Absolute Dominion

Stop asking for power while you keep your hands full of control. You can’t receive dominion until you surrender.

Some men say they trust God—but still grip the wheel with white knuckles. Others talk about prayer but move without waiting. The truth? Power doesn’t show up until pride steps down. This devotional is a gut-check for men chasing Christian manhood and servant leadership. Real growth starts when we pray, let go, and move in faith.

God’s Word for Today

Romans 6:9-11 (ESV), “We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

Jesus didn’t fake death on the cross. He didn’t partially die. He gave it all. Because He truly died, He now truly lives. And Paul says we’re supposed to live like that too—dead to sin, fully alive to God. But too many of us try to have both. We want to lead our homes with the strength of Christ, but we keep leaning on our own control, our own opinions, and our own emotions. That’s not servant leadership—that’s spiritual sabotage.

You can’t carry the cross in one hand and your ego in the other. There is no such thing as partial surrender. Jesus has absolute dominion. Not just over death, but over your pride, your past, your excuses, and your plans. The Holy Spirit doesn’t come in pieces. He IS the power. And if He’s not in full control, you’re the one standing in the way.

We talk about being leaders, men of faith, shepherds of the home. But when pressure comes, too many of us pray and then panic. We pray and then step in like God needs our help. That’s not faith. That’s fear dressed in Christian language. Real faith is praying first, then stepping forward like the prayer is already answered.

That’s how Jesus moved. In John 11, before He called Lazarus out of the grave, He paused and prayed. Then He spoke with power. It wasn’t a show. It was the rhythm of obedience. Prayer first, then proceed. Connection before command. That’s how a shepherd leads—by following the Father first. And this is a lesson about how we should lead our homes…
Pause, Pray, Proceed…

We have to learn that power doesn’t come from effort. It comes from surrender. That means letting go of our plans, our timelines, and even our reputations. It means making decisions with Kingdom purpose, not comfort or appearance. You want to be filled with God? Then you need to be emptied of self.

Every man has a moment where he has to choose: hang on or hand it over. You can either keep trying to hold your house, your wife, your kids, your job together in your own strength… or you can give them over to the One who already conquered death.

This isn’t weakness. This is what strength really looks like: praying with fire, waiting with confidence, then stepping forward in obedience like your prayer was already answered. That’s what it means to be a man under absolute dominion.

As knights of the Shepherd, as Men of the Shepherd, we don’t fight for our own glory. We fight by kneeling first. We listen before we lead. We move only when we know we’re sent. And when we move, we move in confidence.  That confidence is the power of the Holy Spirit within us —because we know the One who sends us has already won.

So let me say it again: stop asking for power if you’re not willing to let go of control. Stop pretending you’re waiting on God when you’ve already made up your mind. Die to yourself, fully. Then you’ll see what it means to be alive in Christ.

God has already given you the Holy Spirit. Not just to guide you—but to fill you. Not to make your life easier, but to make your life His. You want to be a better father? Let Him lead. You want to be a stronger husband? Let Him speak. You want to be a real man of God? Lay down your plans, your pride, and your comfort. Pick up your cross.

Let Jesus take dominion.

Today’s “Shepherding in Action” Value

Obedience before movement gives birth to power. When a man kneels first, he rises ready to lead.

Reflect / Apply / Share

1. Reflect – Where in your life are you still holding on to control, even after you pray?
2. Apply – What’s one area where you can surrender fully this week and act in faith, not fear?
3. Share – Who in your life needs to hear that God moves through surrendered men? How will you share that truth?

Bible References (ESV)

Romans 6:9-11 — “We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

John 11:41-43 — “So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.’ When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out.'”

Personal Prayer

Father, I surrender what I keep trying to control. Fill me with Your Spirit and help me lead with Your power, not mine.

My Personal Journey & Engagement Call
These weekday reflections flow from my time in God’s Word. I invite you to join me and other Men of the Shepherd in building Christ-centered homes—leading, discipling, and serving like Jesus.
If these reflections encourage you, please like, share, and pass them on so more men can grow in their calling.
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