Daniel: I’ve been helping plan my wedding lately, and there’s something that I have to praise and think about lately. One of the biggest things you have to deal with when you’re getting married is the venue. Getting a location early is super important and opens up the door to plan everything else. There was a Church my fiancée was very interested in; it’s got a beautiful white interior, a gym we can use for the reception, the works. It’s exactly what she was looking for, but they needed someone from the reception party to be a member of the Church to get it. It was kinda a roadblock until we realized one of our invitees was a member of this Church and was going to be there for the wedding, and would count for us to use it.

Now, why am I telling you this? What’s the big deal? Well, it’s very similar to how it will be when we get to heaven. 

Matthew 25:34 – “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

John 15:15 – “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

Simply put, getting to heaven is a who-you-know issue. It’s not about knowing a bunch of people; you could know everyone on earth, and even be friends with all of them, but if you know just one person, the one person who will make himself known to you in every way he can, then you can get into his wedding. Isn’t that something special? You need only know and follow him.

Gabby: For many years, hope has been one of the most searched terms on the internet. Surprisingly, it surpasses searches for political crises and even making money online. People are seeking more profound meaning. Recent years haven’t fostered optimism; instead, they’ve felt like an ongoing, slow-motion crisis: Environmental fears, economic instability, and digital anxiety dominate our headlines and hearts. Yet, through all these struggles, millions type hope into their browsers, as if throwing a lifeline to something beyond the chaos.

Paul understood that God is the Someone beyond the chaos. When the apostle wrote of “the God of hope” (Romans 15:13), he wanted Roman believers in Jesus to understand that God was both the source and object of their hope. Paul reminds us that true hope isn’t merely wishful thinking or fleeting optimism; it’s anchored in God’s character and faithfulness. And He instills confidence in us through His promises. He’s also the one who provides “endurance and encouragement” (v. 5) through the power of His Holy Spirit. This hope endures despite circumstances, filling us with joy and peace as we recognize God has accepted us in Christ (v. 7).

If you’re searching for hope, direct your heart toward God. As you trust in His promises and embrace His faithfulness, you can have eternal hope found in Him alone.

This Devotion is by Our Daily Bread. You can find it HERE

This week’s Name That Tune was a Stumper, but tune in next week for a chance to win TWO $5 gift cards to Watt’s Restaurant in Utica!

Tune in Tomorrow for the NZ Top 10 with Joe!

Thanks so much for listening!

– Daniel and Gabby