Get Ready For Increase
The Lord is speaking. He is saying, “Get ready for increase!”
Blessing, increase, and prosperity are at the foundation of God’s heart for you as His child. The Apostle John prayed, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things, and be in health, just as your soul prospers (3 John 3).
In his own words, John was repeating the blessing that God spoke from the very dawn of creation. It indicated His original intent towards mankind. It was to be a testimony of His kingdom coming to earth:
“Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth’” (Genesis 1:28).
Blessing means: increase, fruitfulness, multiplication, prosperity, and victory over your enemies.
The area of battle you are experiencing is pointing to the area of victory you will also experience! The battle that is raging over your finances, your health, your relationship, and your ministry is to be the very place where the enemy will stay on his belly eating dust, as God Himself prophesied over him in Genesis 3:14.
Our Portion from God: Favor, Increase, Prosperity
Joseph’s life is a powerful picture of the goodness and favor of God in the midst of very trying and sometimes confusing circumstances. He was taken to Egypt after being thrown into a pit and left to die by his jealous brothers. Taken from a father who loved and doted on him, Joseph was now serving as a slave in the house of Potiphar, Pharaoh’s captain of the guard (Genesis 39:2). However, the word states that “the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man.”
His master saw that “the Lord was with him and made all he did to prosper in his hand.” So he made Joseph an overseer of his house and gave Joseph authority over all that he had. The Lord blessed the Egyptian leader’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field.
Now, that’s favor!
However, the favor seemed threatened due to a lie spoken about Joseph by Potiphar’s wife which resulted in his prison sentence. Can you imagine Joseph’s confusion and discouragement as he is cast into prison? First, a pit, next, favor, and a place in the master’s house, and now branded a criminal!
Yet the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. Whatever Joseph did, the Lord made it prosper (Genesis 39:21, 23). Joseph went from being a successful slave to a prosperous prisoner.
Joseph Changed Garments
Joseph had now been in prison for two full years when God gave Pharaoh a dream regarding coming events that were about to unfold in the land of Egypt. He sent for Joseph to interpret the dream. They brought Joseph quickly out of the dungeon.
Joseph changed his clothing before appearing in front of Pharaoh. This man who had gone from wearing the prized coat of many colors to prison rags is now changing his garment once again, signifying a chance is coming in his life because of the favor of God.
Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream revealed that seven years of plenty and seven years of famine were coming. The famine would be so severe that the land would be depleted. Once again, Pharaoh realized he had no leader as discerning and wise as Joseph, and , in preparation for what was to come, Pharaoh set Joseph over all the land of Egypt (Genesis 41:41).
Pharaoh took his signet ring and put it on Joseph’s hand, and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.
Joseph went from rags to riches in one day!
Each change of garment signified the ongoing work of God in his life, and the testimony of God’s favor in the midst of some very distressing situations.
The Favor of God is on You
Though you may not understand your current situation, the testimony of Joseph’s life is reason enough for you to take another step in believing the goodness of God. Shake off discouragement and disillusionment. Just as God made Joseph a successful and prosperous man, so He wants to show those around you His hand of favor on your life.
Psalm 1:3 speaks of the blessings of the righteous: “He shall be like a tree, planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.”
God meant it all for good in Joseph’s life. He is bringing good out of everything that has touched your life.
Get ready for a change of garment.
Get ready for favor and blessing.
Get ready for increase.
Increase, OH YES! My area team was blessed with increase during the exact timeframe Jane gave this “Get ready for increase” message. I share this to encourage other Aglow leaders and teams. Here is the story: in late Spring the Area Leaders Digest came out. Our U.S. Director discussed it with us during a conference call and particularly spoke of our alignment, as leaders and teams, with the ministry of Aglow. I shared that with our VP Finance who pointed out that though we regularly tithe and give to Aglow Int’l on our own Area finances, we had not done so for the finances we manage for a few Lighthouse Teams. We were very compelled from that point to be fully in alignment by July 1st, so we notified the Lighthouses that we would be sending their tithes in and explained why. One week later we received a $2,000 gift for our Aglow Area Team AND in that same week, God confirmed a second new leader to our Area Team! We do not take these blessings for granted and believe they are certainly linked to our choice and actions to FULLY align and we also fully believe with this increase comes with great responsibility to follow God’s plans for Aglow in Northern/NE Anchorage Bowl Alaska, Amen!
Yes, we read the boy Samuel grew and needed new garments each year.
1 Samuel Chpt 2 V18}The boy Samuel served the LORD and wore a special linen garment.
19}the clothes his mother made for him. She would bring new clothes every year.
Samuel grow in age and stature, but also in Wisdom and Goodness….
in the presence of God!
Let’s picture Samuel growing in his relationship with Father God and needing new garments each year. Are we ready for New Coats?
What a wonderful message and a blessing. As we are preparing for our 2011 Retreat, I continued to hear the two words “Get Ready” in my spirit. When we met as a team, we discussed it and felt that this is the direction we are to go in. We do not know what it all looks like yet, but when your message came through…what an awesome confirmation!! When the Lord speaks, “He” does see ahead and our obedience to follow His voice (the sound) carries us into the transition He has for us (and it is always good, although somewhat uncomfortable at the time). Following His sound, is always an adventure!! God Bless You.
Thank you for the good words…they speak in my life. Be blessd from Germany.
我真的很感到被神寵愛,將我放在Aglow這個適當的位置去學習成長,因天父知道那個土壤才切合,是度身訂造的啊!約瑟不同階段的生命衣,也是天父爸爸給他的(愛的衣裳),同樣,我要為著屬我的(愛的衣裳),我要凡事謝恩,擁抱它!如在以賽亞書59:19說,因為仇敵好像急流的河水沖來，是耶和華之氣所驅逐的。仇敵只扮作急流的河水沖來,去威嚇我們,叫我們怕了牠,牠不能創造的,只有耶和華的氣使水泛起去提升我們,為的是與父神的期望水位一致!我們的船要起行啦!哈利路亞! From Hong Kong China
I have felt like I’ve been in a similar situation at work. Of course, NOTHING like Joseph but similar in that I was treated unfairly and then I was blessed with favor and financial reward. Recently, lies were told about me which caused an uncomfortable work environment and loss of favor. It has been important that I not lose focus on praying for the salvation of my co-workers who do not know the Lord. Joseph’s faith is an example for me to remember God’s faithfulness and not become distracted but continue in expectant prayer.
Thank you Lord..a word in season …like apples of gold in settings of silver
I am reminded of the Prayer of Jabez. Getting ready means that we must ask and seek the blessings of the Lord, so that we are able to recognize the garment that He has made ready for us. Mentally we must be prepared to remove the rags that have clung to us for too long, so that we are able to function in the authority that the new robes signify. Joseph never really accepted the identity of his prison clothing, because he once wore his father’s favor. We must all know that we are all favored of the Lord, our Father in heaven. He wants to lavish us with His blessings, and He wants us all to seek His loving face as we ask for more of the Lord.
Thanks for the word, Jane.
We recently had a retreat. The theme was “Who Is This King of Glory”, The warfare was so intense prior and even some during. However, the King of Glory showed up in a powerful way. As a result three lighthouses will be birthed. One being a Men’s Lighthouse. This word bears witness with my spirit. Jane you are our leader and God speaks through you. Yes you are right we should all get ready for Increase as we launch out into the deep. This was Terry Tripps word for the Aglow leaders at the Retreat. LAUNCH OUT!! We are possesing and occupying as we launch out to see a Lighthouse in every city of Broward and Dade County!!! Praise God for your leadership and wisdom!!!
Thank you for this encouraging word. I think one of the key elements of this blog is the “get ready” admonition at the end. Part of getting ready is a willingness to change. Another part is strengthening our relationship in the Lord and trust in God’s word to us. Also, as Joseph, we should be confident enough in the Holy Spirit to speak boldly when the time comes. These are some things that get us ready for increase. Then, as we carry out the Lord’s instructions, we will have the wisdom to walk in the favor, blessing and increase He provides.
What a great word!
Am going to meditate on the Changing Garments – seems to me there’s a really rich teaching hidden there. It’s what I am experiencing right now – only I didn’t have a name for it – now I know I am in the process of Changing Garments!
Bless you Jane for your faithfulness in bringing a word to sustain the weary.
Very encouraging. Very real. Very true. Hi from Australia.