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, 8/24/26 – 8/29/26
Faith UMC
Continue the conversation from Sunday:
MONDAY 8/24/26: Isaiah 65:17-25, More than restoration
The prophet Isaiah is writing about a hope of return to Jerusalem after exile, but the vision is much larger than that. Not only will God restore the people, God will remake reality. In this new world, pain and weeping will be rare, death will not choke out life, workers will receive just compensation, and enemies will eat together in peace. This is a vision of the world to come, yes, but it’s also what we hope to bring to earth, now.
TUESDAY 8/25/26: Luke 16:1-13, Relationships over debt
Jesus tells a story about a man who goes around forgiving debt, although he did not have permission to do so, and getting commended by his master for it. It’s a strange story, but it turns out that this man was acting in line with the master’s values all along. How do you see “peace” being cultivated in this story? What new insights are you gaining?
WEDNESDAY 8/26/26: Psalm 105:1-15, God Remembers His Promises
As you read this psalm, understand that you are a part of Abraham’s family, or “offspring” as verse 6 says. You participation in Abraham’s calling to bless the world, but you also participate in God’s promise to Abraham and his descendants. Our response for this inclusion is joy and praise! Take a moment today to praise God for his blessing and calling in your life.
THURSDAY 8/27/26, 1 Kings 6:37-7:12, The temple and the palace
Solomon does what David could not do: build a permanent temple as a sign of God’s permanent presence. It took 7 years to build–a good place for God’s presence. Then Solomon builds the palace for himself. It takes 13 years to complete. It is larger and grander than the temple. Scripture is making a point. Solomon gives to himself greater than he would give to God. Remember, his devotion is divided between God of Israel and the gods of his wives. What does it mean for us today to have a divided heart?
FRIDAY 8/28/26: 2 Timothy 3:1-17, Peer pressure
Paul gives Timothy a list of character flaws in people we should avoid. He also gives characteristics that he should imitate: patience, love, endurance, etc. We need positive faithful examples in our lives. We would also do well to discern when unhealthy relationships can do damage to our souls. While we are called to love all, we are also given permission to avoid those that can damage us.
SATURDAY 8/29/26: Hebrews 11:1-40, Hills I’m Willing to Live On
To say “I’m dying on this hill!” is to say that I’m willing to fight to the end for a certain belief or stance. When we look at the history of faithful ancestors in Hebrews, we get precious little about their beliefs or stances that they’re defending. Instead, we read about the actions they took based on trust about God. They aren’t so much dying on hills as they are living on them. Perhaps God is not as interested in the beliefs you’re willing to die on as much as the faith you’re willing to live by. Join us in worship as Pastor Ric shares 7 “hills” he’s willing to live on, and consider the hills you live on! You matter to God!
Faith UMC
Continue the conversation from Sunday:
- What were your first images of heaven like?
- Why are heaven’s gates constantly open? For whom?
- If heaven is a people, how can we make heaven now?
MONDAY 8/24/26: Isaiah 65:17-25, More than restoration
The prophet Isaiah is writing about a hope of return to Jerusalem after exile, but the vision is much larger than that. Not only will God restore the people, God will remake reality. In this new world, pain and weeping will be rare, death will not choke out life, workers will receive just compensation, and enemies will eat together in peace. This is a vision of the world to come, yes, but it’s also what we hope to bring to earth, now.
TUESDAY 8/25/26: Luke 16:1-13, Relationships over debt
Jesus tells a story about a man who goes around forgiving debt, although he did not have permission to do so, and getting commended by his master for it. It’s a strange story, but it turns out that this man was acting in line with the master’s values all along. How do you see “peace” being cultivated in this story? What new insights are you gaining?
WEDNESDAY 8/26/26: Psalm 105:1-15, God Remembers His Promises
As you read this psalm, understand that you are a part of Abraham’s family, or “offspring” as verse 6 says. You participation in Abraham’s calling to bless the world, but you also participate in God’s promise to Abraham and his descendants. Our response for this inclusion is joy and praise! Take a moment today to praise God for his blessing and calling in your life.
THURSDAY 8/27/26, 1 Kings 6:37-7:12, The temple and the palace
Solomon does what David could not do: build a permanent temple as a sign of God’s permanent presence. It took 7 years to build–a good place for God’s presence. Then Solomon builds the palace for himself. It takes 13 years to complete. It is larger and grander than the temple. Scripture is making a point. Solomon gives to himself greater than he would give to God. Remember, his devotion is divided between God of Israel and the gods of his wives. What does it mean for us today to have a divided heart?
FRIDAY 8/28/26: 2 Timothy 3:1-17, Peer pressure
Paul gives Timothy a list of character flaws in people we should avoid. He also gives characteristics that he should imitate: patience, love, endurance, etc. We need positive faithful examples in our lives. We would also do well to discern when unhealthy relationships can do damage to our souls. While we are called to love all, we are also given permission to avoid those that can damage us.
SATURDAY 8/29/26: Hebrews 11:1-40, Hills I’m Willing to Live On
To say “I’m dying on this hill!” is to say that I’m willing to fight to the end for a certain belief or stance. When we look at the history of faithful ancestors in Hebrews, we get precious little about their beliefs or stances that they’re defending. Instead, we read about the actions they took based on trust about God. They aren’t so much dying on hills as they are living on them. Perhaps God is not as interested in the beliefs you’re willing to die on as much as the faith you’re willing to live by. Join us in worship as Pastor Ric shares 7 “hills” he’s willing to live on, and consider the hills you live on! You matter to God!