Thy Strong Word From Kfuo Radio

Jesus descends from the mountain straight into a whirlwind of miracles: a leper made clean with a touch, a Roman centurion whose faith amazes even Christ, and demons fleeing at His word. Yet when eager followers promise to follow Him anywhere, Jesus warns them that foxes have holes and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head. Power and poverty, authority and homelessness collide as Matthew shows us the mysterious nature of the Messiah's mission.  The Rev. Robert Smith, pastor emeritus in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 8:1-22.  The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the G

Jesus warns against judging others while blind to our own sins. He teaches about the narrow gate that few will find and exposes false prophets who come as wolves in sheep's clothing. The Sermon concludes with two builders: one whose house on rock weathers the storm, another whose house on sand collapses completely. When Jesus finishes, the crowds are astonished because He teaches with authority, unlike their scribes.  The Rev. Ryan Kleimola, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Toledo, OH, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 7:1-29.  To learn more about Trinity Lutheran, visit trinitylutheran.org. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount

Where's your treasure? Jesus exposes our divided hearts, warning that we cannot serve both God and money. Then He turns to our anxious minds, pointing to birds who don't sow yet are fed and lilies that outshine Solomon without spinning a thread. Seek first His kingdom, Jesus promises, and everything else falls into place.  The Hon. Rev. Scot Kerns, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Easton, PA, joins guest-host Rev. Doug Griebenaw, Mission Advocate for KFUO Radio, to study Matthew 6:19-34.  To learn more about Faith Lutheran, visit faithlcms.com. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrect

Jesus exposes the religious theater of the Pharisees who turn prayer, fasting, and charity into performances staged for human applause rather than acts of love for God and neighbor. Here Christ teaches the perfect prayer, the Our Father, and shows us that genuine righteousness flows from the heart toward God, not from a desire for public recognition. Your Father who sees in secret knows the difference between faith and show.  The Rev. Peter Burfeind, pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Union City, MI and Agnus Dei Lutheran Church in Marshall, MI, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 6:1-18.  To learn more about Our Savior and Agnus Dei Lutheran, visit facebook.com/oursaviorunioncity and agnusdeimarshall.com. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son o

You haven't murdered anyone? Jesus says your anger makes you guilty. Never committed adultery? Your lustful look already has. Six times Christ declares, "You have heard it said... but I say to you," crushing us with impossible standards that culminate in the command to be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.  The Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard, pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Minot, ND, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 5:21-48.  To learn more about St. Paul's Lutheran, visit anchoredminot.com. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glo

Modern funerals increasingly look like Pinterest boards and social media tributes rather than Christian worship. How should believers think about death when it comes knocking? We'll explore why Christians need to write down their funeral wishes, what Scripture teaches about the intermediate state between death and resurrection, and why burial versus cremation matters theologically. Death remains our enemy, but it's a defeated enemy. Christians mourn, but not without hope. From building relationships with funeral directors to understanding what happens the moment after we die, this conversation tackles the questions we often avoid until it's too late.  The Rev. Philip Hoppe, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Colby, KS, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to discuss the Christian view of death.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming ligh

Jesus sits on a mountainside and turns the world upside down: the poor are blessed, the meek inherit the earth, and persecution becomes cause for rejoicing. Christ calls His followers salt and light, then makes a shocking claim: He hasn't come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it, and unless our righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees, we'll never see the kingdom.  The Rev. Lance O'Donnell, pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Oconomowoc, WI, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 5:1-20.  To learn more about St. Paul's, visit splco.org. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount to the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resu

After forty days of fasting in the wilderness, Jesus faces three temptations from Satan and responds with Scripture alone. Following John's arrest, Jesus moves to Capernaum in Galilee to begin His public ministry, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy about light dawning in darkness. He calls four fishermen to follow Him and begins teaching in synagogues, preaching the kingdom, and healing throughout the region. Matthew 4 shows Christ succeeding where Israel failed and launching the mission that would transform the world.  The Rev. Roger Mullet, pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Buffalo, WY, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 4.  To learn more about Prince of Peace, visit princeofpeacebuffalo.org. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and

A thunderous voice cries out from the Judean wilderness, calling an entire nation to turn back to God. John the Baptizer, the last of the rugged Old Testament prophets, confronts the corrupt religious leaders and urges repentance. Jesus appears and, despite being our sinless Savior, wades into a pool of our sins and submits to John's baptism to fulfill all righteousness. Join us as we witness the incredible moment when the heavens open and the Holy Trinity is revealed at the Jordan River.  The Rev. Matthew Kusch, pastor of King of Glory Lutheran Church in Elgin, IL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 3.  To learn more about King of Glory, visit kogelgin.org. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us

Matthew continues his witness of the Nativity of Jesus, but he doesn't give us a greeting card scene. Instead, he gives us political paranoia, mass murder, and a family fleeing in the night to save their child from assassination. There's Herod, so terrified of losing power that he orders the execution of every male child under two in Bethlehem. There are these mysterious magi from the east, following God’s star, but do they really believe? And, sadly, the resulting martyrdom of the Holy Innocents. This isn't the sanitized version you’ll find on Christmas cards. This is Matthew telling us that from the very beginning, the arrival of Jesus split the world into those who worshiped and those who wanted him gone.  The Rev. Joshua Heimbuck, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Ashland, OR, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 2.  To learn more about Grace Lutheran, visit gracelutheranashland.org. The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfi

The Gospel of Matthew opens with a genealogy. Another long list of names in the Bible which you would be forgiven for thinking would make for dry conversation. But a closer look reveals this list of names tells the story of God’s faithfulness in keeping his promises throughout the generations. From Abraham to David, and from exile to Christ, this chapter reveals how God’s plan of salvation unfolds through flawed and broken people. Even the inclusion of Gentiles and those with scandalous pasts points to the heart of the Gospel: Jesus came to save sinners like us.  The Rev. Steven Theiss, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Matthew 1.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, 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 ord

The Gospel of Matthew bridges Old and New Testaments, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah who fulfills the Law we could never keep and establishes His kingdom of grace for all nations. Written by a tax collector transformed by pure grace, Matthew reveals Christ as the true Son of David and Emmanuel (God with us) who challenges us with the crushing demands of the Law in His Sermon on the Mount and gives us the sweet comfort of the Gospel in His death and resurrection. From royal genealogy to glorious resurrection, this verse-by-verse study proclaims the One who conquered sin, death, and the devil for us, now delivering forgiveness, life, and salvation through Word and Sacrament as He remains with His church always, even to the end of the age. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, 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 Je

Nehemiah comes back to Jerusalem a short time after completing his term as Governor and returning to Persia, only to find the people slipping back into sin. The temple is neglected, the Sabbath is profaned, and intermarriage with pagan nations threatens the integrity of God’s covenant people. Nehemiah confronts these issues head-on, cleansing the temple, enforcing Sabbath rest, and calling the people to repentance. Chapter 13 is both a sobering reminder of human frailty and just how much we need God’s mercy, grace, and strength.   The Rev. Dr. Peter Elliot, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church, Seattle, WA, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Nehemiah 13.  From rubble to renewal, Nehemiah shows how the Lord rebuilds not just walls but hearts. Brick by brick and prayer by prayer, we follow God’s people through repentance, courageous leadership, fierce opposition, covenant renewal, and joyful dedication. This verse-by-verse series keeps Law and Gospel front and center, tracing the story from burned gates t

The walls of Jerusalem are finally complete and dedicated, but the work isn't finished until the people offer up thanksgiving and rejoice in God's blessings on their efforts and the Holy City. Nehemiah 12 describes a grand celebration and festival filled with music, choirs, and thanksgiving as the poeple give God the glory for His faithfulness and protection. The priests and Levites lead the way, purifying the people and the city, while the joyful sound of worship echoes far beyond Jerusalem's walls. What will the neighbors think? The Rev. Jeremy Loesch, pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Grandview, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Nehemiah 12. To learn more about Holy Trinity, visit ourredeemernewark.org. From rubble to renewal, Nehemiah shows how the Lord rebuilds not just walls but hearts. Brick by brick and prayer by prayer, we follow God’s people through repentance, courageous leadership, fierce opposition, covenant renewal, and joyful dedication. This verse-by-verse series keeps L

The walls of Jerusalem have been rebuilt, but as Nehemiah surveys the city, there’s a problem: it’s practically empty. How can a city survive, much less thrive, without people? In today’s text, we see how God’s people step out in faith to repopulate Jerusalem. Some are chosen by lot, while others willingly volunteer, leaving behind the comfort of their homes and fields for the good of God’s Holy City. Nehemiah 11 challenges us today to consider how we prioritize God’s mission over our own comfort. It points us to Christ, who left His heavenly home to dwell among us and restore what sin destroyed.  The Rev. Jacob Hercamp, pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Noblesville, IN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Nehemiah 11.   To learn more about Christ Lutheran, visit clc-in.org. From rubble to renewal, Nehemiah shows how the Lord rebuilds not just walls but hearts. Brick by brick and prayer by prayer, we follow God’s people through repentance, courageous leadership, fierce opposition, covenant renewa

After the tears of confession and the long prayer of chapter 9, it's time to put pen to parchment, or rather, seal to scroll. Nehemiah leads the way as 84 leaders formally sign their names to a binding covenant, pledging their families and fortunes to follow God's Law. From priests to Levites to lay leaders, each signature represents households committing to specific, costly obedience: no intermarriage with pagans, strict Sabbath observance even when merchants come calling, sabbatical years that require faith in God's provision, and systematic support for temple worship. Their confession is solid, but will their future deeds match their creed?  The Rev. Ben Maton, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Charlottesville, VA, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Nehemiah 10.  To learn more about Immanuel Lutheran, visit immanuelcharlottesville.com. From rubble to renewal, Nehemiah shows how the Lord rebuilds not just walls but hearts. Brick by brick and prayer by prayer, we follow God’s people through rep

When you’ve really blown it and you’ve wandered far from God and the guilt of your sins weighs heavy, what do you do? Do you run and hide? Do you make excuses? Or do you come back, empty-handed, with nothing but confession on your lips? That’s exactly what the people of Israel do in Nehemiah 9. After rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and hearing once again the Word of God, they suddenly realize the greater walls that had crumbled: their faithfulness, their obedience, their relationship with the Lord. And so, in one of the longest recorded prayers in Scripture, the people confess, repent, and remember the steadfast love of their God.  The Rev. Nathaniel Brown, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Correll, MN, Trinity Lutheran Church in Bellingham, MN, Trinity Lutheran Church in Odessa, MN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Nehemiah 9.  From rubble to renewal, Nehemiah shows how the Lord rebuilds not just walls but hearts. Brick by brick and prayer by prayer, we follow God’s people through repentance, c

God’s people all gathered in the square and asked Ezra to bring out the scroll of the Law of Moses and read it to them. From dawn until noon, Ezra read God's Word to the entire crowd while they stood and listened attentively the whole time. Six hours of standing and listening to Scripture! As Ezra and the Levites explained the meaning and helped the people understand God's will, something remarkable happened. The people began to weep as they realized how far they had drifted from God! And yet, Nehemiah and Ezra turned their tears into celebration, reminding them that this was a holy day and "the joy of the Lord is your strength."  The Rev. Chris Matthis, pastor of Epiphany Lutheran Church in Castle Rock, CO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Nehemiah 8.  To learn more about Epiphany Lutheran, visit epiphanylc.org. From rubble to renewal, Nehemiah shows how the Lord rebuilds not just walls but hearts. Brick by brick and prayer by prayer, we follow God’s people through repentance, courageous leader

After Nehemiah leads the people to finish building the wall around Jerusalem, one would think he would take some time and relax, perhaps have a festival to celebrate? Unfortunately, there’s no time for that. Instead, he does what any good project manager would do--he starts taking inventory. Nehemiah opens the old genealogical records and starts a full-scale census of everyone in the city: all 42,360 people, plus their servants, plus their animals. We’re tempted to think of such lists of names and numbers as tedious, but these were people reclaiming their identity, their heritage, and their place in God's story after decades of exile and displacement.  The Hon. Rev. Scot Kerns, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Easton, PA, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Nehemiah 7.  To learn more about Faith Lutheran, visit faithlcms.com. From rubble to renewal, Nehemiah shows how the Lord rebuilds not just walls but hearts. Brick by brick and prayer by prayer, we follow God’s people through repentance, coura

When you're doing something truly important for God, expect the enemy of God to increase his resistance and opposition. Today's hostile news media, social media attacks, and lies and false rumors against God’s people aren't new tactics. In fact, they're ancient strategies of the Accuser. Today on Thy Strong Word, we witness Nehemiah facing his fiercest opposition yet from the surrounding leaders. They attempt to lure him into danger, blackmail him into compliance, and even bribe others to try and make him look weak and foolish. All of this, just days before completing Jerusalem's wall. Discover how God's servants stand firm when the pressure to compromise reaches its peak.  The Rev. John Shank, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Edwardsville, IL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Nehemiah 6.  To learn more about Trinity Lutheran, visit trinitylutheranministries.org. From rubble to renewal, Nehemiah shows how the Lord rebuilds not just walls but hearts. Brick by brick and prayer by prayer, we