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Mystery Monday

The promise of Immanuel – delivered!

Today’s Monday Motivation continues with a Christmas theme:

The word Immanuel means, as we learn in Matthew 1:23, “God with us.”  The coming of the Christ child fulfilled what Isaiah wrote in chapter 7, verse 14: “the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

In his book Hidden Christmas, Pastor Timothy Keller shares that for centuries, the Jewish religious leaders and scholars had known that prophecy, but did not think that it should be taken literally. They thought it was simply predicting the coming or arrival of some great leader through whose work, God would be present with his people.

However, Matthew writes that this promise is greater than anyone imagined!  It did not come true figuratively, but literally. Jesus Christ is “God with us,” because the human life in Mary’s womb was a miracle performed by God himself.  Then Jesus, with his life, his claims and his resurrection, convinced his closest followers that he was not just a prophet telling them how to find God, but God himself coming to find us.

Keller writes that this claim, that Jesus is God, gives us the greatest possible hope.  Why?  Because it means this world is not all that there is…it means that there is life and love after death and it means that evil and suffering will one day end.

And it is not just hope for the world, but hope for you and me personally. A God who was only holy would have not come to us in Jesus.  He would have just demanded that we pull ourselves together and be moral and holy enough to be worthy of relationship with him. But our God is fully holy and fully human – so he doesn’t send someone else – he comes himself!  Jesus is one of us – and that should give us all hope!

Christmas Gift Exchange winners today:
Becky from Howard and Krista from Howard! Remember the grand prize drawing is Thursday morning on The Morning Thing!

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

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The light of Christmas!

Today’s Monday Motivation comes from Isaiah 9:2, 5-7 (NIV)

2 The people walking in darkness
    have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
    a light has dawned.

5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle
    and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
    will be fuel for the fire.
6 For unto us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.

One of the first indications of the Christmas season is LIGHT.  The appearance of lights seemingly everywhere – on trees, with candles, above streets; there is radiance all around us.

Lights are not just for decoration of course, they are symbolic.

In his book, Hidden Christmas, Pastor Timothy Keller says one of the most important spiritual truths at Christmas is this: the world is a dark place, and we will never find our way or see reality unless Jesus IS our light.

Keller writes that the word ‘darkness’ in the Bible refers to evil and ignorance. The world has evil and untold suffering. The world also has no one who can cure the evil and suffering. We look towards the earth and our human resources to try to fix the world.  We think we can end darkness with intellect and innovation.  That’s the ignorance.

So the message of Christmas is NOT, “we will be able to put together a world of unity and peace.”  The message, instead, is a humble one: “Things really are this bad and we can’t heal or save ourselves. Nevertheless, THERE IS HOPE.”

Notice the verse in Isaiah doesn’t say the light comes from the world…it says that upon the world a light has dawned.  It has come from the outside, and Jesus has brought that light to save us!  Because, as John 8:12 says, He IS that light!

Today’s Christmas Gift Exchange winners were Pam from Fredericktown and James, also from Fredericktown.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

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Out of control…into a trust.

Today’s Monday Motivation comes from our friend Adam Holz (yes, the guy from Plugged In). It’s called ‘Lord of the…Nails?’ and deals with control and trust. Click here to read it!

Name a gift kids DON’T want to open on Christmas morning!
1 – underwear (31 votes)
2 – socks (27)
3 – hygiene products (12)
4 – books (6)
5 – handmade sweater or scarf
6 – puzzles

Congratulations to Becky from Fredericktown who guessed the top two answers and wins the $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup!

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

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How do we ‘hang in there?’

Today’s Monday Motivation features Adam Holz sharing the real source of perseverance…read ‘Hang in There’ by clicking here.

We also shared Patricia Raybon’s story of God’s amazing creation – read ‘A World of Provision’ by clicking here.

If you lost your sense of smell, what smell would you miss the most?

1- food
2- flowers
3- people
4- cologne or perfume

Congratulations to Pam from Fredericktown who guessed the top two answers correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup!

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

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A little Monday Motivation…

Today I shared a devotional from author Arthur Jackson about how we can lean on God when we are faced with keeping our promises. Click here to read this devotional from Our Daily Bread.

Todd’s devotional is, “What Comes Next?” – click here to read some inspiration from Remi Oyedele.

Name something joggers/runners look out for when jogging:
1- dogs
2- cars/vehicles
3- criminals
4- cracks
5- puddles/mud

Congratulations to Ron from Mount Vernon, who guessed the top two answers and wins the $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

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Curbing rumors and facing challenges

Today’s Monday Motivation starts with a reminder of how we can control the flow of a rumor mill. Author Amy Boucher Pye shares her devotional , inspired by Exodus, from Our Daily Bread. Read it by clicking here.

Our second is called “Run Towards Challenge,” from author Mike Wittmer and inspired by II Kings. Read it by clicking here.

Name a reason you might not leave your house all day…

1- bad weather
2- being sick
3- watching a TV show
4- you have a day off
5- you’re waiting on a repair
6- you’re tired

Congratulations to Cathy from Zanesville, who guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

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There Be Dragons…and we have a Champion!

Today I shared a devotional from Bill Crowder about the champion that helps us defeat the dragons in our life. Read “Fighting Life’s Dragons” from Our Daily Bread by clicking here.

Todd’s devotional is “Slowing Down Time” from Patricia Raybon – click here to read it.

Name something that comes through the window:

1- air, wind or breeze
2- a bird
3- sunlight
4- a burglar
5- a mosquito
6- a fly
7- a ball

Congratulations to Tammy and Mackenna from Mount Vernon who guessed correctly and won the $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup!

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

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I love you, THIS much!

Today’s Monday Motivation comes from author Monica Brands, who says the enthusiasm of a three-year-old can sometimes be a great reminder…read “Love You – Whole World,” by clicking here!

Todd’s devotional is from David Roper, ‘The Mouse That Roared.” Read about it by clicking here.

Name something with teeth.
1- a dog
2- a human
3- a shark
4- a crocodile or alligator
5- a comb
Congratulations to Laura from Mount Vernon, who wins the $5 gift card from Everlasting Cup – she guessed the top two answers correctly.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

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The Rock of Ages…that doesn’t forget us.

Today’s Monday Motivation featured a reminder of the shelter God provides when we feel caught in a storm. Amy Boucher Pye shares “Shelter from the Storm” in this devotional from Our Daily Bread. Click here to read it!

Todd shared Lisa Samra’s “Never Forgotten..” click here to read it.

Name something that might ruin a romantic dinner:
1- an ex-boyfriend or girlfriend
2- bad or burnt food
3- getting sick
4- baby or children
5- bad service
6- a bug in the food
7- getting the bill

Congratulations to Stephanie from Mount Vernon, who wins the $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

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