The MPC Podcast

Scripture: Psalm 23Contributor: DEACON SUSAN GROENEVELDTGUIDANCE, ABUNDANCE, PROTECTION AND RESTORATION1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. Psalm 23:1-6 NKJVPsalm 23 is familiar to many of us You may have learned it in Sunday School as a child or an adult. It is arguably one of the most well-known and beloved scriptures of all time. So much so that we may even take it a bit for granted. The psalm positions God as Shepherd. The role of a shepherd is to guide, protect and provide for his flock. We see that in our daily lives. If we look to God, He will guide us, order our steps and supply all our needs. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.3 He restores my soul;I especially love these 2 verses; they speak to the restoration and revival only God can provide. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort meHis protection is so complete, we can face anything, even something as formidable as the promise of death. His promise is to never leave us or forsake us. He fights the battles we may not have the strength to fight. That knowledge alone is so comforting. As the saying goes: Don’t tell God how big your storm is, tell the storm how big your God is! He is our protector.The psalmist David is a shepherd speaking to God. He is acknowledging the nature of his relationship to God. I don’t know any shepherds. I understand that they still exist but certainly not as much as they existed in David’s time. Yet this psalm has remained relevant for centuries. While I don’t know any shepherds, I do know many of us who work or have worked a variety of roles and functions in this modern world.Though we may not be near pastures daily, God can lead us to righteousness and rest anywhere. He can restore our soul wherever we may be.Whether we are at work, at home, or in our vehicle, He is there guiding protecting and providing. His love endures, forever. Though this psalm is so familiar, let us remember to fully appreciate this message of God’s deeply personal and protective relationship to us, His flock.Let us pray.Heavenly Father, Thank you God, Thank you for being there, and for providing for us every day. Oh God. Thank you for guiding our steps and for standing in the gap to protect us time and time again. So often, we come close to danger or even disaster, and you just yank us out of that problem, that issue, that dark place. It is you God who saves us, not because we deserve it, not because we’ve done anything special. It is because of Your grace that we are protected and provided for. And we remain so grateful oh God. Thank you Father. In Jesus holy name,AMEN.SUBMITTED BY DEACON SUSAN GROENEVELDT

Contributor: REV. DENNIS HENDERSONScripture: Esther 4:15-16 (NKJV)Fasting with PurposeQueen Esther realized that her life and the lives of her people, the Jews, were in great danger. At the prodding and plotting of Haman, a wicked official in the king’s court, King Ahasuerus had issued a decree, and letters had been sent in his name into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all the Jews, both young and old, little children and women, and to plunder their possessions. This was to happen in one day, determined by lot, on the thirteenth day of Adar, which is the twelfth month of the Jewish calendar.  Esther was the young, beautiful cousin of Mordecai, who had been among the Jews exiled from Jerusalem under the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. When her father and mother died, Mordecai adopted her into his family and raised her as his own daughter. He advised her to keep her identity as a Jew hidden. Mordecai was loyal to the king, even exposing a plot to assassinate him. Haman hated Mordecai because Mordecai refused to bow and pay tribute to him like other men did. In a rage, he sought not only to have Haman killed, but all of the Jews throughout the king’s empire.After hearing of Haman’s plot to have the Jews killed, Mordecai urged Esther to go to the king and plead with him on behalf of her people. She was reluctant to go, because it was against the law for any person to go into the king’s inner court without first being summoned by the king. This “crime” was punishable by death, except only if the king held out his golden scepter, that they might live. Esther had not been called into the king’s presence for 30 days. Mordecai sent word to Esther:Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?Challenged by the words of Mordecai, Esther told Mordecai to go gather all of the Jews who were present in Shushan, the capital city of ancient Persia, and fast for her, to neither eat food nor drinking water for three days. After fasting for three days, Esther went to the king and found favor in his sight. He held out to her the golden scepter that was in his hand and granted her requests. The plans of wicked Haman were overturned and the Jews were delivered. In the end, Haman and his sons were hanged from the very gallows that Haman, in bitter rage, had prepared for Mordecai. The king gave Esther Haman’s house. The king’s ring, which had been given to Haman, was taken from Haman and given to Mordecai, and Esther appointed Mordecai over the house of Haman. The letters devised by Haman to annihilate the Jews were revoked, and at the command of Mordecai, letters were sent out in the king’s name permitting the Jews to gather together and protect themselves, to annihilate all the forces of any people that would assault them, and to plunder their possessions. On the very day that had been appointed to annihilate the Jews, the Jews overpowered their enemies. We learn from Esther that, If the people of God humble ourselves in fasting and prayer, with unity and purpose, God will move with great power on our behalf. As He did with Esther and the people of God in the days of ancient Persia, and He has not changed. He can cancel the plans of the enemy and cause the people of God to overwhelming triumph. Ps. 50:15 “in the day of trouble you will call upon me, and I will answer you and you will glorify me.” Today is certainly a day of trouble. Let’s call on God by fasting and praying, united with one purpose—to see God arise, His enemies scattered and His people delivered from every evil plan of the enemies of our souls. He will hear our prayer and move mightily on our behalf and on behalf of all of those who love Him. SUBMITTED BY REV. DENNIS HENDERSON

Scripture: Proverbs 31:8–9Contributor: ELDER ELAINE HINDSSPEAK UP AND TAKE ACTION!“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:8–9 (NIV)My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, this charge was given to King Lemuel by his mother—but it is also God’s charge to us today. My heart is heavy because everywhere we look, people are being taken advantage of. People who have no voice. People who are powerless. And too often… the world stays silent.As followers of Christ, what is our role?Do we just sit in church, sing Hallelujah, and read our Bibles?No. That is not enough.Empathy is not enough.Feeling bad is not enough.Silence is definitely not enough.Proverbs 31 tells us plainly: Speak up. Stand up. Defend.When we stay silent, we unintentionally add to someone’s suffering. God’s Word pushes us past our comfort zones, past our affiliations, past our excuses. It calls us to advocate for the poor, the needy, the powerless, the overlooked, the mistreated, and the forgotten.Jesus Himself took action. He defended the poor, the widows, the orphans.He confronted injustice. He never said, “Someone else will handle it.” He became their voice.So if we want to help those who cannot speak for themselves, we must first listen. Listen so we can seek God for what to say and how to say it. Listen so we can understand the pain of “the least of these.”Then we must pray—and sometimes even fast. We need to ask God to remove our apathy, our insensitivity, our comfort, our ignorance.We need to ask Him, “Lord, how can You use me as Your agent of love, justice, mercy, and grace in this moment in history?”Because my brothers and siters, we cannot advocate without preparation. We cannot speak up without spiritual grounding. We cannot take action without God’s direction.But once we seek Him—once we hear Him—then we must move.We must do what is fair and just.We must be compassionate and sincere in love.And we must remember: our neighbor is anyone in need.Let us pray:Father God, we thank You for Your Word—Your Word that stirs our hearts and calls us to speak up, take action, and defend those who cannot defend themselves. Lord, help us step out of our comfort zones. Make us bold. Make us compassionate. Make us Your voice for justice.We pray for leaders in this country—that they will seek You and understand their responsibility to protect the powerless and the oppressed. And we pray that we, Your followers, will rise up with courage, with love, and with conviction to stand for the poor, the needy, the destitute and the voiceless.In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.SUBMITTED BY ELDER ELAINE HINDS

Scripture: Mark 8:34-35Contributor: ELDER IAN ANDERSON REID FRANCIS, SR. EMBRACING SACRIFICIAL LOVE“He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.”Mark 8:34-35 (NRSV)Good Friday presents us with the perfect example of Sacrificial Love. On the day of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, He demonstrated that even though we may not be worthy of His sacrifice, Jesus Christ loved us so much that He sacrificed His mortal body to save us.   How often do you ask yourself what is worthy of my sacrifice? Is your first answer your children, your spouse, your home or even your lifestyle…?  During the Lenten season, we should spend time reflecting on how we got to our current destination. We should also visualize how we plan to move forward.  When you look at your past, you will remember the people that made sacrifices for you and said prayers for you. Our parents and grandparents made several sacrifices to provide stable and safe homes for us. The prayers of our family, friends and church members protected us from the harms and dangers of life. We’ve all benefited from the prayers of others. We should learn to appreciate the prayers that were said on our behalf by our loved ones. Our memories should guide our faith as we move forward. When we look forward, we must ask ourselves what examples we are setting. Are we loving our neighbors? Are we visiting the sick? Are we showing God’s love?Jesus Christ showed us what Sacrificial Love looks like, by dying on the cross. We must live a life of faith that shows the light of Jesus and allow that light to draw others into God’s Love Matthews 5:14-15 (NSRV) – “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under a bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.”Let us pray:Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love. Thank You for demonstrating Your love for us. I pray that Your presence in our lives will shine through so that others may see the joy in following You. In Jesus’ name, AmenPRAYERFULLY SUBMITTEDBY ELDER IAN ANDERSON REID FRANCIS, SR. 

Scripture: Psalms 119:67-72Contributor: ELDER IVAN O’CONNOREMBRACING RENEWAL AND GROWTHI used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word. You are good and do only good; teach me your decrees. Arrogant people smear me with lies, but in truth I obey your commandments with all my heart. Their hearts are dull and stupid, but I delight in your instructions. My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees. Your instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver.       Psalms 119:67-72 NLTThis passage reminds me of my path of renewal and growth that God has led me on. Here’s just a snapshot of my journey. Maybe your journey was or was not similar, but in any case, I believe we can glean some godly insights from it.I was a “goody two shoes” until my teenage years. Then I wandered off and got with bad company and did what my self-indulgent heart desired. I went to church, got baptized, but still the streets were calling and I answered.  I lost myself in a world of so-called friends until one day the Lord knocked me down and got my attention. Let’s say it was a close call to ending up in a detention center. I prayed and the Lord heard my cry.The Lord told me that in order to grow, I had to let go. Let go of people, places and things. The so-called friends didn’t it like it when I wouldn’t indulge in their schemes anymore. They now were spreading lies about me. They called my good evil. The places I used to go to I didn’t go any more. The things I used to do I didn’t do anymore. This was and is my process of renewal and growth. I am not where I am going to be, but, thanks be to God, I am not where I used to be. I remain on the Potter’s wheel being constantly reshaped. Philippians 1:6 states: "Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." During this Lenten season and beyond, be assured that God initiates and completes a transformative, spiritual work within us, believers, until Christ’s return.Let us pray:Dear Heavenly Father, order our steps in your world. Let your word so shine in us so that it will transform us and those that we encounter. Let us decrease as You increase in our lives, speech, walk and talk. As Your new creation, help us to embrace Your direction of love through discipline which leads to growth. Your word says that You discipline those You love. Thank You, Lord, for making us Your children and heirs to Your promise of being with You for eternity.It is in the mighty name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.SUBMITTED BY ELDER IVAN O’CONNOR

Scripture: Philippians 2:5–11 Contributor: SIS. DONNETTE WILLIAMSEMBRACING SACRIFICIAL LOVELet this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.Philippians 2:5–11 In the work of caring for others whether in ministry, social work or simply walking alongside people in their struggles, we often witness moments that remind us what love really looks like.I remember sitting with a student who was having one of the hardest days of their young life. They were frustrated, overwhelmed, and carrying burdens much heavier than a child should have to carry. They didn’t need a lecture, and they didn’t need discipline at that moment. What they needed was someone willing to sit beside them, to listen, to understand, and to remind them that they mattered.So I just sat there quietly for a moment and slowly their shoulders began to relax.Sometimes love shows up quietly. Sometimes it shows up in patience. And sometimes it simply shows up in presence.Love doesn’t always look like grand gestures. Sometimes love looks like sitting beside someone when they’re hurting and listening when they feel unheard…Those moments remind me of what Paul writes in Philippians 2:5–11 - that Christ showed us a love so powerful, He was willing to lower Himself so that others could be lifted.And perhaps that is the invitation of Lent for all of us: to love in a way that is willing to kneel, so that someone else can stand.Let us pray:Gracious and loving God, we thank You for the example of Christ, who showed us what true love looks like - humble, selfless, and sacrificial. In a world that often encourages us to seek power and recognition, remind us that the greatest strength is found in serving others.Lord, give us the mind of Christ. Teach us to walk with compassion, to listen with patience and to stand beside those who are hurting or overlooked. Help us to set aside pride, control and comfort when they prevent us from loving as You have called us to love.During this Lenten season, shape our hearts so that our lives reflect Your grace. May our words bring encouragement, our actions bring healing and our presence remind others that they are seen, valued, and loved.And as we embrace sacrificial love, may we become instruments of Your peace in the lives of those we serve. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.SUBMITTED BY SIS. DONNETTE WILLIAMS

Scripture: Isaiah 53:1-12 (NIV)Contributor: ANTHONY LUCKYEMBRACING THE WAY OF THE CROSSScripture Verse: Isaiah 53:1-12 (NIV) Centuries before the event (the crucifixion of Jesus Christ), the prophet Isaiah painted a portrait so vivid, so specific, that it reads like an eyewitness account. But it’s not a portrait of a conquering king riding majestically on a great white stallion. It’s a portrait of a suffering servant. This is the image at the heart of Lent: the way of the cross.The passage begins with a lament that could have been uttered on Good Friday: "Who has believed our message?" (v. 1). The way of the cross is not the way the world envisions victory. The world looks for power, strength, and beauty. But the Servant? Who wants to be the “servant?” Jesus is depicted as growing up "like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground" (v. 2). There was nothing in his appearance and posture that we should desire him. He was, as Isaiah writes, "despised and rejected by mankind" (v. 3).This is the first and most challenging aspect of embracing the way of the cross: it requires us to rewire our understanding of power. God’s power is not revealed in force, but in self-giving love. The Servant doesn't impose his will; He bears our burdens. "Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering" (v. 4). The way of the cross is a way of substitution. He stands in our place.Verse 5 is the theological heart of Lent: "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." This is the great exchange. Our sin, our rebellion, our wandering - Jesus took it all upon Himself. He didn't just sympathize with our human condition from a distance; He entered into it, absorbing the full weight of its consequence.Why would anyone embrace such a path? Because it is the path of love. It is the path that leads to true life. The world tells us to save ourselves, to promote ourselves, to protect ourselves. The way of the cross calls us to lose our lives for His sake, to find them (Matthew 16:25). It’s in laying down our rights, our pride, our selfish ambitions that we discover what it means to truly live in Him.The final verses (10-12) reveal the victory hidden within the suffering. "After He has suffered, He will see the light of life and be satisfied" (v. 11). The cross is not the end of the story. It is the door to resurrection. Because of His willing sacrifice, He will justify many, and He will divide the spoils with the strong. The way of the cross, which looks like utter defeat to the world, is, in God’s economy, the ultimate victory over sin, death, and the devil.Embracing the way of the cross means accepting that our own lives will have moments of pruning, sacrifice, and suffering. It means choosing humility over pride, forgiveness over revenge, and service over being served. It means looking at the pierced hands of Christ and saying, "He did that for me. And now, I will live for Him."Let us pray:Lord Jesus, you are the Suffering Servant described by Isaiah. Forgive us for the times we have looked for a different kind of Savior, one who fits our worldly ideas of power and prestige. This Lent, open our eyes to the magnificent beauty of your sacrifice. Help us to understand, even in a small way, the depth of love that led you to the cross. Give us the courage to embrace your way - the way of humility, sacrifice, and self-giving love - in our own lives. Thank you for bearing our sorrows and purchasing our peace. By your wounds, heal us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.SUBMITTED BY BROTHER ANTHONY LUCKY

Scripture: John 20:24-27Contributor: Elder Lissa Nelson-NealNow Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”~John 20:24-27Question: When does your THOMAS show up?The disciple Thomas is often called the “Doubting Thomas”. We should not judge him because truth be told his story reflects ours. When do you doubt God’s living presence in your life? Do we lean on our own understanding? Do you lack the faith in God’s unfailing hand? Jesus reaches out to us individually and extends his hands. His hands touch our individual & unique situations. Jesus knows your heart and he speaks to your doubts and said, “put it into my side.” So, do you focus on the holes in your life? Do you see holes in your finances, qualifications, professional connections, health, fears, parenting skills, marriage and job status? Reach out and put your hands in Jesus side. Notice, Jesus enters the room through the locked doors of the world. Have faith, Jesus will take you through the locked doors. Jesus enters doors that are locked to us and offers peace. The first thing he offers is peace. Have faith, let him unlock the doors for you. Reach out your hands to Jesus. Let him heal your holes and take his peace. Leave your Thomas at the door. Prayer:You are the God of resurrection. You are the God that comes through the locked doors and barriers of the world. You are the God that invites us to put our doubts away and put our hands to your side. You are the God that offers us peace in exchange for our doubts and fears. You are a God of peace and healing. This Lenten season let us put away our limiting thoughts that hold us back. You have commanded us to “Stop doubting and believe”! Holy Spirit help us turn our fear into faith and leave the Doubting Thomas version of ourselves at the door! Thank you, Father for extending your hands and mercy in our lives! 

Scirpture: Jonah 3:10 Contributor: ELDER ROBERT LEWISSURRENDER – THE GATEWAY TO MERCYWhen God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.   Jonah 3:10 NIVLent invites us to examine our hearts and ask:Where have we resisted God’s call?What habits, attitudes or patterns must wesurrender?What would true repentance look like in our lives?These questions involve deep thought and sincere actions. During Lent, we give ourselves time to consider ways we’ve fallen short in our relationships with God and steps we need to take to deepen our connection with the Lord.  We admit that we often miss the mark, but the story of Nineveh assures us that no situation is beyond God’s Mercy. When God saw that the people of Nineveh turned from their evil ways, He relented. Judgment gave way to grace.God is not eager to punish us particularly when we genuinely repent. God is always eager to restore. Repentance moves the heart of God because repentance reflects a heart that has surrendered.Let us pray:Dear Lord, Thank You for being the God of second chances. Just as You called Jonah again, call us again into obedience. Give us the humility to surrender the areas of our lives that are not aligned with Your will. Help us to turn away from what harms our relationships with You and with others. Create in us a repentant heart and remind us that Your mercy is greater than our failures. In this Lenten season, teach us to walk in surrender, knowing that our giving up leads to renewal and restoration. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.SUBMITTED BY ELDER ROBERT LEWIS