In the book of Daniel, the prophet acknowledges time and time again the dominion of the one true God -through his actions, words, and visions. Daniel proclaimed the Lord’s dominion when he refused to eat the Babylonian King’s pagan-sacrificed food (Daniel 1), he declared God’s dominion when he interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams (Daniel 2&4), and he made God’s dominion known when he didn’t stop praying to the one true God even though there was a decree to pray only to King Darius (Daniel 6). And by consequence, Daniel entered the lion’s den and the Lord then showed His own dominion by sparing His faithful servant from the lion’s menacing jowls.

Daniel is the only book in the Bible we find this specific Aramaic word for “dominion,” and it is repeated 9 times throughout the book. It is the word “sholtan,” and it means sovereignty or realm. In English, it translates as “the power or right of governing and controlling; sovereign authority, rule; control; domination; a territory, usually of considerable size, in which a single rulership holds sway.”

Keeping these definitions in mind, two verses in Daniel particularly caught my eye which used the term dominion. Daniel 7:13-14 says, “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.”

Although Daniel did not know it at the time, he was speaking of Jesus, our one true King. Jesus identifies himself as the Son of Man in Matt 8:20, 24:30, and 26:64. This identification absolutely scandalized the Pharisees, the religious rulers of his day. To them, it was complete and utter blasphemy. Jesus was claiming His dominion, and they did not want Him to have it.

Sister, Jesus has dominion, whether or not you give it to Him. He is Lord and King over all peoples, nations, and languages. Foremost, He should be Lord and King over the complete territory of your heart. The question really is, do you give Him power, rule, and authority, like Daniel did? Does He have true reign over your every decision, thought, and passion? Does He rule over your relationships, possessions, money, jobs, and family? Do you submit to Him in everything as your king?

What are you still trying to hold your own dominion over? Jesus wants it all, and it is all rightfully His.

And, further, what are you still trying to hold your own dominion over? Jesus wants it all, and it is all rightfully His. His dominion is a great mercy because in reality we are poor rulers over ourselves anyhow. We have proven that endlessly since we, along with Adam and Eve, have tried continually to rule over our own gardens.

Jesus is our King and should be our only King. This is a scandalous notion, indeed. It will absolutely set you apart in every way from this world, whose citizens claim that it is every person’s right to have dominion over themselves. It will be offensive and will get you thrown into the lion’s den. We must trust the everlasting dominion of our God will be more powerful than any den we may face. Look at Jesus! This claim got Him crucified! They labeled His cross correctly: “King of the Jews.”

And yet, Jesus has dominion even over death - the tomb couldn’t keep Him down! His dominion is our greatest hope, even beyond death and the grave. As Paul proclaims in 1 Corinthians 15:55, so we can also proclaim: “O death where is your sting? O death, where is your victory?”

So, when we keep dominion for ourselves or try give it to other false rulers, we forfeit our only hope and victory that is ours in our true King. Let us give complete homage today to the only One who deserves full dominion, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

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 Jillian Vincent loves Jesus. She's a wife, mother of two boys and a Dayton enthusiast. Jillian currently is a stay at home mama and spends nap times writing and discipling other women. She would (almost) die for an avocado, a cup of coffee made by her husband, a novel that makes her cry, and a bouquet of sunflowers.

Today’s team journal is written by our Bible Study Director, Lauren Steckling.

I am a planner. Maybe not to the extent of my mom, but I feel ‘in control’ when I have all the details worked out and my time is scheduled. I make to-do lists, packing lists, errand lists...even when my daughter was a baby, I went crazy to have her feeding, napping, and even pooping recorded so I would know her schedule. We are leaving on a short trip soon, and for the last week I have had lists of lists, just so that we don’t forget anything!

In reality, things don’t always go to plan.

This week, God is teaching me (probably for the hundredth time) that I am not the one in control. In reality, things don’t always go to plan. An unexpected trip to the Emergency Room with my grandparents kept me from keeping my 3:30 appointment for an oil change. And a later night at house church had me doing laundry instead of going to bed, and then we had a toddler who woke up two hours earlier than normal which threw the entire day’s schedule upside down.

Now mind you, having a plan and a schedule is not a bad thing. In fact, I would say in a lot of cases it’s wise to have a plan, but the issue is more of how I react when that plan doesn’t happen the way I think it should. I have to admit that I’m not always the most flexible person. I would say most planner type personalities struggle with being flexible. My family used to quote an old stage play Lost in Yonkers when things didn’t happen the way I thought they should -- “That’s not how I had it pictured!” -- we would say. They said this because I tended to have a picture in my head of how something should be, and anything other than that, to me, was wrong. I was reading this morning in my DWITW 365 reading plan Psalm 139 when the Lord spoke to me about this very issue.

As my cranky toddler was played with my “Bible pens” instead of sleeping and our half-packed bags lay next to me, God was telling me to lay all my plans down at his feet. He spoke to me using the first 6 verses which says:

O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.

He knows my heart - my desire to be in control, my sin, my frustration when “the plan” goes to pot, and even my anxiety over it all. But praise the Lord that He is ultimately the one in control so I don’t have to be! And His plans are far better than my own. I could point to countless stories in my life where things didn’t happen the way I wanted them to. In every single one of those situations, it is clear that God had other plans for me and that His plan was SO MUCH BETTER than what I could have even imagined. Some of my best friends, best memories, and even my daughter were the result of God taking over, and making his plans preeminent over mine.

His plans are far better than mine and that He is worthy to be trusted.

This has been a struggle of mine for as long as I can remember. “That’s not how I had it pictured!” was easily one of the most quoted phrases in my house growing up (and trust me, we’re a family of quoters), but praise God that He doesn’t give up on us when we don’t get something the first, or even the hundredth, time. He continues to remind me that His ways are greater than my ways. His plans are far better than mine and that He is worthy to be trusted. So although it’s hard to let my plans go, I will choose to start today with open hands knowing God will do amazing things in my weakness, and I hope you are able to do the same!

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Lauren Steckling wants to live in a world where donuts have no calories, weekends last longer, and everyone would feel the grace and peace that comes knowing their Savior Jesus. When she's not taking care of her toddler, you can find her sewing, baking, or with her nose in a good book.

Her favorite Scripture is Isaiah 41:10, ESV: "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

The story of Gideon resounds with the symphony of the gospel. Gideon's’ story portrays the reality of an upside down kingdom - where God sent the weakest, most unassuming man to an oppressed people who needed a Savior in order that they might enter into fellowship with Him!  

Gideon’s life not only reflects the meekness of the Lamb of God, but also the fierceness of the Lion of the tribe of Judah.

Ironically, Hebrews 11 starts the famous “hall of faith” with this man, Gideon. However, when we delve into the actual storyline of his life in Judges 6-9, where we find the record of his life, he is frightened and insecure, hiding in a winepress in order to do the job of threshing. Why was he hiding? Simply put: he was afraid - he was hiding so that the enemy armies would not plunder his meager lot of rations. It is easy to forget that the great men and women of the Bible were just like you and me. We, like them, can be frightened of the enemy and of his tactics against those we love - unsure of what the Lord is ultimately doing in allowing us to undergo some of the suffering we must endure. Gideon’s life not only reflects the meekness of the Lamb of God, but also the fierceness of the Lion of the tribe of Judah.

One thing is consistent throughout the biblical narrative, and that is that God uses the weakest and the least of us to show forth His power, and in so doing the powers are disarmed and brought to open shame!

“And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”
- Colossians 2:13-15 ESV

Gideon started out insecure and unsure and as God spoke to him and encouraged him he grew to see and experience first hand the faithfulness of God. God discipled him throughout his journey of faith! Gideon’s confidence was in the Lord. He did not become arrogant but continued to declare the Lord as the Victor. His life is an example of someone who was discipled well. Gideon was always ready to listen and ask of God to ensure that he was not being presumptuous in his understanding of what God was doing through him. When we allow the Lord to disciple us, we too, can be used in mighty ways to confound the enemy and his cohorts. In order to be good disciples of Christ we must first be good listeners.

Have you ever noticed that your best friends are those who listen to you and, in turn, the ones to whom you learn to listen to? Good friendships are built on the principle of reciprocity in which each person values and responds to what the other is saying. Gideon and God had a friendship. When Gideon was unsure the Lord allowed him to talk and then assured him that He was with him.

“Arise, go down against the camp, for I have given it into your hand. But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant. And you shall hear what they say, and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp.”
- Judges 7:9-11 ESV

We can have the same relationship with the Lord. God does not expect that we come to Him as a victorious foot soldier in His army, but He does show up in our weakness to make His name great through His power. When we respond to His voice, trusting in His power he strengthens our hands for the battle.

“Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle;  he is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues the peoples under me.”
- Psalm 144:1-2

In order to be good disciples of Christ we must first be good listeners.

You see, when we are desperate, the Lord shows up! We do not need to prove to God that we are capable, but we do need to admit our utter dependence upon Him and His strength in order to come out victorious in the battle. Overcoming is not about our human victories, but it is about declaring who has helped us to win - just like Gideon did. When we declare that our right standing with God is based on the blood of Jesus and not on anything you or I have accomplished, then just as Rend Collective sings we are more than conquerors through Christ! Let us run to the safety of our great refuge which is Christ. Let us die to our own strength and hide in Him! Let us testify as we ride on the steed of our victorious Conquering King!

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to seperate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
- Romans 8:36-39 ESV

‘Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.’
- Revelation 12:10-11 ESV

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Karen Savage wants to live in a world where Christ is Glorified. When she's not serving her family, you can find her serving others. Her favorite Scripture is John 15:7-8 ESV.

Todays team journal was written by our DWITW social media manager and beloved sister, Kelly Gwin.

“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herds in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.”

— Habakkuk 3:17-18

There I was, on my knees in a desperate ball of tears in the middle of my living room crying out to God while my kids watched in a dramatic mix of confusion and concern as they watched their mom totally lose it….again. I wish I could say that only happened once, but this was a scene that was becoming more and more frequent as I desperately tried to hold my life together with my own incapable hands. These past months have been a wild ride in the Gwin household. New business, new baby, needy children, ministry, and staying alive had me all kinds of crazy, and my family was feeling it. I was feeling it.

I’ve always been a bit of a control freak. My father is southern born and military bred. Expectations were high, failure was not an option, and “quit” was not in our vocabulary. I will say, there are many aspects to my tendencies that have served myself and others well, but control and independence have been HUGE idols of mine, and a central issue in my relationship with the Lord.

I had been praying about what to do with my situation. I knew I couldn’t keep doing life this way. My kids were OUT OF CONTROL, I was a busy and absent mom even though I was working from home, stress levels were through the roof for everyone, and something had to give. I knew whatever that meant, it was going to be difficult for me.

“O Lord how long will I cry for help, and you will not hear?”

— Habakkuk 1:2

I have been studying Habakkuk, and saw myself right up there on that watch post with him, “O Lord how long will I cry for help, and you will not hear?” (Habakkuk 1:2) I would cry out, complain, lament, and ask for help, strength, and clarity. The Lord was answering me, and I knew it, but it was not the answer I wanted to hear. Surely, he was not asking me to let go. He would never tell me I needed to cut something out of my life. He should just give me strength to succeed in all the things! And so the back-and-forth dialogue would continue. “Are you not from everlasting, O Lord my God, my Holy One?” (Habakkuk 1:12) I was in stubborn disobedience as I continued to try to “logic” my way out of having to jump off of this proverbial cliff. That lasted a short while, but the Holy Spirit was practically screaming, “LET. GO.” It was time to give up my business.

Why do we ever question our Creator? We know He’s sovereign. We know he’s good. We know his plan is always better than ours, yet we cling to the edge like we’re in danger.“What profit is an idol when its maker has shaped it, a metal image, a teacher of lies? For his maker trusts in his own creation when he makes speechless idols!” (Habakkuk 2:18) God used this verse to bring me to full surrender. Control, finances, approval, pride. I was holding on tight, but each day in my alone time with him I would take one more tiny step toward obedience until, by his grace, I was able to jump.

“What profit is an idol when its maker has shaped it, a metal image, a teacher of lies? For his maker trusts in his own creation when he makes speechless idols!”

— Habakkuk 2:18

Yes, I felt like I was free falling, but he has proved himself faithful already. He doesn’t have to, but he continues to confirm to me in countless ways that he is in this. That his ways are higher than mine. That his plans for me are better than mine. That he loves me enough to take things away from me. Even when it hurts. I have testimony after testimony in motherhood, family, finance, and more of what he has done in the past few weeks. I’ve found so much freedom in his grace through this. I really don't have to worry. This is a lesson I have learned before, and will undoubtedly have to learn over, and over again, but each time I end up with abundant blessing and greater faith in my Father.

So here I am, a little Habakkuk. Thankful that I can come to my God with my real and raw heart. Presumptuous as I may be, I will cry out for help and deliverance, knowing that by the end of the conversation he will always bring me to a place where I cast down my idols, and stand on a higher mount singing a new song: “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herds in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” (Habakkuk 3:17-18)

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Kelly is a worship leader, treasurer, and all-around multi-tasker at her church, all while raising three little girls with her husband. Laughing, time with other women, and a completed to-do list are some of her favorite things outside of her passion for the work and Word of God. If you ask her when Christmas starts, she'll tell you it's before Thanksgiving.