Thy Strong Word from KFUO Radio

Rev. Dr. Curtis Deterding of Zion Lutheran Church, Fort Myers, FL joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 7.What is your refuge? To take refuge is to know that you are safe, the work has been done, and where we find comfort. David reminds us that our refuge is the LORD. He is a righteous judge, He is our shield, and although He could bring His wrath at any time, in love He has placed that wrath on Christ. We pray that He would take evil and our enemies from our lives and to trust in His help. “O LORD God Almighty, You are our refuge. We pray that You would take away evil and destroy the enemies of Your name. Bring repentance to all of our hearts so that in You, we are saved. In Christ. Amen”

Rev. Matthew Wurm, pastor of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Brookings, SD joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 6.God’s steadfast love is so great that He allows us to lament to Him, admit our weaknesses, and show our pain. David shows us the connection of body and soul that when one is struggling the other is affected. We are shown our relationship with the LORD is real. He knows what it is like to feel what we feel and addresses us not as a judge, but more as a merciful Father. We can speak “How long O LORD?” and reminds us that He not only hears our prayers, but accepts us on account of His work in Christ. “O LORD, hear our prayer. When we are troubled, we come to You. Turn to us with Your grace, keep away evil, and we know that by the cross of Christ, You will be near to us and will deliver us by Your strength. In Him, Amen”

Rev. Kevin Parviz, pastor of Congregation Chai v'Shalom in St. Louis, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to pray and study Psalm 145.Great is the LORD. David shows us how He is great. He is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, steadfast love, good to all, and has mercy on ALL. He calls us to speak this truth, not only of His grace, but also the consequences of a lack of faith. He assures us that He is near and will preserve us to love Him and love others. “O LORD, You are our King and extend Your undeserved mercy on us. Help us to rest in that grace while also proclaiming the truth of Your salvation to those who do not believe. Preserve us in trial and may we bless Your name. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne, MN joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 146.Praise the LORD because He is worthy of our trust. The LORD gives us words when we are able to praise the Lord. He is the one who gives salvation, gives life, keeps us in faith, provides for our needs, lifts us up, upholds the weak, and reigns forever. Our praise is not dependent on our circumstance, but our praise is because God keeps His promises. Today and the rest of our lives we join together, “Alleluia, Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed, Alleluia.” “Lord God, we praise Your name for You are faithful with caring for us and we ask for Your help to praise You throughout our days for You are gracious and merciful on us. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing, professor of Theology & Director of the Center for Biblical Studies at Concordia University, St. Paul, MN joins Rev. Brady Finnern to conclude our study of Nehemiah 13.Nehemiah’s main concern was the faith of God’s people. He fights the idolatry and injustice of the land Remember--call to mind and act. All the laws commanded in chapter 10 were already broken. For the sake of faith people he brings reform in dramatic ways, which is a reminder for us that there are times we need to make dramatic changes in order to stay in faith. Nehemiah did all of his work understanding that the LORD remembered him according to the greatness of His steadfast love. This steadfast love is ours as well in Christ and in this love we continue to fight the good fight of staying steadfast in Him. “Lord God, remember me according to Your steadfast love. Give us faith to trust in You and help us to break our idols to stay in Your favor. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Dr. Michael Morehouse of Catalina Lutheran Church in Tuscon, Arizona joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to joyfully study Nehemiah 12.The LORD’s grace was upon real people in real time. The priests were gathered, the wall was being dedicated, the people purified, choirs were singing with jubilation, and there was great joy. The LORD likes order and chooses people to be placed in the right “office” to assure that people are protected and able to keep their eyes fixed on Him. We pray that the Lord would help us keep order that we may rejoice in His grace upon us right now. “Almighty God, Your grace in Christ showers upon us each day. Help us to keep order as to serve Your people according to Your love. Purify us so that by Your Word we purify others with Your forgiveness on account of Christ. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Jeremy Loesch, pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Grandview, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Nehemiah 11.Jerusalem needed leaders and the LORD provided: priests, Levites, temple servants, chiefs, musicians, and gatekeepers. Everyone had a role to play in order that the neighbor would be served and the gifts of the LORD would be received. The LORD grants us a willing spirit to serve where we are planted and continue to receive His gifts. “O Holy Spirit, open our eyes, ears, and hearts to believe in Christ and to serve in Your name where You have placed us. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. John Lukomski, host of Wrestling with the Basics on KFUO Radio, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Nehemiah 10. Find Wrestling with the Basics at kfuo.org/wrestlingwiththebasics.All that the LORD has told us---we will do. We follow His laws out of faith. It is clear that the people of old had broken God’s commandments and after confession they re-establish their commitment to the LORD. These commandments are motivated by faith in a gracious and loving God knowing that the curse of the law is separation from Him, but the LORD has become a curse for us. This leads us to follow His commands for the sake of love for Him and love for others. “O Holy Spirit, keep us in faith. Faith in Your loving kindness found in the cross and help us to live out this way according to Your commands. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Dr. Brian Kachelemeier, pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Las Alamos, NM joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Nehemiah 9.The Word does not come back empty. The Israelites heard the Word with joy and the LORD, who is holy, leads them to repentance and prayer. They recounted the works of the LORD and had a divine conversation with the LORD. In this recounting they confess sin and receive His mercy. What do we do? Sin. What does God do? Mercifully forgive. God gives-We receive. “Lord God, You have been merciful from the beginning. Help us to recount Your deeds, lead us to repentance as we receive Your gracious forgiveness on account of Christ. In His name, Amen”

Rev. Dustin Beck, pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Warda, TX joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Nehemiah 8.The wall is finished. A new day had begun. Now what? We ask this question often as Christians and we should follow the example of the Judeans: they demanded that their scribe and priest give them the Word. From these simple words the LORD brought rejoicing and a new life of worship. As we go through transitions, we pray for that same joy that may bring emotions, but it may not, either way that we know our foundation that is centered on Christ and His Word. “Lord God, as the Israelites demanded the Word be proclaimed which brought joy, may Your Word bear fruit in our lives and that the joy of You may be our strength. In Christ, Amen”