Planning from the Heart (It’s God’s Way)

We shared the following, as a devotion, to a group of business leaders, at a CBMC Trusted Advisor Forum meeting. The truths found here apply to planning in every area of life (e.g., marriage, a child’s future, a family vacation, and a mission trip).

Most of us have learned to do business planning with our minds – and that’s not a bad thing. However, as Christian business men (and women), we should be supplementing – if not leading – the mental exercise of business visioning, strategy, and planning with the capacity God has created in each of us to do these things from our heart.

Why is this important? Because we want our work to glorify our Father in heaven, and because we need and desire His grace – that is His favor, blessing, authority, and power – in our business.

“When you do things God way, you also get God’s resources, enabling, and power.”

Richard Blackaby

So, how do we get there? Let’s start at the end and work our way back.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

Good work is God’s work. It is work that glorifies our Father in heaven. It is work we walk in; not work we do. It is our work because God has invited us to walk in it with Him.

It is by God’s grace that we walk in the good works He has created for each one of us, our companies, and/or our ministries – that He would be glorified.

Furthermore, it is by grace, through faith. Faith lays hold of the grace of God, not only for salvation (Ephesians 2:8), but for everything He does in and through us.

So, where does faith come from?

For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:10

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17.

There are two things we learn here. First, faith is not a head thing; faith functions from our heart. Second, faith comes from the spoken word of God.

This is why we must learn to pray aright and make time to pray: to hear a word from God, for the faith required to lay hold of God’s grace, for the good and glorifying work we desire for our companies and ministries.

And speaking of desire (yes, I did that on purpose), consider one more encouraging truth about planning from our hearts.

Where might we find God’s desire for our business? In the same place we find faith for the good works He has created for us to walk in.

Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday. Psalm 37:4-6.

Who wouldn’t want this for their business – or, for that matter, for their marriage, family, and ministry? Who wouldn’t want to experience the LORD bringing forth their righteousness as the light?

Now, Jesus Christ is our righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30) and He is the light (John 1:4). This passage is the prophecy of Matthew 5:16!!! How cool is that?

So, here’s a conversation starter for your next meeting with God: “Father, what is the desire you have put in my heart for your company this coming year?”

You could ask the same question for this quarter, or this month, or even for today.

Here’s the cool thing: The answer you hear will be the word you need for the faith to lay hold of the grace God has for your company.

In fact, why not practice right now. Ask the Father, “What is the desire you have placed in my heart for the company you have entrusted to me today?”

Write down what you hear. Consider it several times today. Surrender to God and see what He does to give you the desire of your heart.

Begin planning from your heart and you will discover and experience the reality of God’s kingdom provision and adventure for your life and your company.

…for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20

God bless you with time and attention to discover and experience the desire and faith of your heart for this season of your life.

Humbly yours and forever His,

Rob

#iamjustthepen

P.S. Please let me know if you need help discovering the desires of your heart and navigating God’s preparation for the good works He has created for you to walk in. It’s what I do.