Thy Strong Word from KFUO Radio

Rev. Gregory Alms of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Catonsville, MD joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Kings 7:1-12.The Temple has been built after seven years of work. As Solomon was a King he was to make a place to live, work, and care for his family. It reminds us much of our own country’s political centers: The White House, the Capital, the supreme court chambers, the house, and the senate. These places are where the LORD guides our nations to keep order and peace. Paul encourages Timothy to pray for everyone, especially kings and all who are in high positions, so should we pray for our leaders and ask for the same wisdom that the LORD granted to Solomon. “Heavenly Father, we bring to You our political leaders: President, Vice-President, Governors, Senators, Congressmen, and local leaders. As they do Your work of keeping order, fill them with wisdom and faith. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Matthew Ruesch of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Kingsford, Michigan, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Kings 6.480 years after the Israelites left Egypt, the temple was finally being built. We see the intricate details of the building of the sanctuary, nave, holy place that has shaped how we build our modern-day churches. God set aside a place for people to be around the Holy Things and today He has set aside the places (Word, Water, and Bread) where He promises to give His gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation. “Lord God, as You promised to be present with Your people in the temple, we give You thanks that You are present with us by Your gifts. Help us to hold Your Word sacred and gladly hear and learn it. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. John Lukomski, host of Wrestling with the Basics on KFUO Radio, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Kings 5. Find Wrestling with the Basics episodes at kfuo.org/wrestlingwiththebasics.Solomon’s calling is clear: Build the Temple (2 Samuel 7:13). To accomplish this goal God uses people outside of Israel like in Sidon and Tyre. As a construction crew needs to prepare to build a home, God prepared the Israelites for His holy place. We pray that God would continue to prepare the way of the LORD (Isaiah 40:3), prepare us for good works (Ephesians 2:10), and be prepared to make a defense for the hope this is in us (I Peter 3:15). “Lord Jesus Christ, by Your Holy Spirit keep us in the true faith. Prepare us to withstand the temptations of the evil one and may our eyes keep centered on You, our true temple. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Peter Schmidt, pastor of Beautiful Savior, Waukesha, WI joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Kings 4.The author gives us a whole list of Solomon’s cabinet as he led all of Israel. A wise leader understands that they can not do it alone, but God provides people around us to use His gifts to His glory. God also gave Solomon wisdom to understand all of His creation (proverbs, songs, cedars, hyssop, beasts, birds, reptiles, and fish). We can do the same today. To be life-long learners of His creation, remember that all righteousness, redemption, sanctification, and wisdom is found in Christ. “Heavenly Father, grant us Your wisdom to humbly learn and teach the truths of Your creation, knowing that in Christ we have the fullness of wisdom now and forever. Amen”

Rev. John Rickert, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Newark, Delaware, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Kings 3:16-28.Each day we are presented with ethical questions and conflict to be resolved. King Solomon was presented with the most conflicted situation anyone could imagine. By God’s grace, Solomon was able to give proper judgment as to fair and in accordance with God’s Word. We pray that He would grant us wisdom so that others may see our witness and give Him the praise. “Lord God, Heavenly Father, as we are presented with conflict, give us solutions that are in accordance with Your Word and point others to the reconciliation with You that we have in Christ. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Brain Davies, pastor of Lord of Glory Lutheran Church in Grayslake, IL, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Kings 3:1-15.What do you seek from the LORD? Our prayers will often function like a vending machine. “Please grant me ________.” And we wait to see if he gives it. We seek the tangible: health, protection, providence, and healing. Yet, when Solomon was given the opportunity to ask for whatever he desired, he asked for wisdom. Wisdom to rule Israel and the wisdom of faith. We know that wisdom is manifested in Christ who is our righteousness, sanctification, redemption, and our wisdom. “O Lord God, grant us wisdom to live a holy life in Christ and keep us in the one faith under His name and to be wise unto salvation. In Him, Amen”If you are grateful for Thy Strong Word, consider supporting KFUO Radio with a gift today so that we can continue broadcasting the Gospel of Christ to listeners worldwide. Give now at kfuo.org/give or text KFUO to 41444.

Rev. Nathan Meador, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Plymouth, Wisconsin, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Kings 2:13-46.All Adonijah wanted to do was get married, right? Solomon’s reign in his kingdom had begun after David’s death. As requested by David before his passing, there were some that needed to be taken care of. There had been disobedience and sin on the part of Adonijah, Shimei, and Joab and when there is sin there must be blood. This points us to the depth of our own sin and gratefulness that it is the blood of Christ that saves and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. “O Holy Spirit, lead us to repentance and to receive Your free and full forgiveness. Help us to be humble and to serve you in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Peter Lange, First Vice President of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Kings 2:1-12.What words do you want to share with your family before you leave this world? David clearly had reflected on this question as he spoke to his son, Solomon, before his death. He proclaims to Solomon what was most important, “Be strong and keep the charge of the LORD.” David points Solomon back to the Word of God (statutes, commandments, rules, and testimonies) where he will find hope, strength, and wisdom. “Lord God, give us the words to speak to our families of what is most important: Christ and Him crucified. Help us to live holy lives so that others may see our good works and give glory to You. In Him, Amen”

Rev. David Boisclair of Faith and Bethesda Lutheran Church in Pine Lawn, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Kings 1:28-53.Our plans are not our own. Adonijah appointed himself to be king, but David and the LORD had different plans--Solomon. Our plans are not always God’s plan, most likely they aren’t even close. We move forward by faith trusting in the promises that we do know: Christ and Him crucified. “Lord God, as You lead us forward in this broken world, we pray that You would help us remember that You are our King and our eternal promise in Christ gives us more than any of our well thought out plans. In Your name, Amen”

Rev. Dr. Walter Maier, III, professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Kings 1:1-27.Who is next in line to be king? David was near the end of his journey on earth and his oldest son, Adonijah, tried taking the throne against the will of God. In one way, we can relate with the desire to do something we are convinced is right because WE want to do it, as opposed to what God desires. We pray for the Holy Spirit to continuously show us what He calls us to do as His children and lead us to repentance and the forgiveness of sins on account of Christ. “Lord God, strengthen us in our daily walk to live in accordance with Your Word and trust in Your forgiving grace won for us in Christ. Amen”