By Mike Glenn
The importance of a goal and a plan: Have
you ever noticed that things can float downstream without
even trying, but must give considerable effort to go
upstream any distance? A car can coast downhill, but must
use gasoline to power itself uphill. If we are not careful,
Christians and congregations will live their spiritual life
by simply drifting downstream letting chance and
circumstances take us where they will. But, to press to
higher ground, to gain new spiritual heights every day, to
take ourselves to the next level (Phil. 3:14; 1 Tim. 3:13),
we must do it on purpose.
In spiritual life, it is completely true
that if we fail to plan, we plan to fail. God did not decide
to save the world on a whim. He purposed it from the
foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). The church was part
of His eternal purpose (Ephesians 3:11). Even the Old Law
and its tabernacle and worship showed the purposeful
planning of God as it was the shadow of the real image of
New Testament law and worship. And, God did not leave the
preaching of the gospel to chance. He gave the tools of
inspiration, tongues and other miraculous gifts to assure
His work was carried out. He gave the plan of the Great
Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Boaz purposed to do good
toward another and he called it “handfuls of purpose” (Ruth
2:16). Daniel determined not to violate the law of God. In
Daniel 1:8 we are told, “But Daniel purposed in his heart
that he would not defile himself with the portion of the
king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank…”. The
psalmist purposed his words carefully according to Psalm
17:3 “...I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.”
Job purposed not to lust, “I made a covenant with my eyes;
why then should I think upon a maid (Job 31:1). We are to
give as we have purposed in our heart (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Truthfully, there is no part of the
Christian life that does not demand purposeful planning.
From obeying the plan of salvation to raising our children
in the Lord to gaining control of our fleshly desires,
reaching toward heaven — it all will only be accomplished on
purpose (goal) and with a plan or series of plans.
There are four parts to this process of
reaching the next level of spirituality.
(1)We must remember as we make plans to
ask the counsel of the LORD. “If the Lord wills,” should be
both our speech and our practice (James 4:15). The preacher
of old warns us in Proverbs 15:22, “Without counsel,
purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of
counsellors, they are established.” We must ask advice of
the elderly that are strong in the LORD. We must “Remember
the Gibeonites”. In Joshua 9, this group of people fooled
Joshua into breaking one of the commands of GOD to not make
a league with the inhabitants of the land. If Joshua and the
other leaders had asked counsel of God they would not have
been fooled.
(2)Clearly define the goal. From “Go,
make disciples,” to “be of the same mind and the same
judgment” to “bring them up in the nurture and admonition of
the Lord,” we must have the goals clearly defined and
understood.
(3)For each of the goals mentioned in point 2
above, God gave us a plan, method, and resources. The
scriptures are full of planners. God was the greatest
planner. Let’s walk in His footsteps. For any congregation
of the LORD’S church to grow we must make purposeful plans.
Personal or congregational purity does not happen by
accident. Evangelism does not happen by accident. Spiritual
wisdom does not come by accident. What size will our
congregation be in 20 years? How are the kids being trained
for the eldership or preaching or other service in the
kingdom? What verses of scripture will the kids in Bible
class have memorized when they turn 18? What Bible material
will they have covered? In what way are we purposely
solidifying the marriages in our congregation? How well
trained are the teachers who are guiding young minds? What
sins will you overcome this year? How much of the Bible will
you read? What lessons will you study with your children at
home? How many souls will you try to save this month? Plan,
plan, plan!
(4)We must follow through. “I have fought
the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the
faith” (2 Tim. 4:7). Goals without plans are empty. Plans
without follow through are fruitless.
Brothers and sisters, like God, let’s
become planners and workers of our plans. Have a purposeful
life.
- Mike Glenn directs North Carolina School of Biblical
Studies (http://ncsbs.net/) NCSBS is overseen by the
elders of the Warners Chapel church of Christ where Mike
also serves as one of their ministers. He may be contacted
through the school's website: ncsbs.net
No comments:
Post a Comment