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Mystery Monday

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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The Heavenly Father | Ohio State Fair

Today, we are at the Ohio State Fair and having Monday Motivation.

Daniel: To me, Prayer has been a very formal activity. Not that I need to think deeply about my prayer; I just do the typical: God help this, do that, thank you for that. This isn’t a very normal relationship. I’ve heard it said that you can talk to God about anything, but the way it was put yesterday in Church got me thinking.

Matthew 6:8: Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

God doesn’t need to hear all your wants and needs; he already knows them, so instead have a conversation with God. The pastor put it like an experience he’d had with his son: he was in a board meeting, his son came in without a care in the world, walked up to his dad and sat on his lap to show him a cool drawing he’d made.

God isn’t too busy to hear all about us, every struggle, every high, every low, and all the in-between of our lives. When you pray, talk to God about your life like you would with your earthly family; your heavenly father cares about you far more than they ever could.

Mystery Monday 

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

  1. ??? (61) 
  2. ??? (10) 
  3. ??? (9) 
  4. ??? (8) 
  5. ??? (6)
  6. ??? (2) 

It’s a Stumper this week. Join us next week for a chance to win TWO $5 gift cards to Watt’s Restaurant in Utica!

Thanks for listening!
– Daniel and 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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    Asking and Thanking

    Hey, Daniel here. Today, I was thinking about a prayer request I gave to God at the beginning of the summer.

    “Ask and it will be given, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7

    That’s been the story of my summer so far. See, God has been doing amazing things in my life, granting me opportunities to not only talk to you, but he’s given me the blessings and gifts to do something very big in my life.

    At the start of the summer, I knew that this was what I wanted to do, but it’s not exactly cheap or affordable, so I asked God to help provide a way to afford it. Over these past few weeks, I was house-sitting, and that went so well that I am getting another opportunity. I don’t know if you’ve ever hired a house sitter or been a house sitter, but it’s surprisingly lucrative. So it’s been enough that I am able to afford an important thing for my future, and I have only one person to thank for that, and it’s God

    How do we say thank you to God when he’s gracious towards us? In the Bible, he asks us to give a tenth of his blessings back to him. I was talking to my mom the other day about this, and she mentioned how “some people think they can’t afford to give back to God,” but, she says, “you can’t afford not to give back to God.”

    See, it’s not about the money, it’s about showing faith with his gifts; “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and give to God what is God’s”, everything is stewarded to us by God, so when he asks us to return to him a portion of his gifts, we ought to do that. Jesus talks about how he cares for the sparrows and feeds them, and we are of much more value than they are. 

    My Monday motivation is remembering who is responsible for this life’s blessings, and reminding myself to thank him for his blessings.

    Mystery Monday 

    Name a phrase that starts with “Carry the…” 

    1. ??? (24) 
    2. ??? (18) 
    3. ??? (8)
    4. Torch + Three others tied for #4 (6)

    It’s a Stumper this week.

    Thanks for listening!
    – Daniel

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    Salt and Waiting

    Daniel: What does it mean to be the salt of the earth? 

    “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” Matthew 5:13

    If you’re like me, you’ve read that verse a million times and wondered, what does that mean?

    What do you do with salt? You put it on food, but what else? Modernly, we normally only think of that, but in biblical times, its used for everything food. Preserving food, improving taste, purifying food, and generally just making everything better to eat. When Jesus asks us to be the salt of the earth, he’s asking us to make everything better. 

    But how can we do that? Simple: be the light in the room; we go around showing people the love we have from Jesus. He tells us this in John 13…

    “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

    Jesus asks us to make everything just a little bit better and show love to others. When you go to work, spend time at home, or just talk to someone on the street, bring the smile, be encouraging, and be a little bit brighter because of the hope that is within you in Jesus Christ. Let everyone know that you follow Jesus, not only from your words, but from your works.

    Joe: I was thinking about the song Waiting Here for You by Passion/Christy Nockels, and it reminded me of this verse

    Psalm 27:14 (NIV) –“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart
        and wait for the Lord.”

    This is one of the many verses that drive this song.

    If faith can move the mountains
    Let the mountains move
    We come with expectation
    Waiting here for You, waiting here for You

    You’re the Lord of all creation
    And still You know my heart
    The author of salvation
    You’ve loved us from the start

    A couple themes of this song are:

    1. Faith over fear: “If faith can move the mountains, let the mountains move.” This reminds us to surrender our heavy burdens and expectantly wait for a breakthrough. Waiting, believe it or not, is a form of worship! Difficult? Yes. Building our character? Definitely.
    2. How he knows us intimately: “You’re the Lord of all creation, and still You know my heart.” It acknowledges that the Creator of the universe is deeply intimate and present with you right now.

    I think we know that waiting is not common practice for most humans.  It’s hard to wait when you want to see something happen.  It’s hard to wait when you are expecting something.  

    But if we don’t wait on His Holy Spirit to lead us, we will miss the blessings He has for us.  We try to figure things out on how something is going to go, but we can pray for His Guidance and then wait on the direction given to us.

    Mystery Monday

    Name a food that you hope you ‘got milk’ to go with. 

    1. Cereal (60) 
    2. Cookies (21)
    3. Brownies (3)
    4. Mac & Cheese (2) 
    5. Cake (2) 
    6. Pancakes (2) 
    7. Peanut Butter (2) 

    Congratulations to James 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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    The Accident and The Woman at the Well

    Daniel: So I am house-sitting right now, helping take care of a house. To me, it sounded like an easy task. They have 3 cute cats, and I expected this to be simple. For the most part, it is, but one of the cats causes problems; he’s this old black-and-white cat named Gizmo, because he is literally a little stinker.

    The other day, I came in from being out nearly all day, and I didn’t notice the present he had left on the floor, and I ended up stepping on it. Now I was still wearing my shoes, so I didn’t notice this until I had already tracked it all around the house. I remember spending nearly an hour trying to clean up from that and just being upset about it as I went around into each room, smelling as I went, trying to figure out where all needed to be cleaned. 

    Later that same evening, I was on the phone with my girlfriend, and it helped me recenter myself because this was already the 4th time there had been an accident on the floor since I got there the night before. I slowed down, took a deep breath, and remembered this…

    “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” – Philippians 4:6

    We are also asked to give thanks in everything, but sometimes that’s challenging, so I tried to remember what was really important and find something to be thankful for.

    “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

    It reminded me to remain calm and make my problems known to God, and strangely, he hasn’t had an issue since, which is just another everyday miracle to give thanks for.

    Joe: In John 4, Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s Well. He ignores the so-called cultural taboos of the Jews and Samaritans to ask her for a drink of water.

    He offers her “living water”, the kind that permanently satisfies her. He also reveals her past without judgment and declares Himself the Messiah. She then becomes a bold evangelist when she leaves her water jar behind and rushes back to her town to tell everyone about Jesus. 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him.

    Her testimony results in many villagers coming to meet Jesus themselves, leading many Samaritans to believe He is the Savior of the world.

    What can we take away from John 4?

    We learn that God sees us and hears us; we also learn we can have a fresh start with Him, and we can find our voice in telling others about Him.

    Mystery Monday

    Name a movie that took place on water. 

    1. Titanic (38) 
    2. Jaws (20) 
    3. Waterworld (6) 
    4. Open Water (3) 
    5. Red October (3) 

    Congratulations to Jeanell from Danville, 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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    You’ve got the power to be patient!

    Good afternoon!

    James 1:2–4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

    Did you have joy in your trials this weekend? I really struggled to find it! The storm and resulting power outages Saturday and Sunday were certainly a trial for many, including me.

    James tells us to consider trials “pure joy”—not because they’re easy, but because they produce perseverance. Patience isn’t natural; it’s developed under pressure. Trials are not interruptions to your growth—they are the pathway to it.

    I know not having power for 27 hours, trying to get back the house Saturday night, and having to throw out almost everything in the fridge seems like a trial.  And it’s not the first time we’ve had to do it. But big picture? It was a chance to reset, slow down and think, despite an initial measure of impatience.

    Our prayer?
    God, help me not to resist the process. Grow perseverance in me so I may become mature and complete.

    Name a food or drink that you smell outside a restaurant in the morning. 

    1. Bacon (35) 
    1. Coffee (35) 
    1. Eggs (16) 
    1. Bread (5) 
    1. Donut (5) 

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

    Thanks for listening!
    – Joe

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