Thy Strong Word from KFUO Radio

Rev. Tom Eckstein of Concordia Lutheran Church in Jamestown, ND, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Kings 14.It does not end well for the kings of Israel and Judah. Their sins followed them and it affected others. Without our ascended Lord Jesus, our ending is no different than that of Jeroboam’s people, but in repentance and faith in Christ, we are deemed worthy to be with Him. Our trust is not in any king like Jeroboam or Rehoboam, but in the King of Kings who we give thanks this Ascension day that He reigns over all things. “O Lord Jesus Christ, our ascended LORD, may we also ascend in heart and mind and continually dwell there with You. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. John Shank of Trinity Lutheran Church in Edwardsville, IL joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Kings 13.Whose word has authority? A prophet? A king? A man of God? The only word that had authority in chapter 13 is the Word of the LORD. We see the Word powerfully bring restoration and He invites us to return to Him for His forgiving healing and mercy. Only one man has ALWAYS spoken the truth, always spoke the Word of the LORD, and carried His cross even to death---our true Prophet, Priest, and King Jesus. “Lord Jesus Christ, You have authority over the devil, the world, and death, Keep us steadfast in Your Word that we, who are weak, may cling to Your Word and trust in Your promises. In Your name. Amen”

Rev. John Lukomski, host of Wrestling with the Basics on KFUO Radio joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Kings 12. Find Wrestling with the Basics at kfuo.org/wrestlingwiththebasics.The kingdom of Israel was no longer divided. Although it was a long time coming, it grieved the people and us to see. It shows us the division that can occur in any place (work, home, & church). This division is true in our relationship with the LORD. True unity with God only comes through Christ’s death for sinners like us. We pray for unity in His name and seek Him whose name is above all names. “Lord Jesus Christ, as You took all the sin of the world upon Yourself, we pray that we may look to You to bring healing and reconciliation to our divisions. We thank You for the restoration with God the Father by Your cross and seek Your help to live holy lives in service to others. In Your name. Amen”

Rev. Warren Woerth of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Arnold, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Kings 11.Well, that escalated quickly! Solomon goes from praying and giving praises to the LORD with all the riches in the kingdom to a complete denial of the one, True God. This is a humbling reminder to all of us that our lives are of repentance and asking the LORD to incline our hearts back to Him. “Lord Jesus Christ, You have saved us, not by silver or gold, but by Your holy, precious blood, and Your innocent suffering and death. Send Your Holy Spirit that our hearts stay inclined to You and we are brought to You that final day. In Your name, Amen”

Rev. David Boisclair of Faith and Bethesda Lutheran Church in Pine Lawn, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Kings 10.The LORD had greatly blessed Solomon with wisdom, wealth, and faithful servants. The word had gotten out around the nations, even over 1,000 miles away. The nations held Solomon in high regard and it seemed as if he and the Israelites were unstoppable. As we know that “the love of money is the root of all evil”, we can almost predict that a fall was inevitable. We ask the LORD to help us to use His gifts to His glory. “Lord Jesus Christ, as You have been the greatest giver, help us to use our gifts---large or small---to give glory to You and in service to others as You serve us. In Your name, Amen”

Rev. Curtis Deterding, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Myers, FL, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Kings 9.The LORD appeared to Solomon a second time, I Kings 3:5 was the first. He brings beautiful words of promise, “I have heard your prayer”, “I will be putting my name there forever”, and in faith, “I will establish your throne over Israel forever.” Yet, there is a big “IF” inserted. If he is not faithful, there will be destruction, slavery, and disaster. The LORD shows the seriousness of our sins. Our sins can lead us away from Him, which not only separates us from our loving God now, but can also separate us from Him forever. Thanks be to God in Christ whose love is beyond any love on earth, may He help us to rest in that grace. “O Holy Spirit, incline our hearts back to You. Keep us in the one true faith that we may find rest for our souls and trust in Your powerful name. In Your name, Amen”

Rev. David Fleming, associate pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Executive Director of Spiritual Care with DOXOLOGY, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Kings 8:54-66. Learn more about DOXOLOGY and the Respite Retreats for pastors at doxology.us.Solomon blessed and made peace offerings for God’s people. He asked the LORD to be with them, to keep them in the faith, and that the Word may be near to them. This is our prayer for ourselves, our families, and our church. The next time your pastor gives the benediction at the end of service, pay extra attention to the enactment of God’s Word for you and receive this good gift of blessing from Him. “Lord God, Heavenly Father, as You blessed the Israelites through Solomon, bless us by placing Your name upon us. Be near us, keep us in the faith, and the Word be near to our hearts. Lord help us. Amen”

Rev. Kevin Parviz of Congregation Chai V Shalom, St. Louis, Missouri joins host Rev. Brady Finnern of Messiah Lutheran, Sartell, MN to study 1 Kings 8:22-53.It’s time to pray. Solomon stood before the Lord’s altar with all of Israel and pleaded with the LORD. He asked for the Lord’s mercy to help them be faithful as He was faithful, faith for the unbelievers, forgiveness when we sin, and providence in all trials (especially in famine, pestilence, blight, drought, and battle). We ask the LORD to help us to pray to Him who if faithful, not just in case brokenness comes because it will. “O Holy Spirit, help us to pray as sin comes before us. When this occurs, give us the words of Solomon that we may look to You and that Your grace will be upon us. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Jason Shockman of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, West Salem, WI joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Kings 8:1-21.The temple is ready. The ark of the covenant is in the Holy Place and leaders and many nations gather to see the place that God would dwell. Solomon reminds the people that it is the LORD that keeps HIs promises and they are able to see God’s handiwork that brings hope for the future. We pray for the same reflection to remember that God keeps His promises and we can look forward in hope that our temple, the LORD JESUS, is the final sacrifice for our sins. “Lord God, You dwell among us, and in a world that does not keep their promise, You are faithful until the end. Point our eyes back to You that we may live according to Your will. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Timothy Sims of St. John Lutheran Church in Chester, IL joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Kings 7:13-51.Bronze pillars, stands, sea of cast metal, oxen, cherubim, palm trees, and lions...oh my. The LORD gave Solomon a very detailed list of furnishings to assure that everyone knew where to be made clean by the water and the bloody sacrifices. In the Temple everything was covered by gold, showing the purity and sacredness of God’s presence. We may not have churches made of gold, but we do have the presence of our LORD whose blood cleanses us from all sin. Come into the presence of the LORD around the Word to receive a glimpse of what it was like in the Temple and what it will be like in heaven.