This Summer: We Have Unfinished Business: Five-Day Devotional

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

• Watch the replay of "This Summer: We Have Unfinished Business" by 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: Consider Your Ways, Reconsider Your Priorities

Based on the Message: “This Summer: We Have Unfinished Business” by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

“Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: "Consider your ways!" - Haggai 1:5

Devotional: The Lord of hosts speaks with divine authority: "Consider your ways!" This isn't a gentle suggestion but a commanding call to honest self-examination. When God uses His full title, Lord of hosts, He's exercising His role as commander of heaven's armies, demanding our complete attention.

Sometimes we get so busy managing our lives, climbing career ladders, and building comfort zones that we forget to evaluate whether we're walking in obedience to God's voice. The prophet Haggai delivered this message to people who had rationalized their way out of God's clear instructions. They had legitimate-sounding excuses: economic pressure, political opposition, and timing concerns; however, God saw through their excuses and exposed their heart issue.

Consider your ways. Are you seeking first the kingdom of God? Or are you seeking first everything else and fitting God in later? Are your priorities rooted in your covenant relationship with the Almighty? Or are they anchored in personal comfort and convenience? When God provides you with instructions, expect adversity. Opposition often confirms you're moving in the right direction.

Today, let the Lord search your heart. Allow His Holy Spirit to reveal where you might be choosing convenience over covenant, or comfort over calling. The same God who spoke worlds into existence is speaking to you now. When God speaks, the only proper response is obedience.

Quote: "When God gives you a word, instructs you to do something, or tells you to go somewhere, the only proper response is obedience." - Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

Question: What areas of your life have you rationalized away from God's clear direction, and how might your priorities need realigning with His covenant rather than your comfort?

Prayer: Lord of hosts, I come before You with a humble heart, asking You to search me and know my ways. Forgive me for the times I've chosen my comfort over Your covenant, along with my timing over Your perfect will. Help me to consider my ways honestly and align my priorities with Your heart. Give me the courage to obey Your voice even when it's difficult, knowing that You are faithful to complete what You begin. Stir my spirit to seek first Your kingdom above all else. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Day 2: From Rationalization to Reverent Obedience

Based on the Message: “This Summer: We Have Unfinished Business” by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

"Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him, and the people showed reverence for the Lord." - Haggai 1:12

Devotional: The people of God had spent sixteen years with unfinished business. They had started strong, laid the foundation, but then rationalized their way out of completing what God commanded. External opposition, economic challenges, and political pressure became convenient excuses for spiritual disobedience. Sound familiar?

We're masters at rationalization, using logical-sounding arguments to justify what we want to do anyway. "The timing isn't right." "The economy is tough." "I'll obey God when things settle down." But God sifts through our excuses and gets to the heart issue. Those factors are just a smoke screen. The bottom line is that we are not prioritizing His kingdom, plain and simple.

Notice what happened when the people moved from rationalization to reverence. They didn't argue with God's assessment or offer rebuttals to His correction. Instead, they obeyed the Lord's voice and showed reverence for Him. This wasn't just about money or building projects; it was about the condition of their hearts before a holy God.

Reverence changes everything. We must respect God's sovereignty and recognize our accountability to Him. When we have a healthy fear and reverence for God, obedience becomes natural. We stop making excuses and start making moves. We cease our negotiations with the Almighty and submit to His perfect will. The shift from rationalization to reverence is the pathway from spiritual stagnation to supernatural breakthrough.

Quote: "Rationalization is an attempt to justify something using logical arguments, when underlying motives are actually flawed or emotionally driven. Israel had The people had rationalized their way out of their sacred responsibility."- Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

Question: What excuses have you been using to delay obedience to God's clear instructions, and how can you shift from rationalization to reverent submission?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I confess the times when I've been guilty of rationalization, making excuses for delayed obedience to Your clear voice. Forgive my attempts to justify what You haven't authorized. Create in me a reverent heart that responds immediately to Your commands. Help me stop negotiating with You and start submitting to Your perfect will. I choose obedience over excuses, reverence over rationalization. Transform my heart to fear You in a healthy way, knowing that Your ways are higher than mine. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Day 3: When God Stirs Your Spirit

Based on the Message: “This Summer: We Have Unfinished Business” by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

"So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God."- Haggai 1:14

Devotional: There's something beautiful about divine stirring. After the people returned to reverence and obedience, God didn't just give them a pep talk; He stirred their spirits. This supernatural stirring went from the top leadership all the way down to the remnant of the people. Everyone felt it. Everyone responded.

When God stirs your spirit, you feel a holy restlessness, a divine discontent with the status quo, and an urgent sense that it's time to move. You may not be able to fully explain it to others; however, you know beyond a doubt that God is moving and you must move with Him. This stirring isn't just emotional excitement; it's spiritual activation for kingdom purposes.

Sometimes we're like the New York Knicks, slow starters who don't activate until we're behind. Maybe we are waiting for perfect conditions, ideal timing, or full resources before we respond to God's stirring. However, divine stirring often comes amid imperfect circumstances. God stirs hearts to build when resources seem limited, to give when finances feel tight, and to step out when earthly logic says step back.

When you feel the stirring of the Spirit - whether it's to serve, give, or obey - don't hesitate. The Spirit of the living God is moving within you, preparing you for breakthrough. He who began a good work in you will complete it! Trust the stirring. Move with the Spirit. Join the divine comeback that God is orchestrating in your life and in His kingdom.

Quote: "When the Spirit stirs you, don't you dare ignore what the Spirit is saying. Regarding giving, God will stir you according to your ability... whether it's $2 or $20,000." - Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

Question: How is God stirring your spirit right now, and what specific action is He calling you to take in response to that stirring?

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the way You stir hearts and move spirits according to Your perfect timing. I recognize that stirring in my own life right now, that holy restlessness that calls me beyond my comfort zone. Give me the courage to respond immediately when You move within me. Help me not to hesitate when You stir, but to trust Your leading and join the work You're doing. Synchronize my heart with Yours and let me be part of the divine comeback You're orchestrating. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Day 4: Comfort or Covenant - Choose Your Foundation

Based on the Message: “This Summer: We Have Unfinished Business” by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

"Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies desolate?" - Haggai 1:4

Devotional: God's question cuts to the heart: "Is it time for you to live in luxury while My house lies in ruins?" This wasn't about condemning prosperity but exposing misplaced priorities. The people had resources; they were building paneled houses, the equivalent of premium living. Yet they claimed poverty when it came to God's work.

The tension between comfort and covenant defines much of our spiritual journey. Covenant says, "I'm in relationship with a holy God, and His priorities come first." Comfort says, "I'll serve God after I've secured my lifestyle." One is rooted in relationship; the other in self-preservation.

We make room for what we prioritize. We find money for vacations, new electronics, dining out, and entertainment. We make time for what matters to us. When we consistently claim we can't afford to be generous with God or find time for His purposes, we're revealing our true foundation. Are we building on the rock of covenant relationship, or the sand of personal comfort?

This isn't about guilt; it's about honesty. God doesn't want grudging gifts or forced service. He wants hearts that recognize Him as Lord of all, including our resources, time, and priorities. When we truly understand covenant, comfort finds its proper place.

Examine your priorities today. Are your decisions rooted in preserving comfort or honoring covenant? The choice you make determines whether you're building something that will last through every storm.

Quote: "Their priorities were rooted in comfort rather than covenant. Be careful not to choose your priorities based on convenience, rather than covenant.""- Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

Question: What areas of your life are you prioritizing personal comfort over covenant relationship with God, and how can you realign those priorities?

Prayer: Father, I want my life to be built on the solid foundation of covenant relationship with You, not the shifting sands of personal comfort. Search my heart and reveal where I've made comfort my god instead of making You my Lord. Help me prioritize Your kingdom over my convenience and Your purposes over my preferences. Teach me to hold all my blessings with open hands, ready to use them for Your glory. Let my resources, time, and energy reflect covenant relationship with You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Day 5: The Power of "I Am with You"

Based on the Message: “This Summer: We Have Unfinished Business” by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

"Then Haggai, the Lord's messenger, gave this message of the Lord to the people: "I am with you," declares the Lord." - Haggai 1:13

Devotional: After righteous correction comes holy comfort. Repentance brings restoration. As soon as the people showed reverence and returned to obedience, God spoke through His messenger the most precious words in all of Scripture: "I am with you."

The four words "I am with you" contain the essence of divine relationship. The statement "I am" refers to the eternal, self-existent God. The words "with you" declare that God is intimately present in your circumstances. This isn't distant theology; it's immediate reality. The God who commands heavens' armies chooses to be personally present with those who reverence Him.

When God says, "I am with you," your impossibilities become His possibilities. Your limitations become platforms for His power. Your unfinished business becomes His completed masterpiece. The presence of God transforms everything: your perspective, potential, courage, and capacity to accomplish what He's called you to do.

Notice that God didn't wait for them to finish the work before promising His presence. The moment they showed reverence and moved toward obedience, He assured them of His companionship. This is the heart of our loving Father. He doesn't leave us to figure it out alone; He joins us in the work He's called us to do.

Whatever unfinished business you're facing today, remember this promise: He is with you. Not watching from a distance, but walking alongside you, providing what you need when you need it. With His presence, you have everything required to finish what He's begun.

Quote: "Do you realize how precious the words, "I am with you" are? The worst place you could be is without Him." - Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.

Question: How does knowing that God says "I am with you" change your perspective on the challenges and callings you're currently facing?

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the precious promise that You are with me. When I feel overwhelmed by what You've called me to do, remind me of Your presence. When the work seems too big or the obstacles too great, help me remember that You don't send me alone. You are the great "I AM", and You are with me personally, intimately, powerfully. Let this truth transform my fear into faith, my hesitation into holy boldness. I can do all things through You because You are with me. In Jesus' name, Amen.