OCTOBER 6 & 7, 2007
In today's installment of these Messages About Purpose and Strategy, I want to share about the process of planning. I'm especially excited about this right now because I'm working on a series of vision- casting messages for Jan.
I've also just invested a couple hours laying out a preliminary plan of the preaching schedule for all of 2008. I say, "preliminary" because we must plan in pencil. God is free to lead us all along the way. We don't want to be arrogant, write our plans in concrete, and miss out on his plan! Jesus taught that it is wise to plan ahead (Luke 14:28-30). We don't want to work aimlessly, but to direct our efforts toward the fulfillment of our chief objectives (I'm thinking of the Great Commandment to love and the Great Commission to make disciples). Planning is a good thing! "Those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness" (Prov. 14:22). "The plans of the diligent lead to profit" (Prov. 21:5).
But the Scriptures are also clear that God gets the deciding vote. He has veto power. Consider Prov. 16:1-3,9 - "To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue. All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." Also, look at Prov. 19:21 - "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." God gets his way! "The Lord Almighty has sworn, 'Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand'" (Is. 14:24). "The plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations" (Ps. 33:11). God's plan will prevail, so we always submit to him in all our plans to lead Dayspring. After all, this is his church! Remember 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.'"
I've also just invested a couple hours laying out a preliminary plan of the preaching schedule for all of 2008. I say, "preliminary" because we must plan in pencil. God is free to lead us all along the way. We don't want to be arrogant, write our plans in concrete, and miss out on his plan! Jesus taught that it is wise to plan ahead (Luke 14:28-30). We don't want to work aimlessly, but to direct our efforts toward the fulfillment of our chief objectives (I'm thinking of the Great Commandment to love and the Great Commission to make disciples). Planning is a good thing! "Those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness" (Prov. 14:22). "The plans of the diligent lead to profit" (Prov. 21:5).
But the Scriptures are also clear that God gets the deciding vote. He has veto power. Consider Prov. 16:1-3,9 - "To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue. All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." Also, look at Prov. 19:21 - "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." God gets his way! "The Lord Almighty has sworn, 'Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand'" (Is. 14:24). "The plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations" (Ps. 33:11). God's plan will prevail, so we always submit to him in all our plans to lead Dayspring. After all, this is his church! Remember 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.'"
Comments