On January 1, we began our podcast for the year 2025 with Philippians 4:6 and today we find a lovely set of bookends, using that same verse to close out the first month of our shiny new year.

Our scripture for today is Philippians 4:6-7.

This is such beautiful advice, and the timing is perfect! The new year stretches before us, filled with opportunities and possibilities. No one, but God, knows what the coming days may hold. We hope and pray for good times, for good health, and good fortune.

Yet, we know there are potholes and bumps in every road we take. Life is not a bed of roses. These verses are a reminder that we can choose now to allow daily prayer and thanksgiving, to draw us so close to God that no matter what comes, we can rest in God – wrapped in his peace.

I suggest posting these two verses where we can see them each morning as a constant reminder of the availability of God‘s peace, in good times we will take joy in the verses, in hard times we can hang on tight to them, drawing ourselves into God‘s promised peace.

And so we pray — Lord, keep these verses in my heart, filling me with joy in the good times, hope in the rough times, and peace at all times - in Jesus name… Amen!

This devotion 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/.