1. What Are Your Plans?

2. The Bible and Planning
Proverbs 13:16, Every prudent man acts with knowledge…
Proverbs 21:5, The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,…
James 4:13-15, don’t forget God

3. The Bible and Planning
Luke 12:15-21, parable of the rich fool
Luke 14:28-32, The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,…
Romans 1:13, Paul planned his trips (2 Corinthians 1:15-17)

4. The Bible and Planning
2 Corinthians 9:7, consider our giving (1 Corinthians 16:2)
Acts 11:22-23, with purpose of heart

5. The Bible and Planning
God planned –
1 Peter 1:18-21, with purpose of heart
Ephesians 1:11-12, predestined according to His purpose
Ephesians 3:10-11, according to His eternal purpose

6. Making plans
Begins with examination
Luke 2:52, And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Let us consider these areas

7. Making plans Increasing in wisdom
Hebrews 5: Peter 3:18 1 Peter 3:15
Proverbs 4:7-8, get wisdom and get understanding
Colossians 3:16, let the word of Christ dwell in you richly

8. Making plans
Increasing in wisdom
James 1:5-6, don’t forget prayer as you seek wisdom
Includes: Personal study, readings, family studies, daily thoughts, Bible classes (public & small groups), memorization, etc.

9. Making plans
Increasing in stature
To reach maturity (physically)
Cf. Matthew 6:27, Luke 19:3, John 9:21 & 23
Should we take care of our physical bodies? 1 Timothy 4:7-8 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

10. Making plans Increasing in stature
Can poor health habits, organizational habits, spending habits, time management habits, affect our spiritual standing?
Determine to better manage what you have been entrusted with materially, so you will grow spiritually

11. Making plans Increasing in favor with God This is our ultimate goal
If God is not pleased, we ought to be concerned
Matthew 6:33
2 Timothy 2:4
2 Corinthians 5:9
Colossians 1:9-10
Hebrews 12:28

12. Making plans Increasing in favor with God
Have we allowed ourselves to drift spiritually? Is God more pleased with us now than in times past?
2 Corinthians 7:9-11 – repentance
Matthew 25:21, will He say, “Well done…”?

13. Making plans Increasing in favor with man
We must consider how our lives affect others
Philippians 2:15-16
Romans 12:18
Romans 15:2
Our brethren - Romans 12:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14

14. Making plans
Increasing in favor with man
What are we doing to bring others to Christ?
Do others see Christ working in us? What are we doing to be better brethren?

15. Making plans
Write down your goals and formulate a strategy (plan)
Written goals mark your plans
A strategy helps you determine HOW you will achieve your goals
Good planning should not be too easy or too hard.

16. Making plans
Make adequate time for God
Redeeming the time – Ephesians 5:16
MOST of us, if we are not growing spiritually can give God more time. How much time do we waste on the vanities of life? Proverbs 19:21

17. Making plans Prepare for setbacks They will happen
We must endure! Acts 11:23, 14:21-22
Hebrews 10:38-39
2 Corinthians 4:7-10, we are hard pressed, but not crushed…

18. Making plans
Prepare for setbacks
Don’t give up or let up!
If you fall behind, pick up where you are

19. Do you have plans to grow spiritually in 2019?
Where are you now?
Do you have plans to grow spiritually in 2019?