Search

Driving Notes

The Official Blog of WNZR's Afternoon Drive

Open Search
Category

Devotionals

Praise Thursday

Lilly and I started a new section of the devotional by James Banks called “Let’s Pray”.

Today we prefaced for the prayers we are going to share next time about everyday prayers.

Here what we said:
Sometimes we rush into heavens throne room with a list. Though God’s word encourages us to “come boldly unto the throne of our gracious God”, there are moments when I wonder if I’m a little too bold. When my mind is filled with the things of this earth, I can only imagine what it looks like in heaven…
Imagine the father, seated on the throne and ruling in glory, “high and exalted.’ Around his throne, our seraphs, Hiding their faces and in worship before the awesome wonder of the ancient of days.  And like a child bursting in without knocking, here I come, making all of my wants and wishes known.
Rough as that picture is, there still a grace-filled beauty to it. I am a child, a child of the father saved by faith in his crucified son. I can come boldly and entirely without fear because God is “Abba, father “. He knows my daily needs and cares deeply about them. It’s not priority he’s concerned about but it’s the condition of my heart. And the more my heart matures, the more it will be in rhythm with his own. God wants us to grow and “mature’ in our understanding of what it means to have a relationship with him.
Andrew Murray explains, the little boy may ask of the father only what it needs for itself; and yet it soon learn is to say, “give it some for my sister too.’ But the grown-up  Son, who only gives for the father’s interest and takes charge of the fathers business, asks more largely and gets all of that is asked.
Prayers about everyday needs, help us maintain perspective. They are not only about things necessary for life on earth – they’re also about our deepest need:  A growing relationship with our father in heaven. Jesus makes this priority for our living and asking very clear: “seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” God wants us to bring our every day needs to him with faith and expectation so that we will live in loving dependence on him and you know the blessing of being caught up in his purposes. He is the “author of life”,  and we exist for him and because of him. And his kindness, he wants to bless us and drop us near with love that gives life to our souls. There is no blessing greater than God.
Click HERE if you want to know more about The WNZR Sonfest Sync It Contest!!
Thank you for listening!
Hannah Radke
0

Prayers of confession and humility

Today, we continue sharing devotionals from the book Let’s Pray: Talking to God with the Words of the Bible, by Dr. James Banks, who serves as a pastor at Peace Church in Durham, North Carolina and is a regular writer for Our Daily Bread.

In this short book, we are reminded that the prayers of the Bible are an amazing gift from God and they have so much to teach us.

This is what Alex and Stephen Kendrick talk about in their book The Battle Plan for Prayer in the chapter called ‘Praying the Word.’ In the prayers of scripture, we find words that can help carry our thoughts and emotions to God. He invites us closer to him through the prayers of the Bible.

This week, we continue to share prayers from the Word to confess sin and to humble ourselves.

Dr. Banks writes that of all of Jesus’ names and titles, the one that he likes best is the one that the Pharisees gave him: Friend of Sinners. It may have been one of Jesus’ favorites too, because in Luke 19:10 he said he “came to seek and save those who are lost.” Friend of Sinners best captures the reason He came. Why is that? Because a true friend will love you even when you don’t deserve it and will look for you when you’ve lost your way. Jesus does all of that and more. John 15:13 reminds us that there is “no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

All of us like friendship, but we need to remember that friendship is a two-way street. So as we think of Jesus as our friend, we need to ask ourselves – what kind of friend am I to Jesus? If I’m someone’s friend I’m going to care about our relationship. I’ll be mindful of things that could be hurtful or cause distance between us. Nothing causes Jesus more pain than sin. Remembering how much my sins cost Jesus helps me be a better friend to him. So the Bible’s prayers of confession and humbling ourselves before God also remind us to be a better friend.

Today we’re addressing what we do when we are faced with overwhelming guilt.  One verse that we can pray is Psalm 38…

1 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger
    or discipline me in your wrath.
2 Your arrows have pierced me,
    and your hand has come down on me.
3 Because of your wrath there is no health in my body;
    there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin.
4 My guilt has overwhelmed me
    like a burden too heavy to bear.

5 My wounds fester and are loathsome
    because of my sinful folly.
6 I am bowed down and brought very low;
    all day long I go about mourning.
7 My back is filled with searing pain;
    there is no health in my body.
8 I am feeble and utterly crushed;
    I groan in anguish of heart.

18 I confess my iniquity;
    I am troubled by my sin.

Then follow with Psalm 119, verses 169-176:

169 May my cry come before you, Lord;
    give me understanding according to your word.
170 May my supplication come before you;
    deliver me according to your promise.
171 May my lips overflow with praise,
    for you teach me your decrees.
172 May my tongue sing of your word,
    for all your commands are righteous.
173 May your hand be ready to help me,
    for I have chosen your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation, Lord,
    and your law gives me delight.
175 Let me live that I may praise you,
    and may your laws sustain me.
176 I have strayed like a lost sheep.
    Seek your servant,
    for I have not forgotten your commands.

Thanks for listening!
– Todd and Joe

0

Prayers of confession

Today, guest hosts Eddie and Cierra continued sharing devotionals from the book Let’s Pray: Talking to God with the Words of the Bible, by Dr. James Banks, who serves as a pastor at Peace Church in Durham, North Carolina and is a regular writer for Our Daily Bread.

In this short book, we are reminded that the prayers of the Bible are an amazing gift from God and they have so much to teach us.

This is what Alex and Stephen Kendrick talk about in their book The Battle Plan for Prayer in the chapter called ‘Praying the Word.’ In the prayers of scripture, we find words that can help carry our thoughts and emotions to God. He invites us closer to him through the prayers of the Bible.

This week, we’re continuing to share prayers from the word to confess sin and to humble ourselves.

Dr. Banks writes that of all of Jesus’ names and titles, the one that he likes best is the one that the Pharisees gave him: Friend of Sinners. It may have been one of Jesus’ favorites too, because in Luke 19:10 he said he “came to seek and save those who are lost.” The title Friend of Sinners captures the reason he came better than any other title. Why is that? Because a true friend will love you even when you don’t deserve it and will look for you when you’ve lost your way. Jesus does all of that and more. John 15:13 reminds us that there is “no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

All of us like friendship, but we need to remember that friendship is a two-way street. So as we think of Jesus as our friend, we need to ask ourselves – what kind of friend am I to Jesus? If I’m someone’s friend I’m going to care about our relationship. I’ll be mindful of things that could be hurtful or cause distance between us. Nothing causes Jesus more pain than sin. Remembering how much my sins cost Jesus helps me be a better friend to him. So the Bible’s prayers of confession and humbling ourselves before God also remind us to be a better friend.

There is a lot of honesty in these prayers. 2 Samuel 7:20 says, “You know what your servant is really like.” Psalm 19:12 says, “how can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults.”

There’s a real humility in these prayers and a description of what sin does to us. In Psalm 31:10 it says, “sin has drained my strength…I am wasting away from within.” Psalm 40 says, “My sins pile up so high I can’t see my way out.”

All of these prayers clearly show God’s holiness, plus a humble admission that his judgment of sin is justified and the discipline he gives is deserved…

But you also find JOY.

Psalm 32 verses 1 through 2 says, “Oh what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven; whose sin is put out of sight. Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt; whose lives are lived in complete honesty.”

Psalm 66 reminds us, “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” So these prayers are teaching us the best way to pray and mark the path that leads to our Savior’s heart. God has left us these prayers in the word to show us the way back to him.

The Bible reminds us that God knows us completely…yet he still loves us. Our final verse today is 2 Samuel 7:20-22, which says, “What more can I say to you? You know what your servant is really like, sovereign Lord. Because of your promise and according to your will, you have done all these great things and have made them known to your servant.  How great you are, O, Sovereign Lord!  There is no one like you.  We have never even heard of another God like you!”

Thanks for listening!
– Joe, Lilly and Todd

0

More prayers of praise!

We continue today sharing devotionals from the book Let’s Pray: Talking to God with the Words of the Bible, by Dr. James Banks, who serves as a pastor at Peace Church in Durham, North Carolina and is a regular writer for Our Daily Bread.

In this short book, we are reminded that the prayers of the Bible are an amazing gift from God and they have so much to teach us. They help us understand how our Bible heroes like Jesus, Job, Mary, Moses, David, Samuel, and many others talked with God. These prayers can also help us talk to God. Just as Jesus used several of David’s prayers in his final moments on the cross in Matthew 27, we can find the prayers of scripture.

This is what Alex and Stephen Kendrick talk about in their book The Battle Plan for Prayer in the chapter called ‘Praying the Word.’ In the prayers of scripture, we find words that can help carry our thoughts and emotions to God. When we use the prayers from God’s word, humbly and with expectation, to encourage us in our own prayers, we can open our hearts and lives to deeper faith, renewed strength, blessings and God’s power. God invites us closer to him through the prayers of the Bible.

Today we’re going to share a couple more prayers to praise and honor God.

This is what Dr. Banks writes: true praise is praise with an active faith that is greater than just emotion. It is a daring thing. It challenges us to reach for something beyond ourselves, giving ourselves up to God.

Our first prayer today from the word comes from Psalm 104, where we are reminded that he created EVERYTHING:

Praise the Lord, my soul.Lord my God, you are very great;
you are clothed with splendor and majesty.
2 The Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment;
he stretches out the heavens like a tent
3     and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters.
He makes the clouds his chariot
and rides on the wings of the wind.
4 He makes winds his messengers,[a]
flames of fire his servants.

5 He set the earth on its foundations;
it can never be moved.
6 You covered it with the watery depths as with a garment;
the waters stood above the mountains.
7 But at your rebuke the waters fled,
at the sound of your thunder they took to flight;
8 they flowed over the mountains,
they went down into the valleys,
to the place you assigned for them.
9 You set a boundary they cannot cross;
never again will they cover the earth.

10 He makes springs pour water into the ravines;
it flows between the mountains.
13 He waters the mountains from his upper chambers;
the land is satisfied by the fruit of his work.
14 He makes grass grow for the cattle,
and plants for people to cultivate—
bringing forth food from the earth:
15 wine that gladdens human hearts,
oil to make their faces shine,

19 He made the moon to mark the seasons,
and the sun knows when to go down.
20 You bring darkness, it becomes night,
and all the beasts of the forest prowl.

24 How many are your works, Lord!
In wisdom you made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.

The next prayer is: NO ONE CAN MEASURE YOUR GREATNESS from Psalm 145:

 1 I will extol you, my God and King,
and bless your name forever and ever.
2 Every day I will bless you,
and praise your name forever and ever.
3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.
4 One generation shall laud your works to another,
and shall declare your mighty acts.
5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
6 The might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed,
and I will declare your greatness.
7 They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness,
and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

0

Praise Thursday: A New Series!

Today Lilly and I jumped right into a new book that will be a series for the next few weeks!

This book is called ” Can God Be Trusted in Our Trials?” by Tony Evans – That title pretty much sums up what this book is about.

We started where most people start books, chapter one!  This chapter was titled “Our trials have a positive purpose.”

Today on the show we talked about the first two sections of chapter 1.

The first section that we coved was the introduction. This laid the groundwork for what trials are. The “Biblical definition of trials…are adverse or negative circumstances that God either brings about directly or allows in order to develop us spiritually.”

In this introduction, we also shared a verse, that I believe we will be talking about a lot, that is:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” – James 1:2-4 

We sum up this part with the quote “God is not telling us to be joyful about the pain but about the purpose and the outcome of the pain, which is our spiritual completeness and maturity.

We then started the second section, which is titled “Joy Vs. Happiness” – We talked about how happiness is more of a feeling and how our happiness levels can change within a second. “Our feelings respond to the information we are fed to them, whether it is true or not.”

We will be continuing this topic next week!

Thank you so much for tuning in to the Afternoon Drive! – Hannah Radke

 

0

Game Time Tuesday!

Today Lilly and I shared with you lots of information about our NEW event to Lifeline – A 5K run, walk, and bike! Click HERE for more information!

We also got to talk to Joe and Marcy who are in Nashville at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention. They’ve had some really awesome opportunities to meet Alex Kendrick and see a South Korean choir! Here are some pictures!

 

Today we gave you two chances to win a $5 gift card to Troyer’s of Apple Valley!

First, we played ‘Song Poetry” and our lyrics for today were

You’ve counted every breath
Each hair upon my head
You know exactly who I am
And will always

From the song “All that Matters” by Colton Dixon – Congratulations to Francesca from Mount Vernon who won Song Poetry!

Then we played selling EEB-

Our theme today was was polar bears and our word was arctic. Congrats to Sandye from Mount Vernon who correctly spelled arctic backwards!

We also shared with a devotional from the late Billy Graham! Click HERE to read that.

Thank you for listening!
– Hannah Radke

0

Game Time Tuesday

Today Joe and I mixed it up (or threw it back) on Game Time Tuesday! We played “Song Poetry” like we normally do, but then we played “Spelling EEB” !!

Today’s “Song Poetry” lyrics were:

Seems like all I can see was the struggle
Haunted by ghosts that lived in my past
Bound up in shackles of all my failures
Wondering how long is this gonna last?

From the song “Redeemed ” by Big Daddy Weave. Congrats to Maude from Mount Vernon who called in and got it right.

AND we brought back SPELLING EEB!! Today’s topic was Radio!

LJ from Mount Vernon called in a spelled the word “frequency” backwards – on the first try!! Congrats to him on winning that $5 gift card to Troyer’s of Apple Valley!

Joe shared with us a great uplifting story about Super Bowl winning quarterback Nick Foles – Read more HERE

I also shared a inspiring devotional from Sarah Young’s “Jesus Always” – To find out more about Sarah and what she does click HERE.

Thanks so much for listening!
– Hannah

 

 

 

0

Game Time Tuesday!

Today Joe and I gave you two chances to win a $5 gift card to Troyers of Apple Valley with Song Poetry and Name that Tune!

 

Today’s “Song Poetry” lyrics were:

I’m no stranger to the prison
I’ve worn shackles and chains
But I’ve been freed and forgiven (yes I have)

From the song “All my Hope” By Crowder/ Tauren Wells!

Congratulations to Abby from Mount Vernon who correctly guessed the title of the song and the name(s) of the artist.

Todays “Name the Tune” clip was from “Glow in the Dark” By Jason Gray!

Congrats to Faith from Mount Vernon who correctly guessed this song and artist and won that $5 gift card to Troyer of Apple Valley!

Joe shared two uplifting news stories today from the magazine “The week” from the section “It wasn’t all bad”. The first story was about a police officer’s first day and a life-saving act – Click HERE to read more! The second was about a family’s bakery struggling to get by after hurricane Harvey, but the families teenage daughter changed it all… click HERE to read more.

I also shared a devotional from Sarah Young’s “Jesus Always” about how God will make everything – including you – new! To find out more about Sarah and her awesome devotional click HERE. 

Thank you so much for joining us today! I hope that you had a great Tuesday!!  – Hannah

0

Game Time Tuesday!

Today on Game Time Tuesday Joe and I gave you two chances to win a $5 gift card to Troyers of Apple Valley with Song Poetry and Name that Tune!

Todays Song poetry lyrics were:

“Unmatched in all your wisdom
In love and justice you remain
Every knee will bow”
Congrats to Sherrisa from Howard who correctly guessed our Song Poetry song which was “Only King Forever” by Elevation worship ( Here at WNZR we also play the 7eventh Time Down version!)
Today’s Name that Tune song clip was from “Lift Your Head Weary Sinner” By Crowder.
Congratulation to Oliva from Mount Vernon who guessed the name of the artist and the title of the song above and won that $5 gift card to Troyers of Apple Valley!
We also asked that you would pray for the victims of yet another school shooting – Click HERE to read more about the story.
We also shared with you an upcoming date to put down on your calendar! Our annual WNZR 20th Valentines Banquet on February 9th! Click HERE for more info!
Joe shared a great uplifting New story about a very special Walmart Secret Santa – click HERE for the full story!
I shared a devotional from “Jesus Always” by Sarah Young  – to find out more about Sarah and her devotionals click HERE.
Thanks so much for listening! – Hannah Radke
0

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑