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Artist News + Prizes 1/15/19

Artist News Day and Game Time Tuesday today –

Todd started us off with details of the New Release Today and Visible Music College’s 7th Annual We Love Awards, where you can vote on 23 different categories of Christian Music.

You can vote by clicking here

Then today’s Song Poetry featured these lyrics:

I’m coming back to the start
I got this freedom
In here we feel your heart
Your heartbeat for us

The answer? “God’s Great Dance Floor” by Chris Tomlin.  Congratulations to Travis of Mount Vernon, who wins the $5 certificate to Troyer’s of Apple Valley.

Today’s Winter Jam Artist Trivia – Rend Collective originally contained what additional word in their band name?

The answer? Experiment. Congratulations to Marissa of Fredericktown who wins the passes to Winter Jam 2019.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

 

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Believing what we say…Part 2

New Year’s resolutions… we talked about these last week…people making ‘changes’ for the new year.  But what does it really mean?  To RESOLVE to do something different in 2019.

Today we’re discussing some ideas for us to consider if we call ourselves Christians; people “of and for Christ.”  What are some things we could resolve to do differently in 2019 as believers?  Author and producer Phil Cooke offered some suggestions in an article this week where he challenged readers to do things that show we actually believe the Bible.  Last week we shared:

READ THE BIBLE
TAKE PRAYER SERIOUSLY
BE THE CHURCH INSTEAD OF JUST GOING TO CHURCH
BE MORE MINDFUL OF SOCIAL MEDIA

This week, here are four more:

SERVING OTHER PEOPLE: many people want to complain or gripe about how Christ is not “known” in the culture anymore.  Here’s a quote from Pastor John Piper, “Christ will be known in the culture when we begin treating people better than they deserve.” Knox County alone has so many great ways for you to get connected to serving others.  Your church probably does, too.  Think about practical ways to serve with nothing more than your hands and feet.

TAKING BOLD CHANCES: Phil Cooke shares that it’s rare that we hear of a standout leader in science, politics, business, or even entertainment who is a believer.  Maybe our influence is disappearing because we’re not raising up remarkable people in those fields.  What are we doing in the Christian community to find, mentor and raise up those types of leaders?

UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF LIVING A MORAL LIFE: Rather than criticizing immorality in the outside culture, we lead by starting on the inside, becoming examples ourselves of what a moral life could accomplish.  The fall of Christian leaders does damage to our witness.  Losing our moral authority diminishes our chance to influence others…and the culture at large.

INVESTING OUR LIVES IN JESUS: we talked about living a moral life earlier, but that starts with investing in Jesus first.  In other words, not being so concerned about our status, title or position, but being concerned about investing in Christ first, and then letting him take care of the rest.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

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Mystery Monday Jam!

Today we launched our Winter Jam 2019 pass giveaways…

Our artist trivia question was: The Newsboys won their first two Dove Awards in 1995.  The first was for Rock Album of the Year for “Going Public.”  The second was Rock Recorded Song of the Year for what song?

The answer? Shine.

We also played Mystery Monday trivia with this ‘Family Feud’-style question, asking you to come up two of the top five answers to this question: Name something you haven’ t done since high school gym class.

The top five answers? 1- Run a mile. 2- Dodgeball. 3- Push-ups. 4- Sit-ups or crunches.
5. Lift weights.

Congratulations to Ruth of Mount Vernon who guessed #1 and #3 and wins the $5 gift certificate to Troyer’s of Apple Valley.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

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NZ Top 10 Friday! 1/4/19

Good First Friday of 2019! This week’s countdown includes:

10. Zach Williams – SURVIVOR
9. Josh Baldwin – STAND IN YOUR LOVE
8. for King & Country – JOY
7. Sanctus Real – CONFIDENCE
6. TobyMac – EVERYTHING
5. Casting Crowns – ONLY JESUS
4. Micah Tyler – EVEN THEN
3. Hillsong Worship – WHO YOU SAY I AM
2. Tauren Wells – KNOWN
1. Lauren Daigle – YOU SAY

We also added three new songs this week – click the images for the videos!
Lauren Daigle – LOOK UP CHILD

daigle look up

I Am They – SCARS

iamtheyscars

Pat Barrett f/Cory Asbury – BUILD MY LIFE

patbarrettstory

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

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Doing what we say we believe

New Year’s resolutions… we hear about them all this week.  But what does it really mean?  To RESOLVE to do something different in 2019.

Today we’re discussing some ideas for us to consider if we call ourselves Christians; people “of and for Christ.”  What are some things we could resolve to do differently in 2019 as believers?  Author and producer Phil Cooke offered some suggestions in an article this week where he challenged readers to do things that show we actually believe the Bible.  Here are a few:

READ THE BIBLE: Research from the Center for Bible Engagement shows that engaging the Bible four or more times a week actually causes visible behavioral changes.  But it also showed that only about 19% of church-going Christians read the Word daily and 40% said they read the Bible, “once a month, rarely, or never.”

The survey is revealing, and you can find it here: https://backtothebible.org/research

TAKE PRAYER SERIOUSLY: The research shows that only 63% of Christians say that prayer is essential.  So think about what that means…more than a third of us think it’s not?  Even when we attend church?

1 John 5:14: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” 

God delights in answering prayers that align with his will. But how do we know what God’s will is? The most reliable way to know is by reading his Word. As we seek God through Bible reading and prayer, we get to know his heart and gain wisdom and spiritual insight. This gives us a greater understanding of how to pray according to his will, and a greater chance of having our prayers answered.

Why would we not do this?

The next one…

BE THE CHURCH INSTEAD OF JUST GOING TO CHURCH: this means we get connected to church not just for what we can get out of it, but for what we can give back to it.  Being a vital and supportive member of a local congregation.  This also offers chances for us to serve. Hebrews 10:25 reminds us to “not neglect our meeting together, but encourage one another.”

Here’s one you may not have thought of…

BE MORE MINDFUL OF SOCIAL MEDIA: what does this mean?  It means that we take it seriously.  How we consume it and how we contribute to it.  Don’t be the critical and judgmental one.  Sometimes we also pass on information without verifying its truth or authenticity.  Try not to undermine the work of the gospel with the way you are using your social networks.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

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The Reconciliation of Christmas

On this Christmas Eve, we finish our three-day study from Saddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren where he offers us three major purposes for Christmas. We discover those purposes in the announcement the angel made in Luke 2:10-14 at the birth of Jesus Christ.

The first purpose of Christmas is celebration: “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” (Thursday 12/20 show)

The second purpose of Christmas is salvation: “for unto you is born this day a savior who is Christ the Lord.” (Friday 12/21 show)

The third purpose of Christmas is found in Luke 2:14: “glory to God in the highest and on Earth, peace; goodwill toward men. So the third purpose of Christmas is reconciliation.

What is reconciliation?

Reconciliation is when a broken relationship is restored; reconciliation IS peace on Earth, goodwill toward men. As Pastor Warren shares, “there will never be peace in the world until there is peace in nations. There will never be peace in nations until there is peace in communities. There will never be peace in communities until there is peace in families. There will never be peace in families until there is peace in individuals. And there will never be peace in individuals until we invite the Prince of Peace to reign in our hearts.”

Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 reminds us of this fact: “for unto us a child is born, to us a son is given and he will be called Prince of Peace.”

There are three kinds of Peace – A peace with God is a spiritual peace; the peace of God is emotional peace; and peace with others is relational peace.

Peace with God: If you’re trying to live your life without God, then you’re at war with God…and you need a peace treaty! How do you make peace with God? Well, you don’t do it by promising to be good. You don’t do it by being perfect. You can’t. You don’t do it by never sinning. You will. You make peace, the Bible says, by faith, faith in God’s grace. Ephesians 2:8 says “for by Grace you have been saved through faith and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”

The Peace of God: it happens in your heart when you’ve made peace with God. You’ve got two choices in life. In every circumstance you can pray or panic. You can worship or worry.

Here’s a thought: if you (we) prayed as much as you (we) worried, you’d (we’d) have a whole lot less to worry about. Philippians 4: 6-7 says, “pray about everything…Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Finally, Peace with Others: a relational peace. 2nd Corinthians 5:18-20 says, “God reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation… and he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors.”

In other words, God has given us both a ministry and a message and it is reconciliation – helping people find peace with God and peace with each other.

In the beatitudes in Matthew 5:9, Jesus says “blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.” The greatest need in our nation and in our world is reconciliation. It’s the message of Christmas: peace on Earth, goodwill toward men.

Who do you need to rebuild a broken relationship with this Christmas? Who do you need to reconcile with? You need to let Jesus fill you with his love, so you can love other people the way he does. And then, you’ll have to let him fill you with his forgiveness. Until you feel truly forgiven, you don’t have the ability to forgive others.

Remember, Jesus came to erase the misconceptions about God – he was sent to show us what God is really like!  Christmas tells us that we matter to God.

We are thankful for you!  A blessed Christmas to you and your family.
– Joe and the Afternoon Drive team (Lilly, Hannah, Todd and Malisa)

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The salvation of Christmas!

We’ve been sharing this week from Pastor Rick Warren’s book and study, The Purpose of Christmas, which offers us three major purposes for Christmas:

  • A time for celebration
  • A time for salvation
  • A time for reconciliation

The second purpose of Christmas can be found in the very next statement the angel made in Luke 2:10-11.  Luke 2:10 reminds us to celebrate, but then…

11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!

The second purpose of Christmas is salvation.

Surveys confirm that around 90% of our society prays on a regular basis…so people recognize their need for someone greater than themselves and ultimately to save them from something they can’t solve on their own.

Salvation is usually three-dimensional. You are saved from something, you are saved for something, and you are saved by something.

Jesus came to save you FROM sin. Sin is an attitude; it is a pride problem.

Sin is saying, “ I want to be my own boss. I don’t need God.”

Romans 3:23 reminds us that everyone has sinned and fallen short of God’s glorious standard. The problem with sin is that it separates us from God. Isaiah 59:2 reminds us that our sins are the “roadblock” between us and our God; that’s why he doesn’t answer our prayers.

Jesus came to set you free from your sin. But there’s something else you need to be set free from. You need to be set free FROM yourself. Romans 7:24-25 says “I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me?” The answer, thank God is, that Jesus Christ can and does.

The answer to your problem is not in a place, a program or a pill. It’s not jumping into another relationship. The answer to your sin problem and to your dissatisfaction in life is Jesus Christ. You need a savior.

Jesus also came to save you FOR a purpose. 2 Timothy 1:9 reminds us that, “God saved us and called us to be his own people; not because of what we have done, but because of his own purpose and Grace.”

It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Ephesians 1 reminds us that long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up “he had his eye on us; had designs on us for glorious living…part of the overall purpose he is working out and everything and everyone” (Message version). God has a plan and a purpose for your life. He’s had it all along! As your creator, he knows what’s best for you.

Pastor Rick says we can live life at one of three levels: the survival level, the success level, or the significance level. Hopefully we know that we were made for significance. Significance comes from what? Knowing God, knowing his purpose for your life, and then doing it. You were made by God and for God and until you understand that, life is never going to make sense.

Finally, Jesus came to save you by his grace. What is Grace? Grace is when God gives you what you need and not what you deserve. One good acronym for Grace is God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.

Ephesians 2:8-9 remind us that by Grace we have been saved; through faith and not from ourselves…it is the gift of God, not by works so that no one can boast.”

The good news is this – Jesus Christ came to save you. He came to save you from your hurts, your habits and your hang-ups. He came to save you for his purpose and by his grace.

Congratulations to our Christmas Gift Exchange winners Tim from Gambier and Mary from Mt. Vernon!

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Lilly

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Praise Thursday – a time for Celebration!

This study today we’re sharing from Saddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren offers us three major purposes for Christmas:

  • A time for celebration
  • A time for salvation
  • A time for reconciliation

Today we’ll focus on Christmas being a time for CELEBRATION…

Remember that Christmas was God’s idea…he planned that it would happen, he planned when and where it would happen…and WHY it would happen.

We celebrate the message of good news.  The good tidings of great joy. What are they? There are three parts to it:

1 – The good news that God LOVES us

God is telling us through the arrival of Jesus that He loves us…and that His love is not based on what we do, but who he is.

Romans 8:38-39

38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 – The good news that God is WITH us

God isn’t absent or distant – he’s with us through the Holy Spirit.  We may not feel His presence, but He’s here whether we feel it or not.

Psalm 139: 7-10

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

Hebrews 13:5

5 Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,

“I will never fail you.
I will never abandon you.”[a]

God doesn’t like loneliness. You don’t have to face anything by yourself.  You can, but you don’t have to!  You don’t have to be anxious about tomorrow, because Christ’s presence gives us hope.

3 – The good news that God is FOR us

Guilt is what separates us from God.  But the Bible reminds us that God didn’t come to condemn the world, but to save it.

John 3:17

17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

Romans 8:31

If God is for us, who can be against us?

If we are followers of Christ, it is not our role to condemn the world either!  If we want to be more like Jesus, we’re here to point people to Him. Reach out a hand of compassion and show them who Jesus is.

He came to save us, not to scare us – that was how the angel greeted the shepherds.  There are 365 ‘fear not’s’ in the Bible – one for every day of the year.

Christmas is also a time for SALVATION and Christmas is a time for RECONCILIATION

Jesus came to erase the misconceptions about God – he was sent to show us what God is really like!  Christmas tells us that we matter to God.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Lilly

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Thanksgiving Who Knew!

Today we tag-teamed with The Morning Thing to offer some Thanksgiving Fun Facts!

Check the link here to get all the info…

Also remember to find us on Sunday at the annual Mount Vernon Christmas Parade and Walk – the details are at WNZR.FM! CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Have a great Thanksgiving and we’ll be back on Monday!

-Joe and Todd

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