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, 10/26/26 – 10/31/26
Faith UMC
MONDAY 10/26/26: James 4:1-10, Come near to God
James has given all these measures for genuine faith, but what if we measure ourselves and find our faith lacking? For James, it is simple: turn to God. God longs to bless and guide our lives. Turn in prayer and confession. Use actions and words to bend your heart to God, who is patient and full of compassion.
TUESDAY 10/27/26: Luke 20:9-19, The stone the builders rejected
At the end of this parable, Jesus links himself to the “stone the builders rejected” from Psalm 118:22. We usually don’t have a problem calling Jesus “the Rock,” something that gives us a firm foundation. However, here Jesus is the Rock that people will break upon. The Rock metaphor has dual meaning. For those with faith in Christ, he is a firm place to stand. For those without faith, Christ is a mystery and a confusion. As Paul says, “a scandal to the Jews and foolishness to the Greeks.”
WEDNESDAY 10/28/26: Psalm 34, The Lord is close to
the broken hearted
We are not disillusioned about the reality of this world. We know there is suffering. We know that those who do right don’t always come out on top. However, we also know that God is faithful and will make things right. We don’t always know about God’s methods or timing, but Christ reveals God as Love, and that is so trustworthy. Where do you see injustice that needs to be made right? Where do you need comfort in the meantime?
THURSDAY 10/29/26, 2 Kings 6:8-23, Surrounded by unseen angels
The King of Aram comes after Elisha, the prophet who’s been aiding Israel. When Elisha’s servants panic, Elisha asks God to reveal how they are protected: by a legion of unseen angels. Through God’s work, the King of Aram’s troops are delivered into Elisha’s hands, but Elisha calls for mercy, to feed their enemies and send them on their way. What do you make of this story? What does this reveal about the love and will of God?
FRIDAY 10/30/26: Hebrews 5:1-14, Christ is one of us
The author of Hebrews has already given Jesus a standing that is above angels and above Moses. He is “enthroned.” However, in order to represent us to God, his is also one of us! Only someone that knows what we experience can rightly represent us to God. So Jesus becomes our high priest; himself is the sacrifice he offers. Melchizedek is a mysterious figure throughout the Old Testament, first introduced as a foreign ruler/priest that Abraham pays tribute to. Melchizedek in Hebrew is literally “priestly ruler,” and in other Jewish literature is a stand-in name for the coming Messiah. The author of Hebrews is demonstrating how Jesus fulfills the roles of prophet, priest, and king.
SATURDAY 10/31/26: James 5:13-20, All You Need Is Here
James hasn’t pulled any punches in his letter about favoring the wealthy, ignoring the poor, and unhealthy speech. But many of these action reveal hearts that are simply anxious about their own well-being. What is God’s solution to meet our real needs? The answer: the church. If you need healing, come to the church. It seems trite, but is it true? How does the community of faith provide real needs, today? Join us Sunday, as we celebrate the saints who have gone on and the power of the church today. You matter to God.
Faith UMC
MONDAY 10/26/26: James 4:1-10, Come near to God
James has given all these measures for genuine faith, but what if we measure ourselves and find our faith lacking? For James, it is simple: turn to God. God longs to bless and guide our lives. Turn in prayer and confession. Use actions and words to bend your heart to God, who is patient and full of compassion.
TUESDAY 10/27/26: Luke 20:9-19, The stone the builders rejected
At the end of this parable, Jesus links himself to the “stone the builders rejected” from Psalm 118:22. We usually don’t have a problem calling Jesus “the Rock,” something that gives us a firm foundation. However, here Jesus is the Rock that people will break upon. The Rock metaphor has dual meaning. For those with faith in Christ, he is a firm place to stand. For those without faith, Christ is a mystery and a confusion. As Paul says, “a scandal to the Jews and foolishness to the Greeks.”
WEDNESDAY 10/28/26: Psalm 34, The Lord is close to
the broken hearted
We are not disillusioned about the reality of this world. We know there is suffering. We know that those who do right don’t always come out on top. However, we also know that God is faithful and will make things right. We don’t always know about God’s methods or timing, but Christ reveals God as Love, and that is so trustworthy. Where do you see injustice that needs to be made right? Where do you need comfort in the meantime?
THURSDAY 10/29/26, 2 Kings 6:8-23, Surrounded by unseen angels
The King of Aram comes after Elisha, the prophet who’s been aiding Israel. When Elisha’s servants panic, Elisha asks God to reveal how they are protected: by a legion of unseen angels. Through God’s work, the King of Aram’s troops are delivered into Elisha’s hands, but Elisha calls for mercy, to feed their enemies and send them on their way. What do you make of this story? What does this reveal about the love and will of God?
FRIDAY 10/30/26: Hebrews 5:1-14, Christ is one of us
The author of Hebrews has already given Jesus a standing that is above angels and above Moses. He is “enthroned.” However, in order to represent us to God, his is also one of us! Only someone that knows what we experience can rightly represent us to God. So Jesus becomes our high priest; himself is the sacrifice he offers. Melchizedek is a mysterious figure throughout the Old Testament, first introduced as a foreign ruler/priest that Abraham pays tribute to. Melchizedek in Hebrew is literally “priestly ruler,” and in other Jewish literature is a stand-in name for the coming Messiah. The author of Hebrews is demonstrating how Jesus fulfills the roles of prophet, priest, and king.
SATURDAY 10/31/26: James 5:13-20, All You Need Is Here
James hasn’t pulled any punches in his letter about favoring the wealthy, ignoring the poor, and unhealthy speech. But many of these action reveal hearts that are simply anxious about their own well-being. What is God’s solution to meet our real needs? The answer: the church. If you need healing, come to the church. It seems trite, but is it true? How does the community of faith provide real needs, today? Join us Sunday, as we celebrate the saints who have gone on and the power of the church today. You matter to God.