40

Many Christians worldwide are coming off that 40-day period between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday, excluding Sundays, called Lent.  The number 40 is found throughout Scripture: the 40-day flood, the Israelites' 40-year journey, Jesus tempted in the wilderness for 40 days, and 40 days from His resurrection to His ascension. 

Acts chapter 1 begins with these statements by the book's writer, Luke:
1 The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
2 until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen,
3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me;
5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

Today, we observe the number 40 in a different way.  The 40th Anniversary of the ministry of Faith Radio. In Scripture, that number represents a passage of time, a significant period. As Faith Radio celebrates God's faithfulness, I encourage you to look at the seasons of your life - periods of time through which God has brought you - and consider how He has led you, how He has demonstrated His love.  And, you can use that as a catalyst to devote yourself to serving God as He continues to guide you.

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The number 40, which is actually found in Scripture on numerous occasions, is of great significance to the ministry of Faith Radio today - for it was 40 years ago today, on April 4, 1984, on which 89.1, WLBF in Montgomery, signed on the air. I began to think about the 40th Psalm, which begins this way:
(1) I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry.
2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps.
3 He has put a new song in my mouth-- Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the Lord.
4 Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

The idea was inspired by two Montgomery radio veterans in 1980 who had heard Christian radio in another city and wanted to bring it to this area.  That began a process of prayer and perseverance for a dedicated group of early leaders of this ministry.  As the Faith Radio History page on our website states, in 1983:

After overcoming numerous obstacles on the path to approval, God worked a miracle and the Federal Communications Commission granted approval for a non-commercial radio license. The call letters, WLBF, were chosen, standing for "We Live By Faith".

In 1984:

WLBF signed on the air at 89.1FM, after an extensive fund-raising effort for start-up expenses. The station operated from trailer space donated by Frazer Church on its property, using an automation system donated by a local broadcast company, which also provided free tower space.

In 1988, as our history notes:

WLBF moved in to its current office and studio space on Mendel Parkway. Due to God's provision, the new building and grounds were completely paid for before the ribbon cutting ceremony was held!

The ministry of Faith Radio is a testimony to God's faithfulness - from those humble beginnings, the Lord has raised up a powerful, regional radio network of 3 Christian FM stations and 5 FM translators. We even send programming to a radio station in Cap-Haitien, Haiti.  Faith Radio is heard in area prisons and hospitals. 

Plus, though Internet technology, Faith Radio can be heard online at FaithRadio.org and through the Faith Radio app.  Content from Faith Radio programs can be accessed through a variety of other platforms as well, including Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, Spotify, and now through a newly-launched YouTube Channel devoted to Faith Radio audio conversations.  We also distribute video through our original Faith Radio YouTube channel and through Meeting House TV on Frazer Christian Television, which is operated by that same church which allowed us to broadcast from its campus when we first signed on the air!   

I haven't been here since day one, but I can certainly speak from experience, having been part of this ministry for almost 33 years!  There are some applications from God's working through this ministry that we can reflect on today.

For one thing, the power of prayer is amazing!  God led people to share the vision for Christian radio in the Montgomery metro area, and they continued to pray - even when there were obstacles to the initial approval.  This ministry is sustained through the prayers of our listeners, and we are grateful for those who continue to pray for this ministry to be used of God to touch and change lives. 

Coupled with that, even from the beginning, is the power of perseverance.  We are devoted to maintaining the original vision of a Christ-centered ministry that presents sound Bible teaching and uplifting music. We continue to be a listener-supported ministry that does not sell commercials. Our programs are aired on Faith Radio at our request, not because someone wants to "buy" air time.  I would dare say that's not how most broadcast ministries operate.  And, we are devoted to being a support to the local church, believing that stronger Christians who use Faith Radio as a catalyst for growth contribute to stronger churches.  

We also recognize the power of proclamation.  Spiritual growth occurs in correlation with the truth of Scripture.  The Word of God is alive - living and active, Hebrews 4 says, and Isaiah teaches us that God's Word does not return void. Bible teaching is a critical component of our programming lineup, and we have been devoted to presenting the very best Bible teachers in our nation and world, some of which have been with us for almost all of those 40 years. 

But, music is important, too - we celebrate the power of praise.  But, our desire is to present music that ushers you into the presence of God; that creates, as I say it, an atmosphere of worship. So, our music is different than what you may hear on other stations, and that is not by accident. The desire is to present Praise and Worship music - that would include songs that are used in churches and even incorporate hymns that have meant so much throughout the ages. 

So, today we celebrate - we look back at God's faithfulness and anticipate what He will do through the ministry of Faith Radio in the future!