Dobra Family Ministry

Christian men and the primal task to protect spouses and children

Christian men, you can NOT outsource your duty to protect your family. Period.

You can NOT use the “I’ll call A MAN (911) to rescue us if in trouble” excuse. BE THE MAN!

You are the man God has given the duty to.

Protect your children. Mind, body, and soul. Period.

No more excuses. Protect them.

If your children’s school does not have security in place, REMOVE THEM IMMEDIATELY and PROTECT THEM! Obviously the school administration is mentally ill if they think a NO GUNS sticker will magically protect your children.

KEEP: TO PROTECT AS A SWORD-BEARER

In “Genesis 2:15, we learn how man is to fulfill his calling: ‘The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.’ … Work. To work is to labor to make things grow… Keep. To keep is to protect and to sustain progress already achieved… KEEP: TO PROTECT AS A SWORD-BEARER shamar, which is translated by such English terms as “watch,” “guard,” “protect,” “take under custody,” or “exercise care” … His calling to Christian men is similar: we are to watch over and keep safe all that the Lord has put under our care… our basic mandate as Christian men is to cultivate, build, and grow (both things and people), but also to stand guard so that people and things are kept safe-so that the fruit of past cultivating and nurturing is preserved… In our families, our presence is to make our wives and children feel secure and at ease. At church, we are to stand for truth and godliness against the encroachment of worldliness and error. In society, we are to take our places as men who stand up against evil and who defend the nation from threat of danger.” The Masculine Mandate: God’s Calling to Men by Richard D. Phillips https://a.co/hPkBUjb

“But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” I Timothy 5:8 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/1ti.5.8.NKJV

“Many don’t feel a responsibility to be prepared to protect their spouses and children when that primal task can be outsourced; just call 911. A moral vanity has trumped the obligation to protect their lives and the lives of those they love; that is the job of the police in a civilized society, after all… Self-reliant men, capable of extreme violence in defense of their lives, their families, and of freedom makes some people nervous.” — In the Blood: A Thriller (Terminal List Book 5) by Jack Carr (emphasis added) https://a.co/bgOdVwy

“A righteous man who falters before the wicked Is like a murky spring and a polluted well.” Proverbs 25:26 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/pro.25.26.NKJV

“Therefore I positioned men behind the lower parts of the wall, at the openings; and I set the people according to their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”” Nehemiah 4:13-14 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/neh.4.13-14.NKJV

“The hired man, since he is not the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep, leaves them and runs away when he sees a wolf coming. The wolf then snatches and scatters them. This happens because he is a hired man and doesn’t care about the sheep.” John 10:12-13 HCSB

Witnesses: Police Refused to Enter School as Uvalde Shooter Rampaged, Subdued Parents Begging Them to Act https://redstate.com/bonchie/2022/05/26/witnesses-police-refused-to-enter-school-as-uvalde-shooter-rampaged-subdued-parents-begging-them-to-act-n570190

“Blessed be the Lord my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle— My lovingkindness and my fortress, My high tower and my deliverer, My shield and the One in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me.” Psalms 144:1-2 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.144.1-2.NKJV

Household Prayer: Rule Well

“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” … God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” … God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.” Genesis 1:26, 28, 31 NASB1995

Well brothers, the school season is almost at an end. I hope and pray it was a joy and a blessing for you as it was for me. I have enjoyed weekly scripture meditation and prayer for you and our community. Until next season starts I pray we love, enjoy, instruct, and disciple our families well. I pray we rule well in our households. Genesis 1:26,28,31; Eph. 6:4

“Dominion is a fact – human beings simply have it. It’s God’s doing. We can’t abdicate. Human beings possess power over all the creatures of the world… But dominion isn’t arbitrary power, at least not originally. In the Christian faith human dominion is subject to God’s dominion. And it is informed by God’s Law – his moral standard, his holiness.” (In the House of Tom Bombadil by C.R. Wiley)

“The reason that God creates man on the earth, according to Genesis, is for productive, representative rulership. This is what it means to exercise dominion: to fruitfully order the world in God’s stead…” (It’s good to be a man: A handbook for Godly masculinity by Michael Foster and Dominic Bnonn Tennant)

“Families are the nurseries of all societies; and the first combinations of mankind. Well-ordered families naturally produce a good order in other societies… Every serious Christian is concerned, that he may be serviceable in the world… but are you not a member of some family? If that family may be your means, O Christian, become a well-regulated family, in that point you will become serviceable; I had almost said, incomprehensibly serviceable.” A Family Well Ordered by Cotton Mather (1699) modern English translation by Patrick Doucette

“For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” Genesis 18:19 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/gen.18.19.KJV

“You May here observe a most comfortable connection, between, He will, and they shall. Says the Lord, He will Command his children, and they shall keep the way of the Lord. It seems, if every one that is owner of a family, would faithfully command, and manage those that belong unto him, through the blessing of God; they would generally keep His way, and His law… ‘If parents did their duties as they ought, the Word publically preached would not be the ordinary means of regeneration in the Church, but only without the Church, among infidels: God would so pour out His grace upon the children of His people, and hear prayers for them, and bless endeavors for their holy education, that we should see the promises made good unto our seed.’” A Family Well Ordered by Cotton Mather (1699) modern English translation by Patrick Doucette

Marx vs Spurgeon

“Karl Marx vs Charles Spurgeon: An Epic Struggle for the Souls of Men in 19th-Century London” by LARRY ALEX TAUNTON

“Karl Marx, an apostle of evil, and Charles Spurgeon, the “Prince of Preachers,” were evangelists with messages that couldn’t have been more different—and they lived in the same city at the same time.” https://founders.org/2020/09/02/karl-marx-vs-charles-spurgeon-an-epic-struggle-for-the-souls-of-men-in-19th-century-london/

Do not miss this article! Excerpts below.

“It is extraordinary to me that both Karl Marx (1818-1883) and Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) lived and worked in the same city at the same time. Both were, in a sense, evangelists contending for the souls of men with their competing visions of humanity. Moreover, each was at the height of his powers at the same time as the other. While Marx was preaching salvation through bloody revolution, Spurgeon, on the other side of the city, was preaching salvation through the blood and grace of Jesus Christ…

“It would be wrong to say—as many preachers do—that addressing matters of politics falls outside of the purview of the clergy. Of no other sphere of life do they say it. Regardless, Spurgeon certainly didn’t agree with this sentiment. Christianity isn’t merely an accessory to a man’s life; it should define it. Thus, a man’s politics are simply the outward manifestation of the convictions of his heart. Socialism, Spurgeon knew, was much more than an economic or political question. It is a spiritualquestion, if only because it denies the very existence of the spiritual. It is, as I have written elsewhere, atheism masquerading as political philosophy…

“It is very likely that the preaching of Spurgeon, and others like him, prevented the violent Revolution in Britain that Marx sought. Ironically, that revolution would come in the unindustrialized Russia of 1917, when Vladimir Lenin would, at the cost of millions of lives, implement Marx’s unworkable ideas. That is in no small measure due to the fact that there was no viable church to critique the undeliverable promises of socialism…

Posted: 2020-09-03 | Updated/Reposted: 2020-01-22

Personal Dominion: Grow in the knowledge of God

“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3 NASB1995 https://bible.com/bible/100/jhn.17.3.NASB1995

Personal Dominion: Rule yourself well.

Grow in the knowledge of God. (John 17:3, Eph. 1:17, 2 Peter 3:18)

Brothers, meditating through personal dominion. I pray we rule ourselves well and grow in the knowledge of God. “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3

Praying “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.” Ephesians 1:17

Praying we “… grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18

Our mission:

Take dominion and make disciples; walking in the good works God has prepared for us.

Taking Dominion and Making Disciples – Dobra Family Ministry – https://ministry.family.blog/2026/08/28/fish-fry-taking-dominion-and-making-disciples/

“that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.” Ephesians 1:17 NASB1995 https://bible.com/bible/100/eph.1.17.NASB1995

“but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18 NASB1995 https://bible.com/bible/100/2pe.3.18.NASB1995

THE GOOD NEWS

There is a God that created the heavens and the earth. We humans are created in His image.

We are sinners, we have rebelled against Him, our Creator. Our rebellion has brought “all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice… envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness” to the world. Romans 1:29-31 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.1.29-31.ESV

Therefore we justly deserve our due punishment of death and damnation, “as it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.’” Romans 3:10-12 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.3.10-12.ESV

But good news! God is merciful and loving. Jesus is God the only begotten Son and He took our punishment upon Himself in our place. Jesus rose from the dead, defeating death and securing the hope of our salvation.

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1co.15.3-8.ESV

““Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”” Acts 2:36-38 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/act.2.36-38.ESV

We need only repent and believe it. Repent: turn away from our sins, proclaim Jesus is lord and savior, and we will be forgiven our sins and have life ever after! “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”” Romans 10:9-11 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.10.9-11.ESV

There is hope. Believe in Jesus! ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.3.16.ESV

It doesn’t matter who you’ve been or what you’ve done, God stands with arms wide open, ready to forgive you. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1jn.1.9.ESV

Household Prayer: Discipleship Impact

“Train up a child in the way he should go.” Proverbs 22:6

“Politics is downstream from discipleship. Dads, pick one. Who is discipling your kids most right now? A) You B) The school C) The phone” – Virgil Walker, Just Thinking podcast https://justthinking.me/podcast-home/

Brothers, praying we would see the eternal impact, for good or bad, our obedience to instruct our children really has. Praying we “do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Eph. 6:4) Praying we teach God’s commands “diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.” (Deut. 6:4-7) Praying that our faithful obedience would have impact for the Kingdom in Heaven and Earth for God’s glory into the future!

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4 NASB1995 https://bible.com/bible/100/eph.6.4.NASB1995

““Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.” Deuteronomy 6:4-7 NASB1995 https://bible.com/bible/100/deu.6.4-7.NASB1995

Household Prayer: Reformation day – 1689 Confession

“and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:15 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/2ti.3.15.NASB2020

Brothers, a little meditation for Reformation Day October 31 from The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith with scripture references.

1:1 “The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience,1 although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable; yet they are not sufficient to give that knowledge of God and His will which is necessary unto salvation.2 Therefore it pleased the Lord at sundry times and in diversified manners to reveal Himself, and to declare His will unto His church;3 and afterward for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan, and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing; which makes the Holy Scriptures to be most necessary, those former ways of God’s revealing His will unto His people being now completed.4” Of the Holy Scriptures — The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith

1 2 Tim. 3:15–17; Is. 8:20; Luke 16:29,31; Eph. 2:20
2 Rom. 1:19-21, 2:14–15; Psalm 19:1-3
3 Heb. 1:1
4 Prov. 22:19-21; Rom. 15:4; 2 Pet. 1:19–20

Prayer Meeting: Select Men Who Fear God

“Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.” Exodus 18:21 NASB2020

1. Remember HB2827 in IL 2025 legislative session. [Alert HB2827, Truth HB2827]

2. 2026 Midterms – IFI voter guide [IFI Voter Guide]

3. The biblical principle of electing representatives in a constitutional republic

“A constitutional republic is the highest form of republican government and is one in which the representatives elected by the people are not sovereign but are instead subject to a higher sovereign law a written constitution. This form of an elective representative constitutional republic, as described in Ex 18:21 and Deut 1:15-16; 16:18, is what Founding Father John Adams described as “a government of laws and not of men.” …

“Our Founders had an opportunity to establish a democracy in America and deliberately chose not to; the form of government they entrusted to us was a constitutional republic. In fact, Article IV, Section IV of the U.S. Constitution requires that:

The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a REPUBLICAN FORM OF GOVERNMENT…

“The Bible…is the most republican book in the world.” 8 — John Adams …

“I have always considered Christianity as the strong ground of republicanism. 9 — Benjamin Rush, Signer Of The Declaration …

“Our citizens should early understand that the genuine source of correct republican principles is the Bible.” 10 — Noah Webster”

“Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.” Exodus 18:21 NASB2020

“Obtain for yourselves men who are wise, discerning, and informed from your tribes, and I will appoint them as your heads.’” Deuteronomy 1:13 NASB2020

“So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and informed men, and appointed them as heads over you, commanders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, and officers for your tribes. “Then I ordered your judges at that time, saying, ‘Hear the cases between your fellow countrymen and judge righteously between a person and his fellow countryman, or the stranger who is with him.” Deuteronomy 1:15-16 NASB2020

““You shall appoint for yourself judges and officers in all your towns which the LORD your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment. You shall not distort justice, you shall not show partiality; and you shall not accept a bribe, because a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and distorts the words of the righteous. Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, so that you may live and possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you.” Deuteronomy 16:18-20 NASB2020

Household Prayer: Paul and the Civil Authority

“But Paul said to them, “After beating us in public without due process—men who are Romans—they threw us into prison; and now they are releasing us secretly? No indeed! On the contrary, let them come in person and lead us out.”” Acts 16:37 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/act.16.37.NASB2020

Brothers, meditating on Acts 16:37. Paul understood his civil citizenship in the sphere of civil authority and appealed to it often. I pray “IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. We, whose names are underwritten… Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our [Government] and Country… Do by these Presents, solemnly and mutually, in the Presence of God and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid [the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith]…” I pray we fulfill our duty to vote and take dominion over our civil sphere of influence. (The Mayflower Compact, 1620)

I pray we rule well as a member of the community and civil body politic. https://ministry.family.blog/2026/08/28/fish-fry-taking-dominion-and-making-disciples/#civildominion

Household Prayer: Psalm 127 – by faith

“Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.” Psalm 127:1-2 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.127.1-2.ESV

Brothers, meditating on Psalm 127. We must build the house (1a), guard the city (1b), and labor for our bread (2). Those duties are ours, but the results are God’s. Let our hearts fear and love God and by faith let our motivation in all of our duties be to glorify Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19, Rom. 5:8) In the battle between David and Goliath, the result was that God won the victory, but by faith David picked up the stones and engaged the Giant.

And how does God equip us in our duties? “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.” (Ps. 127:3) “As arrows are indispensable for a warrior to succeed in battle, so children are invaluable as defenders of their father and mother in time of war or litigation. The more such defenders, the better.” – MACARTHUR. I pray we see our wives and children for what they are, blessings from God. I pray we build our homes, guard our communities, and work to provide for our families rejoicing in the blessings of God!

“God’s sovereignty is seen in 3 realms: 1) building a house, 2) protecting a city, and 3) earning a living. In all 3 instances, the sovereign intention of God is far more crucial to the outcome than man’s efforts. Otherwise, a man’s endeavor is in vain (cf. Ecc 1:2; 12:8)… The same principle of God’s sovereignty applies to raising a family… Children are a blessing from the Lord…As arrows are indispensable for a warrior to succeed in battle, so children are invaluable as defenders of their father and mother in time of war or litigation. The more such defenders, the better.” THE MACARTHUR STUDY BIBLE

“Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.” Psalm 127:1-2 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.127.1-2.ESV

“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” Psalm 127:3-5 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.127.3-5.ESV

“We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1jn.4.19.ESV

“but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.5.8.ESV

“And David said to the men who stood by him, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” … Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” … And David said, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you!” Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hand.” … And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground.” 1 Samuel 17:26, 36-37, 45-47, 49 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1sa.17.26.ESV

Household Prayer: 2026 Midterm Elections

“Obtain for yourselves men who are wise, discerning, and informed from your tribes, and I will appoint them as your heads.’” Deuteronomy 1:13 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/deu.1.13.NASB2020

Brothers, midterm elections are coming up. Meditating on Deut. 1:13 and praying for wisdom and discernment. Praying we engage and take dominion for the good of our families, churches, and neighbors and all glory be to God! Duty is ours, results are God’s

I use the Illinois Family Institute (IFI) voters guide along side my Bible and my local sample ballot to decide who to cast my vote for, then have a family meeting with prayer and devotional to review the ballot and why I made the choices I did.

IFI voter guide https://illinoisfamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/IFI-VG-General-2026-16-pages-web-C.pdf

IFI local guides https://illinoisfamily.org/politics/2026-general-election-local-voter-guides/

2026 Peoria County sample ballot https://www.peoriaelections.gov/201/Sample-Ballots#docaccess-408ca6ce2c0354f318c6f77d2fad9075

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people He has chosen for His own inheritance.” Psalm 33:12 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/psa.33.12.NASB2020

Why application of God’s word in all areas of life for dominion taking and disciple making? Because Jesus’ “brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.” Luke 8:21 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/luk.8.21.NASB2020

And “… blessed are those who hear the word of God and follow it.”” Luke 11:28 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/luk.11.28.NASB2020

Household Prayer: Constitution Day and Civil Dominion

“Unless the LORD builds a house, They who build it labor in vain; Unless the LORD guards a city, The watchman stays awake in vain.” Psalm 127:1 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/psa.127.1.NASB2020

Brothers, America’s Founders signed the Constitution on September 17, 1787. Deliberations were saved from failing by a motion given on June 28, 1787 by Benjamin Franklin in which he quoted Psalm 127:1, “Unless the LORD builds a house, They who build it labor in vain”, and requested that “henceforth prayers, imploring the assistance of heaven, and it’s blessings on our deliberations, be held in this assembly every morning before we proceed to business; and that one or more of the clergy of the city be requested to officiate in that service.” This historical scene is depicted in the movie “A Great Awakening”. (1)

I pray for our civil leaders today, as Rev. William Rogers did a few days later, July 4, 1787, before the gathered assembly, “… will it please Thee, O Thou Eternal I AM, to favor them from day to day with Thy immediate presence; be Thou their wisdom and their strength! Enable them to devise such measures as may prove happily instrumental for healing all divisions and promoting the good of the great whole… that the United States of America may furnish the world with one example of a free and permanent government…” (2) I pray for your favor as we take dominion over our civil affairs for justice and the love of our neighbors, children, and grand children, and I pray we do it all to your glory Lord! In Jesus Christ’s name I pray – Amen.

“Unless the LORD builds a house, They who build it labor in vain; Unless the LORD guards a city, The watchman stays awake in vain.” Psalm 127:1 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/psa.127.1.NASB2020

The Constitutional Convention, June 28, 1787, Benjamin Franklin told the others:

In this situation of this assembly, groping, as it were, in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how has it happened, sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of Lights to illuminate our understandings? In the beginning of the contest with Britain when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for the Divine Protection. Our prayers, sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. . . And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance? I have lived, sir, a long time; and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured, sir, in the Sacred Writings that except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel . . . and we ourselves shall become a reproach and a byword down to future ages. I therefore beg leave to move, that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business. (3)

References:

1 A Great Awakening https://www.agreatawakening.com

2 100 Bible Verses that Made America: Defining moments that shaped our enduring foundation of faith, by Robert J. Morgan

3 https://wallbuilders.com/resource/on-this-day-in-history-june-28-1787/

Taking Dominion and Making Disciples

Taking Dominion and Making Disciples Devotional

Fish Fry August 2026

The mandate given to families:

“So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule [or have dominion] over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭27‬-‭28‬ NASB [LSB,ESV]

“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The commission given to disciples:

“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭

The work we’ve all been given:

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬

Our mission:

Take dominion and make disciples; walking in the good works God has prepared for us.

Take Dominion

Taking dominion is to subdue and rule.

To subdue is to order creation according to God’s will. (Matt. 6:10) According to the MacArthur study Bible, it is “a productive ordering of the earth and its inhabitants to yield its riches and accomplish God’s purposes.”

To rule: is to be God’s representative, His image bearer, over creation, ruling under God’s authority and as his ambassadors. (Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭27‬-‭28‬, Psalm 8:6-8, 2 Corinthians 5:18,20)

Personal Dominion

Rule yourself well.

Grow in the knowledge of God. (John 17:3, Eph. 1:17, 2 Peter 3:18)
Grow in sanctification by killing sin. (Prov. 8:13, Rom. 8:13)
- No longer walk as unbelievers do. Eph. 4:17
- Put off your unbelieving way of life. Eph. 4:22
- Be renewed in the spirit of your mind. Eph. 4:23
Train to wield the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Eph. 6:17, 2 Tim. 2:15)
Practice spiritual disciplines: worship, prayer, fasting, sabbath rest, and scripture reading, meditation, and study.

Family Dominion

Rule your family well.

Husbands

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,” ‭‭Eph. ‭5‬:‭25‬
Your marriage is a reflection of the gospel relationship between Christ and His bride the church! Eph. 5:32
Disciple and teach your wives. Eph. 5:26, 1 Cor. 14:35

Fathers

Raise your children in the instruction and discipline of the Lord. Eph. 6:4
Our children bear the image of God. Gen. 1:27
Render to God the things that are God’s. Matt. 22:21
Let the children come to Jesus and do not hinder them. Matt. 19:14
Teach God’s instructions to your children throughout the day. Deut. 6:7

Rule over a household. Household: (hebrew: bayit) Family, Clan, Estate, Dynasty, Amory, Strong Fortress.

A well ordered and managed estate, dynasty, or strong fortress!

A man is not qualified to lead the church as an elder unless he rules over his own household well. 1 Tim. 3:4-5

“The ultimate husband flex isn’t a truck or a watch. It’s telling your wife, ‘Retire. Homeschool.’ Trading a second paycheck for a household where your kids are formed by their own mother, not a stranger. That’s not a downgrade. That’s dominion.” Robert Bortins, CEO of Classical Conversations, a homeschool curriculum and community program.

Church Dominion

Rule well as a member of the church.

Lead your family to church, assemble with God’s people to worship our God. Acts 2:44, Psalm 96:7-10, John 4:23-24, Hebrews 10:25
Devote yourself to the “teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42
Use your spiritual gifts to serve the church. 1 Peter 4:10, Romans 12:6
Meet the needs of our fellow members. Acts 2:45
Love one another. Romans 12:10-13, John 13:34-35

Community / Civil Dominion

Rule well as a member of the community and civil body politic.

“IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. We, whose names are underwritten… Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country… Do by these Presents, solemnly and mutually, in the Presence of God and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid [the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith]: And by Virtue hereof do enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions, and Officers, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general Good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due Submission and Obedience.” The Mayflower Compact, 1620

Love your neighbor. Matt. 22:39, Rom. 13:10
Obey the civil authority. Rom. 13:1-7, 1 Pet. 2:13-15
Strive for the common good. 1 Cor. 10:24
Strive for order, law, and justice. Lev. 19:15, Deut. 16:19-20, Isaiah 56:1, Prov. 18:5, Prov. 21:3,15
As the pillar and buttress of truth, be a prophetic voice promoting biblical truth for the good of the community. 1 Tim. 3:15, Rom. 3:19-20, Rom. 13:4, Mark 6:17-18

Make Disciples

In all domains, personal, family, church, and community, we are commanded to make disciples.

Bear witness to God’s truth and grace (law and gospel). Matt. 5:14-16
Proclaim the good news of the gospel. Rom. 10:14-15
Teach all God has commanded. Matt. 28:20

The example of Paul in Athens (Acts 17:16-34:

Reason in the marketplace. Acts 17:17
Proclaiming the good news of Jesus and the resurrection. Acts 17:18
People will ask what these things mean. Acts 17:19-20
Be ready to give an answer. Acts 17:22-31, 1 Pet. 3:15, Col. 4:6

For better ordering and preservation…

As we take dominion we should preserve or protect it. Gen. 2:15

Like Abram taking 318 trained men from his household to rescue Lot. Gen. 14:14
Or Nehemiah stationing families as a guard while rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Neh. 4:13
Protect also from false teachers and “unfruitful works of darkness”. Eph 5:1-21, 2 Peter 2

We should also work together to take dominion and make disciples into the future.

Households, Churches, Communities, Ministries, Businesses, Schools… Christian’s need to work together to build institutions of change. Our combined or corporate strength can make the world a better place and shine the light of the gospel like a city on a hill into the future (Matt. 5:14).

An example of living a life for the mission is Christopher Columbus. He was motivated by a desire to evangelize the nations and fund a crusade to rescue Jerusalem from the Muslim invasion. He wrote, “It was the Lord who put it in me to sail from here to the Indies. The fact that the gospel must be preached to so many lands – that is what convinced me. Charting the sea is but a necessary requisite for fulfillment of the Great Commission of our glorious Savior.”

The great adventure and endeavors he took were all to take dominion and make disciples for the glory of God!

This is our mission: Take Dominion and Make Disciples

Rule yourself well, rule your household well, serve in the church, and bring God’s truth and grace into every sphere of life that you enter into until every nation proclaims “Jesus is Lord!”

And “Now may the God of peace…

equip you in every good thing to do His will through Jesus Christ,

to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20-21)

Prayer: Nigeria, Dearborn, America

Brothers, a prayer from my reading in Psalms this week…

“For the Lord hears the needy and does not despise his own people who are prisoners.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭69‬:‭33‬ ‭

Lord Jesus, hear the prayers and do not despise Your people in Nigeria!

Lord Jesus, hear the prayers and do not despise Your people in Dearborn Michigan!

Lord Jesus, hear the prayers and do not despise Your people in America!

“Make haste, O God, to deliver me! O Lord, make haste to help me!” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭70‬:‭1‬ ‭

Make haste, O Lord, to help and deliver Your people in Nigeria!

Make haste, O Lord, to help and deliver Your people in Dearborn!

Make haste, O Lord, to help and deliver Your people in America!

“May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!”” Psalm‬ ‭70‬:‭4‬ ‭

May Your people everywhere say privately, publicly, boldly, and evermore “God is great!” and bring a new awakening to Nigeria, Dearborn, and America.

“Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.” Psalm‬ ‭71‬:‭4‬ ‭

Rescue us, O my God!

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭13‬ ‭

In Jesus Christ’s name I pray, amen.