Part 3-Dominion

 

When God Shows Up


If you are at the right place, with the right information, with the right heart to practice exercising God's dominion, there will be evidence of supernatural activity. God wants you to succeed! This is especially true when you have some ancestral connection to what is being prayed over through the authority of dominion. You can at times feel you are being "possessed," by something other than what is a normal life's experience. This is not something to fear, but it should always be coached with seasoned intercessors.  When you attempt to engage strategic intercession at any level (See Dominion part 2) work together as a team. Representational anointing is the Holy Spirit allowing you to truly see, hear and feel the issue before you. It may feel like "channeling" but this is a Holy Spirit experience not a new age phenomenon. To represent something beyond superficial religious attitudes God will allow you to participate in perhaps a startling real way. However, when the issue is dropped at the feet of the cross, then your part is finished. We do not "carry" issues longer than it takes to bring reconciliation and repentance before the throne of Grace.


I have seen real "fire works" on the 250 strategic assignments I have participated in. God always shows up when we do! The Spirit will facilitate the presence of God as issues are resolved before the Father. Dominion is a tangible experience.  It is undeniable fact. When there aren't fireworks then I back up and examine what we are doing as a team. God wants desperately to reconcile our past.

Worldly sorrow is a experience similar to travail. It is a deep feeling of regret that allow us to truly bring our hearts to the table. However, worldly sorrow can have some hooks for the untrained initiative. Once we deliver the issue to the cross, our job is finished. If there is some lingering feelings of sadness, sorrow or regret among any of participants, the team should immediately take steps to pray over the team member. We never leave our wounded behind on any prayer battlefield.



1 Samuel 1:12-15 Now it came about, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli was watching her mouth. As for Hannah, she was speaking in her heart, only her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought she was drunk. Then Eli said to her, "How long will you make yourself drunk? Put away your wine from you." But Hannah replied, "No, my lord, I am a woman oppressed in spirit; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the LORD.


Travail, shaking, holy laughter and a host of other experiences are all part of the package of the manifest presence of God. Don't be frightened for God to show up. However, be prepared for what ever consequences there may be. When God is released without restrain, He may well do something unexpected. Be prepared but let God be God. This does not mean there is chaos or disorder, but God has a habit of scandalizing our religious minds now and then doesn't He?


Jeremiah 33:9 'It will be to Me a name of joy, praise and glory before all the nations of the earth which will hear of all the good that I do for them, and they will fear and tremble because of all the good and all the peace that I make for it.'

Luke 8:47 When the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling and fell down before Him, and declared in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched Him, and how she had been immediately healed.


Acts 9:6 [Saul on the road to Damascus] So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”


John 18:4-6 So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and said to them, "Whom do you seek?" They answered Him, "Jesus the Nazarene." He said to them, "I am He." And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. So when He said to them, "I am He," they drew back and fell to the ground.


Genesis 21:5-7 Now Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. Sarah said, "God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me."


The journals of John Wesley are full of supernatural activity. At one of his meeting some present experienced what is called Holy Laughter. It is a condition where the individual is overwhelmed by joy that leads to uncontrollable laughter. To many this looks like some form of hysteria. After the meeting a very sophisticated well dressed woman approached Wesley to reprimand him for letting this sort of thing happen. She began to scold Wesley when the spirit hit the lady who began to laugh uncontrollably for what was journaled as "some hours."

There is what I call the updraft of the Holy Spirit. When you see it you will see it, hear it and feel it. Ride the wave of what God does until the unction shifts. Again seasoned intercessors who are properly trained know when to approach God and when not to. Discernment is key.


The land/water will at times respond. I have heard animals join in during Worship, Trees weep water on a blue sky day, and birds sing in joyous harmony. Remember, all of creation is held in a travail of child birth until mankind takes its rightful place in asserting Kingdom authority among the cosmos.

Pitfalls of Poor Intercession

Never attempt to pray strategically over issues you have not had personal victory over.  If you are struggling over sexual issues on a personal basis, don't attempt to engage them on a territorial basis.  It can come back to torment you. It is always part of our training regiment to make sure that all team members have their gates closed before the team heads out.  If you don't take care of your personal matters, the wrong kind of manifestation can occur.  Satan will manifest not the God we worship.

After this, the angel of the LORD arrived and sat down in the shade of the oak tree in Ophrah that belonged to Joash, a descendant of Abiezer, while his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a wine press in order to safeguard it from the Midianites. The angel of the LORD appeared to him and told him, "The LORD is with you, you valiant warrior!" But Gideon replied, "Right... Sir, if the LORD is with us, then why has all of this happened to us? And where are all of his miraculous works that our ancestors recounted to us when they said, 'The LORD brought us up from Egypt, didn't he?' But now the LORD has abandoned us and given us over to Midian!" The LORD looked straight at him and replied, "Go with this determination of yours and deliver Israel from Midian's domination. I've directed you, haven't I?" "Right...," Gideon responded. "Sir, how will I deliver Israel? Look--my family is the weakest in Manasseh, and I'm the youngest in my father's household." The LORD told him, "Because I'll be with you, and you'll defeat Midian--every single one of them!" So Gideon asked him, "Please, if I have received favor from you, then do a miracle for me that shows that you're making this promise to me. And please don't leave here until I've come back to you, brought my offering, and set it down in front of you." The LORD replied, "I'll stay until you return." Then Gideon went and prepared a young goat and unleavened bread from an ephah of flour. He put the meat in a basket and poured the broth into a pot, and brought them to the angel right under the oak tree. Then he made his offering. The angel, who was God, replied, "Take the meat and the unleavened bread and lay them on this boulder. Then pour out the broth." So he did that. The angel of the LORD extended the tip of the staff that was in his hand and touched the meat and unleavened bread. Fire broke out from inside the boulder, consuming the meat and unleavened bread. Then the angel of the LORD vanished in front of him. When Gideon realized that he had seen the angel of the LORD himself, he cried out, "Oh no! Lord GOD! I've been looking right at the angel of the LORD--and face-to-face at that!" "Calm down! Don't be afraid." the LORD replied. "You're not going to die!" So Gideon built an altar right there to the LORD and called it "The LORD is peace." (To this very day it still stands in Ophrah, which belongs to the descendants of Abiezer.) Later that very night, the LORD told Gideon, "Take the bull that belongs to your father, along with a second bull that's seven years old. Then tear down the altar to Baal that your father owns, cut down the Asherah that's beside it, and build an altar to the LORD your God on top of this stronghold in an orderly manner. Then take the second bull and offer it as a burnt offering using the wood from the Asherah that you'll be cutting down." So Gideon went with ten men who were his servants and did just what the LORD had told him to do, though he did it at night because he was too afraid of his father's family and the leading men of the city to do it during the day. When the leading men of the city got up early the next morning, the altar to Baal had been torn down, along with the Asherah that had stood beside it, and the second bull had been offered on the altar that had been erected. They asked each other, "Who did this thing?" When they looked into it and asked around, they concluded, "Joash's son Gideon did it." So the leading men of the city ordered Joash, "Bring us that son of yours. He's going to die, because he tore down the altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah that stood beside it!" But Joash responded to everyone who was opposing him, "Do you really intend to fight on Baal's behalf? Do you really intend to rescue him by ordering that whoever fights him will be executed by morning? If Baal is a god, let him fight for himself. After all, it was his altar that was torn down." So that very day he named Gideon Jerubbaal, that is, "Let Baal fight," since he had torn down his altar. Then all the Midianites, Amalekites, and certain groups from the east gathered together, crossed the Jordan River, and set up camp in the Jezreel Valley. So the Spirit of the LORD took control of Gideon, who blew a trumpet, mustering the descendants of Abiezer to follow him into battle. He sent messengers to the entire tribe of Manasseh, calling them to follow him, and he also sent word to the tribes of Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, calling them to meet him. (Judges 6:11-35)

Father Wound


I once was a friend to someone who was abused by her Uncle.  She was angry with her father for not preventing the injury.  As a result of this life experience she could not begin to approach an image of God who was her Father.  To help her we needed to first help us over the flawed image of father hood so that she could start the "re-parenting" process.  It is after all Gods desire to love us as only a heavenly Father can.  We all have hurts and wounds.  It is imperative that we examine our relationship with God on a personal basis before we attempt any assignment of a strategic nature.  On the redemptive side, who could better pray over abusive situations than someone who has overcome one?

Some people have grown up with a lack of validation in their lives.  This causes them to look externally for validation instead of finding internal stability.  What can be shaken often is, but when we are solidly anchored then we become less vulnerable during times of instability. A lack of internal stability causes us to often react out of a "man pleasing" not a "God pleasing" attitude.  Without addressing this self image wound the individual seldom truly finds rest or peace in any part of their lives.  They are constantly looking for religious validation that leads to other forms of addictive behavior.  We often find ourselves on a performance treadmill that makes us a slave to what we do.  Trying to pray through strategic issues with this kind of mindset is less than effective.  I have seen individuals try to operate within high order strategic levels out of a performance mindset only to become violently ill to be taken off the team temporarily.  When this happens remember, we do not leave behind our wounded on the field of battle.

Validation through position, rank in an organization, or gift mix can also become self-destructive.  We can not truly rest if we are in a position we have created out of some ambition.  If this occurs we tend to see everything around us as a threat to our position.  This fosters control issues where we self-protect what holds our validation.  God can free us from control issues by healing us through his validation.  With Him as our anchor, the updraft of the Holy Spirit can take wings to new heights.

If we want God to show up, we have to be free of our agendas, positions and woundedness.  If we operate out of our flesh instead of being led by the Holy Spirit then all we are doing is putting on a show.  It simply will not work.  When we inquire of God what to do and when to do it, the full measure of his Kingdom comes to bear.  We become the fertile ground in which he can plant his seeds through our prayers. Reconciliation can occur that helps thousands of people experience new levels of freedom.  We call this transformation.
 

Once we have our personal issues in hand, we have no need to be seen or heard by anyone but God.  With our self image healed we can become an empty vessel through which God can pour Himself.  This allows our words to become His, our expectations to be His, and the glory to go to our Father who does not share the stage with anyone.

If we want to truly have a generational impact we need our personal desires to become God's.  It is Him and Him alone who will hit the mark with pinpoint prophetic accuracy.  Strategic assignments impact thousands of people.  What is at risk is the bondage of a population base.  Satan will only relinquish this ground to those who are walking in the fullness of the knowledge of God as savior, deliverer, healer and friend.

God continued to do extraordinary miracles through Paul. When handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched his skin were taken to the sick, their diseases left them and evil spirits went out of them. Then some Jews who went around trying to drive out demons attempted to use the name of the Lord Jesus on those who had evil spirits, saying, "I command you by that Jesus whom Paul preaches!" Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. But the evil spirit told them, "Jesus I know, and I am getting acquainted with Paul, but who are you?" Then the man with the evil spirit jumped on them, got the better of them, and so violently overpowered all of them that they fled out of the house naked and bruised.
(Acts 19:11-16)


Pride in position often can cause ineffectual intercession.  God clearly says he opposes the proud.  Positions means little to God apart form bringing order to His house.  What truly matters to our relationship with God is the depths through which we know Him on a personal basis.  Just because someone has a "name tag" really does not qualify anyone to address strategic assignments.  It is my opinion that the full measure of the opportunity to exercise heavens authority resides with the saved janitor as well as the individual who stands behind a pulpit.  They each have different sphere's of influence but within their sphere they have equal measure of authority.  Over time our sphere of influence may grow or contract.  But during times of expansion and pruning we can enjoy the same measure of fellowship and authority.
 
Many fail to see lasting change from their strategic prayer life from a lack of accurate and through research.  What General would go to war who does not know his enemies troop dispositions, weapons, tactics, logistical support and command/control structure?  Yet that is exactly what sometimes happens with intercessory teams.  Spiritual mapping (Dominion Part 2) is the key to knowing how a strong hold exists and therefore how to dismantle it.  When we follow God's guidance we find the right information to "lock a gate no man shall open."  Without adequate intelligence gathering through spiritual mapping, we can only pray through speculation.  In other words we are guessing, hoping that something we say or do might be find the mark.  This approach wastes valuable time and resources.

We want to stop beating fruit out of a tree and instead, lay an ax to the root of an issue.  Many people don't take their spiritual research back far enough to find the root.  Sometimes it is buried within ancient structures and rituals.  Don't simply be satisfied by American history dating back to 1776.  Take it back further and you will find may well find root issues.

Chasing blood can spin you into never ending circles of repeated prayer activity. Some feel if "they" haven't handled a situation personally, then it's not done.  That approach is simply veiled pride.  This casuses every generation to have to revisit issues over and over.  If you effectively deal with an issue, then stand in faith "it's done."  Act like a grown up with faith before the Father not a whining child that thinks that unless they repeat somethings dozens of times that our Father doesn't hear us.  Let me assure God has perfect hearing.  Its time for us to put down the bottle and taste some red meat.

Body-Mind-Spirit

We were created in God's image.  This includes our internal "trinity" of body, mind and Spirit.  When we pray we want to "set the boken mis-aligned bone" so that all things can work together for those called to his purposes.  To do so we need to align the physical circumstances with the correct mindset so that the Spirit can move effectively.  We need our internal body, mind, and Spirit aligned at all times.

May the God of peace himself make you holy in every way. And may your whole being--spirit, soul, and body--remain blameless when our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, appears.
(1 Thessalonians 5:23)

It is very important to stay within our sphere of rule.  There is more damage inflected on individuals and social conditions by those who overstep their position before the Father.  We can in fact create stronger grip by demonic entities when we try pray outside of our God given sphere.  As I stated earlier we all have the same measure of rule as long as we stay witnin the boundaries that God assigns to us.  For example one of the latest pitfalls is within the Apostolic movement.  If you are a true Apostle you don't need a business card to announce who you are.  Conversely a position or title of Apostle has little to do with true authority.  If you are carrying the voice of God you will not have to put it on a bill board.  Everyone will know it.

It takes God's government ot address Satan's government.  Yelling at demons is a good way to evoke an attack not solve problems.  Stay focused, quiet your spirit, and keep your eyes on God not demon's or principality.  No more about how the Kingdom operates than how Satan works.  After all, it's His battle not ours.

Spiritual Trespassing

Spiritual trespassing is also fruit of overstepping our sphere of rule.  So, so many times out of ignorance or sometimes overt arrogance, people step over a line expecially when it comes to social issues.  If there is a Native American issue, who better than a Native American to speak to it?  If it's a public educational issue who beter than a teacher to address it.  If it's a govenmental issue, who better than a seated government official to pray over it.  If it's a denominational issue among churches, then let those who are members of each group address the issue.  It's really that simple.  Don't spiritually trespass into another person's sphere of rule.  Honor is your best and most effective weapon.

The lone ranger doesn't last long out on the intercession battle field. They get picked off pretty quickly. Never ever attempt strategic level intercession alone or with out the support of what ever kingdom government you are part of. Spiritually trespass without pastoral support and you beg for problems. When you catch the updraft of God, he protects you. For you to remain under his wing there are conditions you must meet. Otherwise you are out on your own and out of God's order.

Not having a prayer shield while trying to exercise Dominion is like going to war without your helmet. You are inviting attacks. Often you can even hamper the work that God. Always have prayer support that is independent of your field work. They can more easily focus on God without the distractions you often deal with in the field. They need to be well trained to be effective. Have them journal their prayer and debrief your payer shield after every assignment. You might be surprised at what God may reveal to your prayer shield.

The enemies of God are much more powerful than you and I. It is only under his care and cover that we form an effective weapon in His hand. I pray only to God. I do not recommend you speak to powers and principalities. When you do you have dialed up hell itself. Don't do it. In stead of addressing "the spirit of XYX, simply tell God you have removed the grounds of XYZ to operate, now Lord God vanquish XYZ to dry places. Only speak to God not God's enemies. Berating the devil or his emissaries is never a good idea. Picking a fight is a good way to have your head handed to you on a platter.

To tare down a stronghold (Dominion Part 2) we have to first remove the grounds of the iniquity. If you fail to remove the grounds of the open gate, there may be some immediate relief but long term a new round of demonic activity can ensue. The only way to remove the grounds of iniquity is repentance. Its not rocket science. Find who opened the door and you close it.....forever.

Stirring up the enemy

Praying out of old paradigms of religion simply imposes another box around us. The Bible is written in Hebrew and Greek. Many of us read the bible through the cultural lens of our society (Dominion Part 1). Seeing the created order through God's vantage point opens our eyes to heavens dynamics. When we see as He sees, we take advantage of the opportunity for the updraft of the Holy Spirit. We have to lay it all down so God can rule and reign from His inheritance of the cross.

Viewing history from your own cultural lenses can lead us in circles. Many people see the land as we know as the United States of America simply from the perspective of European contact. But in reality what the original gate keepers of the land did for thousand of year prior to the war of independence more than likely has a much more dramatic impact on the spiritual climate than what white people have done. We need to put on Gods eye glasses to see clearly beyond ourselves.

The two faces of Fear


Dread is the fear of what might happen. It is one of Satan's most powerful tools against us. We fear what might happen more than we fear stepping forward in faith. Dread keeps in the starting blocks without taking a single step. Many people never exercise faith based Dominion out of the dread of making a mistake. In so doing we turned over the earth to hells stewardship.

Terror is the fear for physical well-being. While Dread is a powerful parallelize of prayer, sometimes there is shear terror that comes into play. Overcoming a strong hold in your personal life is one thing, it is another all together to address one that has thousands of people in its grips. Yet out of dread and sometimes terror we never rise to the occasion to force God's enemies to obey the rules.

The only formula to all this is listening to God. That's as complicated as it gets. Jesus said he only did what He saw his Father doing. We should focus the same way. If we are prophetic intercessors then we only obey our Fathers voice. Trying to operating in anyother sphere or "pattern," is like using some else's tooth brush. It will not be a pleasant experience for either you or God.

Let Go and Let God

To be effective in exercising Dominion we need to be obedient. Can God trust you with the insight of His kingdom? Can God trust your heart? The more he can trust you the greater the measure of your sphere of influence. Quite honestly those with the least ambition are often the most effective tools for effecting lasting change. What will you do with supernatural knowledge? Will you use God's success for personal gain? Or can God trust you with the keys of His Kingdom? Can your voice be the one that brings heavens agenda to earth? I think you are the very one! Can you hear his voice calling you?

Matthew 6:9-13 'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.'

Always remember my friend Forest Gump. "He is not a smart man, but he does know what love is." the smaller you see yourself in the mirror, the larger God can become through you. Always remember we are part of "a" thing God is doing, not necessarily "the" thing God is doing. Humility and grace are your most effective attitudes. As Forest would say "That's all I have to say about that."