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, 413/26 – 4/18/26
Faith UMC
MONDAY 4/13/26: 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:2, Yes and amen
Even when we seem wishy-washy, God never is. That is the message that Paul hopes to get across to the congregation at Corinth. He had originally told them that he would visit them, but then he changed his mind because he was still angry at them. Even if he changes his mind, God’s message doesn’t, God’s promises in Jesus are always, “yes.” What does it mean for us that God’s faithfulness is embedded in Jesus?
TUESDAY 4/14/26: Luke 9:28-39, What Jesus really looks like
In the previous section, Jesus teaches the disciples what a Messiah does: die to bring new life. Today, we get another view of Jesus, from a different angle. In a miraculous moment, the disciples get to see Jesus in his Divinity, affirmed by The Father and ministered to by Moses and Elijah (prophets with mysterious deaths and who saw God’s glory). In this vision, we see that Jesus’ work is larger than a political revolution. Something heavenly and universe-changing is happening in Jesus. Jesus is more than we expect . . . always.
WEDNESDAY 4/15/26: Psalm 93, Psalm 93, The Lord is King
Whenever the word “LORD” appears in the Old Testament, we know that it is standing in for the unspeakable name of God: YHWH. The God who was revealed to Moses in the burning bush is our king. The truth is that God is king of the universe whether we like it or not. However, the good news is that God is a good king, full of compassion, mercy, and love. How are you trusting in God as king, today?
THURSDAY 4/16/26, 1 Samuel 2:1-11, A familiar song
As Hannah rejoices over her son, Samuel, she sings a song––a song that Mary will echo centuries later. This song is a song of God’s salvation and provision for the lowest and needy. Part of her praise is that God’s salvation has not come through archers and warriors, but a baby born to a barren woman. God gives life where we thought life couldn’t exist. As you read this song, what thoughts come to mind? What is God saying to you today?
FRIDAY 4/17/26: Philippians 4:1-23, Therefore, Rejoice!
Because we have an example in Christ, because we have been changed by his grace, and because we have all the rights and protections as citizens of heaven, we must rejoice! Paul ends his letter with this command to rejoice, to dwell on good things, and allow God’s peace to reign in our lives. How are you doing in rejoicing? Take some time right now to rejoice in God, praise God for his love and our citizenship in heaven. Receive God’s peace.
SATURDAY 4/18/26: John 20:24-31, Permission to Believe
Trust seems naive, anymore. Skepticism seems to be the responsible position to take in most cases. We shouldn’t act until we have all the information. Just one problem with that: when will we ever have enough information? At some point, we have to leap. In this story, Thomas gets enough information for him to take the leap of faith, but the truth of the story (that Jesus acknowledges) is that we will not get what Thomas gets, so will we still leap? Join us in worship as we commit to taking this leap of faith together. You matter to God.
Faith UMC
MONDAY 4/13/26: 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:2, Yes and amen
Even when we seem wishy-washy, God never is. That is the message that Paul hopes to get across to the congregation at Corinth. He had originally told them that he would visit them, but then he changed his mind because he was still angry at them. Even if he changes his mind, God’s message doesn’t, God’s promises in Jesus are always, “yes.” What does it mean for us that God’s faithfulness is embedded in Jesus?
TUESDAY 4/14/26: Luke 9:28-39, What Jesus really looks like
In the previous section, Jesus teaches the disciples what a Messiah does: die to bring new life. Today, we get another view of Jesus, from a different angle. In a miraculous moment, the disciples get to see Jesus in his Divinity, affirmed by The Father and ministered to by Moses and Elijah (prophets with mysterious deaths and who saw God’s glory). In this vision, we see that Jesus’ work is larger than a political revolution. Something heavenly and universe-changing is happening in Jesus. Jesus is more than we expect . . . always.
WEDNESDAY 4/15/26: Psalm 93, Psalm 93, The Lord is King
Whenever the word “LORD” appears in the Old Testament, we know that it is standing in for the unspeakable name of God: YHWH. The God who was revealed to Moses in the burning bush is our king. The truth is that God is king of the universe whether we like it or not. However, the good news is that God is a good king, full of compassion, mercy, and love. How are you trusting in God as king, today?
THURSDAY 4/16/26, 1 Samuel 2:1-11, A familiar song
As Hannah rejoices over her son, Samuel, she sings a song––a song that Mary will echo centuries later. This song is a song of God’s salvation and provision for the lowest and needy. Part of her praise is that God’s salvation has not come through archers and warriors, but a baby born to a barren woman. God gives life where we thought life couldn’t exist. As you read this song, what thoughts come to mind? What is God saying to you today?
FRIDAY 4/17/26: Philippians 4:1-23, Therefore, Rejoice!
Because we have an example in Christ, because we have been changed by his grace, and because we have all the rights and protections as citizens of heaven, we must rejoice! Paul ends his letter with this command to rejoice, to dwell on good things, and allow God’s peace to reign in our lives. How are you doing in rejoicing? Take some time right now to rejoice in God, praise God for his love and our citizenship in heaven. Receive God’s peace.
SATURDAY 4/18/26: John 20:24-31, Permission to Believe
Trust seems naive, anymore. Skepticism seems to be the responsible position to take in most cases. We shouldn’t act until we have all the information. Just one problem with that: when will we ever have enough information? At some point, we have to leap. In this story, Thomas gets enough information for him to take the leap of faith, but the truth of the story (that Jesus acknowledges) is that we will not get what Thomas gets, so will we still leap? Join us in worship as we commit to taking this leap of faith together. You matter to God.