Grow • Pray • Study
daily Devotional Guide
Our Grow • Pray • Study (GPS) Guide offers daily readings and thoughts that follow along the Scriptural themes of our Sunday Worship services.
G•P•S - Grow, Pray, Study Guide, 5/4/26 – 5/9/26
Faith UMC
MONDAY 5/4/26: Romans 13:1-10, Love and the government
The early Christians have a different relationship to their government than we do, to say the least! They had no power, but the temptation was to rise up, violently if necessary. Paul applies the ethic of love to their situation, which means respect and not uprising. Our relationship to our government is different. How do we apply the ethics of love today?
TUESDAY 5/5/26: Luke 10:1-20, Disciples do as Jesus does
Jesus sends out his disciples to do the things that Jesus has been doing. This is not limited to the 12 disciples. We are all called to do the things that Jesus did, and we are able to do it! Jesus did everything through the power of the Holy Spirit, and that same power is available to us. Jesus calls us to give and work for the Kingdom, how is God calling you to act?
WEDNESDAY 5/6/26: Psalm 66:8-20, Refined like silver.
Our psalm today demonstrates the two characteristics of God we’ve been thinking about this week: testing and providing. The psalmist understands that hardships are a form of testing, and through it, God has purified and strengthened. This is praiseworthy. Then the psalmist exclaims about God’s deliverance and freedom. What in these ancient words jumps out at you? What is God speaking to you today through this psalm?
THURSDAY 5/7/26, 1 Samuel 9:1-21, Look for donkeys, become a king
God agrees to give Israel a king. Saul, a good looking man from a small tribe, goes out looking for his donkeys and becomes king! What in this story stands out to you? Saul wasn’t seeking to be king that day. Why do you think God chooses someone from an insignificant tribe and family? What does this story reveal about God to you?
FRIDAY 5/8/26: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5, God’s message and hardships
In this passage, Paul gives thanks for several things: the Thessalonians accepted the message as God’s message, it continues to shape them, and they reflect the work and suffering of the churches and of Christ. Even as Paul continues to suffer persecution, he can rejoice because of the faithfulness and good work being produced by the Thessalonians. Though Paul is away from them, he cheers them on, and is cheered by their work. Who in your life, near or far, cheers you on in your faith?
SATURDAY 5/9/26: Matthew 28:11-20, Emmanuel Forever
At the beginning of Matthew, we are told that Jesus will be named “Emmanuel, which means God with us.” Of course, we never hear Jesus called Emmanuel again! But in the last words of Jesus, we have a call back to his name. His last words are “I AM with you, forever.” Jesus’s ministry is bookended by this promise: God and Jesus are with us. Join in worship tomorrow as we celebrate this good news! You matter to God!
Faith UMC
MONDAY 5/4/26: Romans 13:1-10, Love and the government
The early Christians have a different relationship to their government than we do, to say the least! They had no power, but the temptation was to rise up, violently if necessary. Paul applies the ethic of love to their situation, which means respect and not uprising. Our relationship to our government is different. How do we apply the ethics of love today?
TUESDAY 5/5/26: Luke 10:1-20, Disciples do as Jesus does
Jesus sends out his disciples to do the things that Jesus has been doing. This is not limited to the 12 disciples. We are all called to do the things that Jesus did, and we are able to do it! Jesus did everything through the power of the Holy Spirit, and that same power is available to us. Jesus calls us to give and work for the Kingdom, how is God calling you to act?
WEDNESDAY 5/6/26: Psalm 66:8-20, Refined like silver.
Our psalm today demonstrates the two characteristics of God we’ve been thinking about this week: testing and providing. The psalmist understands that hardships are a form of testing, and through it, God has purified and strengthened. This is praiseworthy. Then the psalmist exclaims about God’s deliverance and freedom. What in these ancient words jumps out at you? What is God speaking to you today through this psalm?
THURSDAY 5/7/26, 1 Samuel 9:1-21, Look for donkeys, become a king
God agrees to give Israel a king. Saul, a good looking man from a small tribe, goes out looking for his donkeys and becomes king! What in this story stands out to you? Saul wasn’t seeking to be king that day. Why do you think God chooses someone from an insignificant tribe and family? What does this story reveal about God to you?
FRIDAY 5/8/26: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5, God’s message and hardships
In this passage, Paul gives thanks for several things: the Thessalonians accepted the message as God’s message, it continues to shape them, and they reflect the work and suffering of the churches and of Christ. Even as Paul continues to suffer persecution, he can rejoice because of the faithfulness and good work being produced by the Thessalonians. Though Paul is away from them, he cheers them on, and is cheered by their work. Who in your life, near or far, cheers you on in your faith?
SATURDAY 5/9/26: Matthew 28:11-20, Emmanuel Forever
At the beginning of Matthew, we are told that Jesus will be named “Emmanuel, which means God with us.” Of course, we never hear Jesus called Emmanuel again! But in the last words of Jesus, we have a call back to his name. His last words are “I AM with you, forever.” Jesus’s ministry is bookended by this promise: God and Jesus are with us. Join in worship tomorrow as we celebrate this good news! You matter to God!