Planing for The Future, A Work Plan, Part A

A work plan

This is a picture of a typical work plan. Most jobs have what is called an S.O.P. Standard Operational Procedures. When you start the job, they train you on all this. They tell you their Mission Statement. They tell you what they do, what their goals are, and how you are to become a part of it.

Now last time we got together, we discussed the fact that you are no longer of the flesh. You are still in the flesh but you are, at least I hope, you are starting to work on the spiritual aspect of your soul. It is not just about going to church and singing songs. Instead of asking what has God done for you lately. You should be asking what have you done for God? Religion for religion sake is useless and means nothing.

Well? What are you working for? Seriously think about this. What is it you are working for? Are you getting up, going to a job you really do not like? Are you working 8 to 10 hours a day, 5 to 6 days a week, just to get paid, pay bills, and do it again? Is this really all there is to life?

I know some people that spend their entire life working one, two, even three jobs sometimes, just to afford the lifestyle they think they need. But is this life? Is this what we should be striving for?

“Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15

Jesus also tells us this in John 10:10

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

Is Jesus concerned with that package rolling down the assembly line? Does He really care if the grass is cut? What about if the Sales Projection is good or not? Is He concerned with your earthly career? Whatever that maybe?

Please do not misunderstand, but I have to tell you the truth. Let me point something out to you.

"While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him." Matthew 4 18-20

Then as He walked?

"And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him." Matthew 4:21-22

Then we read this.

"As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him." Matthew 9:9

Notice this. Here are all these people that were doing nothing extraordinary. They were simply going through their lives. Fishermen, Salesmen, Boat Operators, Tax Collectors. They were not saving the World. But they were working hard days work for honest pay. Yes, even the Tax Collector. Not sure Jesus would have called him to follow if he was corrupt. Then notice this. Jesus said, "Follow Me." They did what? "Immediately they left their nets and followed him." "Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him." "And he rose and followed him." They did not say "Hey Jesus, Thanks for saving me," and go back to what they were doing.

I know I hear some of you. "That was then this is now." Do you know what Jesus is saying to you? Yes, you. Whatever you are doing, wherever you may be, that same Jesus is looking in your eyes right now saying this.

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

Again, do not misunderstand. Am I telling you to quit your job? No. I'm not. But God very well may be. If you feel He is, then I simply suggest you do it. But laying cable or even catching speeders, or even fighting fires should be secondary to serving God. Nothing should come before that.

"but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect," 1 Peter 3:15

Always. "But you do not understand. If I start talking about God I will lose friends and family and most likely, I will not have to quit, I will be fired." Peter asked Jesus what happens if these things happen to someone who chooses to leave all and follow Jesus, and Jesus said this.

“Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life." Mark 10:29-30

Do you really think God is NOT going to bless you and take care of you as long as you are seeking Him and His Will in your life? He wants a one on one relationship with you. Nothing more, nothing less. He wants you to be His Child. He wants you to do His work.

What does it mean to "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations." He means to tell them the Truth. Teach them the Gospel. It can be as simple as this. Go up to them and say this.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." John 3:16-18

Tell them that there is no other way.

"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:16

You simply tell them the Truth.

"if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9

Again, am I telling you to quit your job and go into the world as a Missionary or something to that effect? No. What I am saying is that God IS calling you to be His child and in turn, Jesus IS calling you out to make disciples. This is just a fact. So you need a Work Plan.

What is the Job?
What is the Mission Statement?
What is S.O.P?
What is your Part?
How do you achieve the best results?

Now again, if you feel God is calling you to walk away from your job, do it. If you are worried about losing your job, DON'T BE. Why?

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

What is the job? Make disciples. Be a shower of the way, a teller of truth, and sharer of the Gospel.

What is the Mission Statement?

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." John 3:16-18

"if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

There is no other way. There is no Plan B.

We will be talking about the S.O.P. next time.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He raised from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!