This is somewhat of a re-post of a post I did at this time last year entitled, "Plans for 2008," with a few updates. Enjoy! And don't forget to post a comment with some of your plans/resolutions, etc.
This time of year is always a great time to reflect on the past year and all that has happened, all that God did, and to also look ahead and make plans for the next year, according to the dreams and visions God has planted in your heart. With this in mind, here are some Scriptures (NLT) about making plans:
I know, Lord, that our lives are not our own.We are not able to plan our own course. - Jeremiah 10:23
May he grant your heart’s desiresand make all your plans succeed. - Psalm 20:4
The Lord will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.Don’t abandon me, for you made me. - Psalm 138:8
Plans go wrong for lack of advice;many advisers bring success. - Psalm 15:22
We can make our own plans,but the Lord gives the right answer.
Commit your actions to the Lord,and your plans will succeed.
We can make our plans,but the Lord determines our steps. - Proverbs 16:1,3,9
You can make many plans,but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. - Proverbs 19:21
“What sorrow awaits my rebellious children,”says the Lord.“You make plans that are contrary to mine.You make alliances not directed by my Spirit,thus piling up your sins." - Isaiah 30:1
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. - Jeremiah 29:11
What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil. - James 4:15-16
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain... -Psalms 127:1 (this one doesn't contain the word "plan", but you get the idea.)
So what are some of my plans? (I thought I would include last years for review first:)
- Like most Americans, I plan to eat healthier and exercise more in 2008 (this had its ups and downs)
- I plan to take some classes and prepare myself for grad school (no classes yet; started taking a Stats class, then found out I didn't need it; got hired in St. Cloud, moved there, got accepted to grad school here, and will begin classes this January)
- I plan to get my first credit card (finally got this one done in September - no missed payments, and not planning on any!)
- I plan to find a Christian primary care doctor in the metro area (anyone got any suggestions?) (moved away, so this one never got accomplished)
- I plan to have more children, spiritually speaking (none that I know of this year...)
Now for 2009:
-finish 12 credits and pay in full (no student loans!)
-once again, to consistently exercise and eat regular meals. I got a slow cooker recently, so I expect that to help - throw food in, turn on, go to work, and come home to dinner...i think that's how it works...
-Once again, I plan to have more children, spiritually speaking. If nothing else, I want to be sowing lots of seed - he who sows much will reap much; he who sows little will reap little
-I would like to visit my family a little more this year. I realize as I get older that your visits home decrease, but I would like to be with my family a little more this year
-use no sick leave at work (we are alloted somewhere around 35 hours a year of sick pay; I'm believing for God to keep me in good health, not using any sick time, that God may be glorified in that and be a testimony to my employer)
That's enough of mine to share; How about you? Take some time this week to sit down and reflect on how the 168 hours you spend each week is or is not being applied to achieve the things God has placed in your heart. Feel free to reply with some of your plans, I'd love to hear about them.
Happy New Year!
