WE ARE IN A SEASON OF UPGRADES!
I have been having many distractions and what seemed to be “problems to be dealt with” for months. In the midst, I heard the Lord say, “Upgrades.” In fact, I had said it myself flippantly at one point, when talking about all the things I had to deal with, but I didn’t take it to heart because I was still annoyed and irritated. When the LORD said it, revelation came and the annoyance lifted because I saw HIM in the midst!
“Behold I am doing a new thing, will you not know it?” (Is. 43:19, KJV)
God is good and He is always working to bring us into the new, but we don’t always recognize it in the process. Sometimes we think it’s the devil trying to hinder us from moving forward. No, the devil is always trying to get us out of faith in the Truth that God is with us, He is trying to bless us! Trusting God in the midst leads to the upgrades. Moving forward in faith, with eyes on Him, is the substance that brings upgrades.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb 11:1 KJV)
The word substance in scripture means to set or place under; that which has foundation; that which is real (from Outline of Biblical Usage). In Strong’s Concordance, it means a setting under; concretely, essence; assurance. Your faith is the foundation that supports the new thing God wants to do in your life! It is the substance that brings it to be!
When there are multiple things breaking, malfunctioning, etc., stay in peace and pay attention! Seek the Lord to hear what He is saying and see what He is doing in your midst. There is a theme! As a prophet, I often experience things that represent significant changes God is bringing to the Body of Christ. I pray you have ears to hear and eyes to see what He is doing in your life and shift easily as you perceive Him in the midst!
In our case, there were three things that received upgrades regarding communication systems - our phones, my computer, the transformers for our outdoor lights.
Communications operating system upgrades. God is bringing you into His upgraded communication operating system – a higher place of operating from the finished work of Christ. There is strong interference in the spiritual atmosphere as we move forward, and I hear the Lord saying He is increasing your ability to better receive from heaven with accuracy and speak it forth in the earth with power! He is upgrading your communications with greater illumination by the Holy Spirit!
Relationships. This season of trials and upgrades has borne out in our two house churches as well – the enemy has been working overtime to disrupt and divide, but the Spirit of Truth and the Love of God is prevailing to bring transformation. He is always working to redeem and restore to His divine purposes.
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure." (Phl 2:13 KJV)
There is a deeper intimacy and stronger bond than ever before, and He is bringing increase in numbers as well. Christ is the overcoming One and we lay hold of Him and obey the leading of His Spirit. Expect to see upgrades in relationships! There is an upgrade to your perception – to see with His eyes and hear through His heart; God is causing these things to rise to the surface because there is a better and more fullfilling way. Trust Him….ask for wisdom; He will pour it out!
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (Jas 1:5 KJV)
The hidden is being revealed. We had to take a closer look at our Homeowners insurancepolicy because the rate skyrocketed. As it turned out, the small print of our old policy had an astronomical deductible for certain events. We were in such a hurried place three years ago that we didn’t even look closely at the policy. We upgraded to a new policy that is much more reasonable financially. What I hear the Lord saying in this is that things that have been overlooked or were hidden are being revealed, to bless you long term! Have faith in God in the midst of the process of dealing with the details; He is bringing upgrades!
New crowns. My husband and I both had to have crowns replaced. The old ones were leaky and some had deep decay. There is leakage in our spiritual life when we rely on our old ways – crowns of our own righteousness, rather than the crown of righteousness we have through Christ (2 Tim. 4:8). God is removing the crowns we wear that are based on our works and accomplishments, and the worldly/fleshly/soulish identity and value judgments we have of God and other people because of our old mindsets instilled by things we think we know or belief systems based on our experiences or cultural influences.
We are to wear the crown of Christ’s righteousness and have His righteousness be the basis of our new identity. Crowns are a symbol of authority and rule – our authority based on what Jesus has given us, and our rule is enforcing HIS rule. As kings and priests unto GOD (Rev. 1:6) this crown is a crown of holiness unto the Lord (Ex. 39:30), a pure crown of gold (Ps. 21:3) and of anointing (Lev. 21:12).
Another crown that we are given is one from laying hold of wisdom. There is wisdom in trusting in the Lord always, believing the testimonies of others who have overcome and stepping out in faith, believing God’s word and the principles found therein. There is a beautiful crown awaiting, and others laid up for those that persevere until Jesus returns.
"Wisdom [is] the principal thing; [therefore] get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee." (Pro 4:7-9 KJV)
Teeth represent sharpness and devouring power, according to Kevin J. Conner’s book, “Interpreting the Symbols and Types.” We are in a warfare and God is using all of our trials to make us sharper and better able to accurately wield His power!
"Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat [them] small, and shalt make the hills as chaff." (Isa 41:15 KJV)
I heard the Spirit of the Lord say, “I am removing your old crowns – the old that “looks good” and “feels right” but there is hidden decay – those things of the flesh – dead works, carnal mindsets, self motivated accomplishments wrought through fleshly and soulish striving to produce what is right in the world’s eyes. I am replacing all the old with the new – you shall receive My Kingdom crowns that are birthed and sustained by My Spirit through the finished work of My Son on the cross.”
A new day is upon us and God is doing a new thing. He has heard our prayers! He is getting rid of the old; the new things we are being “forced” to get are a reflection of this! Sometimes what seems irritating, distracting, is not the devil but God trying to bring the new to you – the blessing of improvement, upgrades! Look to Jesus and His finished work. Address every need by seeking God and staying in peace.
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding [and] eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen [are] temporary, but the things which are not seen [are] eternal." (2Co 4:17-18 NKJV)
Ask, “God, what are you doing; what is the outcome you desire in this?” Keep your eyes on Him, He wants to bless you!
"Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (Luk 12:32 KJV)
I heard the Spirit of the Lord say, “I am removing old patterns and mindsets, shifting your perspective. I am revealing the time-stealers in your life. I am sharpening your focus, awakening your spiritual senses. Receive a quickening in your spirit, an alertness to My presence as I release a fresh wind to remove the veil that has kept you from seeing what I am doing. You will sing a new song that is rising in your heart. I am stripping away what will not serve you, for I have great plans for you and there can be no self-reliance or pride. Look to Me and in Me abide, for when I return you will be by My side as My perfect and spotless Bride! I have written you into My eternal story; crowned you and clothed you in My righteousness and glory. Look to Me who makes all things new; abundant blessings are in store for you.”
"But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day." (Pro 4:18 ESV)
Alane Haynes
July 12, 2023