Thy Strong Word from KFUO Radio

Rev. Scott Adle, pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Collinsville, IL joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 26:36-56.As Jesus prays to the Father, “take this cup from me, but Your will be done.” It is clear that our strength is in the LORD. This is why we sing “The LORD God is my strength and my song (Isaiah 12:2b).” If we look to one another for strength and hope, betrayal & laziness prevail. In Christ, we have the one who takes the burden upon Himself and even calls his betrayer “Friend.” Jesus possesses enough power to call on enough angels to destroy a whole country, but out of love, submits to the will of the Father and fulfills the Scripture. “Almighty God, Your will be done. As Christ fulfilled the Scriptures, we look to Him for our hope and strength. Keep us steadfast in You and filled with the hope of Your cross. In Him, Amen”

Rev. Curtis Deterding, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Myers, FL joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 26:1-35.Jesus is working the ground to prepare everyone for the cross. He calls everyone to faith, like the woman anointing Jesus’ head for burial. The comfort of Jesus’ preparation that He doesn’t just give words but Himself, His body and blood, to give us forgiveness and a taste of heaven today. We are reminded again that “the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” Peter confessed that he would NEVER deny Christ, but he did. We pray that the Holy Spirit will keep us steadfast in Him and find comfort in all that He has done for us. “O Holy Spirit, fill us with faith and prepare us to confess Jesus as Lord and stay steadfast in Him. Give us the right understanding of Your precious supper that we may receive Your benefits and trust in Your promise of forgiveness. In Your name, Amen”

Rev. Kevin Parviz, pastor of Congregation Chai v’Shalom in St. Louis, MO joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 25:31-46.We receive a glimpse of what will occur when Jesus returns. He will come and sit on his glorious throne and judge the nations. This judgment is quite troubling when we think about the times we have not fed the hungry, given drink to the thirsty, visited those in prison, and given clothing to the needy? Yet, God is at work preparing a place for you by Christ’s cross (John 14:1-3). We grieve those who might be on the Lord’s left hand. May the LORD take that grief and lead us to a faith-filled life of prayer and service to others. “O Holy Spirit, make us sheep of our Shepherd Jesus. As He has given His life for us, we know that the time of judgment will come. Keep us in the narrow way and bring others to Your saving name. In His name, Amen”

Rev. Dr. Donald Fondow, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 21.King David prays after battle. Psalm 20 says, “O LORD, save the king” and Psalm 21 shows that God is victorious. David can not help but rejoice in the LORD’s strength and salvation. The LORD had sustained David and his lineage not only in battle, but in faith in the saving King who has had the victory on the cross. We rejoice in His faithfulness to destroy death and evil that on the last day, the wrath we deserve, has been placed on our Savior, the King. “Lord God, steadfast is Your love in Christ as You have had the victory. Keep us from evil knowing that evil will not win the day. Help us to sing our praises in Your power and in Your power we rest in peace. Lord in Your mercy, Amen”

Rev. Matthew Schultz, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Niskayuna, NY joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 20.David prays to His King that He would bless his people. It is a reminder for us to pray for our leaders and know that the LORD is the true leader. The power is in the name of the LORD and not ours. The victory is His and we trust in Him to graciously care for His kingdom in His salvation. “Lord Jesus, as You are our saving King, we ask that You would answer us in our battles, give us the joy of Your salvation, and keep us from evil. In Your name, Amen”

Rev. Terry Finnern, pastor of Mt. Calvary & St. Paul’s Lutheran Churches in Miltona, MN joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 19.David reflects on everything: God’s creation, God’s law, our sinfulness, God’s salvation, and God’s rock solid redemption in Christ. By His perfect, sure, right, true, and clean Word, we are able to see His glory through creation keeping grounded in His Creating work. When we know all the truth revealed to us about God in Christ, we confess like David, “Who can discern his errors?” Yet, the LORD is gracious to forgive our great transgressions and keep our mouth and heart acceptable in His sight. “Lord God, my rock and my redeemer, keep us grounded to rightly understand creation and our sin through the lens of Your grace in Christ. Keep us in the narrow way that we may enjoy all Your gifts and be sustained while we live and when we die. In Your name, Amen”

Rev. Levi Willms, pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Yankton, SD joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 129.“Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth” says all of Israel. God’s people had gone through afflictions throughout the entirety of their lives and in hope, they seek the righteousness of God. The Psalmist asks the Lord to keep enemies from prevailing, keep them from bearing fruit, that we may bless the LORD and bless others through affliction as the Lord is righteous. “Lord God, when we suffer afflictions, give us Your righteousness to know that evil will not prevail. Take away evil and give us words of blessing to one another in Your name. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Aaron Stinnett, pastor of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Smithfield, RI joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 130 & 131.Martin Luther was once asked concerning his favorite psalms and he mentioned that Psalm 130 was a “Pauline psalm.” Psalm 130 proclaims a gracious and forgiving God who is quick to listen and quick with grace. The authors of both psalms are pleading for mercy from the depths and a “low heart” knowing that this LORD does not mark iniquities, He provides us with peace, and fills us with hope. Keep praying saints, your LORD listens, and quiets our souls by His grace. “Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD, O Lord hear my voice. I wait for You, O LORD, my soul waits and in his word, I hope. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Greg Truwe, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cole Camp, MO joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 25:14-30.The Master generously entrusts His kingdom to His servants. The Master will be returning and it is clear that the servant’s stewardship of this kingdom will have its challenges. The servants that gained more talents were brought into the joy of their Master. The servant with one talent is a cause of lament as he did not see the Master for who He was: Merciful! Instead of trusting the Master to have mercy, the servant fears the strength of the Master. We have a merciful Master, Jesus Christ our LORD, who has done ALL the work of mercy on the cross who takes on what we deserve. With that merciful Master with us, the One who has invited us to His joy, we live in that grace to love and serve Him and others. “Lord God, as You generously and joyously provide Your gifts to us, keep our hearts to remember that You are a merciful Master so that we faithfully use Your Amen”

Rev. Tysen Bibb, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Norborne, MO joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 25:1-13.The Church waits for Christ’s return as the virgins wait for the bridegroom. To be ready for his coming required a lamp to be lit. To wait can cause us to lose focus and become drowsy like the virgins. When the bridegroom returned at midnight five virgins had enough oil and five did not. Faith, the oil in the lamp, is what is required to enter the wedding feast and you can’t have faith for another. The song “Give me oil in my lamp, keep it burning, burning, burning” is a good prayer for Him to keep us close to Himself and we ask for that same oil for others. “O LORD, keep us awake, fill us with Your gifts of salvation to be ready when You return. You give us the reality of Your return because of Your love for us, give us hope as we wait and joyfully serve in Your kingdom. Amen”