PLAN FOR THE ABUNDANT LIFE

SERIES: LIVING ABUNDANT LIFE.

TEXT: NEHEMIAH 2:1-8; PSALM 23:1-6.

Remember that this series is based on three very important principles.

1. God has a wonderful plan for your life-Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plan for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”
2. There is a battle engaged for your life-Jesus said 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.”
3. Too many of God’s people are losing the battle, marriages, children, finances, health, life. Matt. 9:36, “When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

The secret is make a plan, this secret number four. Secret no. 1 is answering the question?

1. Who am I?
2. What am I?
3. Where am I?
4. What do I really want?

Secret no. 2-Own it-Take responsibility for your life. You have the power of the Holy Spirit to own your life and your destiny in God.

Secret no. 3-Embrace positive change. He will never get anywhere new without change.

Next step of the puzzle is to make a plan-If you know where you are then the next step is know where you want to go.

• Since you are going to abundant life, then make a plan to get there.
• In Nehemiah 2:1-8, God called Nehemiah to rebuild the broken walls of Jerusalem.
• Nehemiah at that time was in Susa, in Babylon, 900 miles (1,500 km) from Jerusalem.
• Always know where you are and where you are going. Without a plan you are only letting life happen on you!!
• Nehemiah knew that he had no resources, no money. He was a slave in exile.
• Here are some keys for you in making a plan.

1. Know where you are and know where you are going.
2. What are your resources-what are you starting with? How does your resources look like?
3. Count the costs-Know what it is going to cost you and be willing to sacrifice what it takes.
4. Prepare-plan your route-set out your goals, bench marks and roadways for success.

For Nehemiah this started on November 1 and he talked to the king on April 2. He talked to the king when he had already planned. He knew everything he needed. He planned-he estimated how long the project might take.

5. Wait for God-when He says go, go-never get ahead of God or behind God-move with God.

Secret no. 5-work your plan-A plan is only as good as working it out.

• Set right priorities. Take control of your life. Stop living by other people’s plans, rules and priorities.
• If you want a deeper life with Christ you must plan for it.
• If you want deeper relationships with your wife, children you must plan for that goal in your life.
• Make better decisions. Life is a composite of the decisions we make.
• Work smarter not harder.

• Do a few things well instead of doing all thing poorly-Think your way through life-do feel your way through life.
• Create enough time to think.
• Plan your work and work your plan.

So, how do we live in the overflow of the Lord? There are four keys to living in the overflow the abundance of the Lord-Psalm 23:1-6. Many people today are living out of frustration but in John 10:10 Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.”

In Psalm 23:1-6, David said, “My cup runs over.” This means you and I can live in the overflow of the Lord. Here is how:-

FIRST BELONG-YOU MUST BELONG TO THE LORD.

It may be difficult for some people to understand Psalm 23, because they are not acquainted with shepherding and the idea of the sheep.

• The shepherd lives for his sheep-Jesus.
• For the good shepherd, there is no greater joy than seeing the sheep satisfied, contended, well fed, safe and flourishing in his care.
• A good shepherd wakes up early and toils until late. He examines each sheep to see if they are ok.
• Throughout the day he looks over his flock to make sure everything is all right.
• Even at night the shepherd sleeps one eye out and both ears open-many are the dangers of sheep.
• David, the shepherd was that kind of the shepherd-Psalm 23:2.
• 4 things are required for sheep to lie down.

1. They must be free from all fear. Sheep are easily frightened.
2. Sheep will not lie down unless there is harmony in the flock. When there is tension between rival sheep, sheep can’t rest.
3. Sheep do not lie down unless they are content. If fleas and flies are bothering them they will not lie down.
4. Sheep will not lie down unless they are full. A hungry sheep is always on its feet, searching for something to eat.

• In Jesus Christ we have good shepherd who will do all these things and more.
• John 10-Jesus was talking about the good shepherd who gives abundant life-John 10:11-15.

YOU MUST BEHAVE.

• We will never be able to live in the Lord’s overflow if we don’t learn how to behave-Psalm 23:3.
• The good shepherd wants to lead you in the paths of righteousness.
• Sheep are stubborn-sheep can get easily lost because they tend to go their own way.
• Like sheep, believers are stubborn and go away easily-Psalm 119:176.
• Sheep are dump and have no sense of direction.

WE MUST BEHOLD-Psalm 23:4-5.

Behold how much the Lord is doing for you.

There are going to be some valleys in life for all of us.

• Some of us have many valleys others have few valleys of the shadow of death.
• We may not know when valleys will come but they will certainly come.
• You cannot walk in the valley with your husband or your wife.
• You cannot walk it with your business partner.
• You cannot take your friends and relatives.
• But the good shepherd will walk with you there-Vs. 5.

BELIEVE Psalm 23:6.

• David was putting his full trust in the Lord-Vs. 6, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
• Let us live in the overflow of the Lord.

CONCLUSION

• Is the Lord your shepherd? When did you entrust your life to Him.
• If you are not sure, you can receive the assurance of your salvation today.
• Let your cup of salvation overflow with His abundance.