One of the favorite tactics of the enemy is to create an illusion which makes you think that the problems you encounter. . .are unique to you. . .that no one else has to face what you face.

Not true.  First, let’s establish three facts.

First, the devil is a defeated foe.

John 12:31 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Now the judgment (crisis) of this world is coming on [sentence is now being passed on this world]. Now the ruler (evil genius, prince) of this world shall be cast out (expelled).”

John 16:11 in the Amplified Bible says:

“About judgment, because the ruler (evil genius, prince) of this world [Satan] is judged and condemned and sentence already is passed upon him.”

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.”

Are you feeling pressure in your everyday life?  On the job. . .in your finances. . .at home either in your role as a spouse or a parent.

Does it seem that sometimes the pressure is almost overbearing?

Peter Marshal, a former Chaplain of the United States Senate, once said in a prayer to the Lord:

“When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.”

Perhaps, we need to catch a visual of ourselves becoming like the Hope diamond. . .one of the most famous of all precious stones.

There seems to be four main causes of pressure. . .whether externally or internally generated.

First, we get overloaded with more to do than the hours of the day will allow us to complete.

Second, we allow our emotions to create worry, anxiety and frustration which drains us emotionally and physically as well.

Have you ever been in a situation where you needed an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) to administer immediate assistance or provide transportation?

I remember when a volunteer Rescue Squad was formed in my hometown of LaGrange, North Carolina.  This dedicated group of men and women donated their time for training and responding to emergency situations.

I also remember that every time the LaGrange Rescue Squad was dispatched on an emergency call. . .it was reported in our local newspaper, The Weekly Gazette.  It’s a bit humorous (kinda) that everything reported from having a baby to having a heart attack was referred to as a “sudden illness.”

Over the years, the title of the organization evolved into EMTs. . .truthfully, the name does have a little more pizazz.

The protocols used by EMTs have an amazing parallel to spiritual EMTs otherwise known as “Emergency Miracle Technicians.”

Now you’re probably wondering who in the world is an Emergency Miracle Technician and how in the world. . .do you become designated, trained and identified as such.

Is the spiritual EMT your pastor? It could be.

Is the spiritual EMT anyone operating in any of the other ministry gifts listed in what we traditionally refer to as the five-fold ministry offices. .  .apostle, prophet, evangelist, teacher and pastor. . .perhaps. . .but it could be you.

Actually, an Emergency Miracle Technician is anyone who believes the Word of God and has the faith to manifest the promises in the book.

Daniel 6:27 in the New Living Translation says:

I’ve been to a dozen county fairs, 3 state fairs, 2 World’s fairs, the White House and more shopping malls than I can count.

In traveling over 6.7 million miles with American Airlines. . .I quite often found myself in a strange and sometimes very large mall looking for a particular store.

The first thing I always looked for was the big board which displays all the stores and gives their particular number so customers can more easily find them.

Next, you look for the big red dot on the board so you can know where you are.  Hopefully, the red dot will provide you a clear route of travel to your desired destination.  Sadly, sometimes things didn’t work quite that easily.

What about the red dot in your life?  Do you know where you are or more importantly where you’re going.

Here are seven ways to find the red dot.

1.      You’ve Got To Know Where You’re At.

It’s time to press the Word of God for direction and deliverance.

For several months, my fine wife Bev kept mentioning the need to press the word.  After a recent Sunday TLC church. . .our faithful friend, Fred. . .wrote for more information on exactly what is meant by pressing the Word.

Here’s what we wrote Fred back after his inquiry.

“Pressing the Word is like taking a scripture and continually applying it to the problem you want to eliminate until you receive the break through.

“What happens to so many Christians is they pray a scripture over a problem... then they leave it alone…then giving up when nothing happens.  I feel the Holy Spirit showed me how to continually put pressure on that scripture to perform...like reapplying pressure to stop the bleeding in a wound... it helps to be forceful... purposed.

“Get mad at the devil... and REFUSE to let him have his way...why should he win?  He likes to make you think "you're the one doing something wrong" but if you KNOW the Word works... you can literally force the enemy or circumstances to step aside!  He has to obey you!!

After Elisha saw Elijah go up into heaven... let’s look at what happened next in 2 Kings 2:13-14:

“He picked up the coat that had fallen from Elijah. He went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan River.