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, 6/8/26 – 6/13/26
Faith UMC
MONDAY 6/8/26: Romans 13:1-10, Extend love even to leaders
There is an unfortunate chapter break in the middle of this instructions (remember, the chapters and verses were not in the original letter, but added over 1,000 years later). The temptation of early Christians were to rise up violently against their oppressive government. How do the commandments to love influence the way we read the commandments to submit to authority? How do we live out these commandments today?
TUESDAY 6/9/26: Luke 12:1-7, The only One worth fearing casts out fear
On the heels of Jesus’ rebuke of the Pharisees is this teaching that nothing done in secret will stay in secret. Our actions should not be the result of fearing powerful people or culture. Rather, the only One worth fearing is God, who is able to judge for eternity. As soon as Jesus tells us that God is the only One worth fearing, he immediately tells us that we have nothing to fear in God. We can trust God, who cares even for the sparrows. Therefore, obey God, the only One worth fearing, but know that, in God’s love, you have nothing to fear.
WEDNESDAY 6/10/26: Psalm 82, A call for God to judge
In our culture, we have a negative connotation of “judgement.” We often think about judgement as bad news and eternal damnation, but in Scripture, God’s judgement is a good thing because it establishes justice for people who have suffered. Yes, judgement is against those who do wicked, but judgement is also for those who suffer. God’s judgement is setting all things right, and we take part in that work.
THURSDAY 6/11/26, 1 Samuel 24:1-22, David has mercy on Saul
Saul’s intentions are clear: kill David. While on the hunt for David, Saul takes a nap in a cave, unaware that David is further in. David spares Saul, takes a corner of his cape as evidence that he wishes no harm on the king. David’s act of mercy turns way Saul’s wrath. How can mercy be more effective than revenge or violence? What are you hearing in this Scripture today?
FRIDAY 6/12/26: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Recognizing Evil
This is about as difficult as it gets in the New Testament. What do we make of these predictions? A couple of points to help: the “lawless one” does not need to be identified as a single person. In our language, it appears that Paul has a particular person in mind, but that is not necessarily the case. What the text is unambiguous about is that evil lurks under the surface, but it will be revealed and dealt with. The Christian community was tempted to believe that Christ has already dealt with all evil and that there was nothing to worry about. This is a reminder that evil still exists, and we still must be vigilant.
SATURDAY 6/13/26: Psalm 127, Unless the Lord Builds It
This psalm was a traveling song that pilgrims would sing on their way to festivals in Jerusalem. This one is celebrates the construction and reconstruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. And while it celebrates those things, it is a song that reminds the people that if God isn’t a part of it, then all the world is in vain! As we celebrate the next phase in our building and sanctuary, let’s remember that God needs to be a part of it, or it’s not worth it! Join us in worship for our last Sunday before renovation! You matter to God.
Faith UMC
MONDAY 6/8/26: Romans 13:1-10, Extend love even to leaders
There is an unfortunate chapter break in the middle of this instructions (remember, the chapters and verses were not in the original letter, but added over 1,000 years later). The temptation of early Christians were to rise up violently against their oppressive government. How do the commandments to love influence the way we read the commandments to submit to authority? How do we live out these commandments today?
TUESDAY 6/9/26: Luke 12:1-7, The only One worth fearing casts out fear
On the heels of Jesus’ rebuke of the Pharisees is this teaching that nothing done in secret will stay in secret. Our actions should not be the result of fearing powerful people or culture. Rather, the only One worth fearing is God, who is able to judge for eternity. As soon as Jesus tells us that God is the only One worth fearing, he immediately tells us that we have nothing to fear in God. We can trust God, who cares even for the sparrows. Therefore, obey God, the only One worth fearing, but know that, in God’s love, you have nothing to fear.
WEDNESDAY 6/10/26: Psalm 82, A call for God to judge
In our culture, we have a negative connotation of “judgement.” We often think about judgement as bad news and eternal damnation, but in Scripture, God’s judgement is a good thing because it establishes justice for people who have suffered. Yes, judgement is against those who do wicked, but judgement is also for those who suffer. God’s judgement is setting all things right, and we take part in that work.
THURSDAY 6/11/26, 1 Samuel 24:1-22, David has mercy on Saul
Saul’s intentions are clear: kill David. While on the hunt for David, Saul takes a nap in a cave, unaware that David is further in. David spares Saul, takes a corner of his cape as evidence that he wishes no harm on the king. David’s act of mercy turns way Saul’s wrath. How can mercy be more effective than revenge or violence? What are you hearing in this Scripture today?
FRIDAY 6/12/26: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Recognizing Evil
This is about as difficult as it gets in the New Testament. What do we make of these predictions? A couple of points to help: the “lawless one” does not need to be identified as a single person. In our language, it appears that Paul has a particular person in mind, but that is not necessarily the case. What the text is unambiguous about is that evil lurks under the surface, but it will be revealed and dealt with. The Christian community was tempted to believe that Christ has already dealt with all evil and that there was nothing to worry about. This is a reminder that evil still exists, and we still must be vigilant.
SATURDAY 6/13/26: Psalm 127, Unless the Lord Builds It
This psalm was a traveling song that pilgrims would sing on their way to festivals in Jerusalem. This one is celebrates the construction and reconstruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. And while it celebrates those things, it is a song that reminds the people that if God isn’t a part of it, then all the world is in vain! As we celebrate the next phase in our building and sanctuary, let’s remember that God needs to be a part of it, or it’s not worth it! Join us in worship for our last Sunday before renovation! You matter to God.