Thy Strong Word from KFUO Radio

Rev. Keith Weise, pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Communities in Sauk Rapids, MN joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Genesis 34.In horror, we hear of the depth of darkness in our world. Rape, lies, murder, and deceit make this chapter quite possibly the most sinful chapter in the Bible. One sin led to another—to another—to another. We pray that our Gracious God would prevent situations in our world and by His Holy Spirit that He would lead all of us to repentance for our small sins that would lead to other sins. We pray for our government justice system to punish lawbreakers in a Godly way. “Lord God, we ask for Your grace to be upon those who have suffered abuse. Keep those who are tempted for abuse from these sins and keep us from temptation of our own sins that will lead to worse sins. Keep our governing authorities strengthened to protect the weak and bring worldly justice. Bless and keep ministries around the world who serve those who have suffered abuse that they may find healing in Christ. Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Doug Griebenaw, Mission Advocate for KFUO Radio, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Genesis 33.Jacob approaches Esau with humility and trust that the LORD would provide. We might think that we would need to “pay off” a person due to past discretions. Yet, by God’s grace reconciliation between people has already been paid by the blood of Christ. He worked reconciliation through Jacob and Esau that reunited the whole family. By God’s reconciliation with us through Christ, He also unites us with others that we may be people of reconciliation. It is clear that if Jacob and Esau are able to reconcile, we by God’s grace, can be reconciled with those whom we have fallen out of grace. “Lord God, thank you for reconciling us back to You through Christ. Fill us with this grace that we may be people of reconciliation by the blood of His cross. Help us to do this faithfully with repentant joy. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Hans Fiene, pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Crestwood, MO joins Rev. Finnern to study Genesis 32.Jacob wanted to calm the storm of past sins through goats, rams, camels, calves, and bulls. We fall into the same temptation that we can give a clear conscience and reconcile with others based on our actions. Even though Jacob had all the best laid out plans, He found himself with God face to face and a reconciled relationship with his brother separate from his merit, but a gift from the LORD. Our God is not one who stays away from His people, but comes near and blesses us. “Lord God, as we are surrounded by tribulation, come to us and bless us again. Come to us and help us to cling to You, as Jacob would not let You go. Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Amen”

Rev. James Cleland, pastor of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Genesis 31.Jacob’s family is a hot mess! Jacob fled from his burdens…again. Laban did his own trickery…again. Laban had gods, the daughters were lying, and Jacob was making deals. The relationships were strained, much like ones in our own lives, and even their covenant with one another was not a full reconciliation. When Laban and his family separated ways we never hear of him again in Scripture so we are unaware if there was reconciliation. We all have relationships that are not fully reconciled and we pray that He would reconcile us as we are already reconciled to the Father through Christ. “Lord God, we all have relationships that are a hot mess. We repent of our own additions to the messiness and seek Your undeserved, gracious forgiveness. Renew us in faith and strengthen us in the body of Christ. Amen”

Rev. Joshua Knippa, pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Nederland, TX joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Genesis 30.Can you imagine a family union with Jacob, Leah, Rachel, Bilhah, and Zilpah? The more Jacob and others attempted to solve issues on their own, the bigger the issues. In this life there will be issues, which God very clearly tells us in Scripture, but we are never left without what we need to live a holy life, nor are we left alone. We see a flawed family, but even through the flaws God works for the good of His people by sending a Savior through them. “Lord God, we give thanks for Your continued grace for Jacob’s family as we know that if you have mercy with them, You surely will have mercy with us. In Your name. Amen.”

Rev. Christopher Maronde, PhD Candidate at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Genesis 29.The Jacob saga continues. God sets the stage for Jacob to continue in His promise to show that He provides for His people. God’s providence does not mean perfect relationships. Laban was as much of a trickster as Jacob as he “snuck” in a wife. Despite the sin involved, by His grace, the Lord provided the means by which to continue the lineage to our Messiah. This is a reminder that no matter the sinfulness of our own lives, the LORD will continue to work. We see the need for a Messiah and through the lineage of Jacob, God provides us that saving grace. “Lord God, Your promises are real even on our broken road. Help us to trust in Your promises and, by Your Holy Spirit, better follow Your ways. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Curtis Deterding, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Myers, FL, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Genesis 28.Jacob fled out of fear for Esau. God has a habit of visiting people when they were afraid, thankfully, He still does today. In Jacob’s dream, the Lord connects heaven and earth with His appearance to reaffirm His presence by saying, “I am with you and keep you wherever you go.” We have that same promise of our Lord Jesus, “Behold I am with you always to the very end of the age.” “Lord Jesus Christ, as You are with us, we ask that You continue to connect heaven and earth by Your gifts. Be with us in our fears and pour Your peace upon us and bless the next generation with Your salvation and peace. In Your name. Amen”

Rev. David Boisclair of Faith and Bethesda Lutheran Church in Pine Lawn, MO joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Genesis 27.God continues to work with his people, even though we are not fully sure why He does what He does. Jacob steals the blessing, which confusingly fulfilled the prophecy from the LORD in Genesis 25, and God was faithful to His promises. The blessing from Isaac is beautifully poetic to how the Lord grants His gifts by keeping us faithful to Him and protecting us from our enemies. Our hearts go out to Esau as he did not do anything overtly wrong, but it is a reminder that the LORD will provide for us through all adversity and we are to faithfully follow His way. “O Lord, help us to trust in You in joy and in adversity. You keep your promises in Christ and are faithful to the end. Lord have mercy on us when we do not trust. Amen”

Rev. Kevin Parviz, pastor of Congregation Chai V’ Shalom in St. Louis, MO joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Genesis 26.Isaac received the promise that his offspring would be as many as the stars of heaven. After receiving this promise, it is clear that Isaac was indeed still sinful. As Isaac was blessed, we are reminded that the LORD blesses us. Isaac’s road was not smooth or sinless and neither is ours. We cling to His promise of a Messiah and move forward knowing that bitterness and brokenness will not have the victory. “Lord God, fill us with Your promise. As You blessed Isaac, bless us with what we need for this body and life. When bitterness arrives, grant us strength to persevere and repentance when we need Your forgiveness. In Christ, Amen.”

Rev. Paul Cain, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church and Martin Luther Grammar School in Sheridan, WY joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 14.David pulls out many difficult words as he laments. “There is none who does good, not even one.” We all fall short of the glory of God, corruption is real for each one of us, and our only chance for salvation is God. The LORD assures us that He is with us, His chosen ones, He is our refuge, and salvation has come in Christ from Zion. “Lord God, thank you for salvation from Christ. Keep us from foolishness and from the snares of the devil’s lies by Your Word and Holy Spirit. In Him, Amen”This is a rebroadcast from November 16, 2021.