Plans 2 Prosper U Blog

     For many people around the U.S., Labor Day marks the end of summer and the time when school is back in session. Those of us in Florida, unfortunately, don’t have that luxury. My wife is a teacher in Florida and I used to be.  We know all too well that early August is when we are back in school. And yes, the students may arrive sometime in mid-August but we’re there about 2 weeks beforehand making sure everything’s ready for that first day. We get our classrooms ready, create seating charts, and construct grade books.

     And then there is planning. There are yearly plans, semester plans, quarterly plans, weekly plans, daily lesson plans, and emergency lesson plans. Oh yeah, lets not forget about the meetings. We have school-wide meetings, faculty meetings, and department meetings. Before we even know it, summer is a distant memory and we’re already talking about things like when the next break is. And that’s not all. When school starts there is more planning, more meetings, adjusting the plans, and lets not forget, there is some teaching too…

     The point is this; a good teacher wouldn’t even consider not doing whatever was needed to ensure a smooth start to the school year. And once everything’s setup there is constant shifting and maintenance to the activities to accommodate all of the circumstances that come up in the classroom and throughout the year.

     When I was an Engineer and Project Manager with Procter and Gamble it was basically the same thing. We’d spend months, sometimes, organizing and preparing for a project. We’d consider every possible scenario just in case a problem might arise. Then throughout the whole process there are meetings and plans change and adjust as needed.

     Many of our jobs and lives follow a similar pattern. We Prepare, we Plan and we Act. We do this at work to accomplish our jobs. We do it at home while working on projects. We even do this in our relationships. Yet somehow this process doesn’t always accompany our faith journey. Too often we leave that aspect of our life to chance and we wait to see what happens. We say, “I’ve prayed and now I’m waiting for an answer from God.” Its not that we lack the desire to find out what we should do. We just lack merely doing it.

     So many of us are interested in God’s purpose for our lives. We want to know how we can fully live out His plans for us. But how many of us actually put effort into this? Do we actively seek God’s will for our lives or do we just go about our days and hope that His plans will just happen? Now certainly, God does not need our help in carrying out His plans, but He does will it. God wants us to take part in the plans that He has for us. An awareness of this concept makes living life so much more meaningful. But still, it doesn’t make it any easier to figure out what God wants us to do.

     The Apostle Paul tells us: “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” (Philippians 3:12, NIV).

     Even Paul acknowledges that there is so much that he hasn’t grasped and that he was far from perfect. In light of that, he stresses that he will “press on” to achieve the plans that Jesus has for him. He doesn’t say: “so I wait to see what happens” or “I’ll sit around for awhile until I figure out what to do.” Paul traveled all over the earth spreading the Gospel. And even when he was forced to “sit around” in prisons he didn’t just sit there. He kept busy writing letters to churches and converting his guards to Christianity.

     Do you think that there was ever a time that Paul didn’t know what he was supposed to do? If you’re anything like me and put Paul on a pedestal, you’re probably thinking that the answer is “no.” But the fact remains that Paul was a human (duh!) and therefore he too struggled with what his next move was.

     For Paul goes on to say “Brothers I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 13-14, NIV). So again, Paul acknowledges that He has not “taken hold of it” (the plans that Jesus has for him) but that He is moving toward what is ahead. He is not waiting for the next message but he is always in motion.

     Brothers and sisters, this is what we are called to do. We need to always be moving forward in our faith journey. We need to pray to God for what he wants us to do. But then we need to follow the feelings that He puts inside of us. We should plan it out and then act it out. Along the way we may find that we will need to adjust. That’s ok. The goal is to always be moving forward.

     By making a constant effort to continually move forward in our faith, we will end up realizing the plans that God has for us. It doesn’t matter if we know exactly what they are. It doesn’t matter if we know specifically what we should do. The Holy Spirit will plant a seed inside of us that just won’t go away. We need to feed that seed by beginning to move in the direction that God is leading us. Once in motion, like a computer guided missile, God will direct us along the way.

     So don’t worry about what is next for you. Don’t concern yourself with having everything perfect before you act. Just go ahead and ACT. Begin doing something that you feel led to do. Don’t let your faith journey stagnate waiting for the right set of circumstances. There are opportunities all around that God is urging us to get involved with. Just look around you.

© by George E. Sayour

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.   I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful , I know that full well.  (Psalm 139: 13-14, NIV)

I was leading a workshop at a convention in Boca Raton, FL when these verses really sunk in.  I was speaking on God’s plans for our lives (a common theme for me to speak about) and I came to a point where I usually read Psalm 139.  For some reason this time it was different.  You see, my wife had just given birth to our first child 10 days before.  Somehow that experience made me look at God in a whole new way.  Cliche aside, my son truly was a gift from God. 

It is amazing to me to think that my son (Adam Richard) was made by the hand of God and that even though he has been on this earth only a short time- God already has plans for him. 

God, I do indeed know full well that your works are wonderful!

Reader- what does it mean to you that God made you specifically?

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. (Psalm 139: 7-12)

No matter where we are, no matter where we go, God knows it. We don’t have to be afraid of anything. As long as we submit to His will for us, His hand will guide us. He WILL hold us. No situation is too dark. All hope is never lost. God knows about it already. He has already planned to be there for you. His hand will guide you. He will hold you. Will you let him?

Oh Lord, you have searched me and you know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar.  You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with my ways.  Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely. (Psalm 139:1-4, NIV)

Do you ever wonder if God knows what you are thinking?  doing?  saying?   God knows it all.  Read those verses and think about them.  Is there anything that you are going through that God doesn’t know about?  Not according to Psalm 139. 

According to these verses, God knows our thoughts.  He knows what we are doing. He knows what we are saying.  But not only that.  God knows what we are about to think.  He is fully aware of what we are going to do.  And he knows what we will say.

Wow! There is nothing that we can keep from our Heavenly Father.  So lets stop trying to hide all of the things that we are afraid to pray about.  He knows them already.  Lets stop trying to accomplish things on our own.  He knows the desires that are on your hearts.  He so much wants to be a part of our lives. He is afterall our Father and we are His children.

If you’re looking for a place in Scripture that supports the idea that God the Father knows exactly who you are, you need to take a look at Psalm 139. 

During the first week of July, I was leading a workshop and I began to speak on Psalm 139, as I often do.  Right in the middle of the exercise (verses 13-15) it hit me like a ton of bricks.  I can’t even explain it since I have always believed those words, that is after all why I was speaking about it.  But this time it was different.  Susan and I had just given birth to our first child, Adam Richard, the week before.  Somehow, Adam’s birth gave those verses so much more meaning in my own life and it directly goes to support Jeremiah 29 and the plans that God has for us.

I think we will take a little bit of time and a few blog entries to go through this amazing, amazing chapter of Scripture. 

Why don’t you go ahead and read Psalm 139 today and see if it comes alive to you as it does for me.

Here’s a picture of my son (day he was born) from which new insights of who God is have been revealed to me. 

Thank you Lord for my Baby Adam!

Learn more about the book

Plans To Prosper You: Find Your Purpose through Jeremiah 29

By George E. Sayour            

http://www.plans2prosperu.com/Jeremiah_29_Book.html

Hello family, friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ.  Sorry for the lack of recent Blog entrys.  Susan and I are currently enjoying our vacations and time away from our students.   We hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas and we pray that you will have a Blessed New Year.  Frequent Blog entries will resume in January.

We leave you with this thought for the New Year.  Something to base your resolutions around:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord “plans to prosper you and not to harm you plans for hope and a future.”  (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)

May your pursuits in 2007 be focused on fully realizing God’s plans for your life.

God Bless,

George E. Sayour

Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”

(Luke 1:45, NIV)

How strongly do you believe that God’s Will for your life will be accomplished?  How much do you believe in the promise found in Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord….?

Mary believed that God’s work would be in done in her life.  Mary knew what God had directly promised to her and trusted that those plans would come to fruition.  How often in our own lives do we know what God wants for us, yet we doubt that the plans will or can come true.  During this Christmas season let us be like Mary by trusting in the promises of God.

Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. (Matthew 1:19, NIV)

I know that I included this verse with yesterday’s entry.  I just wanted to bring out another point about it.  Reflect on Joseph’s attitude about his news.  Consider that in the days of Mary and Joseph a betrothal (engagement) was much more binding than today and only to be broken by divorce.  Joseph’s first reaction toward’s Mary’s supposed infidelity was toward her and not himself.  She was the guilty one, yet he was concerned with her wellbeing.  This concept is completely foreign to us today and the Holy Spirit was doubtlessly involved in his heart.  God had a plan for Mary and Joseph and it was only fullfilled due to Joseph’s proper attitude. 

When was the last time a loved one had harmed or sinned against you?  How did you react?  What was your response?  Believe me I’m as guilty of lashing out as the next guy.  But I submit to you that Joseph’s attitude is the right one and ever so appropriate for this Christmas season.  Do you have the right attitude for God’s plans to be fulfilled in your life?

Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of hte gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains.  Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.  (Ephesians 6:19-20, NIV)

I find these 2 verses so encouraging.  Often times I am upset with myself for not declaring the word of God boldly enough.  Then I read these verses and realize that even Paul struggled with this.  He wouldn’t be asking people to pray for him to be able to fearlessly declare the Word of God if he didn’t need the help.  Its kind of hard to believe isn’t it?  Most of the New Testament was written by Paul, yet he is asking for prayers and support to be able to spread the Word. 

Paul knew that it was his purpose to spread the Good News.  It was God’s plan for him to do this.  In order for us to fully realize the plans that God has for us the plans referred to when we read “For I know the plans I have for you”  we must spread the word of God. 

I also become fully aware from these verses that I do need the prayers. We all do.  It is not just up to ourselves to get this done.  We need to support each other in identifying ourselves as Christians and in spreading the Good News. 

Take a moment and pray for your family and friends that they not only become closer in their relationship with Jesus but that they become fearless in spreading the Word of God.

Be careful then how you live- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.  (Ephesians 5:15-16, NIV)

These 2 verses together are great.  They sum up what we should be thinking when we make our daily decisions.  We are to live wisely, putting thought into our decisions.  We are to ask whether or not we are making the most out of the opportunities that are before us.  We need to understand the Lord’s will. 

Of course, this is easier said then done.  But if we actually think about our decisions and actions and put Christ into them, we will make wiser choices.  Making wiser choices will lead us to making the most of our opportunities.  As we live a life of well thought out and wise choices and seized opportunities we will know the will of God. 

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord, Live as children of the Light. 

(Ephesians 5:8, NIV)

God wants for us to have purpose, meaning, and direction.  There is no direction in darkness.  You can’t find your way in the dark.  It is only in the light that one can navigate the unknown.  This verse calls us to live in the light.  But not only that.  We are called to actually be the light.  And as the light, others will come to know the source of that light, which is Jesus.  So shine bright.  When others see you, let them find direction that is rooted in Christ.  Let your light spread to others so that they too can be the light of Christ.  Imagine the imagery of a sole candle lighting another candle.  And then another candle.  And then each of those candles lighting other candles.  And so on.  Picture the light spreading, growing, and not diminishing.  That is how the light of Jesus should spread among us.

So be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love as Christ loved us…

(Ephesians, 5:1-2(partial), NIV)

Verse #1 seems totally impossible.  How can we imitate God?  That is why the second part is there.  Jesus was sent into this world to save us.  He was also sent as an example of how to live and how to love.  The love that Jesus exhibited was better described as Love In Action.  He didn’t merely tell people that He loved them.  He showed them.  He ate at their houses, He healed their ailments, He forgave their sins.  In all things He put others first.  This is our calling. 

Who can you show LOVE IN ACTION to today?

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ.  From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

(Ephesians 4:15-16, NIV)

In this verse we have the imagery of the Church as a unified Body with Jesus Christ as its Head..  The Body of Christ is made up of many different parts that are all connected.  As each part grows, so grows the Body- and thus the church continues to grow.   We all have our role to fill and we are called to serve in love.    Each of us fulfills a functional and needed role to further the growth of this Body. 

What part of the Body are you?  What is your purpose?  What have you been called to do or be in order to connect and complete the Body so that the church continues to grow?

It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.  (Ephesians 4:11-12, NIV)

The month of October has quietly been known among Christian communities as Minister Appreciation Month.  It is only fitting that today, the last Sunday of October, that we come across this verse in Ephesians that speaks to this very cause.  We must remember that it was God himself who called our church leaders to be in the positions that they are.  We should thank them for heeding the call and for fulfilling their purposes in Christ Jesus. 

Be sure to thank your pastor today!

……I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

(Ephesians 4:1 (partial), NIV)

Jesus loved us so much that He willingly gave His life for us.  Through this gift we have free access to the Father and His Spirit lives inside of us.  Boy, we have a lot to live up to.  Of course, it isn’t always easy but we must try.  We must live a life worthy of our calling.  We are joint heirs in the Kingdom of God and we must act accordingly. 

What do people who don’t know you think about when they meet you?  Better yet- what do those people who DO know you think about you?  Do they know that you are a Chrisitan by your words or your deeds?  What can you do differently so that when a person observes your life they will know without a doubt that you are truly a follower of Christ?

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  (Ephesians 2:10, NIV)

Funny story actually… This is one of the first Bible Verses that I ever learned.  Back in the late 70s and early 80s there was this Christian singer named Keith Green who sang this verse in one of his songs.  It’s been engrained in my mind ever since…..

I just love the imagery of this verse.  See if you agree.  This verse says that we didn’t just happen by chance.  We weren’t mass produced.  We are the workmanship of God, Himself.  Workmanship implies time, thought, and care.  But not only were we carefully thought out we were created for a purpose, one of which is to do good works in Christ.  And here Paul tells us that those works were prepared for us in advance and the implication here is before we were even born. 

So think about it….God has these plans for His creation and there are jobs that have to get done.  Now, of course, God could just accomplish everything on His own but He chooses a different route.  He chooses to share His plan with us by allowing us to carry out His work.  He then crafts and creates (workmanship) each of us perfectly suited for the good works that He has prepared in advance for us to do. 

If ever you wonder if you have a purpose, be sure to reread this verse for your answer. 

What are some of your strengths, attributes, or gifts?  Do you think that you got them just by chance?  What good work were you perfectly created to carry out?

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, (Ephesians 3:20, NIV)

I know that the thought above was not finished or complete.  I stopped with this verse on purpose.  How often do we think about this? 

God can do immeasurably more than all that we ask or can even imagine. 

God can do immeasurably more than all that we ask or can even imagine.

God can do immeasurably more than all that we ask or can even imagine.

I want to make sure that it sinks in.  You see, we as humans are limited and have finite capabilities.  It therefore follows that we think with limited scope.  And since we are limited we often unknowingly put that attribute onto God.  Here Paul tells us that God can do more than anything you could ask Him to do.  But not only that.  God can also do more than you can even imagine.  So why is it then that we often use reverse logic when dealing with God? 

Often times we know what we want but we ask for less- almost like we’re bargaining with God.  It’s as if we asked for what we really need we won’t get it so we’re willing to settle.  You see, by doing this we’re putting human attributes to God.  We know that if we ask for a favor, a loan, or a gift of a person that the person will have to make some kind of sacrifice to do or give us what we asked for.  Knowing this, we don’t like to impose so we generally ask for just enough and to be the smallest inconvenience to the person.

What we fail to realize is that God doesn’t work that way.  When God gives us something, grants a request, or answers a prayer it doesn’t lessen His abilities or resources even one bit.  It is the same effort for God answer one of your prayers as it is for Him to answer 1000 of your prayers.  God is limitless.  We need to start acting this way and come to God honestly and faithfully with our needs.  Here’s the other great thing.  God already knows what you need.  He just wants to hear it from you.  And if it fits with His perfect plan, you will get it.  So go ahead and ask.

In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.

(Ephesians 1:11, NIV)

Do you ever wonder if you have a purpose or if God has a plan for you?  This one verse from the book of Ephesians should answer your doubts.  In it we find words like: “chosen,” “plan,” “purpose,” and “his will.”  This whole verse is focused on God choosing each of us for a purpose to fulfill His plan and ultimately His will.  I especially like that last part that says that “who works our everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.” 

You are not alone.  God is with you and has a plan for you.  That plan is being worked out  in “conformity with the purpose of His will.” 

For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His site.  In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will.  (Ephesians 1:4,5, NIV)

Do you ever wonder if God has a plan for your life?  Do you ever feel that you don’t have a purpose?  Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord…So we know that God does indeed have a plan for each of us.  But what is even cooler than that is what Paul tells us here in Ephesians.  Its not that we hit the planet one day and God suddenly has a plan for us.  Paul is telling us here that God’s plan for each of us predates even the creation of the world.  Many of us can’t fathom that.  Many of us don’t want to believe it.  But from the beginning of time God knew His plan and we were included in it.  God chose us to love and we are called to be adopted by Him through Jesus Christ.  The last part of verse 5 says that this is not only according to God’s will but it also brings Him pleasure. 

Another point that I think is really neat is that verse 4 says that we are called to be holy and blameless in His site from before creation.  We all know what happened though, Man sinned almost right away and already violated this statement.  But verse 5 goes on to say that we were predestined to be adopted as sons of Jesus Christ.  We were predestined to be redeemed through Jesus Christ.  A lot of debate and argument stems from this word of predestination.  I really don’t want to get involved with it here.  What I think we can all agree on is that God had a plan from the beginning of time (predestined) that He would give us a way to be holy and blameless in His site (Jesus) even though He knew we will sin.

The next time that you feel like God is very far away, read these verses in Ephesians and know that God knew you before the world was created and that it brings Him pleasure to allow you into His family.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things……………..And the God of peace will be with you.  (Philippians 4: 8-9 (paritial), NIV)

Day in and day out, we are bombarded with negative imagery.  Just open a newspaper, turn on the TV, or log on to your computer and you’ll see what I mean.  All of this negativity definetly affects how we view the world and our purpose in it.  It is so easy to become discouraged, to wonder if we are good enough, and to question if we can live out our call and purpose from Jesus. 

Well, of course we are good enough and we definetly can achieve God’s plans for our lives.  God created us perfectly suited for what He is calling us to do.  True, alone we may not succeed, but with Him we surely will.  Here Paul is telling us not to have negative (and especially not sinful) thoughts.  We are to think on pure and good things.  Today’s “Life Coaches” or “Motivational Speakers” would call this having a positive attitude.  They would tell us to develop a positive self-esteem.  Isn’t it funny that they can’t improve upon what God said and Paul wrote 2000 years ago. 

Do you currently think that you are not good enough and that you can’t succeed?  If so, I ask you to re-read these verses.  Then say a prayer for the the “God of Peace” to be with you.  Make a decision today to think and dwell on positive things.

Over the course of the last week and a half we have been covering verses from the book of Philippians.  You may be wondering how or why I picked Philippians as our starting point.  I must admit that it was somewhat arbitrary, yet there was a reason for it.  Philippians is a great letter that discusses Paul’s journey to achieve the plans that God has for him.  It is my contention that if even Paul had “not yet achieved” or “grasped” what God had for him that obviously we shouldn’t feel bad when we don’t either.  The example that Paul sets is the very reaction that we need to foster in light of our efforts to follow God’s will.  Paul says that he “presses on”  and that he “strains forward” to achieve what God has for him.  He also acknowledges that there will be troubles while on this journey but that we are to give them up to God.  We are to do all of this without complaining or arguing. 

You may also be wondering how all of this applies to the prophecy and Scripture that this Blog is named after.  I’m talking about Jeremiah 29, of course, which speaks of the the wonderful plans that God has for us.  Our walk through Philippians is helping us to understand the promise in Jeremiah 29.  Through Paul’s encouragement to the Philippians as well as the example of his own Journey to acheive God’s plan for his life we can begin to understand what we must do to fully realize what God wants from us as well as how to live out the wonderful plans that God promises to us.

I encourage you to read this short, yet powerful, letter of Paul to the Philippians.  It is my prayer that it will come alive as much for you as it did for me.

….Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 3:13-14, NIV)

Through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross we have been granted eternal life.  This amazing free gift demands of us action.  We are called to be more.  We all have a purpose and there is an individual plan for each of us.  The goal and the prize are the same for all of us.  We are called to be in eternal union with God our Father.  We need to press on toward the goal of acheiving our destiny, of fulfilling His plan, and of discovering our purposes.   In the end we will win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus. 

How Awesome is that!!

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”  (Philippians 3:12, NIV)

This is one of my favorite verses that Paul has written.  Here Paul is telling us that even he has not fully obtained or even grasped the plans that Jesus has for him.  He then goes on to say that he will “press on to take hold of” the plans and purpose for which Jesus saved him.  We all need to do this.  We need to press on and strive to acheive our purpose in life.  Of course, all of our purposes are to be in fellowship with God, to accept Jesus as our Savior, and to help others to do the same.  How we live out that purpose is different for each of us.  Jesus has unique plans for all of us and we need to strive to acheive them even if we don’t understand or fully grasp what we are supposed to do.

 “Do everything without grumbling or questioning”

                                                                                             (Philippians 2:14, NAB)

I just love that word grumbling, don’t you?  This verse from Paul’s letter to the Philippians tells us that we are not to complain about what we have to do.  If there is a job, an act, a charity, or a responsiblity that we have, we are to work on it without “grumbling or questioning.”  You see, if we complain about what we have to do, it casts a dark shadow on what we are doing.  Anything that we accomplish and anything good that comes of our work will have been ruined by our attitude. 

 But what about when things aren’t right?  What about when they should be different?  Then what do we do?  Well thats just it.  If you can change your circumstances we certainly should work toward the constructive change.  But if we can not make the change or it is not in our power to make the change, complaining about it doesn’t make things any better.  At that point we need to give our hardships up to God and work as if we are working for Him always keeping in focus that God does have plans for us and that they will one day be fulfilled.

 See the post on 9/29 for more on this.

“for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13, NIV)

How cool is that?  God not only has a purpose for us, but He works in us to give us strength to live out that purpose.  Here Paul is telling us that even our will (desire) to want to live out “His good purpose” comes from God.  Of course we need to act on those seeds that the Holy Spirit plants within us.  So I ask you, do you ”will” (want) to live out God’s purpose for your life?  If the answer is yes, and I suspect that it is, what do you need to “act” (do) on this day to make it happen?  Come up with one thing that you will do today that will enable you to follow God’s will and acheive His purpose your life.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.  (Philippians 2:3-4, NIV)

It is true that Jeremiah 29 speaks of God’s great plans for our lives.  And it is also true that God does indeed bless us here on this earth.  But the question that we need to consider is how are we using the gifts, resources, and talents that God chooses to give us?  In the verses above, Paul is telling us what we are supposed to do.  We are to consider others first, even before ourselves.  This ,in fact, why we have what we have.  We are to share our abilities, talents, resourse, blessings, and so much more with others.

This idea is actually counterintuitive and very against what we are taught in society.  Sure, we say we should help others but then what do we actually do.  When I worked for Procter and Gamble the drive to get ahead definetly overshadowed the need to help those around me in the company.  More often than not it was my goal (and that of my co-workers) to show that I was better than those around me and not the other way around.  But here Paul explicitly tells us not to do things out of selfish ambition but to consider others better than ourselves.  Easier said than done, I know.  But it is our calling and one of our purposes while here on earth.

In what aspect of your life do you too struggle with this?  Who are you trying to impress at the expense of others?  Is it your family?  Is it your friends?  A coworker maybe?  And how are you going to try to correct that and live out Paul’s words in Philippians 2:3,4?

“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6, NIV)

Isn’t it exciting that God has started a work in all of us.  He has given us gifts, talents, and most importantly- His Spirit.  But that is not all.  God is constantly working on us and working in us.  Isn’t it great to think that we are a work in progress and that we aren’t expected to be perfect.  So the next time that you fail or come up short- hold your head up high and proudly proclaim “God isn’t finished with me yet!”

God spoke through the Prophet Jeremiah a message that He would have all hear.  It goes like this:

“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.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.” (Jeremiah 29:11-14, NIV)

Isn’t that exciting! Once again, Welcome to Plans To Prosper You, Inc.!  The purpose of this blog is to provide all who would visit it with scripture, devotions, insight, and questions that will ultimately help them to discover and live out their God given purposes in life.  In the coming months, more and more features will be added to this blog.  Please visit it frequently so that you don’t miss out on any of the great information.   In the end, it is our prayer that you will grow closer to our Lord Savior, Jesus Christ.  

May God bless you on life’s journey.

George E. Sayour, President  Plans To Prosper You, Inc.  www.plans2prosperU.com