Purpose and Plan (Part 6)

Philippians 2:13 "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do His good pleasure."  

God works in the life of believers to accomplish His purposes. To "do His good pleasure" means He is working in you to accomplish His purpose  and plan in your life. This includes salvation, infilling of the Holy Spirit, using you in ministry to others, and continuously conforming you to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. He also works through your life to accomplish His purposes:

Romans 6:13 "Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God."

When you yield yourself to become "instruments of righteousness unto God" it means you bring your life and ministry in harmony with His purpose and plans. By doing this, you become instruments through which He can work:

2 Corinthians 5:20 "Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ..."

2 Corinthians 6:1 "We then, as workers together with Him..."

If God does not work in and through you, all your work is in vain:

Psalms 127:1 "Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that built it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain."

Your ministry will not succeed unless it is built upon the eternal purposes of God, rather than man:

Acts 5:38, 39 NIV "...For if their purpose or activity is of human  origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men.  You will only find yourselves fighting against God."From  the beginning, God's purpose has not changed. He has had many varied plans related to this purpose, but His purpose remains the same.

God has revealed His specific purpose in His written Word. He has also revealed  His general plan that the Church be the instrument through which He works to accomplish His purpose.

But as a believer you must make specific, detailed plans if you are to accomplish His will. That is where planning and management by objectives fits in. You must discover your  specific purpose within God's great purpose. Then you must make ministry plans in harmony with this purpose.