Here are a few additional resources to guide your quiet time this week:
Watch the replay of "Closer Than You've Ever Been" by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.
Use this small group discussion guide with family, friends and co-workers.
Join us for our a 6 AM Prayer Call, Monday through Friday (EST)
Day 1: Holy Interruptions
Message: "Closer Than You've Ever Been" by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.
"One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up." Exodus 3:1-2
Devotional: Life often settles into comfortable routines. We wake up, go through our daily tasks, and repeat the cycle tomorrow. But God specializes in holy interruptions. Just like Moses tending his flock on an ordinary day, God can break into our routine with extraordinary encounters. These moments aren't meant to disrupt our lives negatively, but to redirect us toward His divine purposes. When God interrupts our normal patterns, He's inviting us into something greater than ourselves. He's calling us to step out of our comfort zone and into His presence. These divine interruptions might come through unexpected circumstances, a stirring in our spirit, or a clear call to action. The key is recognizing these moments for what they are - God's invitation to something more.
"God is shifting us from the “simple” life to the “surrendered” life." - Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.
Question: What 'ordinary moments' in your life might God be using to get your attention and draw you closer to Him?
Prayer: Lord, open my eyes to see Your presence in my daily routine. Help me recognize and respond when You're calling me to something greater. Give me the courage to step out of my comfort zone when You interrupt my normal patterns. Amen.
Day 2: From Convenience to Covenant
Message: "Closer Than You've Ever Been" by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.
"When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!” Here I am!” Moses replied, “Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. - Exodus 3:4-5
Devotional: God's call in our lives often challenges us to move beyond what's convenient to what's covenant. Convenience seeks comfort and ease; covenant requires commitment and sacrifice. Like Moses witnessing the burning bush, God presents us with moments that demand more than casual observation - they require careful engagement and serious response. This transition isn't always comfortable, but it's always purposeful. God is inviting us into a deeper relationship, one that transforms us from casual observers to committed participants in His divine plan. The journey from convenience to covenant might feel daunting, but it's in this space that we experience God's presence most profoundly.
"Whenever God reveals His presence or His voice, it demands a response. Will you open your mouth and say 'yes, Lord?'" - Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.
Question: What areas of your life is God calling you to move from convenient Christianity to covenant commitment?
Prayer: Father, give me the strength to move beyond comfortable Christianity. Help me embrace the covenant relationship You're calling me into, even when it requires sacrifice. Transform my heart to desire Your presence more than my comfort. Amen.
Day 3: The Sacred Pause
Message: "Closer Than You've Ever Been" by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.
"There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up. “This is amazing,” Moses said to himself. “Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go see it.” - Exodus 3:2-3
Devotional: In our fast-paced world, we often rush past sacred moments. Moses could have hurried past the burning bush, dismissing it as an unusual phenomenon. Instead, he chose to pause, turn aside, and investigate. This sacred pause became his gateway to encountering God. Today, we're surrounded by distractions that can prevent us from recognizing God's presence. Social media, busy schedules, and constant notifications compete for our attention. Yet God still calls us to pause, to turn aside from our regular routines, and to acknowledge His presence. These moments of holy ground aren't just found in dramatic experiences - they're available in our daily lives when we choose to stop and notice.
"There are moments in our life where God shows up in a tangible way to reveal His glory. Don't miss the moment!" - Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.
Question: What distractions might be preventing you from recognizing and responding to God's presence in your life?
Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me create space in my life to pause and recognize Your presence. Give me wisdom to turn aside from distractions and the courage to step onto holy ground with You. Amen.
Day 4: The Personal Call
Message: "Closer Than You've Ever Been" by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.
"When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, 'Moses! Moses!' And Moses said, 'Here I am.'" - Exodus 3:4
Devotional: When God calls our name, it's deeply personal. Notice how He called "Moses, Moses!" This double calling wasn't just for emphasis - it was intimate and urgent. God knows us by name and calls us individually. He doesn't just broadcast general messages; He speaks directly to our hearts and circumstances. This personal call requires a personal response. Like Moses, we must be ready to say, "Here I am." God's call might come through His Word, through prayer, or through circumstances, but it always requires our attention and response. When God repeats our name, He's preparing us for something significant in His kingdom plan.
"When God says your name twice, something big is about to happen." Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.
Question: How has God been personally calling you, and what might He be preparing you for?
Prayer: Lord, thank You for knowing my name and calling me personally. Give me ears to hear Your voice and courage to respond with 'Here I am.' Help me trust Your timing and Your purposes for my life. Amen.
Day 5: Holy Ground Response
Message: "Closer Than You've Ever Been" by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.
"'Do not come any closer,' God said. 'Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.'" - Exodus 3:5
Devotional: Standing on holy ground requires more than just physical presence - it demands a heart response. When God told Moses to remove his sandals, it was about more than just shoes. It was about approaching God with reverence and surrender. Today, God still calls us to holy ground moments. These are times when we must lay aside our own agenda, remove whatever stands between us and God, and respond with wholehearted worship. This response isn't born from fear but from love and recognition of who God is. When we truly understand we're on holy ground, our natural response becomes worship, surrender, and agreement with God's will.
"God is still looking for a verbal “yes” in this season!" - Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.
Question: What might you need to 'remove' from your life to fully respond to God's presence and voice?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me recognize the holy ground moments in my life. Give me the courage to remove anything that hinders my full surrender to You. Let my response to Your presence be one of genuine worship, love and agreement with Your assignment. Amen.
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