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, 2/2/26 – 2/7/26
Faith UMC
MONDAY 2/2/26: Genesis 3:8-21, Where do we go from here?
The first stories in Genesis are etiologies—mythical stories to explain “why things are the way they are.” Why are there so many language? Why do rainbows exist? Why don’t snakes have legs? Etc. They were written for meaning, not historical or scientific fact. The passage today lays out the consequences of sin: broken relationship, pain and suffering, even a harsher creation. Those are the conditions of the world. Yet, God continues with the humans from this new reality. God doesn’t go back to the Garden, but moves forward with the humans, giving them new clothes.
TUESDAY 2/3/26: Luke 5:33-39, The old and the new
We’re always making wine . . . figuratively speaking. God is always making new life, and we participate in that work with God. That new life is going to look different. Now, Jesus doesn’t say, “New is better.” In fact, he says the opposite in verse 39, but that doesn’t mean we stop making new wine–new life. How are we making new life in our church? What are the new wineskins that we will need? How can we affirm the new things God is doing without dismissing the better and “well-aged” wine?
WEDNESDAY 2/4/26: Psalm 112, The goal of righteousness
Some psalms, like this one, are categorized as wisdom psalms, full of short sayings and proverbs about virtuous living. These are goals for ourselves. We don’t pretend like we have it all together, but we strive to do good and live in ways God dreams for us. What is challenging in this psalm for you? What is God calling you to do today?
THURSDAY 2/5/26, Joshua 2:1-24, Rahab hides spies for Israel
Moses has passed. Joshua is now the leader of the Israelites, who wait on the borders of the land they are called to live in. The first city to be taken is Jericho. Rahab decides to work with Israel because she has heard about their God. She makes a covenant with them. In this story, Rahab has to make a decision about kingdoms. As we read through the book of Joshua, we will see a battle of kingdoms. The violence of the book will be difficult for us since we live in a very different world. But let’s read the stories and look for analogies for battling “kingdoms” (systems of worship) today. What kingdoms are battling today?
FRIDAY 2/6/26: Ephesians 4:17-32, Put aside bitterness
As you read these practical ways to live out our faith, what verses or phrases is God underlining for you? As we look at this list, let’s not ask ourselves about other Christians. Instead, each of us should examine our own lives and whether or not we are living according to the love prescribed here. In whatever you do, ask yourself, “how do I do this like a Christian?”
SATURDAY 2/7/26: Matthew 14:13-21, God never works alone
When the disciples tell Jesus that it’s time to let the people go, they’re hungry, Jesus turns back to them and says, “You give them something to eat.” Why? Shouldn’t Jesus provide? As we wrap up our series on “God Can’t,” we focus on what we’re called to do. We don’t simply pray and wait for God to handle things. Instead, we pray, gain direction, respond to God’s love, and “give them something to eat.” Our work is needed, and our work matters. Join us as we wrap up “God Can’t” this Sunday. You matter to God.
Faith UMC
MONDAY 2/2/26: Genesis 3:8-21, Where do we go from here?
The first stories in Genesis are etiologies—mythical stories to explain “why things are the way they are.” Why are there so many language? Why do rainbows exist? Why don’t snakes have legs? Etc. They were written for meaning, not historical or scientific fact. The passage today lays out the consequences of sin: broken relationship, pain and suffering, even a harsher creation. Those are the conditions of the world. Yet, God continues with the humans from this new reality. God doesn’t go back to the Garden, but moves forward with the humans, giving them new clothes.
TUESDAY 2/3/26: Luke 5:33-39, The old and the new
We’re always making wine . . . figuratively speaking. God is always making new life, and we participate in that work with God. That new life is going to look different. Now, Jesus doesn’t say, “New is better.” In fact, he says the opposite in verse 39, but that doesn’t mean we stop making new wine–new life. How are we making new life in our church? What are the new wineskins that we will need? How can we affirm the new things God is doing without dismissing the better and “well-aged” wine?
WEDNESDAY 2/4/26: Psalm 112, The goal of righteousness
Some psalms, like this one, are categorized as wisdom psalms, full of short sayings and proverbs about virtuous living. These are goals for ourselves. We don’t pretend like we have it all together, but we strive to do good and live in ways God dreams for us. What is challenging in this psalm for you? What is God calling you to do today?
THURSDAY 2/5/26, Joshua 2:1-24, Rahab hides spies for Israel
Moses has passed. Joshua is now the leader of the Israelites, who wait on the borders of the land they are called to live in. The first city to be taken is Jericho. Rahab decides to work with Israel because she has heard about their God. She makes a covenant with them. In this story, Rahab has to make a decision about kingdoms. As we read through the book of Joshua, we will see a battle of kingdoms. The violence of the book will be difficult for us since we live in a very different world. But let’s read the stories and look for analogies for battling “kingdoms” (systems of worship) today. What kingdoms are battling today?
FRIDAY 2/6/26: Ephesians 4:17-32, Put aside bitterness
As you read these practical ways to live out our faith, what verses or phrases is God underlining for you? As we look at this list, let’s not ask ourselves about other Christians. Instead, each of us should examine our own lives and whether or not we are living according to the love prescribed here. In whatever you do, ask yourself, “how do I do this like a Christian?”
SATURDAY 2/7/26: Matthew 14:13-21, God never works alone
When the disciples tell Jesus that it’s time to let the people go, they’re hungry, Jesus turns back to them and says, “You give them something to eat.” Why? Shouldn’t Jesus provide? As we wrap up our series on “God Can’t,” we focus on what we’re called to do. We don’t simply pray and wait for God to handle things. Instead, we pray, gain direction, respond to God’s love, and “give them something to eat.” Our work is needed, and our work matters. Join us as we wrap up “God Can’t” this Sunday. You matter to God.