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, 6/22/26 – 6/27/26
Faith UMC
MONDAY 6/22/26: Genesis 9:8-17, God makes a reminder for Godself
The Bible isn’t just one book! It’s a collection of writings over hundreds of years and by various people. Even the books of the Bible are collections of older writings and stories edited together like a patchwork quilt. So the stories offer a diversity of thoughts and perspectives, even on what God is like. God in the Noah story is a much more “hand-on,” changeable, and “in it with us” kind of God. Immanent, rather than far away and above it all. Why would this picture of God be meaningful to people? What is your picture of God like?
TUESDAY 6/23/26: Luke 12:22-34, Desire God’s kingdom
What are you worried about? Our reading today tells us about God’s provision for creation, and if God will provide for the ravens and the wild flowers, of course God will provide for you! Jesus tells us to first desire God’s kingdom. The word “kingdom” here can be translated as “reign.” First, desire God’s reign, in your life, in your family, in your community. When we say “Jesus is Lord,” what we mean is that Jesus is our leader, our governor, and we will follow him. When we do this, we find that we have nothing to worry about.
WEDNESDAY 6/24/26: Psalm 13, How long O Lord? . . .
Not every song of praise is pretty. The Psalms are not about appeasing God with flowery language and superficial flattery. God doesn’t want that. God wants honesty, and that’s what this psalm offers. When have you prayed prayers like this? Notice that it ends with a declaration of trust. Can we trust and complain at the same time? What do you need to say to God today?
THURSDAY 6/25/26, 2 Samuel 2:1-3:1, Not a clean transfer of crown
Saul dies, and two kings are anointed. There is a battle that ensues, foreshadowing the difficulty Israel will face in its future. Notice the madness. Notice the chaos. While Joab is on David’s team, we will learn that he is not an altogether wholesome character. Ask yourself where God is in this mess? Who is seeking God? Who is pausing the bloodshed to ask what God wants?
FRIDAY 6/26/26: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18, Don’t get discouraged in doing right
One of the main issues for the Thessalonians are other teachers or members who reject the idea of evil or wrong-doing. Perhaps their are taking Paul’s “all things are permissible” as an excuse for anything goes. While there is freedom, there is also discipline for the sake of the greater good. How do you see the relationship of freedom and discipline in your life?
SATURDAY 6/27/26: Genesis 22:1-8, Mt. Moriah and the Promise to Provide
God begins God’s plan of undoing evil from the inside out with the family of Abraham. God chooses a couple who are past their hopes of having children, and blesses them with a miraculous child…only to ask for the child back?? This is one of the most puzzling stories in Scripture, and there isn’t a shortage of ink spilled in attempts to narrow its meaning down. As we continue our summer sermon series, “Mountain Stories,” we’ll gaze into this strange story and explore what is ours and what is God—what we provide and what God provides. Join us under the tent in the parking lot! You matter to God.
Faith UMC
MONDAY 6/22/26: Genesis 9:8-17, God makes a reminder for Godself
The Bible isn’t just one book! It’s a collection of writings over hundreds of years and by various people. Even the books of the Bible are collections of older writings and stories edited together like a patchwork quilt. So the stories offer a diversity of thoughts and perspectives, even on what God is like. God in the Noah story is a much more “hand-on,” changeable, and “in it with us” kind of God. Immanent, rather than far away and above it all. Why would this picture of God be meaningful to people? What is your picture of God like?
TUESDAY 6/23/26: Luke 12:22-34, Desire God’s kingdom
What are you worried about? Our reading today tells us about God’s provision for creation, and if God will provide for the ravens and the wild flowers, of course God will provide for you! Jesus tells us to first desire God’s kingdom. The word “kingdom” here can be translated as “reign.” First, desire God’s reign, in your life, in your family, in your community. When we say “Jesus is Lord,” what we mean is that Jesus is our leader, our governor, and we will follow him. When we do this, we find that we have nothing to worry about.
WEDNESDAY 6/24/26: Psalm 13, How long O Lord? . . .
Not every song of praise is pretty. The Psalms are not about appeasing God with flowery language and superficial flattery. God doesn’t want that. God wants honesty, and that’s what this psalm offers. When have you prayed prayers like this? Notice that it ends with a declaration of trust. Can we trust and complain at the same time? What do you need to say to God today?
THURSDAY 6/25/26, 2 Samuel 2:1-3:1, Not a clean transfer of crown
Saul dies, and two kings are anointed. There is a battle that ensues, foreshadowing the difficulty Israel will face in its future. Notice the madness. Notice the chaos. While Joab is on David’s team, we will learn that he is not an altogether wholesome character. Ask yourself where God is in this mess? Who is seeking God? Who is pausing the bloodshed to ask what God wants?
FRIDAY 6/26/26: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18, Don’t get discouraged in doing right
One of the main issues for the Thessalonians are other teachers or members who reject the idea of evil or wrong-doing. Perhaps their are taking Paul’s “all things are permissible” as an excuse for anything goes. While there is freedom, there is also discipline for the sake of the greater good. How do you see the relationship of freedom and discipline in your life?
SATURDAY 6/27/26: Genesis 22:1-8, Mt. Moriah and the Promise to Provide
God begins God’s plan of undoing evil from the inside out with the family of Abraham. God chooses a couple who are past their hopes of having children, and blesses them with a miraculous child…only to ask for the child back?? This is one of the most puzzling stories in Scripture, and there isn’t a shortage of ink spilled in attempts to narrow its meaning down. As we continue our summer sermon series, “Mountain Stories,” we’ll gaze into this strange story and explore what is ours and what is God—what we provide and what God provides. Join us under the tent in the parking lot! You matter to God.