Grace for All

Psalm 103:2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Psalm 103 reads like a litany of blessings, or like a shower of blessings. Listen to the benefits of God the psalmist recites: God forgives, heals, redeems, crowns with love and compassion, satisfies, and renews. God works righteousness and justice for the oppressed. God is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. In fact, God’s love is so great, it is as high as the heavens are above the earth. God’s love is great enough to remove our sins such that the distance between us and our transgressions is as far as the east is from the west. God’s compassion is not abstract. It is tangible, like the compassion of a father for his children.  The psalmist lists many blessings from God, but begins with a directive to his soul to bless God. Hebrew blessings are short prayers spoken to God to offer thanks for daily events, and the Talmudic rabbis believe it is forbidden to enjoy such things without offering a blessing. In fact, the Talmud states, “If you enjoy something in this world without saying a blessing, it is as if you stole it.”  I am convicted by the thought that I might steal God’s blessings when I forget to, in response, bless God. How might this day be transformed if I practice such a blessing? Bless the Lord, O my soul, for the beautiful sunrise. Bless the Lord, O my soul, for a warm cup of coffee on a chilly morning. Bless the Lord, O my soul, for a kind word from a stranger. Bless the Lord, O my soul, for brightly colored leaves, scattered on the ground. Bless the Lord, O my soul, for the gifts of God’s mercy and lovingkindness. Bless the Lord, O my soul. Let us pray: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. God, as I go through this day, tune my heart to sing your praise for the many gifts you shower over me, in Jesus’ name, 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]. 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 95:2 (NIV) Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.  For 10 years, my commute to work was 28 miles from my house in Walland to my job in the Seymour area. Most mornings, I'd catch the sunrise spreading across the sky—brilliant oranges and pinks painting the Tennessee hills. Sometimes I'd notice them, even pull over to photograph one when it was particularly spectacular. But looking back, I realize that even when I noticed them, I rarely paused to thank God for them. I'd think, "That's beautiful," and keep driving, already making mental to-do lists and rehearsing my day. I saw some of those sunrises, but I rarely came into God's presence with gratitude for what he was showing me each morning. This verse is part of a larger call to worship in Psalm 95. The psalmist is inviting God's people to gather together, but notice how he tells them to come—not with a list of demands or complaints about how things should be different, but with thanksgiving. The word "come" here suggests movement, intention. We don't stumble into God's presence by accident with gratitude. It's something we choose to do, a posture we actively adopt before we even open our mouths. Thanksgiving isn't about pretending everything is perfect. This same psalm later warns about hardening our hearts and includes some serious reminders about Israel's past failures. The psalmist knows life is complicated. But he's saying that our entry point into God's presence—the way we approach him—should be marked by gratitude. There's something powerful about starting with thanksgiving. It reframes everything that follows. When we lead with what we're grateful for, our requests sound different. Our frustrations find their proper size. Our perspective shifts from what's missing to what's already been given. I think about how different my prayers would sound if I really followed this pattern. Too often, I barrel into God's presence like I'm filing a complaint with customer service. "Here's what's wrong, here's what needs fixing, here's what I need you to do about it." But what if I came the way the psalm suggests? What if I started by acknowledging the good things already present—the breath in my lungs, the people who love me, the second chances I didn't deserve, the ordinary mercies that showed up today without fanfare? The second part of the verse adds music and song to the mix. There's something about expressing gratitude that wants to go beyond just words. It wants to rise up, to celebrate, to make a joyful noise. Thanksgiving naturally moves toward praise. Maybe you're thinking, "But I don't have much to be thankful for right now." I get it. Some seasons are harder than others. But even in the difficult times, there's something to bring before God with gratitude—even if it's just the fact that he's still there, still listening, still holding space for your honest prayers.  The practice of thanksgiving changes us. It doesn't necessarily change our circumstances, but it does change how we experience them. It trains our eyes to look for God's presence rather than just cataloging his absence. So, before we launch into today's requests, today's worries, today's long list of what needs fixing, what if we started with thanksgiving? What if we came into God's presence by first naming what's already good, already beautiful, already sufficient? You might be surprised how that simple shift changes everything else that follows. Prayer: Father, teach us to come into your presence with hearts full of gratitude. Help us see the gifts we've been given before we focus on what we lack. May our thanksgiving rise to you like music and song. 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/.

Hebrews 13:2 (NIV) Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.Psalm 91:11-12 For he will command his angels concerning you  to guard you in all your ways;they will lift you up in their hands,  so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.Throughout the summer and early Fall of 2024, my three brothers and I, along with Mom’s caretakers, determined that she needed 24-hour care. A live-in rotation schedule was planned that included the family and a caregiver. Mother had been managing her daily living routine with caregivers coming each day to assist with meals, medication, housekeeping, socialization, and driving her to appointments, etc. The family assumed those tasks during frequent extended visits. Mother was 105 years old, but with her cane, she was quite mobile. However, on Sunday, Jan 26, 2025, she experienced a fall. She was rushed to the hospital, and it was determined that she had a broken arm and had other injuries. A week passed, and Mom was transferred to a nursing home. Friends and family came to visit. The nursing staff kept Mom comfortable. One afternoon, as I walked into the room, Mom asked, “Who’s there?” I replied, “It’s Steve, Mom.” “Oh, Steve,” she said, “who is that young man with you?” I looked around, but no one was there. She said, “Behind you. You don’t see him, do you?” “No, Mom,” I said, “I don’t. Perhaps it is an angel.” Then she told me that she sees them all the time. I have to say, I was stunned. I have never had such an experience, and I drew no conclusions as to what took place. But I have thanked God for the peace, love, and comfort he gave my beloved Mother during her journey home. On February 7, 2025, Mother took the hand of Jesus and took her first step into the eternal and beautiful land of light. Prayer: Thank you, Father, for speaking to your people through your word and providing peace even as we grieve those whom we have lost. May we have wholesome discernment and in all our ways, may we gain wisdom and be aware of the presence of your holy spirit in our world. Amen. This devotion was written by Stephen F 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]. 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 95:2Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!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/.

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession In Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and to those who are perishing. To one, the smell of death and to the other, the fragrance of life. We have several butterfly bushes near our house. As I was mowing, I noticed how the bushes attracted many butterflies of different colors. I wondered what was attracting the butterflies to the bushes. Then, as I mowed closer to the bushes, the fragrance of the blooms on the butterfly bushes was nearly breathtaking. That and perhaps the color of the blooms was what was attracting the butterflies.  This experience made me wonder about myself. Hopefully, we all carry an aroma that, if not pleasant, at least is not offensive. I believe the word fragrance in the scripture is a metaphor for our actions, words, and ways in which others see us.  Is it the words we speak or, at times, the words we do not speak when perhaps we should? Is it the action we take or perhaps the lack of action when action is called for? Might it be personal care for ourselves or care for others? Could it be the sympathy we offer or empathy when we have walked in others’ shoes? We may just want to blend in and not be noticed. However, I believe Jesus would want us to be focused on others, humble, and a servant leader. Some may, actually many may, get a good read on our “fragrance” by reading what we post or share on Facebook. As we are called to make disciples and win others to Christ, we need to make sure our “fragrance” is appealing to others by our actions, our words, and overall “effect.” Many times we are seen or heard, even though we may not be aware of it. Prayer: Dear God, help us to give off a “fragrance” that is appealing to others so that they may know we are Christians by our love, words, and actions. Help us to try to lead a life more like your son, Jesus Christ. 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/.

Psalm 107:8 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. This is a powerful verse that is a call for gratitude and praise for the everlasting and unchanging love bestowed upon us by the Lord. It’s a reminder to all of us to acknowledge and appreciate all the many blessings that He has given us because he loves us. There have been many times in my life when I felt unlovable. One of the earliest instances I can remember is when I was punished as a child for some form of misbehavior that I don’t even remember. I do remember my dad saying that they were only punishing me because they loved me. At that point I thought to myself “ Well, I could do without this kind of love! I don’t feel loved right now!” Later in adolescence, I felt unloved when it seemed all of my friends were “going steady” except me. And even later after I lost my husband, I felt that no one would ever love me again like he did. It took time and quite a bit of reflection to realize that I AM loveable and the Lord does love me, even with my imperfection. And because of His love, he has given us so much to be thankful for. I try not to take this for granted. When I see the sunrise on a beautiful fall day, I thank the Lord. When I gaze into my grandchildren’s faces, I thank the Lord. When I arrive safely at home from a trip, I thank the Lord. I experience so many blessings everyday that often go unnoticed but in reflection I can say ‘ Thank you Lord! I knew that was you! Thank you for loving me.” Our prayer today: Heavenly Father, You have shown us Your love in so many ways. Help us to avoid the distractions of the day and give You thanks for all the goodness You have bestowed upon us. Thank you for Your love! Amen. This devotion was written by Virginia Hardwick 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/.  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, take a moment to 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/.

Colossians 3:17 (NIV) And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. It’s only 8:15 AM, and I have already failed to follow this command! I used angry words and had vindictive thoughts this morning, after listening to something on the news. I was in total disagreement with the sentiment of the newscast, and I felt hopeless to do anything about what was happening. So, I prayed and prayed and prayed. I asked God for MY solution to the perceived issues and begged Him to fix things the way I saw best. I must confess that my solution was NOT loving and was not the way Jesus would have handled the situation, I’m sure. Realizing this, I stopped in my tracks! I sat down and prayed immediately. I prayed for forgiveness and a change of my heart. I prayed for the people involved in the upsetting news and asked God to comfort and heal us all; to lead us in the way Jesus would handle life’s troubles. It felt good to pray this prayer, and my mind was calmed. God brought to mind the Great Commandment to LOVE God and to LOVE our neighbor as we LOVE ourselves. I thought of the words of the ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu, who is credited with writing “Watch your Thoughts for they become Words, Watch your Words for they become Actions, Watch your Actions for they become Habits, Watch your Habits for they become your Character, Watch your Character, for it becomes your Destiny.” Those news headlines that upset me this morning told of the what-ifs all over the world, and my worry gene kicked into high gear. Shel Silverstein warned of the what-ifs in his poem of the same name… Last night, while I lay thinking here, Some What-ifs crawled inside my ear And pranced and partied all night long And sang their same of What if song: What if I’m dumb in school? What if they’ve closed the swimming pool? What if I get beaten up? What if there’s poison in my cup? What if I start to cry? What if I get sick and die? What if I flunk that test? What if green hair grows on my chest? What if nobody likes me? What if a bolt of lightning strikes me? What if I don’t grow taller? What if my head starts getting smaller? What if the fish won’t bite? What if the wind tears up my kite?What if they start a war? What if my parents get divorced? What if the bus is late? What if my teeth don’t grow in straight? What if I tear my pants? What if I never learn to dance? Everything seems swell, and then The nighttime What-ifs strike again! Oh, how we, like Shel Silverstein, let our imaginations run wild sometimes! That’s the most important time to turn quickly to God! If we want to find peace of mind and contribute to the peace the world so desperately needs, we must focus on the central message of Jesus – LOVE GOD and LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS – ALL OF THEM! We must stand firmly with Jesus and make sure all our thoughts, words, and actions reflect the way Jesus told us to live. (And if you are like me, the thoughts might be the hardest to tame!) But with God’s help, we can! Let’s pray together now for his constant help… Dear God, please center me in your LOVE. Help me to keep my thoughts loving, so my words will reflect Your LOVE, and my actions will show Your LOVE, and my character will grow to reflect Your LOVE wherever I may go! 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/.

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.  Usually, when I think about God’s blessings, I tend to reflect on all the ways God is pouring love and grace into my life. And while this is true, for God does surely bless us each and every day, Paul, in this letter to the Corinthians, wants us to look at blessings in a different way. Paul says that God is able to provide us with every blessing, not just a little but in abundance, “why?” so that we may share those blessings abundantly. Another way to say this verse is that we are blessed by God to be a blessing. This makes me ask some hard questions: “How well have I done today, this week, or this month, sharing God’s blessings with those around me?” “When did I, upon thanking God for blessings received, also ask how I was to share them?” When I am honest in answering both of those questions, I must admit that there is room for improvement. I have all the normal excuses, not enough time or resources, but then I remember that these gifts were given to me from God for this very purpose! And it really doesn’t take much time or material resources to bless others. I think of the stories I recently read. There was one about a boy mowing his elderly neighbor’s yard when he mows his own family’s yard, not for pay, but as a gift. Or, the woman who started going to a care facility when her mother was there, and noticing how many people had no visitors, taking some time to visit with them. She has continued going for a couple of hours each week, even after her mother had died, to be a friend. Recently, I helped at the church, and as the children lined up to get a snack, one young girl said to another, “You go first.” It was a small thing, but her friend’s face lit up with joy. In this month, when our thoughts are more focused on gratitude and giving thanks to God for all of our blessings, the Apostle Paul reminds us to do one more thing. To not only say thanks to God for the blessings but to ask God to give us opportunities to share those blessings with those around us. Let us pray. God who blesses us more than we can even imagine, we give you thanks. As your blessings rain down abundantly into our lives, help us to see who we can turn and be a blessing to those around us. Amen. This devotional was written by Bill Green and read by Joey 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/.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,   whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water   that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes;   its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought   and never fails to bear fruit. Where do you place your trust? When things get tough, when the drought comes, to whom or what do you turn? Have you planted yourself beside the Source? Or are you waiting for water in the wastelands? Jeremiah was a prophet during the final years of the kingdom of Judah, in the last days of the 7th century BCE. These verses found in Jeremiah 17 fall in the first section of the book, which can be summarized as an accusation against and a warning for the Israelites. They had broken their covenant with God. They were worshipping idols and taking advantage of the poor, the most vulnerable among them, the orphans, widows, and immigrants. Jeremiah prophesies that their idolatry and social injustice will result in a judgment from God. The words we read today are hopeful. They speak about showers of blessings that come from trusting God. But it is impossible to fully understand these words without considering the verses just before them. Jeremiah’s emphasis on the blessings, the peace, comfort, and fruit that come from trusting God are in contrast to the curse, the hardness, and the bitterness that come from trusting people over God. Hear verses 5 and 6: Cursed is the one who trusts in man,   who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord.  That person will be like a bush in the wastelands;  they will not see prosperity when it comes.  They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. Prefer to draw strength from the flesh, from earthly things, and you will be deceived, unable to see true prosperity when it comes—empty rather than full, thirsty rather than quenched, withered rather than fruitful. Trust God and you will live in spiritual abundance. Trust humanity and you will live in spiritual scarcity. Yes, when the drought comes, we can still expect showers of blessings—not from above but from our roots. Our thirst will not be satisfied by placing our trust in mere humans or in worldly things. Blessings come when we place our trust in God, when we are planted by water.  Let us pray: Holy and just God, forgive us. As a people, we have turned our backs on you. We have placed our trust in false idols. We have believed the lie that there is not enough, sacrificed the most vulnerable among us to systems of oppression and injustice, and counted on mere humans to save us. Turn our hearts toward you, that we would trust, that we would plant ourselves by the streams of your grace, and bear fruit in your holy name. Amen. This 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]. 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/.

Numbers 6:24-26 The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.  Our scripture is from the Old Testament, the book of Numbers, chapter 6, verses 24-26.  Here these words read from the New International Version of the Bible. "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. "These beautiful words were given by God to Moses as a blessing to the Israelites when they completed a special vow. It strikes me that God is recognizing the completion of their commitment with God’s own personal commitment to see them and bless them.  Over the years I have heard this blessing used as a benediction at the completion of many worship services. I have to admit; I like it when the service comes to the benediction. At this point my wife would suggest that it is not a charitable statement to all the great pastors we have had over the years. Perhaps I should explain. In preparation for marriage, I made a commitment to attend church. Over the years I have come to enjoy it more and as I mature, have a deeper appreciation for all the different components of the worship service. Every part of the worship service has a purpose, and God uses all the different pieces to reach people, whether through the music, the prayers, the statements of faith, the teaching, and the communion service.  But regardless of how the service is ordered, they all have one thing in common, an ending. It is not that I look forward to the ending of the service; I look forward to the benediction or the blessing that comes with the end of the service. One of our pastors states it well by saying, “Now as we depart better prepared for community, hear this blessing…” And then comes the good part. Blessings like the following, from Paul’s letters. Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 2 Corinthians 13:14 “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” Or contemporary words like, “God the Eternal keep you in love with each other, so that the peace of Christ may abide in your home. Go to serve God and your neighbor in all that you do.” And, “Bear witness to the love of God in this world, so that those to whom love is a stranger will find in you generous friends.”And lately, I have been blessed by the words from our vision statement that says,As members of the United Methodist Church, go forth to form disciples of Jesus Christ who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in our local communities and through our worldwide connections. Prayer: Will you join me in prayer as we conclude today’s devotion.  The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Amen. Today’s devotion was written and read 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]. 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 118:24 This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. Do I view this as a commandment? Do I live this as a commandment? Do I teach this as a commandment? The Lord has made this day and every day so that I might be alive. And if I am going to live, what shall I do with the time I have on this earth? I could lament. There are many things in this world that are worthy of tears. There is pain and suffering in this world. I could ignore. I could go about my earthly life working, traveling, buying things, and enjoying the pleasures of the world. I could consider myself to be my own purpose. I could work hard to learn, to develop my talents, to earn money in order to gain fame and fortune. Or if I view this verse as a commandment, as a call to action, perhaps I begin to understand. I have received a gift. When I focus on what Jesus teaches me, then I learn where to see a path and rejoice in where it leads me.  Jesus says the greatest commandment is to "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind". He follows this with "love your neighbor as yourself" and that all other commandments are based on these two. I can begin each day praying that I see the needs of others and rejoice when I am able to help. I can look for what is good in God’s creation and be glad in it. I can celebrate, hug, and dance. I can laugh, love, and share. How else does one show gratitude for the gifts we receive? I can share my talents instead of hoarding them. I can be present for those who have a need. And once I have started doing this, others will have a space to rejoice and be glad as well. Each and every day that I am in this kingdom that God has made, I have the privilege of choosing how I perceive and react to what is in my life. Dear Lord in heaven above and in my heart, guide me in seeing the joy that I can bring to those who need help. Guide me to see where my gifts can be shared. And always help me to remember to be grateful for all that You have provided and rejoice in Your glory, 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/.

Psalm 103:2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits. It’s probably not uncommon to think of music when you read the Psalms. After all, many of the Psalms were written as songs. When reading this Psalm, I think of the song “10,000 Reasons,” recorded by Matt Redman. This second verse of Psalm 103 reminds us to remember all of the Lord’s benefits. I would think that number is infinite, but 10,000 is a pretty good start. The second verse of “10,000 Reasons,” extols some of the benefits David, the Psalmist, wants us to remember. You're rich in love and You're slow to anger Your name is great and Your heart is kind For all Your goodness I will keep on singing Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find It’s always a good practice to remember God’s goodness, or some of your own 10,000 reasons. In this month where we focus on thankfulness and gratitude, I’d like to share some of my blessings. I’m thankful for the Christian community at 1st United Methodist Church of Maryville and for the good they do in the community. I praise the success and community support of our dementia care program, Daybreak. I am grateful for Celebrate Recovery ministering to those with hurts, habits, and hang-ups. I am thrilled about the adults who support Rise and Shine that reaches so many youths in our community. I honor those who serve those who are hungry at Welcome Table. I am blessed by the church staff who support church members with their spiritual growth. I love my Sunday School classmates, fellow choir members and bell ringers, who love and support each other like family. I am thankful for you who listen to Grace for All, and for Jim Stovall and Greta Smith, who had the idea for a member-driven podcast that is now completing its second year. What are some of your 10,000 reasons? I encourage you to take some time today to think about a few of them. Please pray with me. Dear Lord, we are human, and it is often easier for us to focus on what frustrates us. Let us not forget your benefits. May we focus today on blessing you and the benefits you provide to us every day. Amen. This devotional was written by Kathryn King, and read by Sally Stovall. You can listen to 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) here on Spotify.https://open.spotify.com/track/0fxpHpK3aw2nFWII6yveDD?si=e8fddb4a7d41402cGrace 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/.

Psalm 118:24 (NIV) The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice and be glad. The musical “Oklahoma” has one of my favorite opening numbers, entitled “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning!” in which the main character, Curley, comes singing to Aunt Eller and is taking such delight and pleasure in what a beautiful morning and day it is. His infectious joy in this opening number spreads on when he compares all the sounds of the Earth to music, even saying that he feels the day is so beautiful that the sounds of nature are coming alive and sharing his joy, with even “the old weeping willow laughing at him.” While we may be so caught up in the happenings of our day to day lives, I feel that Curley’s infectious joy and appreciation for what a beautiful morning and beautiful day are surrounding him are attitudes that we can strive to hold and be thankful for. If there’s any one thing I would like to challenge you to do today, it’s this: take a moment to examine your surroundings and appreciate what a beautiful morning, or depending on what time this message should reach you, what a beautiful day you have found yourself in, and take joy and gladness in this day that the Lord has made while giving yourself a bit of respite from the happenings and responsibilities of your day to day life. Let us pray: Dear Lord, thank you for this day you have made. Help us remember to take a moment and appreciate the beauty of each day in the midst of our day-to-day lives. May this appreciation help us find small seeds of joy in our most troubling moments. 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/.

James 1:22 (TCENT)But be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.Let’s get up and walk the walk with Jesus! It’s so easy to talk the talk. The walk takes effort! I am fortunate to participate in a very collegial adult Sunday School class at First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee! Here are some examples of how classmates walk that walk. Mike was motivated to participate in Celebrate Recovery by his wife Sandy. He tells me that he is willing to pitch in with any role that Jesus would ask him to fill, and that ranges from helping with the church sound system to being the go to person every Sunday that opens class with prayer. Shirley says that God gives us many given abilities. Hers is the motivation to serve at Welcome Table. Welcome Table offers a free hot evening meal every Thursday as a very successful community outreach to personify God’s love. Jesus tells us in Matthew 25:40, “Even when you did it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it unto me.” Bernice also participates in Celebrate Recovery and Welcome Table, along with other means of service at First United Methodist. Her motivation comes from a ladies conference weekend years ago where she felt the presence of Jesus in her midst, and He had a message for her: “Go teach My words!” which she has with consistency, enthusiasm, and determination. So let’s follow their examples and get out there and go do! James writes in Chapter 2:17, “Thus faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Find your way to reach out and help your brothers, sisters, and children. Jesus tells us that when you do so, you are doing it unto Him. There are so many ways to consistently personify that love! Find yours! Let us pray: God above, in this world of hurt and need, guide us to go and do your will. Is it simply purchasing and donating that extra can of food, or is it more? Open our hearts and minds to do your will! 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/.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NRSV)  Blessed are those who trust in the LORD,  whose trust is the LORD. They shall be like a tree planted by water,  sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes,  and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious,  and it does not cease to bear fruit. These words remind me that our strength and faith come from connection. When we realize that we are connected, or rooted, in the world that God gave us, we are sustained even in challenging times. I have recently heard a series of conversations on WUOT between reporter Pierce Gentry and East Tennessee survivors of Hurricane Helena, which struck in September of 2024. A year later, Gentry revisited people he had met in the storm’s aftermath. The people he interviewed lost everything in the floods that accompanied the storm. Michael Davis of Butler, TN, remembered, ”My trailer was sitting there, but it was full of water, so we lost our clothes and 54 years of pictures. Our baby pictures, our wedding pictures. All of it.”Allyson Felty recalled, “It was terror. It was terror. And mostly because of the unknown. I never would have expected anything to that magnitude.” Frank Brough, who lived in a historic house built by the Sevier family in 1846, said the water came up to the second story joists. The hardest decision Brough had to make was whether to attempt to save the house. But the community stepped in. When neighbors came in to help, Brough recalled, “they carried mud out…in five-gallon containers, and they probably moved a million pounds of mud.” Joy Lambert, who had left her home for higher ground, watched as nearby apartments were swept off their foundation by the raging waters and hit her mobile home. “I seen it go, and yet my eyes couldn’t fathom what I had seen.” Pierce Gentry asked all these survivors the same question at the end of the interviews: “What does healing mean to you?” The similarity of their answers is inspiring: Alyson Felty said, “You know, God is so good. And He has provided to us more than I could have ever imagined.” Michael Davis answered, “Thank God for all of God’s people. Without God’s people, I wouldn’t be here.” Joy Lambert answered, “Healing for me is just to trust the Lord and leave it to Him.”His voice choking up with tears, Frank Brough answered, “All of the time God is good. He is in control…My wife and I live in faith, believing all things work together for good for those that love the Lord.” The people of East Tennessee are resilient and are rooted in faith. Even though many roots were washed away in Hurricane Helene, the deep roots of faith and community have sustained them. They are like ‘a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream.’ Let us pray: Dear God, thank you for keeping us rooted even in the most tragic times. Thank you for showing us the humanity in our communities that overcomes the worst that can happen and restores our hope. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. This devotional 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/.

Mark 10:17-22 17 As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do so that I may inherit eternal life?” 18 But Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not give false testimony, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth.” 21 Looking at him, Jesus showed love to him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22 But he was deeply dismayed by these words, and he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property. I read this passage recently, and it dawned on me that this rich man had possibly had an Abraham and Isaac moment. God asked Abraham to give up the thing he loved most, his son.  Isaac had been the long-promised child for Abraham and Sarah and was the linchpin for God’s covenant to make Abraham the father of many nations. But when Abraham obeyed despite all this, God gave Isaac back to his parents, and the covenant was ultimately fulfilled. In the case of the rich man, Mark tells us, “Looking at him, Jesus showed love to him” and asked him to give up the thing that was nearest and dearest to him, his wealth. He was obviously a devout man who had lived by the commandments from his youth. But Jesus knew that he had this one thing that he loved even more. What we don’t know but could possibly speculate is that if the man had agreed to give up his possessions, Jesus could very well have given them back to him (as God did with Isaac). Since he would have surrendered his riches as his own, Jesus could have used them through him in a totally different way, serving those on the margins that Jesus ministered to most often. But we will never know. While Abraham passed his test of surrendering the thing most precious to him, the rich man did not, and he went away grieving. As the son of a minister, there were some sermon illustrations that I heard anew in every church he served. One that I will never forget is the story of how they caught monkeys alive in the wild. As the story was told, they would take a dried gourd, cut a small hole in it, hang it from a tree, and then shake the dried seeds inside like a rattle. A monkey would come and reach inside to see what made the noise and grab the seeds. The monkey could not pull its clenched fist back through the hole, but its curiosity would not allow it to let go. The hunter could then just come fetch the monkey, trapped by its own stubbornness.Are there things we cling to that need to be surrendered? Our resources, our time, our priorities? What could God do with them if we simply let them go and gave them back to God to be used as God saw fit? We may not be asked to give up a child or sell all that we have, but how much more good could God do with our treasures than we could imagine on our own! If only we would let go of them. Prayer: Father God, help us to see those things that we cling to so tightly and give us the will to surrender them to you. 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/.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV) Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.Happiness is like the breezes that blow through the branches and leaves of the trees in the nearby mountains, but joy is the deepest roots of the oaks and hickories. In the Appalachian mountains, the trails and paths are seldom smooth or flat, leading us up hills and over rocky patches, past waterfalls and around boulders. The presence and nearness of God is felt in every step, no matter how challenging the trail becomes. For all of us difficulties can arise more often than we would like. Our lives are a mix of ups and downs. Sometimes we may feel that joy has been completely swept away by loss, or by challenges with health or world events. We might wonder how long it will take for our hearts to be filled again with an abundance of joy and gratitude. But, like the presence of God, joy does surround us. The natural world blooms with it, people smile and hug with it, and music sings with it. God’s constant grace is fully present, and we are able to be uplifted in our most rocky times. We are reminded to deepen the practice of finding joy and hope in any situation, along with feeling thankful. The courage to lean into the bends in the trail comes with this deep strength and the knowing that God walks alongside us. We can expect mountaintop moments and miracles as a part of daily life. Praying constantly or without ceasing seems like another challenge. Life can be so filled with work, important tasks, and appointments that formulating a prayer in the midst of these things feels overwhelming. Distractions happen often. We can’t always spend time in nature or in stillness or quietness. But since prayers can be said or thought in a microsecond, like “Help!”, “Thanks”, or “Bless” during our busiest times, they can then be expanded later when time allows. Prayers can even be wordless. They can be said with our eyes open or closed, from our hearts and minds, anywhere and anytime, connecting us to God in that moment. With a mindset of deeply rooted joy, we can radiate it out as often as possible with friends, neighbors, strangers, and family, allowing this joy to keep expanding and growing. Happiness is also contagious. We do know that faith can move mountains, but it’s likely that joy can too. Prayer: Loving God, we offer you our full hearts of gratitude. Help our prayers to become more constant and our joy to radiate out to everyone we meet. Amen. This devotional was written by Jenny Green 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 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  I tend to be a worry wart at times. I think many moms are when it comes to your children. I remember when my husband lost his job in my last month of pregnancy and we were living in a town that wasn’t all that friendly. There we were; no jobs, no income, very few local friends and a baby on the way. After the first feelings of shock wore off, I started worrying how we would survive as a family. Sure, we had savings and a supportive family in other states but we had never had to reach out to anyone for help before. Thank goodness for our local church family who turned up at just the right time to remind us of this verse! Paul wrote this verse to address relationships in the early church and how to handle disagreements. Paul notes that his experiences have taught him to be content with whatever material blessings he has. This reliance on the power of Christ not only allows believers to be content, it produces peace in our relationships to other Christians. And his advice to us is to focus on our relationship with Jesus. With our focus on positive things, we can experience peace through the power of God. Jesus tells us Himself “ Do not worry” many times. Why is it so hard to hand our worries over to Him? Is it because we don’t like to admit that we are overwhelmed? Or is it because we want to have things fixed NOW! I’m not sure of the answer, but I can tell you, through practice of handing my worries over to Him, it has gotten easier to do. I have felt the Peace of the Lord flow over me when I hand it over to Him. And I never forget to thank Him for all the good blessings in my life. Let us pray: Heavenly Father, our world is full of chaos and uncertainty but You remain constant. Please calm our hearts because we know that You are with us. Thank you for all the good and positive things in our lives and help us to remember that “Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven”. Amen This devotion was written by Virginia Hardwick Kerr 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/.

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, let's hear 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/.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. A friend recently told me of her cancer diagnosis and the news that the cancer that had started in her lungs may have metastasized, spreading to other organs. Her treatment is beginning soon. As I write this sad news, I am heartbroken for her and her family. When she told me the news, I cried with her and prayed with her. Her heart is breaking, and she feels afraid, but thankfully not alone. She has her family, and she has Jesus. So, we prayed IN this situation. We prayed in the name of the Lord Jesus. We gave thanks to God the Father. We thanked God for bringing us together as friends. We thanked God for her dear husband and his loving care and support. We thanked God for her family and the joy of their love. We thanked God for her church, her friends, her doctors, and her great faith in Jesus. We thanked God for His LOVE, for His mercy, for His Gift of His Son, Jesus. We thanked God that he brought us together in friendship. We thanked God for the urge to snuggle up in His Everlasting Arms and to take time every day to find LOVE in each precious moment! We asked God for healing and blessings and thanked Him IN this hard time. We felt Him very near. We know he is with us, helping us in ways we can’t even imagine. We thanked  Him joyfully. I am joyful that my friend’s faith is strong. She is joyful in her family’s love. We all face hard things and need God’s comfort. God knows what suffering feels like.  Jesus told us, “In this world you will have trouble, but fear not, for I have overcome the  world.” Hard things come. But God is with us. Please pray with me now… Dear God, help us to look for you, to turn to you, to hold onto you, in all things, at all times and to be joyful as we remember your great LOVE. Help us to pray continually in bad times  and good, and to always give thanks IN all circumstances. Help us to remember your great  LOVE and to feel you, Lord, as close as our breath, wrapping us in your LOVE as we walk through this weary world, facing hard times. Help us to always turn to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN! Today’s podcast was written and read by Bernice Howard. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. 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 118:24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. How do you begin your day? Do you first spend a few minutes intentionally praying about things or do you just pop out of bed ready to start your day? I have to admit that for many years that second way was my usual routine. I would wake up and immediately my to do list filled my mind. It felt like I was behind before I even started my day, So, I would jump out of bed rushing into my day and all the tasks that awaited me. I might or might not take a moment to pray, definitely I didn’t take time to center myself in God. I just assumed that God would be with me, I would fit in some devotions somewhere, and all was good, Then one day, at a retreat, I was asked that question, “How do you begin your day?” When it came to my turn to share I felt a little ashamed at my response. Then the presenter said, “No matter how busy you think you might be, you have time for a minute with God.” She gave us a list of some Bible verses and said, “Pick one, memorize it and use it to start your day. Say it and then pause for just a few seconds and let those words comfort you and focus you for the day to come.” Psalm 118:24 became my morning verse, I start most mornings with it. Yes, I still occasionally forget but usually, before I ever get out of bed, I recite this verse. It grounds me in God’s love and grace because who knows what the day might bring. And when I have had those challenging days, and we all have them, my mind goes back to this verse, I speak it again and again in my mind, It reminds me that God made this day and no matter what I need to rejoice that I am here, there are blessings to experience and so be glad. Recently, I was having one of those kind of days. My wife was dealing with significant health issues, our youngest daughter was going through a crisis time in her life, and the list of things I needed to attend to was long. I was feeling overwhelmed and was feeling very discouraged. Then this verse popped into my head. It caused me to stop focusing on all I was dealing with and turn to thinking about the blessings I had experienced that day. A list quickly came to mind. A sales person going the second mile in helping me, a funny text from my sister to let me know she cared, a beautiful morning to enjoy when walking to dog. There was much to remind me that God was with me and I could rejoice and be glad. That brief moment of renewal didn’t make all the stresses go away but it did change me, It caused me to no longer feel overwhelmed but at peace knowing that God’s help and presence was with me and those I love. So again, “How do you start your day?” Focus on God’s blessings and presence for just a moment and then no matter what the day brings you will be able to celebrate life and be glad you are alive! Prayer. Loving God. Slow us down and help us to remember that each day is a gift from you. You fill this day with blessings and with joy. Even when times are tough your presence brings us peace and for that we give thanks and rejoice. Amen. This devotional 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/.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  All human beings have difficulties in their life, times of great happiness and joy, and times of sorrow and darkness. The command in this passage is not too hard to obey when things are going well: rejoicing when we are feeling happy and optimistic; praying when meditating or worshipping; giving thanks when we have been abundantly blessed. The challenge to obey comes in the challenging times, the dark times, the times of grief and sorrow. After the passing of my husband of 52 years, I was struggling with grief and all its accompanying feelings – sadness, confusion, despair, uncertainty, among others. I could go to sleep, but I would wake up two or three hours later with so many questions buzzing in my brain that I would be awake until dawn. When I visited my doctor, she recommended that I talk with a social worker on the staff who was a grief specialist. When we met, she suggested many coping strategies that I already knew, but the one suggestion that surprised me was to keep a gratitude journal. I know this is regular practice for many people, but I had never written down the things for which I was grateful. I thanked God for them in my prayers, but I never committed them to paper. I was shocked by her suggestion: how could I be grateful when my husband, along with all our shared plans, was gone? But I was willing to try pretty much anything. As I began devoting time to this practice, along with recalling happy memories of our years together, I realized that I should and could be thankful for the adventures we had together, the beautiful family we had created and nurtured, his many acts of kindness, both for me and for others. I even felt grateful that he enjoyed good health and was able to do the things he loved until four months before his passing. It did not happen overnight, and many tears were shed going through this process, but the fog of anxiety and sadness that had enveloped me began to clear. It comes back from time to time and probably always will, but now I can include everyday blessings and events, as well as precious memories, in my gratitude journal. I never stopped praying, but now I can rejoice and give thanks for the life God has given me. Let us pray: Dear God, Thank you for the gift of life, not only this brief life on Earth but also eternal life through your great sacrifice on the cross. Help us all remember that our gifts and blessings outweigh our losses and sadness. Through our faith in you, we can rejoice, pray, and give thanks in all circumstances. 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/.

Ezekiel 34:26 (ESV) And I will make them and the places all around my hill a blessing, and I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing.Back in 1883, evangelist Daniel W. Whittle wrote the hymn, "Showers of Blessing," pulling his inspiration straight from this verse in Ezekiel. He teamed up with James McGranahan, music director for evangelist D.L. Moody, and together they created a song that would resonate in churches across the country, and is still sung in worship today. The late 1800s were a time of rapid change—factories everywhere, growing cities, and lots of uncertainty. Sound familiar? People needed to hear that God's promises were still good even when everything seemed to be shifting. Whittle and McGranahan gave them a song that offered both comfort and timeless truth. Just as now, rain was very important in the ancient world. Everything depended on it. When Ezekiel talked about "showers of blessing," people immediately understood—rain was life itself, fresh hope, God's provision in its most tangible form. In this promise, God doesn't talk about a drizzle or an occasional sprinkle. He says showers—plural. The Hebrew word here is geshem, which means a real downpour, a soaking rain that saturates everything it touches. Multiple downpours of blessing, each one arriving exactly when it's supposed to. That tells us so much about who God is. He's not stingy with His grace, carefully rationing it out. No, He pours it out generously, giving us more than we even knew we needed. It is important to note that these showers come "in their season." God's timing is always perfect, even when it doesn't match what we had in mind. Sometimes we're in a spiritual dry spell, wondering where God's provision has gone. But just like farmers trust that rain will come when it's supposed to, we need to trust that God knows exactly when we're ready for what He wants to give us. So what does this 142-year-old hymn say to us today? Simply this: God's faithfulness doesn't change with the times. Whether dealing with the Industrial Age or scrolling through today's news, the promise is the same. God sees you. He knows what you need. And He provides abundantly, right on schedule. Living with that expectation means holding onto hope when things get hard, staying faithful even when you're not seeing results yet, and keeping your eyes open for how God shows up—through a friend's encouragement, a new opportunity, unexpected peace, or strength you didn't think you had. That waiting season isn't God forgetting about you. It's Him preparing you for what's coming. Whittle captured this hope beautifully in the first verse of his hymn: There shall be showers of blessing: This is the promise of love; There shall be seasons refreshing, Sent from the Savior above.Showers of blessing, Showers of blessing we need; Mercy-drops round us are falling, But for the showers we plead. Prayer: Father, we thank You that even today, mercy-drops are falling around us. Even so, today we plead for more—for the showers of blessing You've promised. Help us to trust in Your perfect timing and to recognize every gift You send. Open our hearts to receive Your grace, and give us patience to wait expectantly for all You have prepared for us. 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/.

Psalm 103:2 (New English Translation) Praise the Lord, O my soul. Do not forget all His kind deeds. In preparing for this time together, I decided to read several versions of this verse. The Message speaks to me right now.  It says, “O my soul, bless God from head to toe, I’ll bless His holy name! O my soul, bless God, don’t forget a single blessing.” Our focus for November is on “showers of blessings”. This reading made me think of the children’s song/chant, “heads and shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes”.  First of all, we are to feel blessed in everything. I always check the mirror before going out, but I definitely don’t look at anything but my head and maybe shoulders. What blessings do I overlook just as easily? And while I am looking in that mirror, what blessings am I looking for? I don’t think as much about just how blessed I am. I likely don’t consider just how fortunate I am, nor do I actively show my gratitude for the blessings I have been given. We live in such a beautiful place. Do we really praise God for the mountains, the sunshine, the lakes, and trees? Do we really look, really see the people we encounter as blessings? They are! Do we praise God for our friends, our churches, our jobs, our retirement, our families, or our health? We aren’t just lucky people, we are blessed.  Every day, we are showered with blessings we fail to see. Before you decide that I am a person who never endures hardship, please understand that I have, in fact, had disappointment, heartache, and true anxiety in my life. While there have been moments of disappointment, I have been carried by my relationship with God, my faith, the presence and support of others who lifted me in their prayers, as I found my strength in God. In the most difficult times, God was always there, blessing me with the peace that I could not find otherwise. Of course, there have been hard moments, hard days when peace and contentment felt a bit elusive, “but God”, God provides a joy and peace that is not stopped by external woes. Our blessings are like raindrops, falling on our heads and dripping down to our feet. We can feel them, see them, and praise God for them if we pay attention, notice them, and claim their presence and impact on our days and lives. They sparkle and glisten, trying to help us recognize them. So, know that you are showered with blessings, even on the hard days. God has sprinkled you and your life with tremendous blessings just waiting for you to see them. Praise the Lord, O my soul. Do not forget all His kind deeds. I’m going to be looking for all those blessings today. I pray you will seek them too. Lets pray together: Loving God, even in hard times, we see your many blessings and are thankful. Your peace surrounds us, falls on us and lifts us when we forget to focus on You and Your love. Guide us as we discover our blessings in the days to come. Help us to feel your love and peace every day. Amen. This devotion was written and recorded 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/.

Psalm 95:2 (NIV) Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. The Psalms frequently speak to something that is obviously very near and dear to the work I do as a church musician. And that isn't the only place in scripture where music and singing is lauded. From Jubal's lyre in Genesis to the trumpets, harps, and songs of Revelation, references to making music are found throughout the Bible. But why is that? What is it about music that is so central to our worship and our experience as Christians? That's probably a topic that is broader and more complex than can be addressed in a five-minute podcast, but I'll share a few of my own thoughts on the subject. One of the most central acts of worship is that of offering – we give back to God to demonstrate our thankfulness for the abundance with which we have been blessed. I believe that singing in worship is a way to give back one of the most basic gifts God has given us: our voices. In offering them back to our Creator, we complete the circle of thanksgiving that our worship seeks to achieve. God doesn't demand that we are all polished, trained singers. We are not expected to all be members of the choir (as much as I would be happy to welcome more of you!). No, we are supposed to offer our voices and make a joyful noise as a demonstration of gratitude, because God gave us those voices to begin with. By joining our voices with others in the congregation, we symbolize the effects of corporate offerings – we are more powerful and more capable together than any of us could be alone. We can be part of the beauty of creation in a way we couldn't be by ourselves. Some of us DO have better voices than others. But some of us have more financial resources or building know-how, or compassion to offer those in need. All of that is okay, but just because we may have less than others to offer, we're not off the hook – we are still supposed to offer what we have. I think of the widow in the temple who offered two copper coins. She had so little, but Jesus said she had given so much more than others. We also have a choice about how we use our voices. We can choose to make them instruments of spewing hatred and vitriol and separation from others or we can use them to come together and literally be in harmony with one another. The same is true of all our resources and abilities. Finally, sometimes, the songs we sing are familiar and easy. Sometimes, they are less familiar and challenging. Each is worthwhile and represents our daily experiences in our lives of faith. We can't shy away from the difficult and challenging, as that is where we are able to achieve the most growth. On the other hand, there IS value in the familiar. It connects us to our past, it lets us open ourselves wider for worship, and it often allows us to sing with a louder collective voice. And, like with anything, the more we learn about and practice music, the better we will be at it, making those songs less difficult and challenging. My prayer today is this: God, thank you for music and its incredible power to bring us together. Thank you for the ways that, in our singing together, we learn about our Christian journey. Let us never shy from a challenge nor be timid in our worship of you. In Christ's name, amen. This devotion was written and read by Dwight Dockery. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

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/.

Matthew 6:34 Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. These words were spoken by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount, as he was assuring his audience that God would take care of their needs and that worrying about things would not help. But I'm afraid too many of us do worry. In fact, worry, stress, anxiety, and fear, enhanced and blown out of proportion by information overload, seems to be the normal state of mind for so many of us. We seem to be living in the day and age of the what-ifs. Perhaps you have heard Shel Silverstein's poem about them. Let me read it to you. What If. Last night, while I lay thinking here, some what-ifs crawled inside my ear and pranced and partied all night long and sang their same old what-if song. What if I'm dumb in school? What if they've closed the swimming pool? What if I get beat up? What if there's poison in my cup? What if I start to cry? What if I get sick and die? What if I flunk that test? What if green hair grows on my chest? What if nobody likes me? What if a bolt of lightning strikes me? What if I don't grow taller? What if my head starts getting smaller? What if the fish won't bite? What if the wind tears up my kite? What if they start a war? What if my parents get divorced? What if the bus is late? Ooh, what if my teeth don't grow in straight? What if I tear my pants? What if I never learn to dance? Everything seems swell, and then the nighttime what-ifs strike again. Oh, woe is me. I don't know about you, but every news source and most social media seem full of seeds of those what-ifs. Those seeds burrow inside my mind and grow all out of proportion, telling me how awful tomorrow might be and the what-ifs party all night long. Unless, unless I hold my heart still, looking at God in prayer, turning away from the sources that provide the seeds of the what-ifs and turning to the source of life, the Word of God, the promises of His Word, and the powerful reminder of His love. God loves us and promises to rescue us from our enemies and to lead us on level ground. He promises peace that passes all understanding. But we must claim these promises and live in them. We must not worry about tomorrow. We must turn off the noise of the world and turn to God far more often than the worldly sources. We must let the Bible, prayer, and peace have rule over the what-if. We must let worry melt away in the embrace of God's love as we trust in Him. We must center ourselves in God's love each morning and return to that love constantly all day long. Believe me, it scares the what-ifs away. Prayer: So, friends, will you pray with me? Dear Lord, help me to turn to you, to give your word and prayer more prominent positions than other sources in my life. Show me how to trust in your promises and to live with complete assurance in your grace. Make me an instrument of your peace, and show me how to fling worry out the window, and replace it with trust in you. 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/.

Exodus 23:4-5 If you meet your enemy's ox or donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him. If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying down under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it. You shall rescue it with him. When we hear Jesus tell the story of the Good Samaritan, we usually focus on the kindness of the Helper and the callousness of those who passed by. But Jesus' original audience would have heard something very different, something much more challenging and uncomfortable. Picture this. A Samaritan traveling through hostile territory sees a Jewish man beaten and left for dead. Now, Samaritans weren't foreigners to Judaism. They considered themselves the true followers of Moses. They knew the Torah, including that passage that we just heard from Exodus about helping your enemy when you see them in trouble. But here's what we miss. The Samaritan had lived his entire life being shunned by people exactly like the man lying in the road. Jews crossed the street to avoid him. They refused his hospitality, considered him religiously contaminated, treated him as less than human. And now, ironically, a Jewish priest and Levite, the very religious leaders who preached about following the Torah, had just walked past the victim, demonstrating the same contempt this Samaritan faced every day. Imagine the conflict raging in the Samaritan's heart. He could have thought, now you know how it feels to be ignored and abandoned This is exactly how your people have always treated me, He had every human reason to keep walking But he stopped He chose mercy over justice, compassion over payback And Jesus' audience would have recognized that the Samaritan was actually following their shared Torah better than their own religious leaders were. That wasn't a heartwarming story about cross-cultural kindness. That was a devastating critique that left Jesus' listeners with no excuses. If this despised outsider could show such grace to his enemies, what did that say about them? The parable forces us to ask, when have we been the priest or the Levite, too concerned with our own purity or comfort to help? When have we failed to show the very mercy we hope to receive? And perhaps most challenging, are we willing to show grace even to those who have shown us none? The Good Samaritan teaches us that following God isn't about maintaining our boundaries. It's about crossing them, even when it costs us, even when we've been hurt, even when the person we're helping would not do the same thing for us. Prayer: Our prayer today, God of mercy, forgive us for the times that we've walked past others in need, protecting our own comfort while ignoring your call to compassion. Help us to see beyond our prejudices and past our hurts. Give us the courage of the Good Samaritan to choose grace over grudges, mercy over revenge and love over the safety of staying separate may we follow your torah not just in letter but in spirit showing kindness especially to those who have shown us none. Amen.This devotional was written 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/.

Today’s scripture is found in the book of Psalms, Chapter 27:14. I referenced several translations as I meditated on this verse. The New English Translation reads like this: “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident. Rely on the Lord!”. The New International Version uses the word “wait” instead; the New Living Translation says “Wait patiently for the Lord” and the common English says, “Hope in the Lord”. So, we have Rely; Wait; Wait patiently and Hope in the Lord. Perhaps one more version might help us even more. In this version, we hear “Stay with God! Take heart. Don’t quit. I’ll say it again, stay with God!”. All of these words are active and require or suggest our participation is required.  The state of our world, our country, the state where I live, and even our small county are facing a very difficult reality. Anger, hate, violence, greed and lack of concern for our world or others are reported everywhere. Every form of media blasts us with “bad news”, sometimes painful and almost unbearable news. Our hearts are heavy, sad and anxiety is waiting to overtake us. This is a time to focus on today’s scripture. It appears this Psalm was written by King David, likely during a very difficult time, maybe even a time when he was truly afraid. Whatever was going on in David’s life, he wrote these words to convey his never-failing trust, his confidence in God. He has faith, real faith and believes God will protect him even in his worst days. How do these words speak to us today? We are living in very concerning times. It feels as though there is an undercurrent bubbling up, ready to sweep us all away. Some of us have gone quiet seeking God’s wisdom and guidance silently with no one else in mind. Some of us share our concerns and fears with our families or very close friends seeking affirmation for our views. Another group speaks out freely and often with anger, frustration and fear in a much more public way to rally others to action. None of these approaches are wrong. However, none of them seem to match the message of today’s scripture: Rely on the Lord!; Wait on the Lord!; Hope in the Lord!; Be strong and confident! And especially “Stay with God! Take heart. Don’t quit. I’ll say it again. Stay with God!” When you reflect on how we are facing the issues, we aren’t fully relying on God, waiting on God or hoping in the Lord. We are expressing our anxiety, our fear, our failure to hope. We must stay with God, be focused on God, trust God and remember He is in control. We must remain strong and confident. Will we understand the path? NO. Will we struggle to remain strong and confident? It is likely. Reminder…. We are told NOT to quit. So, as God’s children, we will try again, over and over, to listen, to follow, to love and especially to take heart and not quit. I plan to renew my focus, my trust, and my eXorts to love in a way that draws others to Christ, to His love and strength, to powerful hope that only He can provide. I invite you to join me. Stay with God! Let’s pray together. Lord of all, we come to you with fears and anxiety, asking that you calm those fears and provide us with the confidence to trust you. In turning to you, we find hope and peace even in dark times. Thank you for loving us in every moment and providing us with the gift of hope. 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/.

Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. A casual reading of these verses might lead us to believe that God wants us to be sure of the difference between the divine and humans. “My ways are higher than your ways” is a pretty strong delineation between God and us. However, I do not think God is making a show of his power. This whole passage is labeled “a hymn of joy and triumph.” Israel will be restored. We cannot purchase God’s grace, but he gives it freely. His covenant with Israel will be glorified. All good news here. The next few verses are a call to repentance: seek the Lord, let the wicked forsake their way, return to the Lord, and he abundantly pardons. Again, all good news. The problem with us humans is we tend to be dissatisfied with all this good news, and we ask “why”? How can God do these things? Why would He want to after his children have been disobedient and abandoned Him? There are no answers to our questions, and the next verses, 8 and 9, tell us we never will understand. My thoughts and ways are higher than your ways, He says. Most human beings are naturally curious. We want to understand how things work. We want to understand why certain things occur. We want to understand what motivates certain individuals to behave a certain way. And we can, to a certain extent, using scientific methods. We have found explanations for things that puzzled human beings for hundreds of years. Knowledge can grow. We can learn new things. Understanding, however, is different. There are things that are beyond human understanding. The miracles that Jesus performed are examples. How can Jesus walk on water, how can water become wine, how can the dead live again? Think Lazarus here. We simply cannot understand. So, we are left with faith: faith that God’s plan is better than our plan, faith that He loves and cares for us, faith that ultimately, we will come into His presence. His thoughts and ways are higher than ours. I do not think I can stop being curious and wanting to learn new things, but I can accept the truth that I will never understand everything, and that, too, is part of God’s plan. Let us pray: Heavenly Father, so many times our cry is a loud “WHY? Even in our pleading, we know that only You have the full picture for each of us. Let us be thankful for Your love and Your guidance, trusting that you will lead us where we should go. 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/.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heavenOften, this verse is used when things are challenging. It reminds us of God’s will and our inability to know all. It reminds us that even the challenges of war, death, and illness are part of God’s kingdom. I do think these kinds of sentiments bring comfort in challenging times, but today, let us focus on being a tiny part of God’s creation. If we allow ourselves to contemplate that we are each a small creation inside of all of God’s creation, then we begin to see a bigger picture. I am not an ocean, but one drop in the ocean. There have been innumerable seasons in the kingdom of God and innumerable purposes. I am one drop in that throughout time. Who am I to decide what happens to all the other drops in the waves I ride through life? If I am honest with myself, I do not control what happens to me. I only exist in the context of all the other drops in an ocean. The scope of this is almost incomprehensible, so let us simplify it. If we look at a glass of water on the counter and each molecule of water represents a person, then what happens if we pour the water out? In unison, the molecules pour out bound to flow together. Do the drops of water fight with each other? Do some think to themselves, “If only I were ice, I could resist this dreadful pouring?” Do some pray to remain in the comfort of the glass,s fearing the unknown of the journey ahead? Do some sit in the glass contemplating all of the drops that have left them behind? As some of the drops evaporate, do others remain, becoming increasingly salty? Ecclesiastes is a book of wisdom written by King Solomon. It contemplates man’s inability to comprehend the complexities of life and find meaning without an understanding of God. Perhaps if we view ourselves as one tiny drop of water in an ocean, instead of kicking and screaming about what we want, we should ride the waves and see where God takes us. Let us pray. Lord, may I follow the flow of your spirit, bringing your living water to those who thirst. May you pour out your spirit upon us so that we can do your will in your creation. May we fulfill your purpose even when it is too big for us to comprehend, 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/.

Psalm 62:5 (NIV) Yes, my soul, find rest in God; My hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. Friends, here is an important and timely question: where does your soul find rest? Who, or what, is your rock and salvation? Your fortress? Rest seems to be a hot commodity right now. Sleep aids are estimated to be a 65 billion dollar market, and insomnia is being identified as a public health issue in America. I think it is fair to say that a sense of restlessness pervades our culture. So how about you? Are you plagued by unrest, by restlessness? Or is your soul at rest? The psalmist has a word for the weary. He understands what it is like to be assaulted and assailed from every direction, to feel shaken to the core, and to cry out for help and relief—for rest. And this psalm suggests that he also knows the temptation to seek a sense of security in the false gods of wealth and power. He cautions against that temptation, because these things are not soul-giving, and rest will not be found in them. Rest is found in God. As disciples of Christ, we are called to make God our fortress, our rock and salvation, and thereby, our rest—not wealth or power, not material possessions, or governments, or Facebook friends who agree with us about everything. We may seek peace and rest from all of these things, but we will not find it. Our souls find rest in God. I don’t think that means we are promised physical comfort, or even physical protection. In fact, I think finding true rest means surrendering all of our fears to God, even our fears for our physical well-being. But we are offered rest for our souls when we lose our “selves” by seeking and surrendering to God. So today, where are you seeking rest? And where might you find it? Let us pray: God, our rock and salvation, our holy fortress, you desire to give us rest. May we give ourselves and all of our cares and fears to you, that our souls might find peace in your presence. Amen. This 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]. 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, let's hear 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/.

Psalm 27: 13 &14 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! Waiting for God’s goodness doesn’t always feel like helpful advice. When we are experiencing challenging life moments, such as loss. When a loved one is in the midst of a major medical crisis, we want action, not to be told to wait. When we look at the news and feel weighted down by all the negatives that are happening, it feels way too passive to wait. Hearing God’s time is not our time brings more frustration than hope because we want something to happen right now! This is how I sometimes have felt when like is really hard. Have you ever felt that way? Perhaps I feel this way because waiting and patience are not one of my strong character traits. I want to do something, anything, to make things better. I want God to fix things right now. I equate waiting with doing nothing. But waiting for the Lord is not a passive activity. Waiting doesn’t mean that we get to sit around and do nothing until God fixes the mess that we are in. Waiting for the Lord is an active and often challenging response to life. It is anticipating that God is already acting in this situation. It is celebrating every place we see the goodness of the Lord breaking forth. And, it is a reminder that we need to ask what can we do. Waiting is a call to work with God however we can in our particular situation, knowing God will give us the strength and courage we need. Sometimes this is a renewed call to prayer and surrender, trusting in God, because there is nothing more we can do. But most of the time it is a call to vision a new and better place and ask what can I do, with God’s help to lean into that vision. I think of the young person I knew who was struggling with cancer in the bone in his leg. Chemotherapy and radiation slowed the progression but finally there came the time when the doctor had to tell him and his family that the only option left was to remove his leg just below the knee. It was devastating news but as he waited for healing to take place, he was not passive. He loved to snow ski and he was determined to be on the slopes again. His grandmother told me how he researched how to make that happen. He reached out to others who had gone through similar health crises. He lived believing life was good, that God would give him the strength to go forward. The last I heard, he was again skiing. So, life can be better than it is right now. God is at work and we need to anticipate the good God is doing. We are also asked to be a part of that work open to God’s leading. Prayer: Loving God, give us strength to actively wait on You. You are always working at making a new and good thing happen as we will just join our hearts and lives with yours. AMEN. This devotional was written by Bill Green and read by Joey 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/.

2 Corinthians 12:7–10 I was given a thorn in my body because of the outstanding revelations I’ve received so that I wouldn’t be conceited. It’s a messenger from Satan sent to torment me so that I wouldn’t be conceited. I pleaded with the Lord three times for it to leave me alone. He said to me, “My grace is enough for you, because power is made perfect in weakness.” So I’ll gladly spend my time bragging about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power can rest on me. Therefore, I’m all right with weaknesses, insults, disasters, harassments, and stressful situations for the sake of Christ, because when I’m weak, then I’m strong. Scholars have debated for centuries what Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” might have been. Was it a physical ailment? An emotional burden? An enemy? We don’t know—and in many ways, we don’t need to. What matters is that Paul knew what it was to plead with God for relief and to hear instead a word of grace: “My grace is enough for you.” Caregivers can relate deeply to this passage. We, too, have wrestled with burdens that won’t go away. We may have begged God for healing for our loved one, not because we don’t want to care, but because the weight is so heavy and unrelenting. And yet, our hearts resist the idea of being “relieved” through loss. It’s a complicated mixture of love, weariness, and sometimes guilt, because we feel both devotion and resentment in the same breath. I think of the time we cared for our disabled daughter through two weeks of blizzard conditions with no power. No light, no heat, no comfort—just the raw exhaustion of trying to keep her alive in circumstances beyond our control. We don’t always come to love these situations. But we can, like Paul, learn to accept weakness, stress, insults from those who don’t understand, medical crises, battles with insurance companies, and even disasters—because in our weakness, we discover a surprising strength. It’s not our own strength but the resilience of God’s Spirit working in us and the support of those God sends alongside us. Prayer: Lord, I am weak. You know how weary I get, how torn between love and frustration, how guilty I sometimes feel for the mixed emotions of caregiving. Remind me that I don’t have to be strong on my own. Let your grace be enough for me today, and let your power rest on me, even in my weakness. In the name of Christ our Lord, 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/.

Jeremiah 29:11For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and hope. This oft-quoted verse is part of a letter from Jeremiah to the Israelites in captivity in Babylon under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah prophesies that they should not give up hope; they will not be captives in a foreign land forever. Jeremiah says they should build houses and settle down, plant gardens and eat what they produce. They should marry and have children and in general contribute to the life of the city where they live. If they do not allow themselves to be misled by false prophets, then after 70 years (a rhetorical number signifying a generation), they will be brought back from captivity. Have you ever been on a path you planned and worked to see through to the end goal when suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, God redirected your path to a place you never anticipated? This has happened to me many times throughout my life. I’m not normally an indecisive person, but in college I changed undergraduate majors twice and graduate majors three times (all within the same university), but still. . . As newlyweds, my husband planned to work In his field in the Knoxville area, where I already had a job I loved and our families lived. But then Jim was offered a job with a very good company in Wheeling, West Virginia. Neither of us knew anything about Wheeling, and I doubt that city is on anyone’s list of dream destinations, but off we went. Years later we were happily established in the Blount County area with daughters who were in college. I expected to retire from my job there is a few more years, but once again our plan was altered and we ended up in McDonough, GA. Again we knew no one and nothing about this place, but it was convenient for my husband to reach the 10 sales representatives he managed throughout South Georgia. Off we went once more. We actually thought we might get to stay there until retirement, but again God had a different plan. Jim was transferred to the Nashville area, and we chose to live in Franklin because he needed easy access to Interstates and hopefully, less traffic than further north. Finally we did end up in East Tennessee, close to family, especially young grandchildren, and longtime friends. We were so thankful to have the opportunity to return to our “home.” Looking back on that journey of unexpected twists and turns, I see God at work. In going to new places where we knew no one, we found churches that both nourished and challenged us spiritually. We had wonderful friends and neighbors with whom I stay in contact. We had career opportunities we had never dreamed of. In other words, what we thought of as “exile” became opportunities to flourish. I am so thankful for God’s direction in our lives. You will likely never be exiled, but if God’s plan for your life leads in unexpected directions, follow in faith. God’s promise to give us hope and a future always creates the best path. Let us pray: Dear God, as human beings, we tend to think we know best how to live and what to do. In truth, your plan is always best. Help us keep our ears and hearts open to your guidance and give us strength to serve you and others wherever you lead us. 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/.

Romans 5:3-5 (CEB)But not only that! We even take pride in our problems, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope. I believe that a lot of scriptures give us only part of the story and beg the question, “To what end?” This very familiar passage from Romans is a prime example for me. It brings to mind someone who works out to get stronger physically. Weight produces resistance and resistance builds strength and strength produces a more fit and healthy body. But to what end? To admire in the mirror or to put to work, better able to accomplish tasks? So to what end does trouble produce endurance and endurance produce character and hope? To admire in our spiritual mirror for how strong we have become? No, I believe Paul provides us an answer in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4...3 May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be blessed! He is the compassionate Father and God of all comfort. 4 He’s the one who comforts us in all our trouble so that we can comfort other people who are in every kind of trouble. We offer the same comfort that we ourselves received from God. In Romans we read that trouble produces endurance, character, and hope. In 2 Corinthians we read that in this trouble, God also provides us comfort. The endurance, character, and hope equip us to “comfort other people who are in every kind of trouble. We offer the same comfort that we ourselves received from God.” Have you endured the grief of losing a loved one and been able to move on to hope? Offer the comfort that you received from God to others facing that same grief. Have you navigated the recovery from financial woes, or overcome the pain of losing a job or a relationship? You are equipped with comfort and hope to help others facing the same problems. I believe that every trouble we endure equips us and should compel us to offer the strength and comfort we have acquired to others. In this way we build up others so that they, in turn, can offer the same comfort that we ourselves received from God. Are you looking for a gift that you can offer to others? What trouble have you endured that, in the end, made you stronger? What a precious gift you have to share! Prayer: Father God, we are forever grateful for your presence and comfort you have offered to us in times of our own troubles. Let us be always willing and eager to share that same comfort to our neighbors. 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/.

Matthew 6:34 (NIV) Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. I'm retired now, but I used to get anxious on Sunday nights about the week ahead. I called it the "Sunday Blues"—that familiar knot in my stomach that would start around dinnertime, thinking about Monday's meetings, Tuesday's deadlines, Wednesday's presentation I wasn't ready for. I'd sit at the dinner table with my family, but I wasn't really there. My mind was already in conference rooms and inbox battles that hadn't happened yet. I'd watch movies with friends on Sunday evening, but I was mentally rehearsing conversations and worrying about problems that might never materialize. Looking back, I realize I let the Sunday Blues waste perfectly good Sunday nights with the people I love most. I was so busy borrowing anxiety from the future that I missed the grace available in the present moment. Jesus understood this struggle completely. Worry is like trying to live in two places at once— we're attempting to be present today while also trying to manage a tomorrow that hasn't arrived yet. Part of us is here, but another part is frantically planning for disasters that exist only in our imagination. But notice Jesus's approach: he doesn't pretend tomorrow won't have challenges. He's refreshingly honest about it—"tomorrow will worry about itself." Problems will come. Difficulties are part of life. But tomorrow's troubles will arrive with tomorrow's grace, tomorrow's wisdom, and tomorrow's strength. Today, however, has "enough trouble of its own." Not that today is miserable, but that today has enough real concerns, enough actual joys and responsibilities, enough present-moment opportunities to fully occupy our hearts and minds. When we try to carry tomorrow's load on today's back, we're like someone packing for a trip by stuffing next week's clothes in today's suitcase. It doesn't make sense, and it makes today unnecessarily heavy. I think about all those Sunday nights I missed because I was living in Monday. The conversations I half-heard because I was mentally composing emails. The laughter I didn't fully enjoy because I was rehearsing problems that mostly never happened anyway. God gives us exactly what we need for each day, but he doesn't hand out advance portions. That would actually undermine our daily dependence on him, which is how trust grows deeper. Planning responsibly for the future isn't the same as worrying about it. Jesus isn't advocating for irresponsibility. He's talking about the kind of anxiety that robs today of its joy without adding anything useful to tomorrow. What would change if you really believed that today contains enough grace for today's challenges? What if you trusted that tomorrow's problems—if they even show up—will come with their own supply of wisdom and strength? After all, you've never actually lived a day in the future. But you've made it through every single day that's already happened. Maybe it's time to retire your own version of the Sunday Blues and show up fully for the people and moments that are actually here right now. Prayer: Father, help us trust you with the tomorrows we can't control while fully embracing the today you've given us. Teach us to receive each day's grace without trying to hoard what hasn't been offered yet. 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/.

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. I selected this passage during a trying week in the United States. It was the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States; Charlie Kirk, a political activist, was murdered during an event on a college campus, and two high school students in Colorado were injured in yet another school shooting. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. The week was a lot. But as sad as those events were, what saddened me most was the immediate finger-pointing regarding Kirk’s murder. Many were rushing to assign blame before any facts were available. A man was killed. His murder was unacceptable. Children were injured in a school shooting, which is also unacceptable. But rather than mourn the fact that these events continue to occur in the United States, many chose to vilify the other. I desperately wanted the conversation to change, then I saw this passage as a suggested verse for a devotional. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” In verses 9 and 10 of this chapter, we read, Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another in mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Genuine love and mutual affection. Doesn’t that sound like what the world and our country need right now? Our focus on loving our neighbors certainly seemed prescient in September. Charlie Kirk was our neighbor, but so was the shooter. The children in Colorado are our neighbors, but so was the young man who shot them. And those men who flew into the World Trade Center 24 years ago? Yes, they were our neighbors, too. Love. That is what is good and acceptable and perfect. Jesus instructed us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Let that be our litmus test. Do our posts on social media reflect love of our neighbors? Do we want people to judge us the way we are tempted to judge others? May we focus on testing and discerning rather than reacting and misconstruing. Let us pray as Jesus taught his disciples to pray. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. This devotional was written by Kathryn 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/.

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/.

John 14:6 I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. It can’t be much clearer than that! We all need to set our sights on Jesus to listen to and apply all He had to say. This world is filled with noise in every available electronic form and beyond. It is necessary to tune it out and focus on the truth. The truth that is found through Jesus! Don’t be distracted by the misinformation and dysinformation that we can easily be bombarded with. Open up that Bible and turn to the Gospels to find out what Jesus has to say. He will tell you that his kingdom is not of this world, and ours shouldn’t be either. We all know that this world is filled with temptations and distractions. Set it aside. Walk the walk with Jesus and take action to spend your limited time on this planet to clearly demonstrate your love for Jesus and your neighbor. Is it a neighbor across the street, across the country, or halfway around the world? This is a relatively small place compared to the total of God’s creation. So hurry up, as the book of Mark tells us 42 times, and get busy in your own way. Why this sense of urgency? I can tell you of the influential people in my childhood, seeming towers of strength. They squandered their time here, one through mockery and disbelief, the other essentially through blasphemy and becoming snared by the lust for worldly things. They have passed on. They have faced judgment. Fortunately for me, I was able to see beyond their views through the cumulative efforts of many others who walked and walked the Christian life. They are in the form of pastors, Sunday School teachers, co-workers, friends, and Sunday School classmates, to name a few. Focus on the truth that Jesus represents! There are way too many people on this planet that will lead you astray. Pray that the Holy Spirit be with you to guide you to show you the way. I can testify, as I stated previously, that as a child, I prayed to God to send someone to show me the way. It was one of the most consequential prayers of my life! It certainly was answered with not just one person, but many that did just that. Jesus tells us that He is the key to eternal life. One day, we all will stand in judgment, and He will turn to God the Father and say, “Yes, I know this person. This person acted on my behalf and demonstrated their love of God with all their mind, all their heart, and all their strength while loving their neighbor as thyself!” That is what we all should strive to hear. Let us pray: God in Heaven, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, as your messenger to teach us! Give us the fortitude to live our lives and take action to honor Him. 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/.

Lamentations 3:22-25 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. Many of you, upon hearing these verses, will recall the hymn, “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” It is a hymn that celebrates God’s steadfast love and grace. While the hymn may have taken its chorus from these verses, the reality of the writer in Lamentations was much different. For the twenty verses prior, he has been pouring out his woes. Life has been full of so many problems that he had come to the conclusion that God was punishing him. He was angry at God because he did not feel that what he was experiencing was fair and just. I am sure we have all experienced times in our lives that seem so challenging that we have wondered, “Does God really care?’’ I know I have. Like the writer, in really challenging times, I have struggled with, “Why is this happening?” Discouragement and despair have filled my days more than accepting trust. The writer does not stay in this frame of mind. Right in the midst of his pain, he stops and proclaims how the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases! This realization gives him hope and allows him to proclaim how great is God’s faithfulness. The troubled writer in Lamentations swings back and forth between faith and doubt. Hope and despair co-inhabit his inner world. We know those feelings. This is the reality of life. Trust in God is always a halting process. Letting go and trusting God when life is full of challenges, disappointments, and filled with loss is a lot harder to do than we might want to admit. It calls us to surrender our wants, our time frames, and wait upon God. I have found, like the writer, that if I continue to trust to believe God is with me, that there is a light at the end of the tunnel I am currently in, my trust is rewarded. God is faithful! So just like the song shares, we can proclaim: “All I have needed, thy hand hath provided, Great is thy Faithfulness unto me.” Let us pray: Gracious and faithful God. Remind us, when life is challenging, that you are always there loving us, supporting us, and caring for us. Help us to hold on to this thought and trust you always proclaiming “Great is thy Faithfulness.” Amen. This devotional was written by Bill Green and read by Joey 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/.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. Every year, Pastor Sarah makes star words for our congregation. They are simple wooden stars with a word printed on them that is to be our focus word for the year. My late wife Barbara got her very first star word in January 2024, and it was Motivate. She asked me to clarify with Sarah that this could be the same as nagging. Throughout that year, we had lots of fun with that. She "motivated" me to straighten pictures and put room decorations back in their correct position after the housekeepers came; to keep season-appropriate flags and wreaths outside our home; to finally clean out our garage; to trim my nose hairs; and on and on. It became a challenge for her to find things to motivate me to do that she could no longer do for herself. And then in January of 2025 (three months before her passing and as she was failing in health and strength), she asked for another star word and, of course, it was Motivate. What else could it have been? What fun we had with that! Since her passing in April, I've had time to reflect on how Barbara motivated me, and it was in ways much more significant than crooked pictures and nose hairs. There would not be a No One Dies Alone program at Blount Memorial Hospital if Barbara had not motivated me to go ask the chaplain, "Why not?" I would not be delivering Meals on Wheels, something that I now love to do, had Barbara not started delivering years ago and then got me to help her as her strength began to wane. Barbara has always motivated me with her generosity, as she has made countless donations to causes and programs that she believed in. She also quietly helped folks with significant financial needs, never seeking recognition for her generosity. Barbara motivated me to put aside bitterness for the sake of preserving long-term relationships. She motivated me to maintain a discipline of daily scripture and devotion, reading, and prayer. And oh, did Barbara pray! Whenever she heard of someone in pain or crisis, she had us stop and pray, even if it meant pulling off to the side of the road. Barbara motivated me with her kindness. When, because of her declining health, she could do little else, she wrote notes of comfort and encouragement and sympathy to folks she knew needed it. People have told me how Barbara's notes helped them through some of their darkest times. And Barbara has motivated me to always, always tell the people I love that I love them every chance that I get. So, yeah, Barbara and I had lots of fun with her regular motivation of me to get things done, but she also motivated me to be and to do so much more. Prayer: Father God, help us to always look for ways to encourage each other to good works through our words and examples to ensure that your will is done on earth as it is in heaven. 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/.

Ralphine Hood: "God has been urging me to write about prayer. That should be easy for me since I am such a strong believer in prayer. Our Lord's prayer was taught to the Disciples and to us." Matthew 6:9-13 Our Father in heaven Hallowed be Your name Your kingdom come Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven Give us this day our daily bread And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors And do not lead us into Temptation, But deliver us from the evil one For Yours is the kingdom and the Power and the glory forever Amen. I think because Jesus taught the Disciples and us this prayer, we should take it seriously. Do we pay attention to the words when we pray this prayer on Sunday mornings, or do we take it for granted as we often do with our prayer time? Prayer is a gift our Lord has given us. If we want to be like Jesus, we must use the gift he has given us. When we talk with Him each day, it is a gift like no other. Jesus prayed often, and he prayed about difficult decisions. The night before he chose his Disciples, he stayed up all night praying. Jesus usually prayed alone, but the night before he was arrested, he asked his Disciples to pray and watch with him as he needed them, but they could not stay awake. He even intercedes for us when we cannot find the words and helps us. He never sleeps when we ask for his help. When I pray, I believe he does answer my prayers. Sometimes he says no, sometimes he says to wait a while, and sometimes he says yes. When we feel our prayers are not being heard, we must remember that God is working behind the scenes and knows what we need and when we need it. It is best to trust God for his ordained outcome. That is when our faith comes. I believe it is right to long for the desired outcome with all our hearts. It is right to pray repeatedly and earnestly for a certain outcome. Take our burdens to the Lord. Let Him know your needs and trust Him for what is best. Jesus just wants to hear from us. He is our friend. Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Let us pray: Dear Heavenly Father, Help us to trust you and use our prayer life as you taught the Disciples and us. Amen. This devotional and poem was written and read by Ralphine Hood. 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 6:34 So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Square in the center of the Sermon on the Mount, in the last verse of the sixth chapter of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus gives us this advice: don’t worry about whatever has you down. A few verses earlier, in verse 27, he poses this related challenge: “And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?” There is so much in the Sermon on the Mount on which I feel so convicted: The Lord’s Prayer? Got it. Don’t judge, so you may not be judged? Check (well, basically). Beware of false prophets? Of course! The Beatitudes? Be-autiful! Don’t worry about things. Er… wait a minute… I’m not sure I have that one down. Don’t get me wrong — I try not to worry. It’s just that I try, and most often, I fail. How does one not worry with all the chaos in the world? How does one not worry with the turmoil we so often find in our daily lives? Believe me — there is plenty to worry about, as I’m sure you’re aware. Have you seen the news? Have you seen social media?? Even if I somehow avoid the news and social media, I don’t have to look further than the to-do list on my desk or consider the many things I still need to accomplish in various other aspects of my life or think about all the plates I have spinning or need to get spinning soon. Stress and worry are regular parts of life, unfortunately. But, taking a step back, I look back at what Jesus actually said here. He didn’t say that there aren’t these worries. In fact, he fully acknowledged that they are here today and will be here tomorrow. His point, I think, is not that worries and troubles should not, or at least will not, affect us. His point is that God is here to ease our burdens. His point is that the love of our Creator, our Father, is a love that will help us through those worries. His point is that this kind of trust in our Lord can bring us release. Recently, I was having a really difficult time in which I felt like things were just piling on, one after another. I was doing my best, but I just felt like I was drowning. A friend sent me an email saying that she saw this and thought I was doing a great job handling it all. It was a short word of encouragement, but when I received it, my eyes instantly welled up, and tears started to fall. Friends, it’s amazing the power that simply feeling seen and validated can have to alleviate stress and worry. So often, when we think about being the hands and feet of Christ, we think about service projects and charity work. That day, though, my friend was the hands and feet of Christ. She saved me from drowning by throwing the life preserver of encouragement. My prayer is that I may do the same for others. Let us pray. God, help us to continue to grow in trust of you, and help us to alleviate the stress and worry of others when we can. Amen. This devotion was written and read by Dwight Dockery. Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life. If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected]. First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

2 Corinthians 4:16-5:1 (NRSV) So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For our slight, momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen, for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal. In the 1980s, when we lived in Cedar Rapids, IA, I volunteered in an oral history project. Community volunteers interviewed nearly a hundred older citizens who shared memories of their lives. There were many inspiring interviews, but the one that stood out for me was an interview with Edith Atkinson, an African American. Atkinson was a gifted singer who grew up in Cedar Rapids and performed both opera and African American spirituals. She experienced the segregation of black performers, integrated white neighborhoods, and eventually broke the color barrier by becoming a supervisor in the main office of Collins Radio, the largest employer in Cedar Rapids. Edith and her husband Bob were the first Black family to move into an all-white neighborhood. They were treated with suspicion by most of the adults, and some even signed a petition to evict them. But Bob knew the way into hearts was through the children in the neighborhood. He befriended them, played with them, and let them help him out in the yard. Soon, the adults began inviting them in for coffee, and the relationships warmed. Over time, they were even invited to family weddings. In the course of the interview, Edith said, “We’re all brothers under the skin.” She shared a story to illustrate her belief. In 1977, Edith’s husband Bob was an employee of Penick and Ford, a starch manufacturer located in Cedar Rapids. One day, a chemical explosion occurred that involved Bob and two white men in a lab. They were all three badly burned and had to be transferred to the University Hospital in Iowa City. Edith was able to ride in the ambulance along with the victims. She shared this memory: “I rode in the ambulance to Iowa City with them, and over the intercom radio, they said, ‘I’m bringing three burned victims from Penick and Ford, two whites and a black.’ And when we got in there, the doctor looked at them and said, ‘Which one’s the Black guy?’ The skin all looked the same when it was burned…they all looked the same under the skin. So, this brought home to me that we’re all the same under the skin. We burn, we hurt, we bleed….we’re all brothers under the skin.” Edith’s husband Bob survived the accident, but the experience made a great impression on her. Edith and her family made an indelible impression for good in the community of Cedar Rapids. Let Us Pray: Dear Lord, help us to remember the words of Paul that ‘we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen, for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.’ Help us to see inside others who appear to be different and see that we are all children of God. Thank you for helping us see beyond our differences into our shared humanity. Amen.This devotional 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/.

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, let's hear 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/.

Psalm 46:10 (NIV) Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. I’m a big fan of the movie Groundhog Day. I’ve seen it a couple of dozen times, and it is a tradition in our house to watch it on February 2nd every year. In the movie, weatherman Phil Connors, played by Bill Murray, gets stuck reliving the same day over and over again in the small Pennsylvania town of Punxsutawney, the home of the famous groundhog “Punxsutawney Phil.” At first, Connors spends countless loops of the same day frantically trying to escape his situation. He schemes, manipulates, and forces outcomes, getting more desperate with each failed attempt. He tries to control everything and everyone around him, exhausting himself in the process. Fair warning - spoilers ahead. His real transformation begins when he finally stops fighting against his circumstances and accepts his current situation. Instead of frantically trying to get somewhere else, he starts using the time to learn the piano, read poetry, and genuinely serve others. He becomes present in each moment rather than always trying to escape to the next one. The breakthrough comes not when he figures out how to leave Punxsutawney, but when he stops trying to leave at all. "Be still." In Hebrew, the word is raphah, which literally means to let go, to release your grip, to stop striving. It's the opposite of everything our culture tells us to do. We're supposed to hustle, optimize, and never stop moving. The idea of being still feels almost rebellious. This psalm is not written for people lounging by a peaceful lake. The verses preceding this describe earthquakes, mountains collapsing into the sea, and nations in uproar. The psalmist is addressing people in the middle of chaos, not a meditation retreat. God's invitation to "be still" comes right in the midst of the storm. I think about those moments when life feels like it's spinning out of control. Our natural response is to do something, fix something, control something. We make lists, research solutions, and exhaust ourselves trying to manage what's often unmanageable. But God says, "Be still and know that I am God." It doesn't say "be still and figure it out" or "be still and make a plan." It says, "know that I am God." It isn't about becoming passive or giving up. It's about remembering whose hands actually hold the world together. It's about loosening our white-knuckled grip on outcomes we can't control anyway. The second part of the verse reminds us that God will be exalted among the nations and in the earth. In other words, God's purposes will be accomplished with or without our frantic efforts. That's not meant to make us feel insignificant—it's meant to free us from the crushing weight of thinking everything depends on us. John Wesley talked about "holy waiting"—those moments when the most spiritual thing we can do is stop our striving and trust God's timing. It's not about being lazy; it's about learning to rest in God's sovereignty while remaining open to how He might use us. Here’s some good news: you don't have to have all the answers right now. You don't have to solve everything today. Sometimes the most faithful thing you can do is stop trying to escape your current circumstances and learn to be fully present with God right where you are. Prayer: Father, in our noisy, restless world, teach us the sacred art of being still. Help us release what we cannot control and rest in the knowledge that you are God. Amen. This devotional was written 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/.