PLANS

(Goals, Outline, Preparations)

HUMAN PLANS

What is important to know about making plans?

BIBLE READING: Gen 41:1-40

KEY BIBLE VERSE: Joseph’s suggestions were well received by Pharaoh and his advisers. As they discussed who should be appointed for the job, Pharaoh said, “Who could do it better than Joseph? For he is a man who is obviously filled with the spirit of God.” (Gen 41:37-38)

We can make wise use of resources through planning. After interpreting Pharaoh’s dream, Joseph gave the king a survival plan for the next fourteen years. The only way to prevent starvation was through careful planning; without a plan, Egypt would have turned from prosperity to ruin. Many find detailed planning boring and unnecessary. But planning is a responsibility, not an option. Joseph was able to save a nation by translating God’s plan for Egypt into practical actions (implementation). We must take time to translate God’s plan for us into practical actions too.

BIBLE READING: Prov 13

KEY BIBLE VERSE: Wise people think before they act; fools don’t and even brag about it! (Prov 13:16)

Planning can lead to freedom. Being spontaneous can be fun, but it is not the best way to approach every situation. There is a place for planning and self-discipline, especially when you have goals you want to reach. Some people think planning is too restrictive. In reality, it can set a person free to enjoy life and to be productive. Take time to set goals, to plan your course of action, and to set priorities before you launch into action.

Planning can lead to stubbornness. When you set your heart on something, you may lose your ability to assess it objectively (see verse 19). Your desire blinds your judgment, and you proceed with an unwise relationship, a wasteful purchase, or a poorly conceived plan in spite of the objections from others. Faithfulness is a virtue, but stubbornness is not. If your plans cause you to use people and love things rather than use things and love people, give up your plans immediately.

BIBLE READING: Matt 6:25-34

KEY BIBLE VERSE: Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. (Matt 6:34)

Careful planning can keep us from worry. Planning for tomorrow is time well spent; worrying about tomorrow is time wasted. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell the difference. Careful planning is thinking ahead about goals, steps, and schedules, and trusting in God’s guidance. When done well, planning can help alleviate worry. Worriers, by contrast, are consumed with fear and find it difficult to trust God. They let their plans interfere with their relationship with God. Don’t let worries about tomorrow affect your relationship with God today.

BIBLE READING: James 4:13-17

KEY BIBLE VERSE: What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you will be boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil. (James 4:15-16)

Careful planning should include submission to God. It is good to have goals, but goals will disappoint us if we leave God out of them. There is no point in making plans as though God does not exist, because the future is in his hands. What would you like to be doing ten years from now? One year from now? Tomorrow? How will you react if God steps in and rearranges your plans? Plan ahead, but hold your plans loosely. Put God’s desires at the center of your planning; he will never disappoint you.

GOD’S GREAT PLAN

What does the Bible say about God’s plan?

BIBLE READING: Josh 1

KEY BIBLE VERSE: They answered Joshua, “We will do whatever you command us, and we will go wherever you send us.” (Josh 1:16)

God’s plan requires our submission to him. If everyone had tried to conquer the Promised Land his own way, chaos would have resulted. In order to complete the enormous task of conquering the land, everyone had to agree to the leader’s plan and be willing to support and obey him. If we are going to complete the tasks God has given us, we must fully agree to his plan, pledge to obey it, and put his principles into action. Agreeing to God’s plan means both knowing what the plan is (as found in the Bible) and carrying it out daily.

BIBLE READING: 1 Cor 2:6-16

KEY BIBLE VERSE: The wisdom we speak of is the secret wisdom of God, which was hidden in former times, though he made it for our benefit before the world began. (1 Cor 2:7)

God’s plan is for our eternal benefit. God’s “secret wisdom . . . which was hidden” was his offer of salvation to all people. Originally unknown to humanity, this plan became crystal clear when Jesus rose from the dead. His resurrection proved that he had power over sin and death and could offer us this power as well. God’s plan, however, is still hidden to unbelievers because they either refuse to accept it, choose to ignore it, or simply haven’t heard about it.

God’s plan is more wonderful than we can imagine. We cannot imagine all that God has in store for us, both in this life and for eternity. He will create a new heaven and a new earth (Isa 65:17; Rev 21:1), and we will live with him forever. Until then, his Holy Spirit comforts and guides us. Knowing the wonderful and eternal future that awaits us gives us hope and courage to press on in this life, to endure hardship, and to avoid giving in to temptation. This world is not all there is. The best is yet to come.

BIBLE READING: Eph 1:1-14

KEY BIBLE VERSE: God’s secret plan has now been revealed to us; it is a plan centered on Christ, designed long ago according to his good pleasure. And this is his plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ — everything in heaven and on earth. (Eph 1:9-10)

God’s plan cannot be understood apart from Christ. God was not just keeping a secret; he was keeping it until the right moment. His plan for the world could not be fully understood until Christ rose from the dead. His purpose for sending Christ was to unite Jews and Gentiles in one body with Christ as the head. Many people still do not understand God’s plan; but when the time is right, he will bring us together to be with him forever. Then everyone will understand. On that day, all people will bow to Jesus as Lord, either because they love him or because they fear his power (see Phil 2:10-11).