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Praise Thursday

Praise Thursday – God with Us!

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!

So what is the purpose of “God with us?” What does “with him” mean? Pastor Keller writes that the purpose of the incarnation is that we would have relationship with him. In Jesus, the unapproachable God of the Old Testament becomes a human being who can be known and loved. Through faith, we can know this love.

This is a complete shift from the Old Testament. Think about this: anytime anyone drew near to God in the Old Testament, it was terrifying! God appears to Abraham as a smoking furnace; to Israel as a pillar of fire; to Job, as a hurricane or tornado. When Moses asks to see the face of God in Exodus 33, he was told what?  That it would kill him…that he could only get close to God’s back.  When Moses came down off the mountain in Exodus 34, his face was SO BRIGHT with radiance that the people could not look at him!

So Pastor Keller asks this: can you imagine if Moses were alive today and heard the message of Christmas? What would he say?  How would he react? What if Moses heard John 1:14 “the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us – we have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son?”

Keller thinks Moses would say, “Do you know what this means? This is the very thing I was denied! Through Jesus, you can meet God. You can know him personally and without terror.  Do you realize what’s going on? Where’s your joy?  Where’s your amazement? This should be the driving force of your life!”

And why did God show up this time in the form of a baby instead of fire? Because this time He has come not to bring judgment but to bear it; to take away the barrier between humanity and God. Jesus is God with us!

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

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Praise Thursday: Matthew 1 – The Genealogy of Jesus

The New Testament begins in Matthew 1 with what’s called ” the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah.” Have you ever wondered why?

Matthew’s gospel doesn’t begin with the Nativity itself… The star, the shepherds in the manger. Instead, It begins with a long list of ancestry. And let’s be honest – how many times have we skipped through this?

In his book, Hidden Christmas, Pastor Timothy Keller gives us perspective on why Matthew started the story of Jesus this way. He reminds us that Christmas is not just about a birth, it is about a coming.

The birth of the Son of God into the world is a gospel, a good news, an announcements that says, you don’t have to save yourself – God has come to save you. Of course, Christmas is just the beginning of the story of how God came to save us. Jesus will have to go to the Cross. But you begin with Christ by reading this report about what has happened in history. Matthew tells here that this story is no fairy tale – Jesus is real!

Matthew doesn’t start his book with “Once Upon a Time.” That is the way fairy tales or legendary fantasy stories begin. Matthew is grounding who Jesus Christ is and what he does in history with the genealogy. Keller reminds us in Matthew 1, we learn that Jesus is not a metaphor – he is real. This all happened!

In this genealogy at the beginning of the New Testament, what else is Matthew saying? Pastor Keller writes that the list of Jesus’ genealogy is also a type of resume. In those times, your family, pedigree, and clan made up your resume. Therefore, this list is really saying, “This is who Jesus is.”

Matthew’s genealogy is shockingly different from the other ones of his time. First, there are five women in the list. Three of them. Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth are Gentiles. The Jews would have considered them unclean. In fact, Tamar was a prostitute. He also refers to “Uriah’s wife,”  who you may know as Bathsheba. These names recall some of the most difficult stories is in the Old Testament. Yet, they are in Jesus’s genealogy. Why?

But wait, in verse 6 we have the name King David. So, we might think “now there is somebody we want in out genealogy!” David, after all, was the boy who killed Goliath, favored by Saul, anointed as king, and the man who conquers Jerusalem.  David also was a flawed man, who arranged the killing of his friend Uriah and whose son Solomon was the result of an affair with Bathsheba. Yet out of that deeply flawed man, the Messiah came.  These people are all acknowledged in Matthew 1 as the ancestors of Jesus.

 So what does that mean? Tim Keller asks us to think about it this way :

 It means that people who are excluded by culture, society and even by the laws God can be brought into Jesus’s family. If you repent and believe in him, the grace of Jesus covers your sin and unites you with him.

Moreover, with King David, it means even the powerful and great are still in need of the grace of Christ. It is not what you have done; it is what Christ has done for you!

God is not ashamed of us. We are all in his family.

Copy of Mystery Monday xmas

Congratulations to Becky from Fredericktown who won the Jordan Feliz “The River” CD and Amy from Mount Vernon who won a Rend Collective CD called “Good News”. If you want to know more about the WNZR Christmas Gift Exchange click HERE.

The Food For the Hungry broadcast is this Saturday!  If you want to find out more information or get involved click HERE! 

Thanks for checking out the blog!

-Hannah and Todd

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Praise Thursday – It’s time to talk about Christmas!

Our new Devotional series:

Hidden Christmas By Timothy Keller

A LIGHT HAS DAWNED

Isaiah 9:2, 5-7:

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

Verses 5-7: “Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.  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.  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.”

#1

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!

#2

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

So how can this divine light “dawn” upon us? Verses 6 and 7 answers with what Timothy Keller calls a stunning directness.

The light has come “for unto us a child is born.” This child is the “wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

If we embrace this, we understand the significance of its meaning – the creator of the universe is “born to us!” Jesus is fully God and fully human. There’s nothing like this claim in any of the other major religions of the world.

Think about this: it’s almost too limiting to say that we celebrate this at Christmas…yes, we do celebrate, but don’t we also have moments at Christmas where we stare dumbstruck and lose ourselves a bit in wonder, love, and praise?

The implication of God being born into our world, of choosing to become one of us, is overwhelming! Jesus is the divine light of the world, because he brings a new life to replace our spiritual deadness, shows us the truth to heal our spiritual blindness…and is the beautiful light that can help break our addictions to anything from money to power.

Keller writes, “the promises of Christmas cannot be discerned until you first admit that you can’t save yourself or even know yourself without the light of his unmerited grace in your life – it’s a foundational truth!”

We gave away two tickets to the MVNU performance of G. F. Handel’s Messiah on December 8th! Congrats to our friend from Mount Vernon who was caller number three and won those tickets! Click HERE to find out more about MVNUs performance of G. F. Handel’s Messiah.

Thanks for listening to The Afternoon Drive!

-Hannah and Todd

 

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A father’s prize and words of encouragement

Hugs and words of encouragement are building blocks for the family. 

Proverbs 16 23-24 – “The heart of the wise teaches his mouth and adds learning to his lips. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.”

Hugs and words of encouragement are the building blocks your children need. Their self-image and confidence is dependent on how you interact with them. Make it a habit to hug them often and acknowledge whatever they achieve in school, sports, or the Arts. Your presence and open display affection to your children will help them develop the sense of security they need. Proverbs 23:22 asks your children to ” listen to your father who begot you.” Tender, loving words will open the ears of your children, and they eagerly look to You for wisdom and direction

A father’s prize is reflected in his children. 

1 Corinthians 9:24 – “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.”

God has given you a great prize in your children. How you nurture and influence them will shape the man or woman they become. Scripture encourages you to run the race of fatherhood in such a way that you not only received the price of salvation for yourself but that your children do, as well. Proverbs 13:22 says, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.” When your children receive the gift of Salvation and experienced a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you have been given the Greatest Prize a father could receive – to watch your children walk in the Lord. Let your own walk of Faith clearly reflect the love of God for all your children to see

 

Did you hear Tom Turkey run through our station? Well, both Linda from Utica and Beth from Mount Vernon did and were caller number 5! They were registered to win in The Totally Tasty Tom Turkey Hunt! If you want to know more about this click HERE! 

Our trivia question today was: Approximately, how many children are adopted each year in the United States? 

Answer: 120,000 children!

Congrats to Marian from Danville who got our trivia question and won that $5 gift card to Troyer’s of Apple Valley!

Thanks for checking out our blog!

-Hannah

Praise Thursday: Strive for excellence in serving God’s purpose & What to do when you don’t know what to do.

Today Joe and I had the chance to not only share some incredible devotionals we also had a chance to talk to Todd who is on his way, along with 6 of our students and Marcy, to CMB University! We would deeply appreciate prayers for safe travels and a good time for those students and for those of us who are holding down the fort!

Strive for excellence in serving God’s purpose

2 Chronicles 31: 21 – “ In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.” 

Excellence in our spiritual lives begins with a true devotion to God. That changes you from the inside out. When the heart changes and pleasing God becomes a priority, your behavior will also change. And despite what the world tells you, obedience to the Lord brings more pleasure than sin does. When you seek the Lord with all of your heart you will find him, and the natural result is joyful and earnest obedience to his will. That obedience will bring you God’s blessing and the peace that passes all understanding.

 

What to do when you don’t know what to do

Micah 6:8 – ” He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” 

Run to the word when you don’t know what to do. Seek his direction for anything and everything. As Christians, we are called to be different from the world in the way we live and the way we do business. There should be a clear difference in the way we raise our kids. our marriages should testify to the love of Christ and those outside the church should be powerfully attracted to the unity and love they see in you and your family. As a Believer, we have the responsibility to live in a way that others see Christ in us. As the body of Christ, we are his hands and feet, we are his Masterpiece. We also may be the only Jesus some people will ever know.

Thanks for checking out our blog!

-Hannah and Joe

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Cultivating Character over Charisma and Choosing Words Carefully  

Here are today’s devotionals:

Cultivating Character over Charisma 

1 Peter 3:3-4 (NIV)

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornments, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.  Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”

What would happen in your spiritual life if you spent as much time on your soul as you do grooming, exercising, or however else you maintain yourself? Let us be clear, those things are important, to an extent, but they will fade with time. Your spirit, however, will live forever. Your character is a road map to where you have been and where you are going. Let it point you to the throne of God for it will also serve as a guide to those who follow you.

Choose Carefully the Words you Speak 

Proverbs 18:21  (NIV)

“The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Have you ever considered how your words affect those who follow you? Your words have the power to destroy their confidence or build them up to be stronger than they are. Those whom you lead look to you for guidance, Love, and emotional support to cope with living in today’s world. Choose your words carefully. The impression you make will greatly impact your followers. People need to know they are loved by some here on earth as well as their heavenly father. Give the gift of encouragement every day.

Click HERE for a list of 100 verses about the power of words.

Do you want some Texas Road House for dinner tomorrow? Maybe you want to play some carnival games and have a chance to win some door prizes and have a chance to give to a great cause??? Well, then Flannel Fest is the event you want to be at tomorrow evening! If you want more information or want to register, click HERE. 

Thanks for checking out the blog!

-Hannah and Todd

 

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Praise Thursday: You are not the Lone Ranger and Let go of the past and live for today  

You are not the Lone Ranger  

Proverbs 22:17-19 –  Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise;   apply your heart to what I teach,  for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the Lord,   I teach you today, even you. In this way, you may know the truth and take an accurate report to those who sent you.

As leaders, sometimes it is so hard to accept that we don’t know everything, and the world does not rest solely on our shoulders. God openly invites us to listen to His word and open our hearts to His knowledge. It’s been a recurring theme in this devotional that God stands ready to give you counsel. Proverbs 4:10-13 says, “Hear, my son, and receive my sayings. And the years of your life will be many. I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you down the right paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble. Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life,” We all need the Lord, no one can do it alone.

Let go of the past and live for today 

Isaiah 43:18-19 – “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Bad memories belong in your garbage can. You can’t change them and stewing on them will only keep you stuck up in the past. God invites you to live for today and for every day in your future. When you have  Jesus in your heart, He promises “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2nd Corinthians 5:17). God does not care about what happened in the past. He also doesn’t really care about any material thing you can offer him. He wants your heart and he wants it gladdened and full of his love and mercy. Don’t weigh your heart down with trivial shame of the past.

Do you want to let your pastor know that you appreciate him or her? Click HERE to nominate your pastor for Clergy Appreciation Month!

 

Toby Mac’s oldest son, Truett, passed away on Wednesday morning. He was 21 years old. A rep issued a statement saying that the cause of death has not yet been determined and said that Toby canceled his concerts in Canada and is traveling back to be with his family. The rep also asked that everyone be respectful of their privacy and allow them to grieve. We will share more information as it becomes available. Please keep Toby Mac and his family in your prayers.

Thanks for checking out the blog!

-Hannah and Todd

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The Great Physician and Patience and Wisdom go Hand and Hand.

The Great Physician and You

Matthew 21:21-22 – Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Someone once said that if you fight all your battles on your knees you will win every time. Draw near to God, and you will find healing for your spirit and body. Listen, meditate and wait upon His direction and guidance. God wants the best for you, and the best is walking with him in all circumstances, trusting him in every situation and relationship. This allows your faith to grow and helps you become the person God wants you to be.

James 4: 7-8 says. “Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you.” He wants you to make the first step, the great physician is waiting for you with open arms. Run to him with everything you need for today.

 

Patience and Wisdom go Hand and Hand

Proverbs 16:32 – “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.”

Our actions and words determine who we are to the people in our lives. Proverbs 3:13-14 says: “Happy is the man who finds wisdom and who gains understanding. For the proceeds are better than pure gold.” There is great benefit for learning to be wise and patient with those who God has placed under your care. Those you lead need your wisdom, and they also need to experience your patient love whenever they fall on hard times. That is a leader’s main function, the bread, and the butter of their job – To guide or Lead others in an uplifting way.

 

Do you want to let your pastor know that you appreciate him or her? Click HERE to nominate your pastor for Clergy Appreciation Month!

Wants some CDs from TobyMac, Crowder, Hillsong United and more? Click HERE to cast your guess as to who is going to win the 50th Dove Awards!

Thank you for checking out our blog!
-Hannah and Todd
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Praise Thursday: A leaders prayer changes everything & The God connection for leaders

A leader’s prayer changes everything

James 5:16 (NIV) –  “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

It’s often been said that prayer is like the breath of life, you can’t exist spiritually without it. It also offers a potent connection with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. God has designed this world in such a way that many of our needs are met only through interdependence on fellow believers and our singular dependence on God. When a leader earnestly comes to God in prayer for wisdom and direction, he will be blessed and God will be glorified.

The God connection for leaders

John 15:7-8 (NIV) –  “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

The only way you can play a significant role in the kingdom of God is if you allow Him to live through you, or abide in you. It clearly says in John 15:5 that without Him you can do nothing, with him you can do anything. You can live out a godly life as an example to those you lead. You can also lead those around you how to love the Lord and each other. Jesus calls you to produce much fruit. To do that, you need only pray often and be in the word.

 

If you would like to take a guess at who is going to win the Dove Awards and maybe win in the process? Click HERE for more information!

Do you love your pastor – Then you should nominate them for Clergy Appreciation Month!  Each Friday, 5 local pastors will be honored on The Morning Thing (at approximately 7:30 am). Our morning show hosts will share their names and churches along with comments from their church family. Click HERE to nominate your pastor!

Thanks for checking out the blog!

– Hannah and Todd

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