Govern Yourselves Accordingly: Five Day Devotional

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

• Watch the replay of "Govern Yourselves Accordingly" 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: The Foundation of Governance

Based on the Message: "Govern Yourselves Accordingly" by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

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

Devotional: When we think of government, our minds often jump to political systems, elected officials, and distant institutions. But God's original design for governance begins much closer to home. Before constitutions were written or nations formed, the Lord established a more fundamental system: His relationship with individuals, families, and communities. This divine governance starts with a personal commitment. Joshua understood this when he boldly declared his household's allegiance to God. His statement wasn't just a religious sentiment—it was a governance decision. He recognized that regardless of what others chose, he had the authority and responsibility to establish godly order within his own domain. God's original commission in Genesis gave humanity the mandate to be fruitful, multiply, and have dominion. This wasn't just about populating the earth but about establishing godly order in every sphere of influence, beginning with ourselves and our households. Today, consider the areas where God has given you authority. Your life, your home, your relationships—these are the domains where you're called to implement heavenly principles. While we can't control national policies or global events, we have tremendous influence over our personal kingdoms.

Quote: "You can't control what's happening at the White House, but you can control what's happening at your house." - Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

Question: What specific areas of your household or personal life might God be calling you to take greater responsibility for governing according to His principles?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me recognize the authority You've given me to establish Your principles in my life and home. Give me courage like Joshua to make bold commitments to serve You, regardless of what others choose. Show me where I need to take greater responsibility for the domains You've entrusted to me. In Jesus' name, amen.

Day 2: Governing Your Household Worship

Based on the Message: "Govern Yourselves Accordingly" by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." - Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Devotional: Worship isn't just what happens in church on Sunday; it's a fundamental aspect of household governance. When Joshua declared his household would serve the Lord, he was establishing worship as the foundation of his family's identity and purpose. In God's design, worship begins with recognizing who is truly worthy of our allegiance. It continues with intentional practices that demonstrate that commitment. For a household, this means creating rhythms that consistently honor God: regular prayer, Scripture reading, conversations about faith, and living out biblical values daily. Many of us lament the decline of spiritual values in society while neglecting to cultivate them in our own homes. We might criticize the removal of prayer from schools while failing to prioritize it in our families. True governance begins with examining our own practices before pointing fingers elsewhere. Establishing worship in your household doesn't require theological expertise or perfect spiritual discipline. It simply means making a deliberate choice, like Joshua, about who you will serve and then creating patterns that reflect that choice. These consistent practices shape not only your present reality but the spiritual inheritance you leave for generations to come.

Quote: "We get mad that they took prayer out of schools, while we have taken prayer out of our own homes. We can't get upset that world won't let us pray in public, when we don't even value prayer in private. " - Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

Question: What specific worship practices could you establish or strengthen in your household that would demonstrate your commitment to serving God?

Prayer: Lord, I want my household to be known as one that serves You. Help me establish meaningful worship practices that honor You and shape our family identity. Give me consistency and creativity in leading my home in ways that reflect our commitment to You. May our worship not just be words but evident in how we live each day. In Jesus' name, amen

Day 3: Taking Agency Over Wellness

Based on the Message: "Govern Yourselves Accordingly" by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." - 1 Corinthians 6:19–20

Devotional: Wellness is a crucial aspect of household governance that God has entrusted to us. When we consider Joshua's commitment that his household would serve the Lord, this included caring for the physical and mental wellbeing of everyone under his authority. God's original commission in Genesis included stewardship over creation. That stewardship begins with our own bodies and minds. Taking agency over wellness means making intentional choices about nutrition, exercise, rest, and mental health, not just for ourselves but for those in our care. In today's world, it's easy to outsource responsibility for our wellness to external systems; healthcare providers, government programs, or educational institutions. While these resources are valuable, God has given primary responsibility to individuals and families. We are called to be active participants in our wellbeing, not passive recipients of care. This doesn't mean we must handle everything alone. Taking agency includes seeking help when needed and utilizing available resources wisely. But it does mean recognizing that we have both the authority and responsibility to make decisions that promote wholeness for ourselves and our households.

Quote: "You're anointed for agency. We can indeed do hard things; we need the help of God to consistently do them." - Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

Question: What is one area of wellness (physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual) where you need to take greater agency for yourself or your household?

Prayer: Father, thank You for the gift of my body and mind. Help me to be a good steward of the wellness of myself and those You've placed in my care. Give me wisdom to make healthy choices and the strength to implement them consistently. Show me where I've abdicated responsibility and help me reclaim godly agency in those areas. In Jesus' name, amen

Day 4: Building Generational Wealth

Based on the Message: "Govern Yourselves Accordingly" by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

"And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day." - Deuteronomy 8:18

Devotional: When we think about wealth in God's economy, we must expand our vision beyond immediate financial gain. True wealth, from a biblical perspective, is generational—it considers not just our needs today but the inheritance we leave for those who come after us. Joshua understood this principle when he committed his household to serving the Lord. He wasn't just making a decision for his immediate family but establishing a legacy that would impact future generations. This legacy included not only material resources but, more importantly, moral and spiritual values. God's original design for wealth management involves faithful stewardship of all He provides—time, talents, finances, and wisdom. It requires thinking beyond our lifetimes and considering how our decisions today will affect our children's children. This long-term perspective transforms how we earn, save, spend, and give. While we cannot change how we were raised or what was passed down to us, we have the power to make different choices going forward. We can break negative cycles and establish new patterns of godly stewardship that will bless generations to come. This is part of our responsibility in governing our households according to God's principles.

Quote: "A righteous man leaves an inheritance to his children's children. A true inheritance includes morals and money."

Question: What specific financial, moral, or spiritual inheritance are you intentionally building to pass on to future generations?

Prayer: Lord, help me to think beyond myself and consider the legacy I'm creating. Give me wisdom to manage the resources You've entrusted to me in ways that will bless future generations. Show me how to build wealth that includes not just finances but godly values and wisdom. Help me break any negative cycles and establish patterns that honor You for generations to come. In Jesus' name, amen.

Day 5: Preparing for the Future

Based on the Message: "Govern Yourselves Accordingly" by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

"Of the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their kinsmen were at their command." - 1 Chronicles 12:32

Devotional: Joshua's declaration, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord," wasn't just about his present circumstances, it was a forward-looking commitment that would shape his family's future. In a similar way, our household governance decisions today are preparing us for whatever lies ahead. God's Word tells us that society will face increasing challenges before Christ's return. Rather than being paralyzed by fear or distracted by circumstances beyond our control, we're called to be people "who understand the times and know what to do." This discernment comes from staying rooted in God's unchanging truth while remaining attentive to the world around us. Preparing for the future requires intentional action in the present. It means establishing godly patterns in our households that can withstand cultural pressures. It involves teaching those under our care not just what to believe but how to think biblically about new challenges they'll face. While we cannot predict exactly what's coming, we can cultivate resilience through faithful household governance. By focusing on what God has entrusted to us, our worship, wellness, and wealth we position ourselves and our families to navigate uncertain times with confidence and purpose.

Quote: "This society is going to get worse before it gets better. But God's people need to understand the times and know what to do." - Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

Question: What specific steps can you take today to prepare your household for navigating future challenges while remaining faithful to God?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me discernment to understand the times and wisdom to know what to do. Help me establish patterns in my household that will withstand whatever challenges lie ahead. Keep my focus on what You've entrusted to me rather than being distracted by circumstances beyond my control. Prepare me and those in my care to be faithful witnesses in an uncertain future. In Jesus' name, amen.