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Praise Thursday

Be Humble in Difficult Times!!

I’m not proud of this story. As Scripture says, “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of”(Luke 6:45b, NIV). My outburst revealed what was in my heart – overload, frustration and anger. Consider this: The circumstances of the first Christmas were very stressful, too. There was an unmarried, pregnant teenager. There was a scared but faithful fianc?. There was no room in the inn. There were smelly animals and scratchy straw. There was an unidentified star in the sky. They implemented the truth in today’s key verse. Their trust in God made them steadfast.

Proverbs 4:25 (NIV)- “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you”. (This verse encourages focus on a righteous path, away from distractions, as detailed in the surrounding verses.) During these busy times we should not fear instead we should think and redirect our mind to focus on the lord. He is the reason for this season!

What about Joseph? Matthew 1:18-25 (NIV) talks about Josephs emotions during this time. He’s told Mary is pregnant even though she’s a virgin. Joseph was planing to divorce her quietly until an angel explained everything to him. Joseph was obedient and we learned a lot about his character. Obedience and loyalty was a way of life for Joseph!

Congratulations to Krista and Tim of San Louisville for being caller #9! The winners will be announced tomorrow during The Morning Thing!

Our Name That Tune was Toby Mac and Tasha Layton with Christmas Hits Different! Congratulations to Jim of Mount Vernon for guessing the artist and song name and taking home a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

Tune in Tomorrow for The All Request Drive with Ethan and Joe!

Thanks for listening!!

– Gabriella, Ethan, and Daniel 🙂

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Devotionals Out Of God’s Word!!

Refuse to seek revenge! In Matthew 5:38, Jesus tells us, “You have heard that itw as said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.”

As believers and followers of Jesus, revenge should never be our response when we are wronged or hurt.

To read the full chapter of Matthew 5, click here!

Do you feel stuck in a mistake you made in the past, and maybe you even knew it was wrong in the moment? Whether it was 2 minutes ago, or 2 decades ago there is still redemption!

If you know the story of King David, you’ll remember a scandal he had with a woman named Bathsheba. King David took Bathsheba, committed adultery with her, and eventually murdered her husband by putting him in the front lines of a battle.

After all this took place, a prophet named Nathan came to David and made David realize the sins he committed. Once David realized his mistakes, he repented, apologized to God, and also wrote Psalm 51.

The beginning of this psalm says:

1 Have mercy on me, O God,
    according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
    blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity
    and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
    and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
    and justified when you judge.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
    sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
    you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
    let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins
    and blot out all my iniquity.

Read the full psalm here!

We learn from this psalm that God is a God of compassion and grace, with arms forgiveness waiting for us to repent from our sins– no matter what we have done! When we confess and repent from our sins, there is grace waiting there for us every time.

Whatever you have, bring it to God and leave it as His feet!

Today we played a 20-second clip of a Christmas song on The Afternoon Drive!

This week’s Name That Tune was Frank Sinatra’s rendition of Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Congratulations to Brenda from Mount Vernon for calling in and correctly guessing the song title and artist, taking home a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

Tune in on Friday for a special Afternoon Drive show where we go over all the new Christmas songs we added this year on WNZR!

Thank you for listening!
– Gabriella and Ethan

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All-Star inspiration and Open House!

Today, I was in studio while Marcy and Ethan were On The Road With Big Blue at the Knox County Career Center annual First Chance Application and Open House night!

Find out more about KCCC and opportunities for students at this link!

I shared some online inspiration today from former MLB Mets great and all-star Darryl Strawberry, who I had the chance to meet a few years ago when he was here for NCO Camp Meeting! Darryl posted this today:

“To all the Men who are searching out there, it takes Real Guts and Courage to truly follow the Lord. I’ve had every worldly success—money, cars, homes, women, trophies, and rings—but nothing compared to the true salvation I have now. Knowing that when I die, I will see Jesus for real changes everything. Wealth and fame might make people think you’re set for heaven, but the Bible teaches us otherwise. It’s about living right for God while there’s still time. This life isn’t about black or white or any color—Jesus Christ is coming back for Holy and Righteous people. Stand strong, live bold, and keep your eyes on symbol of the Cross.

Remember, brothers, the world’s treasures are temporary, but the grace of God is eternal. It’s easy to be distracted by the flash and the fame, but true strength is found in humility, faith, and obedience to God’s Word. The journey isn’t always easy—it takes sacrifice and sometimes standing alone—but the reward is beyond anything money or status can buy. Keep your heart focused on Jesus, live with integrity, and encourage one another in this walk. We’re not defined by our past or our skin color, but by the love and righteousness we carry through Christ. The battle is real, but victory is certain for those who remain faithful. Stay courageous, men. The best is yet to come. Love y’all!”

Today’s song: Chris Tomlin – At The Cross (Love Ran Red)

Congratulations to Barb from Fredericktown who guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

TOMORROW is the drawing for the Totally Tasty Tom Turkey Hunt!!

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

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Beyond a Billion Downloads for YouVersion!!

For this Praise Thursday, we shared inspiring worship music, gave devotions, shared updates, and played a fun game of NTT! Check out our website wnzr.fm!

The goodness of God will always come for you. No matter what you’re doing in your life he will always come back for you. Even when you can’t feel him with you he is always here. Let him guide you!

Proverbs 19:8-13 (NIV)- It was a few Sundays later that I observed the same woman (who hadn’t returned my greeting) being helped by a friend who was showing her when to stand or sit—acting as her caregiver. My old church friend was apparently very sick and hadn’t recognized me. I’m glad I didn’t approach her or even get upset when she didn’t return my enthusiastic greeting. Proverbs offers a lot of advice for living wisely, and not being easily offended is one of its gems. In fact, it says “sensible people . . . earn respect by overlooking wrongs” (19:11). Choosing not to get offended and learning to “control [our] temper” (v. 11 nlt) can bring us honor. It may require patience and “wisdom” (v. 8), but the rewards also are well worth getting over ourselves and choosing to love others.

To read more click HERE!

The 25th Annual WNZR Totally Tasty Tom Turkey Hunt is back! Listen for Tom’s “Gobble” and be caller #5 to be REGISTERED to win a turkey thanks to Smithhisler Meats of Mount Vernon!

Don’t miss our Contest – The Afternoon Drive has Sing for Rend Collective! Each day THIS WEEK, you will have a chance to sing a Rend Collective song to win a pair of Deluxe Experience Tickets to The Rend Collective Folk! Fall Tour at MVNU on 11/14!  These Deluxe tickets are valued at $75 each! Congratulations to Justin of Mount Vernon for winning a pair of deluxe tickets to Rend Collective!!

Our Name That Tune was Jenn Johnson with Goodness of God! Congratulations to Chris of Gambier for guessing our artist and song title correctly and taking home a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

A historic event celebrating the Bible through worship and storytelling. YouVersion Bible app is celebrating their one billion app downloads with guest speakers and artists! Click HERE for more information. This November, ministries, businesses, Bible-based apps, churches, and people all over the world are rallying together to elevate the transformative, life-changing, and time-transcending power of God’s Word.

Tune in Tomorrow for the NZ Top 10 with Ethan!

Thanks so much for listening!!

– Ethan and Gabriella

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It Takes TWO!!

For this Praise Thursday, we shared inspiring worship music, gave devotions, shared updates, and played a fun game of NTT! Check out our website wnzr.fm!

James 4:8 (NIV): “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” It takes two people to have a relationship with God. You have to put in effort in that relationship to get an income. The best thing you can do is talk to God.

Psalm 46:10 (NIV): Be still, and know that I am God.” One of the most basic laws of physics tells us that “objects in motion tend to stay in motion.” So shifting from constant motion, activity, and obligation isn’t easy because it involves letting the momentum of our activity come to rest. Our activities and overall pace are like that “object in motion.” So give yourself plenty of space and grace as you sit before God and rest in Him. It may take some time for the waves of your spiritual “wake” to wash past you, to settle into being quiet before Him. Click HERE to read more!

Don’t miss our Contest – Ring for Rend Collective. Listen to The last chance to win this GIVEAWAY is TOMORROW!! Listen for the short clip of the song Hallelujah Anyway and be Caller #3. You can win a pair of General Admission Tickets to The Rend Collective Folk! Fall Tour at MVNU on 11/14!  Tickets are valued at $26 each! Congratulations to Arlesa of Mount Vernon for being caller #3!!

Our Name That Tune was For King & Country “Love Me Like I am”! Congratulations to Bob of Howard for guessing our Name That Tune correctly and taking home TWO $5 gift cards to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

Tune in tomorrow for the NZ top 10 with Joe!

Thanks so much for listening!

– Gabriella 🙂

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Live with Full Faith!?!

On this beautiful Praise Thursday, we shared inspiring worship music, gave devotions, shared updates, and played a fun game of NTT! Check out our website wnzr.fm!

It’s important for your relationship with Christ to understand yourself. You can’t have any type of long lasting relationship when you don’t put effort in to make it work. It’s important to know that go one can be Christ but we can do our best to be Christ-like. Some people may hold a Christ-like character than others, but that’s why we are Christians, to help and accept others as Christ did for us. Put your full faith in God in his ability to help.

You never know what someone is going through and even the little things matter. Complimenting someone on the sidewalk or in the hallways go a long way. Joel Smallbone, a member of For King & Country, gave a lady a bus ticket and he found out that she only had $30 to her name. Do what you can for people. We all are creations in Christ no matter our separate opinions we are not called to judge. We are called to serve.

This week’s 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 for the NZ top 10 with Ethan and Joe!

Thanks so much for listening!

– Ethan and Gabriella 🙂

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Truly Trust in God’s Path!!

On this beautiful Praise Thursday, we shared inspiring worship music, gave devotions, shared updates, and played a fun game of NTT! Check out our website wnzr.fm!

Many people have been in a difficult position. You can’t control what people say or do, but you can control how you react. As followers of Christ, it’s our duty to not fight fire with fire. Kindness triumphs when those who’ve received it from God share it generously with others as the Spirit helps them. 1 Peter 3:8-12 (NIV): “When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us.”

Most of us have heard “don’t bite the hand that feeds you,” the same is true in your relationship with God. God has a plan for us, but most of us try to go on our own path. God’s path’s are trustworthy, for He loves us and has our best interests at heart. Psalm 32:6-11 (NIV): “I will instruct… you in the way you should go… with my loving eye on you.”

To read more click HERE!

This month is a time to honor our local pastors and their commitment to families in our community. Tell us why you love your pastor. Go online to wnzr.fm and click on the “Clergy Appreciation Month” banner. Nominate your pastor at www.wnzr.fm TODAY!

This week’s Name That Tune was “The Love I Have For You” by Colton Dixon. Congratulations to Jennifer of Centerburg for taking home TWO $5 gift cards to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

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

Thanks so much for listening!

– Ethan and Gabriella 🙂

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Your Heart Belongs to God!!

On this beautiful Praise Thursday, we shared inspiring worship music, gave devotions, shared updates, and played a fun game of NTT! Check out our website wnzr.fm!

Gabriella’s devotion: A God-fearing woman is a good thing to be called especially by your children. On Rosie’s birthday her family wanted to go around and talk about the life she has lived. Her children said something that will never leave her soul. They called her “a God-fearing woman” and she felt a sense of accomplishment after. It should be everyone’s goal to be a God-fearing follower of Christ. Parents are a role model to their kids and it’s their responsibility to show them who God is. Proverbs 31:24-31 (NIV).

Ethan’s devotion: Tom was fighting a chronic illness and wanted to spend time with God, but he couldn’t find a way to position his body where it wasn’t painful for him. He fell to his knees in pain and that prayerful posture proved to lessen the agonizing ache. He felt comfort in the next mornings on his knees praying out to God. In painful and challenging times He helps us submit to His will and live out a prayer posture in our hearts, we can find comfort and peace in Him. 2 Chronicles 20:5-12 (NIV).

Read more about

This month is a time to honor our local pastors and their commitment to families in our community. Tell us why you love your pastor. Go online to wnzr.fm and click on the “Clergy Appreciation Month” banner. Nominate your pastor at www.wnzr.fm TODAY!

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

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

Thanks so much for listening!

– Ethan and Gabriella 🙂

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Just Pray!

On this beautiful Praise Thursday, we shared inspiring worship music, gave devotions, shared updates, and played a fun game of NTT! Check out our website wnzr.fm!

In the animated movie Toy Story, one character, a space ranger named Buzz Lightyear, shouts his signature catchphrase while flying about the bedroom: “To infinity and beyond! It’s a phrase that has confused many. Isn’t infinity as far as you can go? How can there be anything “beyond” infinity? Jesus seems to employ such exponential effort in the realm of forgiveness. When Peter asked Jesus about forgiving another person, “How many times must I forgive him . . . seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, you must forgive him more than seven times. You must forgive him even if he wrongs you seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:21-22 ncv). Jesus goes on to tell a parable comparing a merciful king and an unmerciful servant, making the point that when someone truly regrets their error, there is no limit to the number of times we’re to forgive. That’s why we constantly need to ask God for His help. Only in His strength can we do this. Forgiven people forgive people. To infinity and beyond!

If you want to read more click HERE!

I realized I neglected to ask god for help in this stressful time of working on a work project with an impossible deadline. So i prayed… and immediately felt better. nothing changed- the project was still challenging, but peace washed over me. Perhaps David felt the same way submitting his fears and worries to God. In Psalm 6, he starts off describing his anguish at being hounded by his enemies. He continued to turning to God for help, he felt reassured: “The Lord has heard my cry… the Lord accepts my prayer.” Prayer isn’t a feel-good technique, but it’s a direct connection with the all-seeing, all-powerful One who will help is in His time and way. Feeling discouraged or down? Just pray- God hears.

If you want to read more click HERE!

Congratulations to Dwight of Mount Vernon for guessing our Name That Tune correctly and taking home a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica. This week’s Name That Tune was Seph Schlueter’s Running Back To You. Come back next week to win a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

This month is a time to honor our local pastors and their commitment to families in our community. Tell us why you love your pastor. Go online to wnzr.fm and click on the “Clergy Appreciation Month” banner. Nominate your pastor at www.wnzr.fm TODAY!

Cast your predictions for the Dove Awards and get registered to win a special Dove Award Nominee Prize Package featuring special gifts from 2025 Dove Award nominees!! Tell us who you think will win “Song of the year” and “Artist of the year” at the 56th annual Dove Awards. Go online to www.wnzr.fm and click on the Dove Awards Prediction Prize Giveaway banner. Tonight at 11:59 is the deadline!!

Tune in tomorrow for The NZ Top 10!

– Ethan and Gabriella 🙂

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