Monumental Moments with Melissa Motschenbacher : The Forge Podcast Network

Melissa Motschenbacher
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Join Melissa each week for Bible-centered encouragement. Melissa is a dedicated minister of the Gospel with a knack for seeing the work of God in ordinary moments.

  1. 1d ago

    #143 Egg On Your Face

    Have you ever had “egg on your face”? In this devotional, it happened literally. On a day set aside for prayer and fasting, a plate of scrambled eggs and an old habit led to a funny (and convicting) lesson about the difference between praying when we’re desperate and praying like we’re desperate for Jesus. In Monumental Moments Devo #143, we look at how prayer and fasting realign our hearts. We also ask whether we’ve slipped into reactive prayer instead of proactive prayer, and what Scripture means when it says to “pray without ceasing.” If your prayer life has felt haphazard lately, this short devotional will encourage you to hit reset and lean into the Father again. In this devotional: What “egg on your face” means, and a real-life fasting mishapReactive vs. proactive prayerWhy we should pray like we’re desperate before we’re forced to pray in desperationHow hunger pangs during a fast can become reminders to prayCorrie ten Boom’s question: “Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?”Scriptures referenced (ESV): 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17Philippians 4:4-7Colossians 4:2Ephesians 6:18Reflection question: What can you take to God in prayer right now? He is waiting with open arms. Start with “Dear God...” How can you make Monumental Moments and live to Multiply His Movement today? 👉 Subscribe for more short Christian devotionals on prayer, faith, and following Jesus.💬 Comment below: Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire? #Prayer #Fasting #ChristianDevotional

  2. 6d ago

    #142 Credit Card Captains

    Can money buy anything? In Acts 8, Simon the Sorcerer tried to buy the power of the Holy Spirit, and Peter’s answer still speaks today. In this short Christian devotional, Melissa Machenbacher explains why salvation and the gifts of God are priceless, and why Jesus has to be the captain of your ship. A “credit card captain” is someone who buys or rents a boat with no training and no license. The idea makes a good picture of how we try to run our own lives. Melissa walks through Acts 8:14-24 and Isaiah 55:1-5 to show that God’s grace can’t be bought. It was paid for with the life of His Son on the cross at Calvary and is offered freely to everyone who is thirsty. Chapters:0:00 Welcome to Monumental Moments0:16 What is a credit card captain?1:08 Money can’t buy everything1:38 Acts 8:14-24: Simon the Sorcerer tries to buy the Holy Spirit3:24 When your heart isn’t right before God3:59 Isaiah 55: Come to the waters without money4:59 Salvation is free, but it cost Jesus everything5:16 Is Christ at the helm of your life? Scripture: Acts 8:14-24 (ESV), Isaiah 55:1-5 (ESV) Reflection questions:Have you been running on your own effort lately, thinking you’re in control? Are you depending on your Provider? How can you make a monumental moment and live to multiply His movement today? Subscribe for more short devotionals that help you pursue and proclaim Jesus. #ChristianDevotional #BibleStudy #Acts8

  3. Oct 21

    #141 Mr. Sandman

    How many grains of sand are on the seashore? Researchers estimate about 7.5 quintillion, but Scripture uses sand to describe something no one can measure. In this Monumental Moments devotional, we look at three places where the Bible uses sand to describe God's generosity. God gave King Solomon wisdom and understanding "as vast as the sand on the seashore" (1 Kings 4:29). David marveled that God's precious thoughts toward him outnumber the grains of sand (Psalm 139:17-18). And God promised Abraham descendants as numerous as the stars and the sand (Genesis 22:17-18). Along the way we touch on Archimedes' The Sand Reckoner and the limits of human math next to God's measuring system. You'll be encouraged to stop listening to the enemy's lies and to boldly ask God for wisdom, insight, His thoughts toward you, and blessings for your family as vast as the seashore. How can you make Monumental Moments and live to Multiply His Movement today?

  4. Aug 6

    #140 Family Photos

    My kids and husband surprised me with the most thoughtful Mother's Day gift — a custom family portrait on canvas, beautifully framed. But when it arrived, the frame corner was damaged in shipping. In this episode, we talk about that moment of disappointment, the grace of a company that made it right, and a bigger question it stirred up in my heart: do I give God my best? We look at the incredible care taken to build and maintain the Temple in 1 Chronicles 22, 2 Chronicles 22, and 2 Kings 12 — where kings like David and Jehoash provided in abundance and prioritized excellence for the house of the Lord. If they gave their absolute best for God's house, what does that say about the gifts, time, and offerings we bring to Him? Are you giving God your best, or your leftovers? 🖼️ In this episode: A heartfelt story about a damaged (and replaced) family portraitWhy the details matter when we give gifts — to people and to GodWhat 1 Chronicles 22:5 reveals about David's preparation for God's TempleThe abundance and excellence described in 2 Chronicles 22:11-19What 2 Kings 12:4-5 teaches about maintaining and repairing what we've given to GodA challenge to examine what you're holding back from the Lord💛 How can you make Monumental Moments and live to Multiply His Movement today? 👉 Subscribe for weekly devotionals connecting everyday life to God's Word.👉 Share this episode with someone who needs a reminder to give God their best today. #Devotional #ChristianPodcast #FamilyPhotos #1Chronicles22 #GivingGodOurBest #BibleStudy #FaithAndFamily #MothersDay #MonumentalMoments #TempleOfGod

  5. Aug 6

    #139 Walking By Faith

    A local Facebook post caught my attention — a man wearing a "Walking by Faith" hoodie was being accused of stealing hundreds of dollars in merchandise from Target. The irony stopped me in my tracks. In this episode, we talk about the gap between what we wear (or say) and how we actually live. We dig into some powerful faith verses often tied to this exact phrase — 2 Corinthians 5:6-7, Proverbs 3:5-6, and Hebrews 11:1-3 — and ask a hard question: do our actions actually match our declarations? Whether it's a cross necklace, a Christian t-shirt, or a bumper sticker, are we the same person in private as we are in public? It's easy to wear the words. It's harder to live them. 👕 In this episode: A real story about a viral "Walking by Faith" hoodie controversyWhat it means to actually "walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:6-7)Trusting God over our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6)What true faith looks like according to Hebrews 11:1-3A challenge to make sure our actions match our Christian declarations💛 How can you make Monumental Moments and live to Multiply His Movement today? 👉 Subscribe for weekly devotionals connecting everyday life to God's Word.👉 Share this episode with someone who needs a reminder to walk the talk today. #Devotional #ChristianPodcast #WalkingByFaith #2Corinthians5 #Hebrews11 #BibleStudy #LiveYourFaith #FaithInAction #MonumentalMoments #ChristianLifestyle

  6. Aug 6

    #138 Junk Drawers

    "But mom, it's nothing — it's just a junk drawer!" That's what a sweet little girl said while exploring drawers at our house during a dinner with friends, and it made me laugh out loud... and then think. In this episode, we talk about junk drawers — those catch-alls of old batteries, expired stamps, and random cords we swear we'll need someday — and what they reveal about what we're really holding onto. Turns out, 95% of Americans have at least one junk drawer. But this episode goes beyond the clutter on your counter to the clutter in your heart. We look at Matthew 6:19-21 and Luke 12:15, and what Jesus says about where our true treasure — and our heart — should be. Is it time for some spiritual spring cleaning? 🗄️ In this episode: A funny (and honest) story about junk drawers and curious kidsSurprising stats on how many Americans have — and use — a junk drawerWhat Matthew 6:19-21 teaches about storing up treasure in heavenWhat Luke 12:15 warns about covetousness and possessionsA challenge to check the "junk drawers" of your spiritual life — hurts, unforgiveness, and things that need to be cleared out💛 How can you make Monumental Moments and live to Multiply His Movement today? 👉 Subscribe for weekly devotionals connecting everyday life to God's Word.👉 Share this episode with someone who could use a fresh start today. #Devotional #ChristianPodcast #JunkDrawer #Matthew6 #Declutter #BibleStudy #TreasureInHeaven #FaithAndLife #MonumentalMoments #SpiritualSpringCleaning

  7. Aug 6

    #137 Tamper Proof

    Two orders in a row, the tamper-proof seal on my vitamin bottle was broken — and I almost dismissed it both times. When I finally paused to count the pills, I discovered I was 9 vitamins short. Something had clearly been tampered with, and I had overlooked the warning signs right in front of me. In this episode, we talk through this real-life "aha moment" and what it reveals about the warning signs we often brush past in our own lives — whether it's dishonesty, moved boundaries, or things quietly out of balance. We dig into Proverbs 11:1 and Proverbs 22:28, where God speaks clearly about honest weights, measures, and boundaries — and why He delights in truth and accuracy. Has God placed a tamper-proof warning in your path that you've overlooked? ⚠️ In this episode: A real Amazon vitamin order gone wrong — and the red flags I missedWhy tamper-proof seals matter (and what happens when we ignore warning signs)What Proverbs 11:1 teaches about honest scales and dishonest gainWhat Proverbs 22:28 says about moving boundary linesA challenge to pause and ask God for a divine realignment in your life💛 How can you make Monumental Moments and live to Multiply His Movement today? 👉 Subscribe for weekly devotionals connecting everyday life to God's Word.👉 Share this episode with someone who needs a reminder to pay attention to the warning signs today. #Devotional #ChristianPodcast #TamperProof #Proverbs11 #Honesty #BibleStudy #WarningSigns #FaithAndLife #MonumentalMoments #WalkInTruth

  8. Aug 6

    #136 Tour Guides

    On a mission trip to Peru, our family had the chance to explore Machu Picchu with a tour guide who told us to just call him "Patrick... Patrick Swayze." It was a rich, unforgettable history lesson — and it got me thinking about a very different kind of tour guide found in Scripture. In this episode, we look at Judas Iscariot — one of Jesus' own twelve disciples, someone who witnessed miracles firsthand, fed the 5,000, and was in the boat when Jesus calmed the storm — yet ultimately led a crowd to betray Jesus. We walk through Luke 22 and Matthew 27 to see how someone with so much knowledge and access could still lead others astray. Not every guide leads you somewhere good. So who's guiding you through life? 🗺️ In this episode: A fun travel story from Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas"Why good guides matter, whether on a mountain or in lifeThe story of Judas Iscariot's betrayal in Luke 22:3-6 and 22:47-53What Matthew 27:3-5 reveals about Judas' regretWhy Jesus is the only Guide who will never mislead you💛 How can you make Monumental Moments and live to Multiply His Movement today? 👉 Subscribe for weekly devotionals connecting everyday life to God's Word.👉 Share this episode with someone who needs to be reminded to follow the right Guide today. #Devotional #ChristianPodcast #MachuPicchu #JudasIscariot #Luke22 #BibleStudy #FaithAndTravel #MissionsTrip #MonumentalMoments #TrustJesus

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Join Melissa each week for Bible-centered encouragement. Melissa is a dedicated minister of the Gospel with a knack for seeing the work of God in ordinary moments.

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