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Generational Thinking: Five Day Devotional

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


Day 1: Breaking the Cycle

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

"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6

Devotional: Have you ever considered that you might be the one to break negative cycles in your family? The goal of today's devotional is to encourage you to embrace the powerful role of being 'Generation 1' - the cycle-breaker who establishes new patterns of blessing for your descendants.


Many of us have inherited both positive and negative traits from our families. Perhaps you've recognized harmful patterns of behavior, unhealthy financial habits, or spiritual gaps that have been passed down through generations. The good news is that these cycles can stop with you.


Perhaps God has positioned you at this moment in your family's history with the opportunity to make different choices. You don't have to repeat the mistakes of the past. With God's help, you can establish new foundations of faith, wisdom, and blessing that will impact your children and your children's children. This isn't about rejecting your heritage or dishonoring your parents. Rather, it's about taking responsibility for what you will pass on. It's about allowing God to heal family wounds and redirect your family's story toward His purposes.


Operating as "Generation 1" requires courage. It means making difficult choices that family members before you couldn't or wouldn't make. It means standing firm when old patterns try to reassert themselves. But remember, you're not doing this alone. God's grace empowers you to become the origin point of blessing for generations to come.


Quote: "A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children. What are you leaving for the next generation? We pass on our morality to our children… for better or worse." Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

Question: What specific family patterns or cycles do you feel called to break, and what new blessings would you like to establish for future generations?


Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me the courage to break harmful cycles and establish new patterns of blessing in my family line. Help me to rely on Your strength when old habits try to pull me back. Use me as a vessel to create a godly inheritance that will impact generations I may never meet. In Jesus' name, amen.


Day 2: Shaping Morality

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


“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." - Romans 12:1

Devotional: The foundation of any lasting family legacy begins with morality - the ability to distinguish between right and wrong according to God's standards. As believers, we have the privilege and responsibility to shape this moral foundation in our homes.


In today's culture, many parents have unknowingly outsourced moral education to external influences - schools, media, peers, or even the government. But God's design places this crucial responsibility squarely in the home, with parents as the primary moral educators. Your children may be constantly bombarded with competing worldviews, but your consistent voice should be the loudest and clearest in their lives when it comes to understanding right from wrong.


This doesn't happen through lectures alone, but through daily conversations, consistent example, and loving correction. Remember that morality isn't just taught - it's caught. Your children are watching how you respond when you're wronged, how you handle temptation, and whether your actions align with your stated values. The integrity of your life speaks volumes.


Even if you feel you've made mistakes in this area, it's never too late to realign your family with biblical values. Start today by examining your own moral compass, being honest about areas where you need growth, and inviting your family into conversations about what matters most.


Quote: "If you're not actively shaping the morality of your kids, somebody else is. And if you are not setting clear direction and establishing your household, then that leaves room and space for other ideas to now take root in the minds of your children." - Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

Question: In what specific ways might you be outsourcing moral education in your family, and what intentional steps can you take to reclaim this vital responsibility?


Prayer: Lord, help me recognize the sacred responsibility I have to shape morality in my home. Give me wisdom to teach Your truth clearly and courage to model it consistently. Where I've fallen short, redeem those areas and help me establish firm moral foundations for my family's future. In Jesus' name, amen.


Day 3: Developing a Godly Mentality About Resources

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

"Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content." - 1 Timothy 6:6-8

Devotional: Beyond morality, a crucial component of your family legacy is the mentality you develop and pass on regarding resources. This isn't just about money; it encompasses your approach to time, talents, opportunities, and material possessions.


A godly mentality about resources begins with recognizing that everything we have comes from God. We are stewards, not owners. This perspective transforms how we view what we have and what we do with it. Contentment is a cornerstone of this mentality.


As Paul writes to Timothy, godliness with contentment is great gain. This doesn't mean we shouldn't strive for improvement or abundance; rather, it means we find our satisfaction in God first, not in what we possess.


At the same time, a godly mentality avoids complacency. We're called to be faithful with what we've been given, to multiply it wisely, and to use it for kingdom purposes. This requires intentionality, wisdom, and often, delayed gratification.


Consider what mentality about resources you're modeling for the next generation. Are you demonstrating generosity or hoarding? Wise planning or impulsive spending? Gratitude or entitlement? Trust in God's provision or anxiety about the future? By cultivating and passing on a godly mentality about resources, you equip future generations to be good stewards of whatever God entrusts to them—whether much or little.

Quote: "Good morality does not automatically equate to right mentality about money; you can be holy and broke. That's why biblical financial education is necessary for the believer! " - Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

Question: How can you actively train your children to have the right mentality about managing money?


Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me develop a mentality about resources that honors You. Teach me contentment while also inspiring me to be a faithful steward. Guide me in modeling and teaching these principles to the next generation. May my approach to what You've entrusted to me reflect Your generosity and wisdom. In Jesus' name, amen.


Day 4: Mastering Money

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


"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." - 1 Timothy 6:10

Devotional: Money is one of the most powerful tools God has given us to build a legacy, yet it can quickly become a destructive force when misunderstood or mishandled. The difference lies in whether we master money or allow it to master us.


The Bible is full of wisdom and instruction about money and wealth, from the Old Testament to the New Testament. Our relationship with money often reflects our deepest values and priorities. The Bible doesn't condemn wealth; many faithful servants of God were wealthy. What Scripture warns against is the love of money, which becomes a root of all kinds of evil.


When we love money, we serve it rather than using it to serve God's purposes. Mastering money begins with recognizing its proper place. Money is a tool for providing for needs, creating opportunities, blessing others, and advancing God's kingdom. It's not a source of security, identity, or happiness.


Practical mastery of money involves skills like budgeting, saving, investing wisely, giving generously, and avoiding the debt trap. These aren't just financial skills; they're spiritual disciplines that shape our character and legacy. As you consider your family inheritance, remember that financial resources without moral guidance and mental preparation can become a curse rather than a blessing. Teach the next generation not just how to make money, but how to master it for God's glory.

Quote: "Money is a great tool, but it is a poor master. We must learn how to master the tool of money."- Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

Question: In what areas of your financial life do you need to develop greater mastery, and how might improving in these areas impact what you pass on to future generations?


Prayer: Lord, help me to be a good steward of the financial resources You've entrusted to me. Give me wisdom to master money rather than being mastered by it. Show me how to use this tool effectively for Your purposes and teach me to model healthy financial habits for those who will come after me. In Jesus' name, amen.


Day 5: Building Your Three-Generation Legacy

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


"A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous." - Proverbs 13:22

Devotional: Today, I invite you to expand your vision beyond your own lifetime to consider the impact of your choices on your children's children. This three-generation perspective transforms how we live, save, invest, and plan.


Proverbs 13:22 presents a powerful standard: "A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children." This inheritance isn't just financial; it encompasses the moral foundation, mental framework, and material resources that equip future generations to thrive. Thinking three generations ahead requires intentionality. It means having courageous conversations about values, money, and even death. It means creating clear documentation of your wishes and wisdom. It means considering how your current decisions will impact people you may never meet.


This perspective also brings clarity to our priorities. When faced with choices between immediate gratification and long-term investment, the three-generation view helps us choose wisely. It reminds us that our most significant impact may come after our lifetime through the legacy we leave.


Whether you have biological children or not, you can build a three-generation legacy through mentoring, investing in others, and strategic generosity. Everyone can participate in this biblical vision of generational impact. Let's commit to taking at least one practical step toward building your three-generation legacy. Your faithfulness today plants seeds of blessing that will bear fruit for decades to come.


Quote: "True wealth is generational. True wealth is more than money; it includes morality and mentality." - Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

Question: If you could send one message to your grandchildren or to those who will be impacted by your legacy two generations from now, what would you want them to know?


Prayer: Heavenly Father, expand my vision beyond my own lifetime. Help me to build a legacy that will bless generations to come with the moral foundations, mental frameworks, and material resources they need to honor You. Guide my decisions today in light of their impact tomorrow. May the inheritance I leave point clearly to Your faithfulness. In Jesus' name, amen.

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