Plans
What Is The Importance Of The Plans for A Disciple?
In determining our S.H.A.P.E. as a disciple, we need to know what plans God has prepared in advance for our lives.
We need to discover both the general plans for all disciples and the specific plans for us individually.
God has uniquely created us with special attributes which enable us to fulfill the specific plans and purposes that He has determined for us to follow.
In this lesson, we will examine how to discover the plans and purposes God has determined specifically for your life.
Besides being made in God’s image, the Bible also teaches that God has unique plans and purposes for people’s lives. This is reflected in the verse Jeremiah 29:11, which says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” This verse suggests that God desires to bless and use each person in a unique and specific way, and that He has a plan for their life that is centered on their welfare and well-being.
General Plans
The general plans of a Disciple are the first two elements of S.H.A.P.E., Salvation and Holiness.
“3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:3-12)
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2)
God’s general plan for every Disciple is to a life separated unto Him both now and eternally. He has purposed that His Disciples in the Church will be the Father’s children and Christ’s bride which has been revealed by the Holy Spirit.
“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10)
Specific Plans
The specific plans of a Disciple are based on the third element of S.H.A.P.E., Attributes.
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)
Disciples are uniquely created by God to accomplish His will by doing the specific good works that He has prepared for our lives.
“There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.” (Proverbs 19:21)
How Can a Disciple Discover the Specific Plans of God for Their Life?
Trust and Obey: Steps to discovering God’s specific plans for your life.
- Be Obedient to God’s General Plan for a Disciple
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” (Psalm 37:23)
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- God’s first plan for your life is Salvation!
- God’s second plan for your life is that you live a life separated and holy unto Him!
- These are the prerequisites no matter what your stage of life or current situation to discovering the rest of God’s plans for your life.
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- Be Obedient to the Commands of God in the Bible
“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” (Psalms 32:8)
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- God has already given many instructions in the Bible regarding the plans for his people.
- Many instructions are related to holiness, but some are good works that can be performed through the power of the Holy Spirit in service to God and others.
- Start by reading the Bible and following the commands that you find.
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- Commit All of Your Life to God
“Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established. 4 The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.” (Proverbs 16:3-4)
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” (John 15:7)
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- Commit your decisions to the Lord. Tell God that you will do any job He decides is best. Ask God to determine who you should date and marry. Do not make decisions without asking God to give you wisdom and to guide and direct you.
- Once God knows you are willing to follow, He will begin directing you.
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“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
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- Do not waiver from God’s direction. Trust in God to know what is best for you.
- God will use tough times to grow you, your faith, and your relationship with Him.
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- Seek and Ask God to Reveal His Specific Plans
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8)
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5)
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- Once you are doing what God has already instructed and you have committed yourself to Him, then you can start asking for specific directions regarding your life.
- Learn to listen to His direction through reading the Bible, through the still small voice that you will start to distinguish as the Holy Spirit guiding you through prayers, through other people, and through opportunities that open or close to you.
- Never follow any action that would contradict the clear plans God has already revealed in the Bible!
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- Follow God’s will One Step at a Time
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- Case after case in the Bible we see that God only reveals one step at a time.
- God wants to see if we will be faithful in the first step before He lays out the entire path.
- Many times, God uses individual steps to grow us and prepare us for future steps. If He showed us the final stage at the beginning, we may become overwhelmed and not take the initial steps on the journey He has for our lives.
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Remember, it is not only the destination but the journey that God is interested in directing. The journey builds the relationship with Him. If we immediately went to heaven when we were saved, then God would mostly be a stranger to us. At the end of the book of Job, the journey Job endured enabled him to grow closer in his relationship to God. That is God’s desire for all of us.