Here is tonight's teaching outline for SUNDAY NITE LIVE.  Join us at 6 PM EST.

Four main causes of pressure.

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.

Third, we begin to play worst case scenarios in our minds. . .imaging the worst things that could possible happen. . .if something is not completed or doesn’t happen.

Fourth, the enemy wants to change our spiritual and mental environment. . .to break our focus off what’s important to our heavenly calling.

1 Peter 4:12 AMPC

“Beloved, do not be amazed and bewildered at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test your quality, as though something strange (unusual and alien to you and your position) were befalling you.”

1 Corinthians 10:13 AMPC

“For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently.”

John 14:1 AMPC

“Do not let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God; believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me.”

First, Confidently connect. . .with the One who empowers you through every adversity.

Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV

“Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.  In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.”

Psalm 34:4 AMPC

“I sought (inquired of) the Lord and required Him [of necessity and on the authority of His Word], and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”

John 15:4 ERV

“Stay joined to me and I will stay joined to you. No branch can produce fruit alone. It must stay connected to the vine. It is the same with you. You cannot produce fruit alone. You must stay joined to me.”

Second, Calm your mind and spirit.

Psalm 119:143 NLT

As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands.

 “It’s not that I like money. . .it’s just that it soothes my nerves.” Joe Lewis

Exodus 18:23 NLT

“If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.”

Third, Cast your cares where they belong. . .on Him not them.

1 Peter 5:7 AMPC

“Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.”

1 Peter 5:7 TLB

“Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.”

Colossians 2:20 NLT

“You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world…”

Fourth, Change Your Pressure Point

Galatians 6:15-16 MSG

“Can't you see the central issue in all this? It is not what you and I do. . .It is what God is doing, and he is creating something totally new, a free life! All who walk by this standard are the true Israel of God—his chosen people. Peace and mercy on them.”

Matthew 9:17 NLT

“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine is stored in new wineskins so that both are preserved.”

Fifth, Claim the promises which bring relief from the pressures of life.

1 Samuel 13:5-14 nlt

“The Philistines mustered a mighty army of 3,000 chariots, 6,000 charioteers, and as many warriors as the grains of sand on the seashore. . .The men of Israel saw what a tight spot they were in; and because they were hard pressed by the enemy, they tried to hide in caves, thickets, rocks, holes, and cisterns.  Some of them crossed the Jordan River and escaped into the land of Gad and Gilead.”

Isaiah 55:6 AMPC

“Seek, inquire for, and require the Lord while He may be found [claiming Him by necessity and by right]; call upon Him while He is near.”

2 Peter 1:4 AMPC

“By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay

(rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature.”

Sixth, A Can Do Mindset removes pressure.

Philippians 4:13 KJV

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Philippians 4:13 AMPC

“I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].”

Seventh, Conquering your environment. . .relieves and removes the pressure.

Romans 8:37 KJV

“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”

1 Samuel 17:9 NIV

“If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us."

I Samuel 17:45 NIV

“Then said David to the Philistine, You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the ranks of Israel, Whom you have defied.”

Jeremiah 1:19 NIV

“They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.”

Psalm 119:143 NLT

“As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands.”

Exodus 18:13-23 NLT

“The next day, Moses took his seat to hear the people’s disputes against each other. They waited before him from morning till evening.

“When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?”

“Moses replied, “Because the people come to me to get a ruling from God.

“When a dispute arises, they come to me, and I am the one who settles the case between the quarreling parties. I inform the people of God’s decrees and give them his instructions.”

“This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed.

“You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. 

“Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him. 

“Teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives. 

“But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.

“They should always be available to solve the people’s common disputes, but have them bring the major cases to you. Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you.

“If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.”

Connect

Calm

Cast

Change

Claim

Can Do

Conquer