Today for Monday Motivation, Joe shared some musical inspiration from Matt Redman’s “Your Grace Finds Me.”
Here’s what Matt had to say about the song in a conversation with CBN in 2013:
“I wrote this song with my friend Jonas Myrin in a little chapel in England where we often song write. The song is an attempt to sing about the wide spectrum of God’s grace. The grace of God found us at the cross – and that is the centerpiece of all we believe, but that is not the end of the story of grace. For His grace keeps on finding us – the undeserved goodness of God showing up in our lives. You can find it in the newborn cry and find it in the light of every sunrise. You’ll find it in the mundane and on the mountaintop. And more to the point, it finds you.”
Jonathon shared a devotional about our perception of perfection from Monica LaRose, called “Perfect Like Christ.” Read more by clicking here!
Tell me the first TWO questions you might ask about someone’s newborn. 1- Boy or Girl? (42 votes) 2- What’s their name? (22) 3- Weighs how much? (19) 4- How old? (5) 5- Healthy? (2) 6- Where’s his dad? (2) 7- What color of eyes? (2)
Congratulations to Peter from Howard, who got the top two and wins the WNZR drawstring backpack!
Today for Monday Motivation, we returned to Our Daily Bread to talk about what there is to look forward to after celebrating a holiday such as Christmas. Read the full devotional from Adam R. Holz HERE.
We also covered New Years as 2022 is quickly approaching! Tim Gustafson shares a story from Ezekiel in his devotional entitled “Back to the Basics”.
Name a book that could knock you out if someone hit you over the head with it.
Dictionary 39
Encyclopedia 25
Bible 14
Phone Book 14
War & Peace 6
Congratulations to Aranae of Fredericktown for correctly guessing our top two answers! She wins the $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup for today. Make sure to tune in tomorrow for your next chance to win!
Today’s Monday Motivation reflections about Christmas remind us that Christmas is an invitation for everyone.
Lisa Samra shares ‘Joy to the World’ here:
Every Christmas we decorate our home with nativity scenes from around the world. We have a German nativity pyramid, a manger scene fashioned out of olive wood from Bethlehem, and a brightly colored Mexican folk version. Our family favorite is a whimsical entry from Africa. Instead of the more traditional sheep and camels, a hippopotamus gazes contently at the baby Jesus.
The unique cultural perspective brought to life in these nativity scenes warms my heart as I ponder each beautiful reminder that Jesus’ birth was not just for one nation or culture. It’s good news for the whole earth, a reason for people from every country and ethnicity to rejoice.
The little baby depicted in each of our nativity scenes revealed this truth of God’s heart for the entire world. As John wrote in relation to Christ’s conversation with an inquisitive Pharisee named Nicodemus, “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” (John 3:16).
The gift of Jesus is good news for everyone. No matter where on earth you call home, Jesus’ birth is God’s offer of love and peace to you. And all who find new life in Christ, “from every tribe and language and people and nation” will one day celebrate God’s glory forever and ever (Revelation 5:9).
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Amy Boucher Pye shares ‘Welcomed Into God’s Family’
We were singles and couples and a family with children, together celebrating Jesus’ birth on Christmas Eve. The conversation flowed, the food tasted scrumptious, and we even had fun washing up the dishes. Between courses we read through the Christmas story from Luke’s gospel, marveling over the greatest gift of the season, Jesus. Because of Christ, we who previously had been a ragtag bunch of strangers were now sisters and brothers.
Jesus always welcomed the stranger. Even as at His birth God beckoned the shepherds to come and worship the newborn baby: “The Savior-yes, the Messiah, the Lord-has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” (LUKE 2:11). Curious, the humble shepherds hurried Bethlehem. And after they saw the baby, they went and spread the good news about Jesus the Savior, and “all who to heard the shepherds’ story were astonished” (v.18).
As Messiah, Jesus the baby grew up to be the Man who died on the cross, the perfect sacrifice who wipes away the sins of those who follow Him. Jesus, the Son who is God, humbled Himself to be born in a stable and then willingly sacrificed His life for us.
When we bow before Him in worship, even as the shepherds did as they glorified and praised God for all they had seen and heard (v. 20), He makes us part of His family. Jesus welcomes us into His worldwide community of those God uses to spread His love and light.
Name the top two desserts people eat a lot of at Christmastime: 1- cookies (54 votes) 2- pie (12) 3- pudding (7) 4- fruitcake (6) 5- fudge (5) 6- candy/candy canes (4) 7- gingerbread (2)
Congratulations to Danelle of Fredericktown, who guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup!
Today we started a series of Christmas devotionals from the seasonal Our Daily Bread publication, “Celebrating Jesus.”
Joe’s devotional is from Lisa Samra, called ‘A Down Under Christmas…’
I love seeing pictures of our Australian friends celebrating Christmas. Not because they have more creative decorations or a fancier tree, but because they’re usually celebrating at the beach! It’s easy for people who live in the Northern Hemisphere to forget that countries in the Southern Hemisphere celebrate Christmas during their summer months. It’s just not what I expect to see at Christmas.
Sunny Christmas celebrations also point me to the reality that so much about the first Christmas was unexpected. At Jesus’ birth, men from countries east of Israel saw a star and recognized it as a sign that the promised future ruler of Israel had been born (MICAH 5:2).
So these highly educated scholars left their homes and, after arriving in Israel, went to the place they expected to find a new king: the palace. But Jesus wasn’t there. Realizing their mistake, they continued to be directed by the star until they reached a humble home in Bethlehem. It was there that they found Jesus (MATTHEW 2:10-11).
Regardless of whether we celebrate in the sun or snow, at Christmas we remember the birth of a baby who grew up to teach us about God and offer to all the most amazing of gifts, a relationship with Him. Like the wise men, when we search for Him and accept this gift, we find hope and joy beyond all our expectations.
Jonathon’s is from Winn Collier, called ‘A Table for All…’
The upcoming holiday looked grim for Scott. He figured he’d simply be warming up a frozen dinner and watching some football alone. Dreading the isolation, Scott decided to put an ad in the paper, inviting other lonely people to dinner. No less than twelve people showed up! That was 1985, and every year since, Scott has placed a similar ad, welcoming as many as 100 people and now meeting in a local church building. Homeless neighbors, those who’ve lost their family, strangers who can’t travel home-Scott sets a table big enough for all kinds of people.
Isaiah describes God’s intention to welcome every wayward straggler, all who are downtrodden or forgotten. He’s a “refuge to the poor… [a] refuge to the needy in distress.” (25:4). With God, those who are desperate for friendship or forgiveness or hope can find their hearts’ desires. One day “the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will spread a wonderful feast for all the people of the world. It will be a delicious banquet with clear, well-aged wine and choice meat” (v. 6). God widely extends the invitation, welcoming everyone to join Him for a feast-friends gathered around the table of grace.
This is God’s heart for us, and what He promises to do. We may bear the weight of loneliness or despair; but in Jesus, God welcomes us. And if we’ll simply come, each of us will find our seat at a table with room for all.
Name the top two disadvantages of owning a pet: 1- cleaning up after them (66 votes) 2- walking them (10)
Congratulations to Erika from Marengo, who solved this two-week stumper and wins two $5 gift cards to Everlasting Cup!
Joe was out on business today, so I decided to share two devotionals to kick off your week with some Monday Motivation!
First, we read “In Focus” from Patricia Raybon who shared the story from Acts 3 of the lame beggar at the temple gate called Beautiful.
Then, we focused on Adam R. Holz’s who shared “Storms of Fear”, digging into the story of Jesus and the disciples headed across the Sea of Galilee.
We also recapped MVNU’s Homecoming Weekend which was a huge success. Hundreds of alumni flooded Ariel Arena to watch the women’s basketball team defeat the #2 team in country!
Name a disadvantage of owning a pet…
This question was a stumper, so we’ll bring it back next week for a chance at TWO $5 gift cards to Everlasting Cup!
Today, we registered Linda from Utica and Ron from Mount Vernon for a chance to win a turkey from Smithhisler Meats!
Today for Monday Motivation, Joe shared a devotional from Tim Gustafson called “Longing for God.” It shares the story of a cat named S’Mores and how his journey parallels that of Nehemiah. Read it by clicking here.
Jonathon shared “Right Beside You,” from Sheridan Voysey, which shares the story of letters sent to the Holy Land. Read it by clicking here.
Name something a dog probably looks forward to seeing when he or she goes on a walk.
1- other dogs 2- trees 3- fire hydrant 4- cat 5- their ‘spot’
Congratulations to John from Utica, who guessed the top two answers and wins the $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup.
Today is a little different with Kelsi and Dylan in for this Monday Motivation.
Kelsi shared a devotional called “He Will Fight For You”. Our task still is to be prepared for life’s tough tests. To build a ministry, we study, work, and pray. To create beautiful art, we master a skill. To conquer a mountain, we secure our tools and build our strength. Then prepared, we’re more than conquerors through Christ’s strong love. To read more click HERE.
Dylan shared a devotional called “Loving Others with Our Prayers”. God moves through our prayers to accomplish great good in the lives of His people. One of the best ways to love others is to pray for them, because through our prayers we open the door to the help only God can provide. When we pray for others, we love them in His strength. There’s none greater or more loving than him. to read the whole devotional click HERE.
Name a musical instrument you do not blow into.
1- Guitar (39 votes)
2- Piano (35)
3- Drums (11)
4- Violin (11)
Congratulations to Tim of Mount Vernon, who guessed the top two answers correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup.
Today for Monday Motivation, we shared a devotional from author Dave Branon about how we, through the Holy Spirit, can experience daily renewal. Read “Better than Ever” by clicking here!
Jonathon shared a devotional from Adam Holz called “The Leaning Tower,” about how our foundations matter – read it by clicking here.
When You Hear a Noise Coming From Your Basement, What Do You Pray That it ISN’T? Another Person (42) Ghost/Monster (25) Animals/Rats (21) Flood/Water Heater (10)
Congratulations to Bob from Howard, who guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card from Everlasting Cup.
SONFEST TRIVIA – today it’s Song Poetry! You take good care of me You know what I need before I even ask a thing and you hold me in your hands with a kindness that never ends I’m carried in your love no matter what the future brings…
The song is Sparrows from Cory Asbury – congratulations to Lauren from Howard, who wins a pair of tickets!
