The MPC Podcast

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1–3

Contributor: Deacon Selena Washington  

KEEP RUNNING THE RACE

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.   Hebrews 12:1-3

Hebrews 12:1–3 uses the metaphor of an athletic race to describe the Christian journey of faith. It emphasizes endurance, the removal of distractions, and the ultimate example of Jesus' own sacrifice. 

Encouragement from the Past: The "cloud of witnesses" refers to Old Testament heroes (like Abraham, Noah,   Moses, Enoch) whose lives testified to God's faithfulness.

Laying Aside Weights:  means getting rid of anything—even things that aren't "sins" but are just distractions or bad habits that can slow you down.

Casting Off Sin: This is specifically sin which encircles you, that trips up the runner, calling for a life of active repentance. 

How do we do this? Hebrews 2 tells us to look unto Jesus. He is our example of perseverance. 

The core instruction is to look away from your sinful nature, focus on Jesus, and endure the marathon of a Christian life. 

When you feel like giving up, think about what Jesus went through. Comparing your "hills" to His "mountains" gives you a reality check that helps you find the second wind you need to keep moving. Keep your head up and "lock in."

Let us pray: 

Father, I come before You, thanking You for the great cloud of witnesses that surrounds me, reminding me that I am not walking this journey alone. Lord, I ask for Your strength and grace to lay aside every weight and the sin that clings closely to me.

Help me to run with perseverance the race that You have set before me, not looking to the distractions of the world, but fixing my eyes solely on Jesus. Thank You, Jesus, for being the author and perfecter of my faith. May I walk in constant obedience and dependence on You, living as a faithful witness, until I reach the finish line.

In Jesus’ name, I pray.

Amen. 

SUBMITTED BY DEACON SELENA WASHINGTON

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Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Contributor: ELDER IVAN O’CONNOR

Embracing Renewal and Growth

16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once

regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in

Christ, the new creation has come: [a] The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is

from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry

of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not

counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of

reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were

making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled

to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin [b] for us, so that in him we might

become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:16-21 NIV

Just imagine that there is a ledger in heaven that has kept a record of all of our

transgressions, whether committed by thought, word, or deed. This ledger will be taken

to our trial and used against us to show that we should not go on to glory.

But thanks be to God, He sent His Son to give us a “tabula rasa” (Latin for “blank

slate”), washed in His blood, if we fully embrace Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross and

acknowledge that He rose from the dead and make Him our Lord and Savior. Now that

old ledger is gone, and can’t be used against us. God through His Son made us a new

creation, and as a new creation we see through new eyes as ambassadors of Christ

commissioned in the ministry of reconciliation.

Since God is not a respecter of persons, what He has done for you and me is offered to

all. It is with great joy that we embrace our new life with Christ. As we grow in grace,

our cup runs over and we want to implore the world to reconcile with God, so they can

enjoy this hope and joy of salvation that we have, which the world can’t give and the

world can’t take away. Jesus is the only way, truth and life; no one comes to the Father

except through Him.

Let us pray: Gracious God, I pray that my fellow ambassadors of Christ embrace

our renewal and growth in the Lord. May our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,

continue to order our steps, and may we continue to lift Him up, so that He can

draw all men, women and children until Himself, In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

SUBMITTED BY ELDER IVAN O’CONNOR

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Scripture: Lamentations 3:22-33

Contributor: ELDER VALERIE O’CONNOR

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore, I will wait for him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young. Let him sit alone in silence, for the Lord has laid it on him. Let him bury his face in the dust—there may yet be hope. Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with disgrace.

For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.

Lamentations 3:22-33

It is such a comfort to focus on God’s embrace during our most difficult times. Our instinct is to be held. We were held in the womb. When we are born, we are wrapped tightly in those hospital blankets to mimic that feeling of being held tightly. Just like a crying baby that just wants to be held, we seek to be held by God when we are in distress. God does not cast us away but wraps us in His steadfast unfailing love. 

No matter how the situation looks we must wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. We must trust God’s timing for all of our situations. While we are waiting on the Lord we still have hope. The Lord is good to hose whose hope is in him. His mercies are new every morning. There is hope after devastation. Hope in our seasons of grief. Hope in our pain. When we are suffering it may seem like God is far away but know that he is near. 

Let us pray.

Lord God, we thank you for your new mercies every morning that you open our eyes. Great is your faithfulness oh God. All of our hope is in you. We are so thankful for your compassionate presence during our suffering.  We trust in your Lord God, we wait on you, Lord God. Your timing is perfect. We praise you our ever present God. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. 

SUBMITTED BY ELDER VALERIE O’CONNOR

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Scripture: Matthew 28: 1-10

Contributor: DEACON VERA TRENCHFIELD

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary

went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down

from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was

like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they

shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know

that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. “He is not here; he has risen, just as he

said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciplines: “He has

risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, “Now I

have told you.” So the woman hurried away from the tomb afraid yet filled with joy, and ran

to tell his disciples. “Suddenly Jesus met them,” Greetings, “he said, they came to him,

clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid, Go and tell

my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Matthew 28: 1-10 NIV

In Matthew Chapter 28: 1-10, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary approached the tomb

carrying sadness and fear, expecting to tend to a dead body, knowing that their teacher had been

crucified. Instead, they experienced a violent earthquake as an angel of the Lord came down and

said, “He is not here, “He is risen.” As they saw the tomb was empty, they knew their Savior

lives. What they thought was the end was actually the beginning. The women felt fear and great

joy at the same time.

Resurrection hope is the confidence and assurance that death does not have the final word. It is

believing that even when something looks buried, we know God has the final say. The stone was

rolled away, not just from a tomb but from, fear, despair and hopelessness.

How often do we experience a closed door, a broken relationship, a dream deferred, a delayed

promise? These things may feel permanent in our life but resurrection hope will let you know

that it is NOT over. The stone may look heavy, but God is mighty and strong. We are not alone.

Our risen Savior will meet us on the road, speaking peace to troubled hearts, and turn mourning

into joy.

Let us pray:

Lord, our eyes are tainted with the injustice, violence, and sickness in the world. As we struggle

with many disappointments, and closed doors and feel like the stone is closing in, remind us of

the empty tomb. Help us trust that You are still working in places that we cannot see. Replace

our fear with faith and our sorrow with resurrection hope.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

SUBMITTED BY DEACON VERA TRENCHFIELD

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Scripture: Matthew 11:28–30 (NIV) 

Contributor: ELDER ELAINE HINDS

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

29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 

30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:28–30 (NIV) 

In Jesus’ time, people carried heavy loads—personal struggles, religious pressures, and daily challenges. Today, our burdens may look different, but the weight can feel just as real. Stress, worry, grief, responsibility, and the constant noise of life can leave us weary.

Yet Jesus extends the same invitation He offered over 2,000 years ago: “Come to me.” When life overwhelms us, when anxiety rises, when we feel stretched thin, He invites us to lay those burdens at His feet. He does not offer the temporary peace the world gives, but deep, inner peace and rest for our souls.

Jesus uses the image of a yoke, a wooden beam that joins two oxen so they can pull a load together. He is saying, “You don’t have to carry this alone. Join yourself to Me.” When we trust Him, obey Him, and walk with Him, the weight becomes lighter because He is right beside us, carrying what we cannot.

Jesus is gentle. He is humble. He is compassionate. And He models the life we are called to live. When we follow His teachings with our whole heart, He strengthens us for the trials we face. He promises a path marked by peace, a lighter burden, and true rest.

So, during this Lenten season, will you give your burdens to Christ? He has already paid the price. He is waiting to carry what is too heavy for you to carry. Just let it go and trust Him!!

Let us pray

Father God, we thank You for Your Word and for the promise that when we give You our burdens, You give us rest. Help us to trust You fully so we may experience the peace and rest for our soul that only You offer. In the precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

SUBMITTED BY ELDER ELAINE HINDS

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Scripture Reference: Galatians 5:22–25

Contributor: DEACON NANCY SAMMS

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

GALATIANS 5:22-25

Renewal is not a one-time event; it is a daily embrace. Growth is not accidental; it is cultivated. In Galatians 5:22–25, Paul reminds us that spiritual growth is the natural evidence of a life surrendered to the Spirit of God. Just as fruit grows from a healthy tree, renewal grows from a heart rooted in Christ.

When we speak of embracing renewal, we are choosing to allow the Holy Spirit to reshape our attitudes, reactions, and relationships. Love replaces resentment. Joy rises above circumstances. Peace quiets anxious thoughts. Patience steadies us when growth feels slow. Gentleness softens our responses. Goodness guides our decisions. Faith anchors our trust. Meekness humbles our strength. Self-control guards our choices. These qualities are not self-manufactured; they are Spirit-produced.

Growth requires surrender. Verse 24 tells us that those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh—meaning we intentionally lay down old habits, harmful patterns, and prideful tendencies. Renewal often feels uncomfortable because it requires releasing what is familiar in order to receive what is better.

Verse 25 challenges us further: “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Living speaks to our identity; walking speaks to our daily conduct. Renewal begins inwardly but must be demonstrated outwardly.

To embrace renewal and growth is to say:

I will not remain who I used to be.

I will allow God to mature me.

I will reflect Christ more today than I did yesterday.

After years of experience, whether in ministry, career, or life, we can still grow. In fact, maturity should deepen our fruit, not diminish it. Growth is lifelong. Renewal is continuous. The Spirit is faithful.

Let us pray: Lord, thank You for the gift of Your Spirit. Help me to embrace renewal in every season of my life. Cultivate in me the fruit that reflects Your character. Teach me to surrender what hinders my growth and to walk daily in alignment with You. May my life show evidence of love, joy, peace, and self-control. Renew me, grow me, and use me for Your glory. 

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

SUBMITTED BY DEACON NANCY SAMMS

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Scripture Reference: Joel 2:12-13

Contributor: C.R. Elder E. Magalene McClarrin

A HEART RENDING EXPERIENCE

“Even now, declares the LORD, return to Me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping

and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for He

is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and He relents from

sending calamity.”

Joel 2:12-13

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Scripture reference: Micah 6:6–8 NLT

Contributor: Elder Mary Martin-Sweet

Embracing What God Requires

“What can we bring to the Lord? Should we bring him burnt offerings? Should we bow

before God Most High with offerings of yearling calves? 7 Should we offer him

thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our

firstborn children to pay for our sins? 8 No, O people, the Lord has told you what is

good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to

walk humbly with your God.”

Micah 6:6–8 NLT

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Scripture: Psalm 51:10-12

Contributor: Eld. Apryl Redwood 

Say Yes and Start Fresh

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from

your presence and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation

and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Psalm 51:10-12 ESV

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Scripture: Matthew 4:1-2

Contributor: Eld. Rev. Dennis Henderson

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the

devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was

hungry.”

Matthew 4:1-2

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