RPN

Shake-Ups: Be Prepared

Jun 19   -  Mike Jacobs

I went by a McDonald’s to get a chocolate shake.  I really like chocolate shakes.  A young man handed me the shake.  Cindy and I looked at it.  Sure didn’t look chocolate.  Too white.  “Are you sure this is chocolate?”

“I pushed the chocolate button,” was his reply.

So I tasted it.  It wasn’t chocolate.  It was vanilla.  Cindy and I told him the results of our taste test.

“But I pushed the chocolate button,” he insisted.

“It’s not chocolate,” we replied, handing the shake back to him.

Plop!  He trashed the shake and went to make another one.  He soon returned and triumphantly handed me another shake.  It was just as white as the other one, but I tasted it anyway.

“It’s not chocolate,” I was pained to report.

“But I pushed the chocolate button!”  He was getting rather defensive.  “Besides, the chocolate shakes have been that color all day.”

We asked, “Is there a possibility that the machine is broken or out of chocolate or something?  It’s clearly not producing chocolate shakes.  Why don’t you check the machine?”

“I don’t know how to check the machine!  I pushed the chocolate button!”  Clearly irritated at our attack on his shake machine’s credibility, he left to consult the manager.

Returning shortly, he offered, “Would you like a different flavor or would you like your money back?”

“Neither,” I replied.  “I’ll just take this one home and add chocolate syrup.”

So I did.

Ever felt like the fast food guy?  Pushing the same buttons as before, but not getting the desired results?  I have seen this phenomenon happen with the finances of many business people.  They come to us totally frustrated after having made a public commitment to fully use their resources to advance God’s kingdom.  Then their business craters.

Making this commitment is sometimes like throwing rocks at a wasp nest.  What happens next is not too hard to predict.  Due to an immediate threat, stingers will be fully engaged as the wasps try to protect their turf.  People who dedicate their resources to God are a similar threat to Satan’s kingdom, and he does respond to threats.  So how do you keep from being stung?

First, I would count the cost.  Are you ready for the spiritual battle that will surely take place with such a commitment?  Some people aren’t.  Business schools do not address the spiritual dynamics of business.  You need to come up to speed on spiritual warfare dynamics, and many valuable resources are now available for gaining that understanding.

Second, are there any holes in your spiritual armor?  Have you been tithing?  Have you opened any other biblical doors that bring a curse of poverty, such as idolatry?  This can occur from involvement in Freemasonry or worship of the Queen of Heaven.  Have you repented and broken curses that come from involvement in such activities in your generations - parents, grandparents or others?

Third, one of the most important questions to ask is whether you have sufficient prayer coverage to make such a public commitment.  We teach that leaders have assignments from God that are bigger than they are.  Unless others in the Body of Christ recognize their gifting and help supply necessary resources, then not only will the leader not achieve his full measure of success, but neither will the people he influences.  Of the needed resources, one of the most essential components of additional resource is prayer coverage.  So have you mobilized sufficient prayer support?

Finally, welcome input and evaluation from trusted members of the Body.  Many times, others are better at evaluating results than you are.  While you are focused on pushing the same buttons that formerly produced results with a high degree of consistency, they simply look at the results.

And if the shake machine is broken, fix it.

Pray:

1. Ask the Lord to reveal any holes in your spiritual armor and be quick to repent, make changes.  Matthew 3:8
2. Ask the Lord to show you who He wants to bring alongside you as prayer covering.  Ecclesiastes 4:9
3. Before you rashly make any promises regarding your finances or business, set aside time to seek the Lord about what He is wanting from the resources He has placed in Your hand.  Psalm 116:14

Act:

1. If you are a business owner, invite some other trusted spiritual leaders and respected business people to hold you accountable and be a sounding board for you.  Make arrangements to connect with them regularly.
2. Become skilled at spiritual warfare.  Read books, listen to teachings.  A great starting place would be the 10 Minute Prayer Schools by Cindy Jacobs, made available to USRPN Premium Members.  Click here to upgrade your membership.