Thy Strong Word from KFUO Radio

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 on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.Thy Strong Word is hosted by Rev. Brady Finnern, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Sartell, MN, and graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation.

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 24Judah 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”