Ray Edwards Show

You've heard it before. The problem that holds you back is not lack of information. You already know what to do – but you don't do what you know. The question is why you don't do what you know? And that is what I'll be answering in today's episode. Announcements: Conferences where I will be […]

I had two conversations this week that prompted the topic of today's podcast. One had to do with weird Christian views about money, and the other had to do with a question about the business mission of my company.

This episode is going to be like one big Spiritual Foundations segment… So, if you're not into that, you might want to skip out until next week. However, if any of the following apply to you…

• You ever wonder if it's okay to want to get rich.
• Internal conflicts about money seem to slow you down.
• Your Christian brothers and sisters judge or criticize you because you're so enthusiastic about business and success.
• You wonder about how to reconcile the gospel with your desire to succeed in life.
• The question of how to integrate your spiritual life with your business life seems to come up a lot.
• You'd like an explanation of just what exactly my weird business is all about.

… Then this episode is definitely for you!

And if you're one of those people who loves it when somebody is WRONG ON THE INTERNET…  and you feel it's your job to set them straight… this is your show! You may disagree in the comments, but no name-calling, etc, Please disagree agreeably.

Announcements:

And here we go…

You Have Permission to Prosper

He sat across from me and stared me in the eye.

"It is scripturally wrong for a Christian to try to be rich." He looked at me defiantly.

I gently tried to explain that he might not have the entire picture, but he was going to hear none of it.

This is a slightly fictionalized account of several conversations I've had over the last year or so. The other person in this story represents people who, when told what I do in my business, are quick to want to school me on why I'm wrong.

Worse, some of them told me that I'm leading people to hell.

This disturbed me somewhat.

Then I had a conversation with someone very close to me, in just the last week. This person, a member of my family, began to describe to me what they thought my business was about: "You write copy, and you teach other people how to write copy, and you sell a bunch of Internet marketing stuff."

Well, no.

The answer to both of these misunderstandings is actually the same. So today, I'm going to revisit a post I made previously on this blog, and spell out very carefully what is the purpose of my businesses… what we do… and how it ties together with this conundrum of Christians and cash.

I really have one basic premise to offer you, and it is this: as a follower of Jesus you are entitled to prosper in every way. And that includes money. You have, straight from the pages of Scripture, permission to prosper.

My Marketplace Mission: 1,000 Millionaires.

I feel that God has prepared me for this very time to help demolish the mindsets of both poverty and greed that have a grip on so many.

I am privileged to be called to be part of the solution.

Our mission going forward, here at Ray Edwards International, Inc, is a very simple one: to mentor, foster, and lead 1,000 people to become millionaires.

Not to become millionaires for the reasons the world normally supposes people want to be rich. Not so that they can buy the biggest house, or the fastest sports car, or acquire the "most toys".

Our aim (and my personal mission) is to develop "Kingdom millionaires". People who seek to accumulate wealth in order to do the work of God's kingdom. "Millionaire Missionaries", if you will.

Leading 1,000 people to become millionaires means bringing one billion dollars into God's Kingdom – money that will be used for His purposes.

Over the last few years, I've had the great privilege of working with many well-known marketers and thought-leaders.

Some of my clients are household names.

I've been able to contribute to their success, and my work has been responsible, in part, for bringing millions of dollars into those businesses and those personal fortunes.

Today, we continue to serve by bringing practical wisdom on how to start, run, and grow business period we do this through consulting services, coaching programs, seminars and workshops, instructional products, in writing books.

I have dedicated my work-all of it-to the building of God's kingdom.

How? By continuing to help people and businesses create more wealth – but now with a renewed and more accurately-focused purpose. By being dedicated…

• To the destruction of the poverty and greed mindset.
• To the creation of new wealth.
• To the alleviation of suffering, sickness, and poverty.

We are in a world at war. It's Good against evil.

While evil wants to take over, we resist the idea of giving up a single inch of ground.

This is the sound of a revolution.

If You're Receiving This Message, You Are The Resistance

If this resonates with you, if you want to be part of this revolution, I invite you to stick with me.

As dark as some people think tomorrow looks, we have a different view.

We believe the future is pregnant with promise, and we are committed to taking back tomorrow from the "gloom and doomers".

So how can you join in?

First, and absolutely of most importance, make sure you are following Jesus. Accept Him as your Lord (your Master) and as your Savior. It's not complex. All that is required:

If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:9

Next, if what I've said here seems to draw you toward it, then this is your place!

Subscribe to this blog, if you haven't already.

Our values are reflected in the articles we publish, the podcasts we produce, the information products and books we make available.

I just got word that my new book has been accepted by the publisher, and we have an event scheduled for April 8-10. Both are called Permission to Prosper.

My teaching and materials reflect the principles of helping you build wealth from a foundation of Kingdom principles – for Kingdom purposes.

We will be together on the journey of true prosperity.

And like John, the beloved disciple of Jesus, I want you to prosper, even as your soul prospers.

I look forward to contributing to your success.

We have some exciting things in store for you.

In the meantime…

May you prosper wildly, and may you be radically blessed.

Question:    Have you struggled with any of the issues brought up in this podcast? Click here to leave your comments.

 

I had two conversations this week that prompted the topic of today's podcast. One had to do with weird Christian views about money, and the other had to do with a question about the business mission of my company. This episode is going to be like one big Spiritual Foundations segment… So, if you're not […]

Why do I still invest the time and money to attend seminars, even though many people would think I don't have to? I have at least five good reasons why, and in this episode I will share them with you.

Announcements:

Conferences where I will be attending and/or speaking:

• SCORRE Conference, October 14-17
• Platform Conference, November 3-5

And if you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the podcast. You can also find the podcast on Stitcher.

Tip Of The Week

How to rescue your time… with an app, of course!

Spiritual Foundations

If you're on a guilt trip, I promise you God was not your travel agent. 3 reasons why:

•  Grace is bigger than whatever we may feel "convicted" or  "condemned" about.
  

  "By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; 20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us."1 John 3:19-24

• The Bible calls the law the ministry of Death.
  

  "Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory.  Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it."
  2 Corinthians 3:7-10

• Take a clue from what Paul was persecuted for.
  

  "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! "Romans 6:1-2

Feature Segment: 5 Reasons Why I Still Attend Seminars

After all these years, I'm still attending seminars and workshops… here are 5 reasons why…

1. To remain a student.
2. To be productively uncomfortable.
3. To connect with clients, customers, and friends.
4. To make JV connections.
5. To buy.

Listener Calls

This week we heard from:

• Jeff Brown, Read to Lead Podcast
• Walter Montero
• Paul Potter
• Adam Collier
• Greg Gilbert

 

Question:   Why do you attend seminars? Click here to leave your comments.

 

Why do I still invest the time and money to attend seminars, even though many people would think I don't have to? I have at least five good reasons why, and in this episode I will share them with you. Announcements: Conferences where I will be attending and/or speaking: SCORRE Conference, October 14-17 Platform Conference, […]

For many bloggers, it's the number one topic of discussion: how to get more traffic to your blog.  Having a bigger number of visitors doesn't necessarily mean you have a more profitable business, but let's face it; we all want more traffic.

In this episode, I'll explain how  to get more traffic to your blog.

Announcements:

Conferences where I will be attending and/or speaking:

• NAMS Conference, August 9-11
• SCORRE Conference, October 14-17
• Platform Conference, November 3-5

And if you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the podcast. You can also find the podcast on Stitcher.

Tip Of The Week

This week I share the value of inconveniently scheduled entertainment.

Spiritual Foundations

"But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray."
Luke 5:15-16

The more value you have to offer, the more demand others will place on you.

The more value you place on serving, the more tempted you will be to supply what others demand. This seems good, but there is one problem…

…you are a limited resource. Which means eventually the supply (you) will be exhausted by the demand (others).

At that point, everyone ceases to be served.

In order to serve at the highest level, for the longest possible time, you must preserve the resource.

What this means:

• Not everyone who wants "just five minutes" from you can have it.
• Not everyone who wants to partner with you on a business or a project gets a "yes".
• Not everyone who makes a request of you, or a demand on your time/money/energy, gets their request granted.

You must preserve the resource (you) and learn to say "no"

Most people will not be happy with your boundaries.

That's why most people fail to establish and enforce them.

Be different than most people.

Because you are a limited resource, and we need you.

Feature Segment: How To  Get More Blog Traffic

Success as a blogger cannot be measured by subscriber numbers alone. That doesn't mean we don't count the number of subscribers. How do you get more traffic to your blog? Here are seven tips…

1. Write 3 to 5 "Pillar Posts".
2. Post Consistently And Frequently.
3. Comment On High Traffic Blogs.
4. Write Guest Posts For High-Traffic Blogs. See this post by Jeff Goins about guest posting.
5. Link To Other Blogs in Your Posts.
6. Encourage Commenting on Your Blog.
7. Use Social Media to Promote Your Blog Posts.

Question:   What tactics do you use to get more traffic to your blog? Click here to leave your comments.

 

For many bloggers, it's the number one topic of discussion: how to get more traffic to your blog.  Having a bigger number of visitors doesn't necessarily mean you have a more profitable business, but let's face it; we all want more traffic. In this episode, I'll explain how  to get more traffic to your blog. […]

It's all the rage: "content marketing". But if you think just giving away lots of great content for free is going to make you money, you haven't thought the matter through. Chances are you're making one of the three big content marketing mistakes.

St. John's Cathedral in Spokane, WA, taken with my iPhone.

In this episode, I'll explain how to create content that actually makes sales.

Announcements:

Conferences where I will be attending and/or speaking:

• NAMS Conference, August 9-11
• SCORRE Conference, October 14-17
• Platform Conference, November 3-5

And if you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the podcast. You can also find the podcast on Stitcher.

Tip Of The Week

I've been enjoying the challenge of trying to take great photographs using just my iPhone. Turns out this is a very popular hobby. Two great resources, if you're interested in giving it a try, are iPhone Photography and the ProCamera App. I also like 100 Cameras In 1.

Spiritual Foundations

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
Romans 10:17

What we put into our brains makes a difference in our life, and that includes our spirit life. I'm not big on rules, so I'm not going to tell you there are things you should or should not listen to or watch. But I will suggest you might want to be careful what you put inside yourself.

Anything that you are going to listen to, or watch, needs to pass through a filter. Here's a good one: is this helpful? Is it healing? Is it hopeful? Is it loving?

If the answer to the above questions is "no", you might want to reconsider whose word you listening to, and what the consequences might be.

Feature Segment: How To Create Content That Sells

Content really does sell, but if you give away the store, you go broke fast. The key is you must create content that encourages a buying decision.

The three big "content marketing" mistakes:

1. Creating mediocre content.
2. Creating content that completely satisfies your customer's needs.
3. Creating content without being intentional.

Keys to creating content that sells.

1. Your best material is your best marketing.
2. Create content that is "useful, but incomplete" (thanks Jimmy D Brown).
3. Be strategic about the content you create.
4. Create products that get results, while laying the foundation for new purchases.

Question:  What content  marketing strategies have brought you the best results? Click here to leave your comments.

 

Over the last few weeks, I've had the opportunity to talk on the phone with a number of consulting clients. I was startled to hear virtually the same phrase come out of each of their mouths: "I need clarity on what I'm supposed to be doing, and help focusing on it."

Why do we feel we lack clarity? And why do we have trouble focusing? Most importantly, how can we get clear and focused? I've got an answer for you in today's episode.

Announcements:

Conferences where I will be attending and/or speaking:

• JV Alert, July 26-28
• NAMS Conference, August 9-11
• SCORRE Conference, October 14-17
• Platform Conference, November 3-5

Want To Be On Next Week's Show?

My topic for next week's show is "Creating Content That Sells". If you have a question on that topic, you can ask by visiting my voicemail page (just click here to leave a message). This is a great way to promote your own website. First, make sure you have a great question, and then start off by saying your name and your website. If your question is used on the show, we will even include a link back to your site in the show notes.

Your Feedback

Do you have an idea for a podcast you would like to hear? Do you have a question that you like to ask me? Please contact me.

Call in your questions or comments to our new, fancy "request line" at (509) 713-2679 or click here to leave a message on my Voicemail Page

And if you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the podcast. You can also find the podcast on Stitcher.

Tip Of The Week

GoodReader for iPad allows you to markup PDF documents using a stylus. This is great for editing, proofreading, and notetaking.

Lifestyle Business Segment

Featuring Stu McLaren of Wishlist Products and Rhino Support. This week:  creating more meaning in your work.

Spiritual Foundations

"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
Romans 8:1

Have you ever made a big mistake, and been filled with regret? Recently I made a major decision without consulting my wife. I gave the appearance of consulting her, by writing a highly persuasive, highly logical justification of my decision and presenting it to her and asking, in essence, "you agree with me don't you?" In other words, I blindsided and bulldozed her. How she supposed to respond? I hurt her feelings. The decision may have been right, that the way I presented it was all wrong. I felt like a creep. How could I do that to the person I loved most in the world?

Pause… that feeling that I experienced, right there, is called condemnation. It's the feeling that we need to be punished for something we have done. My example is just one from real-life. You could substitute your own. Maybe you have had an angry thought, shaded the truth, cut the corners on the business deal, delivered less than your best, spoken words in anger, had a lustful or greedy thought, been inpatient or intolerant of a family member… I'm sure you can come up with your own examples. The Bible calls these things sin (which means to "fall short of the target"), and left on our own, our sin condemns us.

But, as those who follow Christ, our sins have been forgiven. Past, present, and future. Condemnation is a tool of Satan uses against us to disempower us. If he can get us thinking, "what kind of Christian are you anyway? If people knew what you are really like, they would be shocked…" Then he can get us to become isolated from others, and ineffective in our calling and our mission.

There is now no condemnation… it's in the present tense. The next time you feel tempted to do something you know is wrong, repeat this verse out loud. Use it as a "fighter verse". It's the Word of God, and the Bible tells us that even the Angels "heed the voice of His word". That His word "will not return to Him void" (in other words, it will not be ineffective).

And if you realize after the fact that you've done something wrong, remind yourself of the same thing… there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  As Pastor Joseph Prince writes:

The power of Jesus to overcome every temptation kicks in when you remain conscious that even at the point of temptation, Jesus is still with you and that you are righteous in Him apart from your works (Romans 4:6)! When you do that, you reject the condemnation for the temptation that you are facing. You are now able to rest in your righteous identity in Christ apart from your works, and release the power of Christ in you to rise above the temptation.

Feature Segment: How To Get Clarity And Focus

1. Know your reason WHY.
2. Think through WHAT outcome you want.
3. Plan HOW to achieve the outcome.
4. Have SMARTER goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-Bound, Evaluate, Re-Evaluate… November 1981 issue of Management Review by George T. Doran.)
5. Build systems that run without you.
6. Create margin.
7. Sharpen the saw.

Resources Mentioned In This Episode

• Michael Hyatt's free ebook, Creating Your Personal Lifeplan
• Work the System by Sam Carpenter
• Margin by Richard Swensen
• 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Dr. Stephen R. Covey

Question: How do you get clarity and focus? Click here to leave your comments.

 

Over the last few weeks, I've had the opportunity to talk on the phone with a number of consulting clients. I was startled to hear virtually the same phrase come out of each of their mouths: “I need clarity on what I'm supposed to be doing, and help focusing on it.” Why do we feel […]