Planning is important. Those who do not plan, who put their emphasis in life on spontaneity, have problems. A wise person will take the time to make careful plans.
Proverbs 21:5 (NIV) The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
It takes time to plan, but planning leads to success. Doing things quickly, leads to failure and poverty. However, not just any type of planning leads to success. Some plans are doomed to failure because of bad motives. Other plans fail because the planner did not take all the necessary factors into consideration. Since none of us knows the future, how can we possibly plan for it?
In order to ensure that your plans succeed, you must align your plans with God’s purpose for your life.
Proverbs 19:21 (NIV) Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.
God knows everything and He has determined a plan or course for your life. When you align your planning with God’s perfect plan, you will find success in life. Here’s the three-fold formula to ensuring your plan succeed.
- Read the Bible, pray and ask God to show you His plans for your life.
- Decide to overcome any fear and commit to following God’s plan.
- Take action with God’s help to put the plan into operation.
In the book of Nehemiah, we see how one man changed the course of history by putting God’s plan into action against incredible odds. Nehemiah accomplished this through total commitment to God and His Word, prayer and action.
In my message, “Planning with God” from June 14, 2009, I look at the principles of how Nehemiah was able to obtain resources from the world-ruling Persian empire to succeed with God’s plan. If you follow these principles, your plans and life will succeed as well. (Message notes).