Grace for All

Imitators of Christ

(our theme for October)

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Each day, a part of us passes away, and something new is born. Every cell in our being passes eventually and new cells are created continually. Each day we wake renewed—as potential. Every day we have a choice—one basic choice—to love.

To confess our sins is to accept the forgiveness of the resurrection and to accept our imperfection.  Recreating one’s self every single day gives the opportunity to accept the past and hope for the future. Each day gives us the opportunity to be the person we would like to be and not spend our time worried about what happened or the uncertainty of what might happen.

Reconciliation is the act of harmonizing. Reconciling one’s self to God means being in harmony. To harmonize, we must know the melody. To know the melody of God, we must understand the teachings of Christ who made the will of God visible to mankind. 

Any musician will tell you that worrying about missed notes—past or future—will ruin any performance. Missing a note allows us the opportunity to improvise. To improvise is to accept the reality of the moment and make the best of it. Missing a note and improvising provides us with surprises and chances to learn new things.

Accepting our imperfection and using a little improvisation as a prayer of forgiveness allows us to atone. Confessing our sins allows us to be at one with God- to reconcile- to harmonize- to make peace and move forward.

Like the human body, the body of Christ collectively is an ever changing organism reborn every morning moving forward. Accept your part and move forward. Better yet, welcome your part gladly and find joy in the surprises and opportunities that life presents. Each new day we are going on to perfection. Let us enjoy the journey.

Prayer:

Pray with me today and everyday that our paths are made straight by reconciling ourselves to God and going on to perfection in the knowledge that each moment is lived with promise and forgiveness.

This devotional 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/.

Imitators of Christ

(our theme for October)

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/.

Imitators of Christ

(our theme for October)

Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,  rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.  

One day this past scorching summer, I was filling a large watering can in order to water the potted flowers on my back porch.  I had set the can in my kitchen sink, which is near the back door, positioned the faucet over the top of the can, and turned on the water.  While the can was filling, I stepped back onto the porch to deadhead my flowers.  

I was unaware that when I had set the watering can in the sink, its spout was positioned  over the edge.  When I returned to the kitchen, just a moment too late to turn off the faucet, water was flowing out of that spout and onto the floor like a fountain.  

That’s how it is when something overflows, isn’t it?  One moment the container is simply full.  The next moment the contents are spilling out everywhere, pouring over the edges and into the surrounding space.

I want to be like that watering can, to receive Christ with gratitude until Christ fills my very being, spills over the edges and pours forth like a fountain into the spaces all around me.  I think this verse suggests that if Christ truly lives in me–if I receive Christ fully, not only will Christ live in me but Christ will spill out over all my edges, so that I live in Christ and overflow with gratitude.

Let us pray: 

Lord Jesus, come live in me, that I may live in you.  Fill me to overflowing such that your goodness and grace spill out over my edges, pouring blessings into all the spaces I enter this day.  My heart overflows with gratitude for your love and mercy.  Amen.

This devotional was written and recorded 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/.

Imitators of Christ

(our theme for October)

Ephesians 4:15 (NIV) Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

In a world filled with half-truths, hateful speech and conflicting messages, the call to "speak the truth in love" stands as a guiding principle for Christians. This verse from Ephesians reminds us of the delicate balance we are called to maintain in our interactions with others. It’s not just about speaking truth, but about doing so with love and grace.

When we speak the truth without love, our words can become harsh and unyielding. It’s easy to fall into the trap of using truth as a weapon rather than a tool for growth and understanding. This approach can lead to division, hurt feelings, and damaged relationships. The challenge is to let our truth-telling be motivated by a genuine concern for the other person’s well-being and spiritual growth.

Conversely, speaking with love but avoiding the truth can lead to complacency and a lack of real progress. While our intentions might be kind, failing to address difficult truths can prevent growth and healing. Truth-telling with love and grace requires honesty and transparency, not just soft words and pleasantries.

Jesus is our ultimate example of speaking the truth in love. His interactions were marked by a profound compassion that never shied away from addressing the deeper issues. He spoke truth to heal, to challenge, and to guide, always with a heart full of love.

Reflect on your recent conversations. Are there areas where you have spoken the truth without sufficient love, or perhaps avoided difficult truths out of fear of conflict? I know I have, many, many times. 

What are some things we can do to address these short comings?

We can ask God for wisdom and grace to approach sensitive topics in a manner that reflects His love;

We can pray for a heart that is both compassionate and truthful; and,

We can study the life of Jesus and note how He balanced truth with love and grace.

Let us Pray:

Father, thank You for the example of Your Son, Jesus, who embodied truth and love perfectly. Help me to follow His example in my own life. Give me the courage to speak the truth with grace and the wisdom to know when to address difficult topics. May my words reflect Your love and may I “grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” 

In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

This devotional was written by Gary Hensley 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/.

Imitators of Christ

(our theme for October)

Psalms 89: 1  I will sing of the Lords unfailing love forever young and old were here of your faithfulness. 

I heard a song recently called The Goodness of God. As I listened to the words, I began to think that this song was the testimony of my life.

My husband and I had been married only a few months when we made the decision to leave Tennessee and move to South Carolina to study for the ministry. We loaded up our car with all our belongings, which wasn't much, and moved.

We knew one person in South Carolina, and when we arrived, he was out of town. We had to find a place to live and get jobs. Believe me, God was faithful. We found a place to live.

When my husband registered for college, they had a system that students worked two weeks and went to school two weeks. So he was assigned a job. Then it was my turn to look for a job. I applied at the general hospital and was hired. I was fortunate to keep this job for the four years my husband was in college.

I will have to admit that some days were better than others but we did not doubt that we were where God wanted us to be. He had us by his hand all the wa. God was so good to see us through four years of college, three years of seminary, and 40 years of ministr. Yes, I will sing of the goodness of God every day for the rest of my life.

Please join me in prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your goodness mercy and grace. I am so blessed to have lived through your goodness and faithfulness and still do every day. I love you Lord. Amen.

Today's devotion was written by Ralphine Hood 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/.

Imitators of Christ

(our theme for October)

Luke 6:40 A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher. (NIV).

As a former teacher in college, I recall it can be somewhat intimidating when one of the students appeared to know more about a particular subject—or at least as much—as I did. My students were mostly adults. With the technology that college students bring to class today, it can also be a little intimidating as they can quickly Google a question and answer in a few seconds.

I once had a college professor who brought a half dozen books to his classroom lecture. I now believe he may have been a bit insecure on the subject.

One translation of this verse is, “An apprentice doesn’t lecture the master. The point is to be careful who you follow as your teacher.”

Even when I became fully credited following graduate school, I had never been taught how to teach. In my first teaching job, I tried to teach like my teachers. I found out that it takes some teaching experience to become a good teacher.

I treasure the Bible teachers from which I have learned going all the way back in my life to Vacation Bible School, Sunday school, sermons, Bible studies, the Emmaus Walk and other experiences. Whether it is tennis, pickleball or the Bible, we learn more when we are listening, watching and absorbing knowledge from someone who knows more or is more skilled than we are.

And even if we might know some things the teacher does not know, we should not challenge or embarrass the teacher but seek to become more like them in knowledge and wisdom. We should seek out good teachers who are knowledgeable and well prepared to share that knowledge with others. A good teacher is a gift from God.

Prayer: Dear God, help us to seek out teachers who will help us gain knowledge and wisdom. Thank you for all the great teachers I have had, and I pray that you will send us more as we want to learn more about you. Amen

 

This devotional was written by Emmit Rawls 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/.

Imitators of Christ

(our theme for October)

 

Galatians 5:25 (NIV) Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.  

 

In one of my favorite family photographs, a grandfather and his grandson are walking away from the camera, in perfect step.  The grandfather, in his straw hat and denim blues, and the little three-year-old boy in his t-shirt, shorts and baseball cap, are framed by a field of wildflowers as they climb a hill toward it.  Even from behind, it is clear that they are related.  The way they carry themselves is identical.  The man in the picture is my father-in-law, and the boy is my son.  In spite of their contrasting age and size, in their matching gait I see that they are replicas of one another.

 

I have always been struck by the way in which my father-in-law, my husband and his brothers–and  now my son–all walk alike.  Whether this is the result of genetics or learned behavior or a combination of the two, I do not know.  What I know, what I see is that they all have the same build, and the way in which they move in the world is remarkably similar.  My father-in-law is no longer with us, but when I look at my husband or my son, especially when I watch them walk, I see him in them.

 

In today’s scripture, Paul has just described to the churches of Galatia how it is evident when Christ-followers are living according to the Holy Spirit as opposed to their own worldly and physical desires.  He suggests that the evidence is found in the fruit of the Holy Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Then he instructs them, since they live by the Spirit, to keep in step with the Spirit. 

 

When I read this verse, I cannot help but think of that treasured family photo.  As a follower of Christ, made in His image, when people look at me, I want them to see something akin to what I see in that picture.  I want others to be able to picture me walking alongside Jesus, in step with him, moving as he would move, loving as he would love.   As the body of Christ, isn’t this our hope, to be so filled with the Holy Spirit, so made—or remade—in God’s image that our actions, the ways in which we live and move and have our being, bear witness to our relationship with and our love for Christ?

 

Let us pray: 

Holy Spirit, we desire nothing more than to walk in step with you.  Form us in your image, so much so that your fruit is evident in every action.  May others see in us a reflection of Christ.  And as we walk with you, may the love of Christ be evident to all.  Amen.

This devotional was written and recorded 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/.

Imitators of Christ

(our theme for October)

Philippians 3:10 

That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.

Imagine a vessel filling with water, and everytime someone takes a drink a spring fills the vessel to overflowing. The more people who drink from the vessel the more the flow of the spring grows. This is how I imagined Sunday worship at some point in my life, as a way to fill my heart so that I may give more. A way to be close with God and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

But if the vessel moves from its source and the vessel runs dry, it is not the spring that stops. It is not the spring that has moved. It does not fail. It is the human heart that has moved by the will of a human guided by a human that thinks it knows better. A human who is constantly seeking does not understand how to fill a heart with the wellspring of the Holy Spirit that will never run dry.

At some point I ask myself, if worship is what fills me then why only worship on Sunday?

If worship is the intent to show homage and reverence then a worship service of praise and thanksgiving is what may come to mind. But if worship is the act of rejoicing in the teaching of Jesus and the gift of the resurrection, then we come to realize that carrying out what has been asked of us is an act of worship and praise and thanksgiving and power and love. A Sunday worship service inside of a church is one small part of what we are called to do.

It is not a question of whether we are summoned to attend church or summoned to go into the world and serve. It is a question of how we are to worship both in the church building and in the world.

To give and never run dry, to give until you cannot give more, how is a person to do this? A task so impossible only Jesus can fulfill this role. Knowing the power of the resurrection is living life in belief, word, and deed that demonstrates understanding of who Jesus is and how we are commanded to act.

The ebb and flow of my ability to give and share in love is the result of my movement closer and farther from the Holy Spirit daily. I give, and if I do not recognize my source of the living water, I run dry. Maturity leads to a wholeness in love- a heart filled with the Holy Spirit by a perpetual spring rejoicing and praising -Hallelujah! 

My prayer for today is that I may worship and sing in praise the glory of God in each moment of my day. May I always remember that the source of my ability to love and be loved rests in the resurrection of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen and Hallelujah!

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/.

Imitators of Christ

(our theme for October)

Welcome to the Saturday episode of the Grace for All podcast. Thank you for joining us today. Saturday is a special time when we take a few moments to review the scriptures that we have cited in the episodes this week.

If you missed any of those episodes, you might want to consider listening to them today. And even if you heard them all, there may be one that you might want to listen to again. We hope that each of these scriptures and podcasts will bring you a full measure of joy, peace, and love.

Now, let's listen to the scriptures that have been on our hearts this week.

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

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

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

Imitators of Christ

(our theme for October)

Luke 6: 37-38 Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.

Well, that’s pretty clear, isn’t it? Give and you will receive. And the more you give the more you will receive.

What Jesus is giving us with this teaching is a life principle. Biblical wisdom. He is telling us this is how life works. Let’s look at a couple of examples.

We begin with something simple. Smiles. Most days I walk the Maryville-Alcoa Greenway. I smile and greet each person as I pass. Some of them are on bikes, some are walking dogs, some are in groups engaged in conversation. In other words, many are distracted. If I smile and speak about 90% of them return the smile and greeting. If I don’t, maybe 30% smile and speak. The more smiles you give the more you get.

Let’s go a step further. The more thanks you give the more you get. When we cultivate the habit of thanking others we create a climate of gratitude. Think of those who serve you daily—cashiers, waitstaff, garbage collectors. When we initiate kindness and thanksgiving, it returns to us. Gratitude is a boomerang.

We must also be aware that this life principle Jesus teaches us is equally powerful when we use it in negative and destructive ways. The more anger you give the more you get. Or criticism. Or prejudice. When we employ this truth negatively, life gets darker.

Francis of Assisi is known the world over for his love of God and all of God’s creatures. His was a life filled with acts of love and compassion and humility. As our closing prayer, pray with me his most famous prayer.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console. To be understood, as to understand. To be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.

It is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

This devotional was written and recorded by Herb Sadler.

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

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

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