Question 1

Does God have a plan, or does everything just happen by chance?

Accepted Answer

Genesis 45:4-8“Don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me [Joseph] to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. . . . So it was God who sent me here, not you!”We cannot figure out God’s plan on our own, or even fully understand those parts that we do know. God used even the unjust treatment of Joseph by his own brothers to fulfill his future plans for his people.Isaiah 14:26“I [the Lord] have a plan for the whole earth, a hand of judgment upon all the nations.”2 Timothy 1:9God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.Because of God’s sovereignty, foreknowledge, and will, he has a plan that is unfolding even when it may appear to us that events are happening by chance.1 Corinthians 2:6-8The wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began.God’s plan of redemption was established even before Creation itself. It cannot be thwarted, though human beings have certainly tried to do so or been deceived into doing so.Ephesians 3:2-7This is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.God’s plan to save humankind included a provision for all people, both Jews and Gentiles. It was unfolding long before it was fully revealed in Jesus Christ or fully understood by those through whom God was working out that plan.

Question 2

God knows his plans, but how much is he willing to tell us?

Accepted Answer

Genesis 18:17“Should I hide my plan from Abraham?” the Lord asked.The specifics of God’s plan are always revealed on a need-to-know basis. In this case with Abraham, it was part of God’s plan to let Abraham know and participate in another part of God’s plan.Ecclesiastes 3:11-15God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. . . . And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God’s purpose is that people should fear him. What is happening now has happened before, and what will happen in the future has happened before, because God makes the same things happen over and over again.Romans 1:18-23God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.Both the Old Testament and New have a scope of history that places God above and beyond it. God’s written revelation tells us that a certain understanding of our Creator is accessible to all people, while further understanding has been revealed in Scripture as God’s plan has progressively unfolded.Romans 9:10-12This son was our ancestor Isaac. When he married Rebekah, she gave birth to twins. But before they were born, before they had done anything good or bad, she received a message from God. (This message shows that God chooses people according to his own purposes; he calls people, but not according to their good or bad works.) She was told, “Your older son will serve your younger son.”God may assign significant roles for us in his plans even before we are born. Our relationship with God determines whether our determined role will yield positive or negative results for us and for those around us.Romans 16:25All glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time.Ephesians 1:9-11God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.Ephesians 3:11-12This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord. Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.2 Timothy 1:9-10God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News.God has revealed that the centerpiece of his plan for creation was to rescue and redeem us through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross on our behalf.

Question 3

Does God have a specific plan for my life? Can I mess it up?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 138:8The Lord will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.Jeremiah 1:5“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet.”Romans 8:28We 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’s plan for your life is not a written script that you must follow; rather, it is a journey with various important destinations and appointments, but also a great deal of freedom as to the pace and scope of the travel. You can mess up within God’s plan, but you can’t mess up his plan. God’s plan for you will always have a sense of mystery about it, but you can be certain that as you look for his leading, God will guide and direct you on your journey. If you separate yourself from God, you are removing yourself from his plan, his guidance, and his blessings. Come back to him, and he will redeem your lost time.Jeremiah 29:11“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.”When you are tempted by thoughts of hopelessness, remember that God created you and has a good plan for you. While you may not understand how certain life events fit into God’s good plan, you can be confident that God is watching over your life and guiding you in a specific direction. You can choose temporary or permanent disasters along the way, but realize God’s intent is for your good, your future, and hope.

Question 4

Why is it important to plan ahead?

Accepted Answer

Proverbs 13:16Wise people think before they act; fools don’t.Proverbs 14:8The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves.Proverbs 22:3A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.Planning prepares you for life. The lazy person will always be caught off guard by difficult circumstances, but the person who plans ahead will be able to face the difficulties of life with resources and confidence. Planning allows you to be productive, even in difficult times.Proverbs 20:4Those too lazy to plow in the right season 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 calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?”Planning is a necessary part of living. Planning and foresight will help us prepare for danger ahead so that we can avoid disastrous consequences.

Question 5

Doesn’t planning ahead conflict with the idea of trusting God to lead?

Accepted Answer

1 Chronicles 28:12, 19David also gave Solomon all the plans he had in mind for the courtyards of the Lord’s Temple, the outside rooms, the treasuries, and the rooms for the gifts dedicated to the Lord. . . . “Every part of this plan,” David told Solomon, “was given to me in writing from the hand of the Lord.”Nehemiah 2:11-16So I arrived in Jerusalem. Three days later, I slipped out during the night, taking only a few others with me. I had not told anyone about the plans God had put in my heart for Jerusalem. We took no pack animals with us except the donkey I was riding. After dark I went out through the Valley Gate, past the Jackal’s Well, and over to the Dung Gate to inspect the broken walls and burned gates. Then I went to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but my donkey couldn’t get through the rubble. So, though it was still dark, I went up the Kidron Valley instead, inspecting the wall before I turned back and entered again at the Valley Gate. The city officials did not know I had been out there or what I was doing, for I had not yet said anything to anyone about my plans. I had not yet spoken to the Jewish leaders—the priests, the nobles, the officials, or anyone else in the administration.Rather than conflicting with trust in God, planning helps you put your faith in God into action. God will lead you, but it is your responsibility to make it happen—to recognize his lead, make a plan, and follow through. God’s work doesn’t happen simply by chance; he needs capable people who are willing to plan ahead and do the work.Proverbs 12:5The plans of the godly are just; the advice of the wicked is treacherous.Proverbs 15:22Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.Proverbs 16:9We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.Matthew 6:31-33“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”The purposes behind our plans are often more important to God than the plans themselves. Seeking to honor him, humbly getting wise advice, and pursuing a righteous life will confine most of our plans to steps that God will bless.Proverbs 3:5-6Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.God’s direction comes in more than planning. He often doesn’t guide us until we are in motion. When an open door or a clear path lies before us, if we are trusting God, we can and should step forward confidently. He can steer us or stop us if we turn in the wrong direction.Matthew 6:34“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”Though some may try to use these words from Jesus as an argument against planning, that was not the point of the teaching. If worry motivates our planning, then we may be assuming that we can control events, but if planning is a way we can trust God and prepare for the future, it is far better approach than worrying with no plan at all.

Question 6

How do I go about making plans?

Accepted Answer

Exodus 25:40“Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I [the Lord] have shown you here on the mountain.”Exodus 26:30“Set up this Tabernacle according to the pattern you were shown on the mountain.”Acts 22:10“I asked, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ “And the Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything you are to do.’”Acts 18:21As he [Paul] left, however, he said, “I will come back later, God willing.” Then he set sail from Ephesus.Follow God’s revealed will when you make your plans. If his will is not clear in a specific matter, remember that he has made his will clear in general matters of right and wrong, good and bad, helpful and harmful. So you can move ahead with your plans as long as you are confident they do not go against God’s Word. But as you do, don’t be surprised if God intervenes to alter them.Genesis 11:4, 9Then they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.” . . . That is why the city was called Babel, because that is where the Lord confused the people with different languages. In this way he scattered them all over the world.Psalm 33:10The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes.Making plans without consulting God and seeking to understand what he wants is often a recipe for frustration and disaster. A unanimous human decision does not override God’s veto.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 3:5-6Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.The more you seek after God in every area of life, the more his guidance for you will become clear. As you submit to God, he will guide you in making your plans. Use your understanding and experience humbly, thanking God for what you have learned. Often, in hindsight, you will see how God guided and directed your choices and actions.Isaiah 14:26-27“I have a plan for the whole earth, a hand of judgment upon all the nations. The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has spoken—who can change his plans? When his hand is raised, who can stop him?”Romans 8:28We 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 your plans, and in spite of them, to accomplish his goals. If you find this impossible to believe, you have a problem with your understanding of God.Matthew 6:34“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”James 4:13-16Look here, you 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 your life will be like tomorrow? 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 are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil.Long-range planning is good, but hold those plans loosely. You don’t know what the future will bring and where God will take you. So plan ahead, but be flexible as you see God working in your life.Proverbs 2:1-11Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. . . . For the Lord grants wisdom! . . . He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. . . . you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.Hebrews 11:1-2, 6Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. . . . And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.A plan is only as good as the information upon which it is based. Human intellect is limited and inadequate. Apart from the Lord, your plans are more likely to fail. The Lord promises wisdom to those who rely on his Word and depend on his Spirit. And he promises to guide those who truly seek him.

Question 7

What sorts of plans should I be making?

Accepted Answer

1 Kings 5:5“So I am planning to build a Temple to honor the name of the Lord my God, just as he had instructed my father, David. For the Lord told him, ‘Your son, whom I will place on your throne, will build the Temple to honor my name.’”When God calls you to a specific task, you should make plans to obey. Obedience often requires discipline and sacrifice. How well prepared are you are in these areas?Proverbs 31:15She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.The woman of noble character in Proverbs 31 is a good example of someone who plans her time wisely. Often, making a list of things to accomplish for each day can help us stay on track and be productive and avoid the frustration of wasting time. If you are in a position where delegation is necessary, thinking about tasks and assignments in advance will also minimize the frustrations of others.Romans 1:13-15I [Paul] want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to visit you, but I was prevented until now. I want to work among you and see spiritual fruit, just as I have seen among other Gentiles. For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike. So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach the Good News.Romans 15:24I [Paul] am planning to go to Spain, and when I do, I will stop off in Rome. And after I have enjoyed your fellowship for a little while, you can provide for my journey.Plan to serve and minister to others. In Paul’s case, God didn’t always put him where he thought he would serve. But Paul continued to make himself available to serve wherever and whomever God chose. As a result, he developed a passion for helping all kinds of people.1 Timothy 4:14-15Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress.Plan to exercise your spiritual gifts. Using your spiritual gifts is both conducive to and a by-product of spiritual growth. If you don’t know what your gifts are, meet with godly advisers or people you trust in order to discover the abilities God has given to you. Then make plans to throw yourself into your tasks.Hebrews 10:25Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.Plan for times of worship and fellowship with other Christians. Don’t let the busyness of life cause you to neglect these important times of friendship and encouragement.Genesis 2:1-2So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work.Exodus 20:8-11“Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.”Jeremiah 17:22“Do not do your work on the Sabbath, but make it a holy day.”Plans for hard work are beneficial but so are plans for times of rest. Work ahead during the week so that you won’t feel pressured to work on the Lord’s day. Make it a truly holy day of rest.James 1:12-15God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.1 Peter 5:8Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.Plan ahead of time to stand firm against temptation. Then, when you are tempted, you will be prepared to resist and be ready to do the right thing.Matthew 6:19-21“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”Matthew 6:31-33“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”Philippians 3:19They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.Although it is wise to make plans for your future on earth, it is infinitely wiser to make plans for your eternal future in heaven. Invest in what will last forever.Exodus 3:1-6One day Moses . . . led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. . . . “This is amazing,” Moses said to himself. “Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go see it.” When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!” “Here I am!” Moses replied. “Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” When Moses heard this, he covered his face because he was afraid to look at God.Exodus 34:2“Be ready in the morning to climb up Mount Sinai and present yourself to me on the top of the mountain.”Joshua 5:13-15When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and demanded, “Are you friend or foe?” “Neither one,” he replied. “I am the commander of the Lord’s army.” At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. “I am at your command,” Joshua said. “What do you want your servant to do?” The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did as he was told.1 Kings 19:8-18So he [Elijah] got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God. . . . the Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. . . . I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He replied again, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. Then anoint Jehu son of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet. Anyone who escapes from Hazael will be killed by Jehu, and those who escape Jehu will be killed by Elisha! Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!”Matthew 17:1-5Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus. Peter blurted out, “Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But even as he spoke, a bright cloud came over them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.”Sometimes God asks us to plan special times to be with him. He may use these times to refresh, renew, correct, or direct us. No matter what the elevation, we can call these encounters mountaintop experiences.Mark 3:9Jesus instructed his disciples to have a boat ready so the crowd would not crush him.2 Timothy 4:9-13Timothy, please come as soon as you can. Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry. I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, be sure to bring the coat I left with Carpus at Troas. Also bring my books, and especially my papers.Make practical plans. Jesus anticipated a large crowd and asked his disciples to get a boat. By thinking ahead, he was able to preach more effectively. And despite setbacks and difficulties, Paul was constantly planning for effective future ministry.Luke 11:42“What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.”1 Corinthians 16:1-3Now regarding your question about the money being collected for God’s people in Jerusalem. You should follow the same procedure I gave to the churches in Galatia. On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once. When I come, I will write letters of recommendation for the messengers you choose to deliver your gift to Jerusalem.2 Corinthians 9:5-8So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly. Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.Plan to give your first fruits or “tithe” to God. This allows you to give cheerfully. Don’t neglect this or you will feel financial pressure later on and be tempted to hold back.Exodus 13:14“And in the future, your children will ask you, ‘What does all this mean?’ Then you will tell them, ‘With the power of his mighty hand, the Lord brought us out of Egypt, the place of our slavery.’”Deuteronomy 6:20“In the future your children will ask you, ‘What is the meaning of these laws, decrees, and regulations that the Lord our God has commanded us to obey?’ Then you must tell them, ‘We were slaves in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt with his strong hand.’”Plan to teach your children about God and his commands. Be prepared to talk with them about all he has done in your life.Matthew 25:1-13“The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’ All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’ But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’ But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’ But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’ So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.”Matthew 25:19-21“After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’ The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’”Making plans to save and handle your resources responsibly is important. Sticking to a regular plan of tithing, saving, and careful spending with what you have now will enable you to handle the responsibilities of greater blessings in the future.

Question 8

If God has a plan for me, why should I even try to make one?

Accepted Answer

Genesis 41:28-36“This will happen just as I have described it, for God has revealed to Pharaoh in advance what he is about to do. The next seven years will be a period of great prosperity throughout the land of Egypt. But afterward there will be seven years of famine so great that all the prosperity will be forgotten in Egypt. . . .Therefore, Pharaoh should find an intelligent and wise man and put him in charge of the entire land of Egypt. Then Pharaoh should appoint supervisors over the land and let them collect one-fifth of all the crops during the seven good years. . . . Store it away, and guard it so there will be food in the cities. That way there will be enough to eat when the seven years of famine come to the land of Egypt. Otherwise this famine will destroy the land.”Joseph’s willingness to use his gifts to help the Egyptians plan for seven years of famine also allowed God’s plan to be fulfilled.Nehemiah 2:11-17So I arrived in Jerusalem. Three days later, I slipped out during the night, taking only a few others with me. . . . The city officials did not know I had been out there or what I was doing, for I had not yet said anything to anyone about my plans. I had not yet spoken to the Jewish leaders—the priests, the nobles, the officials, or anyone else in the administration. But now I said to them, “You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!”Nehemiah demonstrated wise and shrewd leadership when he carefully planned his project before beginning to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. He even planned the way he would reveal the plans God had given him, first by taking a few trusted advisors on an inspection tour, then announcing the plan when he had the facts in hand.James 4:15What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”All our planning is futile without God. Plan humbly by continually acknowledging God.

Question 9

What if my plans fall short of God’s plans for me?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 33:10-11The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes. But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken.Proverbs 19:21You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.These verses do not describe the futility of planning. Rather, they give you the good news that, ultimately, your plans cannot mess up God’s plans! His plans will ultimately prevail.

Question 10

What gives me confidence in my plans and my future?

Accepted Answer

Jeremiah 29:11“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.”Being sure of God’s good intentions for you will strengthen your confidence. The wonder of creation, the evidence of God’s constant care, and the priceless gift of Jesus Christ for our salvation give us confidence that he will help and guide all who trust in him.Ephesians 1:9-10God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.Confidence remains as you remember that God is in control of all things and always has been. Jesus Christ, who is now resurrected and sovereign over all things, will govern and guide us in the best possible ways.