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/.

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/.

Isaiah 43:1-4a (The Message)But now, God’s Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob, the One who got you started, Israel: “Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end—Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That’s how much you mean to me! That’s how much I love you!When I was a child, I loved the Christmas season. To me it was not just special on Christmas day, but it really was about the season. You see, my father’s job frequently required him to be gone on Christmas day; I think he missed seven years in a row. So in our family we had Christmas on Christmas day and on either the day he returned or perhaps the day before he departed. Either way, our parents made sure that we knew how much they loved us during this season.They also made sure we knew Christmas was not just about presents, but more importantly the gift of the Christ child coming into the world. As a child I knew my parents loved me and I heard God loved me too. It was not until later in life, that I began to really experience and understand how much God really loves me. That is why I like today’s scripture so much. I can envision God on His throne looking straight into my eyes and saying, “You are mine. No matter what you do, no matter what you are struggling with, no matter what your hang-ups are, I am with you. I am your God, your Savior, and I paid a huge price for you. That is how much you mean to me! That is how much I love you.” Now as a parent, I understand better than ever. No matter what happens with my children, I will always love them.During this Christmas season, I pray the present you receive is to feel the presence and overwhelming love of God.Will you pray with me: Father God, thank you for your love more than I certainly deserve and more than I can fully comprehend. I pray that those who do not fully know you would open their hearts to feel your presence and be able to experience the depth of your love for them. Amen.Today’s devotion was written and recorded by Owen 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/.

Isaiah 7:14 (NIV) Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. One of the most powerful and meaningful things anyone has ever done for me was sit with me in silence through my deepest grief. Sometimes there are no words powerful enough to speak comfort to the hurting. Sometimes presence is the greatest gift. Being with those in pain is not easy. Our natural inclination is to move away from suffering, not towards it. But that is not God’s way. Throughout scripture, we find that where there is sorrow or anguish, God draws near. Where there is grief, there is grace. God does not abandon God’s people. That is a promise. God’s intention to dwell with us is such an inherent part of God’s character, the prophet Isaiah reminds us, that we can call Christ Jesus by the name Immanuel, God with us. The name Immanuel speaks comfort to me in this holy season, but it also challenges me. It reminds me that I am not alone, but also that no one should feel alone. As I ask God to keep perfecting me in love, as I seek to be more Christ-like, I am called to move closer to those who are suffering. I am called to enter into new spaces where people are in distress. I am challenged to be present with the ones who are most in need, just as God is. God with us is a promise, but it is not a secret. It is meant to be shared, and there is no greater way to share God’s promise than to perform it, to embody it. Let us pray: Immanuel, God with us, during this busy season, may we not be so hurried that we forget to give the gift of our presence to those who need it most. Give us the courage to enter into the painful places, knowing that we will find you there. In Christ Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. This devotion was written and read by Greta Smith. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.Recently, I again reflected on the fact that in the Gospels, Jesus’ life is bracketed by the word “Peace.” When the angels announced the good news of his birth to the shepherds, their song contained the hope of Peace for the world. In the Gospel of John, Jesus, in one of the last conversations he had with his disciples, promises them the gift of peace. Peace is a gift that we still need. Tonight, many of us will gather for worship. The high point of this evening is when the lights are turned off, and we pass the light of Christ from candle to candle. For many years, as pastor, I had the privilege to not only start the light moving out through the congregation but to be able to watch people's faces illumined by candlelight as they sang. I was always touched to literally see Peace settle on people in that moment. I saw a family where the main breadwinner had just lost their job. For just a moment, they weren’t worried about tomorrow. They were celebrating being together as a family, surrounded by church friends who loved and cared about them. I would look specifically for people whose loved ones had died recently, and this was their first Christmas alone. In almost every situation, there was that brief moment you could see that they shed the blanket of grief that weighed on their hearts and were filled with loving memories of the past. Those memories brought them joy and peace. For some it was the first time I had seem them smile since the loss of their beloved. The gift of Peace, sung about by the angels and promised by Jesus, is real and available if we but open our hearts. Peace, we all need it. The message of this night and the day to come is that into a world of darkness, light is dawning. In a world of hurt, love breaks forth. In a world of loss, new life is ours. Jesus asks us to let this message fill us and gives light and peace. And if we do this, our troubled hearts will find rest, and our fears will subside, just as Jesus promised. Let us Pray: O Lord, giver of Peace, on this Holy night, fill us with your presence. Help us to quiet our minds so that we may hear the angels sing “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace,” knowing their message was not just to shepherds but to us as well, AMEN. This devotion 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]. 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 15:13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.Our theme for the Grace for All Advent devotions is Hope, Joy, Peace, and Love. This verse in Paul’s letter to the Romans just about says it all. He concludes by reminding us that we have this hope, as well as joy and peace, because of the Holy Spirit in our lives.Have you ever known a person who showed the strength and power of the Holy Spirit in all circumstances? I have had the privilege of knowing several, but my 98-year-old mother-in-law is to me the ultimate role model. She has lived through so much in those 98 years. She shared with me how much she missed her father while he served in the Pacific in World War II, as well as her fear that he would not return. She prayed without ceasing for his safety and return. As a young woman, she desperately wanted to go to college and become a teacher, but she was unable to continue after one year due to family circumstances. So she set about working with children at every opportunity while raising her own two children. She led Sunday school classes and Bible school classes, having a profound effect on hundreds of children, and she prayed for every one of them. Later, she was chosen to be trained in the first class of Title I teacher assistants in Knoxville City Schools. She faithfully worked with the children in the poorest of schools in the city and shared hope with them as well as math lessons.Then came the losses over a period of years: first her grandmother, who greatly influenced her in many ways, especially her faith, then her parents, her in-laws, her only brother, her husband over 60 years, and finally the most cruel loss of all – her beloved son. While these losses caused her pain and sadness, her faith never wavered. She still found joy and laughter with those who remained, especially her granddaughters, grandsons, and great-grandson. She knows without a doubt that she will see the loved ones who have gone ahead again someday.Many people would become despondent, even bitter, about the experiences she had. But she had the power of the Holy Spirit to guide her in holding onto hope, joy, and peace, and, most of all, love. Her physical strength is failing now, but her spirit is not. As long as she has breath, she will depend on God to guide her, even into the next life. I thank God for her love and example of faith in my life and the lives of all who have known her.Let us pray:Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit, which allows us to experience hope, joy and peace in all circumstances. We thank you for your love and the strength and assurance it provides. We thank you for friends and loved ones who show us how to live out our faith and inspire us to be better followers of Christ in this world. Finally, we thank you for the gift of your Son, who came to this world at Christmas to shine a light in the darkness and give us the gift of salvation. Amen.This devotion 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] 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 15:13 May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is only a few days until Christmas, and many of us are working on last-minute preparations. Our plans for celebrating involve gifts, feasting, laughter, and joy. We will attend Christmas Eve worship services and joyous family gatherings. Christmas music will fill our ears and touch our hearts. Our church choirs will blend their voices and remind us of the Angels singing on the first Christmas and the listening shepherds tending their flocks. All manner of happy festivity will fill our time, and we will feel happy and blessed. But the news will continue to fill our eyes and ears with the worries of the world – wars and rumors of wars, political fighting, the loss of financial help or income for so many, joblessness, and homelessness suffered by millions of our neighbors. We can tune all that out and carry on, or we can help. We can remember that we are the hands and feet of Jesus and ask ourselves, “What would Jesus do?” We can’t feed the whole world, but we can donate more to the blessing box, serve on Thursday nights at Welcome Table right here at our church, and donate more to local food banks. We can open our eyes and hearts to the needs all around us and make those in need more important than usual. We can sacrifice a few extravagances to give more to the needy, the sick, the lonely, the homeless. We can let the sad news we see and hear pull upon our heartstrings and remind us of today’s scripture as we give generously of our time and money. And overflowing with hope for the needy, hope for the homeless, hope for those in great need, hope for peace of mind, we will be filled with that promised joy at Christmas and beyond. Prayer:Let’s pray together using the words from today’s scripture – “May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” And as we overflow with hope, joy, and peace, help us Lord, to let ourselves overflow with generosity of time, hearts, and pockets, today and every day. Thank you, Jesus. 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/.

Romans 5:8But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Have you ever noticed that when plants produce, they simultaneously produce a gift that is the food of others and the birth of the next generation of their species? Like these seeds, there is an infinite abundance in God’s love and God’s gifts to us that is incomprehensible. God has given us forgiveness and love before we even knew that we needed it. It is there for us, to catch us, when we fall. It is there for us to fill the emptiness when we thought we could do it alone. It is there for us when our wounds won’t heal on their own. During this season of Advent, let us reflect that God took the Word and made it flesh so that we could see and experience God’s love. As we wait quietly this season in anticipation of the birth of baby Jesus, let us consider the love God shares that is ever-present. If we are to be children of God, then we should nourish our souls on the love that helps us, feeds us, heals us, and forgives us. Love is such a big topic, and yet it is so small. In every moment of every day, God’s love is present. In every object and every act, God’s love for us is waiting. God’s love was waiting for us before the birth of Jesus. It was present and welcoming us in Jesus. It was in the shadow of the cross waiting for us. It waits for us to follow the path made straight and to follow the example that we have been given in Jesus. It is ever-present and in everything, every person, and every action. It always has been and always will be. God loves us whether we are sinning, confessing, or loving others. So, be loved. And be loving. Like the seeds that give life through nourishing others and give birth to new plants, we can both be loved into new life and give love to nourish others at the same time. Let us all be amazed and awed at just how powerful this is! Let us pray.God in heaven, on earth, and in our hearts, may we be the seeds that grow to nourish others. May we be both born again in your spirit and love while also giving life, love, and nourishment to others so that they may live in your spirit and love, 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/.

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, 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/.

Isaiah 9:2 (ESV)The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.There is a scene in Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” that I really love. Scrooge awakens on Christmas Day after having spent the night with those three spirits, and he flings open his window to let in a ray of brilliant sunlight. Before that he traveled through an awful lot of darkness – the guilt of his past, the isolation of his present, and the fear of his future. He realizes that it is Christmas morning, and he’s been given another chance. The darkness hasn’t consumed him; there is still time, and there is still hope.In Isaiah’s writing, about 700 years before Jesus, he spoke to the people of Israel during a period of their greatest threat from the Assyrian Empire. The people were filled with fear, hopelessness, and questioning whether God had left them. They were walking in darkness - not just the absence of natural light, but the absence of hope, clarity, and peace, because they felt so lost and alone.In the middle of all that, Isaiah made a promise: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” He didn’t say “they will see,” he said “they have seen.” He speaks of this coming light with such confidence that it seems to have already occurred. But Isaiah knew that that is the nature of God’s promises. They are so confident, so dependable, we can speak of them as if they’ve already taken place.Seven hundred years later, in the same general area that Isaiah prophesied about, a baby is born in Bethlehem. Matthew’s Gospel references this exact verse in describing Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. The light Isaiah spoke of wasn’t simply a desire for better conditions or for political freedom. The light was a person - Jesus.John Wesley understood this is how God works - He calls it “prevenient grace”, which means the light that precedes us, preparing our hearts, working in our lives long before we’re aware of it. Long before we realize our need for light, God is shining light into our darkness. The Advent message is that while we were still walking in darkness, God brought the light.Each Sunday in Advent, we light candles in our sanctuaries, and we watch the darkness slowly give way to light. This is a wonderful representation of what God did in human history and what He continues to do in each of our lives. We don’t produce the light, nor do we earn it. The light comes to us. It shines on us.Are you walking through darkness this Advent season? Maybe it is the grief of losing someone dear, worry about the future, loneliness, or just the fatigue of living in a world that can feel cold and unforgiving at times. Isaiah’s promise is for you. The light has come. Not at some point in the future, not eventually… the light has already shone.Christmas isn’t about us finding a way to leave the darkness behind. It’s about God coming into our darkness and bringing light with Him. Emmanuel, God is with us, including in the darkest of places.Prayer:Lord Jesus, you are the light of the world who came into our darkness. Shine in our hearts today and help us trust that no darkness is too deep for your light to reach. 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/.

Our scripture for today is John 3:16, reading from the New International Version. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. The King James version might be more familiar to some. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. This was probably the very first Bible verse I learned to memorize, which was in vacation Bible school. Did I understand what it said or meant? Probably not, but I could recite it to the pleasure of my mother and teacher. We do not have a son, only daughters. Regardless, I cannot imagine offering one as a sacrifice as Abraham was asked to do. Furthermore, from what we know, he was not hesitant in taking Isaac up the mountain to be sacrificed. i would imagine that Sarah Isaac’s mother had something to say about the situation. However, in Old Testament times, women had less say-so about such matters. During Jesus' earthly life, he seemed to be on a mission to carry out God’s will. Towards the end of his life, it almost seemed like a self-sacrifice or giving of himself for the atonement or substitution of his life for our sins. The verse says that whoever believes will not perish but have everlasting life. As a child, this was very difficult to comprehend. What does everlasting or eternal life look like? As adults, we know that eventually our earthly bodies will wear out, we will die and be buried or cremated, and ashes will be spread or deposited in the ground or an urn. However, for believers, our souls will reside in heaven. We don’t know what that existence looks like. I have read of several individuals who have had near-death experiences and said that it was a wonderful experience. Please pray with me. Dear God, help us to understand what it means to believe in you. Help us to be a witness to others that they might also become believers in you and have the faith and hope for eternal life. Amen. This devotional 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]. 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 15:20 While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. It started with four simple words: “Momma, I need help.” Two weeks before that call, my husband Mark and I had driven to St. Louis to see our God-given grandchild and meet up with Robert, our son. He is forty-five, and he was planning a big move to Texas. As any parent would, we asked if he needed help. And as any grown man would, he said, “No, I can do this by myself.” We smiled and drove back to Tennessee, proud of his independence but with a mother’s quiet knowing in the back of my heart. Then the phone rang. “I rented a U-Haul,” he said, “but I can’t tow the car. Could you drive it to Texas?” And just like that, our plans changed. That’s what love does — it shows up when the call comes, no matter the distance. So I packed a bag, climbed into a little rental car, and began an 18-hour, 1200-mile journey. First stop, St. Peter's, to exchange the sporty little rental car for Robert’s well-worn SUV.  Then off to Texas. The road was long and sometimes frustrating — missed exits, heavy traffic, forgotten gas caps, lost credit cards, and a flight home that seemed like it might never leave the ground. But woven through every mile was God’s presence: in the small mercies, the safe arrivals, the unexpected help, and the quiet moments of grace. And when I finally arrived at that Texas apartment complex, tired and sore but deeply grateful, I was reminded of the father in Jesus’ parable — the one who ran to meet his son while he was still a long way off. That father didn’t ask questions. He simply loved. That’s what this journey taught me. Love isn’t measured by convenience or distance. It’s measured by willingness — the willingness to show up when someone calls, to go the extra mile, and to trust God with every step along the way. I was reminded of the scriptures: Psalm 46:1 - “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 121:8 - “The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Our prayer today: Father, Thank you for the gift of love — the kind that shows up, reaches out, and never gives up. Help me to love as You do, with patience and grace, even when the road is long, or the journey is hard. Teach me to listen for the cries of those who need me and to respond with courage and compassion. And Lord, remind me that no act of love is ever wasted when it’s done in Your name. Amen. This devotion was written by Marcia Prill and read by Sally Stovall. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Psalm 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 by Charlie Barton and read by Jim Stovall. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

John 14:27 (CEB) Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I give to you not as the world gives. Don’t be troubled or afraid. John places these words in the hours before Jesus’ arrest, which shapes them more than we often realize. This isn’t a quiet devotional moment. It’s a farewell. Jesus speaks peace into a room thick with confusion, sorrow, and fear. He knows what the disciples do not—that they are minutes away from chaos. The peace he offers is not the kind the world promises, built on the absence of trouble or the illusion of control. It’s the kind you carry even as the storm breaks around you. I need to place this in context. Caregivers know this tension well. I have cared for our severely disabled daughter for 22 years, but I am not alone in this. In the United States, with a population of 400 million people, there are around 50 million unpaid caregivers, usually caring for a family member. Just about everyone will wind up caring for someone at some point. In that setting, you know you can do everything right and still watch the night unravel. Stability today offers no guarantee for tomorrow. When Jesus says, “My peace,” he isn’t offering distraction or escape. He is offering himself. His peace wasn’t shaken by betrayal, arrest, or the cross. It doesn’t require good news or predictable days. It settles deeper than circumstances, meeting us in the place where fear tends to bloom. This is where his words matter for caregivers and all of us facing challenging times. Peace, as Christ defines it, isn’t the promise that everything will work out the way you long for. It’s the presence of One who never leaves you to face any of it alone. His peace steadies you when medical updates shift, when exhaustion reaches its limit, when you find yourself bracing for what might come next. Our circumstances may not calm down, but his peace can calm us within them. Prayer Father, I need the peace your Son promised, the kind that holds when life does not. Teach me to rest in Christ’s presence even when trouble surrounds me. Let his steadiness become my own, and help me face each day without fear. 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]. 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 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. Let’s look at the verses that surround today’s introduction as Jesus speaks to his disciples. John 15, lines nine through ten state: “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.” Followed by verse twelve: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” Jesus speaks of his joy, meaning his great happiness, delight, or pleasure, that this euphoria would be shared with his disciples. In the collective three lines preceding and following, “love” is used seven times! Love! The message from Jesus is clear! Love! He commands in line twelve “to love”! Love, not hate! Not the hate that is spewed from any of today’s digital media. Love! Don’t give in to the primordial emotions of hate and fear! Don’t be played by the talking heads! Love! Jesus commands us to love! Think of it. Jesus is issuing his own commandment: “Love one another”! Jesus was questioned by the Pharisees as to which was the greatest commandment, and part of his answer in Matthew 22:39 was:“Love your neighbor as yourself.” The recurring message from Jesus is to love! Our neighbor is across the street, across the county, across the state, across the country, and across the world. It is imperative upon us to help. Help in any way that you can. This is Jesus speaking to us, not any talking head in the media or elected office. Jesus. Jesus, as God’s messenger, God’s son, is always very specific in what he is saying. He uses the word “command” since he was there from the beginning. He was there when Moses took the tablets down from Mt. Sinai, and he was famously there when he told the Pharisees in John 8:58, “Before Abraham was, I am”! The message from Jesus is clear. Love. Live your life as though your afterlife depends on love, because it does! Let us pray: God above, love is not necessarily an easy thing to do. Give us the strength, power, and determination to love those around us, and around the world, as Jesus would have us do. Amen.This devotional was written and read 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/.

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/.

Luke 2:10-11 And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.' As a child, I got to watch the Peanuts Christmas special on TV, and I loved it! Especially the part when Linus comes to the stage in the spotlight and recites this verse, among others. I remember thinking to myself, “ Why did the angels decide to tell the shepherds instead of the important people of those days? Wouldn’t the word get out faster if they gave this momentous news to the bigwigs?” It wasn’t till much later that I realized that God blessed these humble shepherds with this message to show His inclusivity, that He often chooses the humble to accomplish His purposes. “Fear Not.” The angel’s first command is meant to calm the shepherds’ fear in the face of this supernatural appearance. I can imagine how scared I would be to encounter a heavenly being! But also, it serves as a message of reassurance for those who might be afraid of the news. The next notable thing to me in this passage is that the angel says the joyful news will be for all the people, not just for the Jewish people. God continues His message of inclusivity. And it reminds me of how often Jesus himself said these words to his followers. Finally, the core of the message includes Savior (He rescues people from their sin), Christ ( or Messiah, the long-awaited King from the line of David), and Lord ( He has the ultimate authority and rules over all). These three titles that the angel gives to describe Jesus pretty much sum up this amazing pronouncement. What Joy those shepherds must have experienced to hear this news! It’s always great to hear the news about a new baby, but how astounding it would have been to be the first to hear the news about THIS special baby! Let us pray: Dear Lord, may we always feel the amazing joy when we hear the story of Your birth. And may we be always thankful that You came to us as our Savior. Amen. This devotional was written by Virginia Hardwick 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/.

Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (NRSV) Our scripture today is Isaiah 40:31 from the New Revised Standard Version. “But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” I am not good at waiting. I’ve improved as I’ve gotten older, but I’m still pretty impatient. Waiting has always seemed passive to me, and I want to be doing something … anything … other than waiting. While studying this scripture, I learned that the Hebrew verb translated as “wait” in this passage is qavah (kah-vah). It’s related to qav (kahv), which means cord or rope. One source I consulted suggested imagining a rope being pulled tight and stretched out. Qavah is the feeling of anticipation at the release of tension. Qavah is sometimes translated as “hope.” We don’t wait for the best solution or for our circumstances to change. We are to wait for the Lord. The tension of our current circumstances can only be relieved by the Lord. Being bad at waiting, I can certainly relate to that tension. But I can also recognize that, even in that tension … or maybe especially in that tension … I am waiting on the Lord. Like the Israelites, I remember how the Lord has been with me in the past and how He can be trusted with my future. My hope is in the Lord while I wait and in every circumstance. During this Advent, let’s remember to wait on the Lord who came to us as a lowly infant. Please pray with me. Lord, help us to enjoy this season of hope and of waiting. May we remember your faithfulness and continue to wait for you to renew our strength. We ask this in the name of your son, Jesus, who entered our world so many years ago. Amen. This devotional was written by Kathryn King and read by Sally 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/.

Philippians 4:5-7 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NIV) During the Advent season of 2020, we were desperate to bring our family together. Our holiday tradition for years had been to gather in a cabin in the Smokies for the week between Christmas and New Year’s. Our kids and grandkids came from Ohio and Iowa, making long drives for a few days of love and fellowship. But this was a different year, the year of Covid, when hundreds of thousands around the world had already died from this terrible virus. We held our breath, hoping everyone could travel. On Wednesday, Dec. 23, our daughter Sarah called in tears, saying her husband, Brent, had tested positive for COVID. He had cold symptoms the week before, and out of an abundance of caution, they decided he should take the test. Brent was isolating in the basement, but Sarah feared the whole family could come down with COVID in the next few days. The trip to the cabin for Christmas was off. Soon after, our son David called and told us that our grandson Jacob had been exposed to COVID and they were waiting for test results. The trip home for Christmas was in doubt. Tom and I were crushed. We had pinned so much hope on this reunion after a year of anxiety and doubt. But the Bible verse says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication let your requests be made known to God.” Our prayers went up, and we determined we would go to the cabin alone and find a way to celebrate via Zoom with our kids. On Thursday, Dec. 24, daughter Sarah called back, ecstatic! She and the grandkids had all tested negative for Covid, and Brent’s quarantine would be over by Saturday. They were coming to Tennessee! Later that day, David called, and his voice was full of sadness. Jacob had tested positive for COVID-19. They could not travel home for Christmas. We were caught between joy and sorrow again. We felt guilty for even urging the kids to make the long trip in the midst of a pandemic. We had been motivated by longing, pure longing, so hungry for the love and stimulation of being together with three generations of family. On Christmas Day, a heavy snow fell and blanketed the world in peace. While waiting for Sarah and her family to arrive, we helped shovel the snow off the driveway to our cabins so that other families could gather as well. It was a happy task. That Christmas in 2020 is one we will never forget. We opened packages together with our Ohio family and celebrated with our Iowa family on Zoom. And somewhere in the middle, we found peace, the peace of God which surpasses all understanding. And the strength to face the next day. Let us pray: Dear Lord, you always remind us not to be anxious, but we forget. You always promise us the peace which passes all understanding, but we forget. You brought us, Jesus, in a world filled with anxiety and danger, and we need to remember. Thank you for the peace you bring to our hearts in the Advent season. And all year long. 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]. 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/.

Micah 5:2 But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, We know this scripture because the priests quote it when asked by King Herod where the Christ Child was to be born. This occurs after the Wise Men come to Jerusalem seeking the new King. We hear it almost every year during the seasons of Christmas and Epiphany, but do you know its Old Testament context? When Micah first spoke it, the people who heard it were a defeated people, now living in exile in Babylon. Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed, its walls broken down, and their king removed. It was a dark time, and these words were words of hope. Micah wanted them to know that God had not forgotten them. A future ruler would come and save them. They would not be in exile forever. God was with them and better days were coming. What a message of hope for those people when all seemed lost. Our situation is not much different from Micah’s first listeners. In times of great stress, we look for a glimmer of hope beyond the present ordeal. We want to hear that God understands, is with us, and tomorrow holds the possibility of being a better day. This word of hope from God comes to us in so many ways during this Advent Season. We hear it in the message that a child named Jesus was born to fulfill this prophecy, and God is always with us. We see it in many small acts of kindness that seem to multiply at this time of year. And if you are listening to this podcast on the day it was first posted, know that tonight our church is a beacon of hope for some. For many years, the Christian Living Class and the Open Arms Class have hosted a dinner for inmates housed at our local detention center and their families. Those inmates who meet the requirements come to the church and get to have a meal with their loved ones. We provide gifts for them to give to their children. There are hugs and pictures and great joy. For those inmates and their families, it is a glimpse of what the future can look like. It is a time of joy and, yes, hope. Advent is a reminder that God cares about where we are in our life journey. We or someone we know might be experiencing the first holiday season without a loved one. Perhaps you can be a glimmer of hope for them by reaching out and letting them know they are not alone. Or in these times of economic hardship for many, you might be able to, out of your blessings, give to a program that provides food or shelter for others. Again, a word of hope. And if this is a season of struggles and darkness for you, know there is hope that tomorrow can be better because God is with us. Life can be difficult. It was at the time Micah shared these words. It was challenging for the people of Judah when Jesus was born. It can be for us or those we know today. Micah reminds us that God is faithful, loves us, and is at work to make our tomorrows brighter. Let us pray. Loving God, we give thanks for your never-ending love and presence in our lives. When we are in difficult and challenging times, help us to remember to look to you for light, guidance, and hope. You are always pointing us to a better tomorrow. And remind us as well to be, when we can, your message of hope to others when they need it most. AMEN. This devotion was written by Bill Green and read by Jim Stovall. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Ephesians 2:13-14 But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups [Gentiles and Jews] into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. Our theme for the Grace for All Advent devotions is Hope, Joy, Peace, and Love. For me, the most elusive of these is peace. Human beings are human beings; even the most Christlike among us experience jealousy, envy, greed, anger, even rage, based on the actions of others and the events taking place around us. Life is not always fair, and we naturally allow unfairness or mistreatment to steal our peace, among family members, friends, neighbors, and most especially within us.I am at a place in life where peace is what I crave most. I have always disliked conflict. I am by nature a peacemaker, not a fighter. Still the many things over which I have no control upset me. How can I achieve peace within when there is so much wrong in our world?I think I know the answer, but it still is not easy to do.First, I have to acknowledge that God is in control, and I am not. That is super hard for a first born daughter! I ran the show for my younger sister and two younger brothers when assigned their care if our parents were away briefly or busy doing something they didn’t want interrupted. And I relished the role of being the boss! I knew best for all of us, at least in my mind. As an adult, that simply is not true. There are so many times, I have no idea of the best decision to make or path to take. When that happens I rely on the counsel of friends and family, and most of all, God’s direction sought through prayer and meditation. Often the path that opens to me seems contrary to what I want, but God is always there and always faithful.Second, I know that I have a responsibility to participate in society and speak up against injustice and cruelty, but I cannot change the thoughts and actions of others alone. I have to be patient and allow God to act, but I can continue to help others and “do good” in accordance with our church’s missions. I can also pray, always pray.Finally, I can continue to strive to strengthen my personal relationship with Jesus, studying, praying, meditating, both alone and in groups. A stronger faith enables me to keep things in perspective, let go of the things I should not spend time and energy on, and rely on God to direct my path.All of these actions require giving up control. I am not in charge, nor am I meant to be. I am meant to worship and serve God in the ways He wants. Perhaps when I achieve this level of selflessness, the ways of the world will no longer steal my peace. I pray it may be so.Let us pray: Dear God, You know the level of turmoil your children are experiencing in the world today. I know this is not how you intend for us to live. Please guide us as we seek peace in our homes, in our families, in our communities, and in our world. Only through You can we quiet the noise and ignore the distractions that separate us from You. May we find the peace of God in this Advent season and always. Amen. This devotion 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/.

Luke 1:46-47 (NIV) And Mary said: “My soul praises the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…” Over two thousand years ago, the young virgin, Mary, was visited by the Angel Gabriel, who was sent specifically to her in Nazareth. She was greatly troubled – perhaps even terrified – at the sight of such an unexpected visitor! He greeted her with words that confused and troubled her. But he calmly spoke and said, “Do not be afraid.” Then he gave her the astonishing news that she would be pregnant and birth a Son, whom she would name Jesus! He said, “This child will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High! And His Kingdom will never end!” Astonished, she questioned the angel as to how such a thing could be possible, as she was a virgin. He explained how the Holy Spirit, the Power of the Most High would overshadow her, so the Holy One born of her would be the Son of God. The young Mary must have been overwhelmed by the surreal visitor and his unexpected words; but she believed the message and said to the Angel, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be as you have said.” The Angel left her. A short time after this astonishing event, Mary went to visit her cousin, Elizabeth, who had been barren all her life. The Angel Gabriel had also told Mary that her once barren cousin would also conceive and bear a son. Thus, the visit. When Mary arrived at Elizabeth’s door and knocked. When Elizabeth opened the door she felt the baby in her womb leap, as if in recognition! Elizabeth exclaimed in a loud voice – “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear! Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” At this greeting, Mary replied: “My soul praises the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…” As we think about this story of how the mother of Jesus and the mother of John the Baptist were used by God for great things, let us ponder our place in the world and seek God’s will in our own lives. Let us ask ourselves, “What does God require of me? What does God want to birth in my life? What miracles of faith does God wish me to accomplish? As a Christian, a Christ Follower, what is my assignment in God’s plan for the world? Am I listening to the messengers God sends to my door, to my ears, to my eyes? Am I hearing the call to do good, to provide for the needy, to help out the homeless, to be more generous in my giving – especially in this time of great need for those around me? Am I, like Mary, saying YES and proclaiming “My soul praises the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…” Will I do the great things God has asked me to do today?  During this Christmas Season, as we celebrate the birthday of Mary’s child – The Son of God – our Savior, Jesus Christ, let’s remember to be more aware of messages that suddenly come to us. We just may be entertaining angels unaware! Let’s pray together… Dear God, Thank you for giving us your Son, Jesus! Thank you for giving us the opportunities to grow in his loving likeness and to hear the cry of the hungry, the lonely, the hopeless, and the helpless. Help us to give generously during this season and not be selfish in our spending. Help us to think of the hungry, the lonely, the needy and to celebrate Christmas with them, by opening our hearts and our pockets! Make us proud to say like Mary – My soul praises the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!” In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen! This devotion was written and read by Bernice Howard. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Thank you for joining us for today's Grace for All podcast. On Saturdays, we pause for a few moments to look back on our week and to review the scriptures that we have used in our podcast. We encourage you, after listening to this episode, to go back and listen to the episodes you missed, or to review the ones that were particularly meaningful for you. We trust that the thoughts that we have shared with you this week have provided a full portion of the joy, peace, and love of Jesus Christ. Now, listen to this week's scriptures. 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/.

Galatians 4:4-5 (ESV) But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. It is the time of year when we start to enjoy the many holiday traditions we've grown up with. For me, one of those traditions is the movie "It's A Wonderful Life." I've lost count of how many times I have watched the movie, but I keep watching it. It is a Christmas tradition because it endures, and it endures because the story is excellent and its lessons are true. Do you remember that moment in the movie when George Bailey stands on a bridge in the snow and thinks that his life has no value? He wishes that he had never existed. And then Clarence, the angel, shows him what Bedford Falls would be like if he had never been alive -- how his existence, his choices, and his sacrifices affected Bedford Falls in ways he never realized. He was the catalyst that made Bedford Falls exactly what it needed to be at the moment it needed to be. "It's a Wonderful Life" tells a profound truth about timing and purpose. The Apostle Paul also wrote about the same subject in today's scripture. Paul states that God has perfect timing. He states that when the fullness of time came, not a moment too early, nor a moment too late, God sent his son. What did Paul mean when he used the phrase "fullness of time?" The Roman Empire built roads connecting the known world, allowing people to travel in ways they never could before. Greek had become the universal language, and therefore, information and ideas traveled across the world at speeds previously unknown. The Jewish people had been awaiting their messiah for centuries and longed for redemption. And into this perfectly ripe moment, God sent Jesus—not as a conquering king, but as a newborn infant to an unmarried teenager living in an occupied land. God did not send a theological treatise or a military leader. He sent his Son, born of a woman, totally human, and he experienced every aspect of being human. Born under the law that we cannot perfectly follow. And Why? So that he can redeem us—to purchase us back, to set us free. Paul doesn't stop there. This is where Advent love becomes extremely personal. Not only are we redeemed, but we are adopted. We receive the rights of a child. In the Roman world, adopted children received the same rights as biological children -- they were full heirs, full members of the family. God did not simply deliver us from a bad situation; he brought us into his family. When we respond to God's love, we are not only forgiven - we’re also changed. We become the children of God, siblings of Christ, and heirs of the Kingdom.  In Advent, we are preparing our hearts for Christmas through the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. And that love - that adopting, redeeming, perfect-timing love - that is the essence of Christmas. God looked upon humanity, lost and broken, and said, "I will send my Son. I will enter into their world. I will make them my children." As you decorate your house with lights and present your gifts this season, remember: the greatest gift was not placed under a tree. It was placed in a manger. And that gift was not just about forgiveness - it was about family. God loved us enough that he did not just desire to save us; he desired to adopt us. You are a child of God. You are an heir. You are a member of the family. That is the love of Advent. Prayer: Father, thank you for your perfect timing and your perfect love. Thank you for sending Jesus to redeem us and adopt us into your family. Help us live as your beloved children this Advent season. 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/.

Matthew 2:10 (ESV) When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. One of the most beautiful, modern portrayals I have seen of the nativity, and one I feel depicts this verse in an equally beautiful way, comes in the form of the 2023 movie-musical “Journey to Bethlehem.” After Mary is seen going into labor and preparing to give birth, the movie cuts between her and Joseph in the stable and the three wisemen making their way to the manger and stopping in a field with an adult male shepherd and his young daughter, who are seen keeping watch over their flock. Then, a bright star is seen shining in the sky, and the young shepherd girl begins to sing a verse of “Silent Night”, ending with the line “Jesus, Lord at thy birth”, with her father seen harmonizing with her on the second repeating of this line. Before both the shepherds and the wisemen, the angel Gabriel then appears in the sky, announcing Jesus’ birth, before the music swells to a crescendo and a chorus appears behind him singing a verse of “O Holy Night”. The shepherds and wisemen drop to their knees, some with hands folded in prayer, upon seeing this spectacle. The movie then shows reaction shots of other citizens of Bethlehem reacting to a blinding light encasing them, some initially appearing shocked, but then realizing what this means: that Jesus Christ has been born this night.  During this season of Advent, the beauty of this portrayal of the Nativity resonates with me a bit deeper and is a vision that would not leave my mind while thinking of a topic for this devotion. While we may not know for certain the precise details of the night of the Nativity as none of us were firsthand witnesses, I would encourage you to give this scene in “Journey to Bethlehem” a watch, as it is a beautiful and moving portrayal of this verse and leads you to feel as if you are feeling the same emotions the wisemen and shepherds are feeling in the moment, because even several watches later, I can say that I felt that way. Let us pray: Dear God, during this season of Advent, help the brightness of the light the shepherds saw not be lost upon us as we rejoice in the birth of your Son. May we experience the secondhand joy the shepherds and wisemen experienced as we worship him and celebrate his arrival in the manger that fateful night. In your name, 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]. 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 5:8 But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Have you ever noticed that when plants produce, they simultaneously produce a gift that is the food of others and the birth of the next generation of their species? Like these seeds, there is an infinite abundance in God’s love and God’s gifts to us that is incomprehensible. God has given us forgiveness and love before we even knew that we needed it. It is there for us, to catch us, when we fall. It is there for us to fill the emptiness when we thought we could do it alone. It is there for us when our wounds won’t heal on their own. During this season of Advent, let us reflect that God took the Word and made it flesh so that we could see and experience God’s love. As we wait quietly this season in anticipation of the birth of baby Jesus, let us consider the love God shares that is ever-present. If we are to be children of God, then we should nourish our souls on the love that helps us, feeds us, heals us, and forgives us. Love is such a big topic, and yet it is so small. In every moment of every day, God’s love is present. In every object and every act, God’s love for us is waiting. God’s love was waiting for us before the birth of Jesus. It was present and welcoming us in Jesus. It was in the shadow of the cross waiting for us. It waits for us to follow the path made straight and to follow the example that we have been given in Jesus. It is ever-present and in everything, every person, and every action. It always has been and always will be. God loves us whether we are sinning, confessing, or loving others.  So, be loved. And be loving. Like the seeds that give life through nourishing others and give birth to new plants, we can both be loved into new life and give love to nourish others at the same time. Let us all be amazed and awed at just how powerful this is! Let us pray. God in heaven, on earth, and in our hearts, may we be the seeds that grow to nourish others. May we be both born again in your spirit and love while also giving life, love, and nourishment to others so that they may live in your spirit and love, 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/.

Matthew 2:10 When they (the Wise Men) saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. One of my favorite Christian leaders always starts his devotions by reminding his listeners to pay attention to what one word jumps out for them when reading scripture. I must have read this passage hundreds of times, and yet, this day, the word “saw” jumped out. When they saw the star! They must have been searching for a while. Earlier in this chapter, we learn that they had asked King Herod, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. So they had already seen the star, but it seems they were actively seeking it and where it would lead them. When they saw the star, they could hardly contain themselves. They were filled with joy. This story, revisited, reminds me that joy is always there, though we must be paying attention. I am sure that you have experienced joy. It is actually all around us every day if we are not distracted by the little things. Let’s think of some examples of joyous moments: perhaps milestones in our lives such as graduations, birthday celebrations, reaching a goal; for a child Christmas morning or birthdays might bring joy, weddings and family gatherings can bring us joy, The question for me in light of the word “saw” is “were we looking, anticipating these events or were we just expecting a dose of happiness?  Recently, I have witnessed real joy, sheer joy, pure love, and delight. Someone very close to me has become a grandmother for the very first time. She chooses happiness and a positive attitude the majority of the time, though life has not always been easy. She amazes me as she seeks joy in the everyday. Recently, I saw a video of this new grandmother with her grandson. The pure joy of their interaction touched me beyond measure. She was looking straight into the eyes of her grandson and leaning in to laugh, giggle, and give him a kiss. Much like a game of peek a boo, she was playing with him. He was giggling. Such a real treasure to hear that deep, infectious laugh from both of them. They saw each other, they saw love, and I, as the observer, also saw that joy! I wasn’t expecting it, but I was blessed to see that beautiful connection and the joy those two found in their hearts. Sheer joy! They could hardly contain themselves. The reality is, I was gifted to witness this moment and was reminded that I “saw” this joy because I was searching for joy for this new grandmother. Filled with joy, I know I am blessed and find myself seeking joy-filled moments in the ordinary much more often. Let us seek joy in the ordinary and never overlook the “wonders of His love.” Let’s pray together. Loving God, you surround us with joy every day. Help us to search and see joy in our daily lives. In this season, help us to focus on the wonders of your love and sing out “Joy to the world!” Lord, we know you are the real source of all our joy, and we ask that you guide us as we share and radiate joy to others. In the name of your son, Jesus Christ, we pray. 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]. 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 1:46–47 (CEB) “With all my heart I glorify the Lord! In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior.” This is the beginning of Mary’s response to something told to her by her cousin Elizabeth. What makes Mary’s response here so remarkable is what comes just before it. When Zechariah heard Gabriel’s message, he asked, “How can I be sure of this?” A reasonable question on the surface, but one rooted in doubt. Mary didn’t ask for proof. She asked how God would do it, not whether God could. And then something else happened. Before Mary could say a word to Elizabeth, Elizabeth already knew. She greeted Mary not with suspicion or side glances, but with joy: “Happy is she who believed that the Lord would fulfill the promises he made to her.” That’s a stunning reversal of what Mary might have expected. In a situation that could have cost her everything—her reputation, her safety, even her life—God provided confirmation not through angelic fireworks, but through the quiet conviction of another believer. I think of the times I’ve been misunderstood, those moments when I knew I hadn’t done anything wrong but people assumed otherwise. My instinct has been to defend myself, argue my case, and prove the truth. Mary didn’t do that. She didn’t scramble to manage optics or fight for her reputation. She centered herself in the God who already knew the truth. Her song flows out of that trust. She rejoices not because her situation is safe or simple—it isn’t—but because she believes the One who made the promise will keep it. Maybe you’re in a season where someone has misread your motives or judged you unfairly. Mary reminds us that our security isn’t in convincing people. It’s in the God who sees clearly, speaks through unexpected voices, and confirms His work in ways we couldn’t orchestrate if we tried. Let’s pray. Father, when doubt rises in others, or in ourselves, anchor us in Your faithfulness. Teach us to trust Your promises even when circumstances feel uncertain. Give us Mary’s steadiness, her willingness to believe You first, and her freedom from needing to control how others see her. In Jesus’ name, 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]. 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 4:1-6 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all. A few years back our denomination split. It was a difficult time for all of us, extremely contentious and sometimes painful as we saw good friends and sometimes even family go in different directions over differences in how we view the lessons of scripture. So, for those who remain in fellowship together, are we all of one accord on everything? Not at all! We cover the spectrum when it comes to theology, social issues, politics, age, status, musical preferences, methods of worship, and virtually any other measure you can think of. We are far from a homogeneous collection of believers. So, what keeps this assemblage of misfits together? As Paul said in our scripture for the day, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” When we worship together, all differences fade away. When we approach the communion table, we come as one body. When we study and discuss together, we have one common purpose; that is to grow in faith together. When we welcome kids from the Junior High on Tuesday mornings, it is with a common desire to provide them with an opportunity for fellowship and devotion to start their day. And when we serve together, there are no theological or social boundaries that divide us. We put differences aside to serve meals on Thursday nights, to minister recovery on Wednesday nights, to fill the blessing box, to stuff flood buckets, to pack 10,000 meals to go overseas, to minister to those with dementia, to go and do and serve and serve and serve. Together. All these things bring us together as one body in love without regard to differences. We have chosen to be and worship and serve as one. What a blessing that is! Prayer: Father God, thank you that we can be together the body of Christ. We celebrate all that brings us together and holds us together. We know that we can be stronger together and witness to our community that your love and our love for each other and for our neighbors will keep us together as one. In Christ’s name we 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]. 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/.