The PROCESS

The PROCESS. THINGS YOU MUST DO BEFORE YOU GET THE PROMISE At that time the lord said to Joshua, “make for yourself flint knives and circumcise again the sons of Israel the second time.” Joshua 5.2.

introduction. The bible is like a treasure chest that is full of immense riches, but the treasure inside is made up of god's promises rather than money, gold, or jewels .The book of second Peter 1:3-4 tells us, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires”. God has given you these great and precious promises through Christ so you can have everything you need to live a successful and victorious Christian life. You need to know what God has promised in addition to trusting Him. What has been promised to you but which you are unaware of, you cannot obtain. God makes His promises in His word. You should now realize and be more appreciative of the fact that the infinite did not wait for you to achieve a specific position or rank before He offered you the promise. He even confirmed His work in you before waiting for you to cease doing something or begin something . You now have a greater understanding that the talents and calling of God are indeed irrevocable, however, the Father revealed His promise to you (Romans 11:29). Your talent wanes. For instance, I have met people who had excellent singing voices, but their singing skill was lost and eliminated as a result of years of abusing their bodies or as a result of sickness or disease. Your spiritual gift, however, as well as God's invitation, cannot be taken away. The Bible implies that He hasn't changed His mind. It's not God's intention to withhold His promises from you. God has made promises for you, in reality ..

The Bible has countless promises that are simply waiting for you to claim them. The assurance of comfort, happiness, safety, guidance, provision, favor, deliverance, assistance, hope, and much more . A promise is just as reliable as the person making it. If someone promised you a million dollars but didn't have any money and wasn't the most trustworthy person, you wouldn't expect them to keep their word. You wouldn't put your trust in that individual to keep their word. The good news is that God is trustworthy and capable of carrying out what He has promised. Are you eagerly anticipating the fulfillment of the Father's promise? Do you think about it when you sit down to eat? Do you spend the entire night praying and thinking about it happening? Have you given the promise in your heart any thought, like Yahushua’s mother Mary did? You might have started to hold your views to yourself out of concern for how other people would react to you. DO YOU HAVE a copy? Or is your mind still clouded by mist? If you have the vision, hold on to it. Allow it to ignite your faith. Trust that the promise of ALMIGHTY GOD will come to pass. You're about to make a breakthrough right now. On the verge of exhilaration, you are. You are prepared to witness this magnificent manifestation. You are, in fact, eagerly anticipating new beginnings as you wait for your blessing and harvest. Like Abraham, God has allowed you to preview what He has promised you, and you gladly receive and accept this great gift of promise that He has made, eagerly expecting it to be fulfilled. In dealing with the process of obtaining the promise, we must be more assiduous in our presentation. Contrary to our belief, there are certain things that we must do before we see the manifestation of God’s promise. To begin this segment, we will look at the Abrahamic covenant, which has lasted through the annals of time..

This covenant has extended unto this present age and will last until the Yahushua returns. This promise or agreement was to make Abraham the father of many nations, hence the changing his name from Abram to Abraham. The LORD promised to make him exceedingly fruitful and that nations and kings would come from him. ELOHIYM made an everlasting covenant and promised lasting possessions. Ultimately, the Father decreed that He would be a God to Abraham and his descendants. Remember the principles. God made an everlasting covenant with Abraham. Just as the great “let there be” commands in Genesis chapter one, YAHUAH’s covenant with Abraham is everlasting. Abraham lived more than 400 years before Moses and the law. His promise went down through the chronicles of times, from Abraham to Isaac, to Jacob, to the children of Israel, to you, to me, and to the generations to come. It is this association that blesses us. God also made a promise to the earth that He will give His Son so that He can save the world from sin. Dr. Myles Munroe once stated, “God is sovereign until He speaks.” The sovereignty of God epitomizes His ability to exercise His will or authority. However, when God speaks, His word becomes law. For this reason, He reports in Isaiah 55:11 , “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” God’s word is His command, and He never alters His commands. Yahushua tells us in Matthew 5:17 that He didn’t come to destroy the law but to fulfill it. The Father’s word is His bond. Once He decrees a thing, it must come to pass. Several years ago, the LORD ministered to me as I was praying concerning a particular promise, He had revealed to me. I prayed for years, asking Him when He would do this thing that He had shown. I understood the magnitude of it and did not want it for myself but His name’s sake..

I even felt like I would rather just die if I could not do what He had shown me. Afterward, He informed me that I was not yet ready for the fulfillment of His promise. Needless to say, I was floored by His revelation. I found myself not believing Him. I was ready. His promise was all I could think about. I could sense its closeness. What was I supposed to do? I had faith. I reached up when the preacher would say, “Reach up and get it.” I danced for 25 seconds for it. I ran around the church for it. I took three steps into it. It was prophesied that I would get it. I sowed the seed to get it. I did everything church folk were told. The Father told me as I prayed that morning that I was not ready. At that time, He instructed me to tell His Body that many of us are awaiting His promise, but we have not yet prepared ourselves to receive from Him. The Father told me as I prayed that morning that I was not ready. At that time, He instructed me to tell His Body that many of us are awaiting His promise, but we have not yet prepared ourselves to receive from Him. “My son, if thou wilt receives my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou cries after knowledge, and lifts thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path”. Proverbs 2: 1-9.

I began to search the scriptures because out of His mouth comes knowledge and understanding. Yahushua expressed it this way, in His conversation with Satan, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but by every word (Rhema, command) that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). I knew that in the Word of God, I would find the answer to how we are supposed to prepare ourselves because God is the God of Order. With the help of the Holy Spirit, I have found some interesting truths in the Word that are a major part of the process of preparing for the promise. Many of you can wrap your minds around, preparing for things from a natural stance. When my husband, Mark, sent me away from New Orleans when the threat of hurricane Katrina was upon us, my car was already prepared for the trip. Why? Because during the year he would ensure that my car was serviced, that the state-mandated tags were up to date, and every other function was intact. The gas tank was already filled with gasoline. He had already bought new tires to replace the ones with signs of wear and tear. I cannot tell you the number of vehicles that were stopped in the middle of the road, holding up traffic, because the owners of the vehicles were not prepared for the trip. If God made you a promise, He would ensure that you are spiritually prepared to be an effective witness in His plan. Now, there is an important aspect of our journey that many do not pay attention to. This is an area of our spiritual walk that separates the audacious from the cowardly. Many do not teach this, possibly because they believe it is archaic or not relevant. They dare not tread these waters. Instead, you are told that all you have to do is plant your seed and believe, not God, but believe that you will get the blessing of God..

All you need to do is name it, “call those things which be not as though they were” (Romans 4:17), or sow some seed to get it. Note that in Apostle Paul’s words, it is God who calls those things that be not as though they were. This is not to say that He has not empowered us to do the same. However, remember what we discussed in the previous chapter, whatever you bind or lose on earth must already have been bound or loosed in heaven. If we are calling things that are not in His Divine Will, is it any wonder why we have not seen those things manifested in our lives? God is not obligated to fulfill any promise except His own. Indeed, we want the promises from our Father to be fulfilled. We desire to work the works of Him who will send us and do great exploits in His name. We believe that we are equipped to go against all odds for the Kingdom’s sake. We have even experienced a foretaste of what is to come. He has allowed many of you to encounter, on a very small scale, the blessing He has in store for you. But what does He require of us?.

The PAINFUL. “This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: every male among you shall be circumcised.” Genesis 17:1.

Remember the principles? In Genesis, we saw that God had instructed Abraham to be circumcised and all of those (family and servants) who were in his household. This was to be a sign of God’s everlasting covenant with him. Let it be established that circumcision was not the covenant. It was only a symbol of the covenant that El Shaddai had made. Some believed that circumcision was indeed the covenant. Paul had to minister to the Jews and the Gentiles concerning this matter. Circumcision of the flesh does not make one righteous. It is one’s faith in God that makes one righteous. But do not miss this precept. God instituted circumcision for a purpose. It was a symbol of what took place between He and Abraham. It was a symbol of an eternal promise. It was a mark or a seal that identified Israel as a separate people. Exodus 4:24-25 records God’s displeasure with Moses because he did not circumcise his son Eliezer. The word of God clearly states that God sought to kill him. Many believe that God struck him with some illness. But the imperative of this information is that God will not allow His ordinances to be disregarded. God held Moses accountable for the arrangement of the covenant. Matthew Henry, in his Complete Commentary on the whole Bible notes:.

He (God) met him (Moses) probably by a sword in an angel’s hand and sought to kill him. This was a great change; Before this God was conversing with him and lodging a trust in him, as a friend; and now he is coming forth against him as an enemy. Omissions are sins, and must come into judgment, particularly the contempt and neglect of the seals of the covenant; for it is a sign that we undervalue the promises of the covenant, and are displeased with its conditions of it. He that has made a bargain, and is not willing to seal and ratify it, one may justly suspect, neither like it nor designs to stand to it. God takes notice of and is much displeased with, the sins of his people. If they neglect their duty, let them expect to hear of it by their consciences, and perhaps to feel from it by cross providences: for this cause, many are sick and weak, as some think Moses was here. God would not have made circumcision a requirement if it were for naught. The precepts of God must be adhered to. When His commands are not upheld, He will respond. Note Brother Henry’s comment; omissions are sins. Moses was guilty of the sin of omission. Dr. Myles Monroe has rightly stated that many Christians are sincere, but they are sincerely wrong. Unfortunately, we have not searched God’s word diligently enough to know His perfect will. Therefore, we only end up prolonging the process. To further my point, let us look at Israel. The ceremonial procedure of circumcision was in effect while they were in Egyptian bondage. Joshua recorded that “all the people who came out (of Egypt) were circumcised” (Joshua 5:5). However, this evidence in the flesh revealed that they were separated from God and were neglected during the wilderness wandering ..

The babies that were born during the wilderness experience were not circumcised as per God’s instruction to Abraham. This neglect was such a big deal to God that He called it a reproach because they did not continue to observe the covenant. Their action became a disgrace. Even though God’s precepts went unobserved with the birth of the new generation, He still made provision for them. These Israelis were not operating according to the statutes that God had established, yet He took care of them. He still led them by a pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night. He was feeding them manna and quail. Their shoes never wore out. He kept their parents alive for forty years, long enough to nurture them and bring them up in the admonition of YAHUAH so that they could inherit the Promise. God has made you a promise. In doing so, He is looking beyond your faults and into the future, seeing what it is that He wills to be done on earth. You are well aware of the provisions that God has made for you. You would not be alive today if it were not for His mighty hand. He has sustained you. Therefore, you must have the great expectation that the promise of God is coming to pass. Unfortunately, this is the avenue where so many of the saints reside. We know that He is YAHUAH YIREH; His provision shall be seen to bring the promise to pass. We rely heavily on His grace and His mercy, as we should. We are sincere in our hearts, and in our minds, we believe God. We know that what He has said is what He will do because of His goodness and provision. “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he has spoken, and shall he not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19)..

Many sermons are delivered today to take you up to this point, but despite their best efforts, they fall short of helping you accept the Father's best. God is a Promise Keeper, so you should have faith that He will fulfill His great promise to you. You are warned that if you plant a seed, God will fulfill his promise to you. Many of you have sown much for many years, and God still has not brought His promise into culmination. Please know that I am not condemning sowing seed, remember chapter one? But for many of you, like me, you have left those fired-up church meetings, feeling energized and full of faith after you have sown your seed, only to wind up on the perpetual Ferris wheel of expectancy because you know that God has something magnificent for you. But you are unable to attain it. You pray and ask God when He will open up the door so you can move into your miracle. God is still providing for you just as He did for the new generation, but like them, you have not stepped into His Divine will. Why is there no connection between the promise revealed and the promise fulfilled? I believe that the solution to this query can be found in the Biblical records of Joshua (Yahushua)..

The PROCESS. “So, Joshua made himself flint knives and circumcised the sons of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth.” Joshua 5:3.

The Hebrew word for "rock" or "sharp stone" is "flint knife". Is it not intriguing that YAHUAH would tell Joshua (Yahushua) to get his circumcision done with a rock? The Rock of our salvation is Yahushua Ha'Mashiach, our LORD and Savior. It should be noted that using a rock as a surgical instrument has happened before. Remember how Zipporah, Moses' wife, circumcised their son Eliezer with a stone? (Exodus 4:25). The Apostle John tells us that Yahushua, our Savior, is the Word. He states, “In the beginning was the Word (logos)…and the Word (logos) became flesh (John 1:1, 14)”. AMG International, Inc., THE HEBREW-GREEK KEYWORD STUDY BIBLE (NAS), Lexical Aids To the Old Testament, 1984 and 1990. The writer of the book of Hebrews shared, “For the word (logos) of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). Zipporah and Joshua made knives of stone, HalleluYAH! Only the Rock, only the Stone, only the Word, only YAHUSHA can get in so deep and cut not only the flesh but the soul and the spirit. Surgical instruments can only do so much. They can only cut the flesh, but they cannot get into the intents of our hearts. When we allow Yahushua to infiltrate our lives totally, He will judge our thoughts and cause us to walk uprightly before our Father, which is in heaven. Adam Clarke says this of Yahushua the Messiah in The Adam Clarke Commentary..

He sees all things, knows all things, penetrates all things, and can do all things. He is the ruler of the heart and can turn it where he pleases. He enlightens the soul, and calls it gently and efficaciously, when and how He wills. This, my beloved, is how you were selected for the promise. In Philippians 2:13 (Cipher) we find these words, “For it is ELOHIYM who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure”..

The Process. Joshua named the place where they were circumcised Gibeath-haaraloth, the Hill of the Foreskins..

Can you imagine a hill of bloody flesh? Someone has observed that God instructed Joshua to cut the men in their most personal, private, and productive place. In Hebrew, Gibeath is translated as a hill, and Haraloth is translated as the foreskin. In focusing on the latter portion of this word Haaraloth , we find that the etymological meaning is more descript than that of the aforementioned. It means exposed. It has the connotation that something is loosely projected. It is not curtailed and is therefore unconsecrated. The essential object here is that we live consecrated, sanctified, or set apart lives. In looking at the children of Israel, we see the prime example of a people set apart for God to exhibit His glory through them. This is the purpose of consecration so that ABBA can display His glory in the Believer’s life. The Israelites were to be a special and distinct nation. He chose them, just as He has chosen you. It may be an option for one who has not been chosen by Him, for “many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). The life of the chosen is a different kind of life. You must operate on a different level or at a higher frequency. Embrace the difference. It does not mean that you are better than anyone else, but your mission is a different mission. In the armed forces and the federal government, there are all kinds of positions. Some require a special kind of clearance because they are allowed to go into certain areas off limits to the general population. In contrast, others work daily without ever needing access to these special areas. However, each employee or staff must qualify for the position they hold. Contrary to popular teaching, all are not equal in the Kingdom of YAHUAH. However, all Believers must be given to the study of the Word and available to the Spirit. As God’s elect, consecration is not an option..

Spending time alone with Him is the best thing that we could ever do for our spiritual life. The time spent in prayer and study, coupled with our endeavor to know Him as He knows us, is imperative This will create a dynamic love relationship that shows the Father that we can be trusted with His promise. Yahushua is our Perfect example. Scripture reveals that He would always leave the crowd and the disciples to be with the Father. This is more than just driving and talking to Him. It goes beyond saying a prayer while lying in bed before going to sleep. It exceeds just talking to Him while in the shower; a relationship requires more than that. Consecrating time to be in the LORD’s presence is a necessary and critical component of building a relationship. You must learn to worship Him! From scriptures, we find many cases where the chosen ones spent time in caves or mountains and even in the wilderness. It seems to me that times of serenity are a prerequisite in the life of the chosen. Moses went to the mountaintop several times. Elijah was in the cleft of a rock. David spent time in the fields alone with God, and later in his life, he went into the cave of Adullam. Contrary to what we have been taught, God took the children of Israel on a 38-year funeral march. You often hear that they spent 40 years in the wilderness, and they did. However, two of those years were spent at Mount Sinai, where they began to get a better understanding of YAHUAH. This was needful because, for 430 years, they were in bondage, being exposed to the pagan gods of Egypt. This is why they were so quick to erect the golden calf (Exodus 32) . For you to be an effective witness to God by way of His promise to you, you must get a better understanding of Him. Preaching and teaching alone cannot do this for you..

Only quality time with Him can accomplish this. God wants you to know Him better. But the first step to possessing God promises to find as many scriptures as you can that promise what you need. Then begin sowing (reading, meditating, listening to) those scriptures into your heart. He desires that you diligently seek Him. I challenge you to go deeper in your relationship..

The ProcesS. Now it came about when they had finished circumcising all the nation that they remained in their places in the camp until they were healed . Joshua 5:8.

Since the Bible indicates that healing is a part of the reason for our Lord’s sufferings, and is inseparable from the idea of salvation, we must assume that it is as much God’s will to heal you as it is to save you! And of course, we know that the Lord wants everyone to be saved 2 Peter 3:9 says “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance”. Following circumcision, the Israelites had to go through a healing procedure. Some of you are in the healing process right now. You don't like how the Father is attempting to develop you. You don't believe God is fulfilling His promise as a result. You risk becoming cynical if you don't use prudence in this emotional area. I implore you to be aware of this attitude and realize that just because something hasn't happened yet, it doesn't necessarily mean it won't. For many years I worked in ministry, and I knew I had been called to do so much more than I was doing. I worked diligently and faithfully, assisting the pastors to achieve their dreams and vision. But there were times when my heart was extremely heavy. We were taught that God rewards faithfulness, so I desired to know when the LORD was going to reward me? I had sacrificed so much for the ministry and began to think “Ministry” takes much and gives so little in return. I discovered that I was expecting the ministry leaders to make room for me during that difficult time. However, when this did not occur, I felt disappointed and at times secretly enraged because I believed they were aware of God's calling on my life but purposefully prevented me from using my spiritual gifts. Only God is aware of the truth or falsity of this. The enemy, however, took advantage of this propensity and persuaded me that I was being overlooked on purpose and that my gifts were being ignored. I now respect and honor the fact that the leaders did not call me, something I did not comprehend back then. It was not their responsibility to help me in any way..

To those who want to give up or quit because things are not going the way you think they should, I have some suggestions. Just keep going! I never stopped working throughout those difficult times. I kept it going even though I was the walking wounded, silent suffering, and even the walking dead since I was dying within. I would beg God to take me away, to send me wherever outside of the country. He sent me this word from Joshua 5:9 as I asked for advice: "The children of Israel remained in their seats in that camp until they were cured." No matter how I cried, He would not move me. I wore many masks in those days, but I had to remain in my place in the camp where I had been cut until I was healed. Many were released by the Father to go to other ministries, and some even started their own. Some left and tried to take me with them. But there I remained, wandering rebelliously and meandering on the outskirts of the camp. At that moment, I knew what it meant to be so close to something and yet be so far away. Years ago, I had to have surgery. After the surgery, the doctors made sure that all of my vitals were normal before they released me. I was sent home to recover and continue the healing process. I could not drive or go to the grocer. I could barely walk for a few days. All journeys were canceled. I had to go back to where I initially discovered my abnormalities to complete the healing process. The Father has a way of healing you right in the place where the pain was inflicted. Healing is a process. It took me many years. But during my emotional ordeal, I never stopped consecrating. During those days, I constantly poured myself out before the LORD. I had to always minister to and encourage myself..

However, even in those dark days, He would send me a prophet or someone with an uplifting Spirit-filled word. Perhaps many of you have encountered hardships in life and ministry. Your heart has been broken. You have been misunderstood and even taken advantage of. Your heart has been broken. You have been misunderstood and even taken advantage of. Perhaps your family and friends have not embraced your gift, abilities, and talents. They cannot see the promise of the business or the ministry work that has been prophesied over you. If your God-given gifts have been accepted and you have a support system, then you are BLESSED. Whatever categories you may find yourself remember ELOHIYM made you a promise. It takes being overlooked and being mistreated sometimes to appreciate and cherish the Father and what He has for you. In His infinite wisdom, He uses malicious and even evil things to develop our character. It is said that there is no blessing without a break, no crown without a cross, and there is no gain without pain. The Hebrew word for healed in Joshua 5:8 means ‘to be revived.’ It also means ‘to enjoy life and live anew’. Many of you are frustrated to no end because you have prayed and you have believed the LORD, but seemingly to no avail. You feel you aren’t getting closer to the promises of God. At this point, you must do as Abraham did. Believe that you are on the threshold of seeing the manifestation of your miracle. Trust the LORD with all of your heart and do not lean or trust your understanding, despite what you see. God has appointed this time of healing for “the eyes of your understanding [heart] to be enlightened [flooded with light].”.

It is not until a seed is buried that it is in the right posture to grow. You shall see the goodness of the LORD! There will be a revival! You will experience an abundance of joy and newness in life. I am a firm believer that when the word of the LORD comes to you, and you receive it heartily, your world will begin to turn right side up. This is the purpose of this book. You must receive divine enlightenment for Him to thrust you into the promise. Remain in the camp. Receive God’s healing. Allow Him to revive and restore your soul and spirit. The Father has ordained these events in your life for His ultimate purpose of conforming you into the image of His dear Son. Remember the principles. It was not until the new generation of Israelites was circumcised that they received the promise of God. David had to go through drama with Saul for many years before he was crowned the second king of the commonwealth of Israel. Yahushua had to suffer much pain and persecution before He was resurrected with All Power. Even the children of Israelites suffered in the land of Egypt before they receive their healing and eventually emancipate themselves from the shackles of slavery. So, allow the LORD to process you. In conclusion, Life is full of processes, and to achieve great things, you must go through them. This is also true of God's ways; before a man may receive the promise made to him through our Lord, he must go through a process. There are several things you need to do before you can receive the promise, but one of the most crucial is to understand who God is because it is crucial to your faith. Be patient with God and follow His instructions..

Endnotes.

Pastor Bruce Edward, Promises of God , https://www.breakthroughforyou.com/obtaining-the-promises-of-god/.

http://classic.studylight.org/isb/view.cgi?number=02421.