Thy Strong Word from KFUO Radio

Rev. Bryan Stecker, Grace Lutheran Church, Nashua, NH joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 3.What would you do if you had to flee for your life because of your child? What if thousands of people are against you? Our natural reaction is to either run in fear or make a battle plan. Yet, David takes his fear and looks to the LORD. The LORD is our shield, our glory, the lifter of my head, the God who answers from on high, and He is our Salvation. “Lord Jesus Christ, as You are our salvation, grant us peace no matter the turmoil or the enemies that surround us. Hear our prayers and arise to save us and take our fears. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. David Juhl of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Momence, IL joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Psalm 2.Who has the authority? The nations or the LORD? One of the more humbling words in all of Scripture, “He who sits in the heavens laughs.” This Psalm reminds us that He has all authority and power, yet He does not use that authority to “lord it over us”, but to give us His peace. Use this Psalm for our elected officials, especially during an election campaign. He has set the King on Zion, his holy hill and we can take refuge in Him. “Lord God, You have begotten the Son to be our Prophet, priest, and King with all authority. Help us to take refuge and serve You as You have taken the wrath of our sin. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. John Lukomski, host of “Wrestling with the Basics” joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study I Kings 22.“The entire life of the Christian is a life of repentance”, Luther tells us. Ahab needed to repent, even thinking he could fool God, but the message is simple, “You can’t fool God.” It’s time to repent. We sympathize with both kings because we know we are indeed saved by God’s grace, but sin still clings to us. “O Holy Spirit, keep us in the true faith and fill us so that we may live a holy life of repentance knowing that You are a patient and forgiving God on account of Christ. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Adam Degroot, Calvary Lutheran Church, Rio Ranch, NM joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study I Kings 21.Ahab wants a vegetable garden, it seems reasonable, but he is willing to do whatever it takes to get it. One sin leads to another sin. Coveting leads to lies which leads to murder which leads to stealing which leads to a denial of the LORD. By God’s grace, Ahab was led to repentance and realizing his need for the LORD. We pray for the same. Although sin leads us to even greater sin, God’s grace in Christ leads us to complete forgiveness and salvation. “Lord God, keep us from sin and pour Your love into our hearts by Your Holy Spirit to rest in Your grace and live holy lives. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Dave Hinz of Trinity Lutheran Church, Sauk Rapids, MN joins host, Rev. Brady Finnern, to study I Kings 20.Ahab did not have a good track record, but yet the LORD still sent a prophet to him so that “you shall know that I am the LORD.” The Scriptures remind us that God provides daily bread to everyone, without prayers, even to all evil people. If He provides and comes to unbelieving people, that means He also will come to You. He comes to You to bring comfort but also to remind You to turn back to Him as He has given us all things in Christ’s death and resurrection. “Lord God, our track record is no better than Ahab. Bring us to repentance and come to us again with Your forgiveness won for us on the cross. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Steven Theiss, vacancy pastor, Immanuel Lutheran Church, New Wells, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study I Kings 19.Why in the world is Elijah afraid? He saw the LORD have the victory over 850 prophets, but now Queen Jezebel threatens his life and he runs? It is clear that although the battle was done, the war continued on. Elijah saw what we all see: sin continually seems to prevail. In his frustrations and weakness, the LORD provided Elijah with what he needed (bread, water, the Word, and people) to continue in His work. He does the same for us as we serve in the assurance that “he who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” “Lord God, sin will always be among us. Grant us Your continual forgiveness by the blood of Christ and provide what we need to faithfully work in Your kingdom. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Dennis McFadden of Fort Wayne, Indiana joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study I Kings 18.It is like a good old western film, “Meet me at high noon and we will see who comes out victorious.” Elijah has called the 850 prophets of false gods for a showdown against the LORD. What Ahab and others didn’t understand was that a blind, deaf, and mute gods can not give forgiveness or salvation no matter how long you pray or sacrifice yourself. Elijah challenges us to not limp between two opinions. There is one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, follow Him for He hears your prayers, sees your sins yet still died for you, and speaks His forgiveness to You on account of Christ. “Lord God, thank You for proving once again that You are the one true God through Elijah. Help us to know and speak the Truth, that in Christ, we are Your forgiven and loved children. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Nabil Nour of Trinity Lutheran, Hartford, SD joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study I Kings 18:1-19.“Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” These words from John the baptist rings in our ears as we see the persistent lack of repentance from Ahab. Even after 3 years and six months of drought, Ahab refuses to turn to the LORD. Elijah comes back on the scene with a confrontation, much like a good Western film, and they are about to meet up on Mt. Carmel---850 vs. 1, many gods vs. the One true God, A whole nation vs. one man. Who will be victorious? We know the answer, which reminds us the victory we have in our Lord Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 15:57). “Lord God, grant us repentance by Your Holy Spirit that we may incline our hearts to you and trust that Your way and Your truth is above anything else. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. David Boisclair of Faith and Bethesda Lutheran Church in Pine Lawn, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Kings 17.Elijah was in a drought, famine, and presented with death and the LORD provided. He provided sustenance at the beaks of ravens, food with a small amount of flour and oil, and a resurrection of a boy. In the same way, the LORD provides for us “with all that I need to support this body and life.” We pray for faith to trust that His promises are true, especially knowing that one day all will be resurrected and all believers in the name of Jesus will go to be with Him. “Lord God, we pray for You to provide for all of our needs. Help us, by Your grace, to trust in You when tragedy comes. Lord have mercy, in the name of Christ. Amen”

Rev. Keith Lingsch of Grace Lutheran Church, Naples, FL joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Kings 15 & 16.The common words of these chapters, “And he walked in all the sins that his father did before him.” Reminds us of how many sins are so easy to follow, especially when modeled by our family. These sins led to more brokenness, war with other nations, and idolatry. The main issue for all the kings was a lack of faith in Yahweh to provide. We have the issue: a lack of faith. We address the sins that we are tempted to commit with repentance and faith. “Lord God, Heavenly Father, send the Holy Spirit that we may repent of our sins, receive Your forgiveness, and by Your power live a holy Christian life. Keep us from the sins of previous generations that we may love You and one another. In Christ, Amen”