Grace for All

Welcome to the Saturday episode of the Grace for All podcast. Thank you for joining us today. Saturday is a special time when we take a few moments to review the scriptures that we have cited in the episodes this week.If you missed any of those episodes, you might want to consider listening to them today. And even if you heard them all, there may be one that you might want to listen to again. We hope that each of these scriptures and podcasts will bring you a full measure of joy, peace, and love.Now, let's listen to the scriptures that have been on our hearts this week.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/.

Proverbs 17:17 (CEB)Friends love all the time, and kinsfolk are born for times of trouble.Friendship is an easy word to use when life is calm. It becomes harder to define when circumstances change, and the structures that once held relationships in place fall away.Over more than twenty years of caring for our disabled daughter, I’ve learned that some relationships fade not because people are unkind, but because endurance asks more than sympathy. When a situation becomes long-term instead of temporary, love is tested quietly.When Hannah moved into a nursing home last August, many relationships naturally shifted. Nurses who had cared for her in our home for years were no longer part of our daily lives. That was expected. Roles had changed.But one nurse continued to come to Hannah’s room even after she had no professional obligation to do so. She washed Hannah’s hair, brushed it slowly, sat with her, and talked with her. She wasn’t doing that for us. She was doing it for Hannah.Hannah could not communicate in typical ways, but she was clear about how she felt around the people who cared for her. On those days, she was visibly calmer and at ease. Her body told the story her words could not. She knew she was being loved.That care was not transactional. Hannah could not repay it. And yet the relationship was real and mutual. The nurse knew the difference her presence made. Hannah knew she was safe. Something meaningful moved in both directions, even though it looked different on each side.Proverbs says that a friend loves at all times, and that a brother is born for adversity. It’s not drawing lines between friendship and family. It’s reminding us that love proves itself by staying.Sometimes, family is defined by genetics. Sometimes it is discovered through faithfulness. Often, it is recognized only when obligation has ended, but love has not.Prayer:Father, thank you for love that shows up quietly and keeps showing up. Help us notice the gifts of presence we’ve been given, and shape us into people who offer the same to others. May our love reflect yours. Amen. This devotional was written 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] 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/.

I Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.I John 4:8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.God is love. This simple truth is the heart of the Christian faith. God is love, and today’s beautiful and often quoted scripture from Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church describes how love shows itself in action. It can help us discern God’s activity in the world. If we substitute God for love, we can be reminded that God is patient and God is kind. God does not boast, and is not proud. God does not dishonor others and is not self-seeking. God is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs. God does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. God always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.I find this so comforting. It blesses me to pause and consider the tenderness, patience, and strength with which God loves me and all of those whom I love. God is love. It is a simple truth to which I cling. But simple does not mean easy. Simple can be challenging. Simple can be downright hard.Whoever does not love does not know God. And that means that if I am trying to live as a Christ-follower, I should also be able to describe myself and my actions with these words. They teach me not only what love is, but how to love. What happens if I substitute my name for the word love in this passage? Is Greta patient? Is she kind? Does she envy, or boast? Does she dishonor others? Is she proud, self-seeking, easily angered? Or, here’s a tough one: does she keep a record of wrongs? Does she delight in evil, or rejoice with the truth? Can I say with conviction, Greta always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres? Today and every day, may I be challenged to love as God loves. May I open my heart to make more room for God, that I might be perfected in love.Prayer:Dear God, you are perfect love. Forgive us when we love imperfectly, and transform us to love as you do, that the world might know you through us. In Christ’s holy name, amen.Today’s 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] 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/.

LamentationLet’s listen to some words of lament from two people discussing anger toward God: PERSON 1: Hey my friend, why so glum? PERSON 2: Oh, you know, work’s not going well; I’ve got family issues, and my marriage is on the way out. PERSON 1: So life is hard, but God is good, right? PERSON 2: If you say so. PERSON 1: What do you mean? You can’t blame all your problems on God. PERSON 2: Why not? If God’s so good and so powerful, why is he allowing life to dump all this stuff on me? PERSON 1: I think you need to pray about all this. PERSON 2: Maybe I do, but I don’t think God would like what I have to say to him right now. God’s not treating me fairly. PERSON 1: It’s not right to pray like that! PERSON 2: Why not? You think God wants me to lie to him? PERSON 1: Well no, but, but, (emphatically) who do you think you are? PERSON 2: I think I’m one of God’s children, but a pretty angry one. PERSON 1: Well maybe you should start your prayer by praising God as your heavenly Father. PERSON 2: I’d rather start by telling him about my anger!Dialogue improvised after this.Our prayer is from Proverbs 3: 5 & 6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight!” Narrated by Ralphine Hood and Bernice Howard. Produced and recorded by Sam Barto.

1 John 4:12Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; If we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.The fourth chapter of 1 John, is the fullest discussion concerning the love of God that we find in our Bible. It is a richer and more challenging message than is to be found in 1 Corinthians 13, often called the “Hymn of Love.” It gives us a definition of God: “God is love.” Think about that. From the beginning of time, people have tried to describe and understand God. The writer of 1 John sums it up in those three words, “God is Love.” Because this is the very nature of God, we have the absolute assurance that God loves us. These are not just words of affirmation but also words of challenge. For the writer of 2 John this means that God is love, we must love one another. All of us who take the name Christian must understand that loving others is not a choice but our duty if we are to faithfully follow our God who is love.We know how hard it is to love everyone. Let’s face it, there are people out there who, to our way of thinking, are unlovable. They have hurt us or ones we love. Others think or believe in ways we see as wrong. Then there are those who, by their choices, seem to have misery and brokenness follow them. But we are, as followers of Christ, to love them anyway.When we do strive to love all people, this passage of scripture says some amazing things happen.The first of these is that God lives in us. God knows how hard it is for us to love some people, and so we don’t have to try to do it all by ourselves. The God of love abides in us, giving us the power and strength to love. Think about it. Don’t we all want God to live deep inside us, helping us and bringing light to all of our lives? If God is Love, then the only way to make that happen is to love others. Loving others opens our hearts and lives to more fully welcome God into our lives.Second, as we do this, God’s love matures within us. Loving as God wishes is a skill that is to be learned. And like all skills, the more you practice it, the better you get at it.Finally, others, because of that love, glimpse God. No one can see God, but as we live out the command to love, there are glimpses of God for the world to see. The sure sign of God’s continued dwelling among us is our love for one another.As I examine my responses towards people over the past few days, I see where I could have done better. I was not always loving others as God loves me. Those individuals did not, I am guessing, glimpse the light of God’s love in my actions. So this day and every day, I am going to live and love in such a way that God’s love will live in me, enlighten me, and grow in me.Let us pray:O dearest God, you are the source of all love. When our actions betray your loving presence, forgive us. Strengthen us so that we can do better. We know your love is a gift not to hold but to pass on to others through our actions so that they can see you more fully and come to know you more deeply. Guide us and help us to love. AMEN.This devotional was written by Bill Green and read by Cliff McCartney. 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/.

Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.Proverbs 17:17 (The Message)Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.I believe the kind of love spoken of in both of these scriptures is Agape love—love which is selfless, unconditional, and sacrificial. It is rooted in goodwill and action rather than feeling.I have heard it said that it is better to have a friend nearby than a brother far away. I have no brothers, just brothers-in-law, some 500 miles away. As our family has grown, I now have sons-in-law and grandsons-in-law. I know my brothers-in-law would show up if they were needed and lived closer. I also feel that I could call on my sons-in-law if I needed help with almost anything.My observation and experience have been that women develop closer friendships than men. There are surely exceptions, especially where there is a strong common interest like a love of fishing, golf, or some other passion. However, men seem less willing to show any signs of weakness or vulnerability to other men.When we say “love is a verb,” it certainly implies action of some kind. I believe it means an intentional commitment to the well-being of others without expecting anything in return.I have had individuals just show up and offer to help in situations where help was obviously needed. After my father died many years ago, a friend called and said, “Emmit, when are we going to shear the sheep?” There is not one person in a thousand who would make that offer. While not the most unpleasant job, it is very physically demanding. This is especially true if one is not physically fit, as you must put your body in unusual positions for a sustained period. I will never forget that phone call.I hope you have a good friend. They may be in your family or not. They need to be someone you can trust with some of your deepest thoughts, hurts, or feelings. If you don’t have one, maybe the best way to start is by being a good friend and sharing Agape love with others.Prayer: Father, we pray that all can have a good, trusted friend. We know that You are always a friend, but it probably helps to have one with skin on. Amen.This devotion was written and read by Emmit Rawls. 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 5:13 (NIV)Serve one another humbly in love.This is an eye-opening scripture for me. As I have been thinking and reflecting on it these last couple of weeks, memories have been flooding in of people I have known and know who serve humbly often. First, it is important to think about what a humble servant actually looks like. They are not proud, don’t believe they are better than others, respectful, modest, gentle, and unpretentious. Admirable qualities, though they don’t always come naturally. In James 4:6, we read that “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” I believe that humility is a sign of strong character and is often shown in empathy. Humble servants also appreciate their blessings and our thanks.As I have been reflecting, I am more aware of those who modeled being humble servants in my life. Two of the most humble people I ever encountered were my parents. Though I didn’t recognize it fully at the time, looking back, it is very clear. Yes, I knew they were quietly serving others even through small gestures over the years. My mother worked full-time outside the home (most mothers did not at that time), and yet she found time to serve. She baked cookies for our neighbors, created and made crafts for fundraisers for a local organization, knitted blankets, beanies, and dog sweaters for the people she knew and for those she might never meet. Her job was in social services, and she helped so many people. It did not matter who they were, what the situation was, nor how very different their ideas or values might be. She loved our community and was always working to make it safer and more hospitable. She sat with those in need, comforted, and assisted in any way she could.My Dad was also very humble and very much a servant. He was always available to any household on our street – no matter the need. He taught us to see the person behind the story and how their circumstances just might be causing issues for them. He spent so much time with the neighborhood kids, playing ball and assisting with our math homework. When I first married, I discovered some of the quiet services he provided. He went to a local nursing home and read to a very sweet lady who was almost blind. While the reading was a gift, more important was the time he spent with her sharing his love each week. He knew about his fellow workmates, their families, and their ups and downs. He actively prayed for them and helped whenever he could. He wrote letters to his siblings, his friends, those he met when attending banking classes, his kids, and others. He never said a word, but these acts of service were revealed later.My special mentor, an older woman, also served humbly and quietly. No task was too small, unimportant or beneath her. She loved so deeply, and somehow, she always seemed to know what to do. There were many days we spent merely sharing a meal that became moments of real grace as she listened to a much younger person struggling with life. She would never take credit for the many things she did behind the scenes, all done out of love with a servant’s heart. She connected people to each other for the purpose of sharing faith and hope.And then, my neighbor. He’s just amazing. He goes to work in the very early hours of the morning and returns in mid-afternoon. Quietly, we often find our trash can returned to its proper place, our leaves blown off the driveway and side yard. He keeps an eye on the house, moving packages onto the porch when it rains; he bakes cookies to share and spends time chatting with us. He is often found helping the other neighbors as well with mowing, tree limbs, and whatever might happen. It’s just his nature. He is kind, humble, and operates from his faith. He expects no thanks or pat on the back. He’s just following his servant heart.There are many others I might share, but there isn’t enough time in any day. The reality is that all 4 of these servants are humble, not self-serving. They don’t serve others for recognition (in fact, they would rather not be applauded). They are called to serve, to serve quietly, to invite others by their actions into service.I am so grateful for these servants in my life. Today, take a moment to reflect on those humble servants in your life. Thank God for them. Then, start pondering how you serve others. Be a humble servant in the days to come. You will be blessed.Let's pray together.Gracious God, help us this day to serve you by serving others. May we really see the person, your creation, as we serve. May our hearts be humble and our service be meaningful and filled with love. Let us be a blessing to others every day. We pray these things in the name of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.This devotion was written and read by Lisa Blackwood. 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

You are listening to Grace for All, a daily devotional podcast produced by the people of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee.This is Scripture Saturday, a time when we pause and reflect on the scriptures we have read throughout the week. If you missed any of our devotionals on these passages, you can find them on our website at 1stChurch.org or wherever you get your podcasts.Now, we invite you to listen and receive Grace. Welcome and thank you for joining us.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/.

Proverbs 10:12 (NIV) Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers all wrongs. There have been several songs written through the years about love being something the world needs now more than ever, with such examples heavy on my mind lately being “Where is the Love?” by the Black-Eyed Peas and “What the World Needs Now is Love” by Dionne Warwick. In watching recent news stories regarding the atrocities that have taken place in Minnesota at the hands of ICE, I feel that the lyrics of each of these songs are something that we ought to be paying closer attention to. The hatred and atrocities brought on by the agents from ICE have taken on many forms, from the murders of Rene Good and Alex Pretti, who were innocent citizens, to the detaining of Liam Ramos, a five year old boy and his forceful separation from his parents all the while defense is being given that the ultimatum was to leave this young, innocent child wearing a blue, rabbit-eared hat to freeze, the hatred is speaking loud and stirring up conflict to the point that it feels impossible to find any sort of hope or love in the world and makes it easy to ask the question the Black-Eyed Peas ask: “where IS the love?”While it seems impossible to find hope and think that love covers all wrongs at the moment, and it will surely take time for it to do so in this time, as Mister Rogers once said: “When I was a boy and would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You always find people who are helping.’” I feel that in this day and age, now more than ever, it’s crucial that we follow Mister Rogers advice that we look for the helpers, or strive to be helpers, to spread that love that the world desperately needs now.Will you pray with me?God, please wrap your loving arms around everyone affected either by the tragedies taking place in Minnesota or those who are simply shaken up seeing more bad news being a constant. But help us not to forget to look for the helpers and try to help give even a faint gleam of love that the world desperately needs now so we may move towards a better tomorrow. In your name we pray, amen.This devotion was written and recorded 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] 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/.

Proverbs 17:17 (ESV) A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. A couple of years ago, my family and I took a trip to Normandy, France. We stood on Omaha Beach and Utah Beach. We walked through the American Cemetery, where row after row of white crosses stretch toward the sea. We drove through the Normandy countryside, where during World War II, American soldiers fought their way through hedgerows and small French villages. It's quiet there now. Beautiful, even. But you can still feel the weight of what happened in 1944. Band of Brothers is a TV series based on the Stephen Ambrose book of the same name. I've read the book, and I've seen the series more times than I can count. It is a tradition in my house to watch all 12 hours of the series every Memorial Day. It tells the story of Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division—their experiences in World War II, from training in Georgia to celebrating the end of the war at Adolf Hitler's Eagle's Nest. The men in Easy Company weren't related by blood. They came from different states, different backgrounds, different walks of life. They were just regular guys thrown together into an Army unit. But their shared experiences changed that. By the time they reached the Eagle's Nest, they weren't just friends anymore. They were brothers—men who would die for each other, who knew each other's souls, who carried each other's pain. The series takes its name from Shakespeare's Henry V. Before the Battle of Agincourt, King Henry tells his outnumbered soldiers: "We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother." Shakespeare understood something about the way shared adversity affects people. Which brings us to Proverbs 17:17: What's the difference between a friend and a brother?The Hebrew word for friend is rea—someone you choose. But ach, the word for brother, carries the sense of being born into relationship. You don't choose your siblings; you inherit them. So here's what the proverb is saying: Friends who love at all times—who show up in the hard moments, who stay when things get difficult—they become brothers. Adversity doesn't just test relationships; it transforms them into something deeper. That's what happened to Easy Company. They chose to be friends, but combat forged them into brothers. Standing there in Normandy, I could almost see it—how every shared foxhole, every battle, every loss made them more family than some people born in the same house ever become. And here's where this hits home for us: The Church isn't meant to be a social club of people who happen to share similar beliefs. We're called to be a family—brothers and sisters forged together through shared adversity. What transforms us from friendly acquaintances into actual family? The same thing that transformed Easy Company. Showing up when it's hard. Sitting with someone through grief. Walking alongside them through doubt. Being honest about our own struggles instead of pretending we've got it all together. Jesus calls us friends in John 15, but by the time we've walked through real life together—through loss and doubt and failure and redemption—we become something more. We become the family of God, brothers and sisters, not by birth but by choice made permanent through shared adversity. So, who in your life has moved from friend to family? Who showed up when everyone else disappeared? And maybe more importantly, who needs you to be that person for them right now? Prayer Father, thank you for the friends who became family by loving us at all times. Help us show up for each other in the hard moments, knowing that's where true brotherhood is forged. Amen. This devotional was written and read by Cliff McCartney. 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/.

1 John 4:12 (NIV) No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.No one has ever seen God. That's a bold statement, and it might surprise us at first. What about Moses on the mountain? What about Isaiah's vision of the throne room? What about Ezekiel and the wheels within wheels?But the Jewish teachers understood something important. Moses saw God's glory, but not God's face. Isaiah saw the hem of God's robe, the train filling the temple. Ezekiel was careful to say he saw "the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord." These are protective phrases, theological qualifiers. They saw manifestations, revelations, glimpses. But God's essence, God as God truly is, remains beyond human sight.So if no one has ever seen God, how do we know God is real? How do we encounter the invisible?John gives us the answer, and it is disarmingly simple. If we love one another, God lives in us. Love makes God visible. Not in some abstract, mystical sense, but in concrete, everyday action. When we love our neighbor, we are not just doing something nice. We are participating in a revelation. The unseen God becomes recognizable through human faithfulness.We are made in God's image. That's what Genesis tells us. But that image is not a static thing we possess like eye color or height. It is something we enact. When love remains just a word, just a sentiment we feel but never act upon, the image stays hidden. But when love becomes active, when it takes the form of kindness and generosity and honest engagement with our neighbors, then the image of God becomes legible. People can read it in our lives.This is what it means for God's love to be made complete in us. Not that we perfect ourselves, but that God's own character becomes visible through what we do. We become, in a sense, everyday theophanies. Not burning bushes or pillars of fire, but ordinary people through whom the invisible God shows up.PrayerOur Father, we cannot see you with our eyes, but we can make you visible through our love. Help us to be faithful in this calling, so that others may catch a glimpse of you through us. Amen.This devotional was written 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] 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/.

Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.Turn on the news, open Facebook, any social media sites, or check your preferred news sources, and you will invariably find angry, bitter comments and fighting words. Read or listen for a while, and opponents will soon start slinging angry comments at each other, tempers flare, words get nasty, and hatred boils.Later, we may have conversations about our feelings on the debates we’ve heard, and our anger can grow into hatred for those ideas. Perhaps we even feel hatred for those who take the opposing side. That feeling of hatred can make us unhappy and uncomfortable and can lead to more conflict inside our thoughts. The hatred of the idea pushes us to feel conflicted toward the person and negative words may slip out. Hatred simmers. Where is LOVE?The hated idea is not the person, but the person holding the hateful idea gets stuck in our feelings as an enemy. We don’t start out to hate someone, but those awful conflicting ideas that we disagree with are so hard to separate from the person! How can we forgive the person for the ideas we find detestable ,and how can we LOVE that person, in spite of the awful ideas?Only with the help of God can we reach this goal. Only with the LOVE of Jesus can we get a handle on this dilemma. We must not let hatred stir up conflict in our hearts, for there it will boil over into words or actions and will control our thoughts. If we really focus on the Greatest LOVE ever known in the world – the LOVE God showed for us by giving His only begotten Son to die for us – then God’s LOVE can help to keep our feelings and emotions in check, even when we feel righteous anger.God’s LOVE covers all wrongs. God’s LOVE can transform our angry feelings and relieve our conflict. God’s LOVE overflowing from our hearts can end the battle of ideas and keep us focused on the truth…God is LOVE, and he is asking us to live in that LOVE. He will help us to LOVE our enemy. He will help us to relieve our pain, but we have to allow His LOVE to be first in our minds and hearts.Prayer: Dear God, help us today and every day to center our hearts and minds in your LOVE. Draw us to you in prayer and help us to constantly forgive our enemies and to turn these worries over to you. Help us to remember that an idea is not the person. We don’t have to agree with bad ideas, but we have to find a way to LOVE the people who have the bad ideas, who take the bad actions. We have one job – LOVE YOU and LOVE our neighbors as we LOVE ourselves. Help us to stay focused on that job and to allow you to keep our thoughts covered in LOVE. We can’t change another’s thoughts, but we can change ours with your help. Help us keep our thoughts in LOVE. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.This 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] 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/.

2 Timothy 4:6-8 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me, but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.Bonnie Ware spent a number of years as a palliative care nurse. She cared for the dying. Over the course of that time she heard a great many patients express regrets, and she began to catalog them. Some were particular to an individual, but many of them she heard from a lot of patients. She listed the ones she heard most frequently, and from that list and her experiences she wrote a book, “The Top Five Regrets of the Dying.” Here are a couple of them.The most frequent regret she heard was: I wish I had had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others wanted for me. In other words, I wish I had listened to my heart and followed my own dreams rather than trying to meet the expectations of others.Number two was: I wish I hadn’t worked so hard. Every male patient who expressed regret said this. They were saying I wish I had spent more time with the people I love.As I reflected on the most common regrets people have as they near the end of life, what strikes me is that all of them,at the base, have to do with relationships. Jesus told us that what is most important is our relationship with God, with others, and with ourselves. We call this the Great Commandment.In contrast with those who ended up with a life of regrets, listen to the Apostle Paul. He says, “The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight (that is, I’ve given my life to what matters), I have finished the race (my life is ending), I have remained faithful.” No regrets!It’s not too late for you and me to turn our regrets into resolutions. I Resolve: to live an authentic life, not one someone else wants for me but one true to who I really am.I Resolve: to put relationships first: my relationship with my Creator and my Savior, with central people in my life, and to engage everyone with kindness and helpfulness. So there are no regrets!Prayer:O Holy One, I have this one life to live. Help me not to waste it, but to make your priorities mine, and finish my race with faithfulness. Amen.This devotional was written 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] 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 5:13 Serve one another humbly in love.We spend our lives learning how to live. The world is a complicated place. We get to a point where we have knowledge and experience, and we look around trying to solve problems. With an eye to help and being a servant, we try to help others. We want to share. We want to help. We want to love. But sometimes, we think others should thank us for telling them what to do, how to do it, or when to do it. Since childhood, isn’t this how we’ve been told to react to someone who has gone out of their way to help us? Isn’t that what being polite and grateful is about? Heaven help us, we think that they should learn from us, be like us, and value what we have. Where is the humility in this? With closer examination, neither the giving nor the thanking is an issue. So what is the issue then, but simply the expectation. What is humility if not simply abandoning expectation, leaving behind the expectation to be thanked, to be repaid, to be thought well of, to be praised, to be rewarded, to be noticed. Humility is the ability to abandon expectation, both positive and negative. If we carry the love of God to others, then why be troubled by whether we are praised, insulted, or ignored? Let the faith and hope that God’s love brings us be shared regardless of whether others understand the motivation. Let us begin each interaction by looking to what others need and want. Let us start with a question not an answer. Let us start by listening, not speaking. Let us start and end with love, not arrogance. Then the light and love that we share can shine brightest in a world that is filled with need. Let us pray together: God, forgive us each time we let pride in our accomplishments overshadow our gratitude for what you have shared with us. May we not expect to be given but grateful that we have been given love in such abundance that we should never want. May hope and faith lead us to share with others with no expectation other than your love being there for us every moment, Amen. The devotion was written by Jill Pope and read by Susan Daves. 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/.

Welcome to the Saturday episode of the Grace for All podcast. Thank you for joining us today. Saturday is a special time when we take a few moments to review the scriptures that we have cited in the episodes this week.If you missed any of those episodes, you might want to consider listening to them today. And even if you heard them all, there may be one that you might want to listen to again. We hope that each of these scriptures and podcasts will bring you a full measure of joy, peace, and love.Now, let's listen to the scriptures that have been on our hearts this week. 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/.

Psalm 29:11 Let the Lord give strength to his people! Let the Lord bless his people with peace! In isolation the closing verse of Psalm 29 is a soothing verse. But in context, it is even more soothing.It reminds me of a memory I have from childhood. I grew up in West Tennessee. Tornadoes were just part of the landscape, with 92 of them between 1960 and 1980. We didn’t have as many as the folks in Oklahoma. I once knew a guy from Oklahoma who claimed his home had a wind-checker by the front door. It was a knothole through which you poked a crowbar to test the wind. If the crowbar bent, you didn’t open the door. But we had a lot of tornadoes in West Tennessee, and even more storms that were nearly tornadoes.We didn’t have a storm shelter, but my parents had their house built with a central hub instead of a hallway, including a windowless bathroom. I remember huddling with my family in that place of relative safety, insulated from the other rooms with windows that could break in the wind and scatter life-threatening glass shards. Many times we sat in that room lit only by candles with the power out, and listened to the winds howling outside.When the storm passed, the quiet felt more peaceful, less taken for granted, than before the storm.Psalm 29 seems to be a Psalm of David, written as he witnessed a storm sweeping in from the Mediterranean Sea, shattering cedars in Lebanon, and tearing through Israel destroying wilderness and forests before finally devolving into peace, leaving God still enthroned and his people at peace.When God goes with us through the storms of life, it makes the peace he ultimately brings that much more profound.Father, we face many storms in this life. You came to us in the person of Jesus and lived as one of us, among us, and so you know the storms of life firsthand, beyond the knowledge that comes from being our Creator. Thank you for the peace that passes understanding when we trust in you despite our circumstances. In the name of Christ we pray, Amen.This devotion was written 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] 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/.

1 Peter 5:7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.This devotion was written and read 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] 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 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.A pivotal figure in the book of Psalms is King David. Each of the Psalms shows a different aspect of the life of King David and his unwavering faith in his Lord, which is what I find perhaps the most impressive about David as a character.What I find even more impressive about David is how far back this faith traces: to his battle with Goliath, in which it seemed the odds were stacked against him, armed only with a slingshot and several stones, while his adversary towered over him and wielded a sword. However, despite these terrifying odds, David stood strong in the face of adversity, placing his trust in the Lord, and was able to slay the giant.David is a testament to the Lord being his strength and shield, as the Lord helped him through what should have otherwise been an impossible battle. However, due to his unwavering faith and trust, he was able to stand strong in the faith of adversity and have God as his strength and shield. In modern times, it is easy to feel that our battles are impossible or likened to Goliaths, however, we should all strive to be like David and let the lord be our strength and shield, for as long as we place our trust in him, he will help and protect us always.Let us pray:Dear God, help us always remember that while we may face some harsh battles, like David, that you are with us. May we place our faith in you so you may be our strength and shield now and always. Amen.This devotion was written and recorded 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] 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 16:33 (NIV) “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” This scripture appears in the Gospel of John, as part of Jesus’ long soliloquy to the disciples preparing them for his departure. It provides the transition between the Last Supper and the arrest of Jesus. The disciples are confused and troubled by Jesus’ words. It is only after his death and resurrection and appearance in their midst that they begin to understand. Over 2000 years later, we are like the disciples. At moments in our lives, we are stunned by loss and grief and we cannot see the promise of new life. Perhaps it is the end of a relationship; the loss of a job; the death of a loved one. Where do we go from here? One of my favorite stories in the New Testament takes place near the end of the book of John. It is set at the tomb of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, a place of death and loss. It is pre-dawn and Mary Magdalene has come to the tomb and discovered it is empty. She runs to tell Simon Peter and the other disciples. The men rush to the tomb and likewise discover it to be empty, then leave. But Mary stands there weeping. She looks into the tomb and sees two angels inside. They say, “Woman why are you weeping?” Mary replies she does not know where the body of Jesus has been taken, then turns around and, through her tears, sees a man she believes to be a gardener. The figure is actually Jesus, but Mary does not recognize him. He asks her why she is weeping and she says, “Sir, tell me where they have taken him, and I will take him away.” This is the darkest hour, both physically and spiritually, for Mary. Earlier she stood at the foot of the cross. All her hopes and dreams for Christ to be the Savior of the world, have died. And now she cannot even find the body to prepare it for burial. Mary is in despair. Then Jesus speaks her name, “Mary!” and she recognizes his voice. “Rabboni!” she exclaims. And the sun comes up over the tomb and her heart nearly bursts with joy. A new world is dawning, and Mary realizes that Jesus has fulfilled his promise. “In the world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Let us pray: Dear God, we thank you for the fulfillment of your love through the life of Jesus Christ. We know that in this world we will have trouble. But we take heart that you have overcome the world and will work all things for ultimate good. Thanks be to you for the gift of your Son. Amen. This devotion was written by Laura Derr and read by Susan Daves. 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/.

John 3:30“He must become greater; I must become less.”In this scripture, John the Baptist is recognizing that his ministry and notoriety will be diminishing as Jesus’ ministry begins. The brash desert preacher is happy to now take a back seat to the Messiah.When I was a teenager, my brother lived in a communal home referred to as The Jesus House in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Our family once had an opportunity to visit the house and meet the residents. It was quite an experience to see a group of young people immersed in the mission of following Jesus.On one occasion later, my brother brought the leader of the house to Maryville to visit with my family. When I greeted him, I’ll never forget that he said, “You look more like Jesus every time I see you.” I was so proud of that, something that probably should have been a real red flag, but I was new in my faith and my love language has always been words of affirmation. I mean, who wouldn’t want to hear that?For me, new life in Christ means more than a beginning but rather a constant evolution towards the goal of “More of You, less of me.” I should always be working to morph into a state where I am a reflection of Christ to the world rather than a really good version of me.In reality, I’ll admit that it still feels good to be recognized for the good that I do, the good that I give, and the good that I have become. I’m afraid that I haven’t quite tipped the scales to John’s declaration of “He must become greater; I must become less.” So how do we make this a reality for ourselves?The new life for each of us should become a daily striving to achieve what Paul wrote about in the very familiar Romans 12:1. Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.I struggled a bit with what this means in practice. But The Message translation explains to me better what is meant by a living sacrifice. It says: So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.If we can make this a consistent, daily practice, I believe we can begin to see the scales start to tip towards “More of You, less of me.”Let’s pray together:Father God, I want to better reflect your love in every aspect of my everyday living. Help me to always seek the new life in Christ that you desire for me so that only your light shines through me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.This devotional was written and read by Charlie Barton. 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/.

Ephesians 4:2 (NLT) Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. Well, well……. Patience is an interesting concept. It is about how we handle adversity, delays, unpleasant circumstances, and trouble. Our first thought, at least mine, is how often I am caught in traffic and am irritated with the slow or distracted driver in front of me. That driver is keeping me from my destination for no obvious reason. In the end, I might be delayed by one or two minutes, but the frustration I feel and anger I feel are just not examples of patience at all. I am the only one affected by that childish outburst. As I was thinking about this scripture, I realized that frustration and impatience often go hand in hand and might even be confused. Frustration is more about the inability to cope with situations, much like a child learning a new skill who throws a tantrum when their early eIorts are not successful. Impatience, on the other hand, is about an unwillingness to wait for something. We often tap our foot, honk our horn, drum our fingers or pour out those great big sighs. Our scripture today tells us to be patient with each other, making allowances for each other. I must say my mother lived this to the fullest. No matter the circumstances, she always rallied with the most kind reason someone might behave in a manner that annoyed the rest of us. With these kind words, she reminded us that we should remember to love others and accept their faults, behaviors, attitudes (whatever the situation) with grace and love. After all, God still loves us even when we are not well behaved. She hoped that her example of patience would grow in us and we would learn that getting angry or upset out of a lack of patience would diminish over time. She strongly wanted our capacity to overlook and accept these situations without responding negatively, complaining, or getting riled up. She expected us to love first and to live in harmony with others. Patience is something that has grown in me over time. I have learned that some situations that challenge my patience are simply out of my control, and I must turn them over to God and quit trying to fix them on my own. I must be patient with others and myself. Recently, a situation with a family member was resolved after several years. At first, I tried my way to make things better, and then I gave it to God. Out of the blue, with patience, love and persistent prayer, the relationship was renewed. The peace that follows is abundant. I think The Message says it well, “And mark that you do this with humility and discipline – not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences. So, we must learn to be and be willing to be patient, to seek harmony, and to love even when we don’t understand, even when we are delayed and our plans are turned upside down. Patience allows us to work through conflicts and misunderstandings so that we might have harmony and peace in our lives and relationships with others. May we pray together? Gracious and loving God, be with us as we grow in our ability and desire to be patient. Allow us to be quick to listen and understand, to see that just as you are patient with our shortcomings, we too should recognize the differences of our fellow travelers and truly seek to live in harmony. You call us to love others and to be patient with them. Guide us as we grow in our love and service with you. In the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen. This devotional is written and read by Lisa Blackwood. 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/.

You are listening to Grace for All, a daily devotional podcast produced by the people of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. This is Scripture Saturday, a time when we pause and reflect on the scriptures we have read throughout the week. If you missed any of our devotionals on these passages, you can find them on our website at 1stChurch.org or wherever you get your podcasts. Now, we invite you to listen and receive Grace. Welcome and thank you for joining us. 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/.

Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. STRESS, everyone seems so stressed. Is this new? I don’t really think so. Life is stressful. It’s not going to change. Nothing I say here will change how the world and human society operates. I could say that I’m too busy to write this; too busy to listen, too busy to notice, too busy to care, too busy to help, too busy to love. I could say that I’m too poor to share; of my money, my time, my love. Is it that I don’t have enough, or am I stressing the wrong things? Have you ever noticed that stress also means what we emphasize- what we focus on? In fact, when I put the “em-PHA-sis on the wrong syl-LA-ble,” I misunderstand and am misunderstood. We don’t get to choose what happens in life. We don’t get to choose how other people behave. But it has been pointed out that there is one thing, and one thing only, in life that we have control over, and that is how we react to what happens around us. There is an option to be thoughtful about what we focus on. There is a battle for our attention and focus. What do we choose to focus on? Being stressed is a choice. Being thankful is a choice. Being sad is a choice. Being happy is a choice. Living in fear is a choice. Living in faith is a choice. Of course, this is not true about the emotion you feel in a split second. This is about pausing, reflecting, and deciding who we want to be in this world. It takes strength and patience to find the peace of Christ in our hearts. Whose image do you follow, and is it something that you do with or without thought? The choices we make become the habits of our behavior. They form the pattern of who we are. As we weave the tapestry that becomes a lifetime, what picture will emerge from our choices? Will it be random, angry, and fearful, or will it be intentional, loving, and thankful? The next time you find that you have lost the peace of Christ in your heart because of the stress of life, what choice will you make? Let us pause, choose, and pray together. May the peace of Christ rule in our hearts in the quiet times and the stressful times. Give us the strength to follow Your path and emphasize what matters. Give us the strength and the foresight to pause, reflect, and choose. Thank You for Your grace and forgiveness when we fall short of this, and help us to make choices that show our love for You and our neighbors. Amen. This devotion was written by Jill Pope 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/.

Psalm 13:5 “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.” One of the greatest aspects of my faith is my understanding of God’s unfailing love. I don’t know about you, but I have so many days when, taking stock at the end of the day, I think about so many more things I have done wrong than that I’ve done right. Those seem to be easier to catalog for some reason. Among them, though, are things I’ve said or done that make me feel less-than-lovable. I consider that “I probably shouldn’t have said that” or “how was that thing I said perceived?” or “I missed that opportunity to do a nice thing for someone” or worse, “I was really a jerk to so-and-so.” Gosh, sometimes I go through that list and wonder how I have any friends left at all! Don’t get me wrong. Those who know me well know that I’m someone who is trying to be and do better. I fail, but I’m trying. But in those times when I’m getting more wrong than right, one of the greatest ways I find hope and respite is in the love of God that will never leave me. When I think about the remarkable strength of the bond I have with my spouse or with my parents, or even with my closest friends, I know that there are things I can say that are heard differently; conversely, they can say the hardest truths to me, as well, and I hear them more earnestly than I would from a stranger or even a person with whom I do not have that bond. I can really be my honest, relaxed self around those closest to me without fear of abandonment or rejection. That level of loving trust is so very special. But what is remarkable is that the trust in God’s love is even more sure. It is even purer. When we feel our least lovable, it is helpful to know that God’s love is there without judgment — inexplicably from the very One most positioned to judge us — and it never, ever fails us. Of course, just as I try to do the best and be the best for those I love most in the world, not because I am trying to get them to love me more, but because I want to express my affection for them, this love with God is similarly a two-way street in which I want to be better and be more loving and lovable because I feel so loved. In short, I want not only my heart to rejoice in God’s salvation, but God’s heart to rejoice in my adoration. Let us pray. God, we are so thankful for your unwavering, unending, unfailing love. Let us not only never take it for granted, but let it inspire us to love you and your people and your world more fully. Amen. This devotion was written and read by Dwight Dockery. 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 15:3-7 (NIV) Then Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. When Jesus told this parable, he was speaking to people who understood sheep and shepherding. For centuries, the Jewish people had been known throughout the ancient world as expert shepherds. They knew how to care for flocks, how to protect them from predators, and how to find good pasture. So when Jesus began talking about a man with a hundred sheep, his listeners would have nodded along. This was familiar territory. But then Jesus says something that must have made them pause. The shepherd loses one sheep and leaves the ninety-nine to go searching for it. Wait a minute. Would a good shepherd really do that? Would he really abandon ninety-nine healthy, obedient sheep just to track down one that had wandered off? From a practical standpoint, it doesn't make much sense. You could lose the whole flock while you're out chasing after one stubborn animal. We understand this kind of thinking in our modern world. Business people today build losses into their calculations. They expect a certain percentage of customers to leave, a certain number of products to fail, a certain amount of shrinkage in their inventory. It's just the cost of doing business. You accept the loss and move on. But that is not the way God does business. God is not interested in acceptable losses. He does not write off the wanderers and focus on the ones who stayed put. Every single one of us matters to him, not as a percentage or a statistic, but as a beloved child. The image of the shepherd putting that lost sheep on his shoulders is a tender one. He doesn't drag it back by the ear or scold it for wandering. He carries it home with joy. And then he throws a party. That's what our return means to God. Not relief that the numbers are back in order, but a genuine celebration. Our Father, thank you for seeking us out when we wander. Thank you for not treating us as acceptable losses. Help us to understand how precious we are in your sight, and to extend that same relentless love to others. Amen. This devotional was written and recorded 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/.

Colossians 3:10 (New Living Translation) Put on your new nature and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. This letter to the Colossians was written by Paul and Timothy, chosen by God to be apostles of Christ. In this letter, Paul clearly teaches that Christ has paid for our sins, that Christ has reconciled us to God and that we have been given the knowledge and the ability to grow spiritually. Christ shows us how to live and provides an example of how we are to live and what He would have us become. Christ is Lord of all creation, center of our lives, and King of all. He is Lord over our lives and the head of the body, his church and we are called to nurture our connection to him. This same scripture found in the Message includes an extra verse which may aid in our understanding. Hear these words…. “Don’t lie to one another. You are done with that old life. It’s like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you stripped off and put in the fire. Now you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the creator, with His label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete.” And verse 11 adds, “From now on, everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ.” Through these two versions of this verse, we can see many rituals and seasons where we receive validation and opportunities for new life and pathways to leading a Christ-like life. The most obvious are baptism, communion, Easter, and Christmas. As Paul has clearly taught us, when we learn what Christ is like, we see what we need to become, and all the promises and resolutions we make to be better Christians will be natural. Sin is all around us, but we can improve and conquer our personal sin, and we will then become more Christlike. Every new year, many people in the world make promises or resolutions to begin once again and make a fresh start. Many resolutions, such as improved health, regular exercise, spend more time with family, visit parents or grandparents more, volunteer more, work on anger issues, share more love, worship more, pray more, and so forth. All these reflect the acknowledgement that our lives can be made better and we can become more Christlike. What changes have you committed to this year to become more like Christ? Let us pray together. Gracious God, as we are entering this new year, let us make our faith, our church, our families, and your children our priority. May we be ever aware of your call on our lives and your desire for us to follow. Let us not only be dressed in new attire but also be filled with the desire to serve every day. In the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen. This devotion was written and read by Leland Blackwood. 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/.

II Timothy 4: 6-8 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me, but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. Bonnie Ware spent a number of years as a palliative care nurse. She cared for the dying. Over the course of that time she heard a great many patients express regrets, and she began to catalog them. Some were particular to an individual, but many of them she heard from a lot of patients. She listed the ones she heard most frequently, and from that list and her experiences she wrote a book, “The Top Five Regrets of the Dying.” Here are a couple of them. The most frequent regret she heard was: I wish I had had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others wanted for me. In other words, I wish I had listened to my heart and followed my own dreams rather than trying to meet the expectations of others. Number two was: I wish I hadn’t worked so hard. Every male patient who expressed regret said this. They were saying I wish I had spent more time with the people I love. As I reflected on the most common regrets people have as they near the end of life, what strikes me is that all of them,at the base, have to do with relationships. Jesus told us that what is most important is our relationship with God, with others, and with ourselves. We call this the Great Commandment. In contrast with those who ended up with a life of regrets, listen to the Apostle Paul. He says, “The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight (that is, I’ve given my life to what matters), I have finished the race (my life is ending), I have remained faithful.” No regrets! It’s not too late for you and me to turn our regrets into resolutions. I Resolve: to live an authentic life, not one someone else wants for me but one true to who I really am. I Resolve: to put relationships first: my relationship with my Creator and my Savior, with central people in my life, and to engage everyone with kindness and helpfulness. So there are no regrets! Prayer: O Holy One, I have this one life to live. Help me not to waste it, but to make your priorities mine, and finish my race with faithfulness. Amen. This devotional was written 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/.

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/.

Welcome to the Saturday episode of the Grace for All podcast. Thank you for joining us today. Saturday is a special time when we take a few moments to review the scriptures that we have cited in the episodes this week.If you missed any of those episodes, you might want to consider listening to them today. And even if you heard them all, there may be one that you might want to listen to again. We hope that each of these scriptures and podcasts will bring you a full measure of joy, peace, and love.Now, let's listen to the scriptures that have been on our hearts this week.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/.

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Did you catch that!? God prepared good works for us to do, even before he created us! He designed us to complete the work he had already prepared for us! God is love. His design for us is to do good works of love on his behalf! He backed up the plan by sending Jesus to tell us, to remind us that our job, our greatest commandment, our business, is to LOVE God and to love our neighbors, our fellowman, as we love ourselves. That is the most important job on earth! And who is our neighbor? To paraphrase Marley’s ghost from the tale A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, “Mankind is our business. The common welfare is our business. Charity, mercy, forbearance, benevolence, and love are all our business.” And who is our neighbor? Mankind is our neighbor; humans on earth are our neighbors. These operating instructions are explicitly clear! God assigned us to LOVE him and to LOVE our neighbors! I don’t know about you, but I know I fail to LOVE from time to time. I’m sure of it! So, this year, I resolve to keep LOVE at the top of my To Do List every day and to remember my assignment, my God-given purpose, every single day.LOVE, LOVE, LOVE…Let’s pray together now… Dear God, please forgive me where I have failed in my assignment and help me to LOVE more and to do good works in your name continually. Help me to forgive as I wish to be forgiven and to recenter myself in your LOVE over and over throughout my day. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen! This 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/.

John 15:11: These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. In John 15, Jesus shares his relationship with God and teaches how to have a relationship that brings full joy through our true vine and connection with God. God loves us—always. God loves us when we sin. God loves us when we love. But we hate when we sin. And we love when we love. Love can fill our hearts, but somehow we seem to struggle to allow this. Somehow, we see the world, and we want to take instead of give. Somehow, we seem to think that we will lack. We fear scarcity. We fear loss. We fear not having enough, not being enough. Share love. You have been given everything—so give. No greater, more complete joy exists than to love others, and yet so often we do not. We blame instead of trust. Blame seems to give people the idea that it justifies their choice of behavior that follows. Instead, open your heart, let it fill with love, and let it flow. God so loved the world that he gave his son to be sacrificed. Jesus so loved God that he submitted to his will and plan. In the garden, Jesus says, “take this cup from me,” yet he follows with “your will not mine.” He does not say, “This is a fine mess you’ve gotten me into.” He does not attack those who arrest him. He does not blame Judas. In fact, he loves and blesses him. How can that be? Well, because he is connected to the true vine and source of all love. His joy is full, and God so loves him that it is enough. He does not fear. He trusts and loves God. He submits to a plan that will end his human existence, but it keeps him connected to his source of joy. Never let us forget that with the birth of Jesus, we have been shown and told that full joy can be ours if only we trust in God and allow our hearts to be filled with joy. Be joyful. Be loving. Look at all that we have been given, thank God for it, and share it with all you encounter. This is the greatest gift and the greatest joy the world has ever known. As we pray today, let us know that the love of God fills our hearts if we allow it. As the old hymn teaches us: Always giving and forgiving, Ever blessing, ever blest, Wellspring of the joy of living, Ocean-depth of happy rest! Loving Father, Christ our Brother, Let Your light upon us shine; Teach us how to love each other, Lift us to the joy divine. God, please help me to empty all but your love from my heart, my words, and my deeds. Teach me to let go of everything in me that is not your love, and may I be full of your joy, Amen. This devotional was written by Jill Pope and read by Susan Daves. 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/.

Deuteronomy 31:7-8 (CEB) Then Moses called Joshua and, with all Israel watching, said to him: “Be strong and fearless because you are the one who will lead this people to the land the Lord swore to their ancestors to give to them; you are the one who will divide up the land for them. But the Lord is the one who is marching before you! He is the one who will be with you! He won’t let you down. He won’t abandon you. So don’t be afraid or scared!" Let’s set the scene. Moses has just spent hours speaking to the entire nation of Israel, going back and forth with promises and dire warnings, presenting a stark contrast between some really good things and some really bad things that will happen to them depending on choices they make. It is in this context that he delivered the famous line, “I have set life and death, blessing and curse before you. Now choose life—so that you and your descendants will live” (Deuteronomy 30:19). Moses winds up saying, in essence, “But I’m 120 years old. I’m not going to live to see this. Joshua over here, he’s going to take over the leadership of this whole thing.” He looks around a little vaguely, spots Joshua, says, “Joshua! Just the guy I was talking about. Come on up here, son.” Joshua looks a little sheepish, mounts the steps to the platform. Moses faces Joshua, looking him straight in the eye, grasps his shoulders, and delivers the lines we read at the beginning of this devotional. Joshua looks around. There are people on every square foot of land as far as he can see, maybe as many as two million people, and the man who led their ancestors out of Egypt, who has gone before them for 40 years, who has talked with God himself, has just told all of them that he, Joshua, is going to lead them into the land God has promised. And, he says, don’t be afraid or scared. And, strangely, when Joshua looks back at Moses, his heart becomes calm. Because he has heard, to the depth of his soul, Moses words: “But the Lord is the one who is marching before you! He is the one who will be with you! He won’t let you down. He won’t abandon you.”Do you, too, hear that promise, really hear it? Prayer: Father, your presence banishes our fear when we really take it to heart. Keep giving us that message so that we can rid our hearts of trouble. In the name of the Christ who came and lived as one of us to know our challenges and our fears, Amen. This devotion was written 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] 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/.

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Paul’s message to the Romans is quite clear. It can not get any clearer than that! God gave us commandments to help us avoid sin and then live a productive life. Thou shall have no other Gods before me. Thou shall not make any graven image. Thou shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. Remember the sabbath day and keep it holy. Honor thy mother and father. Thou shall not kill. Thou shall not steal. Thou shall not commit adultery. Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor. Thou shall not covet. Then Jesus added another in John 15:12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” If we can do those things, we can avoid sin and death and have eternal life by walking the walk with Jesus. This world is a difficult place, and the temptations are many. To endure requires a relationship with God, asking for the Holy Spirit to enter your life to guide you. That happens by having a prayer life, regular worship at church, while seeking the support and fellowship of your Christian brothers and sisters. It takes determination and perseverance to live the life that Christ would have us live. Jesus also tells us in Matthew 7: 13 & 14 “Enter by the narrow gate for wide is the path that leads to destruction.” This also echoes the message of this devotion: For the wages of sin is death. Don’t fall into the traps or get caught in the snares of this world! Set your sights high and take action that reflects your Christian light upon others, because Jesus tells us in John 18:36, “My kingdom is not of this world.” Let’s take the brave action to join Jesus. Let us pray: God in heaven, watch over us, protect us and guide us to live a life that avoids sin so that we may serve you and one day hear your words, “Welcome good and faithful servant!” Amen. This devotion was written and recorded by Sam Barto. 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 139:1-6 Lord, you have examined me. You know me. You know when I sit down and when I stand up. Even from far away, you comprehend my plans. You study my traveling and resting. You are thoroughly familiar with all my ways. There isn’t a word on my tongue, Lord, that you don’t already know completely. You surround me—front and back. You put your hand on me. That kind of knowledge is too much for me; it’s so high above me that I can’t reach it. God is with us. What an awesome truth! When we are facing hard decisions, God is with us. When we are waiting with dread for a diagnosis, God is with us. When a friend has let us down, God is with us. When it seems like the world is falling down around us, God is with us. When we experience small victories, God is with us. When a child is born, God is with us. When we see a glorious sunset, God is with us. When we gather for worship, God is with us. But also… When we are ungracious to a server, God is with us. When we are consumed with envy, God is with us. When we speak ill of a neighbor, God is with us. When we fail to keep a promise, God is with us. It’s comforting to know of God’s presence when we are in despair or trouble and need God; or when we celebrate the great moments. But let’s not forget that God is also with us when we are at our worst. The times when we would just as soon that God look the other way or turn a deaf ear. If we stop and acknowledge God’s presence with us ALL the time, what a difference it could make in how we respond in EVERY situation. Good or bad. God is with us. Let us never forget. Prayer: Father God, we thank you that we can count on your presence with us in good times and bad. Let the knowledge of your presence be the guide for all of our thoughts, our words, and our actions in every circumstance. Amen. This devotional was written and read by Charlie Barton. 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/.

You are listening to Grace for All, a daily devotional podcast produced by the people of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. This is Scripture Saturday, a time when we pause and reflect on the scriptures we have read throughout the week. If you missed any of our devotionals on these passages, you can find them on our website at 1stChurch.org or wherever you get your podcasts. Now, we invite you to listen and receive Grace. Welcome and thank you for joining us. 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/.

Ephesians 5:8 For once you were in darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of the light. Winter, and the shortest, darkest day of the year, began about a month ago with the Winter Solstice. We will not see much longer or lighter days, however, for another several weeks. This time of year is hard for me. I do not mind the cold, but the long, dark days of January and February zap my energy and dampen my spirit. I search for things that energize me and give me purpose to utilize my days wisely. However, when Paul says in Ephesians that they – and we – are light and that we are to live as children of the light, he isn’t talking about bright, sunny days. He is writing about the light that comes from making Christ the center of our lives and following Jesus’ example of how to live. In other parts of this chapter, as well as in other letters in the New Testament, Paul admonishes the Ephesian followers of Christ to avoid sexual impurity, vulgar talk, and greed. And listening to and following those who are untruthful - in other words, to seek the will of the Lord and carry it out, to be imitators of God. We are to live in love, as Christ loved us. Living this way in the first century in Ephesus was likely no easier than it is for us in 2026. Ephesus was a beautiful, vibrant city, populated with prosperous and powerful men as well as merchants, laborers, and slaves. Among ancient cities, it was considered an equal with Rome and Alexandria. Along with the wealth and Roman influence came many opportunities for what Paul calls “unclean living.” A new follower would find many temptations to lead him or her astray. And today we are bombarded by a 24-hour news cycle filled with pundits presenting very different opinions and versions of events. They cannot all be telling the truth. And then we are told that the American dream involves a certain car, house, possessions, and even a certain “appearance” we must present. And worst of all, many people have their own versions of what love is and who is worthy of it. We hear and see hate in their words and actions. None of this is Christ-like. It is in stark contrast to the clear message of Christ: love one another as we love ourselves. Care for the sick, the poor, the needy, the immigrant in our land. Our lives should demonstrate the way of love and light. There are those who say it is not possible to live this way in the 21st century, that modern people have to compete, love those who can help them. Build wealth and power for themselves. I know it is possible to live as a child of the light, but it involves hard choices and strength found only in the Holy Spirit. Here is a prayer for me and for you in 2026. Heavenly Father, we praise you and thank you for all the good and beautiful things in our lives. We want to live as children of the light, but we are weak. May the Holy Spirit fill us with the courage and strength required to love others as ourselves and to seek and carry out your will in our homes, churches, communities, and the world. Amen. This devotional was 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/.

Genesis 1:1-2In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.Psalm 19:1The heavens declare the glory of God and the work of his hands.I remember my school days with fondness. It was a small country school, and almost everyone knew one another. It was easy to make friends, and some of them remain so to this day. The challenge was to stay interested in learning, but most students had favorite subjects. I liked Plain Geometry, Chemistry, Art and Shop, but my all-time favorite was the Physical Science class. Our teacher talked mostly about the planets, stars, and related information.I was all ears. I have never lost interest in all things space.It is one subject that keeps scientists questioning everything they have learned as more sophisticated probes are launched into space. The Voyager 2 is more than 15 billion miles from Earth. It was launched in 1977 and is still sending information from interstellar space.The James Webb Telescope was launched on Christmas Day 2021 and relays astonishing pictures of the Cosmos to media around the world. It is fascinating to learn about gravitational forces, black holes, solar wind, light-years, spacetime, extreme temperatures, and conditions on the surfaces of other planets.Lately, scientists are questioning the Big Bang theory and asking, “Where is the edge of space and what lies beyond?“ The most interesting takeaway from this vast amount of information is how it relates to our small, beautiful, blue planet sitting in its perfect place in such a vast universe. The concept expands thinking and appeals to the spiritual. It is humbling and miraculous. It is our home.Speaking as an artist, I find images of the universe are inspirational. I enjoy trying to create paintings that reflect color, shapes, and imaginary places in space. The psalmist describes it best: “The heavens declare the glory of God and the work of his hands” (Psalm 19:1).PrayerHeavenly Father, thank you for the miracle of your creation.Thank you for our world, and may we have the wisdom to revere and protect it. Thank you for the distant universe and all its mysteries.Thank you for your word and your love.Amen.This devotional was written by Steve Hankal 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] 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/.

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.Have you ever gotten up in the morning and wondered, "What's going to happen today?" Of course you have. We all have. We think about the meetings on our calendar, the errands we need to run, and the people we're going to see. We wonder if the day will bring good news or bad, whether things will go smoothly or fall apart.But here's another question. Have you ever gotten up in the morning and asked yourself, "I wonder what good works God has in store for me to do today?" I confess that I think that thought much less often. It's not usually at the top of my mind when I'm pouring my first cup of coffee.Yet that is exactly what this verse is telling us. God has prepared good works for us to do. They're already out there, waiting for us. Our job is simply to walk in them, to show up and be available for whatever opportunities God puts in our path.The word "workmanship" is a beautiful one. It suggests that God is constantly shaping us, refining us, and making us into something useful and good. We are not finished products sitting on a shelf. We are works in progress, and the work that God is doing on us is connected to the work he wants to do through us. He gives us opportunities every day to be the hands and feet of Christ, to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in our own lives as well.This is what new life in Christ looks like. It begins today, this very minute. What good works might you do? What kind words might you speak? Where can you help, show love, and extend kindness to someone who needs it? These are not grand assignments reserved for spiritual giants. They are the ordinary, everyday moments where God works on us and through us at the same time.Our Father, bless me today and make me a blessing to someone else. Open my eyes to see the good works you have prepared for me, and give me the courage and the love to walk in them. Amen. This devotional was written and recorded 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] 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/.

1 Thessalonians 5:5 (NLT)For you are all children of the Light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.Reflecting on these words brings several things to mind. Notice that it says we are all children of the light. This is a reminder that we are called to shine God’s light in the world. We are His beloved children. We belong to Him. We are a product of His light. Whoa! There's real power in that statement. As His children, we should live a life, a life where we choose to have nothing to do with darkness.We are to let God’s light shine through our thoughts and actions. Sometimes we find ourselves in difficult situations. For me, I find darkness and light struggling against each other in my thoughts. The hurt, disturbed, or angered side of me taunts me with negativity and usually some idea of fighting back or at least sharing my darkness. Quickly, though, I remember who I am and more importantly, “whose I am.” It may take courage and most definitely requires grace, but the darkness is pushed away, and the light shines. The beauty of God’s love and mercy brings me back to my mission as a follower of Christ, as a beloved child of God. That mission is to be a beacon of light. We must be awake, aware, think through our plans, and live alertly and with purpose.Reading this scripture in the Message makes our choices clear.But friends, you’re not in the dark, so how could you be taken off guard by any of this? You’re sons of the Light, daughters of the Day. We live under wide open skies and know where we stand. So, let’s not sleepwalk through life like those others. Let’s keep our eyes open and be smart. Walk out into the daylight – dressed up in faith, love, and the hope of salvation.Clearly, our lives of faith call us to reflect God’s light and hope to a dark and sometimes dreary world. Our light will be visible to others so that hope, love, and faith will be shared.Remember to shine your light today and every day. We belong to “the Light.” Thanks be to God.Let’s pray together.Gracious God, we pray that we have the grace and strength to shine our light boldly for others to see. May our light allow others to be drawn to life, a new life, where we live out your will and your call on our hearts. Drive our dark thoughts out and fill us with light and hope as your precious children. We humbly pray these things in the name of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.This devotion was written and read by Lisa Blackwood.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/.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (Common English translation)So we aren’t depressed. But even if our bodies are breaking down on the outside, the person that we are on the inside is being renewed every day. Our temporary minor problems are producing an eternal stockpile of glory for us that is beyond all comparison. We don’t focus on the things that can be seen but on the things that cannot be seen. The things that can be seen don’t last, but the things that can’t be seen are eternal.When Paul wrote these words, probably around 56 AD, he was in Macedonia on his third missionary journey with Timothy. The words above suggest he was dealing with difficult issues within the newly formed Corinthian congregation. He emphasizes the vast space between eternal and temporal problems.I have pondered these words many times over the years. What are the ‘things that can’t be seen’? And why are they eternal?I am reminded of a children’s book I read to our son and daughter when they were growing up. The book, by Shel Silverstein, named The Giving Tree, published in 1964, was a bestseller and is still in publication.In the story, a boy and an apple tree are friends. The boy climbs up the tree, plays ‘king of the forest,’ swings from her branches, eats her apples, and sleeps in her shade. The boy loves the tree, and the tree is happy. But as the boy grows older, he spends more and more time away from the tree. When he does come to visit, he tells the tree he needs money, and the tree offers her apples. He takes the apples to sell, and the tree is happy. A long time later, the boy returns and tells the tree he needs a house. The tree offers her branches for lumber, and the boy cuts them and takes them away. And the tree is happy. After another long interval, the boy returns, a sad and aging man. He tells the tree he wants a boat to take him far away. The tree offers her trunk, and the boy cuts down the trunk to make a boat and sails away. And the tree is happy, but not really. Finally, the boy returns as an old man, and the tree, now a stump, has nothing to give him. But all he desires is a place to rest. And the tree offers her stump as a place of rest. The boy sits. And the tree is happy.This story is a parable that has been interpreted in many ways. But it can be seen as symbolizing the relationship between God and humans. The boy’s body, as he ages, is breaking down every day. The boy seems to value only ‘the things that can be seen’: money, a house, a boat. But as he ages, he realizes that the things that can be seen are temporary. The things that can’t be seen—the eternal love that the tree holds for him— draws him back again and again. When he returns as an old man, he is seeking a place of rest and relationship. The tree, like God, is happy.I live in a senior independent living community. All of us recognize that ‘our bodies are breaking down on the outside.’ The things that matter in our lives—love for friends, family, and our neighbors wherever they are—can’t be seen, but they are building up a stockpile of glory because they have eternal consequences. The kindness we show today can transform the life of a fellow human in ways we will never recognize, in ways that may even be eternal. Like the tree stump for the tired old man, we can still show love at this stage of life.Let us pray: Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of your sacrificial love. Thank you for welcoming us back again and again when we realize that material things do not bring happiness. Thank you for connecting us with the love that cannot always be seen but always transforms. Amen.This devotion was written by Laura Derr 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] 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/.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.My grandfather used to say with a straight face that he owned one of Abraham Lincoln's axes. "It's had eight handles and six heads since he owned it," he'd say, "but it's still his."I laughed at that when I was a kid, but now it sounds to me like something a bunch of philosophers might sit around a table and argue about: "If every part of a thing has been replaced, is it the same thing?" As it happens, there is a big table and a big bunch of philosophers, and they're still arguing. It's known as "The Ship of Theseus Paradox."Theseus was a legendary Greek hero who saved Athens by slaying the minotaur. The Athenians preserved his ship in their harbor as a tribute. Over the years, as planks rotted, they replaced them with new wood. Eventually, every original plank had been swapped out. Is it still the same ship?Is my grandfather's axe still one of Abraham Lincoln's?It's a great question, and philosophers are still arguing about it.Paul's words to the Corinthians would fit right in at that table full of arguing philosophers. If anyone is in Christ, he's a new creation - the old has passed away, the new has come. But that raises the same puzzle: If I'm a new creation, am I still me? If everything old has passed away, what am I then?Here's what I know. The person I was twenty years ago—the habits and fears that once shaped me have been replaced, and probably will be replaced again. God's been replacing my rotted planks: bitterness for forgiveness, shame for acceptance, anxiety for trust. When I look back over the years, I can see it: I'm being rebuilt.This is what Paul means when he says we become new creations in Christ. The moment we put our faith in him, something instantly changes. Our relationship with God is restored, and we're adopted into his family. But it's also the start of a lifetime of God rebuilding us to be more like Christ. We're not the same people we were, yet we're still ourselves. We become both new and more truly who God created us to be all along.The Church itself has been under the same kind of reconstruction for two thousand years. Members who sat in these pews decades ago have gone home to be with the Lord. New believers have joined. Children have grown up and brought their own children. The "planks" of the Body are constantly being replaced.Yet it's still the Church. The same Body that gathered in upper rooms and sang in catacombs. What makes it the same isn't the individual members—it's the Spirit dwelling in us, the mission we carry forward, the grace that flows through us.So when you wonder if you're still you after all God has done in your life, the answer is yes. And when you wonder if the Church can really be the same after all these centuries, the answer is also yes.Because our identity isn't found in the planks or the handles, it's found in the Builder.Father, thank you for your patient work of rebuilding us, plank by plank, into new creations while keeping us wholly ourselves. Help us trust the process of transformation, both in our individual lives and in the life of your Church. Amen.This devotional was written and read by Cliff McCartney. 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/.

Welcome to the Saturday episode of the Grace for All podcast. Thank you for joining us today. Saturday is a special time when we take a few moments to review the scriptures that we have cited in the episodes this week. If you missed any of those episodes, you might want to consider listening to them today. And even if you heard them all, there may be one that you might want to listen to again. We hope that each of these scriptures and podcasts will bring you a full measure of joy, peace, and love. Now, let's listen to the scriptures that have been on our hearts this week. 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/.

John 3:3Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.”The confusion Nicodemus expresses about being born again captures the human condition well. We think we know how the world works, but the teachings of Jesus tend to show us that we don’t. Over and over in the gospel, we are shown that humans can’t see. We can’t find the eye of the needle even though the path has been straightened. We can’t understand how to share the loaves when so much need is before us. We can’t muster the faith to walk on water without sinking in our own doubt and fear. We can’t hear the cock crowing every time we hide from the light. In John chapter 3, Nicodemus has sought out Jesus and proclaimed that he is a great teacher from God, and yet when Jesus tells Nicodemus that in order to see the kingdom he must be born from above, Nicodemus does not see. In fact, he asks, “How can this be?”So, how does one see the kingdom? How is one born from above?We are all born from our mother, but each new day of our lives, we wake. Each morning, we open our eyes for the first time. Like the sun that rises each day but isn’t really rising, we open our eyes, and we either see the world that our mother bore us into or we see the world that the teaching of Jesus has revealed to us. We either see a world of water, or we see the world of the Spirit. We either live in a world where we think the sun is rising into our view, providing us light, or we live in a world where we are rising to the Son of Man’s view and sharing his light.To make it even more challenging in verse 8, Jesus goes on to tell us: “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.” For years, I have found that statement to be one of the most intimidating sentences in all of scripture. I know that it is God’s will not mine in any action I take, but reading that the wind blows wherever it pleases is a metaphor that makes it all too real. Trying to capture or control the wind that blows around us might almost seem manageable, as is our arrogant human way, but what if there is no wind or worse yet if we build walls that block it?When we look to the kingdom of God, we see the creation of God. When we see all that God has created, we should be humbled and feel awe.May I wake each day and pray that I renew my efforts to be led by the Spirit. Each day, may I confess my shortcomings, knowing that I am forgiven before, during, and after my transgressions. May I always look for the kingdom of God. May the Spirit allow me to seek the eye of the needle. When I break the bread, may I share it? Help me step into the puddles with hope. May I look to the light. At each moment, I hope to feel the gentle touch of the breath of the Spirit. As I turn my head toward the world and I open the door, I pray that I have the faith to keep looking.Let us pray.Father, let us see the light that You shine on our path. May we not look in the wrong direction. May we not hide from the grace and love that is there every day before us. May we seek to bring the children of God from water into Spirit. May our breath be as gentle as the Spirit. May our strength be the strength of Christ. May our eyes see the work of the kingdom, and may we share it with all whom we encounter. Amen.This devotional was written by Jill Pope and read by Susan Daves. 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/.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!Happy New Year! The new is here! Tradition is to make a New Year’s Resolution and to keep it! On January 1, 2008, I made a New Year's resolution to never consume alcohol again. And today, I am celebrating 18 years of keeping that resolution! I think God is celebrating with me today!God loves to celebrate our growth and achievements with us. We are important to Him. He loves us very, very much! We who confess Christ as our Savior and Lord are to emulate Him, to live as he lived, loving ALL our earthly neighbors as we love ourselves. But how can we love ourselves when we feel so inadequate, so unworthy? How can we love ourselves when we don’t even like ourselves sometimes?The first step in loving ourselves is to see ourselves as God sees us, as human beings created in the image of God; the image of LOVE! We are a new creation in Christ. If we aren’t living in LOVE, if we don’t think we deserve love, we need to sit down and talk to God about that. God loves us! We need to learn to LOVE ourselves. He made us in his image.If earthly hurts, habits, and hangups make us feel unlovable, then we have to make the necessary changes to grow in the likeness of Jesus. The eight recovery principles from Celebrate Recovery offer a tool to help us make the changes we need. These principles help us to overcome old Hurts, to break bad Habits, and to let go of our old Hangups. If you need some help with this work, visit a Celebrate Recovery meeting sometime, and you will find many people just like you, who are working daily on old hurts, bad habits, and hangups. The ones they need to let go.Daily prayer, Bible reading, and quiet time with God are required to overcome those hurts, habits, and hangups. Make a New Year’s Resolution to begin a God Diet!And here is a good schedule to use for your new 2026 God Diet…1. Start your day with this podcast and read the Bible.2. Spend some time in prayer before you jump on social media or go to school or work.3. Pray and center yourself in God, asking for his help as you go through your day.I can vouch for this schedule, because I’ve been using it for the last 18 years. Well, except for the podcast, which is only two years old and was added then. If we spend time with God each morning, before the world leads us into the fray, we will find it easier to turn to him as trouble, worries, or bad news find us. If we truly embrace Jesus Christ each morning, we will be amazed at how much the old habits, hurts, and hangups will fade away, and we move closer to God’s goodness.As our verse for today says, “The old has gone,” and the new life centered in Christ is here!Dear Lord Jesus...I believe in you, and I need your help to keep my LOVE for God and my neighbors as the center of my life! Help me to share my life with You, by centering myself in Your LOVE each day. And help me to share that LOVE with my neighbors (all of them) every day! Thank you, Lord, AMEN.This 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] 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 2:30-32 In the Temple when Simeon held the Christ Child 8 days after his birth he gave this prophecy to Mary and Joseph, “Sovereign Lord…I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” As the Christmas season neared, the gift shop in the hospital where I worked at the time displayed three lovely little porcelain angels. These were unlike most Christmas angels. Each, about 6 inches high were dressed in a bulky coat and cap. One held a loaf of bread, one a Christmas tree, and the third held a lighted candle. They captured my heart, but were considerably outside my pocket book. Each day I would go by the gift shop and look in at these angels always fearful that someone would have purchased them. Then about a week before Christmas, the gift shop had a 50% off sale on all Christmas items. I hurried into the shop and to my joy what I had become to think of as my angels were still there and I bought them. I knew exactly where I would display them. That evening when I got home I had several things to carry in – including my precious angels. As I placed the items on my kitchen counter, the package holding the angels slipped from my hand and hit our tile floor with a shattering sound. All were broken. I felt heartbroken as well. I gathered all the pieces, sorted them and over the next few days did my best to glue them together. When I was done I looked at these poor broken angels and loved them even more. Since that incident over thirty plus years ago, I have left my three broken Christmas angels on display year round as a reminder that it is through our broken places that the love of Christ can most easily shine in. Over time I have also discovered that it is through our broken places – those places that Christ has lovingly mended – that we can most often become angels for others who are broken. This was reinforced most recently when I saw a verse written by Leonard Cohen, a Canadian song writer, singer, and poet. He said, “There is a crack in everything, and that is where the light comes in.” Where we are cracked, the light of Christ shines in. And where we are cracked the light and the love of Christ can shine back out to all we meet. Dear God, help me to always be grateful for the cracks that have occurred in my life. Help me to accept your loving hand in mending me, and help me have the courage to shine your light back out through my cracks to others. In the loving name of Jesus the Christ, Amen. This devotional was written and read by Barbara 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/.

Ephesians 5:19–20Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. At the beginning of this year, my star word was Apply. I’ll be honest—it didn’t feel inspiring at first. It sounded plain, almost unfinished. Others drew words like Joy, Peace, or Abide—gentle, lyrical words that seemed to sparkle with promise. Mine felt like a to-do list. But over time, I began to understand: God wasn’t asking me to find something new. He was asking me to live what I already knew. He was inviting me to practice what I’d spent years studying—to take His Word from the pages of my Bible and let it shape the rhythm of my life. When Paul wrote to the Ephesians, he described what a Spirit-filled life looks like. It isn’t about lofty theology; it’s about a faith that moves. Each phrase is practical. It’s about how we treat people, how we worship, and how we choose gratitude. It’s the art of applying what we believe. I began to notice that when I sent a note of encouragement or prayed for someone in my Bible study group, I wasn’t just offering kindness—I was applying Scripture through my words. When I found myself humming a hymn while folding laundry, I was applying worship to ordinary moments. And when life felt heavy, but I chose to whisper, ‘Thank You, Lord,’ I was applying gratitude, transforming weariness into worship. Paul closes this short passage by reminding us to do all things “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” That phrase carries weight—it means that everything I say or do bears His signature. To apply something “in His name” is to ask: Would this reflect the heart of Jesus? It’s a question that transforms our choices, tones, and attitudes. It takes the Gospel out of the sanctuary and plants it right in the kitchen, the carpool, the grocery line, the inbox. Now, in these final weeks of the year, I can see what God was teaching me through that one small word. Apply isn’t flashy—it’s faithful. It’s about taking what’s true and making it visible. It’s about translating faith into daily motion—through our words, our worship, and our gratitude. Application is where transformation takes root. It’s the quiet work of obedience that turns belief into a lifestyle of praise. Let’s pray: Lord, thank You for reminding me that Your Word is meant to be lived, not just learned. Teach me to speak encouragement, to carry a song in my heart, and to give thanks in all things. Let my life be evidence of what I’ve applied—a melody of gratitude played in Your name. Amen. This devotion was written by Marcia Prill 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 2:8-11 (NIV) And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.Why the shepherds?It is a question that biblical scholars have pondered for ages. The shepherds, keeping watch over their flocks nearby, were God’s chosen first to receive the good news of the birth of Christ. Why? Some have suggested that this was a symbolic act, that the shepherds who tended these sheep near Jerusalem were in the position of selecting the perfect lambs to be offered as an atonement sacrifice at the Temple. They argue it is only fitting that these shepherds be the first to recognize God’s perfect lamb, the Christ, whose sacrifice would redeem humanity.Others point to the humble position of the shepherds and how it mirrors Jesus’ humble earthly beginning. Jesus was born to a poor teen mother forced to give birth in a stable, then wrapped in rags and laid in a manger. These writers suggest it is clear from the beginning that Jesus came to establish a new world order—the first shall be last, and the last shall be first. In choosing the shepherds, God emphasizes that the gospel message is foremost for those who have been forgotten and marginalized by society.There may be truth in both interpretations, but I think there is another likely and very simple answer to the question, “Why the shepherds?” I think God chose the shepherds because they would go to see Jesus. Visiting angels aside, would those who were safe and comfortable in their own homes have been as likely to abandon such security in search of a poor newborn lying in a barn in the middle of the night?I think God chose the shepherds because they were ready and willing to receive the gospel. Those who are most in need of good news are usually the ones most likely to hear it and respond. Those most hungry for hope tend to be the ones with the openness and willingness to receive and share it.How is your heart this season? Are you hungry for hope? Are you longing for good news? Then keep watch. Be alert for God’s invitation to come and see the Christ child. I believe with all my heart that God has a message of great joy for you and all people.Let us pray:Gracious God, your world is still in need of peace. Your people are still in need of hope. Lead our hearts faithfully toward the Christ child this season and always, that we may receive the good news with joy and share it generously, far and wide. In His name we pray, amen.Today’s devotional 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] 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 2:4,7: And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem...And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Have you ever received a gift that was a complete surprise? Maybe it was something you had hoped for but never expected to receive. Maybe it was something you were expecting but it came from a different person in an unexpected way. Or perhaps it was something you never knew about until it arrived, but it turned out to be wonderful.More than 2,000 years ago, the world received a gift that many did not expect and that countless others missed completely. A baby was born in an obscure village, in a place unknown to most of the world. Not in a palace, not with royal fanfare, but in a humble manger. The Creator of the universe chose to enter His creation through the back door of history.I sometimes wonder about the choir of angels that sang to the shepherds on that hillside on the night of Christ's birth. Were the shepherds truly the only ones who heard and responded to that glorious chorus? Did others in and around Bethlehem hear the noise and simply turn over and go back to sleep? Were there people who should have known but simply missed it because they weren't paying attention?The birth of Jesus is no longer a surprise to us today. Yet it remains the perfect symbol of how God often deals with His people. Throughout the Scriptures, we find again and again that God's gifts come as surprises. They are not what we expect. They do not arrive in the way we anticipate. They are often not even things we have thought to ask for. Like the manger-bed of Jesus, God's greatest gifts often come wrapped in the most humble packaging.Let us pray:Our Father, as we celebrate this Christmas, help us remain open to the surprise gifts You have in store for each of us. Let us remember that the greatest gift of all, the birth of Jesus Christ, came as a surprise to the world. Help us not miss that gift or the many other gifts You give to us. Keep our hearts alert and our spirits sensitive to Your presence, even in unexpected places. Amen.This devotional was written by Jim Stovall and read by Sage 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] 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/.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/.

You are listening to Grace for All, a daily devotional podcast produced by the people of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee.This is Scripture Saturday, a time when we pause and reflect on the scriptures we have read throughout the week. If you missed any of our devotionals on these passages, you can find them on our website at 1stChurch.org or wherever you get your podcasts.Now, we invite you to listen and receive Grace. Welcome and thank you for joining us.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/.