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Keith Cook Evangelistic Association / On The Go
Strategic Decisions by Keith Cook
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Acts 1:8
In our efforts to effectively work for Christ we are called to see the work that is to be done, prepare for the work we are to do, and complete all of the work given us to do.
Doing the massive and all important task of reaching all with the message of Christ will take more than just doing ministry as usual. All our methods of the past have been useful and used of God, but they are not necessarily the road map for our future ministry. The Word of God never changes, but the methods and ways Jesus directs us to work for Him forever will.
Jesus Himself used different methods to reach and minister to the masses and to individuals. He spoke in public to the religious and He spoke to the "pagans". He sent out the disciples in organized outreach efforts and then He would have them pray in secret. He went to homes to share with families and then he would go out into the public and meet someone by a well. Always using whatever was available to minister the unchanging message.
There are some Negative Aspects of Strategic Planning
1. Trusting Human Effort - Avoid relying on your plans and insights unless they are given and blessed by God. Do not get the plan and then get God to bless it. Ask God for His plan and then ask God to not let you mess it up!
2. Running Ahead of God - Often Christians hear from God, get excited, and run off and do God's plan ahead of God's schedule. This results in hurt feelings, bad timing, insensitivity, improper funding, and fighting battles that do not need to be fought.
3. Replacing A Move Of The Holy Spirit - Just working up a plan and not having God give a plan may look successful and may bring praise, but it will not bring "fruit that will remain". Imitating other ministries, churches, and Christians may make you look like a "spiritual" move of God but will not result in the power needed to actual produce Spirit filled results.
There are some Positive Aspects of Strategic Planning
1. Faith and Faithfulness - You are able to join God in a grand adventure. When you choose to believe God and not live in fear and doubt you get to see the faithfulness of God as He works for you and does His will through you.
2. Spirit Led Strategies - When you allow God to send the plan and provide the inspiration for the plans you guarantee the Spirit will lead you as you implement the work.
3. Biblical Strategies - Men and women of old gained approval from God as they walked and talked for God by faith. The Biblical way to do God's will is to check in with God, listen to what He says, do what He says, the way that He says!
Daily Prayer Focus: Pray Great Prayers, Dream Great Dreams - Plan Great Plans, Do Great Deeds!
On The Go Prayer Focus: Those who need to make decisions for Christ as On The Go and the Keith Cook Team shares the Gospel around the world. Pray that they will hear a clear message about Christ, that the Holy Spirit will move them to a point of decision and that they will be bold enough to publicly respond for Christ.
Thank you for taking the time to pray for this important division of On The Go Ministries. For more information on any our ministries here at On The Go, you may send your questions to info@onthego.org.
Copyright (c) 2003, 2009 Keith Cook - On The Go
Permission is granted to "forward" this devotional to friends and acquaintances. All other rights reserved.
On The Go Ministries, Keith Cook Team
P.O. Box 963, Springfield, TN 37172, (615) 299-0222, www.onthego.org
Founder/Director - Keith Cook, keithcook@onthego.org
E-zine Editor, Laurie McTier, laurie@onthego.org
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