Does God Want You Poor?

Does God Want You Poor?

Some people will take the Bible and based on their interpretation attempt to convince you that God wants you to be poor.  They will take certain verses and build a case against having money or a prosperous life.  On the other hand, there are other people who can take the same Bible and try to convince you that God wants you to be rich.  They will tell you that it's not God's will for you to suffer or struggle and that you should believe God for great things.  Which is it?

I believe the Bible has 2 sides to this story and believe it is dangerous to interpret the Bible at either extreme.  Taken as a whole, in context, the Bible offers a very balanced perspective on the issue of wealth and prosperity.  One of the best scriptures that addresses this balance is 3 John 2:  "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers."  (NKJV)

Clearly the Bible wants us to prosper in proportion to the growth of our soul.  The Bible is full of comforting promises that God wants to abundantly bless us and meet our needs.  There are also many examples of godly people who God blessed with tremendous wealth. 

However, the Bible is also full of many warnings about the dangers and pitfalls of being greedy or consumed with the love of money.  The Bible is clear that if riches increase, we are not to set our hearts on them.  We are to work hard, be generous with the less fortunate and always keep God 1st in our hearts.  We are to be careful to never allow money or success to become an idol in our lives.

I believe it is important that Believers renew their minds to what the Bible says about success and prosperity with balance and moderation.  My audio program "Self-Talk From The Scriptures" uses over 100 Bible verses to address the various issues related to success and prosperity on topics such as God's desire to bless His children, work ethic, charity and keeping an eternal perspective about money. 

If you are a Christian, or a curious non-Christian, I invite you to check out my Bible affirmation program "Success & Prosperity" so that you can "renew your mind" to believe what the Bible says about God's will concerning you.  He doesn't want you caught up by the deceitfulness of riches, but it is definitely God's will that, with a good heart, you be blessed and successful in all that you do. 

The audio program can be downloaded from CD Baby or iTunes and the list of the Scriptures we used in production can be found on my Pinterest page. 

The programs are designed to be relaxing and the spoken word is accompanied with classic instrumental hymns.  I also have programs on Health & Healing, Peace & Joy, and Victorious Living.  Feel free to contact me via the contact form if have any comments or questions.  God bless you and I hope you enjoy the free sampler below. 

(c) 2014 Coach Princess, all rights reserved.   www.BeRenewed.com.

Coach Princess - About Me

As a Christian entrepreneur, I am blessed to offer a variety of products and services to benefit others.  In 2005, I began producing "Self-Talk from the Scriptures" which are spoken-word audio programs that help listeners to relax and meditate on the promises of God from the Bible.  These programs are currently enjoyed by listeners all over the world via the internet.

My work was based, in part, on research conducted by Dr. Shad Helmstetter, a best-selling author and pioneer in the field of self-talk.  He is looked to as an expert regarding the ability to "re-wire" the mind for change and personal achievement.  I was fortunate to become personally acquainted with Dr. Helmstetter and complete his Certified Life Coach training program.

In 2013, I completed over 1,000 hours of study in holistic health and became a certified massage therapist working in private practice and at a local spa.  When it comes to good health, I am also passionate about the benefits that can be derived from eating properly on a plant-based diet.

Not only do I market and sell my own products and services, I also participate in online affiliate marketing for products and/or services that are related to what I do, what I personally enjoy and what I think would benefit others.  In today's economy, I believe it is smart to have multiple revenue sources and believe the internet, carefully used, is a great equalizer which allows virtually anyone, located anywhere, to reach a global market.

As a disclaimer, I am not a medical doctor, dietician or mental health professional; I offer no health claims or recommendations outside the scope of my training.  I am, however, excited to offer my products & coaching services in a way that allows me to integrate my passion for wellness, personal development and spiritual growth.  It brings me great satisfaction to share my various gifts & talents in a way that blesses others.

If you would like additional information about me or any of my products and services, feel free to message me via the contact form on my blog page or directly at CoachPrincess@Mail.com.  

Spring Into A New Beginning - 5 Tips to Getting Restarted

Christians all over the world just celebrated a major holiday during a time when Winter begins to melt away and the earth beings to bud into the season of Spring.  Referred to as Easter by some and Resurrection Day by others, the Christian faith is based on the life, death and, most importantly, the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The resurrection of Christ is an important part of the Christian faith because it is His triumph over the grave that gives believers hope that we can likewise overcome the power of sin and death and receive eternal life.  It is an event that signifies new beginnings - a new beginning that you can receive and walk in today.

God knows and understands that people are struggling.  We face hardships, setbacks, disappointments and various trials.  No matter who we are, God knows that we need help and encouragement.  The Bible contains Scripture to lift us up and give us hope:

"Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."  (Isaiah 43:19 NKJV)

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."  (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV)

"But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the Lord with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah"  (Psalm 3:3-4 NKJV)

If you have been going through a hard time, hold your head up.  Use this season as a time to mark your new beginning.  Here are 5 things you can do today to create a new start:

1.  Acknowledge your mistakes.  We've all heard it before that no one is perfect.  It's true, we're not perfect, we're human.  The sooner you can learn from your mistakes, forgive yourself and move on, the better off you'll be.

2.  Ask God for help.  Our Creator desires to help us.  He wants us to call on Him and He is willing and able to empower us to change our lives.  Once you acknowledge that you can't do everything on your own you can receive strength and power from God.  "God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble."  (1 Peter 5:5 NKJV).

3.  Set (or reset) a goal and write it down.  If you don't know where you are going or where you want to go, you surely won't get there.  Success in anything never happens by accident.  Set a realistic yet ambitious goal - something that motivates you and makes you stretch.  You were born for a purpose so think about the goals you want or need to achieve in life and write them down.

4.  Get a coach, partner or associate.  We all need need the accountability and inspiration that comes from great association.  You are more likely to stay on your chosen path if you try not to go it alone.  For example, if you are trying to get fit, get a work-out partner and stick with it.

5.  Take action today ...and tomorrow.  Every day, DO SOMETHING that takes you toward the accomplishment of your goal.

Today is the 1st day of the rest of your life.  Use this time, right now, to mark this as a season of new beginnings.  Feel free to contact me for more information on how you can have a new beginning in Christ or if you are interested in connecting with me to help you reach your goals.  I can be reached at Princess@BeRenewed.com.
 

A Little "Cross Word" Play...

For many years I have been a true spa enthusiast.  One of my favorite treats is getting away for a while to receive a therapeutic treatment and recoup from everyday stresses.  In this season of my life, I have the good fortune of being able to attend one of the top massage schools in my area under a generous new Veterans Benefit.  

During a class, one of the things they covered is that clients should not cross their arms or legs while receiving a treatment.  When someone crosses their body in any way, it is perceived as a “blockage.”  Any blockage can possibly prevent energy or healing from flowing freely.  The idea during therapy is to relax and be “open” to the work or healing one wishes to receive. 

However, during a recent devotional, a comparison occurred to me.  The meaning of “the cross” (in the context of Christianity) has an entirely different meaning.  When we consider the cross of Calvary, it does not represent a blockage but an opening. 

Through the work of the cross, Christ opens the way for fallen humanity to become a part of God’s eternal family.  The cross represents God taking the curse of sin upon Himself so that we can be saved and set free.  When it comes to the cross of Calvary, God's love, power and healing flows freely.      

Of course I’m not trying to say that massage is somehow in conflict with the gospel of Christ!  Not at all; but I do think it is amazing how God’s ways are different, higher and often times the opposite of the ways of this world.  He even uses the foolish things to confound the wise:

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."  (1 Corinthians 1:19 NKJV)

“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are…”  (1 Corinthians 1:27-28 NKJV)

"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."  (Hebrews 12:2 NKJV) 

And that's all for now.  Just enjoying & sharing a little play on words as I meditate on the word cross. 

Photo Image Credit:  Luigi Diamanti / Free Digital Photo.net

Discipleship

I am so blessed to belong to a church that believes in DISCIPLESHIP.  In this day & age, I don't consider it enough to just be called "a Christian."  Many people claim that title, but how many are truly disciplined followers of Christ?

I am just about done with level 3 (called "CIA") of our church's intensive discipleship program called "Operation: Solid Lives" and it is all about the Word of God:  What it is, where it came from, how to use it and to lose it (if you're not careful).  Our discipleship classes were developed by my mentor and senior pastor Jerry Dirmann of "The Rock" (Anaheim Foursquare).  

I love our OSL classes because God always does something unexpected and life-changing during the 6 weeks of fasting, consecration and learning.  In this class, God truly gave me a renewed desire to become devout student of excellent teaching and excellent leadership.  He re-kindled in me a passion for life-long learning.  After all, if we're not humbling ourselves to quality mentoring and learning - we are not growing.  And if we're not growing, we are not producing fruit for our Father and His Kingdom. 

If you're a Believer and you've never taken a discipleship class, I encourage you to jump in.  I encourage you to become a disciplined & fruitful follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.  You won't regret it!