Grace for All

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! 

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/.

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. 

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/.

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,

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. 

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/.

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. 

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/.

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.” 

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/.

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. 

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/.

"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."

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/.

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. 

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/.

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: 

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. 

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/.