As For Me and My House: Five Day Devotional

Here are a few additional resources to guide your quiet time this week:

• Watch the replay of "As for Me and My House" by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

• Use this small group discussion guide with family, friends and co-workers.

• Join us for our 6 AM Prayer Call, Monday through Friday (EST)

Day 1: Standing Firm in a Shifting World

Based on the Message: "As for Me and My House" by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

"But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." - Joshua 24:15

Devotional: In a world that constantly demands our allegiance to various causes, ideologies, and movements, Joshua's bold declaration resonates with timeless clarity. His words cut through the noise of his day just as they do ours. Joshua understood that the most fundamental decision we face isn't political, cultural, or social; it's spiritual. When Joshua proclaimed, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord," he wasn't making a casual statement. He was drawing a line in the sand. He was making a deliberate choice that would define his family's identity, priorities, and legacy. Today, we face similar crossroads. The pressure to conform to cultural expectations can be overwhelming. Social media, news outlets, and even friends and family push us to declare where we stand on countless issues. But before we stake our position on anything else, we must first decide where we stand with the Lord. This decision isn't just personal; it extends to our households. As believers, we're called to create spaces where God's presence is honored, His Word is treasured, and His ways are followed. This doesn't happen by accident but through intentional choices about what we allow to influence our homes and families.

Quote: "Because of rhetoric, the world will push you to declare your position all types of controversial issues. Above the noise, I believe the Lord is saying, "I need My church to know Me and to make their declaration as to where they stand with Me." - Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

Question: What specific changes might God be calling you to make in your household to more fully honor and serve Him in this season?

Prayer: Lord, give me the courage of Joshua to make a clear declaration of my allegiance to You. Help me lead my household in serving You faithfully, regardless of cultural pressures. Show me any areas where I've allowed other influences to take priority over Your presence and Word. Amen.

Day 2: Equipped for Spiritual Battle

Based on the Message: "As for Me and My House" by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." - Ephesians 6:11

Devotional: The challenges we face today aren't merely social, political, or cultural; they're spiritual at their core. When we recognize this truth, we understand why human solutions alone will never be sufficient. We need divine equipment for the battles we face. Paul's description of the armor of God provides exactly what we need. Each piece serves a vital purpose: the belt of truth helps us discern between God's truth and the world's deception. The breastplate of righteousness protects our hearts from corruption. Our feet, shod with the gospel of peace, enable us to stand firm while bringing reconciliation. The shield of faith extinguishes attacks aimed at our belief. The helmet of salvation guards our minds, while the sword of the Spirit, God's Word, is our offensive weapon. Many believers struggle because they've put on only pieces of the armor, leaving themselves vulnerable. Others have the armor but haven't learned to use it effectively. God calls us to be fully equipped and trained for the battles we face. Remember, this armor isn't physical but spiritual. It's activated through prayer, Scripture meditation, and walking in obedience. When we're fully armored, we can stand against any opposition, not in our own strength, but in the power of the Lord.

Quote: "We say we want abundant life, but we don't want to do the things necessary to obtain abundant life. If you want abundant life, you are going to have to put on the whole armor of God in this hour." - Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

Question: Which piece of God's armor do you most need to strengthen in your life right now, and what practical step can you take today to do so?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for providing everything I need for spiritual victory. Help me to put on Your full armor daily, not just pieces that feel comfortable. Teach me to stand firm in Your truth and righteousness, to walk in peace, to exercise faith, to guard my mind with salvation, and to wield Your Word effectively. Amen.

Day 3: Rejecting the Language of Victimhood

Based on the Message: "As for Me and My House" by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places." - Ephesians 6:12

Devotional: Throughout Scripture, we see believers who faced tremendous adversity yet refused to be defined by their circumstances. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, falsely accused, and imprisoned, yet he ultimately declared that what others meant for evil, God used for good. Daniel was taken captive to Babylon but maintained his integrity and influenced an empire. Paul was imprisoned repeatedly but wrote about rejoicing always. These biblical examples remind us that our identity isn't determined by what happens to us but by who we are in Christ. In Him, we are more than conquerors. We are victorious, not victims. This doesn't minimize the reality of suffering or systemic injustice. Rather, it places these challenges in proper perspective. While acknowledging difficulties, we refuse to be defined or limited by them. Instead, we look to Jesus, who offers a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light. When we embrace our identity as victors in Christ, we approach life's challenges differently. We see obstacles as opportunities for God's power to be displayed. We recognize that divine favor can take us places that human limitations cannot. We understand that our ultimate hope isn't in changing systems but in serving the One who transcends all systems.

Quote: "We refuse to embrace the language of victimhood. We are victorious in Christ Jesus. We refuse to allow the world to tell us who we are, what we can and what we can't do. We are a royal priesthood and a chosen generation." - Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

Question: In what situation are you tempted to adopt a victim mentality, and how might viewing yourself as victorious in Christ change your approach to that challenge?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You that in You I am victorious, not a victim. Help me to see my challenges through the lens of Your victory rather than being defined by my circumstances. Give me the strength to stand firm in my identity as Your child, knowing that Your favor and power work on my behalf. Amen.

Day 4: Distinct Not Distant

Based on the Message: "As for Me and My House" by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

"Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." - James 4:4

Devotional: As followers of Christ, we're called to a delicate balance, being in the world but not of it. Like Daniel in Babylon, we must learn to sit at tables of influence without compromising our values. We're called to be distinct without being distant, engaged without being entangled. This distinction begins with our primary allegiance. Our citizenship in heaven must inform our earthly citizenship, not the other way around. When we allow our faith to be shaped by political ideologies rather than Scripture, we've inverted God's order. Our Christianity should inform our understanding of nation, culture, and society, not the reverse. Being distinct also means rejecting false teachings that connect holiness to external factors like ethnicity or social status. God's kingdom transcends these human divisions. In Christ, there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female; we are all one in Him. Yet being distinct doesn't mean isolation. Jesus prayed not that we would be taken out of the world but protected from the evil one. We're called to be salt and light, preserving influence and illuminating truth in dark places. This requires wisdom to know when to speak and when to be silent, when to engage and when to withdraw.

Quote: "You've got to have a Daniel anointing where you sit at certain tables, but don't eat the food. You must recognize that God that placed you at the table for a divine assignment that requires distinction." - Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

Question: In what area of your life do you need to be more distinct in your Christian witness while remaining lovingly engaged with those around you?

Prayer: Father, give me wisdom to be in the world but not of it. Help me to stand firm in my faith while engaging meaningfully with those around me. Show me how to be distinct without being distant, to influence without being influenced by values contrary to Your Word. Grant me a Daniel anointing to maintain integrity in every setting. Amen.

Day 5: Embracing God's Purpose

Based on the Message: "As for Me and My House" by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

"And we know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" - Romans 8:28

Devotional: Joseph's journey from favored son to slave to prisoner to prime minister illustrates a profound truth: God works through our difficulties to accomplish His purposes. What appeared to be setbacks were actually setups for Joseph's destiny and the salvation of many lives. Like Joseph, we may face rejection, false accusations, or forgotten promises. During these seasons, it's tempting to question God's goodness or abandon our faith. But Joseph's story reminds us that God's timeline differs from ours, and His methods often surprise us. Joseph's perspective is remarkable. Rather than harboring bitterness toward those who wronged him, he recognized God's sovereign hand: "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good." This perspective didn't develop overnight but through years of trusting God in difficult circumstances. The path from pit to palace rarely follows a straight line. It involves tests of character, opportunities to forgive, and moments of divine favor. Throughout this journey, God is developing in us qualities that can't be formed in comfort; patience, resilience, compassion, and unwavering faith. When we look back at our own journeys, we often see that the very experiences we would have avoided were essential to preparing us for our purpose. The pit was necessary for the palace.

Quote: "Joseph was betrayed by his own people. If they hadn't pushed him into the pit, he would have never made it to the palace. As you reflect on every person that has mistreated you, remember that God takes what others mean for evil and works it for good. It had to happen!" - Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

Question: What difficult experience in your past can you now recognize as preparation for where God has placed you today?

Prayer: Lord, help me to see my challenges through the lens of Your purpose rather than my pain. Give me Joseph's perspective to recognize Your hand even in difficult circumstances. Transform my disappointments into divine appointments and my setbacks into setups for Your glory. Thank You that You work all things together for good for those who love You. Amen.