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, 12/29/25 – 1/3/26
Faith UMC
MONDAY 12/29/25: Philippians 2:1-11, The Christ Hymn
Before the Gospels were written, there were letters from pastors to churches. Before there were letters, there were songs about Jesus with which the early church shared their faith with. We can see the remnants of these songs in the letters of the New Testament, including this one. Songs remain a powerful way of experiencing the faith and sharing the faith today. What songs have enriched your faith?
TUESDAY 12/30/25: Luke 3:1-22, The ministry of John the Baptist
Where can the Word of God be found? For ancient Jews, the answer was simple: the Temple. It was the holy place where God connected with earth. Priests were the stewards of God’s Word through temple worship activities. Imagine the confusion when this wild man in the dessert, John the Baptist, starts declaring God’s Word, even attacking the most religious of people. Then, he is validated by Jesus coming to him for baptism, as if Jesus is saying, “John is right. John understands the heart of God.” What in John’s teaching still challenges us?
WEDNESDAY 12/31/25: Psalm 84, One day in God’s house
As you read today’s psalm, meditate on the word, home. What is home to you? What would it mean to be in God’s home? What word or phrase from this psalm will you make your prayer for today?
THURSDAY 1/1/26, Deuteronomy 8:11-20, Remember When You Prosper
There is a danger in prosperity: we may be tempted to congratulate ourselves a little too much. Practicing Sabbath is meant to combat this temptation. When we take a break from work, we confess that our prosperity does not depend on our own labors alone, and that we trust in God to provide. God calls us to work and blesses our work, but we need to take time to remember that God opens doors for us, empowers us for work, and provides even when we fail. God is good.
FRIDAY 1/2/26: Galatians 6:1-18, Let’s not weary of doing right
We are free from the Law, we are not forced to be circumcised, but we are received by God as God’s children through the faithfulness and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. At the end of Paul’s letter, we are compelled to continue to work for the good and care for one another. Let’s not get bogged down in the way people critique us. Instead, let’s continue to love and do what is right.
SATURDAY 1/3/26: Matthew 2:1-12, Use Every Sign
Even though we often harmonize all the stories of Christmas into one picture, Matthew and Luke tell two very different stories! In Matthew’s story, Jesus’s birth is in the midst of very real danger. Jesus’s safety depends on a number of people, including foreign sorcerers (magi), listening for God’s direction in dreams, in stars, and even in words of the enemy. As we enter into this new year, let’s learn from the Magi, and listen for God in every sign. You matter to God.
Faith UMC
MONDAY 12/29/25: Philippians 2:1-11, The Christ Hymn
Before the Gospels were written, there were letters from pastors to churches. Before there were letters, there were songs about Jesus with which the early church shared their faith with. We can see the remnants of these songs in the letters of the New Testament, including this one. Songs remain a powerful way of experiencing the faith and sharing the faith today. What songs have enriched your faith?
TUESDAY 12/30/25: Luke 3:1-22, The ministry of John the Baptist
Where can the Word of God be found? For ancient Jews, the answer was simple: the Temple. It was the holy place where God connected with earth. Priests were the stewards of God’s Word through temple worship activities. Imagine the confusion when this wild man in the dessert, John the Baptist, starts declaring God’s Word, even attacking the most religious of people. Then, he is validated by Jesus coming to him for baptism, as if Jesus is saying, “John is right. John understands the heart of God.” What in John’s teaching still challenges us?
WEDNESDAY 12/31/25: Psalm 84, One day in God’s house
As you read today’s psalm, meditate on the word, home. What is home to you? What would it mean to be in God’s home? What word or phrase from this psalm will you make your prayer for today?
THURSDAY 1/1/26, Deuteronomy 8:11-20, Remember When You Prosper
There is a danger in prosperity: we may be tempted to congratulate ourselves a little too much. Practicing Sabbath is meant to combat this temptation. When we take a break from work, we confess that our prosperity does not depend on our own labors alone, and that we trust in God to provide. God calls us to work and blesses our work, but we need to take time to remember that God opens doors for us, empowers us for work, and provides even when we fail. God is good.
FRIDAY 1/2/26: Galatians 6:1-18, Let’s not weary of doing right
We are free from the Law, we are not forced to be circumcised, but we are received by God as God’s children through the faithfulness and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. At the end of Paul’s letter, we are compelled to continue to work for the good and care for one another. Let’s not get bogged down in the way people critique us. Instead, let’s continue to love and do what is right.
SATURDAY 1/3/26: Matthew 2:1-12, Use Every Sign
Even though we often harmonize all the stories of Christmas into one picture, Matthew and Luke tell two very different stories! In Matthew’s story, Jesus’s birth is in the midst of very real danger. Jesus’s safety depends on a number of people, including foreign sorcerers (magi), listening for God’s direction in dreams, in stars, and even in words of the enemy. As we enter into this new year, let’s learn from the Magi, and listen for God in every sign. You matter to God.