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, 7/14/25 – 7/19/25
Faith UMC
MONDAY 7/14/25: Matthew 5:1-11, Blessed are those who thirst
Thirst and hunger are inescapable human conditions. Of course, we hunger and thirst for more than food and drink. In these blessings that start the “Sermon on the Mount,” Jesus blesses those who thirst for the right things—God’s righteousness/justice—will receive them. What do you long for? Are they the same things God longs for?
TUESDAY 7/15/25: Mark 6:1-6, Rejected by his own family
Why was it easy for Jesus’ hometown to dismiss his message and mission? Maybe they’ve known him too long. Maybe they’ve heard all his stories. Maybe they “get it already,” and they aren’t bothered by his message anymore. These are his own people. May we never become so used to Jesus’s sstory that it becomes dull or meaningless to us. How do we keep Jesus’ story and message fresh to us? Invite the Holy Spirit to speak something new to you in Jesus’ words.
WEDNESDAY 7/16/25: Psalm 15, Who can live in the Lord’s tent?
This psalm asks and answers the question, “Who can be in the presence of God?” Notice the answer is not a description of a race, class, or kind of people. Rather the answer is behavior. This psalm was probably used in the beginning of worship as a stark call to right living if we are going to come to God in worship. This psalm is not a law, but calls us to take seriously our actions when we join together in worship. What verse or behavior is God highlighting for you today?
THURSDAY 7/17/25: Exodus 13:17-22, The Lord lead them
God chose the longer route for the Israelites because God knew it was safer. I wonder if the Israelites knew this? They had been slaves for many generations and probably knew nothing of geography, politics, or war, so God lead them through the desert. Where is God leading you? Does it feel like a desert? Maybe God knows something you don’t know. In any case, God is with you, just as God was with them.
FRIDAY 7/18/25: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, Baptism and sexual ethics
For Paul, being part of the community means being joined with Jesus’ body. Paul pushes this metaphor when discussing sexual ethics. Should we engage Jesus’ body in acts of prostitution? Paul is drawing out some large implications about our own sexual ethics and our participation in the community of faith. When we baptize a person, we are baptizing them into our family––our body. Therefore, whatever concerns this new member concerns the entire body. This notion rubs against our culture’s high value on privacy and individualism. As a community charged to care for each other, to what extent should we be concerned for each other’s relationships and sexual ethics?
SATURDAY 7/19/25: Psalm 90, MMMBOP
I love a catchy poppy tune about mortality and the fragility of life! “MMMBOP,” the 1997 hit by “Hanson” is just that. Between poppy nonsense words, Hanson stares down mortality and questions what relationships or efforts really last in life. It’s a feeling that the psalmist echoes in Psalm 90, admitting that human life is like grass, here today and gone tomorrow. Is there a message of hope in the midst of this honesty about human life? Join us as we talk it out in worship, tomorrow. You matter to God!
G•P•S - Grow, Pray, Study Guide, 7/28/25 – 8/2/25
Faith UMC
MONDAY 7/28/25: Luke 7:36-50, The one who has been forgiven much
What is the response to forgiveness? In this story, the one who has made a profession out being close to God is offended by a woman’s radical display of affection for Jesus. Jesus sees deeper. She knows how great a grace has been poured into her life, so she pours out her best for Christ. Do you know that grace?
TUESDAY 7/29/25: Mark 6:30-52, Feeding people, walking on water
Jesus is known for his miraculous signs. These signs are not just a demonstration of his power, but a statement of who Jesus is. When Jesus feeds the hungry, he identifies with the God of Israel who fed the freed-slaves in the desert (Psalm 78:24). When Jesus walks on water, he identifies with the God who create the world (Job 38:11,16). Jesus is not just a miracle-worker. These miracles say something about Jesus’ identity. What does it mean for you that Jesus is God?
WEDNESDAY 7/30/25: Psalm 49, God will save us from the grave
We are mortal. Today’s psalm takes a look at our mortality and finds wealth to be a vain thing. Money and possessions can’t save us from the grave. However, the psalmist knows that God alone will save our lives from the grave (verse 15). Instead of wealth, God is worthy our devotion.
THURSDAY 7/31/25: Exodus 16:1-10, Bread in the desert
A couple months into this journey with God and we are already hitting speed bumps. The Israelites need food in the desert. Their complaint is reasonable. In Egypt, they were slaves, but at least they had food. Their complaint is reasonable; their lack of faith is not. They had seen God do incredible things, and God had promised them a good end. Do they really think that God will not provide the means to that good end? Even so, in their lack of faith, God provides. What do you need? How can you increase your trust in God?
FRIDAY 8/1/25: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Be considerate in your wisdom
The Corinthians are smart. They know there are no other gods, so meat sacrificed to them is no different. Let’s eat that meat! The problems is the appearance of accepting another god. Their consciences are clear, but they may lead on lookers astray. Paul’s concern is about being considerate of onlookers/visitors/those we are called to love. What does it mean for Christians to be considerate of onlookers, today?
SATURDAY 8/2/25: Psalm 36, Bring Me a Higher Love
This is a meditation on God’s goodness. Throughout Scripture, we find that God’s chief attribute is love. In fact, the New Testament says God is love. Let the words of this psalm sustain you today. Think about God’s love in your life. How do we respond to love? We respond to love with love for God and for others.
Faith UMC
MONDAY 7/14/25: Matthew 5:1-11, Blessed are those who thirst
Thirst and hunger are inescapable human conditions. Of course, we hunger and thirst for more than food and drink. In these blessings that start the “Sermon on the Mount,” Jesus blesses those who thirst for the right things—God’s righteousness/justice—will receive them. What do you long for? Are they the same things God longs for?
TUESDAY 7/15/25: Mark 6:1-6, Rejected by his own family
Why was it easy for Jesus’ hometown to dismiss his message and mission? Maybe they’ve known him too long. Maybe they’ve heard all his stories. Maybe they “get it already,” and they aren’t bothered by his message anymore. These are his own people. May we never become so used to Jesus’s sstory that it becomes dull or meaningless to us. How do we keep Jesus’ story and message fresh to us? Invite the Holy Spirit to speak something new to you in Jesus’ words.
WEDNESDAY 7/16/25: Psalm 15, Who can live in the Lord’s tent?
This psalm asks and answers the question, “Who can be in the presence of God?” Notice the answer is not a description of a race, class, or kind of people. Rather the answer is behavior. This psalm was probably used in the beginning of worship as a stark call to right living if we are going to come to God in worship. This psalm is not a law, but calls us to take seriously our actions when we join together in worship. What verse or behavior is God highlighting for you today?
THURSDAY 7/17/25: Exodus 13:17-22, The Lord lead them
God chose the longer route for the Israelites because God knew it was safer. I wonder if the Israelites knew this? They had been slaves for many generations and probably knew nothing of geography, politics, or war, so God lead them through the desert. Where is God leading you? Does it feel like a desert? Maybe God knows something you don’t know. In any case, God is with you, just as God was with them.
FRIDAY 7/18/25: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, Baptism and sexual ethics
For Paul, being part of the community means being joined with Jesus’ body. Paul pushes this metaphor when discussing sexual ethics. Should we engage Jesus’ body in acts of prostitution? Paul is drawing out some large implications about our own sexual ethics and our participation in the community of faith. When we baptize a person, we are baptizing them into our family––our body. Therefore, whatever concerns this new member concerns the entire body. This notion rubs against our culture’s high value on privacy and individualism. As a community charged to care for each other, to what extent should we be concerned for each other’s relationships and sexual ethics?
SATURDAY 7/19/25: Psalm 90, MMMBOP
I love a catchy poppy tune about mortality and the fragility of life! “MMMBOP,” the 1997 hit by “Hanson” is just that. Between poppy nonsense words, Hanson stares down mortality and questions what relationships or efforts really last in life. It’s a feeling that the psalmist echoes in Psalm 90, admitting that human life is like grass, here today and gone tomorrow. Is there a message of hope in the midst of this honesty about human life? Join us as we talk it out in worship, tomorrow. You matter to God!
G•P•S - Grow, Pray, Study Guide, 7/28/25 – 8/2/25
Faith UMC
MONDAY 7/28/25: Luke 7:36-50, The one who has been forgiven much
What is the response to forgiveness? In this story, the one who has made a profession out being close to God is offended by a woman’s radical display of affection for Jesus. Jesus sees deeper. She knows how great a grace has been poured into her life, so she pours out her best for Christ. Do you know that grace?
TUESDAY 7/29/25: Mark 6:30-52, Feeding people, walking on water
Jesus is known for his miraculous signs. These signs are not just a demonstration of his power, but a statement of who Jesus is. When Jesus feeds the hungry, he identifies with the God of Israel who fed the freed-slaves in the desert (Psalm 78:24). When Jesus walks on water, he identifies with the God who create the world (Job 38:11,16). Jesus is not just a miracle-worker. These miracles say something about Jesus’ identity. What does it mean for you that Jesus is God?
WEDNESDAY 7/30/25: Psalm 49, God will save us from the grave
We are mortal. Today’s psalm takes a look at our mortality and finds wealth to be a vain thing. Money and possessions can’t save us from the grave. However, the psalmist knows that God alone will save our lives from the grave (verse 15). Instead of wealth, God is worthy our devotion.
THURSDAY 7/31/25: Exodus 16:1-10, Bread in the desert
A couple months into this journey with God and we are already hitting speed bumps. The Israelites need food in the desert. Their complaint is reasonable. In Egypt, they were slaves, but at least they had food. Their complaint is reasonable; their lack of faith is not. They had seen God do incredible things, and God had promised them a good end. Do they really think that God will not provide the means to that good end? Even so, in their lack of faith, God provides. What do you need? How can you increase your trust in God?
FRIDAY 8/1/25: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Be considerate in your wisdom
The Corinthians are smart. They know there are no other gods, so meat sacrificed to them is no different. Let’s eat that meat! The problems is the appearance of accepting another god. Their consciences are clear, but they may lead on lookers astray. Paul’s concern is about being considerate of onlookers/visitors/those we are called to love. What does it mean for Christians to be considerate of onlookers, today?
SATURDAY 8/2/25: Psalm 36, Bring Me a Higher Love
This is a meditation on God’s goodness. Throughout Scripture, we find that God’s chief attribute is love. In fact, the New Testament says God is love. Let the words of this psalm sustain you today. Think about God’s love in your life. How do we respond to love? We respond to love with love for God and for others.