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, 3/9/26 – 3/14/26
Faith UMC
MONDAY 3/9/26: Romans 7:14-8:4, No Condemnation
Reminder: the chapter & verse numbering system in the Bible was added a thousand years after it was written, and not always in a helpful way. Paul is radically honest about the feeling of hypocrisy in chapter 7, and that openness to talk about it leads to the freedom we experience in Christ he talks about in chapter 8. Since there is no condemnation in Christ, we are free to offer what needs healing to Christ. There is no shame any longer.
TUESDAY 3/10/26: Luke 7:36-50, If Jesus knew about this woman
Some sins are easier to hide, but some wear their sins on their sleeves. When this woman approaches Jesus, it forces everyone in the room to think about how they should react to someone who cannot hide her sins. She gets close to Jesus. Very close. It’s awkward. It’s strange. It seems wasteful. Yet, Jesus embraces her, welcomes her, and assures her that her sins are forgiven. Place yourself in the shoes of someone in this story. How does this view point change the story for you?
WEDNESDAY 3/11/26: Psalm 82 God’s justice
When you think about God’s justice or judgement, what comes to mind? Often we think about an angry judge poring over incriminating evidence of our sin and wickedness, but that is not the God of justice revealed in Scripture. Here, and throughout the Prophets, God’s judgment is a restoration of the poor, oppressed, and marginalized. How does this shape your picture of God? How is God calling us to participate in God’s justice?
THURSDAY 312/26, Ruth 2:1-13, Boaz from Bethlehem
Empty handed, Naomi and Ruth arrive at Bethlehem. Naomi has some extended family in the area, and their hopes rest in the kindness of these relatives. Ruth volunteers to work in the fields in hopes of meeting people who might help. Ruth’s commitment to Naomi has been noticed by the community and Boaz, the owner of this field. Not only are Ruth and Naomi’s outlook brighter, but there also seems to be a hope for romance. What a different story from the stories of Judges!
FRIDAY 3/13/26: Philippians 2:1-11, Adopting the same mind as Christ
Philippi was a Roman colony. Caesar was the hero of children, and his fame was made more fantastic because he was a hero far away in the capital city. People wanted to be like Caesar. Calling Jesus “Lord” was a direct affront on this admiration of Caesar. Jesus is our Lord, not Caesar, and what a different kind of Lord he is! Our Lord does not tell fantastic stories of slaying anyone who gets in his way. Our Lord lays down his life for all. Be like this Lord.
SATURDAY 3/14/26: Mark 9:14-24, I Believe, Help My Unbelief
Faith is complex. Beliefs change, grow, adapt. Even more than that, we can often end up holding more than one belief, even contradictory beliefs — at least for a time. In this story, the man asking for help for his son holds both belief in Jesus’s ability to heal his son, and unbelief. What’s remarkable in this story is his honesty. It’s an honesty that Jesus cannot resist responding to. Join us in worship as we continue our Lenten series, “Let Your No be No.” You matter to God.
Faith UMC
MONDAY 3/9/26: Romans 7:14-8:4, No Condemnation
Reminder: the chapter & verse numbering system in the Bible was added a thousand years after it was written, and not always in a helpful way. Paul is radically honest about the feeling of hypocrisy in chapter 7, and that openness to talk about it leads to the freedom we experience in Christ he talks about in chapter 8. Since there is no condemnation in Christ, we are free to offer what needs healing to Christ. There is no shame any longer.
TUESDAY 3/10/26: Luke 7:36-50, If Jesus knew about this woman
Some sins are easier to hide, but some wear their sins on their sleeves. When this woman approaches Jesus, it forces everyone in the room to think about how they should react to someone who cannot hide her sins. She gets close to Jesus. Very close. It’s awkward. It’s strange. It seems wasteful. Yet, Jesus embraces her, welcomes her, and assures her that her sins are forgiven. Place yourself in the shoes of someone in this story. How does this view point change the story for you?
WEDNESDAY 3/11/26: Psalm 82 God’s justice
When you think about God’s justice or judgement, what comes to mind? Often we think about an angry judge poring over incriminating evidence of our sin and wickedness, but that is not the God of justice revealed in Scripture. Here, and throughout the Prophets, God’s judgment is a restoration of the poor, oppressed, and marginalized. How does this shape your picture of God? How is God calling us to participate in God’s justice?
THURSDAY 312/26, Ruth 2:1-13, Boaz from Bethlehem
Empty handed, Naomi and Ruth arrive at Bethlehem. Naomi has some extended family in the area, and their hopes rest in the kindness of these relatives. Ruth volunteers to work in the fields in hopes of meeting people who might help. Ruth’s commitment to Naomi has been noticed by the community and Boaz, the owner of this field. Not only are Ruth and Naomi’s outlook brighter, but there also seems to be a hope for romance. What a different story from the stories of Judges!
FRIDAY 3/13/26: Philippians 2:1-11, Adopting the same mind as Christ
Philippi was a Roman colony. Caesar was the hero of children, and his fame was made more fantastic because he was a hero far away in the capital city. People wanted to be like Caesar. Calling Jesus “Lord” was a direct affront on this admiration of Caesar. Jesus is our Lord, not Caesar, and what a different kind of Lord he is! Our Lord does not tell fantastic stories of slaying anyone who gets in his way. Our Lord lays down his life for all. Be like this Lord.
SATURDAY 3/14/26: Mark 9:14-24, I Believe, Help My Unbelief
Faith is complex. Beliefs change, grow, adapt. Even more than that, we can often end up holding more than one belief, even contradictory beliefs — at least for a time. In this story, the man asking for help for his son holds both belief in Jesus’s ability to heal his son, and unbelief. What’s remarkable in this story is his honesty. It’s an honesty that Jesus cannot resist responding to. Join us in worship as we continue our Lenten series, “Let Your No be No.” You matter to God.