Thy Strong Word from KFUO Radio

Rev. Joshua Heimbuck, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Ashland, OR joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 20:1-19.We trust in the Lord’s generosity as He generously gives us salvation in Christ. Jesus shows how His kingdom is one of generous salvation to all people by His blood. He shows us this promise that by His death and resurrection we are saved. The problem is not His generosity, but how we want Him to give as we see fit. Our lives are to be centered on His gift of salvation and trust in His generosity. “Lord God, thank You for choosing to save us only by grace, not our own doing, but Your work on the cross. Fill us with this salvation and give us joyful hearts to celebrate Your grace to all people. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Dr. Gerard Bolling, pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Louis, MO and Assistant Professor of Leadership and Theology at Concordia University-Texas in Austin, TX, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 19:16-30.The rich young man asks Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus patiently teaches the young man concerning salvation from a good God and our idolatry. The rubber hits the road when Jesus hits him where it hurts—weath. Wealth accumulation leads the sinner to ask, “When is enough—enough?” Jesus not only shows the failings of idolatry, but the source of all that is good. Salvation is not from our source, salvation comes solely from Christ’s cross. His call to follow Him is a reminder that we are to look outside ourselves to our God who is faithful in all things. “O Lord, help us to look to Your Son as our source of everything. Teach us, O Savior, to drop our idols, knowing that we can not find our hope in them, but our hope is that You bring us closer to You for our hope and salvation. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Dr. Brian Saunders, District President of the Iowa East District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 19:1-15.The Pharisees were testing Jesus to trip him up concerning divorce by misquoting the Bible. Divorce has affected all of us and the sin that has caused it leaves a trail of pain. Jesus brings them back to the beginning by showing that marriage is a gift from the LORD of a husband and wife. The life of the Christian is a life of repentance and forgiveness and the same applies to the married couple. The most important three words in a Christian marriage is not “I love you” but “I forgive you.” The married couple, those who have been divorced, the extended family, the single person all live in the hope not in our strength or perfection, but in the forgiveness won for us in Christ. “Lord God, keep us steadfast in Your Word. Thank you for the gift of marriage that reflects Your love for the church and uplifts us in body and soul. Bless all marriages to holiness, give healing to those affected by divorce, and grant us the gift of repentance that we may receive Your forgiveness and live holy lives by word and deed. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Peter Burfeind, pastor of Agnus Dei Lutheran Church in Marshall, MI & Our Savior Lutheran Church in Union City, MI joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 18:21-35.Forgiveness of sinners is the heartbeat of the Christian. Forgiveness is needed because there are many who are lost in their sin. Peter, on behalf of the disciples, was given the office of the keys and now asks, “How often should I use these keys?” The message is clear from Jesus’ words and the parable is that forgiveness is given as much as it is needed. We have received full forgiveness by the blood of Christ, 10,000 talents worth of sin, but yet, we struggle to forgive others for the smallest of sin. “Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for the undeserved, full forgiveness You graciously give to me. By Your power, help us to forgive others as often as You forgive us knowing that we are unworthy but in Your love You make us worthy. In Your name, Amen”

Rev. Jacob Heine, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Topeka, KS joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 132.The Psalmist asks the LORD to remember. To remember His promises that He would dwell with His people and clothe them with salvation. As people would travel up to Jerusalem to worship at the temple, the LORD remembered to clothe his people with righteousness, to be their resting place, to feed bread to the poor, and bless His people. The LORD promised to be at Zion and in Christ, we receive that clothes of righteousness by His blood. “Arise, O LORD, and go to your resting place, let Your priests be clothed with righteousness, let us sing shouts of joy for You are in our presence and in Christ we may rest in You. Amen”

Rev. Jim Price, pastor of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Wamego, KS joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 133 & 134.The source of our unity is in God’s goodness. We are united as one by His love seen on the cross. Our striving for unity is like trying to catch the wind if His blessings do not come from above. His blessing of forgiveness, life, and salvation flow down upon us like oil on a newly ordained priest and the dew of a mountain onto a dry desert ground. This grace flows from the greater priest than Aaron who has made the final sacrifice. “Lord God, we bless You that You have brought us together as one in Christ. We behold Your mercy and ask that Your Holy Spirit would bring us together as one to love You and love others. United in Christ, Amen”

Rev. Aaron Spratt, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Juneau, AK & missionary for Alaska Mission for Christ, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 17.David confidently pleads with the LORD to hear and care for him. Knowing that in the LORD’s grace forgiveness was his, David invites an investigation of his sins. We find our complete confidence in the blood of Christ knowing that “our sins are not greater than Jesus’ forgiveness.” David was surrounded by enemies but we are in a Mighty Fortress, the Lord Jesus, who fights for us. “Arise O Lord, fight for me, bring me to You face to face, and fill us with grace that I may be satisfied with Your likeness above everything else. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. John Lukomski, co-host of Wrestling with the Basics on KFUO Radio joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 16. Find Wrestling with the Basics at kfuo.org/WrestlingWithTheBasics.There is no good in me apart from the Lord. Humbling words, especially in prosperity. To be a saint/excellent one to take refuge in Him, unlike the idolater that has hope in themselves. The LORD gives counsel, our refuge, and will never abandon our souls, which brings the fullness of joy. Keep praying saints to the LORD, He will not only pour His holiness into You, but by His holiness He keeps us from evil. “Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the LORD, You are my LORD; I have no good apart from me. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Tyrel Bramwell, pastor of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Ferndale, California joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 15.We all desire to be holy. David teaches by asking, “Who shall dwell on your holy hill?” The answer is obvious: No one! He speaks of those who are blameless, truthful, pure in their words and actions. It does not take long before we realize that we are not these things. When we see our sin, we do not call Him a liar, but admit that we are indeed sinners. In His love, He shows us the way of Christ: blameless, speaking the truth, pure in word, pure in actions, and generous for others all the way to the cross. “Lord God, Your will be done. Break and hinder every evil plan of the devil and our sinful flesh that we may receive Your holiness through Christ by Your Word and we live according to Your will. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Nick Koschmann, pastor of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Forest Grove, Oregon, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 18:10-20.The LORD pursues His people like a shepherd looks for His sheep. His pursuit of us shows that every time one repents and believes in Christ brings one response: Thanks be to God! Jesus gives us holy instruction on how we are to care for others in His name. Sinners need the law and although it is difficult, we are reminded that we are simply servants of the Shepherd with the goal of restoration in Christ. “Lord God, as Your Son pursued the lost sheep, bring us back to You. By Your Spirit, give us the right words so that when someone sins and is under threat of walking away from You, We lay those in our lives who have walked away from You at Your feet and ask for mercy. Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Amen”