Thy Strong Word from KFUO Radio

When we think of kings, we may think of all-wise, upright, strong men who fairly rule the land with patience and love. Yet, the stories of 1 and 2 Kings do not paint a heroic picture. Deception, idolatry, lies, and immorality summarizes the success of the kings of this era. The books of Kings were written for a greater purpose: to show a patient and merciful God. Join us these next few months as we slowly walk with the Kings in their failings, but we also receive the grace and forgiveness of a gracious God in Christ.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. Steven Theiss, vacancy pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells, Missouri, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Psalm 150.Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD where his name is given, praise Him where He has placed us, praise Him for He has done marvelous things through our Savior Jesus. The Psalmist reminds us of our need to praise the LORD of all creation and shows us the gifts He gives to do so: our bodies, trumpets, lute, harp, tambourines, and even dancing ;-). “O Lord God, open our mouths to praise You and help us to use our bodies to give sacrifices of praise. Open our ears to hear everything that has breath praises You. And open our eyes to see all that You provide to give You the praise in many and various ways. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Dr. Timothy Saleska, professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Psalm 1.The Psalms are what God gives to us as we wait for Him. In Psalm 1, the LORD shows us that we are blessed as He knows and has chosen us. He compares the righteous to a tree by streams of water. Our connection to the LORD is a delight because He bears the fruit of faith. We pray that the LORD would keep us from all evil that we may meditate on His law both day and night. “Lord God, thank you for choosing us to be blessed on account of Christ. You have planted us like a tree to bear the fruit of faith and we ask that You would keep us in Your righteousness and bring the wicked back to You. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. John Lukomski, host of Wrestling with the Basics on KFUO Radio, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Thessalonians 3. Find Wrestling with the Basics at kfuo.org/wrestlingwiththebasics.The Christian life is not idle. Paul tells the Thessalonians to keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness, even going as far as to say that if one is not willing to work they should not eat. Paul challenges us to live an active Christian life centered on the grace of Christ through prayer and service to others. All of this active work is done while standing on the foundation of our Lord who is faithful. “Lord God, we bring to You those who labor in Your vineyard. Bear fruit by Your Word that it may be honored and speed ahead to bring faith around the world. Christ has mercy. Amen”

Rev. George Murdaugh, pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Douglasville, GA, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Thessalonians 2.Paul points the Thessalonians to what really matters: the comfort and good hope through God’s grace in Christ. There were rumors in Thessalonica that Christ had already returned, but the end will not come until the man of lawlessness is revealed. He will be the son of destruction, he will oppose God, and he will say that he is God, but do not be afraid, Christ will have the final victory. The comfort of God’s grace in Christ’s victory will strengthen them in trial and strengthen us today. “Lord Jesus Christ, You have had the victory and have called us to be Your own. Give us comfort, center us back to the revealed Word, and free us to serve in word and deed to Your glory. In Your name, Amen”

Rev. Scott Adle, pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Collinsville, Illinois, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Thessalonians 1.“We always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power.” Paul gives thanks for the Thessalonians’ faith in the LORD and their steadfastness in Christ during persecution. He reminds the church that the LORD will have vengeance on those who persecute and that believers will be glorified according to His grace. In response, we pray for believers to stay with the LORD and that by His Holy Spirit He would turn hard hearts to Him. “O Holy Spirit, pour Your love into our hearts that we may be steadfast in Christ and that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Urban & Inner City Mission and LCMS Church Planting, and co-host of the Mission Field: USA podcast, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28.Find LCMS Urban & Inner City Mission at lcms.org/urban. Learn more about LCMS Church Planting at lcms.org/churchplanting, and find the Mission Field: USA podcast at kfuo.org/missionfieldusa.Paul lovingly provides final instructions to the saints. Whether it is respect to those who labor in the Word, encouragement for the fainthearted, help for the weak, rejoicing always, or testing everything by the Word, Paul desires that everyone may know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. We pray the same for our church family, neighbors, and family members, as we know that this grace is sufficient and he desires all to be saved. “Lord God, shower Your grace upon us, our friends, family, and churches. As You have made us holy by the blood of Christ, give us the gift of joy, thanksgiving, service, faithfulness to Your Word, and being kept blameless until You return. Lord have mercy. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Nabil Nour of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hartford, SD, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11.“Did you hear what happened overseas? We must be near the end.” We hear these words almost every year. They must have had the same concerns in Thessalonica as Paul emphasizes that we do not know when Jesus will return, but know who you are. You are children of the light and salvation is yours in Christ. Be prepared by faith and build each other up as “Paraclete people” instead of trying to predict what God will do. “O Holy Spirit, renew us as encouraged people as children of the light so that we encourage others by building them up in Christ. Keep us from pursuing questions of which we have no answers, but help us to focus on what we do know—Salvation in Christ Jesus. O LORD come quickly. Amen”

Rev. David Boisclair, pastor of Faith and Bethesda Lutheran Churches in Pine Lawn, MO, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.“We do not want you to be uninformed brothers.” Paul continues to lovingly teach the saints at Thessalonica and gives them words of encouragement in preparation for the Lord’s return. To think about Jesus’ 2nd coming can be quite terrifying, but Paul speaks with the resurrection of Christ at the center. We cling to the clear words of Scripture that state, “Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ is coming again.” “Lord Jesus Christ, as You have conquered death and the devil, we look with hope in You as we wait for Your 2nd coming. Keep our focus on the cross and empty tomb as we face the trials of this broken world, and help us to encourage each other knowing that You will come again to bring us to You. In Your name, Amen”For more information concerning our understanding of the end times click here for our Commission on Theology and Church Relations report on the “Left Behind series.”

Rev. Keith Weise of Good Shepherd Lutheran Communities, Sauk Rapids, MN joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12.“For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.” It is God’s will that we live a sanctified, holy life according to the 6th commandment. All sins are equal in God’s eyes, but not all sins are equally destructive. Paul warns of the destructive nature of adultery and immorality that not only affects our relationships, but our relationship with God. “O Holy Spirit, lead us to holy living that we live a sexually pure and decent life to the honor of ourselves, but also to Your glory. In Your name, Amen”