It’s time to lay hold of everything the devil has stolen! You may be working for minimum wage right now, or perhaps you’ve been denied promotions that were rightfully yours. Your family may even have suffered loss, and your relationships may be on the verge of despair. You may feel like giving up – but hold on! God has a plan to restore everything you’ve been denied.
In James 5:1-8, God delivers a timely message to the wicked men and women who have wrongfully withheld or “…kept back…” (vs. 4) money from His children through injustice and fraud. The verse goes on to say, “…the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord….”
In other words, God Almighty has heard your cry, seen your pain and suffering, and is ready to repay you. Think about all the things that have been withheld from you. The Word of God says in Proverbs 6:31 that if the thief is found he must return what he has stolen seven-fold. I dare you to add up everything the devil has stolen from you and multiply it times seven. Glory to God!
Don’t Get Weary
Often it seems like things aren’t happening fast enough. We become discouraged and end up quitting before the battle is over. But the Bible encourages us not to get weary in well doing “…for in due season we shall reap if we faint not” (Gal. 6:9). God has a perfect plan for your deliverance and He’s willing to reveal it to you right now.
Whether it’s deliverance from sickness, debt, depression, or living from paycheck to paycheck, God’s got a way to get you out of your circumstance. Don’t allow your mind to rebel against the Word of God. Believe Him and His Word. Have confidence that He is able to deliver you out of any situation you may be facing. This isn’t the time to let up, it’s the time to press in!
The devil doesn’t want you to win, Child of God. That should be evident by now. And this is not the time to let go of your faith, either. Increase your faith daily with the Word of God. Seek Him daily through prayer and meditation. The devil knows his days are numbered, and he’s doing everything he can to mess up God’s plan.
But don’t give him room. Every time you become weary, remember God’s promises of restoration. Satan and all those involved in his system will get their just reward. However, you and I will experience another kind of payday. Hallelujah!
The Wealth Transference
James 5:4 says the “…hire…” or the wages you’ve been denied are crying out for you. Child of God, you’ve got to answer! Don’t expect to get in on this big payday if you’re not willing to open up your mouth and cry out for what’s yours. No, I’m not talking about weeping in the literal sense. I’m saying you should begin to make declarations!
For example, “Father, Your Word says in James 5:4 that everything I’ve been denied is crying out for me – my money, health, and inheritance. Your Word also says in Proverbs 13:22, ‘…the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.’ I am the just, and I command everything the devil has deliberately withheld from me to come forth now, seven-fold.”
Begin to make declarations like this one daily. In fact, make them three times daily as Daniel did and see what happens. Trust me, a divine appointment will take place when the two cries meet.
The Bible talks about wealth transference. Just before the Israelites left Egypt for the land of Canaan, God blessed them with the wealth of the Egyptians as He promised Abraham in Genesis 15:14. Likewise, as we get closer to our Canaan (Heaven), we too can expect the transference to take place.
Money with a Mission
The wealth God has stored up for us is not for our personal benefit, but rather for His. Of course, we will be able to enjoy the advantages of wealth. But God has a mission for it. In other words, not only must we yield our plans to God in order to obtain the wealth, but even more so to maintain it. The wealth that has been stored up for us must be used to spread the gospel.
I have personally made a commitment to God to spread the good news of Jesus Christ worldwide. There are too many wounded hearts, broken families, and disillusioned people in the world today. However, the Word of God can change all that. He has entrusted me with this prosperity message and anointed me for this specific task. I refuse to let Him down.
You see, money is an amplifier. As more members of the Body of Christ become wealthy, the opportunities for deliverance increases for others. Remember, God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others. “…And I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing…and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Gen. 12:2,3). That’s what it’s all about.
Getting in the Right Position
In order to receive this kind of blessing, you must be in the right position. Look at it this way. Imagine a glass on a table. If the glass stays upright when the water is poured, it can be filled to maximum capacity. But if the glass is moved out of position, it will either receive a minor portion of water, or miss being filled altogether.
The same is true with God. Believe me, He’s about to pour out abundance on His people. Actually, for many it has already begun. Debts are being cancelled daily for believers who are putting these principles into action. Lands, houses, money, and immeasurable favor is coming into their hands. But remember, if you’re not in the right position when He begins to pour out these blessings, you’ll miss your opportunity.
However, in order to be in the right position, there are a few prerequisites to meet such as tithing, sowing, living holy, and consistently spending time in God’s presence through prayer and by reading His Word.
I tell you this is the year of harvest we’ve been waiting for. Proverbs 11:31 says, “Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth….” The word recompensed means “paid.” Sure, we’ll have rewards in heaven. But why wait until then? God promises us that we can have it right now! And I don’t know about you Child of God, but I want everything that’s due me right here, right now!
Lay hold of what’s yours. Reclaim the dreams that God has given you. Ask God to reveal to you His plan for your life. Declare everyday that you have favor with God and man – and watch His blessings overtake you and your family like never before!
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Creflo Dollar is a founder and senior pastor of World Changers Church International (WCCI). He's a world-renowned Bible teacher, sought-after conference speaker, and bestselling author with hundreds of books, CDs, and DVDs in distribution worldwide. Recognized for his cutting-edge revelation and humorous, pragmatic approach, he enables thousands to experience grace, restoration, healing, and financial breakthrough by applying simple, biblical principles to their lives. He is the author of such game-changing books as "The Radical Life of Grace" and "Why I Hate Religion", and his award-winning Changing Your World television broadcast reaches nearly 1 billion homes. His ministry includes an app available on mobile devices and smart TV's, a dedicated YouTube channel, and the Changing Your World Network, a 24-hour online channel. A thriving social media presence has allowed him to connect with World Changers worldwide.