Here are a few additional resources to guide your quiet time this week:
Watch the replay of Sunday's Message, "Cleared for Takeoff"
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: When Tragedy Strikes
Message: "Cleared for Takeoff," by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.
"So David and his men came to the city, and there it was, burned with fire; and their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive. Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep." - 1 Samuel 30:3-4
Devotional: Life can change in an instant. One phone call, one diagnosis, one unexpected event can shake our world to its core. These moments - our 'Ziklag experiences' - can leave us feeling lost, confused, and overwhelmed. Just like David, we might find ourselves facing the ashes of what once was, wondering how we'll ever move forward. But even in our darkest moments, we're not alone. David's story teaches us that it's okay to acknowledge our pain and grief. These feelings are real and valid. What matters most is not the initial impact of the tragedy, but how we choose to respond to it.
"Ziklag is a "type" of place that represents sudden tragedy, major loss and bitter grief." - Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.
Reflection Question: What 'Ziklag moment' are you currently facing, and how might acknowledging both your pain and God's presence change your perspective?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, when tragedy strikes and our world seems to crumble, help us remember that You are still present. Give us the courage to face our pain honestly while holding onto Your unchanging truth. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Day 2: Navigating Grief with Hope
Message: "Cleared for Takeoff," by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.
"Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But you comes in the morning." - Psalm 30:4-5
Devotional: Pastor Dexter's message outlined five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. As believers, we're not immune to these emotions, but we grieve with hope. Psalm 30 reminds us that weeping may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning. As you reflect on losses or disappointments in your life, allow yourself to feel the grief, but anchor your heart in the hope we have in Christ. How can you embrace both the reality of your pain and the certainty of God's promises today?
"Believers in Christ are not exempt from grief. Grief is real, but so is God; God is greater than our grief!" - Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.
Reflection Question: How do the five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance) resonate with your personal experiences of loss or tragedy?
Prayer: Father, you are aware of every pain that we feel. Although our grief is real, you are greater than our emotions. Help us to grieve in a healthy way that glorifies You. In Jesus' name, amen!
Day 3: Seeking God's Guidance
Message: "Cleared for Takeoff," by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.
But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. Then David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, “Please bring the ephod here to me.” And Abiathar brought the ephod to David. So David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?” - 1 Samual 30:6-8
Devotional: There comes a time when we must move beyond our grief and take action. David didn't stay in his state of mourning forever - he sought God's guidance and then acted on it. This doesn't mean we rush through our grief or deny its reality. Instead, it means we learn to walk forward while still processing our pain.
God often uses our darkest moments as launching pads for our greatest victories. But these victories require us to partner with Him, listening for His direction and then moving in obedience. When we do, we often find that God's restoration extends beyond just our own situation to impact others around us.
"David was grieving. David was struggling. But there was a turning point where David strengthened himself in the Lord and inquired about his next steps." - Pastor Dexter
Reflection Question: What step of action is God asking you to take, even while you're still processing your pain?
Prayer: Lord, give us courage to move forward when You call us to action. Help us trust Your timing and Your guidance. Thank You for being with us every step of the way. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
Day 4: Obedience and Recovery
Message: "Cleared for Takeoff," by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.
So David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.” - 1 Samuel 30:8
Devotional: God gave David clear instructions: "Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all." David's obedience led to complete recovery. Often, our path to restoration begins with obedience to God's prompting. The Lord promises in Deuteronomy that when we return to Him and obey His voice, He will restore our fortunes and have compassion on us.
"After Ziklag, your recovery depends on your ability to make a decision... not out of your pain or emotion, but according to the Word of the Lord." - Pastor Dexter
Reflection Question: What areas of your life are you hesitating to obey God's clear guidance? What "recovery" might God have in store if you step out in faith and obedience today?
Prayer: Lord, give us courage to move forward when You call us to action. Help us trust Your timing and Your guidance. Thank You for being with us every step of the way. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Day 5: Moving Forward with God
Message: "Cleared for Takeoff," by Pastor Dexter B. Upshaw Jr.
"Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that [b]for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:12-14
Devotional: Pastor Dexter concluded his message with the analogy of being "cleared for takeoff," symbolizing God's permission and empowerment to move forward after tragedy. Isaiah 43 encourages us not to dwell on the past, for God is doing a new thing. Similarly, Paul in Philippians speaks of forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. After experiencing loss or setbacks, it's tempting to remain grounded in our pain. But God calls us to a new journey with Him.
God did not bring us this far to leave us. Although we've suffered tragedy, opposition and problems on every side, believe I hear the Lord saying, "New Vision, get ready; you are "cleared for takeoff." - Pastor Dexter
Reflection Question: What "new thing" might God be preparing in your life? How can you position yourself to be ready when God gives you the "clear for takeoff" signal?
Prayer: Lord, we ask for the courage to step out onto the runway of new possibilities that You have prepared for Your children. Help us to hear Your voice and follow instructions; In the name of Jesus, Amen!
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