Grace for All

A dear friend and mentor of mine, a long time children’s Sunday School teacher taught me to memorize and keep a “pocket verse” always with me.  Today’s scripture is my pocket verse.  I even have a small, framed version given to me by friends.  

Truth is, if I don’t pay attention and allow it, I become a stressed worrier.  I can play “could have, should have, would have, and what if” with the best of you.  When I find myself in a stressful or tense situation, I lean on my faith, guided by that pocket verse. Often, as I face serious choices, medical tests, family issues, even scary traffic situations, I seek quiet.  

Faced with conflict, you may witness me step off to the side to “regroup” or breathe.  Before I am called to participate and serve in a public setting, I always find a moment to center, prepare and seek God’s strength and confidence.  That pocket verse is very real for me.

In our current world, we often hear “just breathe” when facing a difficult moment.  Actually, its excellent advice.  Because, in that moment of breathing, whether it be short or long, we have a chance to center, connect and focus on God, our relationship and our work together.  We lean in and on His wisdom.  Indeed, we are weaving our hearts with His love and guidance.  

Our quietness, shutting out all the other distractions, is never wasted. It is not passive, but rather an active seeking and bonding.  In that quietness, we listen – really listen and once again have the strength and confidence to face life.

So, yes – “just breathe” is accurate.  Breathe in God’s presence and care.  You are intertwining your life, your hope with Him.  We must remember though, we need to breathe, to surround ourselves with quiet not only in the hard times, but also in the good moments. God longs for us to share our lives with Him fully.

In the quiet moments of breathing in God’s presence, we find our strength.  What a blessing to settle in and to breathe in God’s quiet and strengthening presence.  As we face life’s challenges, let us be filled with the confidence and peace of God’s love and remember to breathe.  

Loving God, we come to you in this moment in quiet and away from the noise of our day.  We pray that our lives will be connected and bound with your love and strength.  Provide us with the confidence that only your love can provide.  We seek to be always aware of your presence and remain confident in our service.  We lift this prayer in the name of your son, Jesus Christ.  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/.

I recall a story I heard a pastor tell. His granddaughter and another girl got into a lively game of comparison.  One would say what they could do and then the other would come back with something even better.  Finally his granddaughter said, “I can walk fifty-nine miles.”  The other girl said, “You can’t!” His granddaughter then said, I can take my grandpa’s hand and keep up with him and he can walk fifty-nine miles so I can walk fifty-nine miles if I hold his hand.”

The pastor went on to say, “Though my granddaughter might be wrong as to how far I can walk, she is not completely wrong, for when she holds my hand she can do things which otherwise she could not do.”

That story has stayed with me for many years and it, along with Isaiah 41:10’s promises have been a source of strength and hope when times are difficult.  In Isaiah we are reminded that God is with us, strengthening us and helping us. Then the great promise, “God is holding us with God’s righteous strong hand”, or I would say, “Wen I place my hand in God’s strong hand I will not be afraid. “ Many has been the time when I am in difficult times that I have thought, “How am I going to manage?”  I fear and wonder, “Can I do it? Am I strong enough?”  Then I pause and reach out mentally seeking for that righteous strong hand and my fears subside for I know God is with me. With God I can do so much more than I believed possible because I am holding on tight to that powerful hand. 

As an example: I was asked to teach at a conference.  Never before had I been in front of so large a group.  There were many sitting there with as much and likely more knowledge on the subject than I had.  I was afraid of looking foolish.  I considered not doing it but I knew that I would let a lot of people down. So I studied and worried.  The night before the event was to start I lay awake far into the night filled with dread concerning the day to come.  Then I remembered this verse telling me not to fear for God was with me.  A peace came over me.  I recalled the study I had done, the passion I felt for the topic, and the realization that God was with me.  I went to sleep and slept soundly and the next day I gave my presentation calmly and with joy.  I did more than I thought I could do because I was holding onto God’s righteous hand. 

So are you facing a difficult choice?  Are you facing an uncertain tomorrow because of your health or the health of a loved one?  Are there situations that weigh on your heart?  Remember, you are not in this alone.  Reach out and take ahold of God’s righteous hand and do not fear.  You will find that you can do much more than you thought possible and that you can face these situations with love and grace. 

Loving God, when we are filled with doubt or fear remind us that you are there, holding us and helping us.  May we always place our ives in your hands and find love and peace, AMEN. 

This devotional was written by Bill Green and read by Donn King.

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

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

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

Before I retired I had a habit that was as regular as the sunrise. As soon as dinner was finished on Sunday night, I realized that the weekend was essentially over and I started thinking about the week to come. I'm not a checklist person, and this exercise rarely produced anything on paper. I just rehearsed the meetings I knew were coming up, situations I needed to handle, and other significant events I was expecting, both professionally and personally.

I believe it is always a good thing to plan for contingencies and to use resources wisely. It was inevitable, however, that I often went beyond contemplation and planning and into worry.

There are many dictionary definitions for worry. I like the Stoic definition: "a negative mental state arising from focusing on things outside of one's control."

Our scripture today comes from Jesus' Sermon On the Mount, which we find in the 5th, 6th, and 7th chapters of the Gospel of Matthew. It is the third time in this passage that he tells his disciples not to worry, The previous times were meant to encourage them not to worry about daily needs.  He uses the example of nature to illustrate that God knows our needs and stands ready to provide. 

In verse 34 Jesus takes a small turn and urges his disciples (and us) to not worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow is out of our control. He wants us to know that we should live life in the present, because that is how God provides: In his "model prayer," just a few verses before he says to pray, "Give us today our daily bread;" When the nation of Israel was wandering in the desert, he provided bread for them on a daily basis.

I don't know about you, but I find that to be easier to say than to do. Humans are prone to worrying, and it takes incredible strength not to. Fortunately for us, we have access to the most incredible strength there is - God's strength.

How do we access God's strength?

Start by praying and asking for it: Philippians chapter 4, verse 6 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

What happens when we do that? Verse 7 says, "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Jesus never taught that we would not have trouble. Not worrying about tomorrow does not mean to live frivolously or not think about or plan for the future. He simply tells us that we should trust God every day, and if we do that, tomorrow will take care of itself.

Father, thank you that you know our needs, our concerns, and our desires. Forgive us for trying to take control of those things from you by worrying. Always remind us that you are in control, no matter what. 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/.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” 

As a musician, specifically a vocal musician, there are many sayings and phrases that instantly bring to mind a particular song. It’s worse for my wife, who suffers from chronic earworm-itis. But really — I guarantee that if, in a choral rehearsal, you said the phrase, “let’s start at the very beginning,” you would be met with a chorus of “a very good place to start” in response. It’s such a powerful involuntary response that it may even happen before the choristers are aware that they’ve done it.

It is hard to hear certain scriptural passages without hearing musical settings of those texts, as well. Especially during Advent and Christmas, and lesser so during Lent and Easter, I hear the words used in Handel’s Messiah all over the place — “Glory to God in the highest” “Comfort ye, my people…” “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace…” You get the idea. 

One of my absolute favorite moments in the whole work is not one of the grand choruses — it isn't a chorus at all. In fact, it isn’t particularly grand. It is the penultimate movement of the first (or so-called “Christmas”) portion of Messiah. Originally, Handel wrote it as a soprano solo, but he had the great inspiration to alter it later on to be the only duet in that part of the work, in fact, one of only two duets in the entirety of the work.

The reason this movement is such a favorite moment in the work for me is twofold. First, in full disclosure, it’s one of the pieces I love hearing my wife sing more than just about anything else on the planet. Just thinking about hearing her sing it causes tears to well up in my eyes. But second, the alteration that Handel made to it is pure genius. The thing that makes it genius is that it’s so simple. You see, this movement contains two texts: Isaiah 40:11, which reads “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd, and he shall gather the lambs with his arms and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.” and Matthew 11:28-29, which reads, “Come unto him all ye that labor, come unto him, ye that are heavy laden, and he will give you rest. Take his yoke upon you and learn of him, for he is meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Now, admittedly, these are paraphrases of both scriptures by Handel’s librettist, Charles Jennens, and the juxtaposition of the two passages, an Old Testament prophecy with a New Testament fulfillment is beautiful in and of itself. But combined with the brilliant brightening of this key change and change of voice type… it’s as if the heavens open and we can glimpse the face of God. Well, it is for me, at least, especially when I get to hear my wife sing it. 

Moreover, I think Handel knew what he was doing. This moment in Messiah gives me, and I dare say anyone who hears it, a moment of rest. The lilting triple meter makes the listener feel as though they are being gently rocked by a loving mother. In short, it embodies the scripture that it quotes.

God, for those times when music provides us rest, and especially for those times when music allows us to hear your voice more clearly, thank you, and may we always pay attention. 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 firstchurch.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/.

In 1972, singer-songwriter Gary Wright was gifted an autobiography written by an Indian philosopher by his friend and former Beatles band member George Harrison. In this book, he came across a poem entitled “God! God! God!” He was inspired by a line referring to the mind weaving dreams, and thus, he coined the term “Dream Weaver.” He wrote it down in his journal and later allowed it to become the title of one of his most well-known songs in 1975.

When asked about what the lyrics to his song meant, he stated that he never really came across an explanation that he was satisfied with, until reflecting on the lyrics deeper.

“Dream Weaver, I believe you can get me through the night…I believe we can reach the morning light.” Ultimately realizing that his proposed “dream weaver” was someone with infinite compassion and love, always walking by us even through the darkest valley, and carrying us through our trials and suffering, none other than God.

While thinking of a topic for this devotion, this song would not leave my mind, and I feel with this interpretation it’s message and poignance ring true. Even if we walk through the darkest valleys, God is our dream weaver and will get us through the night and ensure we shall fear no evil, as he is always beside us.

Dear God, our dream weaver, thank you for carrying us through the night and the darkest of valleys. May we always remember to fear no evil so long as you are beside us and let our hearts not be troubled by your unwavering compassion and guidance through times of trouble, as you are always there. In your name, amen.

(The scholar in me is also compelled to link the article where I got the info on Gary Wright’s inspiration to write this song. It’s quite a fascinating read.)

https://www.songfacts.com/facts/gary-wright/dream-weaver

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/.

When I was a teenager, a man leading our Sunday school lesson told us about a message that many of you have probably read over the years. The author describes two sets of footprints in the sand progressing along the shore but only one set during the roughest times in life. As the message continues, the author questions God, “why did you abandon me during my darkest times?” God’s response is, “I didn’t abandon you. I was carrying you.”

Decades later I remember this not just because of the beauty of this lesson but because of the emotion of the man who shared it. It was not a sentimental wish or a lesson for children. It was a reality for him because you could tell he had experienced it and felt the truth of it.

When we go about living our lives and everything is typical, there is so much noise and distraction we don’t always stop to listen and experience God by our side.

When things go wrong and we are crushed in spirit by the hardest events in our lives, we might feel we are experiencing silence. Our family and friends may not call, or we may not answer the phone. We may feel abandoned and lonely. But what if the silence is actually the calm? What if that sense of loneliness is a call to focus and be with God, to embrace and be embraced? 

This does not mean that we are not crushed in spirit. I do not mean to say that we will not be lonely or sad in these moments. In fact, we may be crying, hurt, and brokenhearted. But let us pause to listen for the footsteps of God. Let us rest our souls in the arms of God as he carries us wounded as we are. Let us look for where God leads us and how we may heal. Let us dry our tears on the hem of the garments of Jesus and be healed. Slowly. Together. As one.

Lord, when I am weak, you are strong. May I rest in your arms and share in your strength. Please give me the strength and the foresight to know that you are with me—always. Amen.

This devotion was written by Jill Pope 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/.

As we roll into our new year I’m thinking of Peace.  I’m pretty sure most of us want peace…

• Peace in the world, not war
• Peace in our country, not hatred and fighting
• Peace in our families, not bickering and anger
• Peace in our hearts and minds, not angst, worry, and fear

Our verse today, seems to say that God offers this PEACE we are looking for.  But where is it?  Why don’t I feel it?  How do I find it?  How can it be implemented and how can it last?

What about all those people whose wants are not in line with my dream, my desire, my definition of peace?  Does all the turmoil need to be resolved for Peace to come and guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus?

Thankfully, the answer is no.

This verse makes the promise that was extolled in Helen Lemmel’s 1922 hymn…

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus.  Look full in His wonderful face, and the things of the world will grow strangely dim, in the light of His Glory and Grace.”

The Peace of God is not a promise that the worry and bother and pain of this world will suddenly end.  That longed for Peace of God will stand strong, guarding our hearts and minds if we let God dwell in the center – in our soul.

Placing and holding God at the center of who we are, is the direct pathway to this Peace.  We must learn to follow Jesus, to withdraw as he did, to find solitude and time to pray, as he did.  And in our quiet time, alone with God, in prayer, we must listen for God’s comforting promises, for his Word of Peace to our hearts.  We must listen for God, instead of doing all the talking – you know, asking God for all the things we hope and wish for.  We need to put down that wish list and ask God for His Will, His Peace, His comfort.

If we pray for Peace, but then give God our list of all the things we need for our design of Peace – I think we might be very disappointed.  God’s peace may not look like our definition. 

“Go into your room and pray…your Father will hear you…and the Peace of God will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”  This doesn’t mean God will fix all your broken issues, give you all your worldly desires, or remove all your problems.  His plan is so much more than we can understand.  Instead of changing the world the way we want it changed, we need to trust the way God wants to change us.

Perhaps we’ve got our picture of peace all wrong.  So let’s turn our eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face, and let the things of the world grow strangely dim,” as we bask in the glow of his Grace.  Sitting in the light of that LOVE, we can feel our hearts and minds wrapped in PEACE.

Lord, help us to turn our eyes and hearts fully upon you, that we not only feel this beautiful Peace that passes all understanding; but that it overflows into our thoughts, our word and our actions, and that your Peace spills out into the world from us, as a shining example of your LOVE and promises.  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/.

When I worked at a newspaper, we routinely referred to a news report as a story. That doesn’t mean it was make-believe—despite the efforts of some politicians to foster distrust of the news media, reporters go to extremes to verify the factuality of their reports. Such news reports are called “stories” because they usually have all the marks of classic story structure, which simply focuses on people facing challenging circumstances that change them.

As I write this, the world has recently seen several true stories play out through the news, including the imposition of martial law in South Korea for six hours. Those stories included that of An Gwiryeong.

As parliamentarians scrambled to get inside the National Assembly building to reverse the emergency measure, video happened to capture the scene of Gwiryeong confronting a soldier trying to stop the lawmakers. She grabbed his automatic rifle and tried to tug it away while yelling “Aren’t you ashamed?” As the soldier backed away, he raised the rifle toward the woman. She grabbed it again as it was pointed at her chest, still yelling, before he turned and walked away.

She told the Associated Press, “I was scared because I’m just a human. But as I said, the thought that we must stop them was stronger than my fear.”

Passion doesn’t banish fear. It just overwhelms it. When we keep the gift of ministry ablaze, a gift we all have in some form, we can be bold, loving, and sensible in exercising those gifts.

Father, when we get shy, we fear judgement from other humans. Shyness doesn’t come from you, though. Help us to remember the special gifts of ministry that DO come from you, and enable us to use them in service to those who need us. In the name of Christ we ask this, Amen.

This devotion was written and read by Donn King.

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

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

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 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/.