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Principle 1 – Get dissatisfied with your current situation! Get a "Burden."
Principle 2 – Start with what needs changing inside me! "My Soul."
Principle 3 – Write down a simple plan to get started.

WHY SHOULD I MAKE PLANS?

1.  BECAUSE GOD MAKES PLANS

"'I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.'" Jer. 29:11 (NIV)

"God is not a God of disorder . . ."1 Cor. 14:33 (NIV)

2.  BECAUSE GOD TELLS ME TO PLAN

"Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path and stay safe."  Prov. 4:26 (NLT/TLB)

  "Everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way." 1 Cor. 14:40 (NIV)

3.  SO I DON'T WASTE MY LIFE

"Live life with a due sense of responsibility, not as those who do not know the meaning of life but as those who do. Make the best use of your time. . . . Don't be vague but grasp firmly what you know to be the will of the Lord." Eph. 5:15-17 (Ph)

NEHEMIAH'S 7 Step PLANNING MODEL
Neh. 1:11-2:9

Step 1:  PRAY & ASK FOR GOD'S FAVOR

"'O Lord, please hear my prayer! And listen to the prayers of all your servants who love to honor you. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the king's presence.' In those days I was the king's wine steward."  Neh. 1:11

"If you want to know what God wants you to do, just ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to give a generous supply of wisdom to all who ask him. . . ." James 1:5 (LB)

Action Plan: What needs rebuilding or restoration in your life?  What burden is God putting on your heart?  Write it down and be clear.

Step 2:  PREPARE FOR AN OPPORTUNITY & WAIT

"Four months later, when King Artaxerxes was dining, I took the wine to him . . ."   Neh. 2:1a

"A wise man thinks ahead; a fool doesn't and even brags about it!"  Prov. 13:16 (LB)

Step 3:  EXPECT FEAR, BUT DON'T LET IT STOP ME

". . . when King Artaxerxes was dining, I took the wine to him. He had never seen me look sad before, so he asked, 'Why are you so sad? Your heart must be troubled.' That made me very afraid." Neh. 2:1-2

What Nehemiah did with his fear:

1. He ADMITTED HIS FEELINGS

"I was scared BUT I replied, 'Long live the king! Why shouldn't I be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and all its gates have been burned down!'"        Neh. 2:2b-3

Action Plan: This week, the next time you find yourself frustrated, in conflict, or feeling stuck on some thought, pause, reflect, and name what you are feeling. After naming it (even out loud to the person you may be in conflict with), ask God to help you navigate why this situation is bringing up these feelings. Admitting your feeling is the beginning of healing!

2. HePRAYED QUICKLY BEFORE SPEAKING

"The king replied to me, 'Well, what is it you want?' Then I prayed again to the God of heaven."   Neh. 2:4 

Step 4:  ESTABLISH A CLEAR TARGET

"After praying I answered, 'If it pleases Your Majesty and if your servant has found favor in your sight, send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.'"            Neh. 2:5
                       
Step 5:  SET A DEADLINE

"Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked, 'How long will your work take, and when will you get back?' The king was willing to send me so I set a time!"            Neh. 2:6

Action Plan: Take a next Step in your plan and set a deadline that can be achieved in the next serval days.  Make sure it's sized correctly for the timeframe.  Tell a close friend about this goal so they can keep you in their prayers and offer you support. 

Step 6:  ANTICIPATE THE BARRIERS I'LL FACE

"Then I asked the king to give me letters for the governors of territories west of the Euphrates river, giving me safe travel to Judah. I also asked for a letter to the keeper of the king's royal forests, instructing him to supply me with the timber I needed to rebuild the gates of the city, the city walls, and for a house to live in." Neh. 2:7-8a

"A sensible man looks for the problems ahead and prepares to meet them." Prov. 27:12a (LB)

Jesus: "You'll never be my disciple if you're not willing to carry your cross and follow me. So don't begin until you count the cost. Who would begin building without first figuring the cost and seeing if they had enough to complete it?" Luke 14:27-28

Action Plan: Take a Step back and make sure your plan isn't overly optimistic.  Create some

Step 7:  TRUST GOD TO MEET ALL MY NEEDS

"Because God's gracious favor was on me, the king gave me everything I asked for." Neh. 2:8b

"We may make our plans, but God has the last word." Prov. 16:1 (TEV)

"What you ought to say is, 'IF it is the Lord's will, we will live long enough to do this or that.'"      James 4:15