The Process
Many of us are feeling the trials of our current times and can obviously see with our natural eyes that there is a definite change in the world’s atmosphere and can maybe even since in the Spirit a new age dawning. But, if you are not careful, and let yourself get too caught up in the river of ciaos that’s picking up speed, then you’ll miss the true picture of what’s going on here and possibly miss out on the benefits of the process that’s taking place around us and in us. See, some people are in the river moving with the current of the world and some people are jumping in and even resting in the boat that is anchored to the rock. Many times I pray to see things the way Father God is seeing them because I know that His view of the battlefield is much better than mine and His understanding of the enemy army is much “much” wiser and more informed than mine. The fact is, that God sees all and knows all and is the Creator of all things. He is on His throne and He is in charge.
So I find myself asking, “what do I need to understand about the season I am in, in order to obtain the growth Father God is looking for in me, in this season?” And the answer I begin to see forming in my Spirit is that it’s the “results” of the process itself that is anticipated by Father. It takes the tumbling of running water to make a river stone smooth. It takes the pressure on the rock to form the jewel. It takes the grooming of the person to prepare and arm and produce the soldier. There is process that must take place in order to form something new.
*James 5:7-9 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!
Paul even speaks of infirmity, allowed by God to buffet him, to keep him rightly focused on his Provider (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). To see if the process is effective in our lives we must examine the results. Like checking your grades after a test.
*2Corinthians 13:5-6 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless indeed you are disqualified. But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.
So when you feel threatened, how do you respond? When someone pushes you, what character comes to the surface, one aligned with the nature of Jesus or with the nature of satan? Do your words destroy or are they rivers of living water? Do you jump forward into the storm or lean back and rest in His Spirit, then move forward within His protection?
*Ephesians 5:8-14 For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
*1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
The goal is to have your focus right to succeed. Looking to Father God for all your needs, allowing Jesus to guide your steps through this season, as He shines light on the path before you. It’s time to awake you saints of God! Get into God’s word with a renewed hunger for His fresh revelation and arm yourselves. Learn to accurately wield the sword (word of God) to bring increase in the kingdom of God by destroying the works of the enemy without hurting the people. We have to take our focus off ourselves and off worldly things and put our focus on Jesus and what He is doing in this season. There is a spiritual war rising up and warriors are rising up on both sides of the battlefield, but many are the unprepared victims of the enemy. When you examine yourself, where do you stand and what are you going to do about it? Faith in God requires action!
*James 2 14-17 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the tings which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
*Jeremiah 29:13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
*Matthew 7:7 ask, and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock, and it will be opened to you.
We must allow God’s process to have its perfect effect on our lives. It doesn’t feel good at times, and it involves stretching, and purging, and sifting, and purification, and molding and shaping, but it is necessary to obtain the intended results and to prepare us for our heavenly home. Having the right focus and standing in faith in God is the key because I will assure you He is up to something and I personally want to be in on what He is doing. These are words I saw posted recently and I’m not sure of the writer of them but found them worth sharing: “Faith is having the courage to let God have complete control”, and I say Amen. Go forth in faith saints of God!
*1 Peter 3:13-17 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
*1 Peter 4:12-17 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evil-doer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?
*1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
*James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
* Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heats and minds through Christ Jesus.
I love you all and hope these words encourage you through the season we are in!
Scharlotte Celestine
