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Our Daily Bread

God’s Holding on to You!!

On this week’s Praise Thursday we shared devotionals and talked about events for you. Plus we played Name That Tune in the second hour! Here’s what we talked about:

Daniel’s Devotion: I’ve kinda been feeling the strain of trying to do things on my own lately. It’s not always easy trying to balance 17 credit hours of classes, having a job, having a girlfriend, and all the other responsibilities that go along with all that; there’s just no way I can do it!

You might have heard it said by motivational speakers telling you, “You can do it!” Well, that’s wrong. You cannot do it. Say it with me, “You can’t do it.” That’s the best part, though; you don’t have to do it all alone. 

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13

I don’t have to do it alone. Jesus offers strength to help me do it. One of my favorite verses is Isaiah 41:10

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

We don’t have to fear the result; we don’t need to worry about whether we can do it or not. Have no fear, for he is with you. Have no fear, for HE is our God.

You will be overwhelmed; that’s a guarantee. WHEN, not IF, that happens, take a moment to look to God and say, “Father, help me through this moment, the next moment, the moment that has just passed. Help me with your righteous power.” 

Gabriella’s Devotion: He can surely use the pain, if we cooperate, to grow some of the fruit of the spirit in us – love, joy, peace, patience, and self control. I think it begins when we accept trouble with a why not? instead of why me? attitude, and when we submit to His timing, not with a why now but a thy will be done. As we learn to grow through suffering we will begin to know God, ourselves, and others better through it all, and might even develop hidden gifts of mercy and grace that will only flower in the land of our suffering.

It’s easier said than done, of course, but for those of us who seek to serve the Lord, we will discover that at such painful times, like Joseph, we have a choice. We can become fruitful or barren, become overcomers or overcome. We can allow pain to drive us to God, letting the prison show us His face. While Joseph was in the pit, God showed him His mercy – in the prison of His kindness (Genesis 39:21) and in the palace of His grace.

Sometimes we can preach the most effective sermons of our lives from the prison or the pit, simply by responding rightly to people who are responsible for bringing us into the “land of suffering.”

When our turn comes, may He help all of us to be fruitful – for His sake.

Diamonds are turned into sparkling stones only after incredible pressure. How do you show your faith during times of distress? We are all tempted at dark points to cry out “Enough! I give up!” Yet in those crucial moments, it’s important to remember God has not cast us off. He is strengthening us and our faith! If we hold fast to Him, we can be assured our spirits will be transformed and renewed, just like diamonds.

On October 1st, WNZR will celebrate 40 Years of Radio Ministry!

Thursday, October 1 in MVNU’s Gathering Place at 5pm-8pm! Meet WNZR Staff including our current Communication & Media Students, enjoy a Buffet style dinner – hamburgers, hot dogs, mac and cheese, desserts including Round Hill Dairy Ice Cream!

Visit our special 40th Anniversary Rooms

  • WNZR Museum
  • WNZR Through the Years (showcasing 4 decades of ministry)
  • Story Studio
  • Birthday Booth
  • Prayer and Praise Post
  • Fabulous Freebies
  • Coloring Corner
  • WNZR Pop-Up Shop
  • Ice Cream Café
  • WNZR 40th Anniversary Photo Booth
  • Live Broadcast in Big Blue​

​We can’t wait to celebrate 40 years of God’s faithfulness with you!

This week’s Name That was a stumper, but tune in next week for a chance to win TWO $5 gift cards to Watt’s Restaurant in Utica!

Tune in Tomorrow for The NZ Top 10 with Brock and Joe!

Thanks so much for listening!

– Gabriella and Daniel

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Nothing Better Than Our King!

Joe’s devotional: That’s My King by CeCe Winans! Click below to hear the sermon-

Gabriella’s devotional: Mighty Name of Jesus by Hope Darst

It’s common for us to be fearful, but it’s important we let Jesus handle our problems. There’s very few things that can be controlled by human strength, so when we pray it’s important for us to remember our problems are held by Jesus. This song is a great reminder and prayer visual for us as we face hardships.

This week’s Name That Tune was a stumper, but come back next week for a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

Tune in Tomorrow for the NZ Top 10 with Daniel

Thanks so much for listening!

– Joe and Gabriella 🙂

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Turn Your Lemons Into Lemonade!!

Today on Praise Thursday we gave devotions tied into scripture and played Name That Tune! We also had some students come in for Praise Thursday and give praises and prayer requests! Here’s what we talked about:

Brook Abella’s Devotion: “Turn lemons into lemonade” is a common saying, but we forget who can turn the lemons into lemonade. Life’s given me a few lemons recently and my friend got me lemonade and on the cup she wrote “Let God turn your lemons into lemonade” and it made me think. When you hold onto the lemons they become moldy which isn’t healthy at all. Give your lemons to God and let him add the sugar and stir it up.

Gabriella’s Devotion: A judge used a particularly unique technique to address the shoplifting problem in their town. The judge had the people arrested for shop lifting work a car wash in hopes that they would express accountability. “A person who wrongs another… must confess the sin they have committed. They must make full restitution.” (Numbers 5:6-7). In these verses we see the importance God places on acknowledging wrong doing, confessing sin, and seeing restoration. To read more click HERE!

This weeks Name That Tune was a stumper, but come back next week for a chance to win TWO $5 gift cards to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

Tune in Tomorrow to the NZ Top 10 with Ethan!

Thanks so much for listening!

– Brook Abella and Gabriella

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It’s a Marathon NOT a Sprint!!

On this weeks Praise Thursday we gave devotions through scripture and played Name That Tune! Here’s what we talked about:

Gabriella’s Devotion: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7

Mark—a marathoner and a dedicated pastor who served two churches over the span of thirty-five years—recently retired. One gift presented to him was a pair of new running shoes. I ran with Mark once over twenty years ago, but throughout his life, he’s run the 26.2-mile race in numerous cities across the country. At his retirement celebration, people from the community and the churches he served also expressed their appreciation for Mark’s faithfulness. Because of God’s power and grace, Mark finished well.

Life’s more like a marathon than a sprint. At times we experience fatigue and we feel like giving up. Yet God’s grace and strength are unending for those who trust Him. As the imprisoned apostle Paul neared the finish line of life (2 Timothy 4:6), he encouraged his protégé Timothy, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (v. 7). Life’s paths take us to different places. But regardless of where we are on life’s journey, it’s always good to remember that faith-filled endurance is essential and rewarding (v. 8); that God is the source of our strength (v. 17); and that, by His grace, he “will bring [us] safely to his heavenly kingdom” (v. 18). Click HERE to read more!

Join Ben with special guest Band Reeves, on Ben’s “Black Sheep Tour”. 
This will be a special night for anyone who’s ever felt like they’re too far gone, the one God rescued anyway. It will be full of worship, raw honesty, and full of hope! This Sunday at Fairfield Christian Church, Lancaster, Ohio. The VIP Doors open at 5PM, Early Entry Doors at 6PM, General Admission at 6:15PM, show begins at 7PM. Congratulations to Eli of Plain City for being caller #3 and taking home a pair of tickets to see Ben Fuller!

This week’s Name That Tune was Happy Day by Jesus Culture! Congratulations to Joseph from Mount Vernon for guessing the song and artist name correctly and taking home a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

Tune in Tomorrow for the NZ Top 10 with Ethan and Joe!

Thanks so much for listening!

– Brook Abella, Gabriella, and Joe 🙂

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Ultimate Sculptor!!

Gabriella’s Devotion: Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to trust in the lord and not in our own understanding. We struggle with this quite a lot especially when it comes to politics and in our personal lives. We should not be filled with anger for cases or events that happen because majority of the time the full story is not there yet. Trust in the Lord, this world is not our homeland.

Brook Abella’s Devotion: I am an artist in many different ways, but I have ceramics class tonight so that’s the thing I’m focusing on today. I know in the bible it talks about God being a sculptor and us being pottery, but I didn’t realize how much that was true until I started making pottery. In order to make a good piece of art you have to mold it and that’s what God does with us. The water we use to make it easier to mold represents the obstacles we’ve gone through.

Joe’s Devotion: “Give Me Words to Speak” by Aaron Shust comes from a very personal spiritual struggle—specifically, a season where he felt empty, inadequate, and unable to say anything meaningful on his own. The core idea behind the song: Shust has shared (in interviews and through the song’s context and lyrics) that it reflects: 1. A sense of spiritual brokenness and confusion. The opening lines describe feeling “calloused and bruised” and dissatisfied with “selfish hopes and dreams,” pointing to a realization that his own efforts weren’t enough. 2. A dependence on God for guidance and speech. The central prayer of the song is essentially: “I have nothing worthwhile to say—God, speak through me.” This echoes biblical themes of God giving words to His people (like Moses or the disciples). 3. A desire for authenticity in ministry and communication. Rather than relying on cleverness or talent, the song is about wanting one’s words to reflect God’s voice instead of personal ambition. The song was inspired by a moment (or season) where Shust realized: “If anything meaningful is going to come out of my life—or my mouth—it has to come from God, not me.”

Our Name That Tune was a stumper this week, but come back next week for a chance to win TWO $5 gift cards to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

Tune in Tomorrow for the NZ Top 10 with Ethan and Joe!

Thanks so much for listening!

– Brook Abella, Gabriella, and Joe

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Devil Get Behind Me!!

On this week’s Praise Thursday we shared devotionals tied to our Lifeline 2026 Theme and played a game of Name That Tune! Here’s what we talked about:

Brook Abella’s Devotion: When I was on my spring break I was having such a great time. I went to my favorite beach and spent time with my friends. I thought it was so much fun and that it couldn’t get any better than this. When we were on vacation we found out our family cat died. We’ve had her for 15 years and it was a hard thing to come back to. This reminded me of Ecclesiastes 3:4 “a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance”. I understood that there is a time to weep and now I have to focus on my future and present.

Gabriella’s Devotion: 1 Peter 5:10 “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” The God of all Grace. May the God of all grace settle you. May the God of all Grace strengthen you. May the God of all Grace establish you and make you perfect. May the God of all Grace make you whole. May the Lord God give you strength to overcome, and conquer every tactic and weapon of the enemy.

Joe’s Devotion: In class we talked about the three C’s of our department and one of the things that led to was a talk on identity. Everyone has struggled with who they are or want to be, but as Christians we are God’s chosen people. We are his children. We are made in his perfect image. You are completely accepted (Titus 3:7), you are extremely valuable (Ephesians 2:10), you are eternally loved (Hebrews 2:11), you are forgiven (Romans 8:1), you are fully capable (2 Corinthians 3:5-6).

This year’s Theme – “God Did It!” by Micah Tyler

This year’s Theme Verse is Psalm 115:1 (NIV)- “Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.”

Our Name That Tune was Worthy of It All by CeCe Winans! Congratulations to Heather of Mount Vernon for guessing correctly and taking home a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

Tune in Tomorrow for the NZ Top 10 with Ethan and Joe!

Thanks so much for listening!

– Gabriella, Brook Abella, and Joe 🙂

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Your Pain Is Not In Vain!

Have you heard the fable of the boy and the butterfly?

One day, a boy is given a cocoon in his hands, but told not to touch it. When he looked down and saw something struggling on the inside of the cocoon, he took a pair of scissors and cut it open to free the butterfly.

To the boy’s dismay, the butterfly could not take off flying, fell to the ground and passed away.

When we find ourselves in the middle of the struggle, we need to remember that our strength is built through the storms and trials.

Romans 5:3-4 says, “We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

While we don’t deny that pain and struggles are difficult, God is going to use everything you go through, good and bad, to strengthen you. We can rejoice in the pain even when it’s hard.

If you need to lift up a hard-fought hallelujah, sing along here with Brandon Lake Jelly Roll:

Today’s Our Daily Bread Devotional dives deeper into this topic! Read more HERE.

Ethan talked about how he heard at an MVNU chapel service that God sometimes doesn’t always give us the quickest way out of the desert.

Instead, He does something incredible and chooses to plant and grow a garden in the middle of the desert! This reminds us of the song Flowers by Samantha Ebert and Seph Schlueter.

Listen along if you need a reminder that God sees you where you are. He is going to grow something beautiful!

We played Name That Tune today on The Afternoon Drive!

This week’s Name That Tune was a stumper!

Tune in next Thursday on The Afternoon Drive and see if you can figure out the song title and artist from our song clip! We will give you a chance to win on Name That Tune at 5:15pm next Thursday, March 12th! (Hint: This artist is coming to the Ohio State Fair this summer, August 3rd!)

Thank you for listening!
– Ethan Hershberger

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Happy Valentine’s Day Eve-Eve!!

Today on Praise Thursday we did devotionals, Spread The Love Giveaway, and we did Name That Tune! Here’s what we talked about:

Gabriella’s Valentines Day Devotion:

  • Willing. Jesus said, “No one takes my life from me, but I lay it down of my own accord” (John 10:18).
  • Sacrifice. There is no such thing as love without sacrifice.
  • If you are only interested in loving people because you get something good in the end, you are not motivated by love for them but by love for yourself.
  • The Bible says that Jesus died for us while we were still sinners. If he had waited until we were able to reciprocate, there would be no hope for us! 
  • Love does its best work when the other person is undeserving.

Brook Abella’s Waiting Period Devotion:

I was waiting in my guitar class to play, but ended up watching everyone else. In the end I played and did well, but one thing I realized is I wouldn’t have done as good as I did if I didn’t wait. I learned the famous saying “Patience is a virtue” in real time. It didn’t take much to realize if I didn’t wait I wouldn’t have done as well as I did in the end. Waiting is THE formative time to make sure you do good, after the waiting season God will have so much for you, you will be grateful you waited.

Joe’s Perfect Image Devotion:

In this day and age we’re so used to not having to deal with people face to face. On social media it’s easy to dislike someone’s post, but 99% of the people doing that would never do that in person. It’s important we keep note on what we should be doing. Recapture the incarnation where the word connects with face to face and we’re created in God’s perfect image. It’s easy to have low self esteem when people dislike on social media, but YOU were made in God’s perfect image.

Today was the last day to participate and the winners for the grand prize drawing with be Tomorrow during The Morning Thing!  Congratulations to Mary of Fredericktown for participating in spread the love giveaway and winning a $25 gift card to ACTS Thrift Store in Mount Vernon!

This week’s Name That Tune was Zach William’s with Heaven Help Me! Congratulations to Lyle of Apple Valley for guessing it correctly and taking home a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

Tune in Tomorrow for The NZ Top 10 with Ethan and Joe!

Thanks so much for listening!


– Brook Abella, Gabriella, and Joe

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New Dynamic Duo on The Afternoon Drive?!

Today on Praise Thursday we introduced a new co-host that will be with us for the 4 o’clock hour every Thursday, Brook Abella! Here’s what we talked about:

Brook Abella’s Devotional: Let God’s word wash over you! Spend some time to accept God’s light and let it shine on you, so you can point it in the direction of others! You should TRY to be like God!

Gabriella’s Devotional: Who is our neighbor? EVERYONE!! We should be a kind soul to everyone we come across and show them how a Christian should be. To read more click HERE!

Joe’s Devotional: Be a listener! In order to have a conversation you should should be just as good as listening as you do talking. Listen to the words that are spoke around and to you, so you can fully understand who people are. People should only be speaking the truth, but it’s up to you to fact check it. No one else. YOU!

You could win a fabulous prize from February 2nd through 12th! Each day of the contest, our DJs will select Valentine’s gifts to put in the WNZR Valentine’s box. During The Morning Thing and The Afternoon Drive, the DJs will give a cue to call 740-397-WNZR (9697). Caller #5 gets the chance to answer a Valentine’s question to win a prize. Congratulations to Tim of Mansfield for winning a $10 gift card to Burrata Woodfired and getting registered to be in the grand prize drawing!

This Week’s Name That Tune was “Testify” by NEEDTOBREATHE. Congratulations to Jessica of Mount Vernon guessing correctly and taking home a $5 gift card to Watt’s Restaurant in Utica!

Tune in Tomorrow to The NZ Top 10 with Ethan and Joe!

Thanks so much for listening!

– Gabriella, Brook Abella, and Joe 🙂

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