ARE YOU PLANNING WISELY?

 WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL

MAY 29, 2022

TOPIC: ARE YOU PLANNING WISELY?

BY T. O. BANSO

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it — lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’” (Luke 14:28-30 New King James Version).

Wise planning is essential to realizing your goals in life and living a fulfilled life. Unfortunately, many people don’t plan, let alone engage in wise planning. Some try to give the impression that they have faith in God, and therefore, there is no need to plan. They say that God is in control and will work out all things in their favour!

However, such people are only stretching one truth to the extreme, remaining blind to another truth or possibly other truths. Planning is not the same as anxiety. Planning is not opposed to faith. In fact, if you don’t plan wisely, you may make a shipwreck of your faith.

Yes, it is true that when we plan, some things can still happen that we didn’t expect and may undermine our plans. However, those who plan wisely are able to handle such cases better than those who have no plans.

You need to plan your life, family, finances, retirement, etc. Somebody said he could have as many children as he wanted because God is the one who takes of children! He called my attention to Genesis 1:28a, where God says be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. But I told him that the said command is not for him alone; it is for the human race.

That fellow didn’t have to bring children to the world that he may not have the means to provide for.  Parents are to provide for their children (2 Corinthians 12:1).

Plan wisely. Jesus said, “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it — lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’” (Luke 14:28-30 New King James Version).

Stressing the importance of planning, Jesus continued: “Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace” (Luke 14:31-32 New King James Version).

Plan wisely; don’t be deluded that planning is not necessary. Many have put themselves under unnecessary pressure or even put themselves to shame because they failed to plan wisely. Plan wisely. God is the Master Planner. He planned the work of creation in Genesis and everything went systematically. He says in Amos 3:7, “Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets” (New International Version). Did you see that the Lord plans?

In Jeremiah 29:11, the LORD says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (New International Version). God has plans. You should, too.

Wise planning will help you to decide and set your goals, give you clear direction and confidence, and helps you to allocate resources, both human and material. It will also aid in articulating strategies to achieve our goals, help to assign roles and responsibilities, work out a realistic budget, and facilitate the evaluation of the success of our plan.

Joseph advised Pharaoh on how to plan for the seven years of famine. He came up with and implemented a food storage programme during the seven years of plenty (Genesis 41:34-36). That wise planning saved the world when the famine came.

Proverbs 6:6-8 says human beings should learn from the ant. “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest” (Proverbs 6:6-8 New King James Version).

There are many things we may not know about the future. Nevertheless, we can still plan. You should prayerfully make plans wisely. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 New King James Version). Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans” (New International Version).

You need to pray in making your plans because many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails (Proverbs 19:21). Some make plans, but they’re foolish plans. The rich fool in Luke 12:16-21 had a successful farming season but made a foolish plan, which cost him his life. Many people have made so much money in the past, but they squandered it because of foolish plans or no plans.

Be a wise planner. Proverbs 21:5 says the plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.  “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22 New International Version). Obviously, they are wise advisers! Proverbs 24:3-4 says, “Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes strong through common sense, and profits wonderfully by keeping abreast of the facts” (The Living Bible).

Also, the Bible says, “Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe” (Proverbs 2:11 New Living Translation). Furthermore, Proverbs 21:5 says, “Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty” (New Living Translation).

May the LORD teach you to make the most of your life by engaging in wise planning so that you won’t regret it in the future. “May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed” (Psalm 20:4 New International Version).

TAKE ACTION!

If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. I urge you to take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church. There they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.

Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.

I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church in your area where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.

PRAYER POINTS: Father, help me not to live like a fool but live wisely. I receive wisdom to plan every department of my life. Deliver me from foolish actions that will ruin my life. In the name of Jesus, I shall live a fulfilled life.

(For over 300 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).

 T. O. Banso is the President, Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
WhatsApp No: +2349081295947
Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
cedarministryng@gmail.com
Website: www.cedarministry.org