Have you ever been to a potluck dinner?

In North Carolina, where I was raised. . .potluck meals were often referred to as “Sunday dinner on the grounds” where everybody brought their favorite dish or dishes.  It was like a church-wide picnic.

The food was generally so good. . .it would make your tongue slap your tonsils.  Please notice that I said generally. . .that was not always the case.

I can remember on numerous occasions where I sampled a particular dish and then prayed for the family that had to eat/endure that kind of cooking.

Bottom line. . .at potluck gatherings. . .you always dine on what others were serving. . .whether the food was nutritious, delicious or just plain awful.

Now, there’s a difference when you know the background of this dish.  It was great when you know the cook … cause she fixes up one of the best dishes of chicken and dumplings in the entire county.  Then again, there were other dishes where you not only didn’t know who fixed it but it was a little questionable about what was in it.

Sadly, too many believers have a potluck mentality where they are always feeding on whatever thoughts. . .others are serving to them.

In today’s economy, you’ve got the doom and gloomers.

These folks believe the world is going to hell in a hand basket and it’s God’s judgment upon this wicked nation and world.

I’ve been teaching people how to get out of debt for almost 30 years.  I was doing so before it was cool, fashionable or even profitable.

Over the years, I’ve resisted the temptation to align myself with financial planners, insurance agents, real estate brokers and others in the financial professions to make money off referrals from those who follow this ministry.  I have at times recommended them as good … but not for a personal profit.

The Bible is an instruction manual for success. . .revealing how to walk in God’s blessing flow and experience the good life He envisions for us.  It’s all in the Word.

God’s instructions are not situational. . .they don’t vary based on current economic conditions, which party is in power, your personal circumstances or  unrest anywhere in the world.  The principles in his Word are clear and absolute.  This is important to know … now more than ever.

If you want to experience God’s power. . .you must know His Word.

Matthew 22:29 is so powerful that I’m going to put it before you in four translations because if you get nothing else but this scripture, then this teaching would have accomplished its purpose.

Matthew 22:29 in the King James Version says:

“Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.”

The New Living Translation of Matthew 22:29 says:

“Jesus replied, “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God.”

The Contemporary English Version of Matthew 22:29 says:

“Jesus answered:  You are completely wrong! You don't know what the Scriptures teach. And you don't know anything about the power of God.”

The Message Bible translation of Matthew 22:29 says:

Growing up. . .I learned it was never good to begin a letter with an apology or a sermon with something negative.

However, I want to reveal what I call “The Circle of Failure”. . .so we can get on to the remainder of this most positive, life-changing teaching.

Here are the ten points to “The Circle of Failure.”

Circumstances lead to situations producing problems spawning worry leading to stress creating anxiety followed by ineffectiveness resulting in sickness, excuses and ultimately failure.

What prompted me to think about this. . .was the number of believers I come in contact with who are overwhelmed by stress and pressure.  These faithful saints are so blinded by their circumstances. . .they can’t fully realize how blessed they are.

As I was reflecting on how some of these believers were looking for answers in all the wrong places. . .1 Thessalonians 3:7 in the Amplified Bible was brought to my attention.  This is what it says:

“Brethren, for this reason, in [spite of all] our stress and crushing difficulties we have been filled with comfort and cheer about you [because of] your faith (the leaning of your whole personality on God in complete trust and confidence).”

In this scripture are seven reasons you’re too blessed to be stressed.

1.         Recognize you’re living in stress and with crushing difficulties.

The most destructive and sometimes deadly thing about stress. . .is that it slips up on you.

Too many people think they’re living on adrenaline and the truth is they are . . . because they’re living with too much stress.

I’m an expert on this deceitful situation. . .because I’ve been there. . .done it. . . experienced it. . .overcame it and blessed to be on the other side of it.

What is the most communicable disease in the world today?

Your thoughts….

Proverbs 23: 7 says:

“As a man thinketh so is he…”

For years, I’ve taught that a debt free mentality….is not determined by where you work, where you live, what you drive, what you wear or who your parents are.

Your mentality is not determined by how smart you are but by the dominant thoughts in your mind.

Whatever thoughts you allow to dominate your life will have a direct impact on who and what you draw into your life.

Like a magnet, your thoughts will draw to you the people and circumstances that harmonize with your dominant thoughts.

“Order in the court” is a phrase you’d be familiar with if you’ve ever watched legal dramas on television or at the movies.

In fact, Law and Order was one of the longest running series on television.

Order is defined at dictionary.com as:

“an authoritative direction or instruction; command; mandate; to regulate, conduct, or manage: to order one's life for greater leisure.”

Personally, I prefer the wisdom of Luke 1:1 in the Amplified Bible which says:

“Since [as is well known] many have undertaken to put in order and draw up a [thorough] narrative of the surely established deeds which have been accomplished and fulfilled in and among us.”

Here seven reasons why order is key to your personal success.

1.         Our great Jehovah is a God of order.

Genesis 1:2 says:

“And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”