The Importance Of Planning Series

THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING

INTRODUCTION: A line adapted from the poem, “To the Mouse”, by Robert Burns is stunningly apropos today. “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.”

This weekend is one of those “days”. For all of the planning, advertising, and preparation, snow, sleet and ice sent it all to a frigid grave! The weather made it difficult for us to get things going, and almost impossible for Dr. Sparling to get up here. Who could have thought.

So, what do we do? We plan again, and reschedule of conference for April 14th and 15th. So, mark your calendars now, and plan to be here!

This also brings up an interesting thought, “Does the Bible have anything to say about planning?” The answer is yes! So, in our time together this morning, I would like to look at what the Bible has to say about plans and planning.

I PLANNING IS GOOD PREPARATION

A Remembering the Story of Joseph

1 Joseph was characterized by pride

a Brought negative reaction from brothers

b Brought personal peril

2 Joseph learned from his past

a Permitted him to excel in his slavery

b Permitted him to excel in his prison sentence

3 Joseph planned for his future

Genesis 40:9-15 So the chief cupbearer told Joseph his dream. He said to him, "In my dream I saw a vine in front of me, 10 and on the vine were three branches. As soon as it budded, it blossomed, and its clusters ripened into grapes. 11 Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh’s cup and put the cup in his hand." 12 "This is what it means," Joseph said to him. "The three branches are three days. 13 Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer. 14 But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. 15 For I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon."

Genesis 40:23 The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.

4 Joseph’s planning paid off

a Joseph comes before Pharaoh

b Joseph interprets to Pharaoh

c Joseph is elevated by Pharaoh

d Joseph plans for Pharaoh

THE BENEFITS OF WISE PLANNING

• Wise planning affects our future positively

• Wise planning uses our resources best

• Wise planning prevents trouble

• Wise planning brings unseen rewards

BIG IDEA #1 – PLANNING ALLOWS US TO TRANSLATE GOD’S PLAN IN TO PRACTICAL ACTION

II PLANNING IS HEALTHY PREPARATION

Proverbs 13:16 Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a fool exposes his folly.

Proverbs 13:19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.

Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

A We are to act out of knowledge, not folly

B Achievement out of knowledge is “sweet for the soul”

C Action not based in knowledge is

1 Folly

2 Sour

D Knowledge allows planning for tomorrow and avoid worry for tomorrow

BIG IDEA #2 – PLANNING SWEETENS OUR SOUL AND AVOIDS TROUBLE

III PLANNING IS BIBLICAL PREPARATION

James 4:13-17 Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that." 16 As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. 17 Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.

A Biblical preparation is submitted preparation

1 God plan is considered in my planning

2 God’s plan may change my plan

B Biblical preparation is active preparation

1 We know it is a good thing to do

2 We need to act and plan

C Failing to plan biblically is planning to sin

BIG IDEA #3 – PUT GOD IN THE CENTER OF YOUR PLANNING – PLAN FOR GOD

IV SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT GOD’S PLAN

A God’s plan requires our submission to Him

Joshua 1:16 Then they answered Joshua, "Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.

1 In order for things to work, we need to know what the plan is