Grace for All
"Grace for All" is a daily devotional podcast from the laity of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. Each episode presents scripture and a brief reflection, written and recorded by members of our church. These short episodes are meant to inspire you and support your journey of understanding and faith. We believe the central message of Jesus is one of grace. Grace for all human beings. Grace for All is a podcast ministry of First United Methodist Church, Maryville, TN
Love is a Verb
Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.Proverbs 17:17 (The Message)
Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.I believe the kind of love spoken of in both of these scriptures is Agape love—love which is selfless, unconditional, and sacrificial. It is rooted in goodwill and action rather than feeling.
I have heard it said that it is better to have a friend nearby than a brother far away. I ha...
Serve Humbly
Galatians 5:13 (NIV)
Serve one another humbly in love.This is an eye-opening scripture for me. As I have been thinking and reflecting on it these last couple of weeks, memories have been flooding in of people I have known and know who serve humbly often. First, it is important to think about what a humble servant actually looks like. They are not proud, don’t believe they are better than others, respectful, modest, gentle, and unpretentious. Admirable qualities, though they don’t always come naturally. In James 4:6, we read that “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the...
Scripture Saturday (February 7, 2026)
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 1stChurch.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...
Where is the Love?
Proverbs 10:12 (NIV)
Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers all wrongs.There have been several songs written through the years about love being something the world needs now more than ever, with such examples heavy on my mind lately being “Where is the Love?” by the Black-Eyed Peas and “What the World Needs Now is Love” by Dionne Warwick. In watching recent news stories regarding the atrocities that have taken place in Minnesota at the hands of ICE, I feel that the lyrics of each of these songs are something that we ought to be payin...
Becoming Brothers
Proverbs 17:17 (ESV)
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.A couple of years ago, my family and I took a trip to Normandy, France. We stood on Omaha Beach and Utah Beach. We walked through the American Cemetery, where row after row of white crosses stretch toward the sea. We drove through the Normandy countryside, where during World War II, American soldiers fought their way through hedgerows and small French villages. It's quiet there now. Beautiful, even. But you can still feel the weight of what happened in 1944. <...
Making God Visible
1 John 4:12 (NIV)
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.No one has ever seen God. That's a bold statement, and it might surprise us at first. What about Moses on the mountain? What about Isaiah's vision of the throne room? What about Ezekiel and the wheels within wheels?
But the Jewish teachers understood something important. Moses saw God's glory, but not God's face. Isaiah saw the hem of God's robe, the train filling the temple...
Where is Love?
Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.Turn on the news, open Facebook, any social media sites, or check your preferred news sources, and you will invariably find angry, bitter comments and fighting words. Read or listen for a while, and opponents will soon start slinging angry comments at each other, tempers flare, words get nasty, and hatred boils.
Later, we may have conversations about our feelings on the debates we’ve heard, and our anger can grow into hatred for those ideas. Perhaps we even feel hatred fo...
From Regrets to Resolutions (encore)
2 Timothy 4:6-8
As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me, but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.Bonnie Ware spent a number of years as a palliative care nurse. She cared fo...
Expectation
Galatians 5:13
Serve one another humbly in love.We spend our lives learning how to live. The world is a complicated place. We get to a point where we have knowledge and experience, and we look around trying to solve problems. With an eye to help and being a servant, we try to help others.
We want to share. We want to help. We want to love. But sometimes, we think others should thank us for telling them what to do, how to do it, or when to do it. Since childhood, isn’t...
Scripture Saturday (January 31, 2026)
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.
<...Peace Follows the Storm (encore)
Psalm 29:11
Let the Lord give strength to his people! Let the Lord bless his people with peace!In isolation the closing verse of Psalm 29 is a soothing verse. But in context, it is even more soothing.
It reminds me of a memory I have from childhood. I grew up in West Tennessee. Tornadoes were just part of the landscape, with 92 of them between 1960 and 1980. We didn’t have as many as the folks in Oklahoma. I once knew a guy from Oklahoma who claimed his home had a wind-checker by the front do...
Cast Your Anxiety on Him (encore)
1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.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...
Fighting our Goliaths (encore)
Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.A pivotal figure in the book of Psalms is King David. Each of the Psalms shows a different aspect of the life of King David and his unwavering faith in his Lord, which is what I find perhaps the most impressive about David as a character.
What I find even more impressive about David is how far back this faith traces: to his battle with Goliath, in which it seemed the odds were stacked...
Take Heart! (encore)
John 16:33 (NIV)
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”This scripture appears in the Gospel of John, as part of Jesus’ long soliloquy to the disciples preparing them for his departure. It provides the transition between the Last Supper and the arrest of Jesus. The disciples are confused and troubled by Jesus’ words. It is only after his death and resurrection and appearance in their midst that they begin to understand.
Over 2...
More of you, less of me
John 3:30
“He must become greater; I must become less.”In this scripture, John the Baptist is recognizing that his ministry and notoriety will be diminishing as Jesus’ ministry begins. The brash desert preacher is happy to now take a back seat to the Messiah.
When I was a teenager, my brother lived in a communal home referred to as The Jesus House in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Our family once had an opportunity to visit the house and meet the residents. It was quite an experience to see a group of young people immersed in the missio...
Patience (encore)
Ephesians 4:2 (NLT)
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love.Well, well……. Patience is an interesting concept. It is about how we handle adversity, delays, unpleasant circumstances, and trouble.
Our first thought, at least mine, is how often I am caught in traffic and am irritated with the slow or distracted driver in front of me. That driver is keeping me from my destination for no obvious reason. In the end, I might be delayed by one or two minutes, but...
Scripture Saturday (January 24, 2026)
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 1stChurch.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...
Stress-full or Peace-full (encore)
Colossians 3:15
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.STRESS, everyone seems so stressed. Is this new? I don’t really think so. Life is stressful. It’s not going to change. Nothing I say here will change how the world and human society operates.
I could say that I’m too busy to write this; too busy to listen, too busy to notice, too busy to care, too busy to help, too busy to love.
I could say th...
Unfailing Love (encore)
Psalm 13:5
“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.”One of the greatest aspects of my faith is my understanding of God’s unfailing love. I don’t know about you, but I have so many days when, taking stock at the end of the day, I think about so many more things I have done wrong than that I’ve done right. Those seem to be easier to catalog for some reason. Among them, though, are things I’ve said or done that make me feel less-than-lovable.
I consider...
The Lost Sheep
Luke 15:3-7 (NIV)
Then Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over...Being More Like Christ
Colossians 3:10 (New Living Translation)
Put on your new nature and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.This letter to the Colossians was written by Paul and Timothy, chosen by God to be apostles of Christ.
In this letter, Paul clearly teaches that Christ has paid for our sins, that Christ has reconciled us to God and that we have been given the knowledge and the ability to grow spiritually. Christ shows us how to live and provides an example of how we are to live...
From Regrets to Resolutions (encore)
II Timothy 4: 6-8
As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me, but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.Bonnie Ware spent a number of years as a palliative ca...
The List Keeps Growing
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: podcasts@1stchurch.org.
First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread...
Scripture Saturday (January 17, 2026)
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.
<...Our Business is Love
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”Did you catch that!? God prepared good works for us to do, even before he created us! He designed us to complete the work he had already prepared for us!
God is love. His design for us is to do good works of love on his behalf!
He backed up the plan by sending Jesus to tell us, to remind us that our job, our greate...
Joyful, Joyful, Let Us Adore Thee
John 15:11:
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.In John 15, Jesus shares his relationship with God and teaches how to have a relationship that brings full joy through our true vine and connection with God.
God loves us—always. God loves us when we sin. God loves us when we love. But we hate when we sin. And we love when we love.
Love can fill our hearts, but somehow we seem to struggle to allow th...
Never Abandoned or Forsaken (encore)
Deuteronomy 31:7-8 (CEB)
Then Moses called Joshua and, with all Israel watching, said to him: “Be strong and fearless because you are the one who will lead this people to the land the Lord swore to their ancestors to give to them; you are the one who will divide up the land for them. But the Lord is the one who is marching before you! He is the one who will be with you! He won’t let you down. He won’t abandon you. So don’t be afraid or scared!"Let’s set the sc...
Holding God’s Hand (encore)
Isaiah 41:10 (Common English Bible)
Don’t fear, because I am with you; don’t be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will surely help you; I will hold you with my righteous strong hand.I recall a story I heard a pastor tell. His granddaughter and another girl got into a lively game of comparison. One would say what they could do and then the other would come back with something even better. Finally his granddaughter said, “I can walk fifty-nine miles.” The other girl said, “You can’t!” His granddaugh...
Commandments Help Us Avoid Sin
Romans 6:23
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”Paul’s message to the Romans is quite clear. It can not get any clearer than that! God gave us commandments to help us avoid sin and then live a productive life.
Thou shall have no other Gods before me. Thou shall not make any graven image. Thou shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. Remember the sabbath day and keep it holy. Honor thy mother and fa...God is with us
Psalm 139:1-6
Lord, you have examined me. You know me. You know when I sit down and when I stand up. Even from far away, you comprehend my plans. You study my traveling and resting. You are thoroughly familiar with all my ways. There isn’t a word on my tongue, Lord, that you don’t already know completely. You surround me—front and back. You put your hand on me. That kind of knowledge is too much for me; it’s so high above me that I can’t reach it.God is with us. W...
Scripture Saturday (January 10, 2026)
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 1stChurch.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...
Living as a Child of the Light
Ephesians 5:8
For once you were in darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of the light.Winter, and the shortest, darkest day of the year, began about a month ago with the Winter Solstice. We will not see much longer or lighter days, however, for another several weeks. This time of year is hard for me. I do not mind the cold, but the long, dark days of January and February zap my energy and dampen my spirit. I search for things that energize me and give me purpose...
How Far to the Nothing?
Genesis 1:1-2
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.Psalm 19:1
The heavens declare the glory of God and the work of his hands.I remember my school days with fondness. It was a small country school, and almost everyone knew one another. It was easy to make friends, and some of them remain so to this day. The...
What's on your schedule today?
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.Have you ever gotten up in the morning and wondered, "What's going to happen today?" Of course you have. We all have. We think about the meetings on our calendar, the errands we need to run, and the people we're going to see. We wonder if the day will bring good news or bad, whether things will go smoothly or fall apart.
But here's another question. Have you...
Children of the Light
1 Thessalonians 5:5 (NLT)
For you are all children of the Light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.Reflecting on these words brings several things to mind. Notice that it says we are all children of the light. This is a reminder that we are called to shine God’s light in the world. We are His beloved children. We belong to Him. We are a product of His light. Whoa! There's real power in that statement. As His children, we should live a life, a life where we choose to h...
New Life in Christ
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (Common English translation)
So we aren’t depressed. But even if our bodies are breaking down on the outside, the person that we are on the inside is being renewed every day. Our temporary minor problems are producing an eternal stockpile of glory for us that is beyond all comparison. We don’t focus on the things that can be seen but on the things that cannot be seen. The things that can be seen don’t last, but the things that can’t be seen are eternal.When Paul wrote these words, p...
God Rebuilds Us
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.My grandfather used to say with a straight face that he owned one of Abraham Lincoln's axes. "It's had eight handles and six heads since he owned it," he'd say, "but it's still his."
I laughed at that when I was a kid, but now it sounds to me like something a bunch of philosophers might sit around a table and argue about: "If every part of a thing...
Scripture Saturday (January 3, 2026)
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.
<...Water and Spirit
John 3:3
Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.”The confusion Nicodemus expresses about being born again captures the human condition well. We think we know how the world works, but the teachings of Jesus tend to show us that we don’t. Over and over in the gospel, we are shown that humans can’t see. We can’t find the eye of the needle even though the path has been straightened. We can’t understand how to share the loaves when so much need is...
The God Diet
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!Happy New Year!
The new is here!
Tradition is to make a New Year’s Resolution and to keep it! On January 1, 2008, I made a New Year's resolution to never consume alcohol again. And today, I am celebrating 18 years of keeping that resolution! I think God is celebrating with me today!
God loves to celebrate our growth and achievements with us. We are important to Him. He lo...
