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.
In the month of May, we'll focus on the Gospel of Matthew. Join us as we highlight Matthew's emphasis on God's faithfulness to the people of Israel even as God surprises us with Jesus. The GPS will be updated weekly, so check back here often!
In the month of May, we'll focus on the Gospel of Matthew. Join us as we highlight Matthew's emphasis on God's faithfulness to the people of Israel even as God surprises us with Jesus. The GPS will be updated weekly, so check back here often!
G•P•S - Grow, Pray, Study Guide, 8/18/25 – 8/23/25
Faith UMC
MONDAY 8/18/25: John 11:17-36, Jesus wept
“Jesus wept” is often offered up as a joke whenever anyone is asked to quote a Bible verse. It’s the “shortest verse” in the Bible, so it’s easily memorized, but do we realize the power? When do see or hear of kings weeping? Even though Jesus has arrived to raise Lazarus, he still goes through the valley of grief and despair. Jesus knows that such weeping is necessary for newness to emerge. How do we weep in ways that create new possibilities?
TUESDAY 8/19/25: Mark 8:27-38, Losing life to find life
Throughout Mark, Jesus tells people to be quiet about who he is. He doesn’t want people to mistake him for the popular notions of messiah––a military revolutionary. When Peter names Jesus as Messiah, Jesus decides to tell the disciples what being a Messiah really means––sacrifice. As you read, do you see the dissonance between Jesus’ and the disciples’ understandings of Messiah and what leads to life? What dissonance are you experiencing in your thoughts as you read this text?
WEDNESDAY 8/20/25: Psalm 103, God abounds in “hesed”
“Hesed”—loving-kindness or steadfast love— characterizes God 3 times in this psalm. God saves us from death, revealed his ways to our ancestors, and forgives our sins. In all these ways, God’s love is exemplified. How have you know God’s love? As you read this psalm, how is God calling you to respond today?
THURSDAY 8/21/25: Exodus 18:15-23, It’s not good to do this alone
Moses father-in-law, Jethro, joins the group and rejoices in God’s mighty works for them. However, Jethro notices that Moses is doing too much. Moses sets up a way of delegation and leadership. Now the people that once were slaves are being formed into an ordered people so that justice can be established. Once, they were oppressed and enslaved. Now they are given justice and freedom. How does this reflect God’s purposes for them and for us?
FRIDAY 8/22/25: 1 Corinthians 11:1-16, Dress codes for worship
Some women have chosen to uncover their heads as a sign of (perhaps) celibacy or moral distinction. In any case, they are throwing cultural convention aside in the name of being more spiritual or “holy.” For us today, an analogy might be the pastor preaching without a shirt on. It wouldn’t be sinful, but it wouldn’t be good for the community. Paul prescribes appropriateness for the sake of the community. When we worship, are we being careful to keep the needs of the community above our own?
SATURDAY 8/23/25: Psalm 126, Looks Like We Made It
Psalms 120-134 are a collection of traveling songs conventionally labeled as “songs of ascent.” These would be songs sung on the way (up) to Jerusalem for worship and festivals. They are celebrations of restoration and coming through ordeals. We definitely need songs for those occasions! Join us in worship as we continue our series, “Psalms of the Summer,” and as we reflect on what God has brought us through! You matter to God!
Faith UMC
MONDAY 8/18/25: John 11:17-36, Jesus wept
“Jesus wept” is often offered up as a joke whenever anyone is asked to quote a Bible verse. It’s the “shortest verse” in the Bible, so it’s easily memorized, but do we realize the power? When do see or hear of kings weeping? Even though Jesus has arrived to raise Lazarus, he still goes through the valley of grief and despair. Jesus knows that such weeping is necessary for newness to emerge. How do we weep in ways that create new possibilities?
TUESDAY 8/19/25: Mark 8:27-38, Losing life to find life
Throughout Mark, Jesus tells people to be quiet about who he is. He doesn’t want people to mistake him for the popular notions of messiah––a military revolutionary. When Peter names Jesus as Messiah, Jesus decides to tell the disciples what being a Messiah really means––sacrifice. As you read, do you see the dissonance between Jesus’ and the disciples’ understandings of Messiah and what leads to life? What dissonance are you experiencing in your thoughts as you read this text?
WEDNESDAY 8/20/25: Psalm 103, God abounds in “hesed”
“Hesed”—loving-kindness or steadfast love— characterizes God 3 times in this psalm. God saves us from death, revealed his ways to our ancestors, and forgives our sins. In all these ways, God’s love is exemplified. How have you know God’s love? As you read this psalm, how is God calling you to respond today?
THURSDAY 8/21/25: Exodus 18:15-23, It’s not good to do this alone
Moses father-in-law, Jethro, joins the group and rejoices in God’s mighty works for them. However, Jethro notices that Moses is doing too much. Moses sets up a way of delegation and leadership. Now the people that once were slaves are being formed into an ordered people so that justice can be established. Once, they were oppressed and enslaved. Now they are given justice and freedom. How does this reflect God’s purposes for them and for us?
FRIDAY 8/22/25: 1 Corinthians 11:1-16, Dress codes for worship
Some women have chosen to uncover their heads as a sign of (perhaps) celibacy or moral distinction. In any case, they are throwing cultural convention aside in the name of being more spiritual or “holy.” For us today, an analogy might be the pastor preaching without a shirt on. It wouldn’t be sinful, but it wouldn’t be good for the community. Paul prescribes appropriateness for the sake of the community. When we worship, are we being careful to keep the needs of the community above our own?
SATURDAY 8/23/25: Psalm 126, Looks Like We Made It
Psalms 120-134 are a collection of traveling songs conventionally labeled as “songs of ascent.” These would be songs sung on the way (up) to Jerusalem for worship and festivals. They are celebrations of restoration and coming through ordeals. We definitely need songs for those occasions! Join us in worship as we continue our series, “Psalms of the Summer,” and as we reflect on what God has brought us through! You matter to God!