Jesus is Better


Dave Andrews • November 2, 2020
Someone once said “Be like a flower. Survive the rain; but use it to grow.” In 2020, you might feel more like a wilting flower! But the good news is that God is unshakable; and His Kingdom is unshakeable. And at the heart of the Kingdom is the King Himself.    

I love a good western book or movie. Usually these are about men who are tough as nails because of past experiences, but are also prepared to go against all odds because of that “grit” they earned the hard way. While “what doesn’t kill us may or may not make us stronger,” as believers in Christ, our strength comes from the Almighty One and Creator Lord. 

Our bodies and minds can only take so much, but His strength is a supernatural one. He is the Hero of old; and He is with us. In the tough days we are living in, I want to remind you that Christ, our King, is greater than anything on we can possibly face. Here are a few of those important areas that He is bigger and better.

1. Sin. Most religions are the same…their central theme focusing on how we live, least we suffer the consequences. Christianity is different though… our God actually took our consequences on Himself. He is the only One Who has ever taken on sin and killed it (on the cross), freeing us from enslavement to sin. He has defeated sin already (Romans 6:10), but one day soon, He will banish sin for good (Revelation 22:3).  

2. Serious Heartbreak. It’s easy to say “Christ is bigger” when things are going right, or when we are going through superficial day to day troubles. But how about when you lose a job or a home, or a spouse cheats on you, or your child is stuck in a life of sin, or you even loose a child. In the deepest heartbreaks of life, somehow, someway, we can still conclude that Christ is bigger. He is with us, always, and will never leave us. The big picture is that He is ultimately working for our good. One day we will get to experience that in all its glory. So we hold on and press on.

3. Sickness. We experience it. He defeats it. The prophets foretold the Messiah would be a healer. And Christ sure was and still is. If you read the Gospels, everywhere Jesus went, “He had compassion on them, and he healed their sick.” That was His thing; and He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is still the compassionate healer and protector in this life, and also the Healer of our souls. The medical community can do some impressive things, but they have nothing on Him. That’s good news in the days of COVID. Even though, ultimately sickness leads to death, He has conquered even that.    

4. Death. It is our greatest curse and fear from old. One of the greatest heartbreaks we can ever experience is at the loss of a loved one. There are many like me who have experienced the pain of loss of a child in the womb. There are many who have lost a spouse, or are facing that soon. Perhaps someone close to you has a chronic disease, or you are facing a terminal diagnosis. Again, somehow, someway, in the seriousness of death, we can even say “Where O death is thy sting?” How can that be?? Christ has already won that battle. Death has no reason to hold terror over us anymore. Death is graduation day and reunion time. To paraphrase a quote from Dr. David Jeremiah, for those who are perishing, this life is the best there ever will be. For those of us who know Christ, this life is the worst it will ever get. Christ is bigger than even death. 

When we know the King and belong to Him, we have a lot to be thankful for. Join me this Thanksgiving to give thanks that we have a perfect King, who is bigger and better than anything this life can throw at us.  

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe…” -Hebrews 12:28

-Dave Andrews
KJOL Station Manager



By Dave Andrews April 2, 2025
Our April Spring Friendraiser is underway here at KJOL! If you’re new to KJOL, it’s probably not what you think! While most Christian radio stations rely on the ‘ol classic “Sharathon” model for raising funding (interrupting days of programming to beg), as we did for years…KJOL no longer raises funds that way! Instead, we simply rely on God to provide. And we just let you know of our need as it arises. You might ask, “With people moving in and out of the area, how do you let new listeners or people who have never given before know you have this need?” We came up with this Friend-Raiser idea just for that purpose! With the purpose of NOT interrupting programming or even begging annoyingly, we will simply make short quick announcements on the air from time to time in April, letting folks know we need new donors to take up the mantle of service with us. Not only do we need brand new donors, but we still need our faithful monthly and one-time supporters to continue in ministry with KJOL again for 2025. I can tell you from talking to our listeners behind the scenes, KJOL is making a very real and positive impact for God’s Kingdom in our community, as we proclaim the Gospel of Jesus, the Word of God, and encourage Christians around the Western Slope and beyond every day. Each and every one of our supporters has a hand in that. A few highlights for 2025: · Our 2025 theme is Serving Him, By Serving You ; 1 Peter 4:10 · Our New Donor Goal is 30 brand new donors. · Brand New Donors in April with a gift of $25 or more will receive a KJOL branded Nalgene water bottle, graciously provided to us by a generous anonymous donor. · Past donors who make a gift in the month of April will receive a KJOL bookmark/ruler as a thank you gift for your continued faithfulness. · Everyone who donates to KJOL between April 1-29 will automatically be entered to win one of 5 pairs of general admission (both day) tickets to NightVision 2025 ! Our drawing will be held Wednesday, April 30th. Will you personally help provide this radio ministry to our community? When you give to KJOL in 2025, you will be serving our community and the Lord right there alongside of us! Thanks for praying about it. If the Lord leads, you can make a donation right here , respond to our recent mailing, add us to your bank’s bill-pay, or here’s our address: KJOL Radio, 1354 E. Sherwood Dr., Grand Junction, CO 81501  God bless you and thanks for your consideration! -Dave Andrews, KJOL Station Manager
By Kurt Neuswanger April 1, 2025
Meet the artists behind three new songs featured on the KJOL Listener Pulse , and tell us what you think! Natalie Lane “All Joy” “ All Joy ” is the title cut of Colorado Springs native Natalie Lane’s debut album. She says joy became the theme of the entire album: “During open conversations with her collaborators, she realized they all had one thing in common: Everyone was going through very real, difficult things, but yet, they were all still managing to find joy and gratitude in the midst of life’s challenges.” I count it all joy when I run into trouble Count it all good when the bad days come ‘Cause I know that you’re always working And I know that you’re still not done So I’m gonna lift your praise through the trial Ain’t no storm gonna stop my voice ‘Cause I’ve lived some life And I’ve learned that I can always Count it all grace, Count it all joy Ryan Stephenson “Preach” Ryan Stephenson says he wrote Preach five years with his old college roommate, but he didn’t feel it was ready until now. His friend Matt Hammitt sings harmonies. “I hope this song is a encouragement for all of us, regardless of what we believe, to not just say things, but to live things, to practice what we preach.” I talk about grace I talk about love I talk about faith But some days I don’t have enough I talk about forgiveness Still learning how to give it Lord, I need your strength to live what I believe I want my life to preach Every breath, every beat I want my life to preach When I’m strong, when I’m weak Through valley lows and mountain highs Every moment testifies Further than my words could ever reach Lord, I want my life to preach Jamie MacDonald “Desperate” Jamie MacDonald grew up in Michigan and met Jesus at youth camp. But she had a troubled home environment and drifted away and fell into a life of partying and drugs. was difficult home life and She left home at 16, but in her 20s had a “wakeup call” and remembered what God had told her at camp. She began reading her Bible, “secretly attended church,” and did mission work. She now lives in Nashville. She says “There’s been so many moments where I’ve felt desperate. I feel like a lot of people get to that low place and don’t know how much God loves them. As my song says, ‘I’m not asking, I’m begging.’ It’s been cool to see God come through in some of my most Desperate prayers.” Oh God, I'm desperate Down on my knees Send help from heaven 'Cause that's what I need Redeem this wreckage Restore my peace I'm not asking, I'm begging Lord, come through for me I need heaven and I'm Desperate Desperate Oh, I need heaven, need heaven and I'm Desperate
By Dave Andrews February 28, 2025
You may have noticed we were unable to release an E-News flash last month…it’s been an odd year so far at KJOL! Not only have we been extremely busy here at the ministry, but Ken Andrews (my father and former KJOL Station Manager) and I (the current station manager) have been caring for my mother who has been battling aggressive cancer for well over a year. No doubt if you heard a recent Inside Report or prayed with Zane during Prayertime, you have heard about her condition, even though we didn’t mention her name at the time.
By Kurt Neuswanger February 27, 2025
Some Of Our Favorite Songs of 2024 At the beginning of 2024 , I wrote about how KJOL has now surpassed 4000 songs in our library. And then during 2024, you heard another 167 new songs! Some of our favorites include: That’s My King , CeCe Winans --should have been “Song of the Year” How Great Thou Art , Matt Redman & Friends --75 th anniversary edition Heart & Flesh , Taya Smith & Leeland --a beautiful 6-minute appeal to God “My heart and flesh cry out for You” Now That I Know You , CAIN --“The change in me is plain to see, Now that I know You” Prodigal , Josiah Queen --His style may not suit everyone but somebody likes him: 300 million online streams in 2024! (See him at Nightvision in June) Don’t Stop Praying , Matthew West --one of Zane Matthews' favorite songs! And already in 2025 , there are some really fun new songs: Money Can’t Buy , Cochren & Co. --“You fill my life With something money can’t buy “ (Vote for this song in our Listener Pulse survey now!) Oh Death , Mercy Me --“Oh death you scared me to death Oh you ain’t my King though, Oh where did your sting go You ain’t nothin’ but a stone That my Savior rolled away” (don’t miss the video—it’s great!) Dalé (Praise) , Evan Egerer -- Dalé means “give it to him”. It is also a shout to motivate someone. “We give our praise to Yahweh, Dalé Nobody saves like God saves Don’t wait, Corre (run) to the One, come on, dalé ”
By Kurt Neuswanger January 23, 2025
Michael Tait , the lead singer for the Newsboys , has left the group . His announcement came January 16, two days before the band was to start its world tour. Tait said his decision came after prayer and fasting, saying it came as a shock even to him. He added “although I am nervous about the future, I am excited about what it holds for both myself and the Newsboys, as we all seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.” Adam Agee is the new lead singer . He had previously been the lead singer for the band Stellar Kart, and then became lead singer for Audio Adrenaline for two years, until they disbanded. In 2023, Agee joined the Newsboys on vocals and bass. Newsboys released a statement after Tait’s announcement, saying “As he walks into the next season of life, we are stepping into the next season of Newsboys. We want you to know that Newsboys isn’t going anywhere, we’re going everywhere!” Tait led a revival of the Newsboys when he joined 15 years ago, with chart topping albums such as Born Again and God’s Not Dead. The first release featuring Tait, in 2010, was “ One Shot ” from the “Born Again” album. After the Newsboys performed their first concert on the new tour, Agee posted on Instagram , “Had to step up to the microphone last night. [a reference to a Newsboys song ] When we found out a week ago that our leader singer Michael Tait was leaving the band, we asked ourselves a lot of questions about the future. We got together and worked hard to put on the best show we could last night. I’m excited about the future and everything God has in store for Newsboys.”
By Kurt Neuswanger December 5, 2024
CeCe Winans has released a new Christmas album for 2024 called Joyful Joyful: A Christmas Album . It contains two brand new songs, Joy To The World and Angels We Have Heard On High. The rest of the album is new recordings of her 2018 Christmas album “Something’s Happening.” For King & Country has released A Drummer Boy Christmas: Live . You can also see the concert this week only, through December 11, at the Regal Cinema in Grand Junction. Phil Wickham’s new album, Hallelujah! It’s Christmas , includes duets with Anne Wilson and his brother Evan, plus “Winter Wonderland” featuring “The Wickham Sisters” which I am pretty sure refers to his three beautiful daughters! Thrive Worship , from Bayside Church in Sacramento, has released Christmas Volume Two . It contains seven more songs to go along with last year’s release, predictably titled Christmas Volume One. Elevation Worship has released Echo the Angels featuring “reimagined classics.” And the Gaither Vocal Band has released New Star Shining containing original songs and nostalgic favorites.
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