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Monday Motivation

The Olive Tree

(from The Action Bible: Easter)

Come on in. You’re welcome to join us here in the garden of Gethsemane. Believe it or not, I’m one of the oldest trees in the grove. I’m 750 years old, give or take a decade. But I’m still going…and growing…even though my trunk is all twisted and knobby.

I come from a long line of olive trees. In fact, I’m sure some of my ancestors even grew in the garden of Eden. God made us not only beautiful, but useful too. Our silvery leaves provide shade. Our wood can be used to build chairs or cook meals. Did you know the trees like me even help create the air you breathe? God created us trees for all kinds of amazing purposes. Another unique feature we treat possess is we’re quiet…which makes us really good listeners.

Tonight, a young man was here asking God for help. Of course I listened, not because I’m nosy, but because the man was crying and praying with such urgency. I wanted to help. His friends called him Jesus. He was praying right beneath my branches. Do you know what his friends did? They fell asleep. Even after he’d ask them to pray with him. This must have made him feel completely alone.

Later in the night, another man arrived and greeted Jesus with a kiss on the cheek. Immediately, a noisy group of soldiers showed up and roughly took Jesus away. Those friends who came with Jesus were fully awake then! They scattered like the little creatures that run around the grove at night. I wanted to do something, but the roots that keep me growing also keep me in one place.

I’m sure his friends are praying now wherever they went. You know, 700 years ago when I was just a sapling, I heard another man named Isaiah talk to God in this garden. I think he was praying about Jesus – the very same man here tonight.

God has a plan. And having known God for as long as I have I bet it’s a good one.

Today’s book winner – Jackie from Mount Vernon – congratulations!

Lifeline 2023 UPDATE: $76,685! Thank you!

Thanks for listening,
Joe

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God is in OUR story!

Fear is universal. All of us deal with things that scare us. So how should we respond to God’s Word, ‘Fear not for I am with you?’ Can we honestly take to heart Isaiah 41:10 today and experience freedom because of God’s presence? What does this Bible verse really mean?

Here’s what author Anne Peterson says:

First of all, we can’t deal with anything we don’t acknowledge. We need to be honest with ourselves and face those fears.

You may be worrying about your children (young or grown), or worrying about a loved one who is sick. Maybe you’re wondering how you’re going to live when a family member has died. All of us can be fearful about our health, or our finances. We can worry about all sorts of things, big and small. And yet, our God knew we would struggle with fear.

So he made sure he wrote about it often in his love letter to us, with over 300 references to fear in the Word.

God doesn’t want us to be consumed by fear. And yet, our fears do not surprise him in the least.

So, we need to realize God is not disappointed in us when we have fears. No more than you are disappointed when one of your children is afraid.

God encourages us to not fear, so that we will trust in His presence; and know He is listening and working on our behalf.

—

Dylan shared Alison Kyeda’s message that ‘God is Listening,’ inspired by James 5. Read it by clicking here!

Today’s winner of the Action Bible ‘Easter’ book is Diane from Howard. Congratulations!

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Dylan

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Adventures and encouragement

Welcome to the new week! 2 Corinthians drives this first devotional from Kimya Loder, ‘Finding Strength in God.’ You can read it by clicking here.

Running from turkeys? That’s what gave Mike Wittmer a new sense of the story of David and Goliath. Read it by clicking here.

This week we are giving away copies of the NIV Adventure Bible.

Today’s winner – Kelly from Mount Vernon. Congratulations!

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Dylan

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Beauty from Trashes!

Today we share a literal story of ‘beauty from ashes.’ Sheridan Voysey leads us through the amazing events of Cateura in the city of Asuncion, Paraguay, called ‘Slum Songs.’

Click here to read more!

Photo credit: 2013, Ana Baumann

We also shared ‘Brother Saul’ from James Banks. Read about Ananias’ obedience when he asked God to the opposite.

Today, Wednesday and Friday, we will also be giving away copies of this book:

What happens when we reject God? Bruce and Craig tell the story of young, troubled, John Newton, who is rescued by divine mercy.

Today’s winner is Laura from Mount Vernon – congratulations!

-Joe and Dylan

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Lifelong wisdom

Today I shared an inspiring reminder from Cindy Hess Kasper, called ‘Love of Learning,’ driven by Proverbs 1:5, which says, “Let the wise listen and add to their learning.” Read the full devotional from Our Daily Bread by clicking here.

Today’s trivia question: What is the color of the hat in ‘The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins?’
Answer: Red

Congratulations to Abby from Mount Vernon, who wins 2 tickets to the show this weekend at the Knox Memorial Theater.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

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New week, new beginning

Psalm 120-121 serve as the fuel for Monica La Rose’s devotional from ‘Our Daily Bread,’ perfect for a Monday. Read ‘A New Beginning’ by clicking here.

Ephesians 6 drives this devotional from Xochitl Dixon, ‘Prayer Cards.’ Read it by clicking here.https://odb.org/US/2023/02/18/prayer-cards

Name something you might eat with crackers.

Soup (28 votes)

Cheese (24)

Peanut Butter (21)

Chili (16)

Sliced meats (11)

Congratulations to Kelly from Mount Vernon, who answered correctly and wins the TobyMac CD, Life After Death.

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Presidential Trivia

Today’s Monday Motivation includes “Cleansed Completely” from Adam Holz – inspired by Isaiah 64. Read more here.

James 2 is the inspiration for “Faith in Action” from Anne Cetas. Read more at Our Daily Bread by clicking here.

Name a U.S. President whose name ends in “son”.

Answer                              Points

Thomas Jefferson              31

Andrew Jackson                30

Lyndon B. Johnson           19

Woodrow Wilson              9

James Madison                 5

W. Henry Harrison           5

Congratulations to Paul from Mount Vernon, who guessed correctly and wins the Anne Wilson CD, “My Jesus.”

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Dylan

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When hard pressed, press in?

Today’s Monday Motivation comes from author Arthur Jackson and advice for what to do when you’re ‘hard pressed.’ Read more here from Our Daily Bread.

We also shared ‘Imaginative Faith’ from James Banks. This passage was inspired by Isaiah 55. Read more here!

It’s also WORLD RADIO DAY! Today celebrates the anniversary of Guglielmo Marconi’s first wireless transmission in 1895.

Today’s winners: Tim and Kim from Mount Vernon won a $10 gift certificate to Gospel Christian Life Shop

Deanna from Mount Vernon won a certificate for a dozen carnations from Flowers for You!

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Dylan

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The Caller is the Keeper

Today I’m (Joe) sharing a wise word from worship pastor Ashley Lassetter. She’s a good friend of our daughter and recently shared this on her Facebook page. It was inspired by this phrase, “The Caller is the Keeper.”

—

Following Christ requires a backbone, a strong one. Following Christ is hard. It’s sacrificial. The life you plan and want to live will die. You will make sacrifices that cost more than it feels it’s worth some days.

Your calling won’t be what you imagined it would be. It will be one that requires more than you are willing to give some days, but when it is that costly, do not forget the lives you will impact for the Lord’s glory.

So often we get weak and in our own flesh, we don’t want the life and situations we are dealt. We want a different hand. We get mad because it isn’t what we think it should be.

We get into a victim mindset. We want someone else to do the leg work for that ministry you yourself are pregnant with. We want someone else to do the heavy lifting.

But God has called YOU.

YOU have it in YOU because the LORD placed it there. What will you do with what the Lord has given you?

What will you do with your call? What will you do with the broken place that He wants to use for ministry to others? What will you do?

We must walk this life out in God and through God. We must bring it to him. He never intended for us to carry the heavy weight and cost alone. It will cost you for the anointing, yes. It will cost you to pursue the call of Christ for your life.

It will hurt. It will be hard. It is expensive.

But don’t forget that the result is such a great Glory of God that we can’t even begin to fathom. Earth cannot contain the surface of His glory.

I plead with you to live your life worthy of the calling you have. I call on you, fellow friends, to pursue the life Christ has intended for us, even when we must endure bitter and costly things.

Where can we go from His presence? He is everywhere. Walk in your call. Count the cost and pay for it.

Where will the generation be that stands and pays the cost with a backbone?

The Lord is worth it. He is worth the cost. Pursue Christ. Pursue the calling you have.

If he has called you and placed it in you, He will keep you. It is worth it. Pursue the Caller.

—

I don’t know about you, but that MOTIVATES me to keep going because I know I’m never doing this on my own.

Dylan shared a great reminder that we are NOT alone! Read this one from today’s Our Daily Bread.

Today’s winners:

Seth from Fredericktown – correctly guessed CUPID as our answer in the 4pm hour; wins a dozen carnations from Flowers For You

Richard from Mount Vernon – correctly guessed HAMLET as our answer in the 5pm hour; wins a $10 gift certificate to Gospel Christian Life Shop

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Dylan

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