiah Lutheran, Sartell, MN to study and pray Psalm 5. David prays with groaning and demands to the LORD while suffering. He confesses that the LORD is one with an abundance of steadfast love and one that is not indifferent to evil. Psalm 5 can be utilized as we begin our days to watch for His blessings in our lives. We also may use this Psalm to remind us of our need to have the LORD lead us to His Righteousness as we are susceptible to evil every day. “O LORD, You despise wickedness and evil, lead us to repentance by Your steadfast love as You cover us with Your favor as with a shield. Lord help us to pray. Amen” Thy Strong Word reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to fait

Rev. Dr. Brian German, Associate Professor of Theology & Director of the Concordia Bible Institute at Concordia University Wisconsin, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Psalm 4. Psalm 4: In the peace of the LORD, I will lie down and sleep. Rev. Dr. Brian German, Associate professor of theology at Concordia University, Mequon, WI & Director of the Concordia Bible Institute joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study/pray Psalm 4. When darkness overtakes our land, darkness can overtake our hearts. David confesses the truth of our gracious LORD. He invites us to pray, He listens to our prayers, He answers our prayers, and He is the the source of our Joy and peace so we can rest even in darkness. “Answer me, O God, my righteousness for You hear me and give relief, peace, safety, and joy. Give us rest that we may dwell in Your safety. Amen” Thy Strong Word reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes

Rev. Ross Engel, pastor of St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Middleburg, FL, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Kings 25. 2 Kings 25: Everything is gone.  Nothing to say but “Lord have mercy.” After the third rebellion, Babylon decided to enforce sterner policies upon Judah: besieging the city, destruction of the temple, the king, leaders, wall, and the captivity of most people.  In most books, we hope for a “happy ending”, yet, I & Kings shows us that our hope can not be in walls, buildings, or even people, but on the Rock of Christ.  “Lord God, in our darkness be our Light.  Fill us with Your love by Your Holy Spirit, so that when we, our loved ones, and saints in our church suffer, that we have our strength in You.  Lord have mercy.  Amen”

Rev. Kevin Parviz of Congregation Chai V Shalom, St. Louis, Missouri joins host Rev. Brady Finnern of Messiah Lutheran, Sartell, MN to study II Kings 24 Judah was falling. The king, his family, all mighty military men, the craftsmen, and all treasures in the temple are gone. How can we not see the connection of the stripping of the temple and Holy Thursday? The LORD told Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Judah was weak, but in the LORD they would see where their strength would lie. “Lord God, as we are weak, we need You. As Judah fell, we fall from grace, but at the right time, You died for us. Give us repentant hearts and renewal in Your faithfulness. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Tim Sandeno of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Gorham, Maine, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Kings 23. God had mercy on Judah.  Josiah had a reformation in the temple of the worship practice of God’s people to assure that they would focus their hearts, souls, and minds on the LORD.  His reformation reminds us that we are in need to re-evaluate where our hearts have created idols so we can repent and focus our attention again on Him.  “O Holy Spirit, break us from our idols and grant us a new heart to worship You with all of our heart, soul, and minds on Christ’s faithfulness and mercy.  Amen”

Rev. Jason Bredeson, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sacramento, CA joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Kings 22. Josiah was a faithful king who did “right in the eyes of the LORD and did not turn aside to the right or to the left.”  He restored the temple, heard the Word of God, repented from his sins, and called others back to the LORD.  He did all of this even after the Word had been lost in the temple for quite some time.  May we stay steadfast in His Word and centered on His grace and mercy.  “Lord God, Your Word is living and active and we ask that You keep us in this Word so that we may not turn aside to the right or the left, but solely on the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Steven Theiss, vacancy pastor, Immanuel Lutheran Church, New Wells, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Kings 21. Manasseh was a people pleaser.  God had not called him to be a people pleaser, but a faithful follower of the LORD.  As He led the kingdom for 55 years, evil spread throughout all the land to the point of sacrificing their children and the shedding of much innocent blood.  As we learn from 2 Chronicles 33, God was patient and faithful to Manasseh and reminds us that the sacrifice and blood of the one Son of God gives us the promise of the end and strength for the days ahead.  “Lord God, help us to break our idols and humbly come before You in faith.  Your Son was sacrificed and His blood shed for the sake of our salvation so that we may trust in You today knowing the salvation that awaits for us.  In Christ, Amen”

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”