Grace for All

Paul’s letter to the Galatians is part of his ongoing attempt to explain to Jews how Gentiles as well as Jews could become God’s people without becoming ethnically Jewish. In fact, he sounds more than a little upset when he says in Chapter 1, verse 6 of this book “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel, which is really no gospel at all.” 

Most scholars believe those who opposed Paul’s message of salvation for all took a legalistic approach: follow the laws, which included circumcision and food laws, or else. There was no compromise. Paul’s message had been that the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ fulfilled the covenant: through the Spirit, believers would keep the spirit of the law, the law of love to which the Law of Moses had always pointed. Paul’s message opened the door for Gentiles to become God’s people.

For thousands of years the Jews had believed that they were God’s people, His only people, and as such they had experienced more than their share of hardship. Their leaders taught the law and lived the law, and if the Jewish people followed the laws, for the most part, then they were fulfilling their obligations. But now Paul is telling them that other people can be God’s people, too, whether they follow all those laws or not. That’s a big change in protocol! No wonder they were hesitant to abandon the practices of their ancestors and live as Christ had told them in Matthew Chapter 22: 37 ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 

The real question is who will accept the blessing of Abraham, accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and accept their responsibility to love God and others. It seems so simple yet we often make it so complicated. When you think about it, many Christians today still insist that following certain laws is a requirement to be a Christian. Never mind that my laws are different from your laws: must I be baptized by immersion, must women be quiet in worship and never speak up or preach, must I repeat a certain number of Hail Mary’s, must I…(any rule or restriction you can think of)?  These “musts” separate followers of Christ from one another, and judgment based on whether or not you do these things is NOT “loving your neighbor as yourself.”

Let us accept Paul’s admonition to “receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” and follow the commandment of love. In the end, that is all that matters.

Holy Father, you know us – our innermost thoughts and feelings. Sometimes those thoughts and feelings are very confused. Whom should we believe? What should we do? Help us remember Paul’s message of simplicity: accept the power of the Holy Spirit so that we may carry out of the commandment to love God and others. 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/.

The word redeem means to atone or make amends for error or evil.  The thief on the cross beside Jesus, is a perfect example of redemption.  This man by a single act of faith was redeemed for a life of evil.

When we confess our sins and errors, God is faithful and redeems us.  And he offers this redemption to ALL who return to him.  But there is something often holding us back from that perfect redemption that God offers.  That something, is unforgiveness, standing in the way of our redemption.

James 2:13 says, “For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy.  Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

To embrace forgiveness leads us to true redemption and mercy.  We can’t hold on to that old grudge against a family member or keep thinking hateful thoughts about that friend who betrayed us or the neighbor who offended us.  We must forgive these deep offenses and hurts.  We must let them go.

It can be very hard to give mercy for deep wounds, for tragic wrongs, but with God’s help, we can forgive and let go of even the worst hurts.  We need God’s help, and we might have to forgive some people over and over again. But with determination and God’s help we can overcome our resentment, anger, and hatred. Forgiving does not mean you forget what happened, though that would be wonderful.  Forgiving means letting go of resentment and anger toward the perpetrator.  Forgiving means showing mercy, just as God shows mercy to you. 

By showing mercy to those who have hurt us, we can return to God’s peace and feel redeemed, wrapped in His LOVE. 

I don’t know about you, but I crave that redemption peace! 

Dear God, help me to give my burdens to you and to let go of the resentment, hatred, and anger I have been holding, from my past hurts.  Help me to overcome negative thoughts and to offer your selfless LOVE to those who have hurt or angered me – even my enemy.  By forgiving, I can return to you, accepting your freely offered gift of redemption.

In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

Today’s devotional was written and read by Bernice Howard.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected].

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Hello! Today, our scripture reading comes from the book of Nehemiah, a layperson born in exile and who became Cupbearer to the Persian King. When he heard about the troubles facing Jews who had returned to Jerusalem, he asked for permission to return there. He helped rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and helped lead the people there in a spiritual revival. Just one person can have a great impact. Hear these words from his prayer.

What a comfort it is to know that, as God’s people, we have been and continue to be redeemed. Walking through this world, we have constant opportunities to make mistakes, and to be afraid, or ungrateful. When I find myself in any of these predicaments, I’ve learned to be looking for God. One day I was walking home through our little village. It was your typical misty English day, overcast, cool, windy. I was struggling with a situation that had no good answer, just going around and around in fear. For a few brief moments, I felt the sun warm my face, enjoyed how peaceful it felt, and realized that God was near. He was with me in this struggle. I’ll never forget that moment. 

In the midst of trials, I try to look for God, sometimes in the words and actions of others who comfort and sustain me. I love to see God working for his children THROUGH his children.

Father hear our prayer: Lord we ask your help in seeing your movement in this world, in our communities and in our families. Help us look for your comfort and strength. Help us to give comfort and strength to those around us, the familiar and the stranger, and to seek forgiveness when we get it wrong. Let us show your love freely and abundantly. Amen. 

This devotion was written and read by Leslie Ragland.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected].

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/.

Well, I have good news and bad news. I think it’s good practice to end with the good news, so let’s start with the bad.

I have loved this verse and the many musical settings of it (especially Handel’s) for years. It has brought me comfort and hope, knowing that God lives and will outlast anything that may come. While those things are true, the bad news is that this isn’t what Job is referring to in this instance. When I started planning this devotion, I read the commentary in my New Oxford Annotated Bible, and I’ll be really honest. I was not happy. The author writes, “The Redeemer or Vindicator is usually the next-of-kin and heir. Although God is sometimes called ‘Redeemer’ (for example in the Psalms), Job is not referring here to the deity. He has already called for a mediator to come between him and God and for a witness who will defend him before God; now he hopes to obtain through a vindicator a direct audience with God.” Knock me over with a feather!

I really felt betrayed when I learned this. You mean to tell me that all those times we have sung and heard this, it was out-of-context?!? Good gravy!  With a perspective-inverting revelation like that, what could possibly be the good news?!

Let’s step back and look at the Book of Job and the spot he’s in. If you’re familiar at all with this book of the Bible, it’s probably no surprise that this comes at a low point in Job’s life…since they’re mostly low points. He describes his friends turning against him, his family being estranged from him, his breath even being repulsive to his wife! He is not only lonely but also emaciated, physically hurt, and he’s lost everything. In this deep, deep valley of despair, though, he still has a glimmer of hope. He knows that, even if he is so despondent and broken that he doesn’t have it within himself to call upon God, someone will do so on his behalf, and he will be with God once more. I’d say that’s faith that isn’t very common. I pray that I would have such faith, but I also pray that I never have to find out.

But here’s the other thing. He knows that someone will call upon God on his behalf, that God will recognize his suffering through someone else. I think when we hear this, we are tempted to consider ourselves from Job’s perspective, but what if we are the Redeemer or Vindicator in the story? What if our job is to recognize the hurt and suffering our friends are living through and pray to God on their behalf? And along with that prayer, we do whatever is in our own power to help them — to be the answer to that prayer. To help redeem them.

There have been times in my life when I have needed a Redeemer to help me through a tough spot. But I have been fortunate to have been able to be the Redeemer more often. Hopefully none of us nor our loved ones will go through the terrible hell that Job does, but when any of us goes through hardship, I pray those of us in a position to be a Redeemer will take up that call.  

God, help us to find our redeemers and to be redeemers for others, and may we both be able to offer and to accept the help that comes along. 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/.

So many sermons and commentaries focus on how small and insignificant a mustard seed appears, but there is something else to be noticed. More attention should be given to the act of planting it in the field and what it takes to become the largest of garden plants.

A seed is about potential- a catalyst. Seeds, despite their size, have always held great value because they will feed us in the future. But if we hoard them in hopes of amassing wealth, they are wasted and lose their ability to germinate.

Not all seeds will grow into a thriving plant. It is not a given that we will become a thriving part of God’s vision. If each of us is a mustard seed, we have the opportunity to grow and thrive, to shelter and care for, bringing the kingdom of heaven to those we shelter and care for.

If God’s kingdom is like a mustard seed then it has the potential to grow and be used. We are also given the opportunity to sow seeds, to nurture growth in the lives of those around us, helping to grow a tree that shelters the next generation.

But first the seed must be planted and nurtured. Not left on a shelf. Not hoarded like gold.

And like all things in nature, plants have their season of growth and then wither. The seed perishes in the process of creating the plant. The plant that produces more seeds for the next season expends its life to create many more seeds. Once our own seed has been nurtured into maturity, we have a responsibility to nurture others’ seeds and growth. We have a responsibility in the present because we create the seeds of the next generation. 

What we do in the present is what happens in the future. If we hesitate to act, waiting to grow and assuming someone else will sow the seeds, then we will not bring the kingdom of God near.

With all seeds, it is not about the humble seed which starts the process but what the plant becomes and produces that makes the world what it is. It is not where we start our journey, not even when we start, but where we end and what we have produced along the way that fulfills the mission of Jesus.

Lord, may we grow in your mission to provide a present and future worthy of your vision. We are as small and humble as the mustard seed, but with your help and nurturing love, may we grow and thrive so that we may share all you have given us with those around us. May we spread your love in this world until the next generation grows to fill our place in this mission, Amen.

This devotional was written by Jill Pope and read by Greta Smith.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected].

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Renew… wow, what a word.  We use it often referring to the renewal of a subscription, driver’s license, memberships or flippantly when we say something “renews our faith in humanity”.  But renew or renewal can be something much deeper, more serious and even life altering.

In the Bible, the story of Noah is one of the first stories we learned and loved in children’s Sunday School.  Noah and the Ark – such excitement; the building of the ark, the animals, the rains, the dove, the “dry land” and the rainbow!  We speak of Noah’s faithfulness and obedience (who among us would undertake building a giant ark on dry land?), faithfulness and his righteousness.  Such a great story filled with hope and promise.

Before being called to build the ark, Noah took care of his farmland, crops and likely livestock.  Certainly, he shared his faith and told his family about God.  But then, he was called by God to build the ark. At 600 years old, with help, he built the ark.  What a step in faith and obedience.  Only God could have prepared him for this challenge, not just the building but the gathering of the animals and his family.  Once the rain and floods are over and the ark is on dry ground, God sends the rainbow, His eternal promise.

Now what?  Noah faces a whole new world.  It looks different.  It’s all fresh and new to him.  He doesn’t face this world alone, but with God and his family.  He doesn’t turn his back on what he has previously experienced and known.  After all, he was a farmer before he became a shipbuilder.  He returns to his roots, but in a whole new way.  He plants a vineyard.  His faith remains, he continues to be obedient and focused on what God is calling him to be.

So, how does this translate into our lives and times?  Several years ago, I was personally challenged to change my focus from one ministry to another.  There was nothing wrong with the way or place I was serving, but I knew God was calling me to “renew” my focus and use the skills He had given me.  I didn’t build an ark during the transition.  I was strengthened by faith and patiently listened to God’s plan.  I did not sit passively by and waste time.  I involved myself in a worthy mission and ministry.  Then, one day God’s call became more clear.  I admit I was a bit hesitant or reluctant at first.  Soon, my focus, enthusiasm and passion were renewed.  I had no idea what a blessing was ahead.

Even our church, following the pandemic and return to “dry ground”, if you will, had to find renewal and passion for serving our community, that reaching out when we had been captive so long.  It all looked new and we had to renew our plans.  The mission and ministry hub at Sycamore Tree was born.  The blessing of this outreach opportunity is a renewal, a refined focus, a way to renew our call and honor what God has called us to go and do.

We have renewed our efforts at outreach in a new and different way.  We have not forgotten what we learned in the past nor have we turned away from worship, witness, giving and other service.  We just might be planting a vineyard.  May the harvest of this renewal be overflowing.

What is God calling you to go and do?  Maybe you are being called to renew your focus, to use what you have learned in a new way.  Maybe, just maybe you are being called to go and do something gloriously new.  Whatever God has planned, He will equip you and renew your enthusiasm.  It’s time to find your vineyard.

Gracious and loving God,

We wake to a new day and new opportunities every day.  Help us to be faithful and to remain steadfast. Like Noah, may we serve you, using all that you have taught us and may we be open to your plans.  Let us feel renewed in our faith, our service, our witness and our love for others.  Grant us eyes to see your purpose for our lives and open to renewal.

In the name of your beloved son, Jesus Christ, we humbly pray.  Amen.

This devotion was written and read by Lisa Blackwood.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected].

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

We should always pay attention when we read, in the Book of Revelation, the command to write something down.  It is a way of saying, “This is really important.” In these verses today we have that word write, but even more is added, “these words are trustworthy and true.” It is as if God is wanting to underline and bold these words saying they are important and trustworthy and true.  

The problem is that we are not completely sure what promises are being highlighted by this command. It could be the pronouncement, “I am making all things new.” Others suggest that the emphasis should be on the promise that God will dwell among us. But I believe it is wanting us to hold on to both. 

If God is trustworthy and God’s words are true this means that God is living with us and among us right now and is at work daily making all things new. These are not promises that we have to wait for them to happen some day but instead a call to live into this reality today. 

How do we do this?  For me it means living each day with intentionality.  I start each morning reminding myself that this is a new day.  I am separated from what has happened and I try to block from my thoughts, at least for a few moments, any fears I might have concerning what might happen in the days and weeks to come.  I remind myself that as I start this day, it is a new day, a blank slate filled with possibilities and God is with me. 

With that thought firmly in mind I then look forward to this day. After all, God is with me, I can trust in that promise and I know that if I remain open God will give me many opportunities to relate to others with kindness and love.  God might even use me to be a bridge of hope to another who is going through a tough time.  

And what about those days when things are really tough, that what has happened and what is happening weighs us down? Knowing God is with me making all things new means that the worst things that happen are never the last thing, because God is living among us and promises us new life now and eternally.

Holy one, remind us daily of your presence.  Remind us daily that this is a new day, a gift that you have given us.  Let us embrace it and celebrate all the joy and love that will come our way.  Let us be mindful of all the ways we can share this hope and joy with others.  And if this is a challenging time for us, remind us you are with us, holding us and will see us through this moment until we find the new that you are already working at bringing about for us either now or eternally.  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/.

Second Corinthians is one of Paul’s most personal and heartfelt letters. He was the founder of the congregation at Corinth, but a serious conflict (most likely due to a change Paul felt compelled to make in his travel plans) created a serious rift between Paul and the believers of Corinth. This conflict led them to entertain rival missionaries that questioned Paul’s authority and led them in directions which Paul did not like. Additional letters between Paul and the church, which he references, led to his reconciliation with them. In this context, Paul reminds the people of Corinth of the basis of their salvation – their reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ. He goes on to instruct them that through the ministry of reconciliation, they are to be ambassadors representing Christ in the world. As God has forgiven them and no longer counts their sins against them, they (and we in our time) are to forgive others and extend grace.

Think what reconciliation would look like in the 21st century. If all human beings accepted salvation through Christ and then extended grace and peace to others, there would be no more wars, no more violence toward one another, no more arguments about who is “right” and who is “wrong” because we would recognize that we are all made new in Christ and all the old disagreements are simply irrelevant.

I confess that I am a confirmed optimist who always expects the best, but even I realize that this scenario is not going to happen because

1. We are imperfect in our humanity.
2. There are evil forces at work on earth that only God can overcome.

Even the most devout Christians among us fall short in striving to be like Christ, and we see evil at work in the world every day if we read a newspaper or watch the news.

That does not mean we are powerless in the face of evil and unable to follow Christ’s commands. Having confidence in our salvation and our mission as followers of Jesus enables us to take action. We can serve others in need, we can proclaim and live out our faith, we can be in constant prayer for others, and we can do our best to reconcile damaged relationships, We can be ambassadors for Christ in a broken, hurting world without being overcome by it.

Father, we thank you so much for the gift of salvation, our reconciliation with you through the death of your son on the cross. Help us to be bold ambassadors for You, encouraging others to seek and accept this gift, and to live in a way that pleases you every day. Amen.

This devotion was written and read by Pat Scruggs.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: [email protected].

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

This verse speaks to me in so many ways. Of course, the prophecy was fulfilled many times throughout biblical history for God’s people. But I think about times in our own recent history as Americans and in my own personal life that we pulled ourselves up by our bootstraps and rebuilt, with God’s help.

The Civil War laid waste to so much of our country. Particularly in the south where so much of the economy was based on agriculture and slave labor. Not only was there immediate devastation to infrastructure like roads, bridges, factories and farms, But with the loss of so much skilled labor it was difficult to gain the momentum to rebuild. Ultimately , we were able to not only recover but to thrive.

Recently, the damage from Helene caused so much destruction to our region and displaced so many of our brothers and sisters, you could only weep when you saw it. I have been heartened by the images of neighbors pulling together to help each other rebuild roads, bridges and homes. We are gradually restoring much of which has been lost.

Not only does this verse speak of physical restoration, I think it speaks about spiritual renewal. In my personal life, my husband and I suffered a loss of a job in a place where we had recently moved and weren’t fully part of a church community. The very day that he lost his job, we had two women visit us from a church we had recently visited. I was in tears when I answered the door, but these women came in and comforted me in a way that I knew God had sent them. That became a turning point in my relationship with the Lord. I am so thankful that God spoke through these two women and gave us hope to rebuild our life, stronger and sweeter than ever.

Dear Heavenly Father, Help us to understand that in times of destruction, there is an opportunity to rise from the ashes. You give us the strength and ability that we need and we are so very thankful for You and Your loving presence.

This devotion was written by Virginia Hardwick 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/.