Grow • pray • study
"Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise." - Deuteronomy 6:6-7
Taking time to pray and meditate on the Scriptures daily is vital to spiritual health! The Grow • Pray • Study (GPS) guide is one way to stay in Scripture -and follow along with the weekly messages.
Grow • Pray • Study Guide
7/19/21 - 7/24/21, Christ UMC
(you can join Pastor Ric live every morning at 8 am on our Facebook page)
MON 7/19/21: Ephesians 3:1-13, God’s secret plan
It gets a little exciting when Ephesians starts talking about secret or mysterious plans of God. Of course, it gives the secret away immediately: God intends to invite all people into his blessings. Through Christ, God invites gentiles (others) to be coheirs with Jews. God invites all people to be part of the family, the people of God. Christianity, therefore, is necessarily missional. We must reach out to others, inviting them and welcoming them into a reconciled life with God. How do we do this? Who is God calling you to reach?
TUE 7/20/21: Luke 10:1-20, Disciples do as Jesus does
Jesus sends out his disciples to do the things that Jesus has been doing. This is not limited to the 12 disciples. We are all called to do the things that Jesus did, and we are able to do it! Jesus did everything through the power of the Holy Spirit, and that same power is available to us. Jesus calls us to give and work for the Kingdom. How is God calling you to act?
WED 7/21/21: Psalm 14, The fool says there is no God
When we read this psalm, we are tempted to think that these judgments are against other people. The godless, the atheist, those people. However, we are challenged by Paul to realize that this psalm is actually about us, all of us (Romans 2:9-20). When do we act like there is no God? When we do go astray? The good news for those who realize that they need grace, is that there is grace in Christ.
THU 7/22/21: 1 Samuel 18:1-30, A destructive king
David is a huge success, but now we see Saul fall apart. He attempts to kill David more than once. Then, hoping David will die in war, Saul attempts to keep David close by giving his daughters to him in marriage. Saul’s actions are sporadic and make little sense. He’s a profile of jealousy and feeble attempts to maintain power and control against the movements of God. What destructive thoughts/actions do you see Saul taking that we are in danger of taking?
FRI 7/23/21: Philippians 3:1-16, Sewer trash compared to Christ
The Philippians are being pulled in a couple different directions. One of those directions is toward circumcision and a more Jewish observation of Christ. However, it is not about living up to rituals or temple laws! Paul had all of that, but know he considers it sewer trash compared to simply knowing Christ, joining Christ in suffering, and joining Christ in joy. What in this Scripture is God highlighting for you today? Listen for God.
SAT 7/24/21: Ephesians 3:14-21, Rooted in Christ’s Love
Ephesians tells us that we are building a house together with God. We are that house. We live in that house. It’s a living house. Then we change metaphors to a tree. We’re a tree house. With roots in love. Join us in worship Sunday as we continue our sermon series “Come Together.” Join us online at 10:30 am. You matter to God.