How to Avoid Becoming “Marketing Road Kill”
The marketing and motivational world pull us in the direction of our dreams. We want to break through to our abundant life and haven’t been getting there. So, we are candidates for help. They promise:
- You can have it all – money, vacations, family time, happiness, generosity, visibility
- It’s in you; you deserve it, you have to release it, ‘invest’ in yourself
- It’s right around the corner, you just have to push the button, and enter your credit card
- Once in the program, you have to “believe.” You choose your lot in life by your beliefs
I’ve heard it put this way, ‘If you believe it’s not possible, then for you, it really isn’t possible. But if you believe you can do it, and apply yourself, you can do anything you set your mind to.” We often hear verses like this used to support the “believe it and you can have it” thinkology:
Matt. 21:21-22 – Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. 22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. KJV
The leap of Faith – We go away from these messages or events, disciplining ourselves to believe for the best and try harder. “Burn the boats, so there’s no retreating and ‘commit’ to success without wavering.” We shame ourselves for not trying harder and not getting the results we see in others.
We do make some progress, but it’s nothing like the promise. Things like mountains and bank accounts haven’t moved. Every time we try and fail, it’s harder to screw up our faith for the next miraculous “belief” cycle, and resignation starts to set in. The wash-out rate for others in the process is conveniently hidden behind the glorious sales results. It works for a few, but most do fail. What gives?
Start with why – Why we want things and what we do to get them has to be premised on a purpose larger than “me.” Lasting beliefs and faith come from outside us. If we generate them from our own introverted, delusions of grandeur, we only fool ourselves. Everyone else can discern ‘self-ish’ motivations on a circular road to nowhere. It’s a turn-off. Large egos come from little, insecure people.
Faith or belief isn’t convincing ourselves or updating our mindsets. Projecting our thoughts, imagination, goals, or affirmations on the universe doesn’t change a thing until we’re tapped into purpose. Faith is substance or evidence that is outside us. It’s being convinced by the experience of touching a higher purpose.
Know Your Measure of Faith (metron) – We each have a unique kingdom role, with different gifts, stations, assignments, and purpose. Authority and favor start with the experience of seeing your assignment instead of the vanity of imagining how great it could be or the envy of copying someone else. For many of us, it takes a colossal failure and subsequent resurrection to properly frame our perspective, purpose, and prospects.
Rom. 12:3-7 – … Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. … We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. NIV
Phil. 2:3-4 – Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. NIV
I’ve had the experience of seeing how people live and work in full-time ministry, senior management, and wealthy businesses. They put their pants on one leg at a time like the rest of us. They have their own set of shortcomings, frailties, and challenges like the rest of us. Once the curtain is pulled back, anyone can see “nothing here to envy.” You would never logically trade the truth and election of your own calling for another person’s lifestyle.
How to “find yourself” – If we have convinced you to stay with your measure instead of chasing rabbits, there are some great ways to get connected with your sweet spot:
- Instead of starting with all your plans and goals, start with an experience in the Father’s Council. Get the big picture first. God is assembling Sons in His council to see what He’s doing and to open your book (Ps. 139:15-16). The Kingdom is sons (seers and doers) bringing Heaven to earth. (Seers-and-Doers.com)
- Navigate the purpose in the desires of your own heart and in your Father’s heart. It is something you’ll love doing! Get your purpose in writing and it a plan (OnlineHeartPlan.com)
- Build a plan for a product and a business expression of your purpose. That usually translates to a team and a tribe who share your vision. Think in terms of providing something tangible a customer would love to buy.
- Put your own purpose and business in the Kingdom context of the Father’s biggest initiative. He’s all about a reformation of people, businesses, and nations right now. Your assignment is a puzzle piece that fits that higher purpose somewhere. It’s your legacy that will inspire your team now and keep on continue growing after you’re gone.
Wisdom looks like this – One of my biggest, eye-opening experiences was meeting the spirit of wisdom. She would routinely bring up the practical side of every issue. Imagine cash flow coming up in the council!
- Be content with where you are instead of living in want. (Phil. 4:11-14)
- Whatever you do, do it with all your heart for God (Col. 3:23-24)
- Connect with what’s written in your heart (Heb. 8:10, 10:16)
- Have a plan. (Pro. 16:3, 9)
- Count the cost, do the cash flow (Luke 14:28-30)
- Ask, “What am I willing to give up for a higher purpose.” (Luke 14:26-27)
You’re Invited (to the dance) – We’ve developed two online courses to bring prophetic and practical clarity to your purpose, vocation, or business and a success path to seeking the Father in the courts of heaven and the council. It’s an experience with the Father and a relational tribe that works.
Stories from this tribe are here.
- The Heart Plan ($997) – (OnlineHeartPlan.com) will help you fish your purpose out of the deep waters of your heart and get it in writing. Watch the free videos. You can take this class anytime or wait for the next round, and we’ll go through it again as a group with weekly zoom calls. The Heart Plan is based on the ideas in Releasing Kings.
Prov. 20:5 – The purposes of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.
- Seers and Doers ($997) – (Seers-and-Doers.com) will help you navigate the courts and council of Heaven with your Father and the Spirit of Wisdom in a practical way. Start with Seers and Doers via Amazon.com.
Ps. 84:7 – They go from strength to strength, every one of them appears before God in Zion. NASU
- Scaling up to a Wealth Mentality ($97) – is our newest self-help course. We think you’ll enjoy it. Great lead up to the Heart Plan.
Phil. 4:11-14 – that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. NASU
Col. 3:23-24 – Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. NIV
Prov. 16:3, 9 – Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. . . In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. NIV
Luke 14:28-30 – “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? 29 For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 30 saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’ NIV
Luke 14:26-27 – “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters — yes, even his own life — he cannot be my disciple. 27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. NI
