Looking Forward... a worthwhile habit

Have you ever driven by a half-finished building that has obviously been that way for quite a while... even to the point where the elements are starting to take a toll on the structure and it is starting to decay and fall apart?

Jesus from Luke 14:28-32:

"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. "

Building projects require a lot of forethought and "foreaction". Builders don’t just show up one day and say “we’re ready.” It required making plans, checking codes and boundaries, determining materials and labor required, counting the cost, staking it out, preparing the foundations, ordering the materials, scheduling the work and much more. The bigger the project the more there is to do.

There is a great deal of debate about "the wall of separation" between church and state. Modern American Christians, unfortunately, have a habit creating a "wall of separation" between faith and life. The Bible in general, and Proverbs in particular, knows of no such separation. Examples:

Having a harvest requires working the ground and being persistent. Just thinking about it will leave you empty-handed.

Proverbs 12:11 He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.

Proverbs 20:4 A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.

Proverbs 13:4 The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

Proverbs 28:19 He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.

Titus 3:1 Remind them... to be ready for every good work...

God commends planning for the future - but he always has the last word.

Proverbes 16:1,9 To man belong the plans of the heart,but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue. In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

Proverbs 21:31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.

Prudent men see what is ahead and make preparation for it.

Proverbs 22:3 A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

Proverbs 27:12 The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark...