PROCESS:

The dictionary definition is : “Noun form: a systematic series of actions directed to some end: to devise a process for homogenizing milk.  A continuous action, operation, or series of changes taking place in a definite manner: the process of decay.

Law.

1. the summons, mandate, or writ by which a defendant or thing is brought before court for litigation.
2. the whole course of the proceedings in an action at law.

verb (used with object): to treat or prepare by some particular series of actions, as in manufacturing.  To handle (papers, records, etc.) by systematically organizing them, recording or making notations on them, following up with appropriate action, or the like: to process mail.”

My working definition, when used as a noun, names a THING we recognize as a progressive event that involves regular intervals of change until the progress is halted at a place where no more changes are forthcoming.

In searching the word ‘process’ on Biblegateway.com website (KJV) it only provided 5 references and each reference used the word in this phrase: “in the process of time” and lays the strong groundwork to conclude time is a factor in progress requiring process.  We are quite familiar with the processes of time.  We get sick, we take medicine, a certain process is introduced whereby the medicine begins a series of chemical changes in our bodies fighting the disease or symptoms experienced.  We may look for quick and effective relief from a pill, an inoculation, an infusion or physical adjustment.  We are assumed to have enough sense about us to know that is but the beginning of ‘process’.

            Process requires time, that requires a thing we hate called waiting and waiting often (if not always) requires patience.  As believers and students of the Word of God we hesitate to ever pray for patience.  At least if we have ever read this: “Romans 5:2-4 King James Version: ² By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  ³ And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; ⁴ And patience, experience; and experience, hope:” Yep, there is PROCESS to our acquiring patience, and it is a process that disturbs our ‘comfort’.  Let me share with you God’s little secret: YOU NEED NOT PRAY FOR PATIENCE!  The troubling aspect of tribulation is something we must endure if we are to exist, physically, in this fallen world.  The very nature of man born of the seed of their predecessor males is sinful.  We have no escape for that.  Jesus and Adam were the ONLY males coming into existence with no nature to sin.  Adam acquired his sin nature as the direct result of falling away and out of faith with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  That act of re-directing his trust from a Word from God to the lying, deceitful and manipulative word coming through that crafty serpent had an immediate result. This set up a process of decay, physically, perfectly consistent with the Word God gave Adam with regard to that deadly fruit.  If Adam had not fallen from trusting God’s Word to him – but why speculate since Adam’s ‘fall’ was foreseen by God.  Further, the result and the processes set up by Adam’s ‘fall’ did not defeat God’s plans, purposes and designs for Adam.  God provided for that which He saw beforehand.  GRACE, as spelled out in the prophecies and typology found in the Old Covenant (Testament) were brought to manifestation and in explicit detail in the New Covenant (Testament) was the provision God designed BEFORE THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE EARTH.

            Now that we have grace we have the end of the matter – right?  RIGHT!  But not without ‘process’.  We rejoice in His provision of grace which enables our faith, but we also rejoice in ‘that tribulation that works patience’.  Like it or not, patience is a desired outcome, a necessity of ‘process’ and vastly exceeds mere ‘virtue’.  Patience is an essential to faith, essential to our warfare which is fought with weapons that are so spiritually effective they pull down strongholds.  Battles, warfare, conflict and standing against any enemy are always lost by the impatient.

            Often, we pray motivated by our strong desire for immediate resolution.  Health issues are extremely critical as matters of prayer, matters of warfare and matters demanding a stand.  The battle is waged when we recognize and acknowledge what God has already provided for healing and health as it is opposed by circumstances and afflictions not easily and readily removed from us or a loved one.  I happen to be a proponent of a belief system labeled ‘Word of Faith’ by those who preach it.  But I find, in my own journey, there are divided approaches to how to operate in ‘faith’ regarding stubborn illnesses and/or afflictions.

            Since about 2008 my wife began to show signs of memory issues which progressed into slight cognitive impairments.  After progressing to more severe displays of both we went to a neurologist to see if there was medication that would stop or slow the progression.  He diagnosed her with Alzheimer’s.  He prescribed some medication that has been successful in slowing the progression of this disease. During this time, we were members of a Church that was not as demonstrative in many areas of worship as we wanted.  We did not have liberty to leave this Church but found another Church with a Saturday evening service which gave us opportunity for the expression(s) we hungered for.  At the conclusion of one of those services at this large ‘Word of Faith’ type Church, we went to a room where they were praying for healing.  I described why we were there and the counselor/minister prayed over us both.  After a couple of months, we returned to the room for more prayer.  We were greeted by the same gentleman who prayed over us previously.  He indicated that to pray again we would be engaging in unbelief that the previous prayer had no effect.  In other words, we got one shot at it and shouldn’t bring it up again.  I did not totally disagree with his statement, but I also knew he was missing the element of continuing in prayer for a matter DURING PROCESS toward manifest victory.

            Our individual AND our corporate spiritual growth and advancement are prime examples of this matter of process.  A particular scripture comes to mind involving our growing up in Christ – our maturation process.  I John 1:9 declares: “If we confess our sins God is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  Like referring to a trillion dollars, if you say it fast enough much of the impact is lost.  Same is true of this verse.  This is easy and quick to quote but if we understand it correctly it is saying this: “If we confess our sins (come into complete agreement with the sinful way we live as revealed to us by His Holy Spirit then HE will faithfully and justifiably trigger in us the forgiveness already established by Jesus on the cross and to wash us completely clean in the PROCESS.  And this exercise of confessing our sinfulness is only possible when the Holy Spirit has convicted us of SIN AND of RIGHTEOUSNESS AND of JUDGMENT.  But I maintain there is always an immediate peace that comes from being clean before God but is only the beginning of a process to complete what is started.

            Consider this: Many of us grew up in our spiritual walk being familiar with ‘revival’ services over the protracted period of one or two weeks.  Inevitably these services would bring many to faith in Christ and bring the faithful to repent of sins.  The former we termed were ‘saved’.  The latter experience we often called a ‘rededication’.  Either way there would occur expectations in the newly redeemed or freshly rededicated a brief period of time when life would smooth out and there would be fewer and less severe manifestations of sinful behavior.  But suddenly we would be some mean old incident occur and we would respond by yelling at people or using language we knew we shouldn’t and might even result in our kicking the dog.  Coming right about the time we gave our lives over to God to process His nature in us we would assess that outbreak and we would be flooded with doubt of our ability to keep our commitment to God.  RIGHT THERE – THAT IS THE ISSUE!  We don’t grow by our ability to keep a vow.  We grow through the processes whereby God reveals to us what is deeply embedded in our soul and yield ourselves to Him to complete His cleansing process by showing us what it is and showing us what He has done to cure us from it (cleansing us).

            That is enough to chew on for now but look for an upcoming blog article entitled ‘FORGIVENESS: THE ESSENTIAL POINT OF BEGINNING’.  Look forward to your visit then.