Thy Strong Word from KFUO Radio

Have you ever cried in worship? Maybe it was a familiar hymn that carried you through a dark valley, memories of loved ones who once sat beside you, or seeing your children receive the faith you once received or lamenting that they've strayed from it. Ezra 3 reveals a moment when an entire congregation experienced both sorrowful tears and shouts of joy so intermingled that no one could distinguish between them. The people are returning from exile, the work of rebuilding the Temple has begun, and foundations are being laid—not just of stone and cedar, but of a renewed life with God. The Rev. John Lukomski, co-host of Wrestling with the Basics on KFUO Radio, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Ezra 3. Find Wrestling with the Basics at kfuo.org/wrestlingwiththebasics. The Persian king Cyrus issues an astonishing decree: the exiles may go home. Among them are the Jews—God’s chosen people—whom this pagan ruler not only repatriates, but commands to rebuild the temple of the Lord. Ezra 1–4 tells of their return, the joy of restored worship, and the crushing opposition that brings construction to a standstill. Then the prophets Haggai and Zechariah speak with God’s authority, calling His people to courage, repentance, and hope. In Ezra 5–8 the temple is completed, worship flourishes, and hearts are renewed in God’s Word. This series on Thy Strong Word follows the events in the order they happened, revealing how the Lord moves kings and prophets, overcomes opposition, and restores His people.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.

Seventy verses of names, numbers, and roles tell the story of preservation, provision, and a people eager to worship God. From the guarding of the priesthood to the generosity of freewill offerings, and from the smallest servant to the high priest, every part of the community has a place. This chapter, though reminiscent of an ancient phone book, points to the greater fulfillment in Christ, the true Temple and High Priest, in whom every believer’s name is known and kept forever.The Rev. Tim Barkett, pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Kingman, AZ, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Ezra 2.To learn more about Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, visit goodshepherdlckingman.org.The Persian king Cyrus issues an astonishing decree: the exiles may go home. Among them are the Jews—God’s chosen people—whom this pagan ruler not only repatriates, but commands to rebuild the temple of the Lord. Ezra 1–4 tells of their return, the joy of restored worship, and the crushing opposition that brings construction to a standstill. Then the prophets Haggai and Zechariah speak with God’s authority, calling His people to courage, repentance, and hope. In Ezra 5–8 the temple is completed, worship flourishes, and hearts are renewed in God’s Word. This series on Thy Strong Word follows the events in the order they happened, revealing how the Lord moves kings and prophets, overcomes opposition, and restores His people.

After seventy years in exile, the people of Judah must have wondered if God had forgotten them. Their temple was gone. Their city lay in ruins. Their homeland was a memory. But then, a pagan king (!) makes a decree: “Go home. Rebuild the house of the Lord.” Ezra chapter one is a reminder that God’s promises don’t expire, and His plans aren’t hindered by the powers of this world. In fact, He even uses unbelieving kings, rulers, and governments to accomplish His will.The Rev. Robert Smith, pastor emeritus in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Ezra 1.The Persian king Cyrus issues an astonishing decree: the exiles may go home. Among them are the Jews—God’s chosen people—whom this pagan ruler not only repatriates, but commands to rebuild the temple of the Lord. Ezra 1–4 tells of their return, the joy of restored worship, and the crushing opposition that brings construction to a standstill. Then the prophets Haggai and Zechariah speak with God’s authority, calling His people to courage, repentance, and hope. In Ezra 5–8 the temple is completed, worship flourishes, and hearts are renewed in God’s Word. This series on Thy Strong Word follows the events in the order they happened, revealing how the Lord moves kings and prophets, overcomes opposition, and restores His people.

The Persian king Cyrus issues an astonishing decree: the exiles may go home. Among them are the Jews—God’s chosen people—whom this pagan ruler not only repatriates, but commands to rebuild the temple of the Lord. Ezra 1–4 tells of their return, the joy of restored worship, and the crushing opposition that brings construction to a standstill. Then the prophets Haggai and Zechariah speak with God’s authority, calling His people to courage, repentance, and hope. In Ezra 5–8 the temple is completed, worship flourishes, and hearts are renewed in God’s Word. This series on Thy Strong Word follows the events in the order they happened, revealing how the Lord moves kings and prophets, overcomes opposition, and restores His people. 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.Thy Strong Word is graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation. Through the mission gifts of people like you, LHF translates, publishes, distributes and introduces books that are Bible-based, Christ-centered and Reformation-driven. Learn more at lhfmissions.org.

As the letter closes, Paul gives practical instructions for how believers should care for one another: gently restoring, bearing burdens, and sowing to the Spirit. But the final word is not about effort or morality. Paul refuses to boast in anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The new creation has come, and in Christ, we are free. The Rev. Thomas Eckstein, pastor of Concordia in Jamestown, ND, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Galatians 6:1–18. To learn more about Concordia, visit www.concordiajt.org.There’s urgency in Paul’s voice. No warm greetings. No slow build. Just a sharp rebuke: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you.” The stakes are that high. Galatians is Paul’s bold stand for the pure Gospel message: Christ crucified and risen, apart from works of the law. When freedom in Christ is threatened by legalism or confused with license, Paul doesn’t hold back. He calls the Church back to the cross, to the promise, and to the Spirit. In this series on Thy Strong Word, we walk verse by verse through one of the most foundational and explosive letters in the New Testament. The message is clear: You are justified by faith, not by what you do.

Christian freedom is not a license to sin. It is a call to love. Paul urges believers not to indulge the flesh but to walk by the Spirit. The works of the flesh are obvious and destructive, but the fruit of the Spirit is beautiful, life-giving, and rooted in community. This passage offers one of the clearest pictures of what the Spirit-filled life looks like. The Rev. Dan Eddy, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Beloit, WI, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Galatians 5:13–26. To learn more about Messiah Lutheran, visit mlcbeloit.com.There’s urgency in Paul’s voice. No warm greetings. No slow build. Just a sharp rebuke: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you.” The stakes are that high. Galatians is Paul’s bold stand for the pure Gospel message: Christ crucified and risen, apart from works of the law. When freedom in Christ is threatened by legalism or confused with license, Paul doesn’t hold back. He calls the Church back to the cross, to the promise, and to the Spirit. In this series on Thy Strong Word, we walk verse by verse through one of the most foundational and explosive letters in the New Testament. The message is clear: You are justified by faith, not by what you do.

Paul turns to the story of Sarah and Hagar to illustrate the difference between life under the law and life under the promise. Those who belong to Christ are not children of the slave woman, but of the free. His message is simple and urgent: stand firm, and do not return to the yoke of slavery. In Christ, outward rituals mean nothing. What counts is faith working through love. The Rev. Robert Hiller, pastor of Community Lutheran Church in Escondido, CA, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Galatians 4:21–5:12. To learn more about Community Lutheran Church, visit www.clcfamily.org.There’s urgency in Paul’s voice. No warm greetings. No slow build. Just a sharp rebuke: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you.” The stakes are that high. Galatians is Paul’s bold stand for the pure Gospel message: Christ crucified and risen, apart from works of the law. When freedom in Christ is threatened by legalism or confused with license, Paul doesn’t hold back. He calls the Church back to the cross, to the promise, and to the Spirit. In this series on Thy Strong Word, we walk verse by verse through one of the most foundational and explosive letters in the New Testament. The message is clear: You are justified by faith, not by what you do.

Paul speaks not as a distant theologian but as a spiritual father pleading with his children. In Christ, they are no longer slaves but sons, adopted by God and filled with the Spirit. So why go back? Paul’s love and anguish come through clearly as he longs to see Christ formed in them once again. The Rev. Gem Gabriel, pastor of St. Peter in Norwalk, CT, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Galatians 4:1–20. There’s urgency in Paul’s voice. No warm greetings. No slow build. Just a sharp rebuke: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you.” The stakes are that high. Galatians is Paul’s bold stand for the pure Gospel message: Christ crucified and risen, apart from works of the law. When freedom in Christ is threatened by legalism or confused with license, Paul doesn’t hold back. He calls the Church back to the cross, to the promise, and to the Spirit. In this series on Thy Strong Word, we walk verse by verse through one of the most foundational and explosive letters in the New Testament. The message is clear: You are justified by faith, not by what you do.

Max Phillips, Pastor of Christ Lutheran Church and Executive Director of Lutheran Family Service, dives into the organization's vital Gospel-driven services. He clarifies LFS's independence from government funding and its commitment to Christian values. Max highlights the significance of addressing mental health issues, breaking the stigma within faith communities, and the need for advocacy in adoption. He also discusses creating supportive environments for families and the importance of LFS's mission in embracing vulnerable individuals.

What came first, the law or the promise? Paul explains that the covenant with Abraham was not replaced by the law, but fulfilled in Christ. The law had a role to play, but now that faith has come, believers are no longer under a guardian. All who are baptized into Christ are clothed with Him and belong to the one family of faith. The Rev. Neil Wehmas, pastor of St. Paul in Ida Grove, IA, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Galatians 3:15–29. To learn more about St. Paul, visit www.stpaulig.org.There’s urgency in Paul’s voice. No warm greetings. No slow build. Just a sharp rebuke: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you.” The stakes are that high. Galatians is Paul’s bold stand for the pure Gospel message: Christ crucified and risen, apart from works of the law. When freedom in Christ is threatened by legalism or confused with license, Paul doesn’t hold back. He calls the Church back to the cross, to the promise, and to the Spirit. In this series on Thy Strong Word, we walk verse by verse through one of the most foundational and explosive letters in the New Testament. The message is clear: You are justified by faith, not by what you do. 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.