{"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":"2026-07-17T16:20:38.196226+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/grace-for-all-6595211"},"episode":{"title":"Servants First","slug":"servants-first","published_at":"2026-04-28T04:01:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/grace-for-all-6595211/servants-first","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/grace-for-all-6595211","url":"https://graceforall.captivate.fm/episode/4-28","audio_url":"https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/90852886-46da-4c10-b631-1ee10f3e7126.mp3","summary":"1 Kings 19:19–21 (NIV) \"So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. 'Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,' he said, 'and then I will come with you.' 'Go back,' Elijah replied. 'What have I done to you?' So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.\" Have you ever noticed how often in Scripture… God calls someone, and instead of placing them in a position of leadership right away… He places them in a position of service? We see it so clearly in 1 Kings 19. Elijah has just walked through exhaustion, fear, and restoration. And then God calls Elisha. And Elisha's response is striking. He doesn't hesitate. He doesn't negotiate. He doesn't ask for a plan. He returns home… He takes the very oxen that represent his livelihood… He sacrifices them… He burns the plow… And then he follows Elijah. But here's what's easy to miss. He doesn't step into a leadership role right away. Scripture says… \"He became his servant.\" Before Elisha ever speaks as a prophet… Before miracles… Before influence… He serves. And this is not just Elisha's story. This is God's pattern. Joshua served Moses. David served before he was king. The disciples followed and served before they were sent. And even Jesus said… \"I did not come to be served, but to serve.\" In God's Kingdom, serving is not a lesser role. It is the forming place. It's where God shapes humility. It's where He builds faithfulness. It's where He teaches us t…","meta_description":"1 Kings 19:19–21 (NIV) \"So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":363,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/grace-for-all-6595211/episodes/servants-first/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/servants-first.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}