Grace for All

Imitators of Christ

Romans 8:28-30 CEB We know that God works all things together for good for the ones who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose. We know this because God knew them in advance, and he decided in advance that they would be conformed to the image of his Son. That way his Son would be the first of many brothers and sisters. Those who God decided in advance would be conformed to his Son, he also called. Those whom he called, he also made righteous. Those whom he made righteous, he also glorified.

Some scholars believe the book of Job is the oldest book in the Bible in terms of when it was written. If so, it shows that one of our greatest misunderstandings of how God works in the world has been with humankind for a long time. Job’s friends appeared to believe that God caused Job’s problems because Job had not been faithful. People today often believe that God causes bad things to happen to us as punishment, and he causes good things as a reward in what’s known as the Prosperity Gospel.

But that’s not what the Bible says. It says that God takes whatever happens to us and works it for good for those called according to his purpose.

I think of it this way: Sometimes an academic organization puts out a “call for papers.” They invite anyone willing to write a paper on a certain topic that will follow a set of guidelines to submit such a paper. Those who conform to the guidelines the editors decided in advance are thus called. Those who meet the guidelines get accepted. Here’s what they DON’T do, though: they don’t decide in advance they will reject Donn King’s submission no matter what he writes or that Bobby Joe Tom Billy Useless will get published no matter how badly he writes.

God decided in advance that Jesus would be the model, and he calls us to follow. And no matter how bad things get, God uses those things to help those following Jesus for ultimate good. It doesn’t mean everything will be velvet roads and gentle streams, but, as Maya Angelou allegedly said, “God don’t waste pain.”

Would you pray with me?

Dear God, you have not promised us a life of ease, just as Jesus did not live such a life. But thank you for Jesus to lead the way, to show us how to deal with our pain through putting our trust in you. Strengthen us with the certainty of your presence and the promise of good coming from what happens to us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

This devotional was written and read by Donn King.

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

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

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

Imitators of ChristI John 2:6 NLTThose who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. 

This verse stings me almost everyday! I say I’m a Christ follower, but do I act that out by the way I live? The life of a follower of Christ is often referred to as a journey…to become more Christ like each and every day. 

When I was a new and young Christian I understood that certain huge sins were wrong…don’t kill, don’t steal. But what about lying? Is it better to lie than hurt someone’s feelings? As I’ve grown older and been mentored by some amazing people I’ve learned that these decisions are hard! Sometimes the right thing to do is complex. Sometimes earnest Christian’s will respond differently. 

What we should not do is fall back on the adage “That’s just the way I am.” In the Bible we have a witness to Jesus, to how he treated people. Sometimes with firmness, sometimes with compassion, but always with grace and love. 

Every difficult situation we encounter can be viewed through his eyes…even if the circumstances are different. Since cars  were not an option for Jesus, we’re don’t find road rage addressed in Scripture, but we do find ways to address anger and how to treat our fellow humans! “That just the way I am?”  I hope not! I pray to better tomorrow than I was today. 

Would you join me in prayer?

Creator God, you have created all that there is and humans in your image, please show us the way to be that image to everyone, in all places, and also to your creation. Forgive us when we fail and give us courage to keep going every single day. 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/.

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)

Philippians 2:5   Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.

What does it mean to have the same mind as Christ Jesus? We do our best to try to emulate his actions — feeding the hungry, donating to the poor, helping the oppressed. But does that really give us the same mind as Christ? This seems to be a higher call. Do the good deeds of Christ, but do them for the right reason. That’s a tall order. Am I making that donation to charity because there is a tax write-off? Do we feed others just to feel like we’re good people, or because we see that they are hungry? Are we helping the oppressed out of a sense of obligation? Or more challenging, which oppressed people are we helping? The ones with whom we agree? 

Goodness! That’s enough to give someone an existential crisis! Luckily, Paul goes on to give a bit more instruction, describing how Christ humbled himself, emptied himself, and, regardless of his divinity, lowered himself to humanity. In other words, it’s a reminder to not see ourselves as better than anyone else. Maybe that’s a good start down the road to having the same mind as Christ. 

Until we are there, I think we should heed the advice that many are given when learning a new skill: “fake it until you make it.” In other words, do the thing until it becomes part of you.

When I first was learning to conduct music, I felt like a fraud — what business did I have doing this? I’m not Bernstein or Toscanini! But through thorough study and lots of practice, I got better. Am I the world’s best conductor today? Of course not; I may not be the best conductor I know. But I have reframed my self-image into someone who doesn’t feel fraudulent, in fact, into someone who unashamedly identifies himself as a conductor.

However, when I feel that I’m doing pretty well, the gift of experience comes along and challenges that assertion, reminding me to practice humility. See, the irony is that we can’t get better at things unless we admit our shortcomings. We can’t improve until we’re honest about in what ways we need to improve. At the same time, if we see the new skill as insurmountable, or ourselves as a lost cause, we also will not be able to improve. Therefore, we have to engage in honest self-reflection, admitting what needs improvement and what is getting better. Humility, after all, isn’t just self-effacement. It’s honesty about where our shortcomings are in an effort to be better. Perhaps, then, having the mind of Christ, at least as a starting point, is to humble ourselves in an honest way, being truthful about our motivations, being mindful of our goals, and trying to improve. And, of course, praying for God’s guidance to help us do better. 

Let us pray:

God, we pray that you help us work toward having the mind of Christ Jesus. Give us the motivations, kindness, and humility he had. Until we are there, help us to be ever more Christlike in our thinking through honest, humble reflection. Amen.

This devotional 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/.

Imitators of Christ

(Our theme for October)

John 13:15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 

 

Imagine with me for a few minutes. You are one of Jesus' apostles. You have been with him since he started his ministry - about three years now. The things you have seen are amazing, even miraculous. You've seen him heal people and feed people. You were there when he walked on the sea. You've laughed with him, and cried with him.

 

You are gathered together for the Passover meal. You're a little anxious because Jesus has been saying some things in the last few days that you've never heard before and are a little confusing. He talked about "his burial," and how he will be "glorified," and "raised up." He rode into town on the back of a donkey as crowds of people cheered for him, saying "Hosanna," but now you're hiding - again.

 

You're sitting at the table, and you notice Jesus get up. He takes off his robe and ties a towel around his waist. You think, "What is he doing?" as he takes a basin and fills it with water. He kneels at the feet of the man across the table and begins to wash his feet. "Don't we have servants for that?" you ask yourself.

 

As he makes his way around the table, you get more anxious. As he takes your foot and washes it, you think, "This is God's son. Why is he doing this?" As he looks you in the eye you feel a warmth and love you have never felt before wash over you like a flood. You realize just how much he means to you.

 

When he finishes, Jesus puts his robe back on and sits down. He explains what he has done and then says, "For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you."

 

Later he drives the point home: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you. By this all people will know that you are my disciples.”

 

The next few days are the most momentous in history. Jesus is arrested in the middle of the night. He is put through a sham trial and crucified. You watch it all, in fear for your life. Later, Jesus comes to you, fully alive. He charges you to tell the world about him and what he has done. You spend the rest of your life doing just that, never forgetting the time Jesus washed your feet.

 

What are we to take from this? Jesus gave that commandment to his disciples the night before he was crucified. We just heard him give it to us in our imaginations. We read it in the Gospel of John, and it is as applicable to us today as it was then.

 

If we say we love Jesus and want to be like him, we are commanded to love other people. It's not a suggestion - it's a command. We show that love by serving people, and knowing that service really doesn't have limits. If God himself, through his son Jesus, can get on his knees and wash nasty feet, what right do I have to think any form of service is below me?

 

It's pretty simple, really. Love people. Show that love like Jesus did, by serving people, even if it means performing the lowliest task there is.

 

Prayer:

Father, thank you for the gift of Jesus and the gift of his resurrection. Never let us forget that service to those you love is what you require us to do. Give us the wisdom and courage to do so. 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/.

Imitators of Christ

(Our theme for October)

1 Peter 2: 21-23 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.

The writer of this New Testament epistle means for us to do good even if it means suffering. Do we really suffer when we try to do good?

Sometimes we do. All of us want to do good. None of us wants to suffer. When there is a choice between not doing the right thing, the good thing, and avoiding suffering, which should we chose? The writer makes it pretty clear.

Doing the right thing may mean giving up the things we treasure. It may cost us our time or our money. It may mean separating ourselves from things or people we enjoy. We may mean causing ourselves pain. In short, it may mean suffering.

We are reminded by the writer of Peter’s epistle that Christ suffered, too. He suffered even though he was divine and all-powerful. And the writer tells us how Christ reacted to his suffering.

He never sinned against anyone. He never deceived anyone. He never retaliated or threatened revenge against those who wronged him. He knew that God would take proper care of those who had caused his suffering.

Can we then be imitators of Christ? Can we accept the wrongs that people do to us without retaliating? Can we chose to suffer in order to do what is right?

That is our daily challenge – to act as Christ would act no matter what our suffering.

Let us pray:

Dear Lord, by your example, you have shown us how to act. Give us the strength and the will to imitate you today and each day in our lives. Amen.

This devotional was written and read by Jim Stovall.

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

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

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

Imitators of Christ

(Our theme for October)

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV)“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

What does it take to be imitators of God?  What is God like? 

God is LOVE!  To imitate him, we can do our best to display the Fruit of the Spirit - outlined for us in Gal. 5:22-23 – “…LOVE, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

This sounds wonderful…but it is so hard to constantly make this display!  Have you noticed that an election is approaching, and ugly words are bombarding the airwaves of social media and TV?!  Angry, hateful rhetoric and nasty name-calling spews from so many mouths!  I just want to make the hate-mongers wash out their mouths with soap!  But then I would be part of the problem!  So, I will pray when I am overwhelmed by the barrage of negative words.  I’ll pray over and over and I will cling to Jesus while biting my tongue!

It can be hard to get away from the negativity, so, I need to follow the advice found in Ephesians 4:29-32 – “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs that it may benefit those who listen.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every kind of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Great advice!  So, I will pray when I’m overwhelmed by the barrage of negative words.  I will remember how Jesus prayed for those crucifying Him.  Over and over, I will cling to Jesus while biting my tongue to keep from giving back the hate and negativity that I hear from so many sources!

My friends, please join me in striving to imitate Jesus and let’s pray right now…

“Father forgive them, they know not what they do.  And forgive me too Lord, for my harsh thoughts and feelings, for my negative and nasty words.  Guide me to LOVE my neighbors – all of them – and to forgive as much as I wish to be forgiven.  Help me to imitate you and Jesus.  And in His name we pray.  Amen.”

This devotional was written and recorded 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/.

Hope, No Matter What 

(our theme for September)

Mark 16: 1-5 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

This is a story that we hear during Easter. It is indeed The Greatest Story Ever Told because of what the women found at the tomb early that morning.

But in focusing on that part of the story, I think we might miss another story. It is more mundane, but it is one that we are likely to experience in our daily lives. In this version in Mark’s gospel, a set of women – three who are named and others who are not – decide to do a good and proper deed. They mean to anoint the lifeless body of Christ with spices.

But they have a problem. Who will roll away the stone that is blocking the entrance to the tomb? The women don’t have the strength to do it. And there – right there! – the story could have ended.

How often do we think about something good we want to do, but then it occurs to us that it’s impossible. And so we stop.

For some reason, these women didn't stop. It appeared that what they were setting out to do was impossible. But they went anyway. And as it turned out, the thing they thought would be the biggest problem had already been solved by the time they got to the tomb.

In fact, what they set out to do wasn’t even necessary. Instead, they received the news that changed everything.

God has more in store for us that we can ever imagine. That’s what those women found out that day. If we just start down a path that God has laid out before us, there is no telling where we might end up.

Our prayer today:

Dear Lord, help us to focus not on the problems in our lives but on the paths of righteousness where you give us opportunity to travel. Help us to trust in your strength and your grace. Amen.

This devotional was written and read by Jim Stovall. 

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

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

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

Hope, No Matter What 

(our theme for September)

Today’s scripture is found in Romans 15:13, reading from the New Living Translation.

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

This verse is found near the end of the book of Romans and even though it is not quite the end of the chapter, it still sounds like a doxology or an expression of praise to God commonly expressed as believers go forth from worship into the community.  Even though it is only two sentences, there is a lot packed into these words. 

The first important part is recognizing that God is the source of our hope.  Hope cannot be seen, but it certainly can be felt and as we grow in our relationship with God, hope becomes a very strong and real expression of our faith and feelings.  I really like where the scripture goes from here, acknowledging that God, the source of our hope will fill me completely, yes completely, with joy and peace.  I want that complete feeling of joy and peace as I go through life and this verse says I can have it because I trust in God.

The second sentence only gets better.  We move from being filled completely with joy and peace to overflowing with confident hope.  If you think about it, there is a significant transition here between these sentences.  The shift is from me being completely filled, a very personal thing, to me overflowing which is going to impact those other people around me.  My hope can overflow to them and if they don’t understand my joy and peace, I can share the good news with them (the Gospel) about the source of my hope coming from God and his love for each of us.  And there is one more promise in these words, that this will all be done with the power of the Holy Spirit.  It is the Holy Spirit that guides us and gives us the words when we don’t know what to say.  So, the hope that fills us not only comes from God, not by my efforts, but it is a gift from God with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 would be a great verse to commit to memory but it can also be easily paraphrased to be remembered.

Pray to God, Be filled completely with joy and peace, Trust in God, Overflow with hope with the Holy Spirit.

Will you join me in prayer? 

Father, God, we thank you for these simple words of assurance that give us an understanding of the power of prayer, the promise of joy and peace, and an overflowing of hope to share with those you place in my path.  Come Holy Spirit and guide us.  Amen

This devotion was written and recorded by Owen Ragland. 

If these words have a special meaning to you, please consider sharing them with a friend.

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/.  

Saturday, September 28, 2024

Hope, No Matter What  (our theme for September)

Thank you for joining us for today's Grace for All podcast.

On Saturdays, we pause for a few moments to look back on our week and to review the scriptures that we have used in our podcast. We encourage you, after listening to this episode, to go back and listen to the episodes you missed, or to review the ones that were particularly meaningful for you.

We trust that the thoughts that we have shared with you this week have provided a full portion of the joy, peace, and love of Jesus Christ. Now, let's listen to this week's scriptures.

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

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

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