Grace for All

Holy WeekHoly SaturdayWelcome to Grace for All, a daily devotional podcast written and produced by the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. Thank you for joining us today. This is Holy Week, a time when Christians everywhere observe the days leading up to the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Christ. This week, we present a special set of podcasts that day by day, trace the activities and words of Jesus during this time. Again, thank you for joining us on this journey.Matthew 27:62-66The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ Therefore command the tomb to be made secure until the third day; Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.” So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.Holy Saturday, the day between the Crucifixion and the Resurrection, is the day Jesus is in the tomb. Does this “in between” times have anything to tell us? To get at the answer to this question we need to go back to that Saturday and look at what the people who knew Jesus were doing. The Gospels have different accounts. In Matthew, whose scripture we read, the focus is on the Chief Priest and the Pharisees. They are at Pilate’s house, demanding that a guard be placed at the tomb to prevent the disciples from stealing the body and saying he rose from the dead. In Luke we have the women who had been with him, even at the foot of the cross, preparing spices so they could finish the embalming process once the Sabbath was over. In Mark and John there is silence about this day but later in John we are told that the disciples were in hiding behind locked doors, fearful that the authorities who had put Jesus to death would come for them. I call all of these “tomb moments.” It is a time of endings and death. A time seemingly void of hope and possibilities. Remember, for these first disciples there was no Easter, just the stark reality that their beloved teacher and friend had been cruelly put to death.When we pause to reflect, we realize that we all have our tomb moments. These are times of great loss, disappointment and grief. Life, as we know it is no longer a possibility and what is to come is unknown, often unwanted and possibly frightening. This is a time of acute grief. The first day after a great loss can be almost worse than the day it happened. This day you wake up for the first time knowing a void that will never be filled. Whether that void is due to a death, loss of a job, or the ending of a dream, you know that your life has forever changed and there is no going back.How do you live during tomb moments? The women highlight one approach in there preparing spices for the embalming. They were focussing on the loss, trying to process it by putting all their mental energy towards funeral preparations. This is a common expression of grief. You know that a new day has dawned but you are not ready to deal with it. Others, like the male disciples, can be filled with fear about the unknowns ahead. We accept the loss, but it leaves us with a jumble of emotions, from anger at the person we love dying, to fear as to what we are going to do and what our future might look like, to helplessness because it all feels so overwhelming. The Pharisees and Chief Priest give us one more approach, proclaiming that new life is an impossibility. And doing everything in their power to resist moving forward in life. Yes, we have our tomb moments. We see our actions and feelings mirrored in the lives of those living through these horrific moments. Holy Saturday speaks to such times. Remember, the friends of Jesus did not have the reassurance of Easter at this moment, but they were not forsaken. Jesus had promised that he would send a comforter. God was with them at this moment. What did these friends of Jesus do this Saturday? I am guessing what most of us do at these moments. They shared memories of Jesus, They remembered his words, his miracles, his kindness, and his love. In spite of everything, there had to be a few smiles amid the tears and perhaps even a laugh or two. The promised comfort Jesus had promised was at work. So when we are facing the tomb of death and other loss know God is with us. God is doing all that God can do to comfort us and sustain us often through the love and care of others. We can rest assured that our grief, our fears, and whatever other emotions we are feeling will not last. New life awaits us even if we don’t really want that life at that moment. And often we are surprised as we walk forward in trust that the new life we receive is so much more than we could ever have hoped for. We are often surprised by what life still has to offer us, just as those who waited through this dark day would find. Let us pray.Loving God, when we have our

Holy WeekGood Friday Welcome to Grace for All, a daily devotional podcast written and produced by the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. Thank you for joining us today. This is Holy Week, a time when Christians everywhere observe the days leading up to the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Christ. This week, we present a special set of podcasts that day by day, trace the activities and words of Jesus during this time. Again, thank you for joining us on this journey.Luke 23:44-49 (NLT) By this time it was noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words, he breathed his last.”When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshipped God and said, Surely this man was innocent.’ And when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow. But Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching. Luke gives us a description of what happens as Jesus dies. The darkness. The Temple curtain. And what the people present do, or don’t do. I’m drawn to an often overlooked phrase in verse 49: But Jesus’ friends stood at a distance, watching.When I first became aware of that sentence, I was offended. Even angry. Really, his friends?? The crowd was up close, the soldier professed his faith. But his friends hung back. Stayed at a distance. At the time, Jesus needed them the most. So disappointing.But I stayed with this passage. Continued to ponder it. And I came to realize that this is what I do. And I’ll bet you do. And it’s the reason we have what we call Good Friday. We are to spend Good Friday looking at Jesus die on a cross. And reflecting on it. And asking ourselves, what are we seeing, and what does it mean?So today—Good Friday—I want to tell you what I see as I watch the Son of God die on a cross. Three things.First, when I stand at a distance and see Jesus die, I see a God who understands my suffering. The oldest, hardest question for a believer is: if God is good, why does he allow the innocent to suffer? The most ancient book in the Bible, the book of Job, wrestles with this question. And doesn’t satisfactorily answer it. Truthfully, there is no completely adequate answer to the question. But when Jesus chooses the cross in obedience to God, he chooses suffering. Here we see a God who has decided to identify with the hardest things we have to face. Think of it: an all powerful God, a holy, righteous God, not only has come to be with us, but has chosen vulnerability, weakness, suffering. I read of a bitter, grieving father whose son had died in a terrible car accident and asked his minister, “Where was God when my son died?” With great compassion the minister said, “The same place he was when his own son died—on the cross.”Life is not easy, and sooner or later we all are hit with suffering we don’t deserve. I don’t have an answer to why, but when I stand at a distance and watch the Son of God die on a cross, I see a God who chose to identify with me, who chose to understand my suffering.There is a second thing I see when I stand at a distance. I see a God who understands my failures. By every human standard, Jesus’ earthly life ended in failure. He had early success and popularity, but over time opposition to him mounted. And finally, he was executed as a criminal, between criminals. Executed by a cruel method reserved for the worst of people. Isaiah 53 says, “He was despised and rejected.” So he was.Have you ever failed at something big? A job? A marriage? Parenting? Something that truly matters? It is consoling to know our Lord experienced rejection in the worst way possible, the heart of his message ignored. He dies with only a handful of folks standing by him.When my grandson, Jacob, was about 10 years old, I took him to the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola. It’s a fascinating place and we were having a great time. They have a Top Gun Simulator where a person can climb into the cockpit and experience what it’s like to fly a F-14 fighter jet. Jake, of course, wanted to try it. So he took the pilot’s seat and I sat behind in the copilot’s seat. He guided the controls as we took off, then zoomed over beaches and the Gulf of Mexico toward our destination, an aircraft carrier in the Gulf. The simulation was to end with a landing on the carrier. As we approached that narrow strip of ship bobbing in the water, I could see Jake tense up. When we began to get close I realized one wing was down and we weren’t lined up properly so I said, “Pull up Jake!” I didn’t have the controls, I could only speak into his ear. He managed to gain altitude and we circled back around. This time he was balanced and lined up correctly. But just as he was

Holy WeekMaundy ThursdayWelcome to our special Holy Week Podcast for Maundy Thursday.The word “maundy” comes from the Latin word mandatum, meaning command. The English word mandate comes to mind. This term Maundy Thursday helps us to recall Jesus’ mandate to remember Him, using the observance of Holy Communion/The Lord’s Supper…Today’s scripture comes from two segments of Luke Chapter 22.Luke 22:19-20 “And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.’ ” In this last supper gathering with his twelve closest disciples, Jesus knew what was coming and he made good use of every moment, and every word said at this meal. He wanted his disciples to understand how important his final instructions were. The disciples may not have known why Jesus said the bread was his body and the cup his blood, but we do. As events unfolded, they would have remembered the strange words about bread as body and wine as blood. Perhaps their very first recollection of his commanding words filled them later that evening as they were with him in the Garden as he prayed.We hear this part of the evening from our second scripture selection. Luke 22:41-44 He withdrew about a stone throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed. ‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.’ An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.Perhaps the disciples heard his anguished prayer and even saw his bloody agonized sweat that stained his robe. As the evening came to its dreadful finale, with his arrest, they all ran away, leaving him alone with no support as the battalion of soldiers took him away.I can imagine the disciples as they walked the floor or tossed and turned in their beds, sleepless that whole night. Perhaps the mandate from Jesus rang over and over in their ears – “This is my body. This is my blood. Remember me! Remember me!”We know they did remember and thank God they wrote his stories and his words and their memories of him in the Gospels and letters in the New Testament, so we too can know and remember Him.In the United Methodist Church when we observe Holy Communion services, we ask the Holy Spirit to be poured on us and on the gifts of bread and grape juice, that the bread and juice be for us the body and blood of Christ, so we, who receive them, may be for the world, the body of Christ redeemed by his blood.So, friends, let’s lift up this Maundy Thursday prayer to our Lord Jesus to show Him and the world that we do remember and that we hope to LOVE as He loves, to live as He lived, always loving GOD and our neighbor.Prayer:Dear Loving Lord Jesus, who died on that cross for all of us – help us to always remember you and to follow your mandate to LOVE one another as you have LOVED us - not only on this Maundy Thursday but every day of our lives. In your Holy Name we pray, Amen. This devotion was written and read by Bernice Howard. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Holy WeekWelcome to Grace for All, a daily devotional podcast written and produced by the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. Thank you for joining us today. This is Holy Week, a time when Christians everywhere observe the days leading up to the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Christ. This week, we present a special set of podcasts that day by day, trace the activities and words of Jesus during this time. Again, thank you for joining us on this journey.“Crucify him!”Matthew 26:14-16 (KJV) "Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him."“Crucify him!”Years ago I heard a pastor ask while giving an Easter sermon “who do you most identify with in the resurrection story?” He then listed central characters: Peter, Pontious Pilate, the Pharisees. Afterwards I told him that it seemed to me that Barabbas, who he had not named, was the only choice I could make. He seemed surprised, but to me Barabbas represents all that I do not understand in the mysteries of grace and what I have been given. Barabbas was pardoned so that Jesus could make the most divine, powerful, and loving sacrifice ever made.“Crucify him!”In John 3:8 Jesus shares, “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”Just the other day, I saw a photo of mist on the water with gorgeous orange and pink hues in the sky. I thought to myself what a beautiful sunset. I wondered where it was. Then I read the caption and saw the location but also learned that it was a sunrise and not a sunset. In a photo, I could not sense east from west. In life, I do not know whether it is the beginning or the end. Who am I to say how or where the Spirit will move? I do not know what will be asked of me or of you.“Crucify him!”Jesus cried out on the cross the prayer of David in Psalm 22:1: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” but as we know God did not forsake him. He loved him above all others. Judas sat at the table with Jesus and said “surely you do not mean me, Rabbi?” Immediately after, Jesus shares the new covenant with everyone at the table. It is shared with Judas, and Peter, who denies Jesus three times before the cock crows, and now with all of us. Judas is a beloved child of God, and what a task he was given. Jesus knows and feels all that Judas is going to do, and he says to him in love, “What you are about to do, do quickly." The most infamous betrayer in history shared the cup with Jesus and his sins were forgiven because Jesus was crucified.Pray with me today:Abba, may we remember that all are beloved and are forgiven! We know in our heart that you do not forsake us even in our darkest moments, but let us remember it always. Let us also understand in our hearts that we should not cry out “Crucify him!” about any beloved child of God, but forgive us when we do it anyway. Your mysteries are great, and our understanding is small. When I look into the eyes of others and think I see Judas, may your spirit be with me so that I recognize Jesus. Amen.Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected] United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Holy WeekHello, and welcome to Grace for All, a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee! I’m Grace Jonas, the reader and writer of today’s devotional, which I’ve entitled “By What Authority?”. Thank you so much for joining me on this Holy Tuesday! Now, I’d like to invite you to take a moment and pause with me as we meditate on today’s scripture: Luke 20:1-2“One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. ‘Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,’ they said. ‘Who gave you this authority?’”If we expand upon this story further, Jesus counters this questioning by asking those who would question him: “tell me, John’s baptism, was it from Heaven or from human origin?” A question which the elders discussed among themselves, concluding that if they said it was from heaven, they would be asked why they did not believe him.On the other hand, however, if they answered that it was of human origin, that they would be stoned due to the belief that John was a prophet. So, they answered that they did not know where it was from, and in response, Jesus said “neither will I tell you by what authority that I am doing these things.”In this day and age, it can feel easy when faced with questions of authority such as “who told you that you could do this?” to resort to the response of being told by a parental figure or otherwise authoritarian figure to do a task. The historian in me would even go as far as to put the assumption out there that some would say that the tasks they are carrying out are pleasing to God, citing him as the one who gave them such authority.But notice how instead of resorting to responses such as these, Jesus simply questions the men in return, asking them to think about a different angle, almost as if he is posing a riddle of sorts. Instead of caving, he stands strong, and when he is given an answer that they did not know the origins of John’s baptism, he opts that he will not tell them where his authority comes from that is allowing him to teach the good news within the temple. It can be implied and widely believed that his authority comes from none other than the grace of God, or in other words, from heaven, much as John’s baptism is implied to be from heaven.Throughout this Holy Week, as we meditate on the scripture and the teachings of Jesus during his last week, let us remember that while it may be the authority of God and the heavens that allows us to act, not all may believe us, but we don’t have to justify that, we should simply strive to keep acting in a manner pleasing to God no matter what.Prayer:God, when we are faced with authority being put to question, help us to remember that the authority of heaven and your will is what matters and should influence our words and actions when others may doubt and question us. And help us to always remain unwavering in these beliefs. Amen.This episode was written and read by Grace Jonas. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Mark 11:15-17 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’In this scene, an event which is recorded in all four gospels, Jesus calls out injustice toward the poor and marginalized, and toward God. The temple, intended to be a place of reverence and worship, had become a mechanism of oppression. The poorest people, who could afford only the minimal sacrifice, were being taken advantage of the most. They were subject to price gouging, and because they had to exchange their currency for temple-approved coins prior to the sale—often at unfair rates—they were doubly wronged.The money changers and merchants in the temple courts were participating in a system of social and divine injustice. Jesus, in overturning the tables and clearing out the temple, was protesting that system and its oppression of the vulnerable, under the guise of religious practice. In doing so, Jesus was also restoring the temple to its right purpose, realigning worship with God’s will and removing the barriers that kept people from experiencing God’s presence.Religion at its best leads humanity closer to God and into personal and social holiness. Religion at its worst has, throughout human history, served as a means for some groups to suppress and disadvantage others, obstructing the relationship between humanity and God.As we remember Jesus’ journey toward the cross during this Holy Week, and especially as we read of Jesus clearing the temple, I cannot help but think of those places Jesus might enter and clear out in righteous anger and indignation if he were here now. Where might Jesus be calling us today, as His followers, to go, turn over some tables?Let us pray:Lord Jesus, forgive us when we, in our human frailty, have turned your house of worship into a den of thieves. Open our eyes to the ways our religious practice might serve to harm the vulnerable or to hinder those who seek you. Call us into those places where tables need overturning, that you might restore all your people into right relationship with you. In Christ’s name we pray, amen.Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected] United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

John 8:3-11 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the groupand said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?”They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”“No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”Why did Jesus do what he did? Could he see that an injustice was being done? Stoning was the penalty for the crime. But, the partner in the adultery was also to be stoned and is not mentioned nor is the witness who is to throw the first stone.Jesus forgives her of her sins and sends her away with the admonition to sin no more. If she had not been sorry for her sin and repentant, would Jesus have done this?Interesting questions, but for me the most important lesson to be learned comes from Jesus’ statement, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” For years I thought that his words only applied to the scribes and the Pharisees. But, there was one present without sin. Maybe Jesus was saying that if a stone (judgment) was to be thrown, he was the only one permitted to be first. Aren’t we sinners like the scribes and Pharisees? I fear that we are. Instead, we need to bring God’s love to those who are being unfairly treated, to those who are sick, to those who are hungry. We are qualified to do those things. But we are not qualified to throw the first stone. Only Jesus is. PrayerDear God, help us to bring your love to all those we encounter. While we need to help others understand how you want us to live, never let us judge them. You are the only one qualified to do that.This devotional was written by Alvin Jenkins and read by Herb Sadler. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.Merriam-Webster.com defines meek as enduring injury with patience, and without resentment. The Bible offers meekness as a virtue that means to be humble, gentle, and submissive to God’s will. It is often associated with patience and putting aside one’s own desires, to follow God.Jesus was meek while the soldiers arrested him in the garden, where he was only praying.Jesus was meek while Herod and the soldiers mocked and ridiculed him. He was meek as they spit upon him, stripped him of his clothes, and beat him bloody. He was meek as the soldiers pressed a crown of thorns onto his head and blood ran into his eyes. He was meek as he bowed under the weight of that huge cross, dragging it through the streets and up the hill to Golgotha, the place of the skull. He was meek as they pounded the nails into his hands and feet, nailing him to that cross.He was meek as the cross was raised. He was quiet and submissive.He could have called down legions of angels from heaven to destroy those crucifying him. Yet, he hung there, dying humbly, accepting the pain and humiliation of torture and crucifixion.All throughout his life on earth, Jesus showed restraint. He was gentle, kind, and loving. He was strong in His faith and trust in God His Father/ yet never lorded Himself over anyone. Instead, he constantly lifted others up – teaching by example, healing freely, and loving all he met.What if we Christians took a page from Jesus’ playbook and made being meek and humble our constant attitude? What if we turn the other cheek when offended? What if we forgive 7x70 times? What if we pray for those with whom we disagree, instead of condemning them? What if we keep the Great Commandment to Love God and Love our Neighbors. What if we all endure injury with patience instead of resentment? What if we start a movement that brings a revolution of peace on earth?!Now, Peace on the whole earth may take a while – but wouldn’t it be amazing and wonderful to have peace in your own soul, peace in your family, peace in your workplace, in your neighborhood, in your town, as we work toward bringing it to the whole earth?I recall the words of that wonderful Vince Gill song… “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.”My friends, let’s fix our eyes on Jesus and emulate His meekness. Let’s be bold in LOVE and meekly forgiving in everything else. Let’s start that Peace on Earth today!Please pray with me…Dear God, I want to be more like Jesus today. I want to be meek and mild and forgiving toward everyone – just as He is. I want to let go my anger and resentment, forgiving as Jesus did, meekly accepting hardship as a pathway to Peace. Help me, Lord, to grow in LOVE and to spread that LOVE wherever I go. Help me, Lord, to be meek. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.Today’s podcast was written and read by Bernice Howard. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected] United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Galatians 5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.Years ago, I was giving the children’s message on Sunday morning, and this was our verse. I gave each child a different piece of fruit – a banana, an apple, an orange, a pear, small clusters of grapes, red and white. After getting through the comments “I like oranges, I don’t like pears, my mother cuts my grapes up,” and so on, I asked them why it is important to include fruit in your diet. Again, the expected answers were given: “they have vitamins, they’re good for you, they taste good,” and then one unexpected answer: “they make you sweet.” We did go on and make the connection between fruits of the Spirit and striving to show them in our daily lives – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness. I hope some of the children really did understand the importance of accepting and exemplifying the fruits of the Spirit, but the more I thought about the answer “they make you sweet,” the more I believe that child was exactly right. Think about the opposites of these gifts: hatred, unhappiness, anxiety, impatience, meanness, and disloyalty. These are not qualities we seek, nor are they the characteristics of a happy person. I believe God is telling us that through Him we have the capacity and strength to be better people. Without the Spirit giving us the ability to love others, no matter their faults, a Christian is no different from the saddest, meanest, grouchiest person who lives. Who wants to be like that person?The fruits of the Spirit that Paul lists benefit every one of us. They also benefit everyone who comes in contact with us. The checkout line is long and you’re in a hurry? You can be impatient and grouchy, or you can be kind and encouraging to others in line with you and especially the stressed out clerk. A friend or family member has betrayed your trust or done something to hurt you? You can hold a grudge forever and respond with unkind words or you can forgive and work to repair the relationship, even when that may take a lifetime or never happen at all.As human beings, it is not easy to be the one who is kind or the one who forgives. Truthfully, most of us cannot do it on our own. We must embrace the Spirit in order to enjoy the fruits for ourselves and to demonstrate Christian joy to others. Through the power of your Spirit, we can. Let us pray:Heavenly Father, we are so grateful that through the Power of your Spirit, we can behave in ways that go against our instincts. Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness and faithfulness are the fruits you give us so that we can live in a different, Christ-like way that is pleasing to you. Amen.This devotion was written by Pat Scruggs and read by Bernice Howard. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Luke 5:29-32 NRSV Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others reclining at the table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician but those who are sick; I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”We look down on the Pharisees for assigning people or groups into favored and rejected categories. But don’t we do the same? You might not mean to but we often speak disparaging about the homeless, about a person needing to get a job, about a faith group or nationality or political party. Are these comments not the same thing as what the Pharisees were doing? I know I have caught myself doing this. I don’t intend to demean the other groups. but when I do this, I realize that I am seeing myself as one of the righteous, one blessed by God and not like them. This causes me to come to an even greater awareness. I have become a sinner whom Jesus is calling to repentance. For Jesus said that we are to love others as he has loved. And we know Jesus did not place limits or labels on people or restrict his love. It is at that moment I realize that Jesus is saying that I am sick,. I need the great physician. Even more Jesus says that there is room at his table for me, not because I deserve it but because he loves me. That challenges me to remember to strive to be welcoming and loving towards all.Awhile back on Facebook there was the story of the boy, about age five who went to a fast food restaurant with his family. After they had gotten their meal he was looking around a saw a man sitting all by himself. The little boy got down and went over with his meal and sat in the opposite seat to this man. Mom was getting up to bring him back to the table when she saw the man smile and welcome the boy. For the next few minutes they sat together talking as they ate. Soon the little boy came back to his family. When asked why he had done this he said, “No one should eat alone.” The mom admitted to feeling guilty. She had seen the man and ignored him. Her son saw a person in need of love. When we are feeling lost, alone and hurting, Jesus comes and sits at our table. When we are sitting at the table feeling entitled, Jesus looks at us with sad eyes and gets up and moves to another table, one that needs him and welcomes not just him but all whom he has gathered to his feast. May we learn to have a welcoming heart to all knowing everyone we meet has a place at Jesus’ table.Prayer: Loving God, when I start feeling negative towards others stop me. Remind me that you love them and that they are welcomed at your table as much as me. Encourage me to be welcoming and non-judgmental for I know this is what it takes to truly dine with you. AMEN.This devotion was written by Bill Green and read by Jim Stovall. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Psalm 103:8-12 (KJV) “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide, neither will he keep his anger forever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.”This verse from Psalms allows me to breathe easier. I certainly have accumulated a long list of actions and thoughts that could provoke God’s anger and retribution. But I know from this verse and many others that this is not how God deals with us. He forgives us over and over again.Recently I had a conversation with a student whom I had not seen or talked with in over 30 years. Imagine my surprise when he suddenly said “I have never forgiven you for . . .” It turns out that I had reported his use of a tobacco product on campus, a clear violation of school policy, which resulted in disciplinary action; again, school policy. I have no memory of this incident, but I no doubt wrote reports for many students over 25 years in the classroom. I am a rule follower by nature, and if part of my job is to follow school policy, then that is what I will do. It was never personal, but to this student, I had done him a great wrong, and he has never forgiven me! Our conversation ended cordially, and I hope he can let go of that perceived injustice all these years later.Thank goodness God does not treat us this way. As I said earlier, I am sure I have accumulated a long list of things that God coul d hold against me. Maybe I said or did something without really thinking about it as being unjust or cruel or sinful, but it was something God would not want me to do. And then there are the things I do and say that I know God is not pleased with, but due to my human weakness, I do it anyway. Every night and every morning I can ask for forgiveness and start with a clean slate. My heart can be light rather than burdened with all the wrong in my life. I can praise God for His great mercy and forgiveness. I can be a new person every day as I strive to be more Christ-like in my journey. This Psalm ends with verse 22: “Praise the Lord, all his works, everywhere in his dominion. Praise the Lord, my soul.”Let us pray,Father, how can we ever thank you for your infinite forgiveness? Your willingness to let us start anew and try our best not to repeat past sins and wrongdoing? It is beyond our human ability to understand such boundless love and mercy. Yet we thank you and we praise you for these amazing gifts. Amen.This devotion is written and read by Pat Scruggs. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Lamentations 3:23 They (compassions) are renewed every morning. Great is your faithfulness.Last night, I came home from work exhausted. Monday was a “long week,” and Tuesday was even longer. I was out of energy. I cried my laments as I ate a late dinner and had no time to relax. I got to Friday and celebrated the end of another week.As a culture, we are in love with a sense of accomplishment. We relish marking things off our to-do list. We idolize our own laments. We bask in our productivity and letting everyone else know how hard it has been. We wish things over, finished, spent, done, complete… I’ve never really thought about it until the moment I started writing this but one way of looking at being a good Christian is that it totally lacks any sense of completion. It’s never over. Our mission will not end. Well, that could be frustrating—and exhausting if you have been raised in a culture that celebrates a cult of accomplishment.Being Christian is not about what I accomplish. I have created nothing. A better question is “Am I compassionate?” From where is compassion born? Do we produce compassion or is it given to us to share with those around us? If I am compassionate then it is because God has renewed my compassion each day.I create compassion no more than I produce light in this world. If I have a light to shine then it is because God has gifted me light. Every morning new mercies, compassion, and light are shared with me as a gift.“Great is Thy Faithfulness”- God has faith in me? God has faith in me! God renews his compassion for me every morning. God believes I can rise every day renewed with passion and compassion to carry out His mission, a never ending mission. Endless compassion given to me. Each day dawns, and His light shines brightly in me. It is an illusion that it is dark in this world. Just as the sun never sets, God’s love surrounds us even in the darkest hour. It is easier for you and those around you to see your light when you are in the darkness. The light is always with us, but if we are standing where the light of Christ is all around us, then anything we are saying or doing is part of what is already visibly good.When we seek the darkness and shine the light of Christ and share compassion with those in the darkness, then we light a path for them. We are torchbearers. And may our light never falter as it is renewed each day with the compassion of our Lord.Lord, great is Your faithfulness. Let us pray that we can begin each day renewed by Your compassion for us. May we share Your love, compassion, and light with all that we encounter each day. And when we are exhausted at the end of a day, help us to remember that this is a sign that we have done Your work and that You are the source of our renewal, Amen.This devotional was written by Jill Pope and read by Greta Smith. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Isaiah 44:22 I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me for I have redeemed you.The word redeem means to atone or make amends for error or evil. The thief on the cross beside Jesus, is a perfect example of redemption. This man by a single act of faith was redeemed for a life of evil.When we confess our sins and errors, God is faithful and redeems us. And he offers this redemption to ALL who return to him. But there is something often holding us back from that perfect redemption that God offers. That something, is unforgiveness, standing in the way of our redemption.James 2:13 says, “For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”To embrace forgiveness leads us to true redemption and mercy. We can’t hold on to that old grudge against a family member or keep thinking hateful thoughts about that friend who betrayed us or the neighbor who offended us. We must forgive these deep offenses and hurts. We must let them go.It can be very hard to give mercy for deep wounds, for tragic wrongs, but with God’s help, we can forgive and let go of even the worst hurts. We need God’s help, and we might have to forgive some people over and over again. But with determination and God’s help we can overcome our resentment, anger, and hatred. Forgiving does not mean you forget what happened, though that would be wonderful. Forgiving means letting go of resentment and anger toward the perpetrator. Forgiving means showing mercy, just as God shows mercy to you. By showing mercy to those who have hurt us, we can return to God’s peace and feel redeemed, wrapped in His LOVE. I don’t know about you, but I crave that redemption peace! So, let’s pray now and always…Dear God, help me to give my burdens to you and to let go of the resentment, hatred, and anger I have been holding, from my past hurts. Help me to overcome negative thoughts and to offer your selfless LOVE to those who have hurt or angered me – even my enemy. By forgiving, I can return to you, accepting your freely offered gift of redemption.In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.Today’s devotional was written and read by Bernice Howard. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Matthew 19:13-15 Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. As part of the morning services at our church, there is children's time. It is one of my favorite parts of the service. Usually, it consists of an object lesson and a brief story told to the kids by the pastor. Very seldom does the session end without a reply from one or more of the children that brings joy and, many times, laughter from the adults. At a recent church Thanksgiving dinner, the pastor highlighted the blessings that he referred to as “dreams come true” throughout the year. Then he invited everyone to share a dream they had for the future of the church by writing it on a sticky note and placing it on one of the large glass windows along the side of the room. The children were included in the invitation. One youngster shared his honest and humorous dream of “playing basketball in Sunday School.” As the saying goes, you can't make this stuff up.It is encouraging to see young people using their musical talent in various church services. This includes instrumental solos, a youth choir, and a handbell choir. Young people also help with communion, church offerings, candle lighting, and other tasks. Our scripture relays a story of people being rebuked by the disciples for bringing children to Jesus to be blessed, but Jesus said, "Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for such is the Kingdom of Heaven.”Proverbs 22:6 proclaims “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”Children face some serious challenges in our world and need our prayers, protection, and encouragement. I’m thankful for opportunities for our youth to serve and worship and for parents and family support systems that share responsibility to “bring up a child in the way he should go.”Our prayer:Thank you, Father, for our young people. We pray for wisdom as we share a community of love and protection for children. Amen.This devotion was written by Stephen Hankal and read by Judy Wilson. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Luke 17:11-19On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, 10 lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out saying, “Jesus, Master, Have mercy on us!“ When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.“And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus his feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, “Were not 10 made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God, except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.“Can you think of the times in your life when your life took a whole new direction? Maybe it was when you graduated from high school or college. Maybe it was when a new person came into your life, such as a spouse, a newborn baby, or simply a new person who became a close friend. Maybe it was when you moved to a new location or took a new job that had you doing something you had never done before.In this story, we find Jesus traveling with his disciples, and they come upon a group of individuals who are in dire circumstances. They have a disease that, in those times, made them outcasts. But they know who Jesus is, and they have found out what he has done in other places, and for other people. They asked for his help.In a fashion that is typical of his ministry, Jesus heals them. Jesus gives him a new direction in life, one that they had begged for. They can now return to their normal lives, to their families and friends. This is what they wanted, and they have been truly blessed.But only one out of the 10 realizes what has just happened to him. Only one, a Samaritan of all people, understands that this wonderful thing was not just a chance occurrence. It was a gift—a gift, directly from Jesus himself. That one person came back to thank Jesus, and to praise God.There are many times in our lives when we take a new direction. In many cases, the change is exactly what we want, what we have been hoping for, what we have been asking for. Do we, like the other nine lepers, simply recognize our good fortune, and continue on with our lives? Or do we, like the Samaritan, understand that the gift of a new beginning is a gift from God?PrayerOur father, in heaven, help us to recognize that the changes that take place in our lives are the gifts of your grace and your love. Help us always to accept him with discerning and thankful hearts. Amen.This devotion was written by Jim Stovall and read by John Cherry. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Luke 5:13 (NRSV)“Then Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, ‘I do choose. Be made clean.’ Immediately the leprosy left him.” This encounter with a leper occurs as Jesus is teaching and healing throughout the land. Growing crowds are following him, amazed by the authority of his preaching. Many are hoping for healing from conditions from which they have suffered for years, even their whole lives. Despite the crowds, Jesus recognizes and reaches out to individuals such as this leper. The leper bows his head and begs Jesus for healing. In the preceding verse, the leper says “Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.” And Jesus does choose – the man is made clean. In Biblical times, disease was considered to be punishment for sin. The appearance of the leper (skin lesions, rashes, discoloration of skin) made it clear that the person was not fit to enter the Temple or associate with others. Lepers were forced to live on the outskirts of town, forage for their food, and even ring a bell and call out “Unclean!” if another person came near. They lived a life of shame and isolation. But here is Jesus, acknowledging, responding to, even touching the leper who has begged for healing. The leper’s request is granted; he is made clean. Jesus continues to reach out to us today. Whatever sin separates us from God can be forgiven and we can be made clean, if we only ask. During this Lenten season of self-examination, reflection, and repentance, may we be mindful that Jesus never turns away; the first step to healing and a closer relationship with Him is up to us. Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, we come to you in faith, asking to be made clean and healed from our iniquities. Thank you for the gift of your grace and forgiveness, and for always choosing love. In your name we pray, Amen.Today’s devotional was written by Pat Scruggs and read by Julie George.Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Isaiah 12:5 Sing to the Lord for he has done glorious things. Let this be known to all the world.Many years ago when my kids were young we had the pleasure of welcoming the African children's choir to our church. This choir was founded in 1984 by a man named Ray Barnett who was traveling in wartorn Uganda and gave a small boy a ride to a safer village. During the journey the child began to sing in the midst of all the surrounding chaos.Out of this was born the choir which focuses on children orphaned mainly by AIDS and war. They are schooled and trained and then tour all over North America. Their performance that day was glorious.Their energy, joy, and enthusiasm were contagious.The congregation rose and danced and sang along.It was an absolute worship experience. So many kinds of voices joined together. After they finished my young son leaned over and whispered to me, “I wish I could dance and sing like that without being embarrassed.” Don't we all. We practiced singing to the Lord and letting the world know of his glory that day.Would you pray with me?Lord, help us to see the glorious things you have done in your world around us each and every day and not be embarrassed to tell others that they may also see your goodness. Amen.This devotion was written and recorded by Leslie Ragland.Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Isaiah 1: 10, 16–20Here, the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah!Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; Seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.Come, now, let us argue it out, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they should be like snow; though they are red like crimson, they should become like wool.If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good things of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.During the four decades, during which I was a college professor, I heard all of the excuses. Students could not come to class, could not complete their assignments, could not do the things that they were supposed to do and that I knew that they could do all because of… well, you could fill in the blank.Numerous times, I asked the students, no matter what their failings, to stop offering me excuses. The excuses did me no good, and they were certainly not doing the students any good. And yet, the excuses continued no matter how much I asked them to stop.In truth, however, I am no better than many of my students. I am an expert at making excuses for myself. There is always a reason why I can’t do as I should. I have a whole list: That’s the way I am. That’s the way my parents raised me. I don’t have it in me. I don’t know how.In this passage of scripture, God, speaking through the prophet Isaiah, is clear and refreshingly direct. If anything, he sounds a little like an exasperated teacher. No more excuses. Wash yourselves and make yourselves clean. Remove the evil things from your life. Do the right thing.If there is something that we need to talk about, God says, then let’s talk. Let’s argue it out. It is a direct challenge to all of our excuses. If I get into an argument with God, I’m pretty sure I know who’s going to win that one.And then God offers us a promise, a promise of forgiveness. If we will do the things that he asks, our sins will be washed away. What thing on earth can we want more than to have our sins forgiven, to be in the presence of the God who loves us, and to know his spirit and his grace more fully? What excuse can we offer for rejecting that?PrayerOur Father, Help us to accept the commandment to put aside our excuses so that you can forgive our sins and that we can experience your love and grace. Amen.This devotion was written by Jim Stovall and read by Amy Large. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected] United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Matthew 18: 1-5At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. As I write this, a good three weeks into January, I am thinking about the Christmas decorations in my neighborhood that have not been taken down, their lights still burning each night. It’s well past epiphany. So the other night I was walking my dog, and contemplating the number of people who left their lights up longer than usual this year. I find it curious, but I don’t blame them, and I certainly don’t mind. In fact, I said a silent prayer of gratitude. Because I still need a little Christmas. Still long to welcome the baby Jesus. Still yearn to see love come down, heaven touch earth, and light pierce darkness. When I consider this scripture passage from the gospel of Matthew, I can’t help but think about how God came to us as a little child. The people expected a king, a powerful ruler who would liberate by force. Instead, Jesus arrived on the scene as a newborn, wrapped in rags, sleeping in a feed trough–humble, vulnerable, a lowly child who was, in fact, the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. To understand what Christ means when he teaches his disciples that we will never enter the kingdom of heaven unless we change and become like little children, we need to look no further than his origin story. As you hear this, I expect that the Christmas lights in my neighborhood—and yours—have finally come down. But perhaps you and I both still need a little Christmas, still long to see heaven come down, and touch earth. In this passage from Matthew, Jesus gives us clear instructions on how to usher in the kingdom. And it is not to fight and force our way to greatness. No, in fact it is not to become great at all. It is to become lowly. It is not to exalt an earthly king. It is to welcome a little child.Let us pray: Lord Jesus, we know your kingdom is not of this world, and yet too often we think we might find you by running after earthly things. Humble us, that we might have the eyes, the minds and the hearts of children. May we look for you in the least among us and in welcoming them, may we welcome your kingdom, on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.This devotion was written and read by Greta Smith. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Isaiah 41:10 (Common English Bible) Don’t fear, because I am with you;don’t be afraid, for I am your God.I will strengthen you,I will surely help you;I will hold you with my righteous strong hand.I recall a story I heard a pastor tell. His granddaughter and another girl got into a lively game of comparison. One would say what they could do and then the other would come back with something even better. Finally his granddaughter said, “I can walk fifty-nine miles.” The other girl said, “You can’t!” His granddaughter then said, I can take my grandpa’s hand and keep up with him and he can walk fifty-nine miles so I can walk fifty-nine miles if I hold his hand.”The pastor went on to say, “Though my granddaughter might be wrong as to how far I can walk, she is not completely wrong, for when she holds my hand she can do things which otherwise she could not do.”That story has stayed with me for many years and it, along with Isaiah 41:10’s promises have been a source of strength and hope when times are difficult. In Isaiah we are reminded that God is with us, strengthening us and helping us. Then the great promise, “God is holding us with God’s righteous strong hand”, or I would say, “Wen I place my hand in God’s strong hand I will not be afraid. “ Many has been the time when I am in difficult times that I have thought, “How am I going to manage?” I fear and wonder, “Can I do it? Am I strong enough?” Then I pause and reach out mentally seeking for that righteous strong hand and my fears subside for I know God is with me. With God I can do so much more than I believed possible because I am holding on tight to that powerful hand. As an example: I was asked to teach at a conference. Never before had I been in front of so large a group. There were many sitting there with as much and likely more knowledge on the subject than I had. I was afraid of looking foolish. I considered not doing it but I knew that I would let a lot of people down. So I studied and worried. The night before the event was to start I lay awake far into the night filled with dread concerning the day to come. Then I remembered this verse telling me not to fear for God was with me. A peace came over me. I recalled the study I had done, the passion I felt for the topic, and the realization that God was with me. I went to sleep and slept soundly and the next day I gave my presentation calmly and with joy. I did more than I thought I could do because I was holding onto God’s righteous hand. So are you facing a difficult choice? Are you facing an uncertain tomorrow because of your health or the health of a loved one? Are there situations that weigh on your heart? Remember, you are not in this alone. Reach out and take ahold of God’s righteous hand and do not fear. You will find that you can do much more than you thought possible and that you can face these situations with love and grace. Let us pray:Loving God, when we are filled with doubt or fear remind us that you are there, holding us and helping us. May we always place our ives in your hands and find love and peace, AMEN. This devotional was written by Bill Green and read by Donn King. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.