The MPC Podcast

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”                            1 Peter 5:7 NIV

“Why am I going through these situations?  Why do I keep hurting?  When will this pain go away?”  Sometimes it can feel like we’re alone in this thing called life. We try to live the right way; we go to church and still we face troubles and heartache. It’s easy to ask, “where is God?”  It’s easy to feel that he doesn’t care about what we are going through.  But it’s during those hard times that God is there the most.  God cares about our hurts and pains.  He cares about the troubles we go through.  Keep in mind that God took on the form of a man so that he could feel all that we feel – pain and all.  As we go through the Lenten season, let’s remember that because God cares so much for us, He was willing to take on all of our sins. Let’s remember that He cried out to the Father in pain and agony for us.  So, when you’re feeling down, when you feel that you can’t take anymore heartache and the load is too much, let’s cast all of that anxiety, worry and pain onto Him, because He is there and he does care.  

Lord God, thank you for loving us so much.  Thank you for your mercy, your grace, your loving kindness.  Thank you for being our rock when we are not strong.  Lord God, help us to remember how much you love us.  Help us to remember what you did for us on the cross. Thank you for taking our sins, our burdens, our pain and our hurt on the cross with you.  We thank you, merciful father, and ask you for strength as we go through this season.  Help us to remember, Lord God, that You’re always in control even when everything is out of control.  We love you; we give you all the honor and praise, in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. 

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Come to me , all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.

 Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

In the spring of 2019, I woke up with a fever. I hadn't been feeling well for a few days prior to that. Instead of going to the doctor, I took a fever reducer and went to work. By mid-morning, my fever was back and I was ordered bythe nurse at my job to leave work and NOT return until I felt better. I went to the doctor and ended up having an Upper Respiratory Infection. I was given several prescriptions and was told by my doctor....to just rest. I waited until my body in complete shutdown mode to find rest. 

The great news is we don't have to wait. During this Lenten season, may we find rest, peace and comfort in HIS word- through prayer, meditation,fasting- however we are lead and guided by The Holy Spirit.

Dear Lord, when we find ourselves weary and heavy ladened on this life journey, please give us your peace and comfort and help us to  find rest in your everlasting arms. In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen!

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“Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved.“                                                                                                                 Psalms 55:22

Many people read self-help books when they feel overly burdened. But the Word of God informs us of ways we can relieve and release ourselves of things that weigh us down. Here are some effective strategies we can use to break free from our burdens:

   1. Throw your burdens on Jesus

   2. Ask Him for comfort and compassion for you and your family

   3. Fix your thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, lovely, and admirable.

   4. Set boundaries around self-care

   5. Let Go and Let God

But you O Lord are shield around my glory, who holds my head high.  Thank you for being my protector and defender.  There are many days my head is down because I am so burdened. But you are the lifter of my head.  You help me look up and beyond my worries and when I cried you answered. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, for helping me break free from my burdens, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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“However, this kind does not go out but by prayer and fasting.” Matthew 17: 21

The boy was epileptic and suffering greatly, often falling into the fire and often into the water. His father brought him to Jesus’ disciples, but they could not cure him. Then Jesus came. He rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was cured from that very hour. 

The disciples came to Jesus and asked why they could not cure the boy. He rebuked them for their lack of faith, but added “However, this kind does not go out but by prayer and fasting.”

We’re facing some “this kind” of conditions and challenges in this season. Sickness abounds. Many are facing financial hardships and other personal struggles. War and political, economic and social turmoil have disturbed our peace. 

The Lenten season calls us to prayer and fasting, so that our faith may be increased and our spirits strengthened and renewed. We fast and pray that we might receive power from on high to defeat the enemies of our soul.

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, grant us that faith that moves mountains and, as we fast and pray, strengthen and renew us so that we can defeat every enemy that we face, even the demons from hell. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.                                                                                            Psalm 100:5

Pastor: God is good

Congregation: All the time

Pastor: And all the time

Congregation: God is good.

If you’ve been in church for any period of time, you are very familiar with this call and response. We have been conditioned to respond automatically. Of course, God is good. You hear it all the time. But do you respond affirmatively because it is expected or is your response based on your intimate understanding of who God is and His favor and grace upon your life?

God has already abundantly blessed us. We should not take for granted the everyday blessings we receive; the breath we take over 20,000 times a day, the food and shelter he provides, the safety of our family and friends. These are all things we don’t give a second thought to most days. Add to that the “big” things; the job that you got even though you were the least experienced and credentialed of all the candidates, the healing that you had been praying about for years, the financial blessing that only God could have orchestrated. All of these reflect God’s goodness in our lives time and time again.

God wants to do good things for His children. As a loving father, He enjoys blessing us as any loving parent would. We all love showering gifts on our children. Matthew 7:11 tells us “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him”. The Message version ends by saying “So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?”

God also wants us to ask Him for the things we want AND expect Him to give them to us. The preceding verse to Matthew 7:11, verse 7 & 8 tells us “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” We have not because we ask not. Are we afraid to ask God for what we want? Do we worry that we are asking for too much or it’s too big? Or do we feel we are not deserving of what we want? All of these things are just not true. Do not let the devil fill your head with these lies. There is nothing too big for God. Do you know that anything you want is small compared to our God? If He can part the Red Sea so His children can walk on dry land, feed the five thousand with five loaves and two fish and calm a storm with his words, He can certainly answer our prayers.

Are you trusting God enough to allow Him to be good to you? Whether it is a BIG ask or a routine, everyday item, bring all your requests to God. He is waiting to bless you.

God, you are a good, good Father. Do not let my lack of trust block my blessings. I know you have wonderful, amazing things in store for those who trust in you. You are just waiting for me to ask. So, Father, I humbly ask for your favor and blessings on my life and may I use those blessings to bless others. In the name of your son, Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen!

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“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”                                                                                                          Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

The Lenten season is a time of fasting and reflection on Jesus’s sacrifice. We should also take  time to be still, resting in His presence and the knowledge of who He is – our omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God. During Lent, let’s break free from busyness and spend quality time alone with the Lord.

Stillness isn’t easy to find in life’s busyness, so we must be intentional.  Schedule time as you would with other priorities to focus solely on the Lord.  It is in our stillness in God’s presence that we come to know Him intimately and grow in our relationship with Him. I have learned that when I devote time to being still in God’s presence, I reap considerable benefits…peace, joy, strength when I feel weak and weary, encouragement, direction, and guidance. After spending time with God, my heart feels lighter and my day always goes better.

Be still in His presence and reap the benefits.  Commit to spending at least 15 minutes every day with the Lord; read scripture, pray and be still to hear His voice.  Open your heart and mind by focusing on Jesus and being in awe of who He is.  When we know God intimately, we can cease striving because we know that He is our strength, refuge, provider, healer, deliverer, and all that we need.  We can find freedom from all our struggles, burdens, and cares as we trust and rest in Him.

Abba Father, help me to be intentional and commit to spending quality time alone with You each day. Lord, help me to be still in Your presence and know that you are Almighty God. I stand in awe and reverence of who You are. Give me the grace and strength to “stand empty” before you, relying on you, casting my worries, burdens, and fears on you, trusting you. To You be all glory, honor, and praise. In the mighty name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

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Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

                                                                                                           1 Thessalonians 5:18

This verse speaks to me because recently, I lost an uncle who was dear to my heart. He was more like a brother than an uncle. Probably because we were close in age.  I reflect on the last time my uncle was in New York.  I asked him if there was anything he needed. His response was no.  He already had what he wanted and that was to see his sister (my mom).  A few days later, before he left New York, he expressed the desire to see a baseball game. I told him that the next time he visited I would take him to a Yankee or Mets Game. Sadly, this never happened.

My uncle transitioned on November 30th of last year. My mother visited my uncle shortly before his transition.  During her visit, his energy picked up and he was able to do some things for himself such as brushing his teeth and sitting up in bed.  My uncle requested that his family come to the yard for a huge family gathering. He was able to dance with his wife and to see the love everyone had for him.  My uncle expressed the importance of FAMILY.  I am eternally grateful that my mother was able to see him prior to his passing.

Lord, even in the trials and tribulations of life, I give you thanks for your blessings. Thank you for the lessons learned during these stressful times. I will praise your Holy name in every situation.  Lord, I thank you for the gift of family and the bond that family represents. 

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“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”                           Ephesians 1:3-4

Have you ever had a thought of why God chose to bless you? At some point in our lives, God has shown us favor at major milestones in our lives. Those blessings cannot be mistaken as acts of man. Sometimes, the origin of the blessing cannot be explained by conventional thought. You may even realize that you haven’t even asked for it but God chose to give you His provisions.

Theologians in some circles identify the believer as being in the enviable position for receiving God’s provisions (favor) – as being an extension of His grace. The Four Blessings of God according to the scholars are: Divine Prosperity, Divine Health, Fruitfulness and Long Life. Blessings within the Bible have been documented from the beginning. The book of Genesis (1:28) “Be fertile and increase, fill the earth and master it.” This was one of the first blessings of God on behalf of man and so it was. We must remember that, as part of God’s creation, we are positioned to receive the gift of God’s blessing. So get ready, God’s best is on its way to YOU!

Gracious and merciful Father,

Thank you for the extension of your grace over our life. Your divine kindness mercy and goodness IS our Blessing. You have given us deliverance from the grasp of sin through the ministry of Jesus Christ. All praises, honor and glory go to you. May our deeds thoughts and actions be acceptable in your sight.

In your precious name we pray, AMEN.

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"Now therefore," says the Lord, Turn to me with all your heart, with fasting with weeping, and with mourning. So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and he relents from doing harm. Who knows if he will turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind Him – A grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord your God?”                                                                                                                         Joel 2:12-14 (NKJV)

The writer of this scripture is telling us turn from our wicked ways and give our whole heart to the Lord through prayer and fasting, He indicated that God is not so concerned with our outer appearance but more so with the condition of our hearts. The Lord wants us to come to him with pure and clean hearts. The prophet Joel is saying we need to return to our God because He is gracious, merciful, kind and not easily angered and in so doing He might just leave us with a blessing.

Let us pray:

Merciful Father I come before you with thanksgiving and repentance in my heart. I asked dear God that you forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Restore in us a clean and pure heart. Help us father to share Your goodness and love with all whom we come in contact with. This I ask in the mighty and precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen

Submitted by Deacon Carmen Campbell

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"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."                           Isaiah 41:10

A few days ago, I attended a program honoring a deceased friend. During the program, a soloist sang one of my friend’s favorite songs, “You Are My Strength,” by William Murphy. The song, while comprised of a very few words, speaks to the power, strength, and grace we receive from God - his ability to revive us, to lift us up!  Like the song, the soloist’s rendition was simple yet powerful and enticed many in the audience to join in. This experience transformed the event into a moving testimony of the presence of God in one’s life.

Oftentimes, we sing songs depicting God’s words and assurances to give us the strength to persevere through life. King David gave us many to choose from. (See the Book of Psalms.) My friend endured many challenges during her lifetime, but her joy-filled spirit empowered her to break free of her burdens and live a life full of God’s goodness and favor.

Let us pray:

Dear God,

Thank you for my friend’s life and the example she set for us. Please help us to nurture our faith and trust in you. Help us to focus on sharing your goodness and fulfilling our purpose in life, not on the hardships and burdens we may carry. Let us find joy, hope, rejuvenation, and strength in your presence.    

You are my strength, strength like no other. Strength like no other reaches to me. [x4]

In the fullness of Your grace, in the power of Your name, you lift me up, you lift me up. [x2]

You are my strength, strength like no other. Strength like no other reaches to me. [x2]

In the fullness of Your grace, in the power of Your name, you lift me up, you lift me up. [x3]

You are my strength, strength like no other. Strength like no other reaches to me.

(By William Murphy)

Amen.

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