This verse from Psalms allows me to breathe easier. I certainly have accumulated a long list of actions and thoughts that could provoke God’s anger and retribution. But I know from this verse and many others that this is not how God deals with us. He forgives us over and over again.

Recently I had a conversation with a student whom I had not seen or talked with in over 30 years. Imagine my surprise when he suddenly said “I have never forgiven you for . . .” It turns out that I had reported his use of a tobacco product on campus, a clear violation of school policy, which resulted in disciplinary action; again, school policy. I have no memory of this incident, but I no doubt wrote reports for many students over 25 years in the classroom. I am a rule follower by nature, and if part of my job is to follow school policy, then that is what I will do. It was never personal, but to this student, I had done him a great wrong, and he has never forgiven me! Our conversation ended cordially, and I hope he can let go of that perceived injustice all these years later.

Thank goodness God does not treat us this way. As I said earlier, I am sure I have accumulated a long list of things that God coul d hold against me. Maybe I said or did something without really thinking about it as being unjust or cruel or sinful, but it was something God would not want me to do. And then there are the things I do and say that I know God is not pleased with, but due to my human weakness, I do it anyway. Every night and every morning I can ask for forgiveness and start with a clean slate. My heart can be light rather than burdened with all the wrong in my life. I can praise God for His great mercy and forgiveness. I can be a new person every day as I strive to be more Christ-like in my journey. This Psalm ends with verse 22: “Praise the Lord, all his works, everywhere in his dominion. Praise the Lord, my soul.”

Father, how can we ever thank you for your infinite forgiveness? Your willingness to let us start anew and try our best not to repeat past sins and wrongdoing? It is beyond our human ability to understand such boundless love and mercy. Yet we thank you and we praise you for these amazing gifts.

Amen.

This devotion is 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/.

Last night, I came home from work exhausted. Monday was a “long week,” and Tuesday was even longer. I was out of energy. I cried my laments as I ate a late dinner and had no time to relax. I got to Friday and celebrated the end of another week.

As a culture, we are in love with a sense of accomplishment. We relish marking things off our to-do list. We idolize our own laments. We bask in our productivity and letting everyone else know how hard it has been.

We wish things over, finished, spent, done, complete… I’ve never really thought about it until the moment I started writing this but one way of looking at being a good Christian is that it totally lacks any sense of completion. It’s never over. Our mission will not end. Well, that could be frustrating—and exhausting if you have been raised in a culture that celebrates a cult of accomplishment.

Being Christian is not about what I accomplish. I have created nothing. A better question is “Am I compassionate?” From where is compassion born? Do we produce compassion or is it given to us to share with those around us? If I am compassionate then it is because God has renewed my compassion each day.

I create compassion no more than I produce light in this world. If I have a light to shine then it is because God has gifted me light. Every morning new mercies, compassion, and light are shared with me as a gift.

“Great is Thy Faithfulness”- God has faith in me? God has faith in me! God renews his compassion for me every morning. God believes I can rise every day renewed with passion and compassion to carry out His mission, a never ending mission. Endless compassion given to me.

Each day dawns, and His light shines brightly in me.

It is an illusion that it is dark in this world. Just as the sun never sets, God’s love surrounds us even in the darkest hour. It is easier for you and those around you to see your light when you are in the darkness. The light is always with us, but if we are standing where the light of Christ is all around us, then anything we are saying or doing is part of what is already visibly good.

When we seek the darkness and shine the light of Christ and share compassion with those in the darkness, then we light a path for them. We are torchbearers. And may our light never falter as it is renewed each day with the compassion of our Lord.

Lord, great is Your faithfulness. Let us pray that we can begin each day renewed by Your compassion for us. May we share Your love, compassion, and light with all that we encounter each day. And when we are exhausted at the end of a day, help us to remember that this is a sign that we have done Your work and that You are the source of our renewal, Amen.

This devotional was written by Jill Pope and read by Greta Smith.

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/.

The word redeem means to atone or make amends for error or evil. The thief on the cross beside Jesus, is a perfect example of redemption. This man by a single act of faith was redeemed for a life of evil.

When we confess our sins and errors, God is faithful and redeems us. And he offers this redemption to ALL who return to him. But there is something often holding us back from that perfect redemption that God offers. That something, is unforgiveness, standing in the way of our redemption.

James 2:13 says, “For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

To embrace forgiveness leads us to true redemption and mercy. We can’t hold on to that old grudge against a family member or keep thinking hateful thoughts about that friend who betrayed us or the neighbor who offended us. We must forgive these deep offenses and hurts. We must let them go.

It can be very hard to give mercy for deep wounds, for tragic wrongs, but with God’s help, we can forgive and let go of even the worst hurts. We need God’s help, and we might have to forgive some people over and over again. But with determination and God’s help we can overcome our resentment, anger, and hatred. Forgiving does not mean you forget what happened, though that would be wonderful. Forgiving means letting go of resentment and anger toward the perpetrator. Forgiving means showing mercy, just as God shows mercy to you.

By showing mercy to those who have hurt us, we can return to God’s peace and feel redeemed, wrapped in His LOVE.

I don’t know about you, but I crave that redemption peace!

Dear God, help me to give my burdens to you and to let go of the resentment, hatred, and anger I have been holding, from my past hurts. Help me to overcome negative thoughts and to offer your selfless LOVE to those who have hurt or angered me – even my enemy. By forgiving, I can return to you, accepting your freely offered gift of redemption.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Today’s devotional 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 and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

As part of the morning services at our church, there is children's time. It is one of my favorite parts of the service. Usually, it consists of an object lesson and a brief story told to the kids by the pastor. Very seldom does the session end without a reply from one or more of the children that brings joy and, many times, laughter from the adults.

At a recent church Thanksgiving dinner, the pastor highlighted the blessings that he referred to as “dreams come true” throughout the year. Then he invited everyone to share a dream they had for the future of the church by writing it on a sticky note and placing it on one of the large glass windows along the side of the room. The children were included in the invitation. One youngster shared his honest and humorous dream of “playing basketball in Sunday School.” As the saying goes, you can't make this stuff up.

It is encouraging to see young people using their musical talent in various church services. This includes instrumental solos, a youth choir, and a handbell choir. Young people also help with communion, church offerings, candle lighting, and other tasks.

Our scripture relays a story of people being rebuked by the disciples for bringing children to Jesus to be blessed, but Jesus said, "Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for such is the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Proverbs 22:6 proclaims “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Children face some serious challenges in our world and need our prayers, protection, and encouragement. I’m thankful for opportunities for our youth to serve and worship and for parents and family support systems that share responsibility to “bring up a child in the way he should go.”

Thank you, Father, for our young people. We pray for wisdom as we share a community of love and protection for children. Amen.

This devotion was written by Stephen Hankal and read by Judy Wilson.

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/.

Can you think of the times in your life when your life took a whole new direction? Maybe it was when you graduated from high school or college. Maybe it was when a new person came into your life, such as a spouse, a newborn baby, or simply a new person who became a close friend. Maybe it was when you moved to a new location or took a new job that had you doing something you had never done before.

In this story, we find Jesus traveling with his disciples, and they come upon a group of individuals who are in dire circumstances. They have a disease that, in those times, made them outcasts. But they know who Jesus is, and they have found out what he has done in other places, and for other people. They asked for his help.

In a fashion that is typical of his ministry, Jesus heals them. Jesus gives him a new direction in life, one that they had begged for. They can now return to their normal lives, to their families and friends. This is what they wanted, and they have been truly blessed.

But only one out of the 10 realizes what has just happened to him. Only one, a Samaritan of all people, understands that this wonderful thing was not just a chance occurrence. It was a gift—a gift, directly from Jesus himself. That one person came back to thank Jesus, and to praise God.

There are many times in our lives when we take a new direction. In many cases, the change is exactly what we want, what we have been hoping for, what we have been asking for. Do we, like the other nine lepers, simply recognize our good fortune, and continue on with our lives? Or do we, like the Samaritan, understand that the gift of a new beginning is a gift from God?

Our father, in heaven, help us to recognize that the changes that take place in our lives are the gifts of your grace and your love. Help us always to accept him with discerning and thankful hearts. Amen.

This devotion was written by Jim Stovall 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/.

This encounter with a leper occurs as Jesus is teaching and healing throughout the land. Growing crowds are following him, amazed by the authority of his preaching. Many are hoping for healing from conditions from which they have suffered for years, even their whole lives. Despite the crowds, Jesus recognizes and reaches out to individuals such as this leper. The leper bows his head and begs Jesus for healing. In the preceding verse, the leper says “Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.” And Jesus does choose – the man is made clean.

In Biblical times, disease was considered to be punishment for sin. The appearance of the leper (skin lesions, rashes, discoloration of skin) made it clear that the person was not fit to enter the Temple or associate with others. Lepers were forced to live on the outskirts of town, forage for their food, and even ring a bell and call out “Unclean!” if another person came near. They lived a life of shame and isolation.

But here is Jesus, acknowledging, responding to, even touching the leper who has begged for healing. The leper’s request is granted; he is made clean. Jesus continues to reach out to us today. Whatever sin separates us from God can be forgiven and we can be made clean, if we only ask. During this Lenten season of self-examination, reflection, and repentance, may we be mindful that Jesus never turns away; the first step to healing and a closer relationship with Him is up to us.

Lord Jesus, we come to you in faith, asking to be made clean and healed from our iniquities. Thank you for the gift of your grace and forgiveness, and for always choosing love. In your name we pray, Amen.

Today’s devotional was written by Pat Scruggs and read by Julie George.

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/.

Many years ago when my kids were young we had the pleasure of welcoming the African children's choir to our church. This choir was founded in 1984 by a man named Ray Barnett who was traveling in wartorn Uganda and gave a small boy a ride to a safer village. During the journey the child began to sing in the midst of all the surrounding chaos.

Out of this was born the choir which focuses on children orphaned mainly by AIDS and war. They are schooled and trained and then tour all over North America. Their performance that day was glorious.Their energy, joy, and enthusiasm were contagious.The congregation rose and danced and sang along.It was an absolute worship experience. So many kinds of voices joined together.

After they finished my young son leaned over and whispered to me, “I wish I could dance and sing like that without being embarrassed.” Don't we all. We practiced singing to the Lord and letting the world know of his glory that day.

Lord, help us to see the glorious things you have done in your world around us each and every day and not be embarrassed to tell others that they may also see your goodness. Amen.

This devotion was written and recorded 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 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/.

During the four decades, during which I was a college professor, I heard all of the excuses. Students could not come to class, could not complete their assignments, could not do the things that they were supposed to do and that I knew that they could do all because of… well, you could fill in the blank.

Numerous times, I asked the students, no matter what their failings, to stop offering me excuses. The excuses did me no good, and they were certainly not doing the students any good. And yet, the excuses continued no matter how much I asked them to stop.

In truth, however, I am no better than many of my students. I am an expert at making excuses for myself. There is always a reason why I can’t do as I should. I have a whole list: That’s the way I am. That’s the way my parents raised me. I don’t have it in me. I don’t know how.

In this passage of scripture, God, speaking through the prophet Isaiah, is clear and refreshingly direct. If anything, he sounds a little like an exasperated teacher. No more excuses. Wash yourselves and make yourselves clean. Remove the evil things from your life. Do the right thing.

If there is something that we need to talk about, God says, then let’s talk. Let’s argue it out. It is a direct challenge to all of our excuses. If I get into an argument with God, I’m pretty sure I know who’s going to win that one.

And then God offers us a promise, a promise of forgiveness. If we will do the things that he asks, our sins will be washed away. What thing on earth can we want more than to have our sins forgiven, to be in the presence of the God who loves us, and to know his spirit and his grace more fully? What excuse can we offer for rejecting that?

Our Father, Help us to accept the commandment to put aside our excuses so that you can forgive our sins and that we can experience your love and grace. Amen.

This devotion was written by Jim Stovall 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/.