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, 5/11/26 – 5/16/26
Faith UMC
MONDAY 5/11/26: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Ministry of reconciliation
The vision of Christianity is a reconciled world—a restoration of broken relationships. Paul calls us to be ambassadors of that world. What does that reconciled world look like to you? How do you embody it? How do you share this reconciliation with others?
TUESDAY 5/12/26: Luke 10:38-42, That’s not where women are supposed to be
At first glance, it looks like Mary is just being lazy and leaving all the work of hospitality to her sister, Martha. We understand Martha’s complaint. However, Mary is doing something more radical that shirking chores. Mary is sitting with disciples at the feet of a rabbi. This is an activity reserved only for men and boys. Mary is making a decision to be Jesus’ disciple, in spite of cultural norms. Jesus welcomes it. Mary has chosen the better, and it won’t be taken from her.
WEDNESDAY 5/13/26: Psalm 93, The Lord is King
Whenever the word “LORD” appears in the Old Testament, we know that it is standing in for the unspeakable name of God: YHWH. The God who was revealed to Moses in the burning bush is our king. The truth is that God is king of the universe whether we like it or not. However, the good news is that God is a good king, full of compassion, mercy, and love. How are you trusting in God as king, today?
THURSDAY 5/14/26, 1 Samuel 13:1-14, Saul takes things into his own hands
Saul is now king of Israel. Trouble begins for him immediately. In our reading today, Saul chooses to go into battle without waiting for the high priest to offer a sacrifice, as was written in their law. Instead, Saul takes it into his own hands, standing in the place of Samuel, the current prophet and priest. There’s obviously a danger of too much power in the hands of the king, but what does this story say to us today about trust, patience, and the need to be in control?
FRIDAY 5/15/26: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12, You’re doing great, do better!
Paul commends the Thessalonians for their love and work in the Lord, and then he tells them to go even further. He says, “be dedicated,” or in other translations, “be sanctified,” “be made holy.” Paul is encouraging them to go deeper in their relationship with God, to be fully devoted to God in all things. What does this mean to you? What does it mean to devote everything we do to God and to have God involved in everything we do?
SATURDAY 5/16/26: Acts 1:1-11, Standing with mouths wide open
After the teaching and miracles, after the death and sacrifice, after the resurrection and 40 days of appearances, Jesus just floats away? The story shows the disciples somewhat dumbstruck, frozen and looking into the sky, when a pair of angels finally shakes them awake to their mission. What is our mission? What do we do now that Jesus has ascended? Join us in worship as we join the disciples in looking at the sky and hearing the angels’ call to get moving! You matter to God!
Faith UMC
MONDAY 5/11/26: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Ministry of reconciliation
The vision of Christianity is a reconciled world—a restoration of broken relationships. Paul calls us to be ambassadors of that world. What does that reconciled world look like to you? How do you embody it? How do you share this reconciliation with others?
TUESDAY 5/12/26: Luke 10:38-42, That’s not where women are supposed to be
At first glance, it looks like Mary is just being lazy and leaving all the work of hospitality to her sister, Martha. We understand Martha’s complaint. However, Mary is doing something more radical that shirking chores. Mary is sitting with disciples at the feet of a rabbi. This is an activity reserved only for men and boys. Mary is making a decision to be Jesus’ disciple, in spite of cultural norms. Jesus welcomes it. Mary has chosen the better, and it won’t be taken from her.
WEDNESDAY 5/13/26: Psalm 93, The Lord is King
Whenever the word “LORD” appears in the Old Testament, we know that it is standing in for the unspeakable name of God: YHWH. The God who was revealed to Moses in the burning bush is our king. The truth is that God is king of the universe whether we like it or not. However, the good news is that God is a good king, full of compassion, mercy, and love. How are you trusting in God as king, today?
THURSDAY 5/14/26, 1 Samuel 13:1-14, Saul takes things into his own hands
Saul is now king of Israel. Trouble begins for him immediately. In our reading today, Saul chooses to go into battle without waiting for the high priest to offer a sacrifice, as was written in their law. Instead, Saul takes it into his own hands, standing in the place of Samuel, the current prophet and priest. There’s obviously a danger of too much power in the hands of the king, but what does this story say to us today about trust, patience, and the need to be in control?
FRIDAY 5/15/26: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12, You’re doing great, do better!
Paul commends the Thessalonians for their love and work in the Lord, and then he tells them to go even further. He says, “be dedicated,” or in other translations, “be sanctified,” “be made holy.” Paul is encouraging them to go deeper in their relationship with God, to be fully devoted to God in all things. What does this mean to you? What does it mean to devote everything we do to God and to have God involved in everything we do?
SATURDAY 5/16/26: Acts 1:1-11, Standing with mouths wide open
After the teaching and miracles, after the death and sacrifice, after the resurrection and 40 days of appearances, Jesus just floats away? The story shows the disciples somewhat dumbstruck, frozen and looking into the sky, when a pair of angels finally shakes them awake to their mission. What is our mission? What do we do now that Jesus has ascended? Join us in worship as we join the disciples in looking at the sky and hearing the angels’ call to get moving! You matter to God!