Grace for All

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 pr...

Psalm 103:2 

Psalm 103 reads like a litany of blessings, or like a shower of blessings. Listen to the benefits of God the psalmist recites: 

God forgives, heals, redeems, crowns with love and compassion, satisfies, and renews. God works righteousness and justice for the oppressed. 

God is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 

In fact, God’s love is so great, it is as high as the heavens are above the earth. God’s love is great eno...

Psalm 95:2 (NIV)

For 10 years, my commute to work was 28 miles from my house in Walland to my job in the Seymour area. Most mornings, I'd catch the sunrise spreading across the sky—brilliant oranges and pinks painting the Tennessee hills. Sometimes I'd notice them, even pull over to photograph one when it was particularly spectacular. But looking back, I realize that even when I noticed them, I rarely paused to thank God for them. I'd think, "That's beautiful," and keep driving, alr...

Hebrews 13:2 (NIV)

Psalm 91:11-12

Throughout the summer and early Fall of 2024, my three brothers and I, along with Mom’s caretakers, determined that she needed 24-hour care. A live-in rotation schedule was planned that i...

Psalm 95:2

This devotional was written and read by Pat Scruggs.

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 y...

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 

In Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and to those who are perishing. To one, the smell of death and to the other, the fragrance of life.

We have several butterfly bushes near our house. As I was mowing, I noticed how the bushes attracted many butterflies of different colors. I wondered what was attracting the butterflies to th...

Psalm 107:8

This is a powerful verse that is a call for gratitude and praise for the everlasting and unchanging love bestowed upon us by the Lord. It’s a reminder to all of us to acknowledge and appreciate all the many blessings that He has given us because he loves us.

There have been many times in my life when I felt unlovable. One of the earliest instances I can remember is when I was pu...

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...

Colossians 3:17 (NIV)

It’s only 8:15 AM, and I have already failed to follow this command! I used angry words and had vindictive thoughts this morning, after listening to something on the news. I was in total disagreement with the sentiment of the newscast, and I felt hopeless to do anything about what was happening. So, I prayed and prayed and prayed. I asked God for MY solution to...

2 Corinthians 9:8

Usually, when I think about God’s blessings, I tend to reflect on all the ways God is pouring love and grace into my life. And while this is true, for God does surely bless us each and every day, Paul, in this letter to the Corinthians, wants us to look at blessings in a different way. Paul says that God is able to provide us...

Jeremiah 17:7-8 

Where do you place your trust? When things get tough, when the drought comes, to whom or what do you turn? 

Have you planted yourself beside the Source? Or are you waiting f...

Numbers 6:24-26

Our scripture is from the Old Testament, the book of Numbers, chapter 6, verses 24-26.  Here these words read from the New International Version of the Bible. "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. "

These beautiful words were given by...

Psalm 118:24

Do I view this as a commandment? Do I live this as a commandment? Do I teach this as a commandment? The Lord has made this day and every day so that I might be alive. And if I am going to live, what shall I do with the time I have on this earth? 

I could lament. There are many things in this world that are worthy of tears. There is pain and suffering i...

Psalm 103:2

It’s probably not uncommon to think of music when you read the Psalms. After all, many of the Psalms were written as songs. When reading this Psalm, I think of the song “10,000 Reasons,” recorded by Matt Redman. 

This second verse of Psalm 103 reminds us to remember all of the Lord’s benefits. I would think that number is infinite, but 10,000 is a pretty good start. 

The second verse of “10,000 Reasons,” extols some of the benefits David, the Psal...

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 pr...

Psalm 118:24 (NIV)

The musical “Oklahoma” has one of my favorite opening numbers, entitled “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning!” in which the main character, Curley, comes singing to Aunt Eller and is taking such delight and pleasure in what a beautiful morning and day it is. 

His infectious joy in this opening number spreads on when he compares all the sounds of the Earth to music, even saying that he feels the day is so beautiful that the sounds of nature...

James 1:22 (TCENT)

Let’s get up and walk the walk with Jesus! It’s so easy to talk the talk. The walk takes effort! 

I am fortunate to participate in a very collegial adult Sunday School class at First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee! Here are some examples of how classmates walk that walk. 

Mike was motivated to participate in Celebrate Recovery by his wife Sandy. He tells me that he is willing to pitch...

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NRSV)  

These words remind me that our strength and faith come from connection. When we realize that we are connected, or rooted, in the world that God gave us, we are sustained even in challengin...

Mark 10:17-22

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV) 

Happiness is like the breezes that blow through the branches and leaves of the trees in the nearby mountains, but joy is the deepest roots of the oaks and hickories. In the Appalachian mountains, the trails and paths are seldom smooth or flat, leading us up hills and over rocky patches, past waterfalls and around boulders. The presence and nearness of God is felt in every step, no...

Philippians 4:6-7

I tend to be a worry wart at times. I think many moms are when it comes to your children. I remember when my husband lost his job in my last month of pregnancy and we were living in a town that wasn’t all that friendly. There we were; no jobs, no inc...

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.

...

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

A friend recently told me of her cancer diagnosis and the news that the cancer that had started in her lungs may have metastasized, spreading to other organs. Her treatment is beginning soon. As I write this sad news, I am heartbroken for her and her family. 

When she told me the news, I cried with her and prayed with her. Her heart is breaking, and she feels afraid, but thankfully not...

Psalm 118:24 

How do you begin your day? Do you first spend a few minutes intentionally praying about things or do you just pop out of bed ready to start your day? I have to admit that for many years that second way was my usual routine. I would wake up and immediately my to do list filled my mind. It felt like I was behind before I even started my day, So, I would jump out of bed...

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

All human beings have difficulties in their life, times of great happiness and joy, and times of sorrow and darkness. The command in this passage is not too hard to obey when things are going well: rejoicing when we are feeling happy and optimistic; praying when meditating or worshipping; giving thanks when we have been abundantly blessed. The challenge to obey comes in the challenging times, the dark times, the t...

Ezekiel 34:26 (ESV) 

Back in 1883, evangelist Daniel W. Whittle wrote the hymn, "Showers of Blessing," pulling his inspiration straight from this verse in Ezekiel. He teamed up with James McGranahan, music director for evangelist D.L. Moody, and together they created a song that would resonate in churches across the country, and is still sung in worship today. 

The late 1800s were a ti...

Psalm 103:2 (New English Translation)

In preparing for this time together, I decided to read several versions of this verse. The Message speaks to me right now.  

It says, “O my soul, bless God from head to toe, I’ll bless His holy name! O my soul, bless God, don’t forget a single blessing.” 

Our focus for November is on “showers of blessings”. This reading made me think of the children’s song/chant, “heads and shoulders, knees and toes, knees...

Psalm 95:2 (NIV) 

The Psalms frequently speak to something that is obviously very near and dear to the work I do as a church musician. And that isn't the only place in scripture where music and singing is lauded. From Jubal's lyre in Genesis to the trumpets, harps, and songs of Revelation, references to making music are found throughout the Bible. 

But why is that? What is it about music that is so central to our worship and our experience as Christians? Tha...

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 pr...

Matthew 6:34

These words were spoken by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount, as he was assuring his audience that God would take care of their needs and that worrying about things would not help. But I'm afraid too many of us do worry. In fact, worry, stress, anxiety, and fear, enhanced and blown out of proportion by information overload, seems to be the normal state of mind for so many of us. We...

Exodus 23:4-5

When we hear Jesus tell the story of the Good Samaritan, we usually focus on the kindness of the Helper and the callousness of those who passed by. But Jesus' original audience would have heard something very different, something much more challenging and uncomfortable. Picture...

Today’s scripture is found in the book of Psalms, Chapter 27:14. I referenced several translations as I meditated on this verse. 

The New English Translation reads like this: “Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident. Rely on the Lord!”. 

The New International Version uses the word “wait” instead; the New Living Translation says “Wait patiently for the Lord” and the common English says, “Hope in the Lord”. So, we have Rely; Wait; Wait patiently and Hope in the Lord. Perhaps one more version might help us even more. In this version, we hear “Stay with God! Take heart...

Isaiah 55:8-9

A casual reading of these verses might lead us to believe that God wants us to be sure of the difference between the divine and humans. “My ways are higher than your ways” is a pretty strong delineation between God and us. However, I do not think God is making a show of his p...

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Often, this verse is used when things are challenging. It reminds us of God’s will and our inability to know all. It reminds us that even the challenges of war, death, and illness are part of God’s kingdom. 

I do think these kinds of sentiments bring comfort in challenging times, but today, let us focus on being a tiny part of God’s creation. If we allow ourselves to contemplate that we are each a...

Psalm 62:5 (NIV) 

Friends, here is an important and timely question: where does your soul find rest? Who, or what, is your rock and salvation? Your fortress? 

Rest seems to be a hot commodity right now. Sleep aids are estimated to be a 65 billion dollar market, and insomnia is being identified as a public health issue in America. I think it is fair to say that a sense...

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.

...

Psalm 27: 13 &14 

Waiting for God’s goodness doesn’t always feel like helpful advice. When we are experiencing challenging life moments, such as loss. When a loved one is in the midst of a major medical crisis, we want action, not to be told to wait. When we look at the news and feel weighted down by all the negatives that are happening...

2 Corinthians 12:7–10

Jeremiah 29:11

This oft-quoted verse is part of a letter from Jeremiah to the Israelites in captivity in Babylon under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah prophesies that they should not give up hope; they will not be captives in a foreign land forever. Jeremiah says they should build houses and settle down, plant gardens and eat what they produce. They should marry and have children and in general contribute...

Romans 5:3-5 (CEB)

I believe that a lot of scriptures give us only part of the story and beg the question, “To what end?” This very familiar passage from Romans is a prime example for me. It brings to mind someone who works out to get stronger physically. Weight produces resistance and resistance builds strength and strength produces a more fit and healthy body. But to what end? To admire...