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 granddaughter then said, I can take my grandpa’s hand and keep up with him and he can walk fifty-nine miles so I can walk fifty-nine miles if I hold his hand.”

The pastor went on to say, “Though my granddaughter might be wrong as to how far I can walk, she is not completely wrong, for when she holds my hand she can do things which otherwise she could not do.”

That story has stayed with me for many years and it, along with Isaiah 41:10’s promises have been a source of strength and hope when times are difficult. In Isaiah we are reminded that God is with us, strengthening us and helping us. Then the great promise, “God is holding us with God’s righteous strong hand”, or I would say, “Wen I place my hand in God’s strong hand I will not be afraid. “ Many has been the time when I am in difficult times that I have thought, “How am I going to manage?” I fear and wonder, “Can I do it? Am I strong enough?” Then I pause and reach out mentally seeking for that righteous strong hand and my fears subside for I know God is with me. With God I can do so much more than I believed possible because I am holding on tight to that powerful hand.

As an example: I was asked to teach at a conference. Never before had I been in front of so large a group. There were many sitting there with as much and likely more knowledge on the subject than I had. I was afraid of looking foolish. I considered not doing it but I knew that I would let a lot of people down. So I studied and worried. The night before the event was to start I lay awake far into the night filled with dread concerning the day to come. Then I remembered this verse telling me not to fear for God was with me. A peace came over me. I recalled the study I had done, the passion I felt for the topic, and the realization that God was with me. I went to sleep and slept soundly and the next day I gave my presentation calmly and with joy. I did more than I thought I could do because I was holding onto God’s righteous hand.

So are you facing a difficult choice? Are you facing an uncertain tomorrow because of your health or the health of a loved one? Are there situations that weigh on your heart? Remember, you are not in this alone. Reach out and take ahold of God’s righteous hand and do not fear. You will find that you can do much more than you thought possible and that you can face these situations with love and grace.

Loving God, when we are filled with doubt or fear remind us that you are there, holding us and helping us. May we always place our ives in your hands and find love and peace, AMEN.

This devotional was written by Bill Green 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: 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/.

This story of Jesus feeding the five thousand appears in various forms in other Gospels.

A children’s book tells this story. A young boy has heard that Jesus is coming near and he wants to go see and hear him. However, neither the boy’s father or mother can take him. Along comes an uncle who is going and agrees to take the boy with him.

The boy’s mother will not let him leave without packing him a lunch, five loaves and two fish.

Off they go, and when the disciples go through the crowd looking for food, the boy gladly gives them all that he has. When the five loaves and two fish are placed in Jesus’ hands and blessed, they become more than enough to feed all those present.

For us the lesson is simple. Like the little boy, if we freely give what we have to Jesus, then it will be more than enough to feed everyone. There are those of us that have the food and are willing to give it but need help in getting it to those that need it. There are some of us that don’t have the food but can be the hands and feet of Jesus to get it where the needs to be.

Ever present and loving God, help me share your love by freely giving and doing the things that please you.

This devotional was written by Alvin Jenkins 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 and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

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 against him, armed only with a slingshot and several stones, while his adversary towered over him and wielded a sword. However, despite these terrifying odds, David stood strong in the face of adversity, placing his trust in the Lord, and was able to slay the giant.

David is a testament to the Lord being his strength and shield, as the Lord helped him through what should have otherwise been an impossible battle. However, due to his unwavering faith and trust, he was able to stand strong in the faith of adversity and have God as his strength and shield. In modern times, it is easy to feel that our battles are impossible or likened to Goliaths, however, we should all strive to be like David and let the lord be our strength and shield, for as long as we place our trust in him, he will help and protect us always.

Dear God, help us always remember that while we may face some harsh battles, like David, that you are with us. May we place our faith in you so you may be our strength and shield now and always. Amen.

This devotion was written and recorded by Grace Jonas.

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/.

This is the famous story of Jesus and his disciples feeding the 5,000, the crowd that had gathered around Jesus. It appears in all four of the gospels, but in the verses we just read, we don’t hear the end of the story. We should pay attention to the way in which this story develops.

The problem is enormous. Five thousand people need to be fed. Jesus asked Philip what he should do, and Philip, typical of the disciples and typical of many of us, simply describes the problem. A half a year’s wages would not feed all of these people adequately.

Another disciple, Andrew, brings to Jesus, a small boy who has only five loaves and two fish, and Andrew is quick to point out how little this is compared to the problem that they face.

We face enormous problems. Wars and cruelties surround us. Climate change is upon us. Our political and social systems are wracked with division. Even the church has problems that seem insurmountable. And we have so little to offer. Our resources are totally inadequate, and, as shown here, there are always people who are willing to point that out.

We fear that we cannot solve these problems, and the temptation for us is to give up.

It is certainly true that in facing many of our problems, both personal and social, we lack to resources to solve them or even to make much difference. But then we remember what happened in this particular story. Jesus took the bread and the fish that the little boy had brought and blessed it. And after that, in a short amount of time, everyone in that multitude was fed and satisfied, and there was food leftover.

In facing the problems that we have today, what if we simply presented the small resources that we have or did the inadequate things that we could do, and then we asked Jesus to bless those things. What do you think might happen?

Would you pray with me? Our Father, we do not need to be reminded that our resources and efforts are totally inadequate to solve many of the problems that we face. We do need to be reminded of your power and your grace and the way it works in all situations. Help us to rely not on the resources that we have but on the abilities and resources of your spirit. Amen.

This devotion was written and read 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: 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/.

When I was in elementary school, I loved to read biographies written for young readers. The one that had the biggest impact on me was on Glenn Cunningham, the great middle distance runner. In one part of the book, he was traveling and standing with his suitcase at his side. A man approached him to ask about his luggage tag. He wondered if the “P-h-i-l. 4:13” on the tag was his time for a mile race in Philadelphia. Glenn replied no. It was for Philippians 4:13. That had became by favorite Bible verse. Since then I have read that his favorite verse was Isaiah 40:31, but I expect that Phil.4:13 wasn’t far behind.

What made these verses special was not that Glenn was probably the best miler of his time but how he got there. As an 8-year-old he and his 13-year-old brother were in a fire at school. His brother died. Glenn was expected to die. He didn’t, but the burns on the lower part of his body were so bad that the doctor wanted to amputate his legs. They didn’t, but he was told that he would never walk again.

He not only walked but ran in both the 1932 and 1936 Summer Olympics.

Ever present God, help me to remember that you are always by my side and that I can do all things that you ask of me because you supply the strength needed. Amen.

This devotional was written by Alvin Jenkins and read by John Cherry.

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 group of people who are all in the same place for the same reason and felt the energy of the room gathering together? For me, it’s like you’ve taken a bunch of lightning bugs and scooped them up in a jar. It’s vibrant - much brighter than they would be on their own. You can still see each one of the creatures doing their own thing and shining individually, but the energy has become something of its own. Brilliant!

My friend said she had heard it called the “collective effervescence”, and I’ve never gotten that out of my head.

At a concert, it’s later in the show when the first few notes of a favorite song comes on, and there’s an audible cheer from thousands of voices across an arena. At a potluck, it’s when only a handful of people remember to bring something, but you always end up with enough. In choir, it’s when nervous altos with only a few solid notes blend in with the larger group to create beautiful harmonies that reverberate through the hallways into one song.

We all have our preferences and our specialties. Individually, we can do many great things, but I believe the praise and new song that we’re asked to “sing” here can only happen when we assemble. It’s the creation of our collective effervescence at that instance in time. Because the group changes and what we bring changes, every time we gather and put our energy into praising the Lord together it’s a new song.

Thank you for connecting us with others in all sorts of ways. Help us find moments to come together and create new songs with what we have to give in those moments. Let the collective effervescence flow through us to you and back out into the world.

This devotion was written and read by Heather Davis.

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/.

and

We hear the word unity in many labels, slogans, admonitions, and challenges.

In simple arithmetic, we know that 1+1=2 and 2+2=4, but when God’s people come together, a new way to add comes to our attention. Each person comes into a group with their individual talents and skills. When two or three or more unite, the group can do things that go beyond the sum of the individual skills. It can be called teamwork.

I remember the 1980 United States Olympic hockey team. As a united group they won a game with the Russians that all experts and prognosticators said that could not happen. But it did because they were united and worked together and found skills that went beyond the sum of their individual skills.

I also remember a few years back when a member of our church was in kidney failure and a candidate for kidney donation was needed. A few members of First United Methodist went into a room and engaged in a group silent prayer asking for help to finding a matching donor. The next morning a matching donor came forward. That person was an active member in our congregation. Today, both of these people are doing well. Thanks be to God. I believe that our united group prayer session helped that process.

The lesson is simple as we can read in Longfellow’s Hiawatha:

God, please be in our midst and give us the wisdom and strength to gracefully unite in all that you will have us do. Amen.

This devotion was written by Ed Cherry and read 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: 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/.

As a child I remember being utterly astounded at how 5,000 people could be fed that day in Galilee, with twelve baskets of crumbs left over! Jesus, in the blessing and feeding of his crowd of listeners, nourished not only their physical bodies but also fed their souls with his teaching that day.

The listeners certainly must have gone from the place refreshed and renewed, filled with blessings beyond the meal of bread and fish. As you move through this time of Lent, consider your sources of nourishment, those things that sustain and deepen your faith. How can you offer these strengths to bless and nourish the people you come in contact with during Lent and beyond? Prepare to be astounded at what can happen.

Loving God, refresh our faith and expand our opportunities to nourish others. Fill us to overflowing with the miracle of your presence. AMEN.

Today’s devotional was written by Jenny Green and read by Amy Large.

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/.