“Where Is the Enemy Making Claims?” |
Sara Whitten, Kerrville, TX

Recently, God has been speaking the word “claim” to me. In true parable-style, I’ve watched God play out this word all around me in life. Here are just a few examples:

One day, I was notified of a small sum that was owed to a deceased family member of mine, if I would just claim it. Then, in another instance, a good friend of mine found out that a portion of land which she owned was actually much bigger than she thought. As she got the original survey from the courthouse and walked the land, tears brimmed in her eyes realizing she owned all of it. It had been sitting unused and unclaimed.

My dad then came to visit and was telling a story about a friend of his who had purchased several acres of undeveloped land, decades ago. It was, at the time, in the middle of nowhere. Eventually, an expensive subdivision was built around it. He was advised that it would be a good time to sell.

As he went to see the land in preparation to sell, he noticed a neighbor had built a fence on his property. He approached the neighbor, but the neighbor claimed it was his. They took it all the way to court, and the original surveys were presented. The judge said to my dad’s friend, “The property, as clearly shown in the legal documents, belongs to you. State law, however, states that if someone builds something on the property and it goes uncontested for more than seven years, they then have a rightful claim to that land.” He lost a chunk of the property, but not because it wasn’t rightfully his. He lost it because it went unclaimed.

A Season to Search Out and Take Back Our Land

This season is for searching out all areas in which the enemy has made claims, built fences, or otherwise occupied our land. Maybe it’s been in the form of blocking resources because they haven’t been claimed. Maybe it’s keeping us in the dark about how big our spiritual “land,” which we are call to occupy and work, really is. Maybe it’s luring us into dormancy so that he can build on land that is meant for us to own and develop for the Kingdom. (Photo via Public Domain Pictures)

Webster defines claim this way: “to assert in the face of possible contradiction; to ask for especially as a right.” It actually comes from the Latin word “clamare,” meaning “to cry out; shout,” which is akin to the Latin word “calare,” meaning “to call.”

Different Ways God Is Inviting Us to Stake Our Claim

For those who have felt beaten down and lacking in confidence, God is encouraging you to assert your claim, even in the face of contradiction. Remember, God has given us all spiritual “territory” to occupy and steward. If you’re claiming what He’s given you, it doesn’t mean it will go without contradiction. It just means the source of the contradiction isn’t coming from God. Stand strong.

For others of you, God is nudging you to ask. Ask Him, seek for it and then knock (or do the follow-through actions to partner with Him in faith). It’s OKAY to ask. Contested spiritual territory is dependent upon you asking, receiving and stewarding for the Kingdom!

Still others of you will be prompted by callings. New callings are actually coming in the form of invitations to steward talents, gifts, positions, relationships, resources and any other spiritual “territory” you are entrusted with from the Lord.

Lastly, some of you will be “crying out.” God is rising up within you and saying, “Enough is enough!” The enemy has taken one thing after another, but as you rise up and roar against the him, declaring, “No more!” the path to stepping into new territory will begin to open up.

Contesting the Enemy’s Claims

Where has the enemy tried to make claims in your God-given territory? It’s time those claims are contested.

The word “contest” (as in a contest) is the Greek word “athlesis” (Strong’s Concordance). The spelling looks similar to the word “athlete” because the concept is the same. It means “to struggle, to fight, to endure.” This Greek word is used in Hebrews 10:32, but I feel led to include verses 33-39 below as well, because it seems almost to be a prayer guide in these times of “contesting.” (Photo via Pxfuel)

Prayer Guide from Hebrews 10:32-39

“Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised. For, ‘In just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay.’ And, ‘But My righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.’

“But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.”

3 Steps to Successfully Claiming What’s Yours

Step 1: REMEMBER. (Recall testimonies and times of breakthrough. Remember who God is and thank Him for all He’s done!)

Step 2: ENDURE. (Remember the lasting possession set aside by God for you, and take a stand through the attacks. Ask God to remind you of them and for endurance.)

Step 3: BE CONFIDENT. (Don’t throw away your confidence, because God says it will be richly rewarded! Ask God to define your territory. Then declare it with confidence!)

Sara Whitten
Arrows of Zion

Email: sara@arrowsofzion.com
Website: www.arrowsofzion.com

Sara Whitten is an author, speaker, equipper, and founder of Arrows of Zion Ministry. She and her husband are pastors for the youth at Impact Christian Fellowship in Kerrville, Texas. Sara is a prophetic writer that has been featured on The Elijah List, Spirit Fuel, Charisma and more. She hosts “Hear God Everyday” on Charisma Podcast Network, a podcast with tools to help amplify the voice of God amidst the noise of everyday life. Sara also co-founded One Spark International, an organization that sponsors Bible-based training and education in unreached and restricted nations in order to see the gospel reach all people groups. She is also an active part of groups that train and invest in professionals wanting to use their business and marketplace skills to transform unreached nations for the Kingdom.

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