Rev. Jacob Heine, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Topeka, KS joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 132.

The Psalmist asks the LORD to remember. To remember His promises that He would dwell with His people and clothe them with salvation. As people would travel up to Jerusalem to worship at the temple, the LORD remembered to clothe his people with righteousness, to be their resting place, to feed bread to the poor, and bless His people. The LORD promised to be at Zion and in Christ, we receive that clothes of righteousness by His blood. “Arise, O LORD, and go to your resting place, let Your priests be clothed with righteousness, let us sing shouts of joy for You are in our presence and in Christ we may rest in You. Amen”

Rev. Jim Price, pastor of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Wamego, KS joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 133 & 134.

The source of our unity is in God’s goodness. We are united as one by His love seen on the cross. Our striving for unity is like trying to catch the wind if His blessings do not come from above. His blessing of forgiveness, life, and salvation flow down upon us like oil on a newly ordained priest and the dew of a mountain onto a dry desert ground. This grace flows from the greater priest than Aaron who has made the final sacrifice. “Lord God, we bless You that You have brought us together as one in Christ. We behold Your mercy and ask that Your Holy Spirit would bring us together as one to love You and love others. United in Christ, Amen”

Rev. Aaron Spratt, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Juneau, AK & missionary for Alaska Mission for Christ, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 17.

David confidently pleads with the LORD to hear and care for him. Knowing that in the LORD’s grace forgiveness was his, David invites an investigation of his sins. We find our complete confidence in the blood of Christ knowing that “our sins are not greater than Jesus’ forgiveness.” David was surrounded by enemies but we are in a Mighty Fortress, the Lord Jesus, who fights for us. “Arise O Lord, fight for me, bring me to You face to face, and fill us with grace that I may be satisfied with Your likeness above everything else. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. John Lukomski, co-host of Wrestling with the Basics on KFUO Radio joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 16. Find Wrestling with the Basics at kfuo.org/WrestlingWithTheBasics.

There is no good in me apart from the Lord. Humbling words, especially in prosperity. To be a saint/excellent one to take refuge in Him, unlike the idolater that has hope in themselves. The LORD gives counsel, our refuge, and will never abandon our souls, which brings the fullness of joy. Keep praying saints to the LORD, He will not only pour His holiness into You, but by His holiness He keeps us from evil. “Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the LORD, You are my LORD; I have no good apart from me. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Tyrel Bramwell, pastor of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Ferndale, California joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 15.

We all desire to be holy. David teaches by asking, “Who shall dwell on your holy hill?” The answer is obvious: No one! He speaks of those who are blameless, truthful, pure in their words and actions. It does not take long before we realize that we are not these things. When we see our sin, we do not call Him a liar, but admit that we are indeed sinners. In His love, He shows us the way of Christ: blameless, speaking the truth, pure in word, pure in actions, and generous for others all the way to the cross. “Lord God, Your will be done. Break and hinder every evil plan of the devil and our sinful flesh that we may receive Your holiness through Christ by Your Word and we live according to Your will. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Nick Koschmann, pastor of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Forest Grove, Oregon, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 18:10-20.

The LORD pursues His people like a shepherd looks for His sheep. His pursuit of us shows that every time one repents and believes in Christ brings one response: Thanks be to God! Jesus gives us holy instruction on how we are to care for others in His name. Sinners need the law and although it is difficult, we are reminded that we are simply servants of the Shepherd with the goal of restoration in Christ. “Lord God, as Your Son pursued the lost sheep, bring us back to You. By Your Spirit, give us the right words so that when someone sins and is under threat of walking away from You, We lay those in our lives who have walked away from You at Your feet and ask for mercy. Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Steven Theiss, vacancy pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 18:1-9.

Jesus patiently repeats the message of our hope in the cross and empty tomb. The disciples see the kingdom of God as an opportunity to get the highest position in the kingdom. He places a help in the midst of all to call them to repentance. His kingdom is not of this world and we become great by His Holy Spirit to believe His Word and serve others in His name. To be in His kingdom is not to neglect the seriousness of sin as God hates sin. Sin leads people from the LORD which is why He speaks of millstones, cutting off limbs, and tearing out eyes. Temptations will come and sin is real, so we repent and trust in the One who was tempted but did not sin (Matthew 4:1-11). “Lord God, lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil. Bring us to repentance so that by grace we believe Your Word and lead godly lives here in time and there in eternity. Amen”

Rev. Dr. Kirk Clayton, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Mascoutah, IL joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 17:14-27.

Do we trust Jesus at his word or not? What is the content of our faith? Jesus shows us that He has full authority, even over demons, and by faith the father comes to Jesus to seek help. This man knew that Jesus was able to extend mercy and He did. The disciples started to depend on themselves which led to them being a “faithless generation.” We can often depend on ourselves or humankind instead of the Lord at His Word. Jesus brings them back to Himself by showing us that by His death and resurrection we can trust that He will give mercy to us now. “Lord God, help us to trust Jesus in His Word. As You had mercy on the man’s son, have mercy on us. Help us to see the freedom and adoption as sons that we have from the greater Temple that we may trust and rest in You. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Adam Degroot, pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Rio Ranch, New Mexico, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 17:1-13.

Jesus is the Light and He reveals to the disciples that He was the fulfillment of the Law (Moses) and Elijah (Prophets). Peter’s response might be similar to our response if we were there. We are reminded that we see Jesus when we hear His Word. When we realize our lack of worthiness, we can be terrified like Peter, James, and John, but it is Jesus who graciously says to us, “Rise and have no fear.” “Lord God, as You pulled the disciples forward to the mountain of Golgatha, keep our eyes and ears grounded on the central mountaintop experience in the Scriptures—the cross. As You remind us to listen to Christ, open our ears to hear the Word and our eyes to see. In His name, Amen”

Rev. Terry Forke, District President of the Montana District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 16:13-28.

God the Father reveals the truth of Christ to Peter and us: He is the Christ the Son of the Living God. He is the Messiah proclaimed from the beginning (Genesis 3:15). He is the Son of the living God (Matthew 3:17 & Psalm 18:46) who will fulfill all that the LORD has promised. This confession reveals that Christ is our rock, He will build the church, and the devil will never overcome Christ’s forgiveness, life, and salvation. Christians are not in a defensive position, but we boldly confess the truth of this living Christ and the gates of heaven are wide open by His cross and empty tomb. “O Holy Spirit, lead us to repent so that we may be loosed from our sins by our rock, our living LORD, Jesus Christ. Help us to receive this forgiveness from our pastor in confidence that it is true also in heaven. O Holy Spirit enter in, Amen”