Bible Study Notes

Harvest Chronicle

Thank you for visiting the Harvest Ministries Worldwide Bible Study Notes Archive.  Please find attached the notes from our Weekly Bible Study.  

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Our Destiny is the Continuous Divine Providence in Your Life

Introduction

God visits, touches, communicates, controls, and intervenes, coming before and between people and their needs. His continuous plan demonstrated by the his intervention, predestination, predetermination, and direction of His Will in our life is a clear indication of His Divine Providence. As clear as Divine Providence is to us, there are still concepts that arise in Satan's attempt to snatch God's Glory.  These counterfeit principles creep in many ways and often look amazingly close to the principles of God.


Foundation Scripture:

Jeremiah 29:11


Scripture Teaching: 2 Peter 3:8-10

Key Verses: 2 Peter 3:8

8 But you must not forget, dear friends, that a day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent.


God’s plan and timing are divine (3:8). Sovereignty, not slowness, is the issue. Appealing to the teaching of Psalms90:4  For you, a thousand years are as yesterday!


 Peter pointed out that what was regarded as a long time to people was like a mere day in God’s reckoning. God is not bound by earthly time. The phrase “as some people think” (3:9) is intended as a slur against the opponents who say that delay functions as a prime argument against providential judgment. But, understood correctly, the present lack of God’s full judgment is actually a proof for God’s providence. God’s so-called slowness is actually providing time to repent based on God’s benevolent character. He is patient, not slow. That patience is clearly seen in God’s covenant with Noah. Humans would continue to be as sinful as ever (Genesis 8:21), but God bound himself to withholding his full judgment so that he could show grace in Christ.


Counterfeit Providences:

FATE

Also called Kismet, Karma, or Chance rules the lives of many. Countless numbers of people have believed themselves to be trapped by a sometimes fickle and always foreboding fate. “As fate would have it,” they say.  



LUCK

Optimists speak of “fortune,” or less solemnly of “luck.” Luck is also sometimes called good fortune.  People refer to themselves as lucky or even often used the term fortunate or that they have a charmed life.



SERENDIPITY

This is the term used for seemingly coincidental, unintentional discoveries of good things along the way in life. It fails to acknowledge God’s part in the discovery and sometimes sidesteps gratitude for God's orchestration of the gift.



HISTORY

There is a current trend towards encouraging people to think that their future is dictated or even set up by their past.  This way of thinking has been a new day model of the concept of the Marxist propagandists that championed their cause by saying, “History is on our side.” They were appealing to a supposed inevitability of future events that would lead to a Communistic world. “History” in such a statement appears to have taken on a divine dimension. Likewise, when American leaders have affirmed a “manifest destiny” for the United States to be the superior power in the Western hemisphere or in the world at large, it’s the same kind of reasoning.  



PROGRESS

The development of science and technology, education and social evolution, and territorial conquests have made some people believe in progress as something more than what is seen. Until the two world wars, there was the illusion of a relentless momentum pushing upward and onward forever.



NATURE

Men like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau of nineteenth-century New England attributed to nature the gifts of providence.



NATURAL SELECTION AND THE SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST

Charles Darwin’s classic on biological evolution, Origin of Species, appeared in 1859. It popularized two relatively new theories. For millions of people, the mysterious decisions behind “natural selection” intrigued the thoughtful more than the notion of God’s providence. And the idea that those who are most fit survive best seems to make providence altogether unnecessary.

These counterfeit views compete with the idea of God’s providence. They cannot all be true. Nor can they satisfy the inquirer whose personhood calls insistently for a personal providence that reflects a knowledge of his individual needs and uniqueness. Only the Christian doctrine of providence provides that.



What does the Word Say of God's  PROVIDENCE


Providence is basically God’s provision for the needs of people. The classic statement is found in Abraham’s confession of faith in his life’s most difficult test. He was under the duress of God’s command to provide something he could not afford-his son in sacrifice. He struggled with the dilemma of losing his son or losing God’s friendship. In answer to Isaac’s question about a sacrifice for God, Abraham exclaimed, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son” (Genesis 22:8, NIV). The word “providence” means literally “to see before,” and therefore by implication to do something about the situation. In this case, there was already upon Mount Moriah a suitable sacrifice, “a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns” (Genesis 22:13 ).

For the unbeliever, an analysis of the situation would conclude that through an ordinary process an animal had become entangled in dense underbrush, and coincidentally Abraham and Isaac happened to arrive on the scene. But to believing Abraham, who was led for three days toward that one point in time and space in desperate need of a divine provision, it was altogether clear to him that God, by whatever process, had stationed the ram at the place of sacrifice for his use. “Provision” and “providence” are coordinately related to their verbal root, “provide,” and are essentially and etymologically the same. However, they are theologically distinguished in that providence has come to mean God’s foresight of our need.

The great text on providence in the New Testament is also set in a context of sacrifice pleasing to God. Paul had reason to commend the Philippians’ sacrificial support of his missionary work. To them he stated his unbounded confidence in the providential care of God: “This same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). The sacrifice of Christ Jesus for us confirms the doctrine of providence with a great certainty. What God initially asked of Abraham but did not ultimately require (the sacrifice of his son), he required of himself two millennia later. It is God’s nature to supply, to foresee human need, and to provide.



Immediately following his reassuring words to the Philippians about the treasury of providence (“his riches in glory”-Philippians 4:19), the apostle Paul wrote a doxology to God “our Father” (Philippians 4:20). Providence is appropriately pictured in the fatherhood of God. His fatherhood is the attribute, and providence is the act that expresses it. Good fathers provide and guide. Fathers construct conditions of opportunity for children without crowding their freedom. They exercise authority and control in a context of caring. Providence, therefore, as an activity of God, flows naturally from God’s fatherly nature.


Being secure in the fact that God is sovereign and Divine Providence is the way that He cares for us leads us to understand that we are never in the grip of counterfeit providences (fortune, chance, luck, fate).  Everything that happens to us is carefully thought out, divinely planned. Each and every event comes is a new opportunity for success in which we will  trust, obey, and rejoice in the God of our salvation, knowing that it all is for our spiritual and eternal good (Rom. 8:28).





Planning Produces Progress

Progress stimulates and inspires Practice

Practice will produce Perfection

Perfection requires Patience

Patience increases the probability for Purposeful Action

Purposeful Action invokes Divine Providence




Sep 3, 2008 11:56 AM

We Control the Destiny of Our Failures

Introduction

To fail is to fall short, to be reduced in stature, to be perceived as weak, to break down, to fall, to not reach your purpose, to lack success.   Even when you experience failure and all of us at some point will, it is important for us to realize that our failure has a destiny.  That destiny is controlled by us.  Failure is not a dead-end street or a event or circumstance that ends with the failure.  Rather it is a circumstance or situation that has an ultimate goal.  It reaches far beyond the moment that it occurs and affects us many years after it takes place.  When it comes to failure God has given us the ability to establish how we control its ultimate effect on us, our children, and our future. 


Scripture Teaching: 2 Corinthians 12:1-9

Key Verses: 2 Corinthians 12:9

 . . . Each time he said, “My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.”


We all fail. We all have weaknesses.  The key thing is how we view our past failures from a God perspective and use them as opportunities for success in our future. 


How Should We Approach Failure:


We should avoid failure at all cost...


Numbers 14:22 . . . Not one of these people will ever enter that land. They have seen my glorious presence and the miraculous signs I performed both in Egypt and in the wilderness, but again and again they tested me by refusing to listen.

Joshua 7:3-12 . . . Then Joshua cried out, “Sovereign Lord, why did you bring us across the Jordan River if you are going to let the Amorites kill us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side! Lord, what am I to say, now that Israel has fled from its enemies?” . . .But the Lord said to Joshua, “Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this? Israel has sinned and broken my covenant! . . .That is why the Israelites are running from their enemies in defeat.”

Hebrews 4:6 . . . God’s rest is there for people to enter. But those who formerly heard the Good News failed to enter because they disobeyed God.

We can prevent failure by listening to God and doing what he says.

Matthew 7:24-27 . . . “Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse, because it is built on rock. But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will fall with a mighty crash.”

By listening to Christ and his instructions, we can avoid failure.

Joshua 8:1 . . . The Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid or discouraged.”

1 Chronicles 28:20 . . . Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged by the size of the task, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work. . . .is finished correctly.

Courage and perseverance help prevent failure, especially if we know that God approves of the task we are doing.

Proverbs 15:22 . . . Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many counselors bring success.

Good advice helps prevent failure. A concert of wise counsel makes good music for success.

Lamentations 3:23 . . . Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day.

God’s great faithfulness is like a fresh batch of bread delivered daily to sustain us. It not only helps prevent failure, but helps us start over after we have failed.

Isaiah 42:23 . . . Will not even one of you apply these lessons from the past and see the ruin that awaits you?

We can avoid failure by learning from the mistakes of the past.



How do I control and redirect the destiny of my failures?


Failure has many lessons. 

It teaches us how to not make the same mistake again.

Joshua 8:1-29

After Israel had been cleansed from Achan’s sin, Joshua prepared to attack Ai again-this time to win. Joshua had learned some lessons that we can follow: (1) confess your sins when God reveals them to you (7:19-21); and (2) when you fail, refocus on God, deal with the problem, and move on (7:22-25; 8:1). God wants the cycle of sin, repentance, and forgiveness to strengthen us, not weaken us. The lessons we learn from our failures should make us better able to handle the same situation the second time around. Because God is eager to give us cleansing, forgiveness, and strength, the only way to lose is to give up. We can tell what kind of people we are by what we do on the second and third attempts.


It helps us become more humble and useful.

Peter wept bitterly, not only because he realized that he had denied his Lord, the Messiah, but also because he had turned away from a very dear friend, a person who had loved and taught him for three years. Peter had said that he would never disown Christ, despite Jesus’ prediction (Mark 14:29-31; Luke 22:33-34). But when frightened, he went against all he had boldly promised. Unable to stand up for his Lord for even twelve hours, he had failed as a disciple and as a friend. We need to be aware of our own breaking points and not become overconfident or self-sufficient. If we fail him, we must remember that Christ can use those who recognize their failure. From this humiliating experience Peter learned much that would help him later when he assumed leadership of the young church.


1 Kings 8:33-34 . . . If your people Israel are defeated by their enemies because they have sinned against you, and if they turn to you and call on your name and pray to you here in this Temple, then hear from heaven and forgive their sins and return them to this land you gave their ancestors.

Turning to God in repentance and trust is the best response we can have to our own failure.

Proverbs 24:16 . . . They may trip seven times, but each time they will rise again. But one calamity is enough to lay the wicked low.

Micah 7:8 . . . Though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord himself will be my light.

The best response to failure is to get up again, with the hope which faith in God brings.

1 Corinthians 10:1-11 . . . These events happened as a warning to us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did or worship idols as some of them did.

Remember that failure can be helpful; it can teach us important lessons about what to avoid in the future. We need not repeat our mistakes!

2 Corinthians 4:9 . . . We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going.

The best response to failure is to get up again, with the hope which God gives us through faith.

Joshua 8:1 . . . Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid or discouraged.”

Don’t be afraid of failing again. Failure wins when you accept defeat and give up.

2 Timothy 2:12 . . . If we endure hardship, we will reign with him.

Failure isn’t the end-it’s about beginnings. You can recover and move on. There is a way out.

Hebrews 4:15-16 . . . This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses . . . So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God . . . [to] find grace to help us when we need it.

Realize that God’s work is not limited by our failures. He does not reject us in our weakness but rather embraces us so that we can receive strength to be all he intended us to be.



BIBLE READING: Matthew 1:1-17


GOD WORKS IN SPITE OF FAILURES.

In the first seventeen verses of Matthew we meet forty-six people whose lifetimes span two thousand years. All were ancestors of Jesus, but they varied considerably in personality, spirituality, and experience. Some were heroes of faith-like Abraham, Isaac, Ruth, and David. Some had shady reputations-like Rahab and Tamar. Many were very ordinary-like Hezron, Aram, Nahshon, and Achim. And others were evil-like Manasseh and Abijah. God’s work in history is not limited by human failures or sins, and he works through ordinary people. Just as God used all kinds of people to bring his Son into the world, he uses all kinds today to accomplish his will. And God wants to use you. 


PROMISE FROM GOD:

Psalm 37:23-24 . . . The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. 


Sep 3, 2008 11:56 AM

We Control the Destiny of Our Success

Introduction

Destiny is characterized as the events that are pre-ordained or set to happen to you over the course of your life. Your design is a plan produced by God for your destiny before it is actually occurs.

There is an old adage that says, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Although you won’t find it put just that way in the Bible, you will find many accounts of both effective and poor planning. The Bible teaches that God is a God of both purpose and planning.  While we have learned that God controls our Destiny.  The destiny of our success however, is controlled by us.  It is urgent that we realize that God has given us a model for effective and efficient planning and for planning ahead!!! 

Scripture Teaching: Nehemiah 2:1 - 3:32

Key Verses: Nehemiah 2:11-17 . . . 

Nehemiah needed a workable plan with a secure strategy to successfully accomplish the desire (the vision) God had placed in his heart–to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Notice that God placed the vision in Nehemiah's heart and not in his head. Although planning was to be done with his intelligence (the Kingdom Intelligence that God had given him), the vision was placed by God in Nehemiah's heart. It was placed where his passion lay. 

Luke 6:45

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

Proverbs 23:7

For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.

There are four New Testament scriptures that indicate indirectly that belief takes place in the heart (Mark 11:23; 16:14; Luke 8:12; 24:25).

Before Nehemiah could come up with a plan, however, he had to do his homework. He had to take an assessment!!! He had to evaluate through the process of documenting in measurable terms, knowledge, skills, attitudes and beliefs, available resources and the resources he needed to acquire. Nehemiah knew that he his work was cut out for him–the settlers’ morale was low, and the neighboring kingdoms didn't want the Jews to get ambitious and rebuild. In the midst of all of this Nehemiah took into consideration all of this as he carefully devised his plan according to the vision that God had placed in his heart. 

Nehemiah arrived quietly in Jerusalem and spent several days carefully observing and assessing the damage to the walls. Nehemiah kept his mission a secret, surveying the walls by moonlight to prevent enemies from being alerted to his plans. Only after careful planning would he go public with his mission. A premature announcement could have caused rivalry among the Jews over the best way to begin or a uprising in his enemies that could have delayed his building.  Nehemiah didn’t need brainstorming sessions; he needed one plan that would bring quick action. Following this time of careful assessment, he confidently presented his plan.  The Strategy used by Nehemiah brought the people together unanimously with increased cooperation, improved morale and ultimately the successful completion of the project.


WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO PLAN AHEAD?

Proverbs 20:4 . . . If you are too lazy to plow in the right season, you will have no food at the harvest.

Luke 14:28 . . . Don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first getting estimates and then checking to see if there is enough money to pay the bills?

Planning for the future is necessary to prevent disasters. Planning is also a necessary part of living.

Proverbs 13:16 . . . Wise people think before they act.

Proverbs 14:8 . . . The wise look ahead to see what is coming.

Proverbs 22:3 . . . A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

Planning and foresight will help us prepare for danger ahead so that we can avoid disastrous consequences.


DOESN’T PLANNING AHEAD CONFLICT WITH TRUSTING GOD TO LEAD US?

1 Chronicles 28:12, 19 . . . David also gave Solomon all the plans he had in mind for the courtyards of the Lord’s Temple, the outside rooms, the treasuries of God’s Temple, and the rooms for the dedicated gifts. . . . “Every part of this plan,” David told Solomon, “was given to me in writing from the hand of the Lord.”

Rather than conflicting with trust in God, planning helps us put our faith in God into action.

Genesis 11:4 . . . “Let’s build a great city with a tower that reaches to the skies-a monument to our greatness! This will bring us together and keep us from scattering all over the world.”

Psalm 33:10 . . . The Lord shatters the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes.

Making plans without referring to God and his will is a recipe for frustration and disaster.


HOW DO I GO ABOUT PLANNING AHEAD?

Exodus 25:40 . . . “Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain.”

Exodus 26:30 . . . Set up this Tabernacle according to the design you were shown on the mountain.

Follow God’s revealed will when you make your plans.

Genesis 11:4 . . . Let’s build a great city with a tower that reaches to the skies-a monument to our greatness! This will bring us together and keep us from scattering all over the world.

Don’t make plans that conflict with God’s revealed will.

1 Chronicles 28:19 . . . “Every part of this plan,” David told Solomon, “was given to me in writing from the hand of the Lord.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 . . . Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.

As we seek God, he will guide us in making our plans.

Isaiah 14:26-27 . . . I have a plan for the whole earth, for my mighty power reaches throughout the world. The Lord Almighty has spoken-who can change his plans? When his hand moves, who can stop him?

Romans 8:28 . . . We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

God will work through our plans, and in spite of them, to accomplish his ends.

Matthew 6:34 . . . Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

James 4:13-16 . . . Look here, you people who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what will happen tomorrow? For your life is like the morning fog-it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you will be boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil.

Don’t try to plan too far ahead: you don’t know what the future will bring.


PROMISES FROM GOD:

Proverbs 19:21 . . . You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.

Ephesians 1:9-10 . . . God’s secret plan has now been revealed to us; it is a plan centered on Christ, designed long ago according to his good pleasure. And this is his plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ-everything in heaven and on earth. 


Sep 3, 2008 11:56 AM

Our Destiny is Controlled By God

Introduction

Destiny is characterized as the events that are pre-ordained or set to happen to you over the course of your life. Your design is a plan produced by God for your destiny before it is actually occurs.

Making a decision is arriving at a solution that ends uncertainty or that settles a dispute. It is distinguishing between options, some big, some little, some good, some evil. You must choose between little things, such as a chocolate or vanilla ice-cream cone, or between great issues, such as which person shall I marry, which job shall I take, which home shall I buy? Decision-making is as important as making a plan.  Many of us delay our destiny because we make the decision not to make a decision.


WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF INDECISIVENESS?

 2 Samuel 14:1-33

 Joab told the king what Absalom had said. Then at last David summoned his estranged son, and Absalom came and bowed low before the king, and David kissed him. (2 Samuel 14:33)

INDECISIVENESS INCREASES THE POSSIBILITY OF BAD DECISIONS.

Discipline is hard-and sometimes painful-work. David only made halfhearted efforts to correct his children. He did not punish Amnon for his sin against Tamar, nor did he deal decisively with Absalom’s murder of Amnon. He never took time to correct Adonijah. Such indecisiveness became David’s undoing. David avoided necessary confrontations with his children. But the consequences were disastrous. When we ignore sin, we experience greater pain than if we deal with it immediately.

 John 3:22-36

All who believe in God’s Son have eternal life. Those who don’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life, but the wrath of God remains upon them. (John 3:36)

INDECISIVENESS ITSELF CAN BE A BAD DECISION.

Jesus says that those who believe in him have (not will have) everlasting life. To receive eternal life is to join in God’s life, which by nature is eternal. Thus, eternal life begins at the moment of spiritual rebirth.

John, the author of this Gospel, has been demonstrating that Jesus is the true Son of God. Jesus sets before us the greatest choice in life. We are responsible to decide today whom we will obey (Joshua 24:15), and God wants us to choose him and choose life (Deuteronomy 30:15-20).

God Knows the plans that He has for us.  He authored them!!!

Jeremiah 29:11

11 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. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. 

God has appointed events for each of us that leads to our destiny...

Job 23:14

For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him. KJV

So he will do for me all he has planned. He controls my destiny. NLT

Ps 73:24

24 You will keep on guiding me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. NLT

Those appointments were determined from the beginning and He will accomplish everything that He has purposed according to the counsel of his will...

Isaiah 46:10

God also declared that he has determined the end from the beginning. “My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose”  RSV

Ephesians 1:11

Paul stated that the purpose of God is carried out “according to the counsel of his will” RSV 

Read and compare Psalm 119:89-91; Daniel 4:35

Our life span is determined and God's concern even extends to all his creation.

Job 14:5, Psalm 104:14-30, Matthew 10:29

Matthew 10:30

Even the hairs on our heads are numbered. 

Furthermore, God’s plan extends to peoples and nations, for “he made from one every nation of men to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their habitation” (Acts 17:26, RSV).

God knows and even uses people’s evil acts for his own ends. God foreordains the events of nature and history, and even evil acts are subject to his control and are made to fulfill his purposes.

For example, although Joseph’s brothers sinned by selling him into slavery, Joseph later said, “As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today” (Genesis 50:20, RSV).

Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus, but God used that sinful intent. Jesus said, “For the Son of man goes as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” (Luke 22:22, RSV). 

On the day of Pentecost the apostle Peter said, “This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men” (Acts 2:23, RSV; compare Acts 4:27-28). 

Paul refers to God’s determining authority over Pharaoh’s acts (Romans 9:17). 

Revelation 17:17 says, “God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose” (RSV). 


Sep 3, 2008 11:56 AM

The Destiny By Design Series

Introduction


Destiny is characterized as the events that are pre-ordained or set to happen to you over the course of your life. Your design is a plan produced by God for your destiny before it is actually occurs.


Foundation Scripture:


Jeremiah 29:11

11 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. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. 

Premise:

"God has purpose, planning, and intentions for us that He desires for us to get in line with. There is a design that exists behind each action that He causes to come into your life.  The only way we will know what those plans are is to know the mind of God.  The only way to know the mind of God is to live in Him and operate from His point of view and from His perspective.  This in only possible when we have received the DELIVERANCE FOR OUR DESTINY AND BECOME CONSUMED BY HIS SPIRIT!!!"


WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW ABOUT MAKING PLANS?

BIBLE READING: Genesis 41:1-40

KEY BIBLE VERSE: Joseph’s suggestions were well received by Pharaoh and his advisers. As they discussed who should be appointed for the job, Pharaoh said, “Who could do it better than Joseph? For he is a man who is obviously filled with the spirit of God.” (Genesis 41:37-38)


WE CAN MAKE WISE USE OF RESOURCES THROUGH PLANNING.

After interpreting Pharaoh’s dream, Joseph gave the king a survival plan for the next fourteen years. The only way to prevent starvation was through careful planning; without a plan, Egypt would have turned from prosperity to ruin. Many find detailed planning boring and unnecessary. But planning is a responsibility, not an option. Joseph was able to save a nation by translating God’s plan for Egypt into practical actions (implementation). We must take time to translate God’s plan for us into practical actions too.

BIBLE READING: Proverbs 13:1-25

KEY BIBLE VERSE: Wise people think before they act; fools don’t and even brag about it! (Proverbs 13:16)


PLANNING CAN LEAD TO FREEDOM.

Being spontaneous can be fun, but it is not the best way to approach every situation. There is a place for planning and self-discipline, especially when you have goals you want to reach. Some people think planning is too restrictive. In reality, it can set a person free to enjoy life and to be productive. Take time to set goals, to plan your course of action, and to set priorities before you launch into action.


PLANNING CAN LEAD TO STUBBORNNESS.

When you set your heart on something, you may lose your ability to assess it objectively (see verse 19). Your desire blinds your judgment, and you proceed with an unwise relationship, a wasteful purchase, or a poorly conceived plan in spite of the objections from others. Faithfulness is a virtue, but stubbornness is not. If your plans cause you to use people and love things rather than use things and love people, give up your plans immediately.

BIBLE READING: Matthew 6:25-34

KEY BIBLE VERSE: Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. (Matthew 6:34)


CAREFUL PLANNING CAN KEEP US FROM WORRY.

Planning for tomorrow is time well spent; worrying about tomorrow is time wasted. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell the difference. Careful planning is thinking ahead about goals, steps, and schedules, and trusting in God’s guidance. When done well, planning can help alleviate worry. Worriers, by contrast, are consumed with fear and find it difficult to trust God. They let their plans interfere with their relationship with God. Don’t let worries about tomorrow affect your relationship with God today.

BIBLE READING: James 4:13-17

KEY BIBLE VERSE: What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you will be boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil. (James 4:15-16)


CAREFUL PLANNING SHOULD INCLUDE SUBMISSION TO GOD.

It is good to have goals, but goals will disappoint us if we leave God out of them. There is no point in making plans as though God does not exist, because the future is in his hands. What would you like to be doing ten years from now? One year from now? Tomorrow? How will you react if God steps in and rearranges your plans? Plan ahead, but hold your plans loosely. Put God’s desires at the center of your planning; he will never disappoint you.


GOD’S GREAT PLAN


WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT GOD’S PLAN?

BIBLE READING: Joshua 1:1-18

KEY BIBLE VERSE: They answered Joshua, “We will do whatever you command us, and we will go wherever you send us.” (Joshua 1:16)


GOD’S PLAN REQUIRES OUR SUBMISSION TO HIM.

If everyone had tried to conquer the Promised Land his own way, chaos would have resulted. In order to complete the enormous task of conquering the land, everyone had to agree to the leader’s plan and be willing to support and obey him. If we are going to complete the tasks God has given us, we must fully agree to his plan, pledge to obey it, and put his principles into action. Agreeing to God’s plan means both knowing what the plan is (as found in the Bible) and carrying it out daily.

BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 2:6-16

KEY BIBLE VERSE: The wisdom we speak of is the secret wisdom of God, which was hidden in former times, though he made it for our benefit before the world began. (1 Corinthians 2:7)


GOD’S PLAN IS FOR OUR ETERNAL BENEFIT.

God’s “secret wisdom . . . which was hidden” was his offer of salvation to all people. Originally unknown to humanity, this plan became crystal clear when Jesus rose from the dead. His resurrection proved that he had power over sin and death and could offer us this power as well. God’s plan, however, is still hidden to unbelievers because they either refuse to accept it, choose to ignore it, or simply haven’t heard about it.


GOD’S PLAN IS MORE WONDERFUL THAN WE CAN IMAGINE.

We cannot imagine all that God has in store for us, both in this life and for eternity. He will create a new heaven and a new earth (Isaiah 65:17; Revelation 21:1), and we will live with him forever. Until then, his Holy Spirit comforts and guides us. Knowing the wonderful and eternal future that awaits us gives us hope and courage to press on in this life, to endure hardship, and to avoid giving in to temptation. This world is not all there is. The best is yet to come.

BIBLE READING: Ephesians 1:1-14

KEY BIBLE VERSE: God’s secret plan has now been revealed to us; it is a plan centered on Christ, designed long ago according to his good pleasure. And this is his plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ-everything in heaven and on earth. (Ephesians 1:9-10)


GOD’S PLAN CANNOT BE UNDERSTOOD APART FROM CHRIST.

God was not just keeping a secret; he was keeping it until the right moment. His plan for the world could not be fully understood until Christ rose from the dead. His purpose for sending Christ was to unite Jews and Gentiles in one body with Christ as the head. Many people still do not understand God’s plan; but when the time is right, he will bring us together to be with him forever. Then everyone will understand. On that day, all people will bow to Jesus as Lord, either because they love him or because they fear his power (see Philippians 2:10-11). 

Jul 9, 2008 7:18 PM

Dispelling Dysfunction

Dysfunction is when conflict, misbehavior and even abuse on the part of individual members of a church, company, family etc. occur continually, leading other members to accommodate such actions. People who are by-products of that organism sometimes engage to the degree that they take on the attitude and understanding that such an arrangement is normal.


It is an impairment in the functioning of the family, organization, or group that impedes consistent progress.  It delays and sometimes even displaces the destiny of the individuals in the group and thus makes group operation non-functional.


When we dispell dysfunction we end up with a thriving, successfully functioning, organism. What we originally learn how to relate to people in an intimate relationship was learned from our own immediate family with whom we grew up.  Although we may have been born again for years, what we learned about cooperation, receiving correction, quarreling, getting even, love, and many other interactions we learned in our home environment.  In addition, while we may each have come from a healthy, happy home environment, the system operating in our respective environments may have been quite different.  We often attempt to consciously or unconsciously replicate the kind of environment with which we are familiar.  Given the obstacles and challenges of many of the home environments today, this can make for quite a challenge when trying to build family units, churches, companies that become thriving, successful, functioning organsims. 


The characteristic way a person behaves is a reflection of their subjective view, or life style.  The life style we bring to the team is often a reflection of the family atmosphere in which we were raised.  The family atmosphere is the climate of the relationship in the home.  When there is no training and development of family or group dynamics, the climate and atmosphere of the family or group setting becomes characterized by rigidity, impossible standards, competition, inconsistency, or stagnation.  


Types of Dysfunction:


Paranoia

    Paranoid style churches have a good knowledge of threats and opportunities outside the organization and are able to use this knowledge to reduce risks of failure.

 

            * a general atmosphere of distrust and paranoia ("somebody's out to get me"), 

            * hypersensitivity to relationships, organizational issues, hidden meanings & motives

            * hyper-alertness for problems;

            * a constant, hyper-vigilant lookout for the "enemy";

            * looking for ways to confirm one's subjective suspicions of others.


Compulsivity

Compulsive style churches, for example, are efficiently operated organizations with fine-tuned internal organizational controls. They are also well-integrated in their ministries and are focused on their overall ministry strategy.


            * Pre-occupied with trivialities;

            * Highly rigid and well-defined set of rules;

            * Insistence that people submit to "their way";

            * Defining relationships in terms of control/submission;

            * Almost total lack of spontaneity;

            * A constant sense of control anxiety which underlies all its activities 

            * An obstinate sense of dogmatism (everything is seen in black and white)

            * Highly focused belief that in all conflict one is either right or wrong.


Dramatic

Churches characterized by the Dramatic organizational style are able to develop momentum for passing through critical ministry plateaus and times of ministry revitalization.


            * need to have positive attention from outsiders;

            * impress others with "WOW" types of experiences;

            * display superficiality (the "happy" mask);

            * act merely on the basis of "hunches" or gut feelings;

            * tendency to (over-) react to minor events;

            * have a great sense of being able to do what is necessary in a "miraculous"manner;

            * have a sense of being in control of their destiny vs. Being at mercy of events;

            * Seldom have past events which dominate its thinking 


Depressed

Churches marked by the Depressive style are noted for their efficiency of internal process and their focus on maintaining the internal processes.

 

            * a profoundly low sense of pride;

            * very a great deal of guilt 

            * a strong sense of indecision and unwillingness to take risks;

            * focus on dying or out-moded areas ("markets") of ministry;

            * little sense of competition;

            * apathetic and inactive leadership.


Schizoid

Schizoid style congregations enjoy the influence of people from various levels in the development of their overall ministry strategy and in their willingness to consider a variety of points of view.

 

            * a marked cold, unemotional detachment and isolation;

            * non-involvement with others in and outside the organization;

            * a permeating belief that interactions with others eventually fail and hurt the church 

            * a feeling that it’s safer to remain distant and isolated than close and collaborating;

            * afraid of risks…even small ones;

      &nb