Life in this world is not easy. It is full of challenges and perils that can produce great stress and heartache.

Oh to list them: failed relationships, financial difficulties, work stress, health concerns for ourselves and for loved ones. Hard, hard, hard!

Jesus is there for us! He tells us that he is there for us, and that he will carry our burdens. He tells us to seek, and we will find, knock and the door will be opened! It is imperative for us to establish and maintain that relationship with Him!

We do that by reaching out in prayer, remembering the sabbath day and keeping it holy, and always asking for the Holy Spirit to guide us.

How bad does it have to be for a child to reach rock bottom and to ask out in prayer for someone to show him the way? That child was me. It was and still is crystal clear in my mind when that prayer happened. My father could not be bothered to take the time to spend it with me. I was floundering, and as a child I knew it!

It was a bright, springtime day as I stood outside by the street a door away from my home. My prayer was simple: “Please God, send someone to show me the way!” Now God answers our prayers when we establish a relationship with Him. We don’t always get the answer we hoped for, but sometimes we get more than we hoped for. Well, I can attest God met and exceeded my expectations. He sent more than just someone. He sent coaches Collar, Blend, Bradburn, Firing, Snyder and Gurski, men who taught me mental discipline, praised me, encouraged me, and put me on the path to success.

It is incumbent upon us to follow the words of Jesus and to walk the walk with Him on the twisting, turning roads of this world with its heavy burdens.

Dear Jesus, you have made it so clear in so, so many ways that you love each and everyone of us! Open our hearts so that we may follow your commandment, to love one another as you have loved us.

Amen.

This devotion written and recorded by Sam Barto.

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 the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

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 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 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 been thinking a lot lately about the question: do we want leaders who reflect the values of Jesus or do we want Jesus to reflect the values of current leaders? Now, the answer seems obvious: those of us who say we follow Jesus want—we say we want—leaders of our churches, our state, our nation, society in general—to have the values Jesus has. So we must understand what the values of Jesus are.

They are easy to discover.

Read Luke 4 where he preaches his first sermon in Nazareth and proclaims that he has come to the poor, the captives, the blind and the oppressed.

Or look at the Beatitudes which begin the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus says God blesses the poor, those who mourn, the humble, those who hunger and thirst for justice, the merciful, those who work for peace, and so on.

Or consider the Parable of the Last Judgment where he says some will be banished eternally from God’s presence because they did not care for the hungry and thirsty, the aliens, the imprisoned.

And others will live forever with him precisely because they did care for such persons.

So, it is clear from both his teachings and actions that empathy and compassion for those in need are among the highest values of our Lord.

All of this comes to my mind because of comments recently by a national leader who said, “Empathy is for suckers.” He also said, “The fundamental weakness of western civilization is empathy.”

I must ask, because many followers of Jesus trust this man: do we want leaders who reflect the values of Jesus, or do we try to bend Jesus to fit any current leader?

Read the gospels, dear friends. Read Matthew, Mark and Luke. Read what Jesus said. Consider what he did. He consistently demonstrated compassion and empathy, especially for hurting people. And he consistently criticized those who chose economics over empathy, rules over relationships.

As Jesus draws near the close of his Sermon on the Mount he says “Not everyone who calls me Lord will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of our Father in Heaven.”

I encourage you to stand up for compassion. Without empathy and compassion, we are spiritually barren. We are a spiritual desert. And with it, we are at the heart of our Lord’s life and message.

You commanded us to be compassionate as you are. May we choose your way of seeing people. Amen.

This 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: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

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 am a music appreciator, especially when people are singing to praise God. Recently I heard the choir at our church sing beautiful anthems accompanied by piano and organ. I heard our worship team sing praise songs some of which were converted from old favorite hymns now accompanied by guitar and drums. The children’s choir sang a beautiful song and “sang” it in American Sign Language at the same time. And I listened to a man sing a song of praise he wrote while in prison. As he poured out his heart in song, you could feel his experience of God’s grace as he praised God.

This expression of praising God through song can be found throughout scripture, another great reminder is found in the New Testament in one of Paul’s letters to the church at Ephesus.

What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns to the Lord? I wish you were there to hear the Voices of Ephesian choir that sang at our church. Now we have a large sanctuary with a high ceiling, but this choir was filled with the Holy Spirit, and they sang with such power that it completely filled our sanctuary and each one of us who experienced it. Why do we sing praises to God? When you feel the depth of God’s love for you; when you know the God who created the heaven and earth also created you because God loves you and wants a relationship with you. Then you will want to be filled with the Holy Spirit and sing out to the Lord with all the power and passion you have.

Will you pray with me….Father God, through the stillness of our prayers we cry out to you. Through the power of our song, we praise you. Fill us with your Holy Spirit so we can praise you and sing to you with all that we have to offer. Amen.

This devotion was written and read by Owen Ragland.

A special recognition to the Voices of Ephesian choir from Ephesian Primitive Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee. If you want to hear the power of their song, visit our church website at 1stchurch.org, and watch the 10:30 sanctuary service from April 6, 2025. You will be blessed!

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 the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

In the verse following Genesis 1:1, we read that the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Then He created light, saw that it was good, and separated the light from the darkness.

Creation is bringing something into existence, and God’s first creation is light.

A few years ago, my daughters and granddaughters and I visited the Lost Sea in Monroe County, Tennessee. It is a fascinating tour where visitors learn about the discovery of the huge underground cavern, its geological development, unique formations, and colorful history. The tour ends with a boat ride on the Lost Sea, America’s largest underground lake.

As interesting as all that was, the most memorable moment for me was when all the light was turned off, and we experienced total darkness. We talk about experiencing the dark when it is a moonless night, or our electricity goes off, or even when we are far from civilization in a natural setting. But it is nothing like the total darkness of being far underground in a cave. It is disorienting, to say the least, and to my granddaughters, it was frightening. In the cave, dark is the total absence of light.

“Dark” is another one of our English words that has multiple meanings and uses. It can refer to the absence of light. Often darkness symbolizes evil. On the day of the Crucifixion, darkness came over the whole land from Noon until three. The sun stopped shining. (Luke 23:44-45)

However, darkness did not remain. The sun rose on the third day, and the tomb was empty. Christ had arisen! Just as God created light in the beginning, Jesus’ Crucifixion and Resurrection gives us another opportunity to experience His light overcoming darkness. We have no reason to fear darkness because God is the light in a world that experiences the darkness of evil and pain and suffering.

Bernadette Farrell expresses this beautiful promise in the hymn “Christ Be Our Light”:

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of light in our world and for the sacrifice of Your Son to enable us to live in light, even when our world seems to cover us in the darkness. Strengthen us so that we may be a light in this world as we seek to follow Jesus and serve others in your name.

Amen.

This devotion 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 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 the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Have you ever been in a place where you knew you didn’t belong? Maybe you found yourself on a bus or a train that was going in the wrong direction. Maybe you were among a group of people who were speaking a different language. Maybe you took a class where, on the very first day, you had no idea what the teacher was talking about.

In this passage, Simon Peter has just witnessed the miracle of the abundance of fish. Immediately before that, he had heard Jesus teaching and had experienced the power of his spirit firsthand.

It was through these events that Peter caught a glimpse of his real self. His unworthiness to be close to someone like Jesus struck him like a bolt of lightning. As Peter was in the habit of doing, he immediately gave voice to his feelings. We can almost hear him shout using our modern language. “Get off my boat, Jesus! You should not be close to me!”

Jesus understands and sees what Peter is seeing. A sinful man, totally unworthy of grace. But instead of dismissing Peter, he seems to say, “Here is somebody I can work with.” He invites Peter and his companions to be his disciples, and they accept immediately.

Can we, like Peter, see our own unworthiness, our own inadequacies, our own sinfulness? If we can, we provide Christ the perfect opportunity to say. “Follow me. I have something for your to do.”

Our Father, give us those moments of insight to see ourselves fully and to follow your commands and do your will. 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: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

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/.

Merriam-Webster.com defines meek as enduring injury with patience, and without resentment. The Bible offers meekness as a virtue that means to be humble, gentle, and submissive to God’s will. It is often associated with patience and putting aside one’s own desires, to follow God.

Jesus was meek while the soldiers arrested him in the garden, where he was only praying.

Jesus was meek while Herod and the soldiers mocked and ridiculed him. He was meek as they spit upon him, stripped him of his clothes, and beat him bloody. He was meek as the soldiers pressed a crown of thorns onto his head and blood ran into his eyes. He was meek as he bowed under the weight of that huge cross, dragging it through the streets and up the hill to Golgotha, the place of the skull. He was meek as they pounded the nails into his hands and feet, nailing him to that cross.

He was meek as the cross was raised. He was quiet and submissive.

He could have called down legions of angels from heaven to destroy those crucifying him. Yet, he hung there, dying humbly, accepting the pain and humiliation of torture and crucifixion.

All throughout his life on earth, Jesus showed restraint. He was gentle, kind, and loving. He was strong in His faith and trust in God His Father/ yet never lorded Himself over anyone. Instead, he constantly lifted others up – teaching by example, healing freely, and loving all he met.

What if we Christians took a page from Jesus’ playbook and made being meek and humble our constant attitude? What if we turn the other cheek when offended? What if we forgive 7x70 times? What if we pray for those with whom we disagree, instead of condemning them? What if we keep the Great Commandment to Love God and Love our Neighbors. What if we all endure injury with patience instead of resentment? What if we start a movement that brings a revolution of peace on earth?!

Now, Peace on the whole earth may take a while – but wouldn’t it be amazing and wonderful to have peace in your own soul, peace in your family, peace in your workplace, in your neighborhood, in your town, as we work toward bringing it to the whole earth?

I recall the words of that wonderful Vince Gill song… “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.”

My friends, let’s fix our eyes on Jesus and emulate His meekness. Let’s be bold in LOVE and meekly forgiving in everything else. Let’s start that Peace on Earth today!

Dear God, I want to be more like Jesus today. I want to be meek and mild and forgiving toward everyone – just as He is. I want to let go my anger and resentment, forgiving as Jesus did, meekly accepting hardship as a pathway to Peace. Help me, Lord, to grow in LOVE and to spread that LOVE wherever I go. Help me, Lord, to be meek. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Today’s podcast 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: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love...

I love the imagery of this Psalm. It includes three of my favorite things in nature: the ocean, the rivers, and the mountains. I have often heard people ask others which they prefer, the seaside or the mountains. How could we possibly choose? Both are beautiful and unique!

I try to make at least one trip to the beach each year. My favorite time to go now is Fall. The weather is still warm, but the beaches are much less crowded when children are back in school (unless you happen to hit Fall Break week!). The view and the breeze renew my spirit. It’s hard for me to relax and sit still in my real life, even now that I am retired, but when I’m sitting by the ocean, I can relax and watch and listen to the crashing waves, or watch the sun gradually disappear below the horizon, filling the sky with brilliant colors, and feel at peace with myself and with the world.

The same is true of the mountains. Sitting by the river, just listening to water pour over rocks and the breeze whistle through the trees, is so relaxing for me. When we lived in Middle Tennessee, too far from the mountains for my liking, my work place parking lot was bordered by old, tall pine trees. I often walked out in the afternoon to the sound of the wind whistling through the pine needles and the sweet smell of evergreen. I would pause and begin to leave the stress of the day behind. It wasn’t my beloved Great Smoky Mountains, but the beauty was there.

This verse reminds us to rejoice in God’s creation. Along with oceans, rivers, and mountains, we can sing together praising God and thanking him for giving us a beautiful world in which to live. But first we must be mindful of these gifts. We are not thankful for the things we take for granted and barely notice. Sometime our lives are so rushed and frantic that we are consumed with a to do list and filled with guilt when everything does not get checked. God does not want us to live this way. I hope you can take time to notice, appreciate, and be thankful for the gift of God’s beautiful creation. Be still and listen for the clapping and singing in nature.

Thank you, God, for the beauty of our world. From the mountains to the rivers and oceans, we are surrounded by evidence of Your love for us and Your creation. May we not take it for granted but rather be good stewards of Earth and continually thankful for its many gifts.

Amen.

This devotion 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 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 the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.