In the broader passage from which this is excerpted, Paul is writing to the church in Ephesus about morality and behavior that reflects someone who is following Christ, discussing such heavy issues as sexual morality, greed, purity of the words we speak, and avoiding drunkenness. A person might think that singing together seems kind of frivolous or at least out of place by comparison. On the contrary, singing is an important way we connect with God. Saint Augustine is often attributed with the expression, “To sing is to pray twice.” When we sing rather than just saying the words of our prayers, we often connect more deeply with them. Music has great power to stir our emotions, activating parts of our brains and, I believe, our souls that aren’t as activated when speaking those words alone.

Science confirms this — singing is good for us. It lowers cortisol and blood pressure, and it releases endorphins and oxytocin, reducing stress levels. It’s good for our cognitive health both by focusing our brains through engaging in the activity itself and by quieting the “noise” of our minds. By engaging the lungs, it improves breathing, and by stimulating the vagus nerve, it might even improve digestion! Some studies even suggest that singers have a higher level of the antibody Immunoglobulin A, meaning that it could be good for our immune system. Others suggest it might help with pain management.

Notice, too, that Paul doesn’t say “sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs by yourself.” He specifically encourages us to sing together. When we sing with others, we intensify further that expression of Augustine’s — we not only pray twice, we share in an emotionally intensified prayer with others. This connects us in ways that are crucial to the communal aspect of our lives of faith.

And when we sing together, research bears out that pure magic happens. Our heartbeats actually start to sync to others’ with whom we are singing, and our sense of community increases by strengthening our social bonds. Studies have shown singing in groups to be helpful for those with mental illness, creating a sense of inclusion. It has been proven to increase self-confidence and to help us process and cope with emotions, too.

Of course, Paul didn’t have all this data when he wrote his letter. But the placement among these other behaviors seems conspicuous. It turns out that choosing good or “pure” words has physical effects on our bodies. Not engaging in sexual immorality or lots of drunkenness similarly does. Greed destroys our mental health. So, given all of this, it makes perfect sense that Paul placed singing together — an activity that can improve our lives individually and collectively — as an alternative to more harmful ones he’s cautioning against.

So friends, let’s sing.

Thank you God, for the songs we sing, the opportunity to sing them, and the people with whom we share them. May our songs praise you always. Amen.

This devotion was written and read by Dwight Dockery.

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/.

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, peace, and love.

Now, let's listen to the scriptures that have been on our hearts this week.

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/.

"Let the sea and its fish give a round of applause, with everything living on earth joining in. Let ocean breakers call out, 'Encore!' as they join the rivers in a standing ovation for God."

I play the guitar. Actually, it is more accurate to say I play at the guitar. I know enough chords to be dangerous, I can fake my way through a few fingerpicking patterns, and I've made peace with the fact that my F chord is more of an aspiration than an achievement. And bar chords? Forget about it.

I love music. Playing guitar gives me somewhere to put my mind that isn't anywhere else. It's a challenge I actually enjoy. And that’s enough. Any proficiency I pick up along the way is gravy on the biscuit.

One Saturday morning, I took my guitar out to the screened porch. I'd been practicing chord changes for weeks, and I thought a few minutes of that might be good.

I was concentrating on my fingers when I noticed it had started to rain. Not a storm, just a soft, steady rain moving through the trees in the yard. I kept playing. And then I noticed something.

My backyard is mostly trees. As the rain fell, it made a particular sound as it hit the layers of branches and leaves. As the rain intensified, the sound got louder.

It sounded like applause.

I stopped playing, and I listened. Then I laughed out loud. The trees were applauding.

Now I know the difference between rain and applause. No confusion there.

But I stood up anyway. I thought that it might be the only time I'd ever get applause for playing the guitar.

I played a C-F-G chord progression. It's the set of chords that underlies half the songs ever written, the musical equivalent of a handshake. And I took a bow.

"Thank you," I said. "Thank you very much."

The trees kept applauding.

The psalmist noticed the same thing: oceans giving a round of applause and rivers joining in a standing ovation. This has apparently been going on a lot longer than I realized.

And maybe that's how grace works. You're not trying to have a holy moment. You're just sitting on a porch with a cup of coffee and a guitar. The rain comes, and something you weren't looking for finds you anyway.

I don't know what the trees thought of my chord progression, especially my F chord. But I know they were paying attention long before I was.

Lord, thank you for rain. Thank you for Saturday mornings and screened porches and the particular mercy of having somewhere to put my mind that isn't anywhere else. And thank you for the trees — who apparently have been paying attention all along. Amen.

This devotional was written and read by Cliff McCartney.

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/.

We have all heard it said that "talk is cheap." And so it is. Words flow easily from our lips, often without much thought about where they are going or what they will do when they get there. We talk constantly — to each other, at each other, sometimes simply into the air — and much of what we say costs us nothing at all.

The writer of Hebrews has something different in mind. In this passage, he invites us to think of our speech as something far more significant than idle chatter. He calls it a sacrifice — specifically, a sacrifice of praise. For ancient readers steeped in the Jewish tradition, the word sacrifice carried enormous weight. Sacrifice was costly. It required something of you. And here, the writer says, is your sacrifice: the fruit of your lips.

But notice the word that changes everything: continually. The writer does not say to offer this sacrifice on Sundays, or during our prayers, or in moments of particular devotion. He says continually — through all things, at all times. This is not an occasional offering. It is meant to be the ongoing texture of how we use our voices every single day.

That is a quiet but radical challenge. If our speech is meant to be a continual sacrifice of praise, then the question we must honestly ask ourselves is sometimes an uncomfortable one: Is what we are saying worthy of being an offering to God? Or are we simply filling the air with words that serve no one but ourselves?

The writer is careful about what makes speech a true sacrifice. He says it must be offered through Jesus and must openly profess his name. Talk that is channeled through Christ — that points toward him, that lifts others in his name — is the offering. Talk that does not do that, however plentiful, is simply noise.

And then verse 16 completes the thought in a way we might not expect. Do not forget to do good and to share with others, the writer says, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. The sacrifice of praise does not stay in the mouth. When our words are truly offered through Christ, they become action. They move us toward doing good, toward sharing what we have. Word and deed turn out to be the same sacrifice, simply expressed two different ways.

So perhaps we need to rethink that old saying. Talk is not cheap — or at least, it does not have to be. Offered through Christ, acknowledged in his name, expressed continually in how we speak to and about one another, our words can become something of genuine worth. They can become, in the truest sense, an offering to God.

Our Father, help us to take seriously the gift of speech you have given us. May the fruit of our lips be a worthy offering to you — offered continually, channeled through Christ, and made real in the way we treat one another. 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/.

As I have been thinking about this scripture over the last couple of weeks, I am reminded that my "star word" for 2026 is JOY. This word is to be a guiding, prayerful focus for the entire year. I was even gifted a bracelet that is engraved "Choose Joy". I really don't believe that was a coincidence. The word "joy" seems to be popping up in my daily life at an unusual pace. Being aware does help me see God's presence in my daily life and helps provide focus.

I remember, as a child, this was one of the first scriptures I was asked to memorize. We memorized a different scripture each day in Vacation Bible School that summer in the early 60s. I loved Vacation Bible School. My teachers were fun and loved us well. As young children, I can assure you we made a joyful noise, at the very least a loud, happy noise. We were delighted to be at church, to be in a loving environment with our friends. We learned Bible Stories, made crafts, played outside and we sang! I loved to sing. I'm sure our teachers were glad when the day was over, but I'm also sure they went home filled with joy. I imagine, much like us children, they went home singing or humming those fun Bible School songs. Those songs were our way of worshipping and being in the presence of God. Maybe we didn't really understand, but those songs really had an impact on us. With only a gentle nudge, I can still sing many of those songs we learned. I passed them along to my own children, grandchildren and now I'm singing them with my great grandson.

The joy those songs bring are filled with lots of emotions, feelings and a deep abiding gladness. When you sing those words of faith alone or in a group, you just can't erase the hope, the relationship, the gratitude you experience with God. We are to approach God with joy and gratitude, not obligation. He is waiting for us, waiting to hear love, delight, and joy. Our joy grows naturally and comes from God.

Sing with me….

"Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah…. Praise ye the Lord! Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah… Praise ye the Lord! Praise ye the Lord, Hallelujah! Praise ye the Lord! Hallelujah! Praise ye the Lord, Hallelujah! Praise ye the Lord! God is present. You are loved.

And if this song doesn't bring you hope. There is another even more precious song for us.

Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong; they are weak, but he is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.

May you feel His deep abiding love today and every day. We are anchored in His love. Be filled with joy!

Gracious and Loving God. We are so thankful for your love, for your plan that includes our joy and happiness. May you hear our loud praises. And may others witness our cheerful hearts as we spread joy in this weary world. In the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, we joyfully pray. Amen.

This devotional was written by Lisa Blackwood.........

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/.

Of all the words in the English language, Joy is one of the most transformative. It can be sparked by moments in our lives but it also dwells deeply within us. Divinely rooted, Joy is a fruit of God's spirit and is always available no matter the challenges we face. Do you remember, as a young child, running just for the sheer joy of running? Jumping for the complete delight of jumping? Or, at any age, singing for the pure joy of singing? This kind of heart-centered rejoicing enriches our spirits and comes from a place of praise to God.

I like to engage in the activity of "Joy-Watching."

Listening to the songbirds in the mornings begins the "Joy-Watch" as the birds express pure happiness in being alive and in welcoming the daylight. Joyful moments happen as neighbors wave to each other, as people smile at each other in the grocery store, and as school kids giggle with each other. I equally enjoy catching sight of spontaneous hugs and listening for words of affirmation and love. Being at church offers an incredible opportunity for "Joy-Watching" as all ages engage in such connections and expressions.

Churches are full of smiles, encouraging words and uplifting moments. These can be noticed in the words of sermons and the messages of choir anthems and songs. Smiles show up as the younger children dash forward to their special time in the church service or spontaneously dance while the Praise band plays.

When heaviness, sadness or fear show up in my life I know that joy remains alongside these feelings and is impossible to completely extinguish. I can lean into the future knowing that praise and joy are constant companions, given by God. Always watching for new and unexpected ways that joy breaks into my life, I remain certain of its continued presence and I anticipate surprises.

Joy can be carried along anywhere we go and offered to others around us who may be needing encouragement during a difficult time. Whole-hearted rejoicing brings strength for the journey and can become an ongoing practice along the way. If all of us let God's joy move through us daily and also spread it freely through our words and actions, its power to transform would make an incredible difference. Making space for praise, joy and gratitude blesses everyone. These gifts are worth watching for.

Creator God, renew and restore your joy deeply within us. Give us such hearts of gratitude that we are able to share your blessings throughout each day. Uplift and transform us so that we can lift others around us. With grateful praise, Amen.

This devotional was written and read by Jenny Green

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/.

We have a screen room where we like to eat our meals when the weather allows. We have a number of trees surrounding our backyard and because of that we are blessed to listen to the songs of birds. We have an app that identifies what birds are singing. So, a ritual with our meal is for me to take out my phone as I say, "I wonder who is joining us?" We have our regulars, like the Carolina Wren and the Song Sparrow. Occasionally we have a special guest, like the red shoulder hawk. Listening to them makes this verse come alive, In those moments it feels as if all creation is making a joyful noise.

Listening to those birds also makes me think of the song "All Things Bright and Beautiful." In the first verse it talks about each little bird that sings and later how God made their tiny wings. The hymn ends with these words "God gave us eyes to see them, and lips that we might tell how great is God almighty, who has made all things well."

Those words, and the beauty of creation, are reminders to us that God is all around us. That is a comforting and joyful word. But as the last verse of the hymn reminds us, this awareness is not just to hold in our hearts, but something we should share with others.

Birds sing all the time. It's what they do. We are called to sing as well. That doesn't mean we have to walk around singing at the top of our lungs, but you could. It is a call to find ways to share often how great is God, to add our voice to the joyful noise of creation. I have a friend who often says "God is Good. All the time!" Her words became even more compelling when she went through a very difficult time. Even though she was dealing with loss and health concerns she would still say, "God is good! All the time!" It felt as if she said it with even more conviction during these times. We all noticed her words, it was her song of praise.

So sing to the lord a new song. Break forth into joyous songs of praise. Let the world know God is here! And just like the birds, we have to sing about it. After all, it is what we are supposed to do!

Loving God, help us to pause today to listen, really listen to your creation. In the songs of the birds, the sound of the wind in the trees and more may we be reminded you are here. Help us by our words and actions to join in this song letting all know you are with us and love us. And may our song, perhaps help another to find the comfort and reassurance and maybe even faith that they need. AMEN.

This devotional was written and read by Bill Green.

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/.