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Fall is Here!!

On this week’s Monday Motivation we shared encouragement through scripture and played our Family Feud for Mystery Monday! Here’s what we talked about:

Gabriella’s Motivation: Motivated by Mission

If we view life through a lens that is only concerned with ourselves, we’ll get tired of our circumstances and disappointed by our hard work. But if we view life through a lens of worshipping God, then nothing in this life will give us more joy than serving Jesus Christ!

The best kind of motivation is always fueled by a desire to lead yourself and others closer to Christ. If everything becomes about Him, then everything is worth doing well. If we’re Christians, then our lives belong to Jesus.

Our whole world becomes about honoring God. When we do everything with Him in mind, He never fails to bless us with His peace, hope, and love.

So as you think about the work God has put in front of you, consider what it would mean to do everything for the Lord. And then ask yourself: “in what ways will I honor God and inspire others today?” 

Joe’s Motivation: Junk files

Does your phone or your computer ever remind you that you need to delete some junk files? None of us like getting nagged by our devices, but we also know that if we clean out those files, we’ve got more space for the things that really matter. Author Adam Holz reminds us, that yes, junk files on our phones or computers are easy to delete, but what about the junk files in our souls? Like our phones, our souls can be clogged with the stuff that keeps us from being able to flourish in our relationship with Jesus. The author of Hebrews understood this reality, encouraging us to pay close attention to anything that trips us up in our walk with God. Hebrews 12: 1-2 says, “let us throw off everything that hinders, and the sin that so easily entangles, and run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

If we fix our eyes on Jesus, He alone can help us identify and delete those junk files hindering our life in him. Our prayer today is, “father, please give us the wisdom and courage to throw off the sin that so easily entangles.”

Name a word or phrase that starts with the word “BREAK”.

  1. Break A Leg (32)
  2. Breakfast (11)
  3. Breakup (10)
  4. Breakdance (9)
  5. Break It Up (8)
  6. Breakdown (5)

Congratulations to Satarah of Mount Vernon for guessing the top two answers correctly and taking home TWO $5 gift cards to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

Tune in Tomorrow for Artist Newsday and Game Time Tuesday with Brock!

Thanks so much for listening!

– Joe and Gabriella 🙂

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First Day For The Cougars!!

Today on Monday Motivation we wished our assistant station manager, Eric Brown, safety during his relocation. (We’ll miss you Eric) We gave motivation through devotions, plus we played Family Feud for Mystery Monday! Here’s what we talked about:

Gabriella’s Devotion: Motivation and guide during prayer-

Anywhere you feel close to God is safe space. Invite God to hear your prayer and praises whenever you do it. Always think of not only things you or someone else needs, but praises too because there’s so many things to be thankful for!

James 1:5 (NIV) “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”. Talk to God about what you need emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and physically. Add those things to your prayer. Spend some time thanking him for his faithfulness in your life! Always give yourself grace when times are hard!!

Joe’s Devotional:

Romans 12:2 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Paul first talks about presenting our bodies to God, then being transformed through the renewing of our minds, which results in our ability to discern God’s will.

That makes this verse incredibly useful if you’re thinking about “whole-person” self-regulation: Scripture doesn’t divide physical, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual life into isolated compartments. God cares about the regulation and transformation of the whole person.

Emotional self-regulation — learning to respond rather than react

The Bible doesn’t tell us to suppress emotions. Instead, it teaches us to acknowledge emotions, bring them to God, and allow wisdom and the Spirit to govern our responses.

  • James 1:19–20 — “Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” This is almost a biblical description of emotional regulation. 
  • Proverbs 14:29 — Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding. 
  • Proverbs 15:1 — “A soft answer turns away wrath.” 
  • Ephesians 4:26–27 — “Be angry and do not sin.” Anger itself isn’t necessarily sinful; what we do with it matters. 
  • Psalm 42:5 — The psalmist speaks honestly to his own troubled soul: “Why are you cast down, O my soul?” He doesn’t deny the emotion; he redirects himself toward hope in God. 
  • Philippians 4:6–7 — Anxiety is brought to God through prayer, thanksgiving, and petition, with God’s peace guarding the heart and mind. 

Emotional maturity isn’t the absence of strong emotions. It is the ability to feel deeply without allowing feelings to become our unquestioned master.

This week’s Mystery Monday was a stumper, but call during the show next Monday for a chance to take home a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

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Self-Regulation and Taking Heart

Daniel: There’s been a verse on my mind lately. I read it about a week ago. I’m sure you’ve read it, as I’ve read it a million times, but not in its entirety or in context.

Jesus is talking to the disciples in John 16. They’d just had the passover feast. Judas just left to go gather his mob to arrest Jesus; Peter was just told he would deny Jesus, and Jesus sends nothing but encouragement to his disciples. 

In the past few chapters, Jesus spoke plainly; he tells about what’s about to happen. Jesus will be handed over to die; people will hate the disciples because they knew Jesus; but that’s not going to last. 

Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:31-33

This verse has really hung with me because, despite everything that was about to happen, what has happened, and what will ever happen, He has overcome the world. We have no need to fear, nothing to worry about, nothing this earth can do to us that he hasn’t overcome already. This isn’t just the era, the place, the country- no, this is the entire world! 

No matter what happens today, tomorrow, what happened yesterday, whatever could happen, take heart, for He has overcome the world.

Joe: I spent most of Friday at a campus workshop talking about resilience and self-regulation skills. The goal was and is to help us emotionally navigate the challenges of the upcoming school year.

Now, Scripture does not use the more modern phrase “self-regulation,” but it has a lot to say about the biblical equivalent: learning to bring our bodies, emotions, thoughts, desires, and actions under the influence of the Holy Spirit and the truth of God. The three categories we discussed were physical, emotional, and cognitive self-control.

Self-control in Scripture is not simply trying harder to control yourself; it is learning to surrender yourself to God so that His Spirit shapes how you think, feel, and act.

Physical self-regulation is bringing the body under wise control

Scripture recognizes that our physical appetites and impulses can influence our spiritual lives.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:25–27 — Paul describes disciplining his body and bringing it under control. The image is an athlete who practices restraint in pursuit of a greater goal.
  • 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 — Our bodies belong to God and are temples of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, physical choices matter spiritually.
  • Galatians 5:22–23 — Self-control is listed as a fruit of the Spirit.
  • Proverbs 25:28 — “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” Self-control provides protection and boundaries.
  • 1 Timothy 4:8 — Physical training has value, while godliness has value for all things.

The Word compels us NOT to be controlled by every physical appetite or impulse. Our bodies are gifts from God to be stewarded rather than masters to be obeyed.

Name something you wouldn’t want to have a view of from your house. 

  1. ??? (39) 
  2. ??? (17) 
  3. ??? (10) 
  4. ??? (5) 
  5. ???(4) 
  6. ??? (4) 

It’s a Stumper for this week. Next week, you’ll have a chance to win TWO $5 gift cards to Watt’s Restaurant in Utica.

Thanks for Listening – Daniel

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Where does worry get me? How can I have a warm heart with open arms?

Mystery Monday Motivation here on the Afternoon Drive; let’s give you some motivation today.

Daniel: Yesterday, my pastor talked about anxiety and worry in Matthew 6:25-34. This is near the end of the Sermon on the Mount, and it’s interesting that the sections prior to this section are about giving, prayer, fasting, and where to put our treasures. Jesus is building up to this section, and he says…

‘Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?’ – Matthew 6:26

When I was thinking about worry, and what it shows about our faith. We say all the time about how we trust God and his plans, but we still worry about things we bring to him. The more I thought about it I kept asking, ‘What does this say about how I trust him?’ I was worried about work, I was worried about my future, I was worried about money, and I was worried about my family. I pray about this stuff all the time, and I believe that God will take care of everything, but the worry was a sign that I didn’t fully believe. The more I kept feeling that worry, the more I felt it was a sign of doubt. What benefit do I gain from worry? Jesus tells us that worry can’t change anything

‘Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?’ – Matthew 6:27

What can we do about it? What is a counter to doubt and worry? Step 1. Take a deep breath; maybe what you’re worrying about isn’t really as big a deal as you think. Take a drink of water, relax. Step 2. Pray about it. Ask God to take away your anxiety, your worry, and your stress; let God take care of that for you, and relax. Instead of worrying, let God do the worrying, and do what he says to do when he answers you.

Joe: Warm hearts and open arms!

One of the highlights of my weekend was running into my former co-host, Tonya, her husband Ben and their three girls. Ben and Tonya met at MVNU, and after spending time in Georgia for Ben’s graduate work, they moved back to northeast Ohio and started a life here. A few years ago, they were called to the mission field, and they now live in Mexico. They uprooted their life to serve God and to meet strangers. They are doing amazing work in Mexico and their girls are all bilingual and thriving in school.
They came back this summer to visit family, and it was so amazing to see them and hear what’s going on in their life.
One of the greatest joys of life is when you meet a stranger and their loving welcome envelopes you. That is the experience that the Tonya and Ben have had in Mexico. They were in a city they had never been to before, meeting people of completely different histories and ethnicities, and had struggles communicating initially but..they were welcomed with warm hearts and open arms.

Paul reminds us in Romans, that if we believe in Jesus, we’re called to always live out this kind of radical welcome. We’re to accept one another just as Christ accepted us. To welcome one another with warm hearts and open arms, and gather others in. This should be our posture toward everyone, even those different from us. Cultural differences shouldn’t be obstacles, but instead opportunities to demonstrate the same radical love and welcome that Jesus extends to us.

Name a word that ends with –ology: 

  1. Biology (29) 
  2. Psychology (15) 
  3. Technology (14) 
  4. Apology (14) 
  5. Geology (9)
  6. Zoology (5) 

Congratulations to Bob from Howard, who guessed those top two answers and wins the $5 gift card to Watt’s Restaurant in Utica!

Thanks for listening!
– Daniel and Joe

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The God of Hope!

Today’s Monday Motivation focused on hope – the hope we hear in the We Are Messengers song, ‘Faith, Hope. Love.’

One line from that song that impacts me is, “I can’t be polishing my own crown, when I remember yours was made of thorns.” That’s why our God is the God of hope – because of what happened at the cross. The evidence of Christ’s death and resurrection! His triumph over sin and death. Our hope also comes from the gift of the Holy Spirit, our advocate, allowing us to always have hope in our future and eternity.

Paul reminds us in Colossians 1:27 that Christ is the hope of glory!

Where do you see a lot of people waiting for a ride? 

  1. Bus Stop (61) 
  1. Amusement Park (10) 
  1. Airport (9) 
  1. Street Corner (8) 
  1. Trains/Subway (6) 
  1. Mall (2) 

Congratulations to Esther from Mount Vernon, who guessed those top two answers and wins the $5

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

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Giving the Little You Have and the Knox County Fair

Today on the Afternoon Drive, we are at the Knox County Fair talking to presenters at the fair, talking about the events, and telling you about all the excitement happening down at the fairgrounds today. Find out more information HERE on our website.

Daniel: One of the things I struggle with is my giving. I’m not consistent with it; I give in larger amounts but not as frequently as I probably should; I should do more.

In Luke 21:1-4, Jesus and his disciples are sitting by the temple collection booth. He sees the Pharisees, Princes, and the Wealthy give large amounts. He saw them smile when others praised their “generosity.” But then he spots a widow slip through the crowd to give a measly two copper coins. She was avoiding notice and didn’t give to be recognized; she gave out of devotion to God. This was probably all she could give. 

Even in the little she has, she still gives to God. Maybe you have a little time, or a little strength, or, as it is commonly thought, a little financially. It’s not about the number, the hours, or how much you can do; it’s about the fact that you do it at all. God asks us to simply do as he asks. Remember, he who is faithful in little is also faithful in much.

Mystery Monday

Give me a phrase containing the word “Hot”

1. Tamale (13)

2. Dog, Some like it hot (8)

    4. Outside, Sauce (5)

    6. That’s Hot (4)

    Congratulations to Charla from Utica, who guessed those top two answers and wins a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

    Thanks for listening!
    – Daniel and Joe

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    Prayer and Speaking Jesus

    Daniel: Yesterday in church, the pastor’s message really convicted me. We’ve been studying the Sermon on the Mount, and this week we covered Matthew 5:21–48. I’ve read this passage many times before, but this time it hit differently.

    Jesus teaches that God is concerned not only with our outward actions, but with the condition of our hearts. I may never go out and commit murder, but I still get angry at people. I still struggle with sinful thoughts and attitudes. Even if no one else sees them, God does. That realization reminded me how much I need Him every single day.

    So what do we do when we recognize our sin? The answer is simple: take it to God. Stop and pray.

    One habit I’ve found incredibly helpful is praying first thing every morning. I often begin my day by praying the Lord’s Prayer from Matthew 6:9–13

    ‘Our Father in heaven,
    hallowed be your name,
    your kingdom come,
    your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
    Give us today our daily bread.
    And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
    And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one’

    When I wake up—and whenever I’m tempted—I ask God to guide my thoughts and help me keep my mind fixed on Him throughout the day.

    Jesus reminds us that if God cares for the sparrows, He certainly cares for us. So don’t carry your struggles alone. Bring them to Him. He listens. He is with you in the darkest hours of the night, and He is faithful to guide you according to His perfect will.

    Joe: I Speak Jesus

    “Your name is power
    Your name is healing
    Your name is life
    Break every stronghold
    Shine through the shadows
    Burn like a fire

    I just wanna speak the name of Jesus
    Over fear and all anxiety
    To every soul held captive by depression
    I speak Jesus

    Shout Jesus from the mountains
    Jesus in the streets
    Jesus in the darkness, over every enemy
    Jesus for my family
    I speak the holy name, Jesus!”

    Why speak Jesus?

    Because he tells us, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness…” (John 8:12)

    When you believe, you believe His claims to be the source of spiritual truth, life, and guidance – to be the light is a bold claim. He’s saying He is the true, ultimate light from God. Jesus is not just a teacher—He is divine illumination itself!

    Because He defines true freedom!

    “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

    He reframes it as not political freedom, but freedom from sin! He’s the liberator of the human soul. The only one who can truly break sin’s power.

    Mystery Monday 

    Name a phrase that starts with “Carry the…” 

    1. Load (24) 
    2. Bags (18) 
    3. Weight (8) 
    4. Baby, Ball, Groceries, Torch (6) 

    After a THREE-WEEK stumper, we want to say congratulations to Lisa from Centerburg, who guessed those top two answers and wins THREE $5 gift cards to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

    Thanks for listening!
    – Daniel and Joe

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    The Rock doesn’t move, but it does cry out!

    Mystery Monday and Monday Motivations here on The Afternoon Drive…

    Daniel: Things have been moving a lot for me lately, a lot of changes around my life. My sister bought a house, my younger siblings are growing up and getting ready for adulthood, my brother is trying to get a job, and I have big expenses coming up, like an upcoming college payment; I need to find a new car plus a few other big expenses. Can life just stay still? It can kinda feel like quicksand sometimes.

    Today is International Rock Day, and it had me thinking about rocks a bit. What is a rock? It’s solid, it’s immovable, sturdy, unshakeable, and most importantly, it’s what God tells us he is. David and Jesus both talked about it.

    Psalm 18:2 (ESV): “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

    Psalm 62:6 (KJV): “He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.”

    “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24

    Life can be a bit shaky, but God never is. He is always going to be there; he’s always going to make sure that we stay steady during life’s challenges.

    Joe: CeCe Winans’ song “That’s My King” was inspired by the famous sermon called “That’s My King. Do You Know Him?” by S.M. Lockridge, the Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, San Diego, in 1976.

    Here are some excerpts:

    “The Bible says my King is a seven-way king..
    He’s the King of the Jews; that’s a racial king..
    He’s the King of Israel; that’s a national King.. He’s the King of Righteousness.
    He’s the King of the Ages..
    He’s the King of Heaven.
    He’s the King of Glory.
    He’s the King of Kings, and He’s the Lord of Lords.
    That’s my King. Well. I wonder, do you know Him?”

    David said, (Psalm 19) “The Heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork. My King is a sovereign King. No means of measure can define His limitless love. No far-seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply. No barrier can hinder Him from pouring out His blessings.

    He’s enduringly strong. He’s entirely sincere. He’s eternally steadfast. He’s immortally graceful. He’s imperially powerful. He’s impartially merciful.

    Do you know Him?

    He’s the greatest phenomenon that ever crossed the horizon of this world. He’s God’s Son.”

    That’s just some of the sermon. Check it out sometime. It will definitely help you embrace the greatness of our King!

    Mystery Monday 

    Name a phrase that starts with “Carry the…” 

    1. ??? (24) 
    2. ??? (18) 
    3. ??? (8)
    4. Four different answers tied for #4 (6)

    It’s a Stumper for the second week in a row. We had someone guess #1, #3, and a couple other very good guesses, but we need #1 and #2… Join us next week for a chance to win THREE $5 gift cards to Watt’s Restaurant in Utica!

    Thanks for listening!
    – Daniel and Joe

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    Dealing with a case of the Mondays

    I (Daniel) Felt kinda tired today, after a bit of research and a quick diagnosis, I’ve got a case of the Mondays…

    The highs of this past weekend, watching movies, spending most of yesterday with live butterflies at a conservatory, and spending a lot of time with my Girlfriend, but then coming to work today has been a bit of a challenge, but that’s okay.

    You see, Jesus highlights the perfect cure for the Mondays and any other days of weariness

    Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

    Later on in Matthew, while Jesus was carrying the cross, Simon came in to help carry the burden.

    Matthew 27:32 “As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross.”

    If you’re feeling a rough case of the Mondays or whatever day, then look to God, look to others to help carry the burden of the day.

    Find rest with Jesus and kneel down to pray.

    My (Joe) Monday motivation today comes from John 3, which is a very familiar passage to most people because it’s where we find John 3:16, but there’s also verse 17…

    “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17

    The most important issue that we face in our lives is whether we will accept or reject Jesus and His identity as truth. Nicodemus, in this passage, was a member of the Jewish ruling class. And so their conversation is so significant to our faith because Jesus talks about the concept of being born again. And so what are some lessons we can pull from John 3? 

    1. That God loves us infinitely and unconditionally, regardless of what we may have done in the past, no matter how much we’ve rebelled against him, God still seeks us in love. 

    2. God demonstrated his love by giving His Son for us. That’s a profound truth. God did this for us while we were still in rebellion against him. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8b

    3. That we must believe in Jesus in order to receive God’s forgiveness and enter his kingdom. Believing in Jesus means trusting in him for forgiveness and eternal life, and accepting that through his death, he paid in full the debt of your sins and my sins. And by that resurrection, he assures us of eternal life.

    Mystery Monday 

    Name something that little kids eat that leaves telltale evidence on their faces. 

    1. Chocolate/Candy (55) 
    2. Ice Cream (18) 
    3. Tomato Sauce (7) 
    4. Cookies (6) 
    5. Hot Cocoa (4) 
    6. Milk (3) 

              Congratulations to Kirsten from Mount Vernon, who guessed those top two answers and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

              Thanks for listening!
              – Daniel and Joe

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