The January 2001 Newsletter

SHARATHON - March 12, 13, and 14

PLEASE PRAY for these important days. March 12 will be a Day of Prayer and Praise!

If you have a testimony about how WCIF has helped you - consider sharing it - it might encourage others.

How to Make Christmas Last All Year Long
Woodrow Kroll

Some people never outgrow their childish love for Christmas. Not that there's anything wrong with how children anticipate this holiday. I fondly recall the Christmases my family celebrated when our children were young. They would slip out of bed - sometimes before dawn - and tiptoe downstairs to see the tree and the presents and the stockings. Only one thing could diminish their joy on Christmas morn: when all the presents were opened, and Christmas was "over".

Sadly, some adults also view Christmas this way. When December 25 is over, so is the joy of the day. But Christmas can last all year long. Strip away all the holiday traditions and we are left with the real source of joy - the birth of Jesus Christ, God's love-gift to mankind. 

In reading the Christmas story this year, I made note of five ways to keep the spirit of Christmas fresh in my mind and heart throughout the year. Each is found in Luke 2.

Keep the joy in your soul

When the angel announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, he said, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people" (Luke 2:10, NKJV). That joy came because of the angelic announcement that God had provided a Savior. It's not the announcement of a birth that brings joy, but the birth itself. Happiness may come momentarily because of the Christmas presents we receive; but joy, lasting joy, comes only from receiving God's Christmas present to us - His Son, Jesus Christ. 

Keep the praise on your lips

When the angel of the Lord announced the birth of the long- awaited Messiah, "suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God" (v.13). These angels had nothing better that they could do than to praise God. Neither do we. After the shepherds had seen the baby Jesus, they returned to their flocks, glorifying and praising God (v. 20). No doubt their praise lasted for days or months - maybe even all year.

Keep the glory in your life

The Advent of Christ gave those simple shepherds a glimpse of God's glory. "And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid" (v. 9). The glory spoken of here is the Shekinah glory of God. So how are we to keep God's glory shining on our lives if we haven't seen it? Remember His promise: "The Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly" (Ps:84:11). God has promised us grace and glory if we live righteously. Just learn from God's Word what He delights in, and then do it.

Keep the story on your tongue

If you saw the angel and heard him announce the birth of the Savior, if you experienced the Shekinah glory shining down on you, could you keep quiet about it? The shepherds couldn't. This kind of news bubbles over. Of course, if we focus on the shopping, the presents, the tree and the other material trappings of Christmas, it would be easy to be quiet about the real story of Christmas. But if the story is important to us, if we've been changed by it, we should love to tell it.

Keep the Savior in your heart 

The essence of the angelic announcement was, "There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (v.11). There are two proper responses to this glorious news. You can tell the story to others; that's what the shepherds did. Or you can ponder the events of Christmas in your heart; that's what Mary did. We should do both.

As you prepare this year for family get-togethers and church celebrations, don't lose sight of why Christmas is so special. The joy of Christmas comes not from a day but from a Person - Jesus Christ. And knowing Him is a year-round, even life-long love affair.

Woodrow Kroll is heard on Back to the Bible each weekday at 8:00 p.m. on WCIF. How to Make Christmas Last All Year copyright Back to the Bible, 1994. Reprinted by permission.

Back to Top of Newsletter

Looking Ahead

KEY LIFE (weekdays 6:15 am) Steve Brown
January 1 - 11 - Old Testament Survey: Joshua
January 15 - 25 - Old Testament Survey: Judges
January 29 - 31 - Old Testament Survey
Questions and Answers every Friday

INSIGHT FOR LIVING (weekdays 8:30 am, 7:30 pm) Chuck Swindoll
Series: The Masters Plan For The Church
January 1,2 - Unfailing Qualities of Christlike Living
January 3,4 - The Church That Really Lives 
January 5 - 9 - The All Important Role of Servanthood
January 10 - 12 - Staying Focused on Christ
Series: Best Of 2000
January 15 - 18 - You And Your Daughter 
January 19 - 23 A Plea For Morality
January 24 - 26 - The Magnificent Chesed of God
January 29, 30 - The Significance of Songs
January 31 - A Song of Single-mindedness 
 

FOCUS ON THE FAMILY
(weekdays 1:30 & 9:00pm)
Dr. James Dobson
January 4 & 5 - A Positive Look at Life, Luci Swindoll speaks about savoring life.
January 8 - 10 - Living With the Strong Willed Child, encouragement and help in dealing with the strong willed child
January 11 & 12 -Keeping Romance in Your Marriage, Well known motivational speaker Zig Ziglar.
January 15 & 16 - Parenting Basics: The First Years, A panel discusses the joys, trials and issues of raising a newborn.
January 17 - Single Fathering, Panel of Dads talk about daily life.
January 18 & 19 - Single or Single Again: Now What? Author and speaker Lois Rabey 
discusses challenges of single life.
January 22 & 23 - Making Friends With the Disabled - Joni Eareckson Tada talks about her ministry to the disabled. 
January 24 & 25 - Examining the Values of Human Life, Dr. Bernard Nathanson who was an abortion doctor talks about his perspective on pro-life.
January 26 - Abortion: The Aftermath, dealing with pain after an abortion.
January 29 - My House Shall Be A House of Prayer, Jim Cymbala explains why Jesus was passionate about prayer.
January 30 & 31 - Faith Must Be Tough, Dr. Dobson reminds us faith must be tough in spite of problems.

Grace To You
(weekdays 10:30 am)
Dr. John MacArthur
Series: An Uncompromising Life, January 2 - 18
Series : The Fulfilled Family, January 22 - 31

Back To The Bible
(weekdays 8:00pm)
Dr. Woodrow Kroll
Series: Getting to Know God, January 8 - 12
Series: Live From The Holy Land, January 15 - 19
Series: Finish Well - Lessons From Jacob, January 22 - Feb.2 

Back to Top of Newsletter

Happy Birthday

Each month we list our broadcasters that have birthdays that month. We encourage you to remember these friends and their ministry with special prayer on that day.

January 18
Jim Grossman, WCIF Engineer
P.O. Box 366
Melbourne, FL 32902

January 18
Dr. Larry Bazer
Sunday School Lesson, 9:30 a.m. Sunday
Worship 10:45 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Sunday
P. O. Box 366
Melbourne, FL 32902

January 31
Cliff Lethbridge, WCIF Announcer
P.O. Box 366
Melbourne, FL 32902

February 7
Dr. Joseph Stowell
Moody Presents
Sunday, 5:25 p.m.
Moody Bible Institute
820 N LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL 60610

February 19
Mel Johnson
1643 Millwood
Roseville, MN 55113 

Back to Top of Newsletter

Letters

COCOA - Thank you for your programs. They all minister to me. I am a member of a church in Merritt Island and a widow of 3 years. I listen to all your ministries.

INDIAN HARBOR BEACH - Without you we all would be lost. My radio is my friend, WCIF is there with news, if it's important. I will keep praying for WCIF and for all the folks needing help.

PALM BAY - Enclose is a check for the poor in Jamaica. God bless you and your staff in the work you are doing.

MELBOURNE - It must be very nice in your new station and church home. You well deserve it. We miss the activity of WCIF in the neighborhood. I am grateful for all of you at WCIF. You do a fantastic job and I know the Lord is by your side all the while. You make my home a happy place. 
 

SEBASTIAN - We do so appreciate listening to your station everyday, as it helps to keep us focused on what is truly important in life.

PALM BAY - Just want to say thank God and thanks to all at WCIF. My family and I would like to wish all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful healthy New Year. 

MERRITT ISLAND Thank you for the comfort and inspiration of God's Word and music.

PALM BAY - My prayers and best wishes for you all, are that our Lord will bless you all going out and coming in. Keep up the good work you are all doing. God Bless!

MELBOURNE - Thank you for being there 24 hours a day. I know that you must minister to many, many people in the listening area. May you have a blessed New Year.

CONGRATULATIONS TO JIM GROSSMANN WCIF ENGINEER as he starts his twelfth year with WCIF this month!

Back to Top of Newsletter

Thanks to our Day Sponsors who have underwritten the cost of a broadcast day on WCIF. If you or your church would like information about being a Day Sponsor call 725-9243. 

Back to Top of Newsletter

Pastor of the Week

A program featuring pastors of local churches heard weekdays at 5:30 p.m.

January 2-5
Pastor Jim Johnson
First Baptist Church Indialantic

Janaury 22- 26
Pastor Jimmy Robinson
Lockmar Baptist Church, Palm Bay

Janaury 29 - February 2
Pastor Dan Hendley
Covenant Presbyterian Church, Palm Bay

Back to Top of Newsletter

WCIF 106.3 FM
725-9243
1-877-725-9243 (Toll free)
E-mail: wcif1063@iu.net

Please feel free to use the toll free number if you live outside the local calling area. If you live in the local calling area (including Cocoa, Cape Canaveral, Merritt Island and Beaches) please use the regular number to contact WCIF. We're glad to hear from each of you!

INVITE A FRIEND TO TUNE IN

 WClF NEWSLETTER is a monthly publication of

 WClF FM
3301 DAIRY ROAD
MELBOURNE, FL 32904
(321) 725-9243 

VOLUME XIX, No. 1 Free subscription sent upon request

But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Matthew 14:36

For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:29

Return to WCIF Homepage