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, 4/27/26 – 5/2/26
Faith UMC
MONDAY 4/27/26: 1 John 2:28-3:6, We will be like him
In Christmas, Jesus tied his fate to humanity. In Easter, Jesus tied humanity’s fate to his. This is the way the early Christians understood the impact of resurrection. Jesus’s resurrection was the down payment on the universal resurrection. Just as everyone dies because of Adam, now everyone will rise because of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:22). We don’t know what we’ll look like in the next life, but the Scriptures attest that we’ll be like Jesus: healthy, strong, and renewed.
TUESDAY 4/28/26: Luke 9:57-62, No looking back . . .
Jesus meets another couple would-be disciples. One wants to bury his father before following Jesus. The other wants to say goodbye to family. Not unreasonable requests! Why does Jesus treat them so harshly? Is there something wrong with their motives? Or is Jesus trying to teach us the seriousness of following him?
WEDNESDAY 4/29/26: Psalm 116 In the land of the living
Israelites and Jews of the Old Testament did not look at the afterlife like we typically do. For them, all who died went to the same place: the place of the dead, Sheol. God had promised blessing and reward for righteous living, but many righteous people were oppressed and died before God ever rescued them or blessed them. Were God’s promises false? Hints and promises of resurrection begin to appear through the prophets. This psalm is a hope in that resurrection, and that God makes good on his promises.
THURSDAY 4/30/26, 1 Samuel 8:1-22, Israel demands a king
Samuel grew up to be the High Priest of Israel, its leader and hero. When Samuel became old, the people demanded that Samuel appoint them a king, so that they’ll be like other nations. God sees this demand as a rejection of God, but God allows it. What do you make Samuel’s warning? This is a pivotal moment in the life of Israel, they will always struggle with the understanding of a king.
FRIDAY 5/1/26: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12, A pastoral relationship
It might be tempting to read this passage and say, “Well, there’s nothing here for me, I’m not a pastor.” On the other hand, as Christians, disciples of Christ, we are called to nurture others in the faith and reach out. Perhaps we can take an example from Paul (we did name our church after him!). Give up motivations of greed and glory, seek to please God, and love each other like family. Seems like a good way to go.
SATURDAY 5/2/26: John 16:17-33, Even if the world hates you . . .
Jesus predicts some rough times for those who call themselves disciples. If we follow after Christ, we ought to be prepared to follow Christ and share his humiliation, attacks, and even his death. The life of the Christian is not an easy, but we have some promises. First, we are not alone. Christ is present to us through his Holy Spirit even now. Second, Christ has overcome the world. In the end, Christ is the victor. What struggles have been eclipsing your vision lately? Trust in God, and stay close to the vine.
Faith UMC
MONDAY 4/27/26: 1 John 2:28-3:6, We will be like him
In Christmas, Jesus tied his fate to humanity. In Easter, Jesus tied humanity’s fate to his. This is the way the early Christians understood the impact of resurrection. Jesus’s resurrection was the down payment on the universal resurrection. Just as everyone dies because of Adam, now everyone will rise because of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:22). We don’t know what we’ll look like in the next life, but the Scriptures attest that we’ll be like Jesus: healthy, strong, and renewed.
TUESDAY 4/28/26: Luke 9:57-62, No looking back . . .
Jesus meets another couple would-be disciples. One wants to bury his father before following Jesus. The other wants to say goodbye to family. Not unreasonable requests! Why does Jesus treat them so harshly? Is there something wrong with their motives? Or is Jesus trying to teach us the seriousness of following him?
WEDNESDAY 4/29/26: Psalm 116 In the land of the living
Israelites and Jews of the Old Testament did not look at the afterlife like we typically do. For them, all who died went to the same place: the place of the dead, Sheol. God had promised blessing and reward for righteous living, but many righteous people were oppressed and died before God ever rescued them or blessed them. Were God’s promises false? Hints and promises of resurrection begin to appear through the prophets. This psalm is a hope in that resurrection, and that God makes good on his promises.
THURSDAY 4/30/26, 1 Samuel 8:1-22, Israel demands a king
Samuel grew up to be the High Priest of Israel, its leader and hero. When Samuel became old, the people demanded that Samuel appoint them a king, so that they’ll be like other nations. God sees this demand as a rejection of God, but God allows it. What do you make Samuel’s warning? This is a pivotal moment in the life of Israel, they will always struggle with the understanding of a king.
FRIDAY 5/1/26: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12, A pastoral relationship
It might be tempting to read this passage and say, “Well, there’s nothing here for me, I’m not a pastor.” On the other hand, as Christians, disciples of Christ, we are called to nurture others in the faith and reach out. Perhaps we can take an example from Paul (we did name our church after him!). Give up motivations of greed and glory, seek to please God, and love each other like family. Seems like a good way to go.
SATURDAY 5/2/26: John 16:17-33, Even if the world hates you . . .
Jesus predicts some rough times for those who call themselves disciples. If we follow after Christ, we ought to be prepared to follow Christ and share his humiliation, attacks, and even his death. The life of the Christian is not an easy, but we have some promises. First, we are not alone. Christ is present to us through his Holy Spirit even now. Second, Christ has overcome the world. In the end, Christ is the victor. What struggles have been eclipsing your vision lately? Trust in God, and stay close to the vine.