Grace for All

For centuries people have asked the question, “Who is Jesus?” 

In the gospel of Luke chapter 9 the ruler Herod heard stories about Jesus and asked who he was. Some said he was John the Baptist, raised from the dead, or perhaps Elijah the prophet or one of the other prophet of long ago who had returned. Unconvinced Herod wanted to meet Jesus.

Later in that same chapter, Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do the crowds say I am?” Interestingly, the disciples gave Jesus the same answer that Herod received. Then Jesus change the question and asked the disciples, “Who do you say I am?” 

Peter answered, “The Christ of God,” which means the anointed one of God. Peter answered the question based on his experiences from traveling with Jesus. 

As we read through the gospels we find another person who had an even longer and closer relationship with Jesus. That person was James, his brother. Can you imagine if your brother told you that he was the anointed one of God? I think I would go to our mother and tell her that my brother is crazy. Essentially that is what happened. In the gospel of Mark, chapter 3 we read that Jesus’ mother and brothers went to a house where Jesus was telling stories, and in verse 21 it says they went to take charge of him for they said he is out of his mind. 

So how did Jesus convince his brother James that he was not crazy but was indeed the Christ of God? The answer can be found in First Corinthians chapter 15 were Paul tells stories of who Jesus met with after he was crucified dead and buried and then resurrected. In verse 7 it says that Jesus appeared to James. I wonder how that conversation went. “Hey James, do you believe me now?” 

We know the answer to that question because some years later James wrote a letter and in the greeting he introduced himself as James, “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Lord, may we have a relationship with you and know you as the Christ, the anointed one of God. 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/.

Isaiah 41:10 is a comforting verse for everyday life, but it is especially meaningful at times when we are apprehensive, afraid, and in need. God reassures us in this verse that he is with us always.

“So do not fear” - He doesn’t say that if we believe in him there will be no fearful situations in our lives. Quite the contrary. He implies that there will be those times in our lives when we need his “righteous right hand” to lift us up. 

“I will strengthen you and help you” - If we trust in Him, He will be there in trying times to strengthen us and help us face our fears and challenges. We are not alone in our struggles. He is our God, and we can rely on his power to sustain us.

“. . . for I am with you” -  God is always present – acknowledge throughout your day that he is near. As you learn to rely on Him, seek to help others with their fears and remind them that through God’s strength comes comfort, courage and contentment.

As you go about your day, it may be helpful to identify areas of concern or fears in your life, and bravely face them knowing that God is with you. Surrender your anxieties to Him and pray for his presence and strength in your life.

Father, we thank you for your promise and assurance.  We know you will be there in our times of uncertainty to uphold us with your righteous right hand. We pray for your presence when we are afraid or anxious. We surrender our weaknesses to you, knowing that the promise of your unwavering support will give us power to overcome our challenges and fears.

In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.

This devotion was written by Gary Hensley 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/.

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

Tell us what you think.

More importantly, 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/.

I’ve seen the New Year roll around nearly 70 times. Every year, some things happen just like they have every other year. People resolve to make changes. They consider it a time of “starting over.” Their resolve—or their determination—lasts for days or weeks. By this time in February, most resolutions have died, and the New Year isn’t new anymore. Always the same.

I always keep my New Year’s resolution. I only make one: I resolve not to make any New Year's resolutions. Check.

That doesn’t mean starting over isn’t precious. Every year, every day, some things do change. It’s the first year without a loved one who passed away last year. It’s the first day after losing a job. It’s the first day or first year after moving into a new house.

There are always firsts and lasts. Sometimes we know something is the first time or the last time. Sometimes we don’t. Six years ago, our oldest son spent the holidays with us. We didn’t know he would pass away only 10 days into the new year.

The inspired writer of Ecclesiastes advised us to recognize these facts of life. Traditionally, Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes. Legend says Solomon owned a ring that had inscribed within it a phrase representing the ultimate wisdom. The inscription read, “This, too, shall pass.”

It is a new beginning, not just because of the turning of a calendar page, but because today is not yesterday. We have all heard that the only constant is change. We can recognize that truth, implied by Solomon. We should also recognize the paradoxical opposite truth, stated by the writer of Hebrews in chapter 13 verse 8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever!”

Father, there is not a time in this universe that is not filled by you. Everything changes for us, your children, but you are always with us, and through the gift of your Son living as one of us and dying for us, you free us from the bonds of our past. Thank you, Father, for enabling us to start over. 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/.

Jesus follows this admonition with a parable about a man who concentrated his life solely on gathering possessions. He built large warehouses to store his goods. Every thought he had both waking and sleeping, he devoted to gathering unto himself more and more goods. And then suddenly, his life was over, and he was called to account for himself.

How easy it is to fall under the spell of greed. We see people all around us who have lots of things, and our first tendency is to envy those people. Our lives would be much easier if we had lots of things around us. Sometimes, like the man in this passage who asked Jesus to take his side in a family dispute, we want to enlist God on our side. We want him to be our advocate in gathering up the possessions that we seek.

God is indeed on our side. He is with us in every facet of our lives. But this admonition that Jesus gives to us against greed is one that we should take seriously. When does our desire for possessions become greed? Jesus tells us that our desires should not get in the way of our first responsibility as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven; that is, to seek first the righteousness of the kingdom. That should be our most precious and sought after possession.

Dear Lord, help us to remember to put the most important thing in our lives, your righteousness, as our number one goal . Amen.

This devotion was written by Jim Stovall and read by Leslie Ragland.

Outro:  Jonathan Outro 1 General

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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/.

Recently, I made a conscious decision to be more complimentary to people who serve and do their work. One day while having lunch at a local restaurant I had an opportunity to practice. 

It wasn’t difficult to see that our waiter was new at the job. He was meticulous in every detail making sure he was doing everything right. All the while he displayed a look of uncertainty. 

As we were leaving, I complimented him on a job well done. I was amazed at the transformation in the young man’s demeanor and the grace with which he accepted the compliment.  And I was encouraged that a sincere, small gesture of appreciation could have such a positive effect. Affirmation can be a blessing to those who show appreciation as well as those who receive it. 

Throughout scripture we are reminded of the power of our words and the dire warnings of careless and harmful speech.  As children perhaps we heard our parents wisely tell us “if you cant say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” Scripture tells us in Proverbs 16:24 that “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”

Our words can reflect the spiritual state of our soul. So, may we who know the Lord, ask God, like David, to search us and know our heart, try us, and know our thoughts and see if there are any offensive ways in us.

Dear God, thank you for the gift of communication. May we be wise in our speech, kind to others and diligent in our spiritual lives. Amen

This devotion was written by Steve Hankal 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/.

Luke paints a rich scene in this passage of Jesus commissioning 72 of his followers to go out to the surrounding area and to prepare those living there for his coming. Can you imagine being a part of this group? With whom will you be paired? How will things go?

Jesus is very specific in his instructions to these followers. They are to go certain places, and they are to do certain things. The instructions are meant for that particular time and place.

Sometimes, in our journey of faith, we may feel that it is not clear what we are to do, where we are to go, how we are to act. The Lord, we believe, has not given us clear instructions, and consequently, we may wind up doing very little.

Yet the harvest is plenty, and the laborers are few. Are all of the food pantries in your area well-stocked and overflowing? Are all of the elderly people who live near you well cared for? Are all of the children in your area well-clothed, well-housed, and well-fed?

As Jesus has said in this passage, the harvest is plentiful. Are you one of the laborers who can be counted upon?

Our Lord and Father, it is clear what you want us to do in your name. Give us the eyes to see and the will to do what you would have us to do on this very day. Amen.

This devotion was written by Jim Stovall 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/.

When I was young, I was fortunate to be a member of a church with a strong youth group. Not only did our church hold yearly revivals, but we also had yearly youth retreats. In addition, the district of which we were a part had yearly youth revivals. It was a time of emotion and searching for direction in my life.

I often thought of Paul and those around me that seemed to have instantaneous or dramatic conversion experiences, which left them changed and with a very clear picture of what God was calling them to do. It was just not happening to me. I begin to wonder whether I was missing something.

Over the years I have come to believe that there are others with the same experience that I have had. There is a gradual growth and understanding of God and our relationship with Him. God reveals His calling for us in each event in our lives.

Paul’s personality and life as Saul prepared him for God’s calling to his life as Paul. My personality and life prepare me each day to face the opportunities that God will put before me tomorrow. How I respond, tells others and me whether my life is really different because I know Jesus.

God. help me to see, hear, and feel what you what me to observe and then respond in a way that pleases you and brings you praise and a smile to your face.

This devotional was written by Alvin Jenkins 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/.

You and I have heard it and said it many times, “Don’t worry about it.“ We say that to each other, and we say it to ourselves. And yet we worry about everything. We worry constantly.

So what is Paul telling us in these verses? A close reading of this passage makes it clear that Paul is telling the Christians in Philippi, and us more than two centuries later, something more than just “don’t worry about it.“

What he is telling us here is how not to worry about it. “Let your request be made known to God.“ Of course, we should pray about what concerns us. But if we leave it at that, we miss a key element of how we should pray. 

Paul advises us that our prayers and supplication‘s to God should be made “with thanksgiving.“ We should not approach God with any of our worries, and say, simply, “take care of this.“ We should prepare our hearts and our minds with praise and thanksgiving for what God has done for us, for who we are and where we are. We have much to be thankful for, and if we have worries, we should leave them with God, but we should do so, with thankful hearts and thankful minds.

Our father, help us to carry a spirit that is not only worry free but thankful to you for all of the blessings that you have given to us. Amen.

This devotional was written 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/.

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, 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/.