{"podcast":{"title":"Grace for All","slug":"grace-for-all-6595211","podcast_index_feed_id":6595211,"rss_url":"https://feeds.captivate.fm/graceforall/","website_url":"https://1stchurch.org","image_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/2428ce1f-9c22-4f5a-acd7-88e0a40ad9bf/Grace-for-All-3000.jpg","author":"Jim Stovall, Greta Smith, First United Methodist Church, Maryville, TN","episode_count":300,"summary":"\"Grace for All\" is a daily devotional podcast from the laity of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. Each episode presents scripture and a brief reflection, written and recorded by members of our church. These short episodes are meant to inspire you and support your journey of understanding and faith. We believe the central message of Jesus is one of grace. Grace for all human beings. Grace for All is a podcast ministry of First United Methodist Church, Maryville, TN","last_synced_at":"2026-09-25T18:18:52.938444+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/grace-for-all-6595211"},"episode":{"title":"A Great Cloud of Witnesses","slug":"a-great-cloud-of-witnesses","published_at":"2026-07-29T07:30:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/grace-for-all-6595211/a-great-cloud-of-witnesses","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/grace-for-all-6595211","url":"https://graceforall.captivate.fm/episode/a-great-cloud-of-witnesses","audio_url":"https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/9428efca-7562-4770-9cb8-ba9551907d5a.mp3","summary":"Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us Our Grace for All theme this month is ‘What does the Lord require?’ And our scripture reading for today does include a directive: to throw off the things that hinder and the sin that entangles, and to run the race before us with perseverance. Resist evil, the writer of Hebrews admonishes, and finish the job. But this passage includes not only a directive. It also includes a reminder: we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Chapter 11, the chapter preceding these verses I just read in the book of Hebrews, reads like a walk through the Hall of Fame of faith. It names Noah, and Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and Moses. It gives examples of their faith and perseverance. It is meant to strengthen and encourage the reader or hearer of this text by evoking a legacy, an inheritance. Do not forget where you come from , the writer of Hebrews suggests. Know your story. Remember your ancestors. Take up the mantle. You are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Doing what God requires, obeying God’s commands, and following the Way of Christ can be hard. We daily encounter things that might hinder or entangle us, distracting us from the call to love and serve as Christ loved and served. But we, too, are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses, faithful servants who committed their lives to discipleship. Take a moment now to consider those who came before you, the cloud of witnesses that surrounds you. Be strengthened and encouraged as you go about this day, encountering obstacles and snares, yet still striving to run the race with perseverance. You do not go…","meta_description":"Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily en…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":271,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/grace-for-all-6595211/episodes/a-great-cloud-of-witnesses/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/grace-for-all-6595211/a-great-cloud-of-witnesses.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}