Thy Strong Word from KFUO Radio

Jesus reveals Himself as the True Vine, inviting His followers to remain connected to Him for a life of true purpose and fruitfulness. Like branches drawing life from the vine, believers thrive only when abiding in Christ, while the Father prunes (or cleanses) them to bear even more fruit—good works that flow from faith! Through his loving discipline, God can use even the difficult times of our life for our own good and his glory. Jesus calls His disciples to a radical love for one another and warns them of the world's animosity toward them because of their hatred for Him. The Rev. Jeremy Swem, pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids, MI, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study John 15:1-16:4. The Gospel of John takes us on a journey through the Good News of Jesus in a unique way. It reveals Jesus as the incarnate son of God from eternity. From His miraculous signs to His profound "I Am" statements, we witness Jesus offering living water to the thirsty, light to those in darkness, and life to the dead. But this is also a story of conflict: Jesus is relentlessly pursued by those who reject Him, yet He willingly goes to the cross, showing the depths of God’s love. As we travel from His first miracle to His ultimate victory over death, John invites us to see and believe—that in Jesus, we find eternal life and the very presence of God among us. Connect to God’s revealing Word in this series that uncovers the rich, layered truths of John’s Gospel and the unshakable hope it offers. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, 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. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

This special St. Nicholas Day edition of Headlines features multiple rounds of holiday-themed headlines, with two fabricated by the host and one real headline. The guest’s challenge is to identify the real headline, which serves as a springboard for a deeper theological discussion. We’ll cover the use of AI in the church, the dating of Christmas, and strange Christmas traditions. The conversation weaves together humor, insight, and reflections on the holiday season. The Rev. Jacob Hercamp, pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, Noblesville, IN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to explore holiday headlines. The headlines mentioned in this episode: https://nypost.com/2024/11/20/tech/this-church-has-an-ai-jesus-for-confessions-it-gave-me-so-much-advice/ https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-christmas-orthodox-church-calendar-b658c9ebecc91a470866c34b1c1847eb https://witness.lcms.org/2022/why-december-25/ Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, 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. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

This special St. Nicholas Day edition of Headlines features multiple rounds of holiday-themed headlines, with two fabricated by the host and one real headline. The guest’s challenge is to identify the real headline, which serves as a springboard for a deeper theological discussion. We’ll cover the use of AI in the church, the dating of Christmas, and strange Christmas traditions. The conversation weaves together humor, insight, and reflections on the holiday season. The Rev. Jacob Hercamp, pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, Noblesville, IN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to explore holiday headlines. The headlines mentioned in this episode: https://nypost.com/2024/11/20/tech/this-church-has-an-ai-jesus-for-confessions-it-gave-me-so-much-advice/ https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-christmas-orthodox-church-calendar-b658c9ebecc91a470866c34b1c1847eb https://witness.lcms.org/2022/why-december-25/ Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, 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. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Jesus speaks tenderly to His disciples as the shadow of the cross looms ever closer. He reveals the glory of the Father and the Son in His impending sacrifice and offers a new commandment to love one another as He has loved them. Amidst their confusion and fear, He promises the presence of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, who will guide and sustain them. As Jesus prepares them for His departure, His words radiate with hope, peace, and the assurance that He is the way, the truth, and the life. The Rev. Bryan Stecker, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Waconia, MN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study John 13. The Gospel of John takes us on a journey through the Good News of Jesus in a unique way. It reveals Jesus as the incarnate son of God from eternity. From His miraculous signs to His profound "I Am" statements, we witness Jesus offering living water to the thirsty, light to those in darkness, and life to the dead. But this is also a story of conflict: Jesus is relentlessly pursued by those who reject Him, yet He willingly goes to the cross, showing the depths of God’s love. As we travel from His first miracle to His ultimate victory over death, John invites us to see and believe—that in Jesus, we find eternal life and the very presence of God among us. Connect to God’s revealing Word in this series that uncovers the rich, layered truths of John’s Gospel and the unshakable hope it offers. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, 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. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Jesus, knowing His hour has come, kneels to wash the feet of His disciples, a striking act of humility that foreshadows the cleansing power of His impending sacrifice. This intimate moment reveals His boundless love and redefines greatness as servanthood. Amid this tender scene, the shadow of betrayal looms as Jesus identifies Judas, who departs into the night—a vivid contrast between the light of Christ’s love and the darkness of sin. This passage weaves love, humility, and betrayal into a powerful prelude to the cross. The Rev. Roger Mullet, pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Buffalo, WY, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study John 13:1-30. The Gospel of John takes us on a journey through the Good News of Jesus in a unique way. It reveals Jesus as the incarnate son of God from eternity. From His miraculous signs to His profound "I Am" statements, we witness Jesus offering living water to the thirsty, light to those in darkness, and life to the dead. But this is also a story of conflict: Jesus is relentlessly pursued by those who reject Him, yet He willingly goes to the cross, showing the depths of God’s love. As we travel from His first miracle to His ultimate victory over death, John invites us to see and believe—that in Jesus, we find eternal life and the very presence of God among us. Connect to God’s revealing Word in this series that uncovers the rich, layered truths of John’s Gospel and the unshakable hope it offers. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, 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. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

The arrival of the Greeks looking to “see” Jesus signals the unfolding of His mission to all nations. This moment raises the question: What does it mean to see Jesus? As Jesus speaks of His hour of glorification, the paradox of the grain of wheat dying to bear fruit, and the lifting up of the Son of Man, He reveals the depth of His redemptive work. In these verses, faith is contrasted with unbelief, the fleeting glory of man with the eternal glory of God, and light shines against the darkness of the world. The Rev. James Stefanic, pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Marshall, MN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study John 12:20-50. The Gospel of John takes us on a journey through the Good News of Jesus in a unique way. It reveals Jesus as the incarnate son of God from eternity. From His miraculous signs to His profound "I Am" statements, we witness Jesus offering living water to the thirsty, light to those in darkness, and life to the dead. But this is also a story of conflict: Jesus is relentlessly pursued by those who reject Him, yet He willingly goes to the cross, showing the depths of God’s love. As we travel from His first miracle to His ultimate victory over death, John invites us to see and believe—that in Jesus, we find eternal life and the very presence of God among us. Connect to God’s revealing Word in this series that uncovers the rich, layered truths of John’s Gospel and the unshakable hope it offers. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, 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. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Mary anoints Jesus' feet with costly perfume, a heartfelt act foreshadowing His burial, while Judas objects, exposing his greed. Crowds gather in Bethany to see Jesus and Lazarus, leading the chief priests to plot Lazarus’ death. As Jesus enters Jerusalem riding a donkey, fulfilling prophecy, the crowds wave palm branches and shout "Hosanna," hailing Him as King. Meanwhile, the Pharisees despair at His growing influence, as this moment of triumph foreshadows His sacrificial mission. Rev. Dr. Richard Davenport, pastor of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fort Smith, AR, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study John 12:1-19. The Gospel of John takes us on a journey through the Good News of Jesus in a unique way. It reveals Jesus as the incarnate son of God from eternity. From His miraculous signs to His profound "I Am" statements, we witness Jesus offering living water to the thirsty, light to those in darkness, and life to the dead. But this is also a story of conflict: Jesus is relentlessly pursued by those who reject Him, yet He willingly goes to the cross, showing the depths of God’s love. As we travel from His first miracle to His ultimate victory over death, John invites us to see and believe—that in Jesus, we find eternal life and the very presence of God among us. Connect to God’s revealing Word in this series that uncovers the rich, layered truths of John’s Gospel and the unshakable hope it offers. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, 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. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

The aftermath of Jesus raising Lazarus sets the stage for the intensifying conflict between belief and opposition. While many believe in Him, others report the miracle to the Pharisees, sparking a pivotal meeting of the Sanhedrin. In this council, Caiaphas, the high priest, utters a prophecy rich with irony that he himself doesn’t understand: that it is better for one man to die for the people than for the whole nation to perish. Unwittingly, he speaks a profound truth about Jesus' sacrificial death; thus God uses him in his high priestly role despite his unbelief. The Rev. Kevin Parviz, pastor of Congregation Chai v’ Shalom, in St. Louis, MO, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study John 11:45-57. The Gospel of John takes us on a journey through the Good News of Jesus in a unique way. It reveals Jesus as the incarnate son of God from eternity. From His miraculous signs to His profound "I Am" statements, we witness Jesus offering living water to the thirsty, light to those in darkness, and life to the dead. But this is also a story of conflict: Jesus is relentlessly pursued by those who reject Him, yet He willingly goes to the cross, showing the depths of God’s love. As we travel from His first miracle to His ultimate victory over death, John invites us to see and believe—that in Jesus, we find eternal life and the very presence of God among us. Connect to God’s revealing Word in this series that uncovers the rich, layered truths of John’s Gospel and the unshakable hope it offers. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, 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. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

When Lazarus falls ill, his sisters send for Jesus, but He delays—on purpose. What could possibly be more urgent than healing a friend? In this section, we encounter not only grief and confusion but also the power and promise of resurrection. As Jesus declares, "I am the resurrection and the life," He leads us to the tomb, not to mourn, but to witness the glory of God. The Rev. Dr. Joel Heck, interim President of Concordia Lutheran Seminary of Lutheran Church—Canada in Edmonton, Alberta, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study John 11:1-44. The Gospel of John takes us on a journey through the Good News of Jesus in a unique way. It reveals Jesus as the incarnate son of God from eternity. From His miraculous signs to His profound "I Am" statements, we witness Jesus offering living water to the thirsty, light to those in darkness, and life to the dead. But this is also a story of conflict: Jesus is relentlessly pursued by those who reject Him, yet He willingly goes to the cross, showing the depths of God’s love. As we travel from His first miracle to His ultimate victory over death, John invites us to see and believe—that in Jesus, we find eternal life and the very presence of God among us. Connect to God’s revealing Word in this series that uncovers the rich, layered truths of John’s Gospel and the unshakable hope it offers. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, 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. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Jesus presents himself as the Good Shepherd, contrasting His care for His sheep with the false shepherds (Pharisees) who exploit and abandon them. Jesus explains that He knows His sheep intimately, lays down His life for them, and provides abundant life. He emphasizes His unity with the Father, prompting outrage among the Jews who accuse Him of blasphemy and attempt to stone Him. Despite their hostility, many believe in Him because of His teachings and miracles. The Hon. Rev. Scot Kerns, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Easton, PA, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study John 10. The Gospel of John takes us on a journey through the Good News of Jesus in a unique way. It reveals Jesus as the incarnate son of God from eternity. From His miraculous signs to His profound "I Am" statements, we witness Jesus offering living water to the thirsty, light to those in darkness, and life to the dead. But this is also a story of conflict: Jesus is relentlessly pursued by those who reject Him, yet He willingly goes to the cross, showing the depths of God’s love. As we travel from His first miracle to His ultimate victory over death, John invites us to see and believe—that in Jesus, we find eternal life and the very presence of God among us. Connect to God’s revealing Word in this series that uncovers the rich, layered truths of John’s Gospel and the unshakable hope it offers. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, 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. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.