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, 10/5/26 – 10/10/26
Faith UMC
MONDAY 10/5/26: 1 John 4:7-21, Love is everything
Everyone prioritizes certain ideas, doctrines, or Bible verses that, then, influence how one read any part of the Bible. They are the lenses through which we view Scripture. For Methodists, we name love as that lens. If God is love, as 1 John proclaims, then how do we wrestle with parts of Scripture where God doesn’t look that loving? If God is love, what then is the ultimate goal for being human—made in God’s image?
TUESDAY 10/6/26: Luke 18:18-30, How do we put God first?
Answering the rich young ruler’s question, Jesus lists from the 10 commandments, the commandments that deal with how to interact with other people. When Jesus says, “You lack one thing,” we, the readers, and the ruler should expect Jesus to say, “Worship only God,” or the commandments that deal with how to honor God. Instead, Jesus tells him to sell everything, give it to the poor, and follow Jesus. What does this say about honoring God? How is personal sacrifice and following Jesus connected? How do we experience this in our lives?
WEDNESDAY 10/7/26: Psalm 111, The fear of the Lord
Throughout Scripture, again and again, God tells us, “Do not fear.” Yet, we have the old language of “fearing God” as a good thing, what’s happening here? We don’t fear God as a enemy seeking to do us harm. Instead, we gaze upon God with awe and wonder, knowing that God is high above whatever we can think about God. Fear is understanding that we don’t understand everything about God even as God has revealed himself as loving and kind.
THURSDAY 10/8/26, 1 Kings 19:17-29, Ahab’s repentance
There’s no getting around the fact that God administers justice and salvation through seemingly violent means throughout the Old Testament. However, it is important to note that God’s wrath always has saving and rectifying purposes. God is not arbitrary. Even so, in this passage Ahab, the worst of Israel’s kings, repents, and God relents. What does this passage say to you about God’s willingness to forgive and cooperate with us?
FRIDAY 10/9/26: Hebrews 1:1-14, Jesus’ Divinity
The central question of the New Testament is “Who is Jesus?” Without answering it out right, Hebrews tells us at the outset that he is higher than the angels. Well, what’s higher than the angels? The church has answered the New Testament, calling Jesus “True God from True God.” What does it mean to call Jesus “God”?
SATURDAY 10/10/26: James 1:1-27, Ask for whatever you want (as long as it’s wisdom)
This Sunday, we start a new series on the Book of James, entitled: James Against the Machine. This first chapter seems to be hinting at something that the original author and audience already know. What “temptation” are we talking about? The answer unfolds in the rest of the book. It’s the temptation to horde wealth for oneself, to favor the rich, and to see financial prosperity as the answer to our problems. Knowing that’s where were going, we can see why the writer tells us every good gift come from God, and that what we should really be seeking is wisdom. Join us in worship as we dive deeper into the letter of James! You matter to God.
Faith UMC
MONDAY 10/5/26: 1 John 4:7-21, Love is everything
Everyone prioritizes certain ideas, doctrines, or Bible verses that, then, influence how one read any part of the Bible. They are the lenses through which we view Scripture. For Methodists, we name love as that lens. If God is love, as 1 John proclaims, then how do we wrestle with parts of Scripture where God doesn’t look that loving? If God is love, what then is the ultimate goal for being human—made in God’s image?
TUESDAY 10/6/26: Luke 18:18-30, How do we put God first?
Answering the rich young ruler’s question, Jesus lists from the 10 commandments, the commandments that deal with how to interact with other people. When Jesus says, “You lack one thing,” we, the readers, and the ruler should expect Jesus to say, “Worship only God,” or the commandments that deal with how to honor God. Instead, Jesus tells him to sell everything, give it to the poor, and follow Jesus. What does this say about honoring God? How is personal sacrifice and following Jesus connected? How do we experience this in our lives?
WEDNESDAY 10/7/26: Psalm 111, The fear of the Lord
Throughout Scripture, again and again, God tells us, “Do not fear.” Yet, we have the old language of “fearing God” as a good thing, what’s happening here? We don’t fear God as a enemy seeking to do us harm. Instead, we gaze upon God with awe and wonder, knowing that God is high above whatever we can think about God. Fear is understanding that we don’t understand everything about God even as God has revealed himself as loving and kind.
THURSDAY 10/8/26, 1 Kings 19:17-29, Ahab’s repentance
There’s no getting around the fact that God administers justice and salvation through seemingly violent means throughout the Old Testament. However, it is important to note that God’s wrath always has saving and rectifying purposes. God is not arbitrary. Even so, in this passage Ahab, the worst of Israel’s kings, repents, and God relents. What does this passage say to you about God’s willingness to forgive and cooperate with us?
FRIDAY 10/9/26: Hebrews 1:1-14, Jesus’ Divinity
The central question of the New Testament is “Who is Jesus?” Without answering it out right, Hebrews tells us at the outset that he is higher than the angels. Well, what’s higher than the angels? The church has answered the New Testament, calling Jesus “True God from True God.” What does it mean to call Jesus “God”?
SATURDAY 10/10/26: James 1:1-27, Ask for whatever you want (as long as it’s wisdom)
This Sunday, we start a new series on the Book of James, entitled: James Against the Machine. This first chapter seems to be hinting at something that the original author and audience already know. What “temptation” are we talking about? The answer unfolds in the rest of the book. It’s the temptation to horde wealth for oneself, to favor the rich, and to see financial prosperity as the answer to our problems. Knowing that’s where were going, we can see why the writer tells us every good gift come from God, and that what we should really be seeking is wisdom. Join us in worship as we dive deeper into the letter of James! You matter to God.