God's Plan/My Plan: Ten Fundamantal Aspects of God's Daily Spiritual Plan

God’s plan for man begins with the bestowal of salvation through faith in the sacrifice and victory of Christ over sin, death, and the devil (Justification).  It continues with a plan for each moment thereafter (Sanctification).  Not all personal plans are the same, but all personal plans will have common aspects.  Here are ten.  Please note, some of the ten are ongoing, that is they are to happen all day long.

1.    Study and Meditation (God, His Word, etc.)

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God^[a] may be complete, equipped for every good work.”  II Timothy 3:16-17

“…my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night…”  Psalm 63:5b-6

“Oh, how I love Your law!  It is my meditation all day.” (Psalm 119:97)

Meditation on God, who He is, and His Word is fundamental to having an intimate relationship with Him.  Meditation can be having an appointed time to meditate on God and His Word each day (Psalm 63:5b-6).  It can also be putting the Word in one’s mind and heart so as the day progresses the Holy Spirit can reveal understandings and applications in real life situations (Psalm 119:97).

2.   Time Management

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:15-17)

Every second of our life is a gift of God that is to be managed carefully.  A foolish person does not understand God’s plan, that is God’s will for his time.  A wise person manages it according to God’s will (plan).

3.   Testing Everything

¹⁶ All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God^[a] may be complete, equipped for every good work.  II Timothy 3:16-17

“… but test everything; hold fast what is good.  Abstain from every form of evil.” I Thessalonians 5:21-22

Everything we believe and do is to be tested by God’s Word. We are to cling to what it says is good and abstain from what it says is evil.

4.   Confession, Forgiveness, Change

“If we confess our sinS, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  I John 1:9

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.  Romans 12:9

Christians love God so much that they want to identify the specific sinS in their life, repent of them, bask in being forgiven and by the power of the Holy Spirit actually abhor the evil and replace it with good.

5.   Interpersonal Accountability

“Brothers, `if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.”  Galatians 6:1

No one is objective when it comes to self-evaluation (Proverbs 16:2), a problem that is self-destructive (Proverbs 16:25).  We need other believers to hold us accountable for our loving obedience of God’s commandments and they need us to do the same for them.

6.   Ongoing Prayer

“Pray without ceasing…”   (I Thessalonians 5:17)

Is this even possible?  Of course, it is!  One of the key factors in ongoing prayer is God’s omnipresence – He is always with us and available to talk.

7.    Ongoing Rejoicing Praising, Blessing the Lord

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say rejoice.”  (Philippians 4:4)

“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”  (Psalm 34:1)

This rejoicing, praising and blessing aren’t just singing but includes doing this in our conversation.  This includes sharing with others what God has done and is doing in our life, as well as what He can do in theirs.

8.   Giving Thanks in Every Circumstance

“…give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (I Thessalonians 5:18)

Give thanks IN (not for) all circumstances.  There is never a time or circumstance on this side of Heaven we don’t have ample reason to give thanks to God (e.g. God’s grace, daily bread, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, eternal life, people in our life, etc.)

9.   Christian Apologetics

“… but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, ALWAYS being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…”  I Peter 3:15

Defending our faith requires preparation.  A part of the Christian’s preparation to be an effective disciple is developing a defense of the foundational teachings of the faith (e.g. who is God, the incarnation, the death and resurrection of Jesus, saving faith, the existence of God, good works, etc.).

10.   Making Disciples/Witnessing and Teaching Obedience

^“ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in  the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:19-20

Jesus commands his disciples (us) to make disciples, not simply pew sitters or names on a church roll.  Furthermore, He expects His disciples to teach new disciples how to observe of His commandments.

This little document doesn’t even scratch the surface of God’s plan for one’s life, but I hope that it does:

1.     Reveal a few of the gaps and weaknesses that exist

2.     Challenge believers to diligently discover God’s whole plan for our life, grow it and help others to understand and implement it, too.