At first the two approaches seem to be similar; they are both trying to develop a plan for next year. But they are really quite different. One considers God and puts His Kingdom first; the other doesn’t consider God and puts the person first. One is based on submitting to and depending upon God; the other features overcoming personal shortcomings through self-effort. One is Spirit-led; the other is led by “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life” (see 1 John 2:16).

The basic requirement for Spirit-led planning is the ability to hear from God. In turn, our ability to hear is dependent on the closeness of our personal relationship with Him. How well do we really know God? How much time do we spend in His Word and in seeking His companionship and direction? The result of having a close and intimate relationship is ultimately a continuous revelation of God’s will for our lives.

In the New Testament the Greek word that’s often translated as “revelation” means to disclose. In other words, by divine revelation, the Holy Spirit is working to disclose His plans and purposes for our lives so that we have direction and a basis for faith and hope. The composite of the various plans and purposes is often referred to as His vision and as long as we try to live our lives within the boundaries of God’s vision, we will experience His goodness, His abundance and His blessings. Indeed, we will experience the very best He has for us.

The Bible says in the Old Testament that “Where there is no “vision,” the people perish…” (Proverbs 29:18). So it’s important for God’s people to be a part of a vision. The Hebrew word for vision in this scripture also means revelation and so another meaning would be that where there is no revelation the people perish. Or for the New Testament Believer, if we cut off God’s ongoing revelation through carnality, resistance, indifference, lack of relationship, disobedience, rebelliousness, tradition, religion, etc., then the victorious present life of abundance Christ won for us at the Cross of Calvary will “perish,” or be severely impaired, and we will lead lives of defeat and discouragement instead of prosperity and abundance.

One of the English dictionary definitions of the word vision is intelligent foresight. The question we have to answer is this: on whose intelligence does the Believer’s foresight, or vision, depend? Without question the foresight, we are to have in our lives should be based on the revealed intelligence of God, which comes by revelation that springs from having a strong personal relationship with Him by faith through Christ.

In sum, for Believers the development of a New Year’s plan should be a process of reaffirming God’s vision for our lives based on His personal revelation. By apprehending that vision, the Believer then has direction that has come from God Himself and we can feel secure in immersing ourselves in the flow of that vision in the weeks and months ahead. In so doing we make ourselves eligible for the manifestation of biblical prosperity in our lives.

As part of the overall process of reaffirming the family’s vision, PLN has always recommended that every Christian include an annual reaffirmation of the family’s financial plan. Biblically, God has appointed the husband as the family’s financial visionary and he should consult the Lord after receiving input from his wife and the other counselors God may have placed in his life. The husband’s role is to prayerfully seek after the vision from God; the wife’s role is to prayerfully confirm that what her husband believes he is hearing is truly from God. When the consultations have been completed, husband and wife should be in total agreement as to what the family’s financial vision (direction) will be for the coming year. If they are not in agreement, they should continue to consult the Lord and each other until they come into agreement.

An essential part of the planning exercise should be to carefully record in writing everything God tells you to do. The Bible says in Habakkuk 2:2 to “Write the vision and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that reads it.” This is the same Hebrew word for vision as in Proverbs 29:18. So this scripture is encouraging us to write down God’s revealed vision so we will be able to act on it effectively. When you have written down everything the Lord has told you to do, you will have your financial plan for the coming year.

Once God has given you your financial plan for the coming year, be prepared to start confessing and acting on it so you turn His Word into prophecy for your family. Be prepared to release your faith for the fulfillment of His Word in His time and in His way. And, be prepared as well to release your faith for the manifestation of the fullness of biblical prosperity for your family.

The hardest part of implementing your financial vision will be to actually make the decision to do it. For example, if part of your God-given vision for next year is to start getting out of debt, you must first decide to get out of debt. You will never make real progress until you first make the decision. For the lack of this basic decision most families in America continue indefinitely to wallow in indebtedness. Likewise, you must first decide to implement each of the other elements in the financial plan God has given you before you can go any farther.

Once the basic decisions have been made, you can then begin to take action in the various areas of the plan. If you ask God for action plans, He will speak them to your heart and He will guide you throughout the year by faith. First make the decisions; then, take the related actions keeping close to the Lord to be sure you don’t inadvertently deviate from the path God wants you to follow.

By the way, if in fact you are presently indebted, getting out of debt should be a part of your financial plan. In previous issues of this newsletter we have discussed how indebtedness interferes with God’s purposes for the family and for the Kingdom of God. Accordingly, working to get out of debt should be an automatic part of a Christian’s financial plan.

A Believer’s financial plan should also include a written monthly budget for your family. God will be pleased to give you the details of your Family Budget if you ask Him for them. Then, once you have a written budget, everyone in the family will be in agreement together and with God as to what your living expenses should be so you will be in a position to avoid overspending and indebtedness. You will also have a basis for faith to believe God for a specific income to cover all the expenses in your budget. If you have sought the Lord in the preparation of your Family Budget, and if you are faithful to return your tithes and give bountiful offerings, He will be faithful to see to it that all your financial needs are met and exceeded.

Accessing the revelation of God should be something that’s going on all the time in the life of a Believer. We don’t have to wait until the end of the year to seek the Lord about something. We certainly should not wait until the end of the year to pursue a relationship with Him. Revelation and vision are some of the key benefits that come from regularly pursuing a close relationship and they are available to us all year long. Most people try to get by with less and in fact our carnal nature craves to avoid a relationship with Him altogether. But if we step out in faith that His Word is true and that He will disclose Himself to those who pursue Him, we will be rewarded for our efforts. The truth is no matter how hard we try to avoid a close relationship, nothing else works. When we finally give in to that immutable reality, the blessings and prosperity of God begin to flow in the abundance He has intended for you from the foundation of the universe.

As you prepare for the New Year, purpose to strengthen the unity of your family in pursuing your goals together. Be of one accord as you make ongoing decisions. Make an irrevocable decision to pray together and seek the Lord daily.

Decide to increase your efforts to develop a closer relationship with the Lord. Being able to hear from Him depends on it and comes from time spent in the His Word. Also, purpose to be a person of prayer in the New Year. Enter into the battle with the enemy with prayer and faith confident that the Lord will protect you from your enemy and give you the victory. When your relationship is close, you are sure to experience His increasing prosperity and abundance.

Thanks for reading Prosperous Life Newsletter today. We’ll be looking for you again in three weeks. In the meantime have a blessed New Years holiday full of hope and joy for what God is going to do in your home in 2007. God bless you!

If you have never invited Jesus to become the Lord of your life, you can do so today by saying the following simple prayer: Jesus I believe in you and I receive you as my Lord and Savior. Please forgive me for my sins and come into my life today.

If you were sincere as you prayed this prayer, God has already come into your life and you are a new creation. Congratulations! Now ask the Lord to lead you to a good bible teaching church where you can be developed to fulfill your potential in the Kingdom of God. And please send us an e-mail advising your decision so we can rejoice for you in our prayers. If you’re unable to find a church, give us a call and we’ll help you find a good one.

If you have prayer requests, please e-mail them to us and we’ll be honored to bring them before the Lord each Tuesday morning at 10:00 AM, Eastern Time. Then, let us know about your answered prayers so we can rejoice with your family. Praise the Lord!

It would bless us to have an opportunity to answer your questions concerning any of the financial areas covered by this ministry. We would also be happy to consider your comments and suggestions. Please feel free to e-mail them to us or give us a call anytime during normal business hours at our toll free number 1-800-357-4223.

If you have been blessed and edified by Prosperous Life Newsletter, please pray about making a Spirit-led love offering to support the work of the Ministry (Galatians 6:6-7). PLN is a non profit [501(c)(3)] gift to the Body of Christ so your financial gifts are tax deductible (please consult your tax advisor). You may mail your check or money order payable to Cornerstone Consulting Ministries to 10621 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 113, Miami, Florida 33176 or click on the donation tab for other payment options. May God bless you with His abundant harvest from sowing your precious seed into this Ministry.

Part One - Defining Biblical Prosperity
Part Two - The Authority of God's Word
Part Three - God Must Be Our Source
Part Four - God Can Only Do Good
Part Five - The Role of Love
Part Six - How to Walk in Love
Part Seven - The Role of Faith
Part Eight - The Source of Faith
Part Nine - The Force of Faith
Part Ten - How To Walk By Faith
Part Eleven - The Law of Sowing and Reaping
Part Twelve - The Role of Cheerful Giving
Part Thirteen - Opening the Windows of Heaven
Part Fourteen - The Process of Reaping
Part Fifteen - The Role of Giving Thanks
Part Sixteen - The Curse of Indebtedness
Part Seventeen - The Role of Vision