Your Personal Grow-Pray-Study (GPS) Guide

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Day 1: Read/memorize Psalm 23:1-4. Today focus on the phrase “Even though I walk through the valley”. Life has a lot of peaks and valleys (ups and downs). Are you in a valley right now? How are you walking through it? How do you wish you could be navigating it differently? Pray for strength.

Day 2: Read/memorize Psalm 23:1-4. Today focus on the phrase “valley of the shadow of death”. What age were you when you first understood death and that everyone would eventually meet that end? Does death scare you? Why or why not? Pray to God that you would have hope in resurrection to the new heavens and new earth.

Day 3: Read/memorize Psalm 23:1-4. Today focus on the phrase “I will fear no evil”. Jesus said in John 16:33 “In this world you will have troubles, but take heart: I have overcome the world.” What evils are you facing right now? Where do you need God to step in? Pray for guidance, and for an end to evil.

Day 4: Read/memorize Psalm 23:1-4. Today focus on the phrase “You are”. At times it seems like God has “left the building.” We pray – no answer. We weep – no comfort. Has God abandoned us? No! God is present. Take time to repent of the times where you doubt that God is near. 

Day 5: Read/memorize Psalm 23:1-4. Today focus on the phrase “with me”. St. Paul said in Romans 8:31 “If God is for us, who can be against us?” God is with you every step of the way. Pray for help in recognizing His presence. 

Day 6: Read/memorize Psalm 23:1-4. Today focus on the phrase “Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me”. The power of God should lead us to comfort, not fear. Because of Jesus, God looks at you with love and reconciliation. Take time to think about the times where God’s power has led to your comfort.

Recent additional GO DEEPER reading opportunities:

• "God is More than Enough" by Tony Evans (Amazon Kindle).
• "A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23" by Phillip Keller (Amazon Kindle).
• "Hidden Christmas: The Surprising Truth Behind the Birth of Christ" by Tim Keller (Amazon Kindle)

You can also watch this week's sermon or read the full message & GPS here.

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Each day this week I encourage you to pray two prayers:

1. “Lord have mercy on me, a sinner.”
2. “God, show me the good things you want me to do today. Lead me in the path of righteousness." 

Day 1: Read Psalm 23:3. Where does your life feel like it’s turned upside-down? Why? How will you know God has turned it right-side up?

Day 2: Read Matthew 18:12. When you think of those you know and love who do not know Jesus, who are the lost sheep you can pray for today? 

Day 3: Read Psalm 23:3. What pulls you off the path of following Jesus? What sin do you need to confess? Where do you need to get back on track in walking with Him?

Day 4: Read Matthew 18:13. How does Jesus guide you during your day? Where could you use some guidance for the best next step you need to take? 

Day 5: Read Psalm 23:3. Jesus' name means “He saves!” If you feel guilty about a sin you've already confessed to God, that guilt is not from God, it's from the devil. Where do you need to remind yourself that Jesus has forgiven your sins and taken away your guilt?

Day 6: Read Matthew 18:14. Children in Jesus day didn’t have much value. They do in our day. It’s one difference Jesus brought to our world. What child, grandchild, niece, nephew, student, friend’s kids can you pray for to know Jesus today?

You can GO DEEPER this week by reading the book "God is More than Enough" by Tony Evans (Amazon Kindle).

Recent additional GO DEEPER reading opportunities:

• "A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23" by Phillip Keller (Amazon Kindle).
• "Hidden Christmas: The Surprising Truth Behind the Birth of Christ" by Tim Keller (Amazon Kindle)
• "The Hole in Our Gospel: What Does God Expect of Us? The Answer That Changed My Life and Might Just Our World" by Richard Stearns (Amazon Kindle)

You can also watch this week's sermon or read the full message & GPS here.

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Day 1: Read/memorize Psalm 23:1-2. Today focus on the phrase “He makes me lie down”. When has the Lord brought you to your knees? When have you been made to pause? How did you feel and what did you learn?

Day 2: Read/memorize Psalm 23:1-2. Today focus on the phrase “in green pastures”. Though there’s not a whole lot of “green” pastures in Southern California, you get the gist. Green pastures are a place where livestock can feed and be given nourishment. Where is a place that gives nourishment to your soul? Take 5 minutes of quiet time to go to that place in your mind.

Day 3: Read/memorize Psalm 23:1-2. Today focus on the phrase “He leads me”. You’ve probably played the game “follow the leader” before. As you’ve aged or matured, you’ve probably found that following the leader can be difficult at times. Where do you struggle to follow God? Take time to pray that your heart would be changed so that you would adopt the ways of God and delight in following Him.

Day 4: Read/memorize Psalm 23:1-2. Today focus on the phrase “beside quiet waters”. Again, in Southern California we are not familiar with quiet waters – we are more acquainted with the ocean! The quiet waters the Psalm refers to are waters that we can relax next to. Head to the beach today. Though there are no “quiet waters” there, take a moment to relax and remember that through all the waves of your life – God is there! 

Day 5: Read John 10:11-15. Rest, for the sheep, only comes when they feel safe with the Shepherd. The same is true for us as humans. Take time to confess to God where you are struggling to feel safe, and before you go to bed tonight, pray: “I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that You would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.”

Day 6: Read John 11:16-18. Jesus says here that there are other sheep who haven’t yet been “brought in” to the fold. Take time today to pray for all of those who have not yet found their home and safety in the fold of Christ’s Holy Church. 

Recent GO DEEPER reading opportunities:

• "A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23" by Phillip Keller (Amazon Kindle).
• "Hidden Christmas: The Surprising Truth Behind the Birth of Christ" by Tim Keller (Amazon Kindle)
• "The Hole in Our Gospel: What Does God Expect of Us? The Answer That Changed My Life and Might Just Our World" by Richard Stearns (Amazon Kindle)

You can also watch this week's sermon or read the full message & GPS here.

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At the start of 2021, Christ Lutheran Church's weekly Messages will be around a new series called "Trusting God In Tough Times" using Psalm 23:1-6.

As you use this week’s Grow-Pray-Study (GPS) Guide, the first five days invite you to focus on one word a day from “The LORD is my shepherd.” And then on day six to focus on the phrase, “I shall not be in want.”

Throughout the week memorize this verse Psalm 23:1 -- "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want."

Day 1: Read/memorize Psalm 23:1. Today focus on the word “the.” What does it mean to you that your Shepherd is the LORD, not a god? What seeks to take His place in your life? Today take time to praise Him for His care for you.

Day 2: Read/memorize Psalm 23:1. Today focus on the word “LORD.” LORD is God’s personal name in the Old Testament given in Exodus 3:15. God is worthy to be praised as our divine creator, and through Jesus our incredible Savior of all. What does it mean to you that God desires a personal relationship with you? That He cares about you? That He knows you better than you know yourself? Today praise God for His longing to have a personal relationship with you.

Day 3: Read/memorize Psalm 23:1. Today focus on the word “is.” The Bible tells the great story of God, of how He has acted in history, how He will one day come back to take His followers to heaven. Today think about what it means that God is – God is with you, God is active, God is love. Psalm 23 reminds not just of what God has done or will do, but best of all that He is here now with you. Today thank God for His presence with you. Ask for what you need for the day ahead. Seek to live out this day aware of His presence each moment.

Day 4: Read/memorize Psalm 23:1. Today focus on the word “my.” David could have said “our”, but instead he reminds himself of God’s one-on-one relationship with David (and with you). Today get personal with God. Share your heart, your life, you needs, your hopes, your dreams. While God is with everyone, praise God today for being with you!

Day 5: Read/memorize Psalm 23:1. Today focus on the word “Shepherd.” God is your pastor, your perfect pastor! He wants to lead you along life’s best path for your life. Today ask for His guidance and direction for what you face. Thank Him for His perfect love and care for you. 

Day 6: Read/memorize Psalm 23:1. Today focus on the word “I shall not be in want.” The LORD God is your pastor, protector, provider and a whole lot more. Today thank Him for all that He does for you. Ask Him for what you need. Trust Him to provide and to guide you in the day ahead!

You can GO DEEPER this week by reading the book "A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23" by Phillip Keller (Amazon Kindle).

Recent GO DEEPER reading opportunities:

• "Hidden Christmas: The Surprising Truth Behind the Birth of Christ" by Tim Keller (Amazon Kindle)
• "The Hole in Our Gospel: What Does God Expect of Us? The Answer That Changed My Life and Might Just Our World" by Richard Stearns (Amazon Kindle)
• "Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help, And How to Reverse It" by Robert D. Lupton (Amazon Kindle)

You can also watch this week's sermon or read the full message & GPS here.

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Day 1: Read Matthew 2:1-2. The story of the wise men teaches us that God will reveal himself to anyone who seeks Him. Who are you praying for this year to seek and find God? What might be a star that is beginning to shine in their life to guide them to Jesus?

Day 2: Read Jeremiah 29:13. Where do you find yourself seeking God’s direction today? What blocks your heart from being all in for seeking God?

Day 3: Read Matthew 2:12. God speaks to these wise men in the language of their work life – stars and dreams. Such speaking lines up with the message of His Word. How do you sense God speaking into your life today? What message from His Word is He seeking to connect to your heart and life?

Day 4: Read Psalm 119:105. Where do you need the light of God’s Word to shine on your path today?

Day 5: Read Matthew 2:9-10. You say, well, pastor, I haven't seen too many bright stars pointing the way in my life. Yet, think about it, what these wise men did for a living was basically two-fold, interpret the stars and interpret dreams. In other words, God used the circumstances of their everyday job and life to guide them to his Son. He does the same today, maybe not with stars and dreams, but with the stuff that our everyday lives are made of, at our work God is seeking to guide us. In our homes, God is seeking to guide us. How have you sensed His guidance for your life’s path this week? Where are you seeking His guidance in the day ahead?

Day 6: Read John 14:6. There are times in our lives when we find ourselves in situations which offer no clear-cut answers. It is at these times we can trust ourselves completely to God, knowing that he will lead us each step of the way. Where is Jesus calling you to step out in faith in the year ahead?

You can GO DEEPER this week by reading "Hidden Christmas: The Surprising Truth Behind the Birth of Christ" by Tim Keller (Amazon Kindle)

Recent GO DEEPER opportunities:

• "The Hole in Our Gospel: What Does God Expect of Us? The Answer That Changed My Life and Might Just Our World" by Richard Stearns (Amazon Kindle)
• "Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help, And How to Reverse It" by Robert D. Lupton (Amazon Kindle)
• "Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World" by Max Lucado (Amazon Kindle, Amazon Hard-copy)

You can also watch this week's sermon or read the full message & GPS here.