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, 4/6/26 – 4/11/26
Faith UMC
MONDAY 4/6/26: Matthew 27:62-66; 28:11-15, Another explanation for the empty tomb…
The most common alternative explanation for the empty tomb is that the disciples must have taken his body. If that were the case, it’s strange that Matthew would have put it in his Gospel! The early Christians have nothing to hide: “the tomb is empty and Jesus has appeared to us.” That’s enough for them to believe. What do you need to believe?
TUESDAY 4/7/26: Luke 9:18-27, What the Christ does
In the middle of this Gospel, the disciples finally get an answer correct: Peter knows that Jesus is the Christ. Jesus then explains what the Christ does–dies to give life. Peter can’t handle it, as other the Gospels show us. When we confess that Jesus is the Christ, we also give up the right to define what the Christ does. We are called to learn and follow. For Christ-ians, we are called to follow the one who dies. What does this mean for us?
WEDNESDAY 4/8/26: Psalm 16, You won’t abandon me to the grave
Ideas about the next life were very different in the Old Testament. There, everyone goes to Sheol, usually translated as “the grave” or “the dead.” However, this psalm (and other passages in the Prophets) begin to testify to a hope that “the grave” is not the final word. Jesus’ resurrection is the “down payment” on that hope. There is hope in God, we won’t be abandoned. How does this hope change the way we live and act now?
THURSDAY 4/9/26, 1 Samuel 1:1-20, A familiar story
Where have we heard this story before? A woman who cannot bear children stands in the shadow of another woman and her children. Like her ancestors Sarah and Rachel, Hannah now calls out to God for a miracle. God answers with Samuel. Anytime there is a miraculous birth, the Bible screams out to us, “Pay attention! God is about to do something big!” As you read this story, what stands out to you? What is God saying to you? Let’s be prepared to hear about God who is about to do something big.
FRIDAY 4/10/26: Philippians 3:17-21, Citizens of heaven
The Philippians were citizens of Rome. It was a colony of Rome. A Philippian could always appeal their case to Rome if they felt there were treated unfairly in other parts of the Empire. To be a citizen of Rome meant that you had certain protections and rights. It also meant that you ascribed to a way of living prescribed by the Emperor. However, Paul tells them (and us) that we are not citizens of Rome, but of heaven. What rights and protections do we enjoy as citizens of heaven? What is the way of living that we are called to as citizens of heaven?
SATURDAY 4/11/26: Luke 24:13-35, Their eyes were opened
It’s reasonable to assume these disciples were a married couple. Their story echoes Mary and Joseph’s search for Jesus at the beginning of the book (Luke 2:41-52). Even more, “their eyes were opened” is an allusion to Adam and Eve. However, Adam and Eve’s eyes were open to their sin, this couple’s eyes are opened now to Jesus. A new world has begun. When are the moments where your eyes are opened?
Faith UMC
MONDAY 4/6/26: Matthew 27:62-66; 28:11-15, Another explanation for the empty tomb…
The most common alternative explanation for the empty tomb is that the disciples must have taken his body. If that were the case, it’s strange that Matthew would have put it in his Gospel! The early Christians have nothing to hide: “the tomb is empty and Jesus has appeared to us.” That’s enough for them to believe. What do you need to believe?
TUESDAY 4/7/26: Luke 9:18-27, What the Christ does
In the middle of this Gospel, the disciples finally get an answer correct: Peter knows that Jesus is the Christ. Jesus then explains what the Christ does–dies to give life. Peter can’t handle it, as other the Gospels show us. When we confess that Jesus is the Christ, we also give up the right to define what the Christ does. We are called to learn and follow. For Christ-ians, we are called to follow the one who dies. What does this mean for us?
WEDNESDAY 4/8/26: Psalm 16, You won’t abandon me to the grave
Ideas about the next life were very different in the Old Testament. There, everyone goes to Sheol, usually translated as “the grave” or “the dead.” However, this psalm (and other passages in the Prophets) begin to testify to a hope that “the grave” is not the final word. Jesus’ resurrection is the “down payment” on that hope. There is hope in God, we won’t be abandoned. How does this hope change the way we live and act now?
THURSDAY 4/9/26, 1 Samuel 1:1-20, A familiar story
Where have we heard this story before? A woman who cannot bear children stands in the shadow of another woman and her children. Like her ancestors Sarah and Rachel, Hannah now calls out to God for a miracle. God answers with Samuel. Anytime there is a miraculous birth, the Bible screams out to us, “Pay attention! God is about to do something big!” As you read this story, what stands out to you? What is God saying to you? Let’s be prepared to hear about God who is about to do something big.
FRIDAY 4/10/26: Philippians 3:17-21, Citizens of heaven
The Philippians were citizens of Rome. It was a colony of Rome. A Philippian could always appeal their case to Rome if they felt there were treated unfairly in other parts of the Empire. To be a citizen of Rome meant that you had certain protections and rights. It also meant that you ascribed to a way of living prescribed by the Emperor. However, Paul tells them (and us) that we are not citizens of Rome, but of heaven. What rights and protections do we enjoy as citizens of heaven? What is the way of living that we are called to as citizens of heaven?
SATURDAY 4/11/26: Luke 24:13-35, Their eyes were opened
It’s reasonable to assume these disciples were a married couple. Their story echoes Mary and Joseph’s search for Jesus at the beginning of the book (Luke 2:41-52). Even more, “their eyes were opened” is an allusion to Adam and Eve. However, Adam and Eve’s eyes were open to their sin, this couple’s eyes are opened now to Jesus. A new world has begun. When are the moments where your eyes are opened?