Sunday, October 29, 2017

YOUR LONG, BORING, ROUTINE PROCESS HAS A PURPOSE!





PROCESS WITH A PURPOSE
“….I PRESS toward the mark for the prize of the HIGH CALLING of God in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 3:14 KJV).



We have learned that a routine is a habitual, fixed behavior that is unvarying and usually repeated on a daily basis. Routines are rehearsed, typical, and performed so often they become dull, boring, and commonplace.  A routine is basically a personal set of instructions that direct daily and habitual behaviors.
Routine also allows skills, abilities, and self-discipline to develop in a safe, fairly stationary, and predictable place. Routine brings up words like dull, dismal, monotonous, boring, and repetitive. Routine can be inflexible, unexciting, constraining, unimaginable, obligatory, limiting, and often without spontaneity.
Some routines are on a schedule. A schedule helps keep routines on track and ensure certain tasks or procedures are done every single day. Without a schedule some routine tasks may never get done and could cause things to get chaotic, delayed, or backed-up.
Schedules give routine a little structure and help them run a lot smoother. When routine runs smooth life can appear more dependable or peaceful.
Scheduled routines keep life somewhat under control: You know what specific tasks need to be done every day. You can relax once you know essential tasks are complete.
For instance, make the bed, brush your teeth, take a shower, get dressed, fix breakfast, fix lunches, take kids to school, get to work on time, or take little Billy to soccer practice.
You can personally choose which task must be completed on any particular day and which ones can be put off for another day. You can procrastinate or you can totally redo the schedule of routine at your leisure.
Routine is practiced behaviors that you do so often; they become fixed, need little concentration, are considered normal, and are usually not very exciting.
Most of your life consists of routine days.  “…One person esteems one DAY above another; another esteems EVERY DAY alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.…” (ROMANS 14:5 KJV). “…This is the DAY which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it...” (PSALMS 118:24 KJV).
Routine is NOT usually exciting, yet routine is where every ongoing habit, ritual, or pattern of behavior started for you. Routine is where you learned to walk, talk, read, eat, dress, tie your shoes, brush your teeth, take a bath or shower, educate yourself, go to church, acquire manners, respect, discipline, or build relationships.
After doing these routine behaviors for so long they become part of your regular lifestyle. Routine behaviors turn into habits. Habits are hard to break, especially if you’ve done them for a long time or most of your life.
Routine becomes a miracle maker for all kinds of behavior. Routine can miraculously create new habits while destroying old ones. Routine can also miraculously develop and improve good habits or develop and increase bad habits.
Routine days, therefore, are a process with a purpose. For instance, it takes years of routine days of growing up before becoming an adult.  It takes years of routine days of educational classes before getting a diploma or a degree. It takes several weeks of routine days of exercising before getting fit. It takes nine months of routine days of waiting before the baby arrives.
When routine days are used to process the various purposes in life, habits are developed. If it takes years of routine days of educational classes before getting a diploma or a degree what other new habits can you develop? You could develop study habits, listening habits, learning habits, or discipline habits.
A desired lifestyle can evolve from routine days and eventually, be maintained with little effort, focus, or mental strain.
When God incorporates spiritual training, practice, shaping, conditioning, and molding into your daily routine new behavioral habits are developed and a Christlike lifestyle can emerge.
God allows LONG stretches of TIME to practice new behaviors in the daily routines of life in order to develop Christlike habits.
When routine days are used to PROCESS God’s PURPOSE in your life, spiritual habits are developed. “…GROW to maturity…” (2 Corinthians 13:11 NLT). …until Christ be formed in you…” (Galatians 4:19 KJV).
It takes days, weeks, months, or years of routine days infused with spiritual training, practice, shaping, conditioning, and molding before getting you matured for your CALLING in life. “…Let PATIENCE have its perfect work, that you may be perfect (mature) and complete, lacking nothing….” (James 1:2-4 KJV).
The calling on your life is a HIGH Calling. “…..and these whom He predestined, He also CALLED…” (Romans 8:30 NASB). It is a CALLING from God himself. “…The God of all grace, who HATH CALLED US …” (1 Peter 5:10 KJV). It is a heavenly CALLING. “…HE CALLED HIS OWN SHEEP BY NAME…” (Jude 10:3 KJV).
Jesus knew what his CALLING was. “….the Son of Man came not to be served but TO SERVE OTHERS and TO GIVE HIS LIFE as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28).
YOU are also CALLED. “….among whom you also are THE CALLED of Jesus Christ. “ (Romans 1:6 NASB). “….Whereunto HE CALLED YOU by our gospel…” (2 Thessalonians 2:14 KJV).
The PURPOSE of PROCESS is about the CALLING. “…I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection (maturity). But I PRESS ON to possess that PERFECTION (maturity) for which Christ Jesus first POSSESSED me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,  I PRESS ON to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Let all who are spiritually MATURE agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you.  But we must hold on to THE PROGRESS we have already made….” (Philippians 3:12-16 NLT).
“…Let PATIENCE have its perfect work, that you may be perfect (mature) and complete, lacking nothing….” (James 1:2-4 KJV).
Believers were sent here by God to accomplish HIS will and HIS purpose and NOT their own human purposes. “…The Lord has made everything for his Own PURPOSES…” (Proverbs 16:4 NASB).   “….YE ARE NOT YOUR OWN ” (1 Corinthians 6:19 KJV). “…We are HIS WORKMANSHIP…” (Ephesians 2:10 KJV). “…all things were created by him, and FOR HIM…” (Colossians 1:16 KJV"…You did not choose me but I CHOSE YOU, and APPOINTED YOU that you should go and bear fruit…” (John 15:16 ASV).  “….I know the plans that I HAVE FOR YOU,’ declares the Lord…” (Jeremiah 29:11 nasb). Jesus said, “…not My will, but Yours be done…" (Luke 22:42-43 NIV).
All the things you enjoy such as the blessings of family, marriage, children, jobs, prosperity, material blessings, successes, or renown are ONLY benefits of your purpose here on earth. “…And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and TO DO all his commandmentsALL THESE BLESSING SHALL COME ON THEE, and overtake thee…” (Deuteronomy 28:1-2 KJV).
When there is a CALLING on your life, ROUTINE days become a PROCESS with a PURPOSE. “…And in the PROCESS of time IT CAME TO PASS…” (Genesis 4:3 KJV).
It is not pockets of excitement here and there that are the miracles of life.  It is the things you think are dull, boring, monotonous, dismal and unexciting that are the true MIRACLES. Jesus said, “…The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to PREACH the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to PREACH deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To PREACH the acceptable year of the Lord” (John 4:16-21 KJV). “…Jesus said to the crowd, “…I was there teaching EVERY DAY” (Matthew 26:55 NLT). So was Jesus’ disciples. “…And EVERY DAY, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to TEACH AND PREACH this message: “Jesus is the Messiah….” (Acts 5:42 NLT).
Most people take for granted or become complacent and blind to MIRACLES they experience every single day.I will lead the BLIND by ways they have not known, along “unfamiliar” paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them” (Isaiah 42:16 NIV).
I mentioned earlier how I had to be dependent and at the mercy of others. What I took for granted is the blessing and miracle of being routinely independent; doing things I like to do, doing things when I want to do them, how I want to do them, and however I want to do them.
Becoming complacent is one of the BIGGEST enemies for taking routine miracles for granted or being blind to them.
Complacency is when you have a calm, peaceful satisfaction with yourself, your own abilities, your own merits, your own advantages, or your own situation to the degree it prevents you from improving or further developing yourself.
 Routine days can also develop a misguided sense of self-satisfaction where an individual becomes so smug with their own selves they are not aware of or are uninformed of any danger or deficiencies in their lifestyle or habits.
Complacency leaves no room for further growth or development. The mind has become fixed on “I am fine just as I am.” It is an attitude of self-righteousness, or haughtiness, or extreme self-satisfaction.
Remember the haughtiness of King Nebuchadnezzar. I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous. I had a dream that made me afraid. So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret the dream for me, but they could not interpret it for me. Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream….” (Daniel 4 NLT).
King Nebuchadnezzar was advised on what to do to improve himself. “Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.” (Daniel 4 NLT).
King Nebuchadnezzar was too smug and self-satisfied to change his habits. “…Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, “Is not this the great Babylon “I” have built as the royal residence, by “my” mighty power and for the glory of “my” majesty?”
Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox.
Seven times (years) will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.” Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled.
He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird…” (Daniel 4 NLT).
Suddenly, King Nebuchadnezzar’s ENTIRE, daily routine drastically changed. He needed to learned new habits, especially the habit of humility. “…At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?”
At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before.
Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble…” (Daniel 4 NIV).
King Nebuchadnezzar’s seven year PROCESS had a PURPOSE. “…Seven times (years) will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes… Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble…” (Daniel 4 NIV).
The MIRACLE of HUMILITY came out of the PROCESS. The PROCESS took seven years of routine days where he “… was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird...” BEFORE he became HUMBLED (Daniel 4 NLT).
God was NOT looking at King Nebuchadnezzar’s family, friends, renown, kingdom, wealth, prosperity, success, status, or his palace. God was looking at his HEART. “...God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at THE HEART”(1 Samuel 16:7 NASB). God zooms in on the “…hidden man of the heart…” (1 Peter 3:4 KJV).
Before I became dependent on others and at their mercy I thought I was a humble person, but you can NEVER get self-satisfied. “…we are [NOT]… sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God…” (2 Corinthians 3:5 KJV). “…whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NLT).
There is ALWAYS room for improvement from the congregant to every variety of CLERGY. “….Those who walk in pride he is ABLE to humble…” (Daniel 4 NIV). “…whatever I am now, it is all because God …” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NLT).
When you get smug, or self-righteous, or self-satisfied as a result of routine days, God knows how to get your ATTENTION. “…he GETS THEIR ATTENTION through adversity…” (Job 36:15 NLT).
. “…If they are bound in chains and CAUGHT UP in a web of trouble, HE SHOWS THEM THE REASON. HE SHOWS THEM THEIR SINS OF PRIDE. HE GETS THEIR ATTENTION AND COMMANDS THAT THEY TURN FROM EVIL” (Job 36:6-10 NLT).
Too often we get distracted by the benefits. King Nebuchadnezzar’s accomplishments were ONLY a benefit, but NOT his CALLING. His CALLING required him to have the HEART of HUMILITY.  “…the KING was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, “Is not this the great Babylon “I” have built as the royal residence, by “my” mighty power and for the glory of “my” majesty?” (Daniel 4 NLT). “…he GETS THEIR ATTENTION through adversity…” (Job 36:15 NLT). “….Those who walk in pride he is ABLE to humble…” (Daniel 4 NIV). “…whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NLT).
The PURPOSE of PROCESS is about the CALLING on your life. God uses PROCESS to develop you for the CALLING. The PROCESS is infused in LONG stretches of ROUTINE days. ROUTINE days are your true MIRACLES.
When I had my brain surgery I was told that the arteries in the brain usually ONLY healed one (1) millimeter an inch a month. A millimeter is 1/1000 of a meter or 0.03937 of an inch.
The PROCESS was a conglomeration of routine days. I improved EVERY day. I couldn’t see it, and my healing was totally at God’s discretion. “…for I am the LORD that healeth thee” (Exodus 15:26 KJV).
However, in the meantime, I remained dependent and at the mercy of others. God enabled me to humble myself. I waited with patient endurance. I raise my hands and bow my head to the Sovereign God. “…those who walk in pride … [God] is able to humble” (Daniel 4:37 NIV).  “…If the Lord will, [I] shall live, and do this, or that...” (James 4:16 KJV).
I took on Job’s attitude. “….All the days of my appointed TIME WILL I WAIT, till my change come…” (Job 14:14 KJV “…WAIT ON the LORD: …WAIT, I say, on the LORD…” (Psalms 27:14 KJV). “…THOUGH IT TARRY, WAIT FOR IT….” (Habakkuk 2:3 KJV).
During the PROCESS, I learned: “…MY TIMES are in [God’s].. hand…” (Psalms 31:15a KJV).  “…MY FUTURE is in [God’s]… hands…” (Psalms 31:15a NLT). “….To every [thing there is] a season, and A TIME to every purpose under the heaven…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV).  “…For the vision [is] yet FOR AN APPOINTED TIME, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, WAIT FOR IT; because IT WILL SURELY COME, it will not tarry….” (Habakkuk 2:3 KJV). “…And in the PROCESS of TIMEIT (my healing, deliverance or whatever)” CAME TO PASS…” (Genesis 4:3 KJV).
PROCESS has a PURPOSE. WAIT on God through all the boring, dull, monotonous days of routine. “… they that WAIT UPON the LORD shall renew [their] strength…” (Isaiah 40:31 KJV).  “…WAIT ON the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: WAIT, I say, on the LORD…” (Psalms 27:14 KJV). “…The LORD [is] good unto them that WAIT FOR HIM…” (Lamentations 3:25 KJV). “…THOUGH IT TARRY, WAIT FOR IT….” (Habakkuk 2:3 KJV).
MIRACLES are taking place in your routine days as they prepare you for your CALLING.  “…My brethren ….the testing of your faith produces PATIENCE. But let PATIENCE have its perfect work, that you may be perfect (mature) and complete, lacking nothing….” (James 1:2-4 KJV). “…Dear brothers and sisters …when your faith is tested, your ENDURANCE has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your ENDURANCE is fully developed, you will be perfect (mature) and complete, needing nothing….” (James 1:2-4 NLT).
God is maturing you IN Christ so that, “…You may be perfect (mature) and complete, lacking nothing….” (James 1:2-4 KJV). “…Therefore …LET US PRESS ON TO MATURITY” (Hebrews 6:1 NASB).
God ALLOTS the necessary TIME for the PROCESS of PURPOSE “…UNTIL Christ be formed in you…” (James 4:19 KJV).  “…UNTIL Christ is fully developed in your lives” (James 4:19 NLT).
 “…And in the PROCESS of timeIT” (your maturity) [will come]… TO PASS…” (Genesis 4:3 KJV).
Take another look at your routine days and ask God to show you the MIRACLES in those days. “…One person esteems one DAY above another; another esteems EVERY DAY alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.…” (ROMANS 14:5 KJV).
God has made EVERY single ROUTINE day, but we take them for granted and see them as common days; not MIRACLES. “…This is the DAY (Routine Day) which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it...” (PSALMS 118:24 KJV).
How would your ROUTINE days change if you truly rejoiced and were glad in each and every one of them? “…Do everything without complaining…” (Philippians 2:14 NLT).
Yes, it has been a LONG stretch of time and you have been WAITING for God to fulfill some of his promises he made personally to you days, weeks, months or years ago, but don’t let that make you miss out on your DAILY miracles and blessings.
PROCESS has a PURPOSE, but JOY is not limited to the PURPOSE, but it is FOUND in ABUNDANCE in the PROCESS of routine days. “…This is the DAY (Routine Day) which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it...” (PSALMS 118:24 KJV).
Routine days can remain dull, boring, monotonous, or dismal or you can discover the blessings, miracles, and treasures in each one. “…One person esteems one DAY above another; another esteems EVERY DAY alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.…” (ROMANS 14:5 KJV).
PROCESS has a PURPOSE and I hope you will NEVER see your ROUTINE days the same again. “….that ALL things (all routine things) work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose…” (ROMANS 8:28 KJV). “…God intended it (routine days) for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20 NIV).
I have written fifteen (15) books in eleven months and they ALL came out of my routine days. PROCESS has a PURPOSE. Thus, there is a PURPOSE for PROCESS.
May God bless your ROUTINE days from now on…..“…This is the DAY (Routine Day) which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it...” (PSALMS 118:24 KJV).
NEW BOOK OUT NEXT WEEK!

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