Taking It Back, by Deaconess Helen Areola
Bible Text: Oba. 1: 17
But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.
Deliverance simply means to be set free. It means freedom.
Holiness means total devotion and obedience to God. It means without blemish.
To possess means to own, have, take control of something, have power over, take over, dominate, influence. (E.g. house, car, land, area, city, nation)
Possession is an act of having, holding, taking, owning and controlling something, or city, area etc. For example if I own a book or a car and I lend it to someone or someone takes it without my consent. The book or car is still mine, but it’s temporarily in the custody of someone else.
I decree that every good thing that the enemy might have taken away from you by deceit is hereby restored today in Jesus name. Whatever has kept you stagnant will be a stepping stone for your greatness in Jesus name. What seems to be the problem now will become testimony tomorrow in Jesus name. I decree by the name that is above every other name, your tomorrow is better than today in Jesus name.
The bible tells us in Genesis 1:28: To be fruitful and multiply, replenish, subdue and have dominion. We are to take charge on earth and over everything God has created. We are to control everything around us because God has designed it that way. Vs 31 says God saw everything that He had made was very good. So as children of God we own everything that belongs to our father.
Our theme for the month is uncommon inheritance. According to the dictionary Inheritance is the common term for property or any possession that comes to an heir. It is a gift you are entitled to by birthright.
We as the children of God have rights and easy access to our own inheritance by divine arrangement. But what happened? Why are we not where God wants us to be?
Jn. 10:10 says: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Man fell and sin (devil) stepped in and robbed us off the free access to our inheritance, but Jesus came to reconcile us back to God. He came to restore us, to give us life and not just so we could have it but so we could have it more abundantly. What are we still waiting for?
The bible tells us in Matt.11:12 that from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violent, and the violent taketh by force.
You have to be eager and force your way to breakthrough and take back what the enemy has stolen.
If we are to claim back all the good things the enemy has stolen from us we have to claim it by force. We have to hold on to the Word of God and be eager to succeed with it not giving up every time we fail or miss-out.
WHAT ARE THE THINGS WE ARE TAKING BACK FROM THE ENEMY TODAY
1. Fruitfulness.
By divine arrangement we are destined to be fruitful as we read in Gen 1:28. But the bible makes us to understand in Matt. 13:25 that while men slept the enemy came in and sowed tares. We have to be awaken both in the spirit and in the physical.
In Gen 21:25 Abraham took back the well that was violently taken away from him by Abimelech’s servant, Abimelech claims he knew nothing about it and Abraham claimed it back. He gave him sheep and oxen and made Abimelech to swear as a witness that the well belonged to him. Like Abraham we are taking back every of our belongings the enemy is withholding today in Jesus name.
In Gen. 26: There was famine in the land and God appeared unto Isaac and told him in Vs 3 “Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and I will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;
There was famine in the land and God appeared unto Isaac and told him not to leave.
God had already sworn to Abraham his father that his seed shall be great and because His word will not return unto Him void. When famine came the Lord showed up for Isaac. (When God speaks He honours His word, Let alone when He swear by Himself. His word will not go back to Him void).
Sojourn in this land, I will be with thee. If God be with a man nobody can be against that man. MAY GOD BE WITH YOU ALL IN JESUS NAME.
When God says He will bless you. It means He will make you fruitful. It means He will elevate you. I don’t know what you’re going through right now, but I know that there’s power in the word of God and I pray that
By the power in the word of God You are blessed in Jesus name. You are fruitful in Jesus name.
PS 30: 5b says “Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning”
Whatever is tagged barren in your life, by the anointing of God under this roof today, is changing into fruitfulness in Jesus name.
Deut 11: 24 says “wheresoever the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours”.
I decree today that every barren situation and every challenge you’re facing in this land shall become fruitful. Because of your presence in this land, the same way Isaac was known in Gerar you will be known in Leeds and in the whole of United Kingdom in Jesus name.
2. Prosperity
3 Jn.1:2 says “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in good health, even as thy soul prospereth.
Prosperity is also our inheritance from God. Every gift that birth prosperity that the enemy has stolen from us, every dream and visions of prosperity that the enemy has stolen away… we are taking it back today in Jesus name.
Gen.26:4 says “And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;
– To multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven means nobody can count the stars of heaven. When God multiplies your offspring as the stars of heaven it means you will enjoy prosperity at its fullness. That will be your portion in Jesus name. You will enjoy endless prosperity in Jesus name.
– To give to your offspring all this lands means you will conceive and give birth, and you will also witness your children giving birth and you will dominate and rule the land.
You are taking over your domain in Jesus name.
And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed means You and your house hold will be a source of blessing to others in Leeds and beyond in Jesus name.
Ps. 23:5 ”thou prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Your blessings will overflow to every nooks and corner of Leeds in Jesus name.
3. Good success
Gen.26:4c And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. It means you and your seed will not only be successful, but also have good success.
Jos. 1:8 “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: For then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success”.
There’s difference between success and good success
Good success is our inheritance; you are taking back your inheritance today in Jesus name. From today your success will be steady and continuous. You will be successful in that job interview. Your application will be re-opened at the home office. You will receive good news in the name of Jesus.
4) Upliftment
Gen. 26:4b “And I will give unto thy seed all these countries”. That means God will uplift you, He will change your level. If we look around us we’ll see that most of us are from different countries. It only takes the grace of God to meet the criteria for settlement here in the UK.
It takes the mercies of God to inherit the good of the land you migrated to. But here we are by His grace.
This was also the story of Isaac. His family had no link with the land of Gerar. His father Abraham only followed the instructions that were given to him by God. And God established Isaac to the point that the people of Gerar were envious of him. That will be your testimony in Jesus name.
Ps. 3:3 “But Thou O Lord art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head”.
As the Lord God lives, you are coming up higher. You are lifted up; your level is changing for good in Jesus name.
5) Promotion
Gen. 26:3 “Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oat which I sware unto Abraham thy father”.
I will give you all this countries. That means God has given you the key of Leeds, the key to the United Kingdom. The one who holds the key to a store could be said to be in control or in charge of the store. God said take and have the key, occupy, control the city of Leeds. That is promotion. Whatever is holding you back from maximizing your potentials, God Almighty will destroy today and you shall take it back and be in control…. You shall function the way it has been designed before you came to this city in Jesus name.
Ps. 75: 6-7 “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another”.
Every enemy holding back your promotion God will put them down today and set you up above them in Jesus name. The key to the door of promotion that the enemy has stolen, you’re taking it back today in Jesus name. Whoever is sitting comfortably on your promotion, may Jehovah God make that comfort zone uncomfortable for them in Jesus name. Receive accelerated promotion in your office in the name of Jesus.
6) Power over your enemies
Gen. 26:16 “And Abimelech said unto Isaac, Go from us; for thou art much mightier than we”.
Abimelech was the king of Gerar, he was a powerful man. By the time God was done with Isaac, power changed hands and Isaac became too strong for Abimelech to the point that he confessed, Isaac was mightier than all of them put together. The bible says
“Behold I give unto you the power to trend on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemies and nothing shall by any means hurt you”. LK 10:19. ”
God has given us victory over all the powers of the enemy.
If there be any way you have stumbled that has made the enemy to overpower you, receive empowerment to overcome in Jesus name. You are taking back your territory in Jesus name
From today you have become too powerful for any stumbling block in Jesus name.
Every storm raging over your life will admit and succumb to you in Jesus name.
From now onwards you are unstoppable in the name of Jesus. You are more than conqueror in Jesus name.
7. Good health or Healthy life
According to Gen. 1:31 “And God saw everything that He made and behold it was very good”. You were not created with sickness or disease. You were very good at creation.
Ex. 15:26 “If thou will diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God and wilt do that which is right in His sight and wilt give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes.. I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: For I am the Lord that healeth thee”.
Isaac enjoyed good health. The bible recorded how himself and his servants were digging and how they were getting waters in Gen.26:18. It takes good health and good strength to dig a dry land to the point of getting springs of water.
Ps.103:3 “Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases”.
As the lord lives, every health issue that represents a mountain before you shall crumble today in Jesus name. Whatever sickness the enemy has afflicted you with; God will remove it now and replace with good health in Jesus name. Isaac and his servants were never tired; you will not be tired in Jesus name. They were never weary; you will not be weary in Jesus name. Take back your good health today in Jesus name. Everywhere they dug, they found well, you will overcome every hard nock life in Jesus name.
WHAT MUST I DO TO TAKE IT BACK
1. Seek to know God more.
2 Chro. 26:5 “And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper”.
Matt.6:33 “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you”.
Ps. 63:1 “O God, thou art my God, early will I seek theism soul thirstieth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is”.
If Abraham had not known God, if he had not walked with God and had an intimate relationship with Him, he would not have received what God had sworn unto him. God would not have appeared to Isaac and told him not to move from Gerar. And if Isaac does not have any relationship with the God of his father, he wouldn’t have heard when God was speaking to him. We need to seek God more and be in right standing with Him.
1 Chro. 28:9 “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imagination of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off forever.
2) SEPARATE AND CONSECRATE YOURSELF.
It was a clear instruction from God to Isaac. Don’t go to Egypt. Egypt represents evil things in the scripture. That’s why Moses told the people of Israel in Exo.14:13b “…that the Egyptians they see today they shall see them again no more”. They needed to seperate themselves from the bondage they were in Egypt to access their inheritance (The promise Land).
Dan 3. Tells us about the story of the 3 Hebrew men. A decree was made by Nebuchadnezzar that at the sound of the trumpets everyone should bow and worship the gold statue, and at that time no one dares to disobey the king. But the 3 men separated themselves and stood out. They told the king that their God will deliver them and even if He didn’t, they would still not bow to the golden image. And God showed up and delivered them.
We need to stand out like the 3 Hebrew men.
Another example is Daniel in Dan 6: Daniel was preferred amongst His competitors and every one of them connived together to get rid of him. They convinced the king to sign a decree that no one should ask for petition from any god except the king and whoever does it shall be cast into the lion’s den. Daniel prayed to his God. Of course we know the end of the story. He did not compromise his integrity. He stood out even at risk of being killed.
Eph.5:11 say “Have no fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reproof them”.
Whatever will not bring glory to God we should abstain totally from them so that the enemy will not use it against you.
Joseph would have missed out completely if he had yielded to Potiphar’s wife.
1st Thess. 5:22 “Abstain from every appearance of evil”.
We have to separate ourselves from whatever does not glorify God.
3. OBEY GOD.
LK 11: 28b says “Blessed is he that hear the word of God and obey it”,
Obedience is a very important key. Isaac had a choice when God spoke to him. He could decide whether to stay in Gerar or move to Egypt. He chose to obey God; he didn’t let the present situation affect his decisions. He must have remembered how his father had obeyed God. I’m sure He inherited obedience from his father Abraham. Like father, like son.
4. COMPLETE HOLINESS.
Oba.1:17. To take back what belongs to you, you must live a holy life.
Matt.5:6 “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled”.
Matt. 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God”.
5. Have courage.
It takes courage for Isaac to make the decision to stay back in Gerar. Prov. 28:1 “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion”.
Humanly speaking, Egypt would probably be the best place for him in that kind of situation.
Jos.1:9 “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest”.
6. DESIRE AND BELIEVE THE WORD OF GOD.
1 Pt. 2:2 says “As new born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word; that ye may grow thereby”. We must desire the word of God and believe in His word
Is 55: 10-11 says “For as the rain cometh down, and snow from heaven, and returneth not thiter but watereth the earth and maketh it that forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth, it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please and prosper in the thing where to I sent”.
Isaac stayed in Gerar because he believed the word that was spoken to him by God. “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” JN 7: 38
Isaac did not only believe, but he held on to God’s word and God prospered him.
In Conclusion
Isa.59:1-2 “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear”.
God has made provisions for you. If there is any way you have strayed, ask Him for forgiveness and full restoration. Take back what is yours Jesus name.
PRAYER POINTS
Abraham dugged the wells before he died, but the wicked ones in Gerar covered all the wells and made Isaac to dig and dig hard before he could find them.
Job 5: 12. says “He dissappointed the devices of the crafty so that their hands could not perform their enterprice”.
1. Father every device, every plan of the enemy to shatter my inheritance, dissapoint and frustrate in Jesus name.
When men say it’s over, then God takes over, and when God takes over, then the battle is over. I don’t know what needs a solution in your life but you can mention it as we say this prayer….
2. Father take over every impossible issue in my life and grant me permanent solutions in Jesus name.
3. Father, every blessings, every gift, every inheritance associated with my name let it locate me before 2017 runs out in Jesus name.
4. Father beginning from today, grant me access to the well of victory. well of prosperity, well of good health…grant me access to the well of upliftment in Jesus name.
5. Oh Lord turn every set-back in my life to supernatural restoration in Jesus name.
The sermon, Taking It Back, by Deaconess Helen Areola, was delivered on October 15, 2017