Rhemalight

Everyday things happen or activities are carried out but it is a different issue as to whether they had been planned or not. So should a Christian just react to things as they happen? No. Without sound planning, the enemy has access to rob, steal and destroy.

Many times we pray for God’s leadership and guidance but God will not lead you where there is no plan. He will only bless what you are prepared or have planned to do.

The Bible tells us that God himself had a plan before creating human beings.

Genesis 1:26;

‘Then God said “and now we will make human beings; they will be like us and resemble us. They will have power over the fish, the birds and all animals, domestic and wild, large and small”.’

First of all, to plan, we must set goals that are saturated in prayer and sensitive to the will of God. They must contain good motives. Proverbs 16: 2-3 says ‘You may think everything you do is right, but the Lord judges your motives. Ask the Lord to bless your plans and you will be successful in carrying them out.’

1Corinthians 10: 31 says ‘whatever you do, do it for God’s glory’

We have to identify our long term and short term goals and clearly identify the time limits in which they should be achieved. Time is the most wonderful resource that God has placed before us. Write them and determine the steps that we will take to achieve them. Write the reasons (why) for setting the goal because it is very easy to drop your dream in the face of discouragement and setbacks.

Secondly, present assessment

Luke 14: 28; Jesus says ” If one of you is planning to build a tower, he sits down first and works out what it will cost, to see if he has enough money to finish the job. If he does not he will not be able to finish the tower after laying the foundation; ….”

In Proverbs 20: 27 we read that the Lord gave us mind and conscience, we cannot hide from ourselves. Here there is no deception. We know our potential, resources, weaknesses and strengths

Honestly assess your present condition and this becomes part of the plan.

Third element of planning is to identify barriers.

What stands between you and your goal? Sometimes in life we come across people who will always say “it is not possible, you cannot achieve it” when you disclose your plan to them, and they always point out where you fell short. If you don’t achieve that goal, they are there to say “I told you” others may even cry with you. Avoid these ‘pity parties’ at all costs and look out for those who will build your goal with you.

As Christians, we must refuse to be controlled by what we consider natural law.

Galatians 5:18 says if the spirit leads you, then you are not subject to the law.

The fourth element is to take action

You must be willing to do what it takes to achieve what you are planning for.

The difference between success and failure is action. Sometimes our dreams or goals do not materialize because we talk them to death and never take action, giving excuses disguised as reasons “I don’t have time”, yet whatever else we do is not full time.

Take control measures to determine if your plan is working

One way is to form a budget and financial systems to regulate resource management. These are mechanisms which must be devised to verify if you are on target to reach your goal. Be prepared to make adjustments because circumstances keep changing in real life.

Minimize risk and maximize opportunities

The biblical doctrine about planning teaches us to reduce those things that hinder us reaching our goals. The book of Hebrews speaks to this principle (chapter 12 verses 1 and 2) (…. Let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us. Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus …) and then Ephesians advises us to make good use of every opportunity that we have (Eph.5:16)