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Praise Thursday

Praise God IN All Things and Trust Him

Daniel: Have you ever been through trials? Ever had a situation that caused you to struggle? Something small like a test at school stressing you out, or maybe it’s something future-shaping like a job or a diagnosis keeping you up at night, or maybe it’s just worrying about how you’ll make ends meet. I say to you, God has plans for you. Not just any plan, but a good plan.

Romans 8:28 – And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Philippians 4:6-7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 – In all things give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

That last verse especially, is important to me. Not all things are good, and it might not be something you want to praise him for, and that’s okay. See, it’s not FOR all things, or BECAUSE of all things; it’s IN all things. That is a key difference: we are to praise him and find a reason to praise him for all that he does during those trials. The test might be difficult, the money might be tight, or the diagnosis might be scary; you might not have the answer why, but you have a good God who has a plan for you. In all things give thanks; give thanks to the Creator of you, who hand-crafted you for eternity before you were ever thought of; give him the glory IN all that he does.

Gabby: College is a very stressful, confusing, hopeful, exciting time in your life. With the many different changes and emotions that you are going through, you need something to keep you grounded and at peace. Life’s hardships don’t just disappear after college. They will follow you through every part of your life. That is when you are supposed to turn to God’s Word. I have problems with that. Usually, I try to fix it myself especially when I think the problem can be solved with words. I’ve been told I’m intimidating which always follows me around during these confrontations. I look through the book of psalms that help my heart be a little lighter, but this verse is my favorite verse: Proverbs 3:5–6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” God will always be there for you, but you need to invite him in every aspect of your life.

This week’s Name That Tune was… Counting My Blessings by Seph Schlueter. Congratulations to Debbie of Centerburg for guessing correctly and taking home Two $5 gift cards to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

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

Thanks so much for listening!

– Daniel and Gabby

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Praise The One Who Has Hope

Daniel: I’ve been helping plan my wedding lately, and there’s something that I have to praise and think about lately. One of the biggest things you have to deal with when you’re getting married is the venue. Getting a location early is super important and opens up the door to plan everything else. There was a Church my fiancée was very interested in; it’s got a beautiful white interior, a gym we can use for the reception, the works. It’s exactly what she was looking for, but they needed someone from the reception party to be a member of the Church to get it. It was kinda a roadblock until we realized one of our invitees was a member of this Church and was going to be there for the wedding, and would count for us to use it.

Now, why am I telling you this? What’s the big deal? Well, it’s very similar to how it will be when we get to heaven. 

Matthew 25:34 – “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

John 15:15 – “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

Simply put, getting to heaven is a who-you-know issue. It’s not about knowing a bunch of people; you could know everyone on earth, and even be friends with all of them, but if you know just one person, the one person who will make himself known to you in every way he can, then you can get into his wedding. Isn’t that something special? You need only know and follow him.

Gabby: For many years, hope has been one of the most searched terms on the internet. Surprisingly, it surpasses searches for political crises and even making money online. People are seeking more profound meaning. Recent years haven’t fostered optimism; instead, they’ve felt like an ongoing, slow-motion crisis: Environmental fears, economic instability, and digital anxiety dominate our headlines and hearts. Yet, through all these struggles, millions type hope into their browsers, as if throwing a lifeline to something beyond the chaos.

Paul understood that God is the Someone beyond the chaos. When the apostle wrote of “the God of hope” (Romans 15:13), he wanted Roman believers in Jesus to understand that God was both the source and object of their hope. Paul reminds us that true hope isn’t merely wishful thinking or fleeting optimism; it’s anchored in God’s character and faithfulness. And He instills confidence in us through His promises. He’s also the one who provides “endurance and encouragement” (v. 5) through the power of His Holy Spirit. This hope endures despite circumstances, filling us with joy and peace as we recognize God has accepted us in Christ (v. 7).

If you’re searching for hope, direct your heart toward God. As you trust in His promises and embrace His faithfulness, you can have eternal hope found in Him alone.

This Devotion is by Our Daily Bread. You can find it HERE

This week’s Name That Tune 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 Joe!

Thanks so much for listening!

– Daniel and Gabby

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You’re Problems WILL Be Repurposed!!

On this week’s Praise Thursday, we gave inspiring devotions and worshiped through songs. Plus, we played Name That Tune in the second hour! Check on our website wnzr.fm and participate in the giveaways we have going on! Here’s what we talked about:

Daniel’s Devotion: To those who don’t know, I got engaged on Sunday. My girlfriend of a year and friend for far longer than a year decided that I was (pause for effect) “eh, good enough” to marry. We got to work the next day on preparing what we need to do and plan for. We started looking at churches, planning potential honeymoon locations, deciding what color theme we’ll use, and, importantly, deciding who we would invite. Right now, we have been putting nearly every friend we would want to come on the list and inviting every single family member we can think of, it’s been kind of a joyous thing to do.

Planning my wedding kinda got me thinking about something Jesus said in Matthew 22. Since the beginning of time, he’s been planning his own wedding. I’ll abridge it a bit, but Jesus has been planning the reunification of his kingdom; the wedding is for his Church and himself to be restored. As someone who’s planning one myself, I got to reconsider what that really means. Think about it, my closest friends and family, making it the perfect occasion, and how much excitement is going on around it. That’s what Jesus feels.

Modernly, it’s the happiest day of one’s life, and you are all invited to Jesus’ wedding. The king of the universe wants you- yes, you to come to the happiest moment of his life. Can you imagine that? Imagine how excited you might have been for your own wedding, or when you plan yours; it’s exciting, and Jesus thought of you when planning it. We don’t know when the wedding will be, but make sure your calendar is cleared for the wedding supper of the Lamb.

Gabriella’s Devotion: The devotional looks at Moses when God called him from the burning bush. Moses felt inadequate and didn’t think he had much to offer, asking what he had in his hand—a simple shepherd’s staff. When Moses threw the staff down on the ground in obedience, God turned it into a snake and back again, using it as a sign of His power. The writer notes that God often takes our ordinary skills, career changes, or past experiences and repurposes them in fresh ways for His kingdom. The piece draws a parallel to how large ships—such as the retired SS United States—have been intentionally sunk to serve as artificial reefs on the ocean floor, transforming something from one stage of use into a life-sustaining habitat for marine life. Similarly, God can repurpose our lives and resources no matter where we are in our journey. Check the full story on Our Daily Bread Ministries.

October is Clergy Appreciation Month. WNZR helps you honor your pastor! WNZR is celebrating Clergy Appreciation Month throughout October. This month is a time to honor our local pastors and their commitment to families in our community. Each Friday, 5 local pastors will be honored on The Morning Thing. Our morning show hosts will share their names and churches along with comments from their church family. Each pastor that is mentioned will receive TWO $25.00 gift certificates to local restaurants to enjoy a dinner out with family. Each pastor will ALSO receive a WNZR goodie bag! Tell us why you love your pastor. Fill out the form on wnzr.fm! Your Church should be within 25 miles of Mount Vernon.

WNZR’s Dove Awards Prediction Prize Giveaway !! Cast your predictions for the Dove Awards and get registered to win a special Dove Award Nominee Prize Package featuring special gifts from 2026 Dove Award nominees!! Tell us who you think will win “Song of the year” and “Artist of the year” at the 57th annual Dove Awards. Fill out the form on wnzr.fm. You’ll see the nominees and a place to click with your votes. A list of nominees for “Song of the year” and “Artist of the year” is available on the form. All correct predictions will be entered into the Dove Award Nominee Prize Package giveaway. Entries will only be accepted if both categories are correct. TONIGHT AT 11:59 IS THE DEADLINE!!!!

This week’s Name That Tune was… Father Let It Be by Sidewalk Prophets! Congratulations to Mason 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 Brock and Joe!

Thanks so much for listening!

– Gabriella and Daniel 🙂

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Celebrate 40 years of WNZR on Praise Thursday

Do you know what today is? It’s WNZR’s 40th anniversary! Today we shared some of the incredible things that have happened over these past 40 years, and we praise God for these 40 years of ministry.

With today being our 40th anniversary, I was thinking about the number 40. The number 40 is super crucial in the bible. It’s how long Jesus was in the wilderness; it was how long the rains came during Noah’s flood; it’s how long the Israelites wandered the wilderness before they entered the promised land. 

But what does the number 40 signify? What happened after each of these events? The number 40 signifies the start of something new, the fulfillment of God’s promises, and the tribulation before God brings something new into the world. 

40 years, 40 days, 40 minutes, even 40 seconds of devotion can allow God to do incredible things. Take the time to consider what God is doing in your life and how you can serve him; he might set you on a journey of devotion for the next 40 years.

Name That Tune!

This week’s Name That Tune winner was Bill from Centerburg, who won TWO $5 gift cards to Watts Restaurant in Utica for correctly guessing… Jeremy Camp – Again

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

Thanks so much for listening!

– Daniel and Joe

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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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Count it all Joy on Praise Thursday

Daniel: My church just started going through the book of James. If you’ve ever read James 1, you might know how difficult life can be at times. While that might not be the most enjoyable moment, James tells us to “consider it pure joy” when we face trials. 

Now, why is James telling us to do this? You might have heard it said that Jesus won’t give us any challenge too hard for us to take; that’s not entirely true. There will be times that you can’t handle, at least not alone. 

Say there’s a tough decision coming up, and you don’t know what to do; James gives us a simple answer: ask God for wisdom. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all.” – James 1:5

See, we are to count it all joy when we run into trouble because Jesus will help us every step of the way. We are to count it all joy because trials give us a chance to put faith in God. It’s an opportunity to put trust in Him and allow ourselves to take a backseat in life.

If you’re going through something, stop, right now. Pray for guidance, strength, help, a solution, anything; for God gives wisdom generously. Take a step back, hand over the wheel, and let Jesus take control. Count it all joy instead.

Gabriella: There’s always something to be grateful for even when you think there’s not. All things come to an end, and sometimes we forget that includes negative things happening around us. 

Think about it: The truth is that we’ve never been in control when it comes to life’s most crucial elements. The only thing that holds us up—and the thing we can be most grateful for—is the grace of God, our Father, and that won’t change. God is never out of His depth, and therefore, we’re safe when we’re in life’s “deep end” because we can trust that He will always carry us in His arms.

You have chances to win THIS WEEK!

Sonfest Trivia – THIS WEEK on The Morning Thing and The Afternoon Drive will have trivia about this year’s event and past Sonfests. If you are the first person to answer correctly, you win two tickets to Sonfest 2026!
Tune into The Morning Thing at 7:30am or The Afternoon Drive at 4:50pm. Congratulations, Amanda of Mount Vernon, for guessing our trivia correctly and taking home tickets for Sonfest!!

Name That Tune!

This week’s Name That Tune winner was Jan from Howard, who won TWO $5 gift cards to Watts Restaurant in Utica for correctly guessing… Brandon Lake and Nick Jonas – The Author!

Tune in Tomorrow for the NZ Top 10 with Joe and Brock

Thanks so much for listening!

– Daniel & Gabriella

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Kindness at The Fredericktown Tomato Show

Daniel: I want to say a huge shoutout to whoever did the closing shift at the shell gas station in town. See, I didn’t have enough gas to get home last night, and it was very late. I pull into the gas station just mere minutes before they normally close at 11. I start to fill the tank as I go inside the store to use the restroom. I get up to the door, as he is locking the door for the night, but he let me in anyway. After I get back to the car, put the pump away, and start to pull off as the lights turn off, the store is closed.

Sometimes it’s the smallest acts of kindness that make the biggest difference. That employee could have simply locked the door and headed home, but instead he showed grace when it was needed most. It reminds me of Galatians 6:10 (ESV): “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” We never know how much a simple act of kindness can mean to someone else.

The Bible also says in Hebrews 13:2 (ESV), “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” While this wasn’t a grand gesture, it was a reminder that God often uses ordinary people doing ordinary things to reflect His love and care. So here’s a thank you to that Shell employee, and a reminder to all of us: a little kindness can go a long way.

We had a stumper this week for Name That Tune. Join us next week to win TWO $5 GIFT CARDS to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Tune in Tomorrow for the NZ Top 10 with Joe and Brock

Thanks so much for listening!

– Daniel

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Fear The Lord and Praise Him for Wisdom

I want to praise God for just being back at school. I know some students might not be excited to be back at school, but I personally miss school. It’s an opportunity to grow both spiritually and mentally. See, there’s something important to remember: learning itself is a gift from God.

James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

Like in James, Solomon asked for wisdom when God visited him in a dream. God is generous when you desire to be wise; the key to learning wisdom is simple.

Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”

But what does that really mean exactly? Should we cower in fear whenever we think of him? No, absolutely not. Instead, fearing the lord is out of respect and love. See, fearing the Lord means that wisdom should start with a healthy fear of the Lord, a respect for his power, and remembering what he did for us.

So as we go into this next semester here at MVNU, remember throughout your studies, fear the lord, ask him for wisdom, and respect his power. 

“I killed people in the past,” Tanitan said, “but ever since I chose to believe in Jesus Christ, He will not allow me to commit such practices anymore.” Tanitan, a member of the Ilongot tribe from the Sierra Madre mountains in the Philippines, came from a culture of head-hunting—the practice of hunting humans and severing their heads. In comparing his life before he knew God to his life now, Tanitan said, “Before, I was afraid to die but not afraid to kill. Now, I am afraid to kill but not afraid to die.”

As I read Tanitan’s story in the book To the Headhunters of Sierra Madre by Florentino Santos, I thought of how his newfound fear of or reverence toward God developed his desire to obey Him. I remembered Moses’ words to the Israelites before they entered the land God promised them: “What does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 10:2). Reverence toward God was to be reflected in obedience to Him. God’s people were to “walk in obedience to Him, to love Him . . . and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees” (vv. 12-13).

As believers in Jesus, our deep respect for God’s holiness compels us to hate evil and do what pleases Him (Proverbs 8:13). Let’s ask Him to help us make reverence toward God a way of life.

Read more from Our Daily Bread by clicking HERE

This week’s Name That Tune winner was Kevin from Mount Vernon, who won TWO $5 gift cards to Watts Restaurant in Utica for correctly guessing… We Are Messengers – A Thousand Times

Tune in Tomorrow for the NZ Top 10 with Joe and Brock

Thanks so much for listening!

– 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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