The 21st Century Game Plan

Every once in a while, and these days it should probably be often, we should take a real close look at things, assess our current status and then renew ourselves for whatever may be needed for the forthcoming days.

I have heard people talk about “the paralysis of analysis” and I understand their concern. We must not spend every waking hour figuring and cogitating on possibilities and options. There is a time for planning, but then we must dig in and go to work. Who­ever said, “Plan your work and then work your plan” had a very good idea.

Whether it is your family, your business, your church or whatever, you do need a game plan. That game plan should have a solid biblical foundation and it should be carried out in a full-scale Christian manner. Here are some key components that have helped me and I’m confident they will work for you.

The Mission

Figuring out who you are and what you want to do will determine what your mission in life will be.

What is your vision? What are your goals? Let’s figure out what we want to be and what we want to do. Don’t waste a lot of time on this. Decide on it and then get on with it.

The Method

If it is church we’re talking about, you will have to decide how you go about it. For me I decided years ago that I would not go ecumenical and that I would not go contemporary.

I decided that I would be in­dependent, fundamental, baptistic, soul winning and all that pertains to those things. I believed then and I believe now that my decision would result in more conversions and the building of more solid Christians.

Indeed, that is the case. The methods we choose can either make or break our mission. If you make bad choices, you need not expect good results.

The Message

Whether we are talking church, family or any other area of life, the Gospel of Christ (Acts 20:21) and the full counsel of the Word of God (vs. 27) are the things that we should be preaching, teaching and communicating as we go.

The Manner

The apostle Paul made reference to “after what manner I have been with you” (vs. 18). The manner in which we go about living our lives, relating to other people and gen­erally taking care of business is quite important. If your private conversation does not align with your public performance, you are not on the right track.

Are you kind? Are you thought­ful of others around you? Are you gracious? If these qualities are missing, you need to find them and get them in place.

The Motivation

Here is a major component that is often the difference between success and failure. Most people know to do a whole lot more than they are willing to do. You may be short on talent, but you can still do well if you are motivated.

Need motivates me, but it some­times fails. You can see so much need that you don’t really see it at all.

Duty motivates me, but it too will sometimes fail. You feel a duty to your family, to your church or to your bus route but it may not be enough to get you to do your best.

Commandments motivate me. If you are a committed Christian, you should look at the Lord’s com­mands as direct orders to you. Your emotion and your fears may cause you to hesitate, but if you are a “commandment person” you will stay attentive and at your post

Love is perhaps the greatest motivator. Reread I Corinthians 13 and you will be impressed with the power of love.

When need, duty and even commandments fail to motivate, love will keep giving itself until way past the setting of the sun.

The Bible says, “For the love of Christ constraineth us” (II Cor. 5:14). That, indeed, is a difference-maker.

The Missteps

When you fail (as you some­times do), don’t quit trying. If you sin (as you might do), don’t keep doing it. Talk to the Lord, ask His forgiveness and go forward from there.

I do not include this as an excuse for bad behavior. I include it be­cause the human arena is filled with missteps. Avoid them as much as you can but don’t let a misstep cripple you (Gal. 6:1).

The Mandates

From the pages of the Bible we will learn what the Lord expects of us. We will discover therein the will of God for life and ministry. When all else fails, listen to the Word of God. Take it sincerely and seriously. Let it govern you and guide you.

So, let me repeat. Whether we are talking about your family, your church, your business or whatever, you may need to review where you are, identify the shortcomings and reestablish yourself.

In these days there are adversaries to all of us. There are challenges to all we hold dear. There are very real threats to our faith, our family and our freedom. Let’s renew our interest and our zeal to be who we should be and to do what we should do.

For today and every day let’s be as near one hundred percent as we possibly can be. I promise you; it is worth what it costs to stay on track, be faithful and keep pressing on.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”—I Cor. 15:58.

Amen!