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Praise Thursday

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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Jars of Clay for Jesus

Brock’s Devotional:

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.”

Tune in next week for your chance to win!

Thanks for listening to the Afternoon Drive!

-Brock

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Peace in the Process

Brock’s Devotional:

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!

Thanks for listening to the Afternoon Drive!

-Joe & Brock

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Praises for Partners!

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!

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

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The Leap of Faith & Filled with Love

Happy Praise Thursday!

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!

Thanks for listening to the Afternoon Drive!

-Daniel & Brock

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The Treasure of Freedom

Brock’s Devotional:

As we get closer to the Fourth of July, many of us are thinking about freedom, family gatherings, fireworks, and celebrating our nation. But I was reminded this week that one of the greatest freedoms we have as believers is the freedom to bring our hurts, burdens, and brokenness directly to God.

I was reading in my devotional recently, and it focused on Psalm 34:18, which says, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

I appreciate that this verse doesn’t pretend life is always easy. Heartbreak comes in many forms. Maybe it’s the loss of someone you love, a strained relationship, church hurt, disappointment, or a dream that didn’t turn out the way you hoped. A broken heart can feel overwhelming and incredibly difficult to carry on your own.

But the beautiful promise in this verse is that God doesn’t run from our pain. He draws near to it. When we’re hurting, He isn’t distant or uninterested. He’s present. He’s comforting. He’s walking with us through every difficult moment.

The enemy would love for us to believe that God has abandoned us in our suffering, but the truth is exactly the opposite. God is closest when we need Him most.

So as we celebrate Independence Day this week, I’m thankful not only for the freedoms we enjoy as Americans, but also for the freedom we have in Christ to come honestly before our Heavenly Father. No matter what burden you’re carrying today, God is near, and you’re never walking through it alone.

Joe shared this from Our Daily Bread:

Have you heard of Michael Sparks? He walked into a thrift store and bought a souvenir copy of the US Declaration of Independence for $2.48. Later, as he looked closely at his parchment copy, he felt there was something unusual about it. So, he had it assessed by experts, who told him it was one of the thirty-six remaining copies of two hundred commissioned by John Quincy Adams in 1820. Sparks then sold his rare copy of the Declaration for $477,650!

Michael acquired something for a small fee that became a huge treasure. Author Dave Branon says he loves sharing that story because it reminds us that there’s a treasure that’s infinitely better. A priceless, matchless, and eternal treasure that costs nothing and isn’t found in a thrift store.

Jesus purchased this gift by giving His life on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. This gift called salvation promises the treasure of an abundant “life . . . to the full” on earth (John 10:10) and an “eternal life . . . in [God’s] Son” with Jesus (1 John 5:11).

It’s amazing to find an earthly treasure at low cost, but that can’t compare with the eternal treasure Christ offers at no cost.

Congratulations to this week’s Name That Tune winner, Evelyn from Mount Vernon! She correctly guessed “Have Your Way” by Katy Nichole!

Thanks for listening to the Afternoon Drive!

-Joe & Brock

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God Sees You!

Brock’s Devotional:

I was reading my devotional this week, and it focused on Hebrews 6:10, which says, “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.”

If we’re honest, it can be frustrating when our hard work goes unnoticed or unappreciated. I know I’ve felt that way more times than I’d like to admit.

I work at a coffee shop, and I often find myself doing the cleaning tasks that nobody else wants to do. I wish I could say I always have a joyful attitude about it, but that isn’t always the case. Sometimes it feels like I’m doing extra work without anyone noticing or saying thank you.

It’s easy to become discouraged in moments like that. But this devotional reminded me of something important: God never overlooks our labor. Even when nobody else sees it, He does.

What may be hidden from others is fully visible to Him. I’m so thankful that we serve a God who notices both the big and small ways we serve Him and serve others. That truth encouraged me to keep giving my best, not for recognition from people, but because ultimately we’re working to honor the Lord.

So if you’ve been faithfully serving behind the scenes and wondering if anyone notices, I hope you’re encouraged because God sees you, and He will not forget your work, and that’s what I’m praising Him for today!

Joe’s Devotional:

“We wave until they’re out of sight. It’s a way of showing that we love them.” Those words from my mother when I was a boy explained a habit she and my father had when a family member left our home after a visit. Mom and Dad stood outside and waved to the ones leaving until they disappeared in the distance. Sometimes they stood there for a long time, but that didn’t matter. When I left home myself, I understood why.

Seeing them waving in the rearview mirror touched my heart, and I felt loved and cared for. I still say goodbye to our family visitors that way to show love for them. It’s a habit I hope my children will continue.

Another way we can express love for our families is to communicate God’s love shared in Scripture. As the Israelites prepared to cross the Jordan into the promised land, God taught them with these instructions for life: “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds. . . . Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (Deuteronomy 11:18-19).

These are words that would one day find fulfillment in the perfect love of Jesus, who promised, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). As we share His truth and kindness, we can trust that His love is able to overcome every distance.

Read more at: https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/love-that-goes-the-distance?ts=1777766400000

Congratulations to Jill from Apple Valley for correctly guessing this week’s Name That Tune! It was “The Author” by Brandon Lake and Nick Jonas!

Thanks for listening to the Afternoon Drive!

-Brock & Joe

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When Your Soul is Thirsty and Your Heart is Heavy

Brock’s Praise Thursday Devotionals:

#1

We all know what it feels like to be physically thirsty, but Jesus is talking about something even deeper—a spiritual thirst. God created us with a desire to be satisfied, loved, and fulfilled. The challenge is that we often look for those things in places that can never truly provide them.

John 7:37-38 tells us, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

I know I’m guilty of putting other things ahead of Jesus at times, thinking they’ll bring the satisfaction or fulfillment I’m looking for. But eventually, those things always fall short.

What encourages me about this passage is that Jesus knows our tendency to do that. He continually invites us back to Him, reminding us that He alone can satisfy the deepest needs of our hearts. Where other things fail, He remains faithful, ready to fill us with His living water.

So today, I’m praising Jesus because He lovingly redirects my heart and reminds me that true satisfaction is found in Him alone.

#2

Another bit of encouragement that has really spoken to my heart recently comes from 1 Peter 5:7, it says, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

If I can be honest with you for a moment, anxiety is something I struggle with. Between college, work, relationships, life decisions, and wondering about the future, it can be easy to carry around a lot of stress and worry. My tendency is to keep those things bottled up and try to handle them on my own, but that usually just leaves me feeling overwhelmed.

What stood out to me in this verse was the word cast. It means to throw something forcefully in a specific direction. Think about that for a second—God isn’t asking us to gently hand over our worries. He’s inviting us to throw them onto Him.

There’s something freeing about remembering that some burdens were never meant for us to carry. God cares deeply about every fear, every stress, and every uncertainty we face. And because He cares for us, we can trust Him with those things.

So today, whatever is weighing on your heart, I want to encourage you to cast it in the direction of the One who loves you most. It’s a reminder I need every day, and maybe it’s one your heart needed today too.

Congratulations to Michelle from Mount Vernon for correcting guessing this week’s Name That Tune! It was “GOODBYE YESTERDAY” by ELEVATION RHYTHM! Tune in next week for your chance to win!

Thanks for listening to the Afternoon Drive!

-Brock Hankins

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