Today I shared a devotional from Marvin Williams reminding us to, in no uncertain terms, ‘Stay Awake.’ He starts telling the story of a German bank mistake and links it to Matthew 26. Read it by clicking here!
It may only be May 8th, but summer (what?) is here at WNZR.
The MVNU academic year finished last week for students, while professors are finishing their grading this week. We are so grateful for your prayers and support as we make another transition this summer!
I will be hosting the Monday shows solo this month, while Zoe Bricker joins me on Tuesdays-Fridays.
Personally, I am grateful for Jonathon, Emma and Dylan, who all helped us finish last week strong, balancing finals and graduation with the Crossroads League Softball Tournament. Our entire WNZR team was in overdrive last week to wrap up the 22-23 year.
Even though we might be yelling at Old Man Winter’s return today, we’ll try to offer some light!
We were reminded by Karen Huang that scripture gives us a beautiful transition from John 3:16 to Romans 5. Karen shares “Will You Still Love Me?” Read it by clicking here.
Dylan shared Tim Gustafson’s devotional, “Stolen Gods,” which speaks to the awesome power and uniqueness of our God. Read it by clicking here.
Today’s ticket winner: Denise of Mount Vernon! She wins tickets to Friday night’s show at the Knox Memorial Theatre.
Monday Motivation today starts with Alyson Kieda and her reflection on Matthew 5:16, where we are encouraged to let our light shine. Read “Opportunities to Shine” by clicking here.
We also shared encouragement from Revelation 3 about ‘waking up’ when we get lazy or fall asleep. Joe’s pastor recently talked about a ‘revival’ of the heart where we wake up spiritually. The keys to this include:
breaking complacency
killing laziness
feeding what you want to grow – focusing on getting fed by the things of God
obeying, repenting, and repeating as needed: “God, help me to be obedient and approach you with a humble and repentant heart…”
guarding your heart – if the heart is our wellspring and where we hold everything, then allow God His rightful place on the throne of your heart
Verses that help with this process include: Matthew 8:35 and 23:37, Ephesians 5:14, Isaiah 26:19 and 52:1, Psalms 3:5 and 57:8, Proverbs 4:23 and Philippians 4:7.
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!
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.
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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!
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.’
Driving Notes 