Have you ever heard the saying “you’re not getting older…you’re getting better?”

It’s a beautiful thought…flattering…bound to make the recipient feel good even if they question the sincerity.

Hopefully, we are all getting better…I mean it would be tragic to think we can live a day and not improve something in our mental thought processes or the quality of life.

However, the reality is…we’re getting older and there’s nothing we can do about it.

Yes, we can get nipped, clipped, tucked…having our face drawn tighter than someone sucking on a lemon…but we’re still getting older.

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 on a daily basis 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.

Proverbs 4:23 says:

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

According to Strong’s Concordance the Hebrew word for issues is (tote sa uff) tō·tsä·ä (H8444) is a real estate term and it means:

“borders, the parameters”

Your heart sets the borders of your life.

The outside circumstances don’t set the borders of your life; it’s what’s in your heart that sets the boundaries or determines the course of your life.

There was a time in our lives when we were so broke that if we walked by a bank, the alarms would go off.  The bankers knew we didn’t have any money in the bank so they figured we must be coming to take some out.

We were so broke that when we went to have a family photograph taken and the photographer said “cheese” my kids all rushed to stand in line to get some.

All jokes aside, there was a time when we had one nostril above some troubled financial waters. Every now and then a wave would roll over us and we would struggle for air to breathe.  But God move us to a new level and He’ll do the same thing for you.

What does it really mean to live the good life?

Does the good life consist of having the latest electronic toys and gadgets. . .traveling to exotic locations for lengthy vacations. . .living in the biggest house in the nicest neighborhood. . .being successful in business and in your investments?

For those who’re sick. . .battling for their health. . .the good life is healing.

For those who’re having trouble with their children.  . .the good life is everybody knowing Jesus as Lord.

Who has helped shape your view of what you consider to be the good life?

Living the good life. . .is a journey. . .a progressive revelation and realization of the possibilities God has placed before you.

Have you ever heard someone say that “a picture is worth a thousand words?”

I treasure the photographs of my wife, children and grandchildren.  Words really can’t describe the emotions I feel as I look at some of those photos.        

However, there are some words that are worth much more than any picture.

The 10 Commandments contain 297 words.

The Bill of Rights is stated in 463 words.

Lincoln's Gettysburg Address contains 266 words.

Here are my outline and notes from the service this morning at LaGrange First Free Will Baptist Church.

Do you lock your windows?  Why?

“To keep thieves out.”

Malachi 3:8-10

We own nothing. . .but we get to manage everything.

Deuteronomy 10:14  AMP

Psalm 24:1KJV, NLT

Exodus 19:5

Psalm 89:11 AMP

Job 41:11 NLT

Psalm 50:10-12

On Saturday, November 12, 2012. . .God dropped the phrase 21 Steps in my spirit.  I felt like He was directing me to write a 21-step program to turning our lives around.

I wrote twelve of the steps and felt Him tell me to stop.  I kept looking at the title in my folder. . .day after day. . .but I didn’t get a release to finish the teaching until a few days ago while I was flying home from Texas.

At roughly 34,000 feet. . .I was studying the Word. . .when I saw the title which I’d seen every day for nearly a year. 

If you’ve ever flown on a plane. . .you’ve seen the “Fasten Seat Belt” signs flash on.

There are 93 days left in 2013. . .tonight I feel led to talk about how to maximize and manifest your opportunities for the remainder of this year.

First, what does the word “opportunity” mean to you?

According to Dictionary.com it means:

1.  an appropriate or favorable time or occasion:

2.  a situation or condition favorable for attainment of a goal.

3.  a good position, chance, or prospect, as for advancement or success.

American Heritage Dictionary defines opportunity as:

“A favorable or advantageous circumstance or combination of circumstances; A favorable or suitable occasion or time; A chance for progress or advancement.”

Did you notice that in both definitions it said that “opportunity” was a good position, chance or prospect….the other dictionary said it was a chance for progress.

If your life feels complicated, stressed and out of control. . .you may need to simplify your lifestyle.

I realize that the word simplify is not in the King James Version of the Bible but we’re definitely directed to live a life free of complications, confusion, stress and anxiety.

Simplify means:  “Remove anything that complicates your life and preventing you from freely pursuing your purpose for living. . .while enjoying the journey.”

We’re in the process of selling our home. . .my fine wife Bev has done an excellent in “feng shuing” (Chinese term) the house. . .which means removing the clutter and simplifying the look. . .so the room has an energy. . .thus allowing potential buyers to see themselves living there.  Bev calls her process Holy Ghost "shuing" it because the Holy Spirit helped her make the decisions thus empowering  the appearance of the room.

Here are seven ways to simplify your life.