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!
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!
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
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
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.
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
I was reading my devotional yesterday, and I came across a reminder that I really needed this week. It centered around 2 Corinthians 4:7, which says, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”
That verse is such a powerful reminder that God doesn’t need us to be perfect, impressive, or have everything together before He can use us.
This summer, I took it upon myself to work three jobs, and, honestly, it hasn’t been easy. I’ve never been busier, more exhausted, or felt more overwhelmed. There have been plenty of days when I felt like I was drowning, just trying to keep up with all my calendars, schedules, responsibilities, and everything else going on.
But this verse reminded me of something important: God doesn’t require us to be enough.
He is enough.
He has more than enough strength, grace, wisdom, and love to pour into us each day. Our job isn’t to have everything figured out. It’s simply to remain open to Him and allow His power to work through us.
And I’m going to get a little metaphorical here…
We aren’t perfect trophies that God puts on display. We’re jars of clay. We’re ordinary, imperfect vessels carrying something extraordinary: His light, His love, and the message of the Gospel.
And sometimes, I think the cracks in our lives are exactly where His light can shine through.
I have days when I need to remind myself that my imperfections don’t disqualify me from being used by God. In fact, God can use the very things I struggle with to help someone else feel understood, encouraged, and a little less alone as they navigate their own brokenness.
So wherever you find yourself today, I hope you remember this: you don’t have to be enough on your own. God is enough.
Be willing to be the vessel. Let Him work through your imperfections, your weaknesses, and even the parts of your life that you wish were different.
And let His power shine through you.
Congratulations to Sandy from Mount Vernon for correctly guessing this week’s Name That Tune! It was CAIN with “Yes He Can.”
Oftentimes, I feel like my mind is anything but steadfast. It’s so easy for me to get distracted, overwhelmed, and then discouraged when I forget things or feel like I’m being pulled in a dozen different directions.
But this week, I was reminded of Isaiah 26:3–4, which says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD Himself, is the Rock eternal.”
That verse was exactly what I needed to hear. So often, when I’m feeling anxious or scattered, it’s because my focus has shifted away from the One who offers true peace. Instead of trusting God, I’m trusting my own ability to keep everything together—and that’s a burden I was never meant to carry.
Maybe you’ve experienced that too. Maybe you’ve been so focused on all the little things piling up that you’ve lost sight of just how big God is. Or maybe your attention has been fixed on something that’s stealing your peace—a conversation that didn’t go well, a mistake you can’t stop replaying, worries about your appearance, or the uncertainty of what’s ahead.
The truth is, we can’t eliminate the chaos of life. There will always be distractions, disappointments, and unexpected challenges. But we can choose where we fix our eyes.
Today, I’m praising God because His peace isn’t based on perfect circumstances—it’s rooted in His unchanging character. He is steadfast even when we aren’t. He is trustworthy even when life feels uncertain. And when we keep our eyes on Him, He promises a peace that the chaos around us can never take away.
Joe’s Devotional:
Have you ever started something and quit halfway through? Most of us have.
But God doesn’t operate that way. Philippians 1:6 tells us He finishes what He begins. That means your story isn’t over. Your growth isn’t done. Your failures aren’t final.
Even when you feel stuck or stagnant, God is still at work behind the scenes. He hasn’t given up on you…He’s still writing something beautiful.
Congrats to Becky from St. Louisville for correctly guessing “Perfectly” by Micah Tyler as this week’s Name That Tune!
This morning I was listening to Ethan and Olivia talk about the Knox County Fair and thinking about this…
How incredible is it that we have amazing partners that come alongside us to help give you a chance to win concert tickets and prizes! Examples?? – the 18+ grill packages for the Knox County Fair – teen and kids prizes – For King and Country tickets for the Ohio State Fair – general admission passes for the Ohio State Fair – our gift cards to Southside Diner, Watts Restaurant and North Main Cafe
If you are a WNZR prize partner and underwriting sponsor, THANK YOU.
If you are a WNZR Lifeline partner, THANK YOU.
We are blessed to have you beside us as we bring music and inspiration to the airwaves and online each day! You lift US up!
Bonnie from Mount Vernon guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica!
Daniel: My Praise for today is more about my brother. See, he went to NYC, aka Nazarene Youth Conference, and according to him, it was a good time. See, going to NYC is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity because it only happens once every four years; it’s an event exclusively for teenagers, and if you don’t recall, you’re only in your teen years for so long. He was very, very nervous; he’d never been away from home without someone else in my family being with him; plus, he’d never flown before. He ended up going, and it seems as though he’s grown closer to friends and, more importantly, grown closer to God by taking this leap of faith.
It reminds me of Matthew 14:28-33, when Peter steps out of the boat. Peter saw Jesus, and in faith, he stepped out into the waves and took the leap of faith for Jesus. He calls us to take the leap of faith every day. Each step we take is a leap of faith, but he might be calling us further into the waves; he might be calling us beyond the sea or calling us to do something we’ve thought impossible. Of course, our God is a God of the impossible made possible; remember that and give him his due praise.
Brock: I was reading in my devotional this week; it focused on Ephesians 3:17-19. Here Paul prays that we would be rooted and established in love, and that we would understand just how wide and long and high and deep the love of Christ is, so that we may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. I don’t know about you, but that’s what I want for my life to be filled with the fullness of God’s love.
The truth is, it’s easy to believe we have to earn God’s love or somehow prove we’re worthy of it. When we live with that mindset, though, we begin looking to the world to give us the value and identity we’re longing for. But the world can never truly satisfy us. It promises fulfillment, yet often leaves us emptier than before. God’s love is different. His love isn’t something we earn. It’s something we receive. And when we truly grasp how deep his love is for us, we stop chasing validation from the world because our hearts are already full. I love the picture Paul paints here. When we’re filled with God’s love, we don’t have to walk into the world looking for something to fill us up. Instead, we can walk into the world with something to give away the hope, grace, and love of Jesus.
So today, my praise is that God’s love isn’t based on my performance. It’s based on his character. And I’m so thankful that his love is wide enough to reach us, deep enough to forgive us, and constant enough to fill us completely. My prayer for you today is the same prayer Paul prayed centuries ago, that you would know just how much Christ loves you, and that you would be filled to the measure with all the fullness of our God.
Congratulations to this week’s Name That Tune winner, Larry from Bellville! He correctly guessed “Speak Life” by TobyMac!
