Empty: Five Day Devotional

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

• Watch the replay of "Empty" 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: Death is Defeated Once and Forever

Based on the Message: "Empty" by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

" And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty, and your faith is also empty." - 1 Corinthians 15:14

Devotional: Paul's statement in 1 Corinthians 15 highlights what matters most in the Christian faith. Everything depends on one fact: Jesus’ empty tomb. If the resurrection didn’t happen, Paul says our faith would be empty, and our hope would be false.

Consider the stark difference between our Savior, Jesus, and other influential religious figures in history. Muhammad, the founder of Islam, lies buried in Saudi Arabia. Siddhartha Gautama, known as Buddha, whose teachings form the basis of Buddhism, had his ashes scattered across Asia. Confucius, the famed Chinese philosopher, rests in a family cemetery in China. But Jesus? Archaeologists have carefully studied sites in the Holy Land for two thousand years, yet His body remains unfound. Why? Because Scripture declares that death could not hold Him down.

This victory over death changes how we face every struggle. When sickness comes, when relationships end, when money runs out, we remember: the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is with us. We don’t follow someone who failed. We follow the one who overcame the grave. Death lost.

Today, let the reality of Christ's victory over death quicken your mortal body. You're not fighting battles alone—you're backed by resurrection power.

Quote: "The empty tomb proved that Jesus conquered death. There's a lot of other religions you can follow, but we're the only one who claims that our leader conquered death." - Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

Question: How does knowing that death has been definitively defeated change the way you approach today's challenges?

Prayer: Father, thank You that death is defeated through Christ's resurrection. When I feel overwhelmed by life's struggles, remind me that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives within me. Help me walk in confidence knowing that my Savior conquered the grave and holds the keys to death and hell. Transform my perspective from defeat to victory, knowing that because He lives, I can face tomorrow. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.

Day 2: Resurrection Power

Based on the Message: "Empty" by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

"But if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal body through his Spirit who dwells in you." - Romans 8:11

Devotional: Romans 8:11 contains one of Scripture's most staggering promises. The same power that brought Jesus back to life now dwells in every believer. This is not just a metaphor—it is a spiritual reality.

Picture Jesus in the tomb: beaten beyond recognition, lungs torn from scourging, body lifeless. Yet God's power broke through darkness and death, bringing new life. That same Spirit lives in you, ready to revive you when you feel dead inside. The power that revived Jesus can give you energy, hope, and life, even in emptiness or hopelessness.

Maybe you face depression that feels impossible. Maybe money problems have drained your hope. Maybe conflict has left you feeling numb. In these moments, remember that resurrection power does not depend on your feelings. When you feel empty, connect to the Spirit by speaking God's Word. Speak life over your situation. Worship, even when you do not feel like it. The Holy Spirit will restore your spirit.

The same power that raised Jesus from the grave is available to revive dreams, heal relationships, and restore hope in difficult situations. You carry miracle-working power within you.

Quote: "Sometimes I'm not feeling it, but the moment I begin to declare the word of God, the power of death and life is in your tongue. Sometimes that's how you get your battery started." - Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

Question: In what area of your life do you need to tap into the resurrection power that dwells within you?

Prayer: Holy Spirit, You are the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. You live within me. When I feel spiritually dead, emotionally drained, or physically exhausted, quicken my mortal body. Remind me that I carry resurrection power for today, not just for eternity. Charge my spirit like jumper cables on a dead battery—fill me with new energy and life when I am drained. Give me words of life to speak over my situation and faith to believe nothing is impossible with You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Day 3: From Seeking Burial to Expecting Resurrection

Based on the Message: "Empty" by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

"They said to them, 'Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen.'"- Luke 24:5-6

Devotional: The women's journey to Jesus' tomb reveals a profound human tendency: expecting finality where God offers new beginnings. Despite Jesus’s declaration that He would rise on the third day, the women came prepared for burial—bringing spices for a lifeless body—instead of coming with hope for a miracle. The angels' question pierces through their grief-clouded thinking: "Why do you seek the living among the dead?"

In our own lives, this tendency appears whenever we approach challenges expecting endings rather than new beginnings. For example, we may treat lifeless marriages as lost causes, expect only pain in financial struggles, or mourn a struggling child's future instead of praying for transformation. Like those faithful women, we often let our focus settle on loss, rather than trusting God to bring life.

Yet, the angels didn't scold the women for mourning—they redirected their focus: "He is not here, but is risen." This statement changes everything, demonstrating that Jesus was not defeated but had entered a new reality. Likewise, our Savior is found where hope and new beginnings emerge, not where despair is expected.

Therefore, raise your expectations of what God can do in your life. Even when situations look hopeless, it does not mean they are over. Declare that your marriage is not destined for loss, your dreams are not meant to stay buried, and your struggling child is not beyond hope. Seek Jesus where you see signs of life and growth, rather than focusing on things that seem lost.

Quote: "They arrived at the tomb to prepare Him for his burial, not for his resurrection. Although they were faithful to Jesus, they had forgotten what he said." - Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

Question: Where in your life are you ready to move from seeking burial to expecting resurrection? Decide on one practical way you will act on this today.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive me when I’ve come to You ready to bury my hopes. Help me to start looking for life, even in hopeless places. Open my eyes to where You are working. Turn my thoughts from death to life, from defeat to victory. Thank You that You are not stuck in my tombs, but that You give me new life. In Your name, Amen.

Day 4: Jesus Got Up, So We Will Get Up

Based on the Message: "Empty" by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air." - 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Devotional: The resurrection of Jesus Christ isn't only a historical event—it's our future resurrection guarantee. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians to reassure believers concerned for their deceased loved ones: because Jesus rose, everyone who dies in Christ will also rise.

This promise reshapes our understanding of death. For believers, death is simply sleep—a momentary pause before the ultimate awakening. The grave is not our final destination. Instead, it is a brief rest stop before resurrection morning. When Christ returns, those who have "fallen asleep" in Jesus will rise first. Then those still living will be caught up together to meet Him in the air.

This doctrine should fill believers with unwavering confidence. We don't mourn like those without hope. We know death is temporary. Every funeral service is a celebration of temporary parting, not lasting loss. Every goodbye is truly a "see you later" because we serve a risen Savior who defeated the grave.

Live today with resurrection certainty. Face challenges knowing your story is more than earthly struggles. Whether you die today or remain until His return, your destination remains unchanged: resurrection life with Jesus. The tomb was brief for Jesus—and it will be brief for you too.

Quote: "Jesus got up, so we going to get up. Not only am I going to get up in this moment as I celebrate, but I know that one day, when this life is over, I'm going to get up because Jesus got up."- Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

Question: How does the promise of resurrection influence how you face current challenges and future fears?

Prayer: Father, thank You that because Jesus rose, I will too. When I face death—my own or a loved one’s—remind me that for believers, it is just sleep. Help me live with resurrection confidence, knowing I’ll be caught up to meet You, whether I die or remain until Your return. Let this hope reshape my view of today’s troubles and tomorrow’s uncertainties. In Jesus’ victorious name, Amen.

Day 5: The Significance of an Empty Grave

Based on the Message: "Empty" by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

"And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty, and your faith is also empty." 1 Corinthians 15:14

Devotional: Paul's logic is clear—Christianity stands or falls on the resurrection. Without it, faith is mere wishful thinking, hope is only psychological comfort, and worship is empty ritual. But because the tomb is empty, faith is alive, preaching has power, and worship carries true meaning.

Christianity is not a social club joined by shared philosophy. It is a relationship with the living God who conquered death. Every gathering, prayer, and act of service flows from one truth: Jesus is alive. The empty grave validates every promise, confirms every prophecy, and guarantees every blessing.

Consider what full faith means for daily living. Facing the impossible, you hold resurrection faith that moves mountains—not empty faith in platitudes. When discouraged, you cling to living hope anchored in the One who walked out of the grave—not hollow hope. In fear, you rest in a dynamic relationship with the conquering King—not powerless religion.

The empty tomb changes everything: because Jesus is alive, your prayers have power, your worship has meaning, and your witness has authority. That is the true significance of the resurrection.

Quote: "If the tomb wasn't empty, then our faith would be empty. If the tomb wasn't empty, then this is just a bunch of noise. But we're here because we believe that the tomb was empty."- Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

Question: How does the reality of the empty tomb transform your confidence in prayer, worship, and sharing your faith?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You that the empty tomb gives me full faith, not empty religion. Because You conquered death, my prayers have power, my worship has meaning, and my hope is secure. Help me live confidently, serve a risen Savior, let Your resurrection transform my walk, and give me boldness to proclaim Your name and face every challenge. In Your living name, Amen.