Grace for All

John 4:35 Do you not say, ‘Four months more, then comes the harvest’? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. Humans see what we expect to see. If we expect to see a friendly face then we will smile at those we encounter. And most likely, the people we pass will return our smile. If we expect a threat then we will become guarded to protect ourselves. Others...

James 3:18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. We need peace so much in the world right now! The world is full of turmoil and thanks to electronic media we receive constant updates of every hateful, hurtful act around the globe. We might find ourselves spreading anger and hatred too, as we vent over the injustices we see. When people repeat the angry words that one side...

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. No...

2 Timothy 2:13 If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself. Sometimes I think if I were God, I would have given up on people a long time ago. Do you ever feel that way? As if the rest of the world has quit trying, and you might as well, too? My walk with Jesus has led me through many seasons—seasons filled with hope and gratitude, seasons rich with promise and potential,...

Ephesians 4:15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. Is it possible to be both kind and truthful in our relationships with others? Can we be both true to ourselves—our thoughts and feelings—and kind at the same time? Some of us are kind to others and hardly ever criticize. We overlook acts and words tha...

Nehemiah 8:10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” I have, unfortunately, heard this verse quoted by well-meaning people as they apologize for their tears at the loss of one they loved. They will say, “I know I shouldn’t grieve, for the joy...

Matthew 7:13-14 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. We often hear about staying on the “straight and narrow road” that leads to eternal life. In C.S. Lewis’ book “The Last Battle” (the last book in the Chronicles of Narnia...

Psalm 23:5 (NRSVUE) You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Most of us know Psalm 23 by heart. The Lord is my Shepherd. Green pastures. Quiet waters. We even boldly declare that we walk "through the valley of the shadow of death" without hesitation, because we have repeated this statement so often that it's almost become automatic...

James 3:18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. People who focus on worldly goods plant and reap a harvest focused on what is best for themselves and their gain. This means that in each interaction they fight for every seed and every inch of ground. Their life is a competition, a battle, a quest. We are taught that this is the way of the world. Being raised in t...

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...

Isaiah 55:8-11 (NRSV Updated Edition) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the...

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. There is a deep longing in every heart to know that life matters. We can fill our days with work, family, goals, responsibilities, and accomplishments, yet still find ourselves asking, “What is the point of it all?” Purpose answers that question. Purpose is...

Philippians 4: 8-9 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. As for the things that you have learned and received and heard and noticed in me, do them, and the God of peace will be with you....

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 for...

Jeremiah 31:12 They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the Lord. This verse promises God’s future restoration, comfort, and abundant provision for His people, after a time of hardship. God will remain faithful. Some days we may feel the weight of the world pressing down on our shoulders. Some days the news is full of wars and rumors of wars, natu...

John 4:35 (ESV) Do you not say, "There are yet four months, then comes the harvest? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. My favorite photographic subject is fall color. I am blessed to live near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one of the most beautiful displays of fall color on the planet. During leaf season, I love to get in the car, drive a...

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. No...

2 Corinthians 9:10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. If you walked down Main Street in East Nashville back in the 1960s, you couldn’t miss the towering brick factories of the General Shoe Company—later known as Genesco. The multi-story red brick buildings framed the street, h...

Psalm 30:5 Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning. This verse is a powerful reminder that when we are facing loss, pain and grief it will not go on forever. Our hope and faith is that there is always a new day beyond any nights of weeping. While it might not always bring with it joy and rejoicing it is a new day. New possibilities await. I am reminded of the story behind...

Hebrews 10: 11-18 (NIV) Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever...

Philippians 4:7 (ESV) "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." I've read these words hundreds of times, but when you remember that Paul wrote them from a Roman prison cell, they have a bit more significance. Think about Paul's situation for a minute. He's chained to Roman guards, he’s dependent on friends for food, and he’s f...

1 Peter 2:9 KJV "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." When I was in elementary school, it was a common practice to “choose” sides before playing softball, football, kickball, or whatever sport we were playing that day. Remember how that went?...

Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; Fear is an emotional state that can lead to panic. It is a natural reaction to things that threaten us, things we cannot understand, things that can harm. Our world is filled with things that potentially could threaten us. Our world is filled with things we do not understand at f...

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...

Romans 8:17 "Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." Nothing encourages me more than to think that I have been adopted into the family of God. And nothing challenges me more than to think that I have been adopted into the family of God. We who have received the gift of the H...