CHAPTER 47: THE SEVEN DISCIPLINES 2024
Sales, Marketing, Accounting, Law, Quality Control, Knowledge, and Direction. All the things people really don’t want to do, or maybe they want to do two or three, but not all of them. “Maybe I’ll let somebody else do that one or that other one.” As I always say, you can let somebody else do it as long as you look over, hyper manage, understand the ramification of it, … the consequences.
Let me make some comments in light of timely events that are happening right now. We know that Israel has a future, it’s mentioned in the Bible clearly and often. However, I am not to sure about America. There is politics coming against America standing for Israel. In the past America always stood for Israel, our ally. In this hour of uncertainty, I think it is best we remember scripture of God’s promise to Abraham, i.e., Israel.
Genesis 12:3
New International Version
I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
If this is the end of the world, after the events of Iran’s attack on Israel, perhaps this is the time of Ezekiel 38? Scripture that foretells end times. By the time I share this teaching with you, Israel may have retaliated against Iran, Russia may have retaliated against Israel in an alliance with Iran and WW3 may be through the door. So what about the 7 disciplines? Well, you and I have not been called by the United Nations, Israel or God to handle the situation in the middle east or verify the next prophetic date on the calendar. What have we been given? As long as America stands, and you and I are breathing, we are task with the responsibility of today, nothing more, nothing less. Pay attention and listen to the direction of the Lord as He teaches through His word.
(Isaiah 30:21. NIV).
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it’.”
Sales, Marketing, Accounting, Law, Quality Control, Knowledge, and Direction.
Discipline #1: SALES
A good name is the best calling card. Use it, stay personally involved with new customers and existing customers. Pick up the phone and stay in touch. Make sure a company website is up to date. There is always, always, always, customers to thank or new customers to approach with humility and an offer of solid workmanship/craftmanship.
The theme behind sales? Here it is. “Whether the world is ending or not, you will get your products, safe and sound, I give you my word.” That would be a show stopper, wouldn’t it? When thinking of new contacts.., be brilliant. Send reminders, coffee coupons, discount coupons anything, stay in touch, allowing those who pay you to feel honor in your relationship. Sending something as simple as a coffee coupon does three things that are very good, anymore would be weird, any less would be stupid.
- Inexpensive
- Amusing
- Can’t throw it away…
3 things to remember in sending a marketing tool. Be brilliant, simple and personable, never turn such matters over to others. I sent a customer a pair of RayBan sunglasses once, with a single lens removed. I told him if I got the job, I’d send him the other lens. Long story short, it was a 3 million dollar job, out of many sub-contractors my customer got the job and all have a good laugh to this day. Stay correct and good in the life God has given, otherwise we believe the lie. A lie that you don’t have to pay attention, “I can pay somebody to do that.” That’s not true. Deception is the mother of catastrophic failure.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-17
New International Version
3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness[a] is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.
We all should think about that before we hire a marketing consultant or an ad agency.
Discipline #2: MARKETING
What’s the difference between marketing and sales. Marketing is advertising, sales is the art of closing a deal or maintaining a relationship. In Marketing, Google has changed, SEO has changed, drastically. Get it together, realize what’s going on in the world and get your head out of the sand. “It ain’t like it used to be” and what you think you know, you don’t know. Ask the Lord to loosen your stubborn nature so you can learn. Let God lead you and watch what happens.
Luke 21:15 ESV
For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.
Discipline #3: ACCOUNTING
Without severe clarity in this area, chaos will overtake a corporation. Don’t play the low bidder game with financials, bad idea. It is as simple as that, you are not a book-keeper, controller, CPA, or a CFO, quit acting like it, that behavior never ends well.
1 Corinthians 4:2 ESV / 14
Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.
Discipline #4: LAW
Law is a huge undertaking. DMV, Construction Permits, IRS payments and disagreements, parking and traffic citations, bankruptcy, re-organization, taxes, employment, workers comp, slip and fall, personal liability and guarantees, charge cards, line of credits, all these things are a part of law that is not a common knowledge base. Learn. It’s not up to the attorney, it’s up to you to know what the attorney should do. Otherwise, who is driving? People that let the attorneys drive pay a huge consequence both in time and money and ultimately relationships in legal matters are torched. Don’t let go of any legal matter, leaving it to someone else, be involved otherwise you will loose perspective and follow the wrong path without solution or fair settlement.
1 Timothy 4:1-5
New International Version
4 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3
Inexperience, immaturity, ignorance of the rules, none of it matters in a violation. Law, is not optional. Be aware, lest your own professionals take advantage of you and then cast you to the side in your desperate calamity.
Discipline #5: QUALITY CONTROL
Stay away from the expensive statement, “I hire people to do that for me.” Those eight words could ruin everything, catastrophically. Look through all areas of your business, all the time. Micro-Manage yourself over seeing all that God has given you.
Acts 20:28 English Standard Version (ESV)
28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
I tell people that until I’m blue in the face, to no avail with quite a few. The enemy will tempt until all comes tumbling down — and whos fault is it? The enemy? Okay, but for those who let go of responsibility — one did say okay to the wrong voice. The voice of Treason, not reason.
Discipline #6: KNOWLEDGE
Do you want to know how to be successful? Here goes the broken record. Read the book everyday and watch your quality of life adjust for the better. It is a narrow gate, the correct knowledge.
Psalm 32:8
New King James Version
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.
Matthew 7:13-14
New International Version
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Talk with people who know, and have experience, surely be with people who care about you, not necessarily your money.
Proverbs 11:14
New King James Version
Where there is no counsel, the people fall;
But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
Theories and generalities have no place in a corporate environment. Although creative thinking is an asset, when it comes to issues of organization the majority of problems have tried and true solutions. Gambling with God’s assets is never wise. Some people say they are open minded, forget that, some people are so open minded their brains have fallen out.
Psalm 119:66 New International Version (NIV)
66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
for I trust your commands.
Discipline #7: DIRECTION
One must learn, and be humbled by the fact that leading requires constant knowledge and wisdom from God, not self.
Matthew 12:30-31
New King James Version
30 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.
You guys get it, right? Without God, direction of His Almighty Word, you will be listening and learning, but direction is key. What direction will you be going without constant Jesus Christ? Like Bob Dillon said in his song, “you’re gonna serve somebody, might be the devil, may be the Lord, but you’re gonna serve somebody.” Look at society now, mutilating our children, sexual confusion, feel sorry for the bad guy, good guys are held in contempt. What’s up with all this stupid? It’s in the book.
James 3:15
New King James Version
“Doctrines of demons”
15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
New King James Version
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
Without the capacity to know good direction, Discernment in people, qualifications, strength in the Lord, knowing correct information, a traveler on this road is not prepared to make decisions and is a sitting duck for stupid. Be of God, not of self.
1 Corinthians 6:19
New King James Version
19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
Sales, Marketing, Accounting, Law, Quality Control, Knowledge and Direction, seven corporate disciplines. Without command of every single one, fear and the fool hearty ideas are at the helm. Put away childish ways and lead, teach and inspire.
(2 Timothy 1:7 NIV)
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”.
Armed in the Lord, 47 is an unstoppable force within heart, mind and soul. The Original Blueprint of a single person realized in God’s will. Discipline is the key, without it, failure is imminent.
Proverbs 12:1
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.
Sales, Marketing, Accounting, Law, Quality Control, Knowledge and Direction. Chapter 47, The Seven Disciplines. Without mastering 47, you will be at a severe deficit and easy prey for the predators that roam the forest of trade and opportunity. Got anxiety? Here’s the prescription. It’s the Word of God.
Philippians 4:6
New King James Version
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
Don’t give way to “it’ll do, Lou,” mediocre and foolishness. Joe Biden says “we are in a battle for the soul of America,” I don’t know if he knows exactly what he’s saying. We have an assignment, it is to be a good example, if 47 we learn 7 ways to do that. Joe Biden, the last time he said that, “we are in a battle for the soul of America,” was surrounded by transgender children. You’re right, Joe, we are in a battle, not for ourselves necessarily, perhaps for the “hearts and souls of America,” however 47 is an example to do well as an example that stands against chaos for our children, America needs God. Without 47, the wool, as they say, can be pulled over your eyes, your children and your country. Sales, Marketing, Accounting, Law, Quality Control, Knowledge and Direction — we have a responsibility to restrain lawlessness.
2 Thessalonians 2:7
New King James Version
7 For the [a]mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only [b]He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.
Bad is here and badder is coming, stay the course, keep these disciplines awake and alive. Teach, by example, discipline, so that personally we learn and teach our children to restrain lawlessness and live straight and true.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
New King James Version
3 But know this, that in the last days [a]perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, [b]unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
Sales, Marketing, Accounting, Law, Quality Control, Knowledge and Direction. There’s much more to it than simply seven words. It is the seven disciplines that outline so much. We must vote, and pray, teach the prayer.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-12
New King James Version
9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
Stay sharp, aware in our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
