Daring to Live By Every Word Melody Mason

Are you busy busy busy serving many people when the most important guest in your home (JESUS) is just waiting for your listening ear and your attention? We are all guilty of "Martha syndrome" at times. However, did you know that even Jesus got weary? Even Jesus told His disciples that they needed to take time to come apart and rest? Without that refreshing time away, we are all prone to spiritual fatigue and burnout. Many think, "Well I just need a vacation!" But sometimes even our recreation and vacation time can leave us more weary than when we started. But if we are willing to step away from all the world offers and just get away alone with God in nature for a time, we will discover some amazing blessings that God is just waiting to pour out upon us. Well it has obviously been awhile since I've shared a podcast. I have to admit that I had "Martha" syndrome, sort of, and I needed a break. You all have probably been wondering where I've been. In this episode, I will catch you up on why I chose to step away and I will share some surprising places God has taken me in His Word as He's drawn my heart closer to Him. I pray that the lessons He's been teaching me can also be a blessing and an encouragement to all of you! Sometimes we just need to turn off the phone, close the computer, tune out life's busy distractions... and step away for some extended time alone with God in nature!

What if we ran from sin as much as we run from catching “Lepro-C”? Can you imagine how different our world would be? We’d probably be in heaven already! Being sick is no fun, but at some point over the last two years we’ve probably all experienced the dreaded disease called “Lepro-C” in some shape or form. But did you know that there’s something even worse than Lepro-C that we need to be on guard for? In this weeks podcast, I share a little about my current experience with “Lepro-C” and the spiritual leprosy that we especially need healing from. While this may not be the best recording, and my energy is low, I pray that by sharing, what the enemy has intended to use to knock me down will instead be used to lift others up for God’s glory. Truly God works every trial, every disease, every sickness (even Lepro-C) together for our good.

In this week’s podcast, I share an inspirational glimpse into something that was happening behind the scenes during the 61st General Conference session in St. Louis Missouri. It was a beautiful prayer room where hundreds of us dug deeply into God’s Word, where we prayed together, we sang together, and we experienced God’s rich blessings together in answer to prayer. In this podcast you will hear a few different voices as well as some inspiring thoughts my friend Charissa Torossian shared on day for worship. Please join your prayers with ours as we seek for deeper consecration to our beautiful Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Have you ever wondered if you will succeed at being that “perfect Christian” God has called you to be this side of heaven?? Well, don’t despair! I have good news to share in this week’s podcast. Make sure you are sitting down and you have your Bible and a pen and paper nearby! When you are ready, push play and buckle up your seatbelt for an encouraging adventure. As you listen my prayer is that you would “know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Eph. 3:16-19) The reality is that there is no need to fall short anymore when all FULLNESS in Jesus is awaiting you.

Does it sometimes feel like everything is going wrong in your life? I don't feel that way very often, but occasionally there are those days... days where it feels like everything is falling apart. As we face those crazy wild days, let's keep our heavenly glasses on so we have that heavenly perspective. I will share what that looks like in this week's podcast. I also love the amazing testimony that my friend and mentor, Jerry Page just shared during staff worship this past week. Remember, no matter what the enemy is throwing against you, God is still in control and He is with you in every trial. "And we know that all things work together for good to those that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose." (Rom. 8:28) Keep your eyes on Jesus friends! God is at work in every trial. 

Have you heard it said, "Don't sweat the small stuff, because, well, it's all small stuff?" At face value, that sounds like great advice. But what does that really mean? And how do you think Jesus handled the small tiny details of life? Were they important to Him? Did they matter? Did the little people in His life matter?? This week's podcast is a "tribute" of sorts to several people who have showed me how significant the small details of life are, and what it means to live for the glory of God even when no one is looking. As I’ve heard it said, “The way we live in private determines the ministry we can have in public!” I encourage you to think long and hard on this. At times we may be tempted to skip corners, to do less than our best because, after all, no one is watching, but the Bible says, "Whether you eat or drink or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor. 10:31) So let's not to rush over the seemingly small and insignificant details—details like taking time to pray, time to be in God’s Word, and time to be faithful even when no one sees. When it comes to being successful in ministry, the small stuff matters. In fact, it not only matters, but I think the way we handle the little things of life, and the "little people" of life, may be one of the truest tests of character. Let’s do all to the glory of God.