Failure to Plan Is a Sure Plan to Fail.
“May God grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed. ” Psalm 20:4 NLT.
My thoughts and comments today are about,
“plans Predict Success.”?
Success has essential components to achieve any worthwhile goal – strong desire, deliberate efforts, dedicated purpose, a practical plan, and patient determination. Even the best of plans may not succeed, but if you have no plan, the result is just whatever happens. There is a practical reality I have learned. Failing to plan is planning to fail.
Planning is the practical process that envisions success and endeavors to achieve that. A practical and realistic plan expresses your faith in the possibilities of your future. But you and I cannot know the future; only God best knows that. How do you plan for a future you do not foresee? Ask your Father in Heaven. The Bible advises, “If you need wisdom -if you want to know what God wants you to do- ask Him, and He will gladly tell you.” James 1:5 NLT. Practical wisdom can be described as, “the God-given ability to see your situation from God’s point of view.” Imagine the difference such a viewpoint makes. Here are some practical things I have learned.
Planning must begin with God. Remember that your future is not yours to determine alone. Wisdom begins with humility. “Submit yourselves, then, to God.” James 4:7 NIV. Over the years, I have observed and learned that the least of God’s plans will be better than the best of mine.Paul was clear,“This ‘foolish’ plan of God is far wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is far stronger than the greatest of human strength.” 1 Corinthians 1:25 NLT. Place your trust in God’s purpose for your life and take time to know what God wants for you and from you. Solomon was wise, “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” Proverbs 16:9 NLT.
Planning clarifies direction and dictates action. Such a process secures your focus and marshals your resources to best achieve your intent. Without a wise and practical plan, time, effort, and resources will be wasted. The Psalm asks, ”Why do the people waste their time with futile plans?” Psalm 2:1 NLT. The best of plans is futile wherever God was not included.
Planning directs your best efforts. Obedience and faithfulness help you realize God’s purpose. Those are not a way to realize your own desires. Isaiah warned a nation, “All your feverish plans are to no avail because you never ask God for help.” Isaiah 22:11 NLT. Sadly, that warning could be said too frequently of any of us.
Planning welcomes the help of others. There are very few things, if any, that are best accomplished on your own. “Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without the advice of others.” Proverbs 20:18 NLT.
Planning begins with God’s plans. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for your good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NLT. Here is the thing of which you can be confident: “The plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations . . the Lord will work out His plans for my life.” Psalm 33:11 NIV/138:8 NLT. With this prayer, I end where I began. “May God grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed.”Psalm 20:4 NLT.
Today, I pray that you desire to have God’s blessings above all else.
Christian Communications 2019
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