The Power of Plans

Friday, December 18, 2009 Bryan Hudson 2 Comments

As you think about 2010 or other items that requires motivation and planning, my outline below from a teaching on the subject may be an encouragement to you, as well as scriptural food for thought:
Jer. 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD , "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (NIV)
Psalm 20 (NIV), 3] May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. Selah 4] May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. 5] We will shout for joy when you are victoriousand will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests.
Proverbs 12:5, The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful. 
Proverbs 16:3, Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. 
Proverbs 16:9, In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

"Plan" Defined:
Noun
  1. a method of doing something that is worked out usually in some detail before it is begun and that may be written down in some form or simply retained in memory
  2. something that somebody intends or has arranged to do (often used in the plural)
  3. a drawing or diagram showing the layout, arrangement, or structure of something
  4. a list, summary, or diagram that shows how the items that make up something such as a piece of writing or an organized meeting are to be arranged

Verb
  1. To work out in advance and in some detail how something is to be done or organized
  2. To intend or to make arrangements to do something
  3. To make a scale drawing of something, especially a building

Plans require deliberation, resolve, will, consultation and determination. These are not disciplines that we usually practice. We are often content to “go with the flow,”  and “follow the crowd.”

Three reasons why plans have power:

1. Plans are a reflection of God’s nature. He plans according to His own purpose. Every plan needs a purpose. The King James uses the word purpose for plan.
EPH 3:9, and to make all people see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 10] to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11] according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,
Jesus operated with plans and purpose. He was very sensitive to His Father’s direction for His life.
Mark 1:35, Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. 36]  And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. 37]  When they found Him, they said to Him, "Everyone is looking for You." 38] But He said to them, "Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth."
John 12:27, "Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour.


2. Plans release God’s provision, providence and perspective. Plans remove ambiguity and confusion. Plans remove the influence of foolishness and unfocused people. Plans bring a “weight of glory” upon your life.
Romans 8:28, And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
2 Timothy 3:8-11 (NIV) 8] Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth–men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9] But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone. 10] You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11] persecutions, sufferings–what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.
Paul spoke about the importance of plans
2Cor. 1:17, Therefore, when I was planning this, did I do it lightly? Or the things I plan, do I plan according to the flesh, that with me there should be Yes, Yes, and No, No? 18] But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No.


3. Plans give expression to the call of God upon our lives.
2Tim. 1:9, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which time began, 
Tools you need to plan:
  1. Bible
  2. Prayer (Supplication, dedication, intercession)
  3. Calendar (Redeem the “kairos” time)
  4. Means to record and retrieve notes (notebook, planner, computer)
  5. Education (specific learning and research)