Text: Mark 3:13-15
And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. 14 Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, 15 and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons:
Introduction
The above scripture shows us clearly that fruitfulness or productivity is intentional. It does not happen by chance or by default. For it to be truly intentional, it will require:
- Intentional Planning
- Successful Positioning
- Powerful Partnering
- Faithful Planting
- Maturing Patience
INTENTIONAL PLANNING
When the word intentional is used, it implies that, the planning is deliberate and consciously done. Planning can be defined in a number of ways some of which are:
An orderly arrangement of parts of an overall design or objective.
Working out in advance how to do something effectively and efficiently.
A well thought out strategy or way that will help you get ready for your next move, phase or level.
A strategy, as idea, a proposal, a design or a blueprint for achieving an objective.
WHY SHOULD I PLAN
Ps.37:5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.
Without a plan, I have nothing to commit to Him. What will He bring to pass if I don’t have anything to commit to Him?
Luk.14:28 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
Planning help to give us an insight or peep into likely future needs and enable measures to address them be put in place.
ICor.6:12 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
Planning helps bring clarity into my life – what agrees or disagrees with my vision for life- Not all good things are good for me – especially if they are not in line with my pursuit.
Lu.14:30 Saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’
Planning helps me avoid embarrassing situation that can erode my confidence.
Prov.6:6-7 Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, 7 Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler.
Planning helps me anticipate and manage change as well as likely opposition.
Luk.14:31-32 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? 32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace.
Proper planning promotes good stewardship.
Acts 18:6But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles. IITim.4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. “
Planning helps us appreciate how far we have come and track our progress.
Some thoughts from the Bible about Planning
Prov.14:15 –RSV The simple believes everything, but the prudent looks where he is going.
Planning here is likened to LOOKING at where you are going. It is looking beyond the immediate. Delaying present gratification to prepare for a better tomorrow.
Prov.15:22 – RSV Without counsel plans go wrong, but with many advisers they succeed.
For your plans to succeed, don’t depend on your wisdom alone. Leverage on the wisdom of those that are more experienced or gone ahead of you. Talk to them, learn from their mistakes, get mentored.
Prov.16:1,3&9. RSV The plans of the mind belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. 3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. 9 A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.
While working your plans, be flexible and submissive to God. Trust God’s wisdom.
Prov.20:18 –RSV Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war.
Your plans are as good as the information or intelligence upon which they are based. Be patient to get the right information.
Prov.21:5 –NLT Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
No matter how good a plan is, it cannot work itself and work is needed for a good plan to succeed; so stay focused and work your God given plans until you see success.
Prov.24:27 –NLT Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house.
Get your priorities right. Order is very important. Don’t begin building your house until you have ensured a steady cash flow. Develop you business first before considering building a house for yourself as a residence.
Prov.31:15-16 She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls. 16 She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
Plan your work ahead. Know what to delegate and do so. Always ask yourself, my new investment, how does it fit into my previously laid out plan. If not be careful, it might be a distraction even though looks very good. Learn to say No without guilt.
SOME PLANNING IN TH BIBLE
GOD – Jer.29:11 –RSV
11 For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Our God is a planner. He takes deliberate actions that fit into His wise purpose –Gen.1& 2, Isa.49:9-10saying to the prisoners ‘Come forth,’ to those who are in darkness, ‘Appear?’ They shall feed along the ways; on all bare heights shall be their pasture; 10 they shall not hunger or thirst, neither scorching wind nor sun shall smite them, for he who has pity on them will lead them, and by springs of water will guide them. Acts 2:23 This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. Eph.1:9-10 For he has made known to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of his will, according to his purpose which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
If our God is a planner, we too should plan!
Our Lord Jesus Christ – Heb.10:6-7
6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings thou hast taken no pleasure. 7 Then I said, ‘Lo, I have come to do thy will, O God,’ as it is written of me in the roll of the book.”
He knew His mission and with clear thinking and planning, He fulfilled it. See also!
John 2:3-4 – He knew His time, because He understood the plan.
Luk.9:51 – He worked the plan
John 21 – He went after the apostles especially Peter, because of the plan.
The Apostle Paul
The life of Apostle Paul showed that planning is necessary for a productive ministry or career.
He was the greatest church planter and missionary ever. Planning was a major part of his life.
Act.15:36 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.”
Rom.15:20-28
1Thess.2:18
Therefore we wanted to come to you — even I, Paul, time and again — but Satan hindered us.
Intentional Planning For Productivity Quiz
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