Grace for All

Lent When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has annointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. Then he began to speak to them. “The scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”(Luke 4: 16-21)

It long has been recognized that the more clearly an organization understands its mission and the more nearly it operates by that mission, the more effective it is. This is true of corporations, non-profits, athletic teams, and other organized groups, including churches. So the fundamental question for any group to ask is: what is our mission?

It likewise is true that individuals who discover a personal mission and build vision and behavior around it likely live highly productive and rewarding lives. Therefore, all of us would do well to ask ourselves: what is my mission in life?

As Jesus began his ministry he announced his mission when he preached his very first sermon in his home synagogue in Nazareth. It’s worth noting that this came after he had: 1) Been baptized, and in effect, commissioned; 2) Spent 40 days of preparation and discernment in the Judean wilderness. The mission statement of Jesus, which we read a moment ago, is followed by his declaration, “The scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day.” In other words, Jesus was saying of the Isaiah prophecy, “This is me. This is what I came to do. This is my Mission!”

Those of us who have pledged our allegiance to Jesus as Lord and Savior, who have committed to follow in his steps, should see that his mission must become our own, and we are called to the very people he identified in his inaugural public message. Notice again, who these people are:

1. The poor
2. The captives
3. The blind
4. The oppressed.

It is easy to forget that our Lord saw his mission to the marginalized of society. And Christians, when we understand Jesus, know these are the very people we are to be lifting up. It was his mission. And it’s ours.

Prayer

Dear God, Forgive us when we limit Jesus to what he means to us and what he has done for us. Remind us again that belonging to him means that he sends us out to where there is brokenness and darkness. Help us to make his work our work, and his people our people. Amen.

Today’s devotional was written and read 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/.

Lent

Listen to the Scriptures from the previous week of devotional episodes. This episode is a mix of Bible verses with music. It's a different experience, even if you've already listened to every episode.

Check it out.

Tell us what you think.

More importantly, what did this episode make you think more about Jesus?

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/.

Lent “While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5)

Blaise Pascal lived in the 1600’s and wrote, “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.”  These words are so appropriate for today!  Except, we do sit still in rooms, not in quiet, but with a device speaking to us.  We are constantly bombarded with noise, news, and sound. 

 

God is not very likely to yell at us from a cloud, as he did Peter! He is more likely to come as he did to Elijah on that mountain, not in a windstorm, earthquake, or fire, but in a “still, small voice.”  Without sitting in the quiet, how can we hear God’s still, small voice?  How can we “listen to Him”?

 

Jesus modeled this way of listening for us.  He withdrew alone from the crowds and noise, to pray.  He listened and heard when God spoke in that still, small whisper.  We must emulate Jesus!  We need to withdraw, to be alone, to pray silently and to listen for that “still small whisper.” We need this daily.  But we won’t make it happen without disciplining ourselves as Jesus did.  Make a vow to withdraw, unplug, turn off electronics and find time to tune in to God.  Just listen!  He might be whispering right now…

This 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/.

Lent “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:27)

 

Easter is an amazing time to be a Christian. For me, the methodical nature of the days leading up to the “big event” are comforting and familiar. My daughters also enjoy the intentional reminders of what Christ has done for us, and continues to do for us.

 

On Ash Wednesday, we were reminded of the importance of knowing our sins and naming them. After putting the sign of the cross on our heads, we had some very open ended conversations about the meaning of the season.

 

Our scripture passage today, Luke 14:27, reminds us that we must repent of all of our sins, and acknowledge that we are sinful. This is the only true way to be a disciple of Christ. In the days leading up to Easter enjoy all of the wonderful intentional reminders of what Christ has done for us, and take the time to give all your sins to God. It feels amazing to let them go!

Let us pray

Lord, in this season of Lent, may we follow you intentionally.  Teach us what it means to bear our own crosses, and to truly become your disciples.  Forgive us of our sins, in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Today’s devotional was written by Kristy Weekley 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/.

Lent But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. (Luke 6:27)

 

In reading this verse alone, without the context of the surrounding verses, I am at first reminded of the time, later in Luke (Chapter 10), where Jesus is questioned by a lawyer about the greatest of all commandments. Jesus asks the lawyer what he thinks. Love God and love your neighbor as yourself. Correct, says Jesus. But then the lawyer asks, “But who is my neighbor?” That question provides Jesus with the opportunity to relate possibly his most beautiful parable, the Good Samaritan.

 

In this passage, no one asks, “Who is my enemy?”

 

We don’t have to ask. Many times in our lives, enemies surround us. We have no trouble identifying them. And therein lies the problem. We can, indeed, identify our enemies.

 

Jesus calls us not only to action but to “listen” and think deeply about what he is saying. If we do that, we may discover a hidden but essential truth. The person we love, because we love that person, can no longer be our enemy. We cannot identify that person as an enemy.

 

Yes, there may be those who “hate us.” But we are not responsible for the feelings of another person. We are responsible for our own feelings and actions. If we follow this divine command, we will have no enemies.

Prayer

Loving God, show us how to follow your example, to love those who might hate us, to show love to those we might consider enemies.  Let us be transformed in Christ, that we might become friends to all the world.  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/.

Lent God is spirit and it is necessary to worship God in spirit and truth. (John 4:24 CEB)

She went to the well to draw water. A task she had done daily for most of her life. In the midst of this routine part of her life she encountered a stranger and everything changed. From Jesus she learned that worship was not focused on a place or time. God's Spirit was everywhere and you can encounter God at any time, in any encounter with another and in the midst of the most routine tasks. This truth transformed her life.

 

There is a church in Samaria over what is claimed to be Jacob's well, the site of this encounter. Here they honor this woman, who before this meeting with Jesus, was shunned because of her questionable lifestyle. This church considers her to be a saint, one to be honored and whose life teaches us how to live. All because she was open to God's spirit breaking into the routine of her life.

 

As you go through these days of Lent, look for God's Spirit in every moment. Be surprised at where it explodes into your life. Be expectant that God might be wanting to transform you just as the woman at the well was transformed.

 

Prayer

Loving God, fill us with your Spirit. Make us aware of your presence everywhere and in likeness to you. Amen.

This devotional was written by Rev. 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/.

Lent He shows mercy to everyone, from one generation to the next, who honors him as God. (Luke 1:50 CEB)

In Deuteronomy 5:9, God says “…I punish children for their parents’ sins—even to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me.” This scripture has always troubled me. I have struggled to understand what it means, because my faith is grounded in the love and mercy of God.

 

Over time, I have come to understand these words not so much as a message about punishment but about consequence. Throughout history, human sin has resulted in a legacy of suffering. Colonization, slavery, and the Holocaust all caused trauma that extended—and still extends—through many generations. 

 

Deuteronomy 5:10, continues, “but I show love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.”  This sounds just like Mary’s song, signifying redemption.  For where sin and suffering are great, God’s loyalty, grace and mercy are greater. 

 

The promise of redemption is the heart of our Christian faith. During this season of Lent, when my thoughts turn inward and I meditate on brokenness and failure and repentance and forgiveness, I need reminders of this promise.  Mary sings of God’s mercy at a time which must have been fraught with uncertainty, fear, and shame.  She had received the assurance of an angel, but she still had to live under the scrutiny of the world.  Her words remind me that God’s mercy prevails where humankind’s does not.

Prayer

God, we are ever grateful that where our sin and suffering are great, your love and mercy are greater. In humility and repentance, may we turn to you, that future generations may be blessed.  In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.  

This devotional was written 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/.

Lent

Episode 100

“Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much, and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much.” (Luke 16:10 NRSV)

Today’s devotional was written by Dr. Dwight Dockery and read by Donn King.

 

When I was at East Carolina University, there was a particular practice room with a poster on the wall that read, “Practice doesn’t make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.” In the technical skill of music, as with other disciplines and activities, merely going through the motions of practicing doesn’t actually improve one’s abilities; instead, it must be intentional practice that reflects the intended end goal in order to achieve the results for which we wish.

Or, put more simply, practice doesn’t make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect. And said another way, conductors like me often tell our ensembles, “You will perform the way you rehearse.” 

That’s what I think this scripture is getting at. So often, we allow ourselves those moments that we think don’t really matter in which we aren’t the best versions of ourselves. We tell the little white lie; we break a traffic rule when no one is around; we do whatever the thing is that we think doesn’t matter because who does it really hurt, anyway.

The trouble is that what we do when no one else is around does matter. A famous quote by basketball coach John Wooden says, “The true test of a man's character is what he does when no one is watching.” Those little decisions we make lead us toward bigger decisions of character, and those bigger decisions of character ultimately reflect who we are. That’s tough. I know I struggle with those little moments, but my prayer is that God helps guide me toward better choices so that in all moments—large and small—I can be a person I am proud to be.

Let us pray.

Lord, teach us to be faithful in the little things as well as the big things, to be our best and do our best in moments large and small, that we may bring glory and honor to you in all things.  Amen.

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/.

Lent

Listen to music and Scriptures from this past week of episodes.

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/.

Lent The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. (Psalm 118:22-23)

Jesus quoted this Psalm after undergoing another challenge from the Pharisees,

It was just a short time before his arrest and crucifixion and he used these words

to prophesy not only his death but his resurrection. The Apostle Peter would

again quote these words when he was arrested and brought before the

Sanhedrin. He reminded these leaders that though they had rejected Jesus God

had raised him and made him the way to salvation.

The Bible is full of stories of flawed leaders who became foundation stones in

lives of faithful people through time. Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Sampson, King

David and more from the Old Testament are all people who had serious

character flaws but God did not reject them. In the New Testament again we think

of James and John and Peter, disciples with flaws. Paul admits to all of his

defects but look how God used him.

For me this is part of the good news of our faith. When I look at my life I focus

too fully on the flaws instead of remembering how God has used and is using

me. When I look at some others, it is easy to reject them because of life choices

they have made, instead of asking what God is doing in their lives.

Ours is a faith of redemption.  God takes what some might reject and uses it

for good, Our faith is peopled with examples of this. We follow One whom the

society of his day rejected, but God exalted. This reminds me that God never

rejects me. This is grace and it is marvelous in our eyes.

Let us pray.

Lord when I am feeling down remind me that you have not rejected

me. When I forget and put others down remind me that you love them and have

not rejected them. For we follow one who was rejected but became the chief

cornerstone of our faith. AMEN

Today’s devotional was written by Bill Green, 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/.