Bethany Church

We make our plans, but the Lord directs our steps. Even Paul had plans: and God directed. We discover from Paul’s life the way to make our way, but to let God have the wheel.

1. Making Plans (Romans 15:23-29)
a. Observation: The work was wrapping up where he was (Romans 15:23)
b. Paul made plans to go to new places: Spain via Rome (Romans 15:24)
c. The gift from Macedonia to Jerusalem (Romans 15:25-28)
d. Paul plans to come with the full measure of Christ (Romans 25:29)
e. Make plans with God’s will in mind
2. Prayer and Plans (Romans 15:30-32)
a. Paul needed prayer in his struggle, so do we
b. Prayer is our primary safety measure
c. Prayer causes the gift to be favorably received
d. Prayer allows Paul to come with joy, to come in the way he desires
e. Prayer invokes God’s will instead of His own
f. Prayer is what brings refreshment
3. Peace comes from God, not our completed plans (Romans 15:33, Proverbs 16:9)
a. God is peace
b. God with us is our peace
c. God directing our steps, not our completed plans, brings peace
Next Steps:
1. Determine to make plans that honor what God desires
2. Pray to bring divine presence into our plans
3. Hold your plans with open hands

Verse of the Week: Proverbs 16:9
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.