40 DAY FAST FROM WRONGFUL THINKING (Day 28)

"I'm Inferior"

Today we're fasting from the thought that says, "I'm inferior."

     Ever felt like that? Or inferiority's offspring, "I don't measure up?". "I feel small.", "I feel insignificant." etc. It's time to get rid of this thinking.

LET'S CHANGE IT TODAY

1. Take a look at the new seating chart. (Ephesians 2:6)! You don't have to MEASURE up because God has RAISED you up and seated you with Him! You are in authority and have power over the circumstances and challenges of this life.
2. Stop beating yourself up. You are approved by God TODAY (Mark 1:11). You are accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:7). Believe it.
3. See yourself above only and not beneath. (Deuteronomy 28:13). You are the head and not the tail. Remember, what you SEE is what will BE.
4. See yourself BIG today. Replace the grasshopper image with the image of a giant. 1 John 4:4 says, "GREATER is He that is in you..." God is bigger than any mountain or problem and He lives in you. For Him to fit INSIDE of you makes you pretty huge (in the Spirit)!
5. You have what it takes. You have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16) and you have a treasure in you: the ability to call light out of darkness (2 Corinthians 4:6). The devil wants you to think that others have what it takes to win but you don't. That's a lie! Reject this lie with the truth of who you are.
6. Remember: Royalty Destroys Inferiority. Acquaint yourself with your new bloodline. You are royalty in Christ. This makes you reign over life. Believe it (Romans 5:17). When you know that you are made righteous and made royal by His Blood, it makes you BOLD AS A LION (Proverbs 28:1)!

THINK IT AND SAY IT

FEATURING:     I am seated with Jesus Christ in heavenly places.

                             I am above only and not beneath. I am approved

                             by God. I have what it takes. God has put a treasure

                             in me and equipped me with the Holy Spirit and

                             power to be up to any task, I am not inferior to

                             anyone or anything. I have the royal Blood of Jesus

                             running through my veins. I am His righteousness and,

                             therefore, I am as bold as a lion reigning in this life.

                             In Jesus' Name.

*** reprinted from Gregory Dickow's "Start Thinking Forward"

40 DAY FAST FROM WRONGFUL THINKING (Day 27)

"Something Bad Is Going To Happen To Me"

Today we're fasting from the thought that says, "Something bad is going to happen to me."

     Fear is sometimes defined as "False Expectations Appearing Real." We must cast down the thoughts that create negative and false expectations. Often, when things are going good, we start embracing ourselves for something to go bad.

LET'S CHANGE IT TODAY

1. Remember, expectation is the womb of manifestation. (Acts 3:5). Lets look up to God with expectation that we are going to receive something good today. Every good gift comes from above, from your Heavenly Father (James 1:17). Expect!
2. Believe God's promise. In Psalm 91:10 the Message translation, it says, "Evil can't get close to you. Harm can't get through the door. He ordered His angels to guard you wherever you go." YES! Believe TODAY that harm can't get through the door. No evil is coming to you!
3. Give God something to work with. Ephesians 3:20 says He is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we can ask or think. So ask big and think big.
4. Ask for good to come your way. In the same way that we HAVE NOT because we ask not, we also can HAVE because we do ask (James 4:2).
5. Don't just wake up expecting. Go to bed expecting! Psalm 27:2 says God gives to His beloved WHILE they are sleeping. Believe that BECAUSE you are His beloved, He loves you, He will give good things to you while you are sleeping. Go to sleep expecting!
6. Love God. (Romans 8:28). Even bad things that happen around you will TURN INTO GOOD for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. That's YOU! The antidote to anything bad happening in your life is LOVE. Love God and watch things turn around for good!

 THINK IT AND SAY IT

FEATURING:    I look up today, expecting to receive good in my life

                           from God. Every good gift comes from Him. My eyes

                           are on Him. Even the bad things that have happened in

                           my life are turning around for good. I wake up expecting

                          good to come my way and I go to bed expecting good to

                          come my way. He gives to me even in my sleep!

                          Something good is going to happen to me today.

                          In Jesus' Name.

*** reprinted from Gregory Dickow's "Start Thinking Forward"

40 DAY FAST FROM WRONGFUL THINKING (Day 26)

"Don't Get Your Hopes Up"

Today we're fasting from the thought that says: "Don't get your hopes up."

     This mindset has subtly found its way into our heads. We have been trained by doubt and unbelief to lower our expectations -- to brace ourselves for mediocity and status quo.

     To hope is to look up -- to have expectation! To hope is to live. Hope is like oxygen. It's like light in a dark and negative world.

     Proverbs 13:12 says: "Hope deferred makes the heart sick." There are many great truths from this Scripture.

     When hope is "put off to the side", your heart becomes sick. When your hopes are "dashed to the ground", your heart becomes sick. Most importantly, your heart becomes sick when you STOP hoping. Hope HEALS!

LET'S CHANGE IT TODAY

1. GET YOUR HOPES UP, no matter what. Psalm 78:7 says, "that they might set their hope in God." Put your hope in our unfailing God, not people who disappoint.
2. KEEP THEM UP. 1 John 3:3 says to FIX your hope on Him and it will purify you. To fix means to remain, to attach, to be glued. Glue your hopes on God. He will not disappoint.
3. It's ok when you don't see what you're hoping for. The fact that you don't see it gives hope a reason to remain alive in your heart. Once you have something and see it, you don't need to hope for it anymore. It's when you don't see it that your hope has a reason to exist.
4. Get Faith. Faith is a tangible force. It is a substance. If you are exercising faith, no one will be able to tell you that God's promise will not come to pass. Faith gives substance to what you are hoping for. Hope comes from the encouragement in Scripture (Romans 15:4). And faith comes from hearing God's Word (Romans 10:17). As you exercise faith by believing what God says, you overcome opposition and faith helps bring to pass what you are hoping for.
5. Meditate on the love of God. Hope that IS NOT DEFERRED (delayed or disappointed) comes from love. Romans 5:5 says, "...and hope does not disappoint (or leave you with shame) because the love of God has been shed abroad in your heart." Love is the FORCE that eliminates disappointment when you are hoping for something. Keep your mind fixed on God's love for you.
6. Fire the "management" team. Free yourself from people who think they're doing you a favor by "managing" your expectations or "protecting" you from disappointment. Get around "hopers" and dreamers and people who are filled with expectation! It's ok if people want to help DEFINE your hopes but NEVER let them CONFINE your hopes.

THINK IT AND SAY IT

FEATURING:    My hopes are up! I eliminate the notion of lowering

                            my expectations. I refuse to accept people's advice to

                            "not get my hopes up." I get my hopes up NOW and I

                            keep them up. I expect God's promises to come to pass

                            in my life today! I expect good to come to my life today,

                            in my family, in my home, in my church, in my job, in my

                            relationships, in my body and in my finances. I expect

                            ideas, favor and wisdom. I look up expecting to receive the

                            best of what God has for me today. Faith and love are

                            keeping my hope alive and will protect me from

                           disappointment. I have unlimited and unhindered hope and

                           expectation. In Jesus' Name.

*** reprinted from Gregory Dickow's "Start Thinking Forward"

                                  H = HAVING

                                             O = ONLY

                                             P =  POSITIVE

                                             E =  EXPECTATIONS

                                            

POEM (Just A Common Soldier)

Just A Common Soldier

(A SOLDIER DIED TODAY)

By A. Lawrence Vaincourt 1985

He was getting old and paunchy

And his hair was falling fast,

And he sat around the Legion

Telling stories of the past.

Of a war that he had fought in

And the deeds that he had done,

In his exploits with his buddies;

They were heroes, every one.

And 'tho sometimes, to his neighbors,

His tales became a joke,

All his Legion buddies listened

For they knew whereof he spoke.

But we'll hear his tales no longer,

For old Bill has passed away,

And the world's a little poorer,

For a soldier died today.

He will not be mourned by many,

Just his children and his wife,

For he lived an ordinary

And quite uneventful life.

Held a job and raised a family,

Quietly going his own way,

And the world won't note his passing,

Though a soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth,

Their bodies lie in state,

While thousands note their passing,

And proclaim that they were great.

Papers tell of their life stories,

From the time that they were young,

But the passing of a soldier,

Goes unnoticed and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution

To the welfare of our land

A guy who breaks his promises

And cons his fellow man?

Or the ordinary fellow, who

In times of war and strife,

Goes off to serve his country

And offers up his life?

A politician's stipend

And the style in which he lives,

Are sometimes disproportionate,

To the service that he gives.

While the ordinary soldier

Who offered up his all,

Is paid off with a medal

And perhaps a pension, small.

It's so easy to forget them

For it was so long ago,

That our Bills of our country

Went to battle, but we know...

It is not the politicians,

With their compromise and ploys,

Who won for us the freedom

That our country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger,

With your enemies at hand,

Would you want a politician

With his ever-shifting stand?

Or would you prefer a soldier,

Who has sworn to defend,

His home, his kin and country

And would fight until the end?

He was just a common soldier,

And his ranks are growing thin,

But his presence should remind us...

We may need his kind again.

For when countries are in conflict,

Then we find the soldier's part,

Is to clean up all the troubles,

That the politicans always start.

If we cannot do him honor

While he's here to hear the praise,

Then at least let's give him homage

At the ending of his days.

Perhaps just a simple headline

In a newspaper that would say...

"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,

FOR A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."

But the freedom that they fought for,

And the country grand they wrought for,

Is their monument today

 and for aye.

~Thomas Dunn English~

 

40 DAY FAST FROM WRONGFUL THINKING (Day 25)

"I Can't Control My Emotions"

Today we're fasting from the thoughts that say: "I can't control my emotions. I'm such an emotional person. My emotions get the best of me."

     We all have emotions but unfortunately sometimes THEY have us!

     God created us to live with positive and healthy emotions. It's the negative ones that can harm our lives, our relationships and our future. The idea that we are "victims" of our emotions because of our gender, our culture, our nationality or our personality type has to be eliminated.

   LET'S CHANGE IT TODAY

1. Our emotions are the result of our thoughts. If you think sad thoughts, you will become sad. If you think joyful and happy thoughts, you will become happy. As a man thinks, so is he. (Proverbs 23:7).
2. Reject the belief that your emotions are the result of your culture, race or gender. Your culture may be more or less expressive of emotions, but we are all both spiritual and emotional beings.
3. You have been given SELF-CONTROL. It is in you. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, "God has given you power, love  and a sound mind." (SELF-CONTROL.) Galatians 5:23 says the fruit of the spirit includes SELF-CONTROL and the spirit is in you!
4. Believe you are in control. As you control your thoughts, you will control your emotions. THEN, you will not feel the urge to control others!
5. You can remember what happiness is. Jeremiah FORGOT what happiness was because he talked himself into misery (Lamentations 3:17). When he began to think about the goodness of God, JOY WAS RESTORED. Emotions follow thoughts -- whether good or bad.
6. Express your emotions UPWARDS; and you won't need to always express them OUTWARD. When you pour your heart and feelings out to God, the temptation to explode at others will be diminished.

THINK IT AND SAY IT

FEATURING:    I am not under the control of my emotions anymore.

                           They are under my control. As I fill my mind with

                           good thoughts, they will become good emotions. I can

                           control my emotions by my thought life and my thought

                           life is surrendered to God's Word. I have self-control

                           and dominion over my life. And from this day forward,

                           my emotions SERVE ME rather than control me! I pour

                           my emotions out to God and I don't need to pour them

                           out to others. In Jesus' Name.

*** reprinted from Gregory Dickow's "Start Thinking Forward"

POEM (Memorial Day Is Everyday)

Memorial Day Is Everyday

Memorial Day is special,

It comes once a year in May,

But I honestly must tell you

I observe it everyday.

How could this heart of mine forget

Loved ones who've gone on,

No day is done --- no night goes by

I do not think of everyone.

It's time to wave a flag and march

And salute and stand erect,

My eyes brim over, I choke up,

I bow my head and pay respect.

I'm proud of every war time hero,

Those that returned and those that died.

And I ache for all those empty arms

That long to hug them to their side.

I always cry when I hear Taps,

I can't hold back the tears.

It doesn't matter when it's played,

Whatever day --- whatever year.

I buy the Veteran's Poppies,

Which I fasten to my blouse,

I support each Veteran's cause,

And I fly a flag atop my house.

Memorial Day, of course, is right,

But it's everyday to me,

I think of loved ones who've passed on,

Everyday that I breathe.

copywritten: May 2004 by Virginia (Ginny) Ellis

INSIGHTFUL MESSAGE (Important Life Lessons)

Some Important Lessons Life Teaches You

1. MOST IMPORTANT LESSON -- ALWAYS remember that everyone IS important to God! 

      During my second month of nursing school, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one: "What is the name of the woman who cleans the school?"

     Sure this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50's, but how would I know her name? I never spoke to her or spoke about her to anyone. So, I handed in my paper leaving the question blank.

     Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.

     "Absolutely!" the professor answered. "In your careers, you will meet many people. ALL are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is say, "hello."

     "I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name is Dorothy."

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     2. Second Important Lesson -- ALWAYS stop and help others in need.

       One night at 11:30 PM, an older African American woman was sitting on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a horrible rain storm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car.

       A young white man stopped to help her, which was usually unheard of in the conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxi cab. She seemed to be in a big hurry but wrote down his address and thanked him.

       Seven days went by, when there was a knock on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note attached read: "Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Nat King Cole

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    3. Third Important Lesson -- ALWAYS remember those who serve you.

       In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. "How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked.

       "Fifty cents," replied the waitress.

       The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins he held. "Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he asked.

        By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. "Thirty-five cents." she hastily replied.

        The boy counted his coins again and told the waitress, "I'll have the plain ice cream."

         The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished his ice cream, paid the cashier and left.

         When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish were two nickels and five pennies. You see, he couldn't have the sundae because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.

**********************************************************************************

     4. Fourth Important Lesson -- ALWAYS remember that every obstacle can be an opportunity.

        In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock.

        Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and couriers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the king for not keeping the roads clear but no one did anything about getting the stone out of the way.

        Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his load and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After mush pushing and straining, he finally succeeded.

         After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the king indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway.

          The peasant learned what many of us never understand... EVERY obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.

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     5. Fifth Important Lesson -- ALWAYS remember to love others no matter what the cost.

        Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year-old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness.

        The doctor explained the situation to her little brother and asked if would still be willing to give his blood to his sister. He hesitated for just a brief moment then he let out a deep breath and said, "Yes, I'll do it if it will save her."

         You see, understanding and attitude is everything. Take into account that GREAT LOVE and great achievements involve great risk.

***Submitted via e-mail by Wendy Tafoya

40 DAY FAST FROM WRONGFUL THINKING (Day 24)

"I Can't Expect To Be Blessed All The Time"

Today we're fasting from the thought that says, "I can't expect to be blessed ALL the time." We have bought the lie that things can't be good all the time. Yet, God says that goodness and mercy will follow us ALL the days of our lives. We have to eliminate expectations of failure and mediocrity.

LET'S CHANGE IT TODAY

1. God HAS already blessed you in heavenly places. (Ephesians 1:3). So EXPECT those blessings to show up "ON EARTH as it is in heaven." Our words connect heaven's blessings to earth. As you speak God's promises, you activate His blessings.
2. Jesus took ALL the curse so you could have ALL the blessing! (Galatians 3:13). We must realize WHY we can be blessed all the time; because Jesus paid the price in His Blood, for the blessing of God to be ours.
3. Because you are IN CHRIST, you are BLESSED COMING IN AND BLESSED GOING OUT! (Deuteronomy 28:6) ...In the city and in the field... This speaks of continual blessing wherever you are and wherever you go.
4. DON'T TRY to follow the blessings. The blessings are designed to follow you and overtake you in Christ! (Deuteronomy 28:2, Galatians 3:13).
5. Forever forgiven = forever Blessed. (Romans 4:7-8) God's Kingdom is set up so that blessing follows the person who knows they are forgiven. Knowing you are forgiven by the Blood of Jesus paves the way to your Divine inheritance. (Acts 26:17).
6. You are magnetic! You attract whatever you believe about yourself. Believe that God HAS blessed you. (Genesis 12:1-3). Blessings are attracted to an attitude of EXPECTATIONS. SET YOUR EXPECTATIONS ON BEING BLESSED!

THINK IT AND SAY IT



FEATURING:    God has already blessed me. I cannot be cursed. In Christ,

                          I have ALL the blessings of the Old and New Testament.

                          I don't have to chase down the blessings. Goodness and

                          mercy WILL follow me all the days of my life. The blessings

                          of God WILL follow me, chase me down and overtake me.

                          I am forever forgiven, therefore, I am forever blessed. I expect

                          blessings all the time. In Jesus' Name.

*** reprinted from Gregory Dickow's "Start Thinking Forward"

INSPIRATIONAL STORY ( P.U.S.H.)

P.U.S.H.

     A man was sleeping at night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and God appeared. The Lord told the man he had work for him to do and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his strength.

     So, day after day, the man pushed and pushed against the rock with ALL his strength. Many years passed, yet the man worked from sunrise to sunset with his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing against it with ALL his might. And each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out. Feeling as if his whole day had been wasted.

     When the man began to become discouraged, satan came and started to take advantage of the situation. He began to place thoughts into the mans weary mind by telling him, "You have been pushing against that rock for many years and it hasn't moved."

      These thoughts gave the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure. The thoughts really grew heavy on the man and he became discouraged and disheartened.

     Satan said, "Why kill yourself over this? Just put in your time, giving just the minimum effort, and that will be good enough."

     At first, the weary man planned on doing just that. But because he loved the Lord so much and didn't want to disobey Him, the man decided to make it a matter of prayer. He took his troubled thoughts to the Lord.

     "Lord," he said. "I have worked many years and very hard in Your service, putting ALL my strength against that rock as You asked of me. But after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?"

     The Lord compassionatly responded, "My friend, when I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, I told you your task was to push against that rock with ALL your might, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to Me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back sinewy and brown, your hands are calloused from constant pressure and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition, you have grown much and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. True, you haven't moved that rock. But your calling was to be obedient by pushing with ALL your strength and to exercise your faith and trust in MY WISDOM. That you have done. Now I, my friend, will move the rock."

    

     At times, when we hear a word from God we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He wants. When actually, what God wants is just a simple obedience and faith in Him. By all means, exercise the faith that moves mountains but KNOW that IT IS STILL GOD who moves mountains.

• When everything seems to go wrong ... just P.U.S.H.!
• When the job gets you down ... just P.U.S.H.!
• When people don't react the way you think they should ...just P.U.S.H.!
• When your money is "gone" and the bills are due ... just P.U.S.H.!
• When people just don't understand you ... just P.U.S.H.! 

                            P= Pray

                            U= Until

                            S= Something

                            H= Happens

40 DAY FAST FROM WRONGFUL THINKING (Day 23)

"Will I Ever Get Ahead"

 TODAY we are fasting from the thought that says, "Will I ever get ahead?"

     Real progress and success start in our thinking. A Washington Post survey revealed 4 out of 5 middle class Americans say they CAN'T get ahead. This has to change. Aren't you tired of just 'getting by'?

LET'S CHANGE IT TODAY

1. Believe in the abundant life Jesus came to give you. In John 10:10, Jesus said, "... but I have come that you would have life in abundance, to the full, till it overflows!" God has called you to thrive NOT just survive.
2. NO EXCUSES HERE! If you look for an excuse, you'll find one. But if you look for a way to make progress, the way will open. Luke 5:19 says, "... not finding any way, they went up on the roof." If we keep looking for a way to get ahead, we WILL find it.
3. YOU ARE THE HEAD! Therefore, you WILL get ahead. Fill your mind with what God made you. Whatever you ARE inside is WHERE you will GO on the outside. God says about you, "You are the head and not the tail..." (Deuteronomy 28:13). Your life follows what you are focused on. It is a natural process. What you see is what you'll be!
4. You control your economy. God says we reap what we sow. Don't give into the lie that you are a product of the economy. You make it with your seed, your faith and by following God's wisdom for your life. (Matthew 6:33).
5. STOP underestimating yourself. God chose to live inside you. You were born to get ahead.
6. DARE TO ASK AND THINK BIG! Refuse to be stamped by your financial, educational or emeotional limitaions. There are no limits with God. We limit Him when we think small. Ephesians 3:20 says God's ability corresponds to what we DARE to ASK and DARE to THINK.

THINK IT AND SAY IT



FEATURING:     I embrace a mindset of abundance. I refuse to allow excuses

                          to limit me and keep me stuck in my life, spiritually, emotionally

                          or financially. I am the head and NOT the tail. What I am on the

                          inside is where I'm going on the outside--- I AM getting ahead.

                          My success is in my seed and I DARE to ask BIG and think BIG.

                          In Jesus' Name.

*** reprinted from Gregory Dickow's "Start Thinking Forward"

40 DAY FAST FROM WRONGFUL THINKING (Day 22)

"I'm Stuck"



Today we're fasting from the thought that says: "I'm stuck." "There's nothing I can do about my situation. There's just no way."

     We've all thought that at times. Sometimes we feel we've blown it, or we're at the end of our rope. There's nothing we can do. But it's a lie. There's always something that we can do. There's always a way.

     The devil would love for you to believe there's nothing you can do about your situation. He wants you stuck! He wants you immobilized. He wants you defeated. And he achieves that by getting us to believe this lie.

     This way of thinking keeps you from being decisive and taking action. Action produces results. But the thought that you can't do anything about your situation, or you don't know what to do about it... STOPS ACTION.

LET'S CHANGE IT TODAY

1. Believe in the ministry of the Holy Spirit in your every day life. Romans 8:26 says, "We don't always know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit intercedes for us..." No matter what your situation is, the Holy Spirit knows how to bring about God's will for your life as you pray and worship Him.
2. Think this thought today: PRAYER CHANGES THINGS. There's nothing you can't impact with prayer. Prayer gets you unstuck. It gets you moving again toward victory. Prayer is powerful. "And all things, whatsoever you shall ASK in prayer, believing, you SHALL RECEIVE." (Matthew 21:22)
3. Believe that FAITH FINDS A WAY. In Mark 2:1-5, the friends of the paralyzed man could not find a way into the house where Jesus was. They were stuck. BUT THEY BELIEVED THERE WAS SOMETHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT THE SITUATION. By believing there was a way, they found one! They went up on the roof and lowered him down through the ceiling tiles and the man was healed. Why? Because faith found a way. When we don't think it, we don't look for it.
4. Remember; Jesus is the 4th man in the fire. When it seemed like three Hebrew men were going to be burned in the fiery furnace, Jesus showed up. What was an impossible situation was made possible because Jesus was with them. AND HE IS WITH YOU , in your fire.
5. Jesus is your WAY. John 14:6 says, "I am the WAY, the truth and the life." He is "The Way" when there just seems to be no way. He IS YOUR WAY out of whatever situation you are in. EXPECT HIM to make a way.
6. Just think: Next step. You don't have to figure it all out right away. When you feel stuck, just take one step forward. When Jesus was tempted to back down and not go to the cross --- the Bible says, "He went forward a little..." (Mark 14:35). When you feel paralyzed --- like there's nothing you can do --- just take a step. Don't think about all the steps. Just take the first one. In a relationship, the first step may be saying you're sorry. If it's finances, maybe it's just cutting one area of spending, or giving one extra offering. If it's health, take the first step and have a salad. Just take that one step!

THINK IT AND SAY IT

 FEATURING:     I believe the Holy Spirit is interceding for me when things

                             aren't working out. He will work through the situation to

                             bring about God's will. He will bring me through.

                             As I pray, I believe things will change; they will improve.

                             I walk by faith, not by sight, and faith finds a way.

                             I THINK AND BELIEVE THERE IS ALWAYS A WAY,

                             even when it seems like there is none. And that way of thinking

                             opens doors for me. Jesus is the Way when there is no way.

                             He is with me no matter what fire I'm in and no matter what the

                             situation. I expect Him to make a way for me.

                             When I feel stuck, I will think about one step I can take that will

                             move me toward healing, toward blessing and toward God's will

                             for my life. In Jesus' Name.

*** reprinted from Gregory Dickow's"Start Thinking Froward"

40 DAY FAST FROM WRONGFUL THINKING (Day 21)

"God Must Not Want Me To Have This"

     Do you realize that your life is changing for the better just as the Bible said it would? We are being TRANSFORMED by the renewing of out minds and we are coming into perfect will of God.

     Many times our minds (and the devil) tells us that if things don't go our way that must be God's will. That's wrong thinking!

Today we're fasting from the thought that says: "God must not want me to have this." Or "Whatever happens must be God's will."

     Please note, I realize many of us reading this know theologically that God's will is for good. But in our lives, when we face resistance or it seems like God is not responding, we're tempted to give up and accept whatever happens as God's will.



LET'S CHANGE IT TODAY

1. Stop listening to voices trying to keep you the way you are. There are voices in your head saying, "Keep quiet." There are voices from others saying, "Stay the way you are." There are voices saying, "God must not want you to have this." NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. Say "no" to those voices and keep going after whatever you see in God's Word.
2. When you face resistance, add persistance! In verse 48, when people tried to shut Bartimaeus up, he cried out even more. Press through until you receive your promise!
3. DON'T GIVE UP! When Jesus heard Bartimaeus crying out, He stood still. Don't give up or move away until you have Jesus' attention. When your persistence causes Jesus to stop and notice you, your miracle is on its way!
4. BELIEVE God wants to fulfill your desires, not just your needs. In verse 51, Jesus said, "What do you want Me to do for you?" Truthfully, Bartimaeus could have lived without sight but Jesus asked him what he wanted, not just what he needed. God doesn't just meet our needs. He fulfills our desires --- provided that our desires are founded on Scriptural promises (Psalm 37:4).
5. Make up your mind that you will not be denied. Bartimaeus would not be denied. The woman with the issue of blood would not be denied. The mother of the demon-possessed daughter would not be denied. (Mark 5:25-34, Matthew 15:22-28). You and I will not be denied.



THINK IT AND SAY IT

FEATURING:    I decide today that I will STOP listening to the voices in my head

                           and around me that are telling me to stay the way I am.

                           I will not be quiet when I face resistance. My prayers will not be

                           silenced by doubt, fear or opposition.

                           At times when I may feel God is not answering, I will stick to His

                           Word. God says, "Yes" to what He has already promised;

                           therefore, I will stand on His promises in all areas of my life. And I

                           will not be denied.

                           I believe God wants to give me the desires of my heart and not just

                            my needs. When I face resistance, I will add persistence!

                            I will not give up or give in to my present condition. I will press

                            through the opposition and not be denied. I will not tolerate a

                            present condition of discouragement, sickness, poverty or mediocrity

                            ---NOT ANOTHER DAY OF MY LIFE!

                           Psalm 37:4 says, "He will give me the desires of my heart." I will keep

                           thinking this, believing this and expecting this until something changes

                           for my good. In Jesus' Name.

*** reprinted from Gregory Dickow's "Start Thinking Forward"

40 DAY FAST FROM WRONGFUL THINKING (Day 20)

"My Life Is Out Of Control"



Today we're fasting from the thought that says: "My life is out of control!"

     That's what the devil wants you to think. He wants you to feel helpless and "under" the circumstances. When you think this way, you get discouraged. You lose hope. You give into things. Like a jellyfish, you are carried by the prevailing current.

LET'S CHANGE IT TODAY

1. Think above. Stop for a moment and understand what I'm saying here. Think "above". Think from a higher point of view. Look down at life rather than "up" at it. When Elisha's servant saw from "above", he realized there were more for him than those against him (2 Kings 6:14-17). Notice, God didn't add any chariots. They were always there. Elisha's servant just couldn't see them because he wasn't thinking "above." THINK ABOVE.
2. DON'T see the bigger picture today. That's not a typo! Think of your situation and your world as small. Think of yourself bigger. Don't forget --- how YOU see yourself is, is how life will see you. That's how the devil will see you. That's how your mountains will see you. If you see yourself bigger than the mountain (Greater is He that is in you --- that makes you big!), then the mountain will respect what you say when you tell it to move!
3. The best day of your life is the day you decide your choices are your own; therefore, your life is your own. NO EXCUSES! NO ONE TO BLAME! Remember the lame man at the pool of Bethesda for 38 years? He stayed in his condition because he told Jesus what he had believed for all those years: "I have no one to help me." (John 5:7) DECIDE TO OWN YOUR CHOICES and you will own the life God wants you to have.
4. Focus on the inside, NOT the outside. If you're like me, there are several things on the outside that are not fully under control, but that's not your job. Your job is to get control of the inside. That's what this fast from wrong thinking is about. It's taking care of the INSIDE. You ARE in control, IF you control your thought life.
5. Take control of your day, one thought at a time. Don't be overwhelmed. Isaiah 28:13 says that we build God's Word and God's thoughts in our lives: "line upon line, percept upon percept."

 THINK IT AND SAY IT



FEATURING:    I am in control of my life because I am in control of my thoughts.

                           I rule my life by ruling my thoughts. My thoughts liberate my

                           emotions, my health, my relationships and my whole life.

                           I think ABOVE today. I choose to look down at life rather than

                           look up at it. I see it from God's point of view. I'm bigger than my

                           problem, bigger than the mountain, bigger than any enemy I face

                           today.

                            Greater, larger and more dominant is HE that is in me, than he

                            that is in the world. TODAY IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE

                            because I have control of the choices I make.

                           I will not stay in a defeated, lonely, sick, depressed condition

                           another day of my life. I focus on the inside. I know the thoughts of

                           victory that I am devekoping will take care of my outside. This fast

                            from wrong thinking is working IN ME! In Jesus' Name.

*** reprinted from Gregory Dickow's "Start Thinking Forward"

40 DAY FAST FROM WRONGFUL THINKING (Day 19)

"I Could Succeed If I Had

The Right Surroundings."



Today we're fasting from the thought that says, "I could succeed if I had the right surroundings, the right people or the right breaks."

     So many people believe that if their surroundings were better they would succeed. If they just moved to a different city or had a better boss or if someone gave them a chance, they would prosper. They use these thoughts as excuses for why things don't get better, or why they don't reach their goals and improve their lives. This way of thinking leads to BLAMING OTHERS AND CIRCUMSTANCES for why things don't get better.

LET'S CHANGE IT TODAY

1. It's not what surrounds you, but what's inside you that causes success! Corinthians 4:16 says, "Therefore, we do not lose heart. For though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day." Notice, Paul is saying, even when things go in the opposite direction on the outside, something good can be happening on the inside! When things go wrong on the outside, deal with the inside! This is the key to success. And what does God say we should do on the inside? Be renewed day by day. Be filled with the Word day by day! Absorb these Scriptures day by day, and the INSIDE will OVERTAKE the OUTSIDE!
2. Success or failure in life is created by how you think. Never forget our foundational verse in Proverbs 23:7; As a man THINKS, so is he. And Joshua 1:8 says, "... but you shall meditate on the Word of God day and night... for THEN you shall make your way properous and THEN you shall have good SUCCESS."
3. Understand the source of blessing. Psalm 1:1-3 says, "Blessed is the man that... meditates on the Word day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, whose leaf does not wither, who bears fruit in his season and whatever he does, he prospers!"
4. The root to true success is a prosperous soul. 3 John 2 says, "Beloved I wish above all things that you would prosper and be in health EVEN AS your soul prospers."
5. Remember Joseph... thrown into a pit by his brothers and sold into slavery. Genesis 39:2 says, "But the Lord was with Joseph and so he became a successful man." Notice, even though his surroundings were terrible, HE STILL BECAME A SUCCESSFUL MAN. He had bad surroundings, bad breaks, was surrounded by bad people and yet, still succeeded BECAUSE GOD WAS WITH HIM!
6. We affect our surroundings and we create our breaks by the thoughts we think and the choices we make. Deuteronomy 30:15, 19 says, "I have set before you life and prosperity; or death and adversity...Choose life!"



THINK IT AND SAY IT



FEATURING:    It's not what surrounds me that determines my success. It's

                           what's inside  me

                

                          I will not lose heart. Even when things go wrong on the

                          outside, I am being renewed on the inside by the Word of

                          God, which will bring success in every area of my life.

                          My success is created by how I think. I agree with God's

                          thoughts and meditate on God's Word day and night.

                          Success follows me. I prosper in my soul. I fill my mind with

                          the richness of Goid's Word and therefore, it spills over into

                          every area of my life.

                          Like Joseph, I will not allow my negative circumstances to

                          determine my success or failure. I AM A SUCCESSFUL

                          and PROSPEROUS PERSON because God is with me.

                          In Jesus' Name.

*** reprinted from Gregory Dickow's "Start Thinking Forward"

TESTAMONY: 

   

      Today, I'm reminded of my nephew, Robby, whom I'm caring for. He has been subjected to bad situations, taken advantage of by people and rejected by many. When I first began taking care of him, he didn't believe God loved him. He didn't think anybody loved him because nobody ever showed him love.

      Although he was raised to go to church and church conventions, he had NO IDEA what God was REALLY about. He didn't know the Bible. It shocked me the first time he asked me, "What is sin? What does that mean?"

       Even though he was unaware of sin, he badly wanted to know more about it because he feared sinning. He feared not going to Heaven.

      But the more he learned about God and he realized I was sent to him by God, the more he thirst for God. He has learned so much and NOW he KNOWS God loves him and he knows he is blessed. He is a wonderful witness to the glory of God.

       While the others thought Robby would NEVER amount to anything... Robby is very blessed. He lives in a safe environment, has peace in his life and daily reads the Bible. He goes to church and does minor charity work.

          Yes, indeed, Robby was surrounded by darkness but once the Light came and he accepted Him... the devil ran. Robby no longer fears sin, the devil or even death. He was baptized April 15 and he not only LOVES the Lord with all his heart but he KNOWS he is going to Heaven, something he dreadfully feared.,

40 DAY FAST FROM WRONGFUL THINKING (Day 18)

"The Devil Is More Powerful Than Me"



Today we're fasting from the thought that says, "The devil is more powerful than me." Many people give the devil far more credit than he is due and they often over-estimate his power. I am not saying that he doesn't operate in powers of deception; however, we are NOT under his authority! We are directly under the Lord's authority! We must attack this mindset that "the devil is more powerful than us."

LET'S CHANGE IT TODAY

1. The devil has ALREADY been defeated at the Cross of Jesus Christ! (John 19:30) When Jesus said, "It is finished" , He paid the price for the sin and the curse. When He rose from the dead, He conquered death and the devil. We are NOT still fighting the devil. Jesus defeated him!
2. Spiritual warfare is: the fight of faith. It's not the fight over the devil. Jesus destroyed the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). Our battle is to BELIEVE. As we resist the devil by being firm in our faith, we enforce the victory that Jesus won.
3. In every situation, think: It is written! Another way we enforce Jesus' victory over the devil is by speaking God's Word! (Matthew 4:4) As we do, devils tremble and satan flees.
4. Let your head CATCH UP with your heart! Though God has made us righteous in our heart by the Blood of Jesus, we need to convince our heads of this TRUTH! (1 Corinthians 15:34, Romans 5:17).
5. TAKE YOUR SEAT! You have been SEATED with Christ FAR ABOVE all the power of the enemy (Ephesians 2:6, Ephesians 1:21).
6. In Christ, you are just like Jesus! 1 John 4:17 says, "As He is, so are we in this life!" His victory is your victory. We rule and reign with Him (Romans 5:17, 8:16-17).



THINK IT AND SAY IT



FEATURING:    The devil IS ALREADY DEFEATED! I walk by faith in the victory

                            that is already mine. I am seated with Christ FAR ABOVE all the

                            power of the enemy. As Jesus is, so am I, in this world. I accept the

                            royalty that He paid for me to have and I rule and reign with Jesus

                            over life. In Jesus' Name.

*** reprinted from Gregory Dickow's "Start Thinking Forward"

TIME TO TESTIFY (And We ALL Fall Down)

And We ALL Fall Down

     No matter how hard we try to do our best to please and obey God... we all fall down! Everyday we come up short in some area. Maybe we have ungodly thoughts. Maybe we had the opportunity to help someone but chose not to for our own "selfish" reason. Maybe we cursed or said unkind things that hurt someone. Whatever the case, we all fall short everyday.

     But that's the wonderful thing about our Heavenly Father. He loves us so much that, with His under- standing and compassion, He is able to have mercy on us. By the Grace of God, we are given the opportunity to try again. By God's Grace, we are learning and growing to become the person He created us to be.

     I pray, those of you who have been following the "40 Day Fast From Wrongful Thinking" are receiving a revealation and it is helping you to grow. I recently encountered a situation and am so grateful I was able to refer to the copies I printed from the "fast".  Here is my testimony on how it has helped me:

     I became very frustrated with a friend because I thought they were lying to someone whom I love dearly and I didn't want them to be hurt. I was quick to jump to conclusions and immediately, I sent them a Facebook message and a text message telling them how I felt. Some accusations I made were NOT based on FACTS and that's a huge mistake I made. (We should ALWAYS get the FACTS BEFORE we confront someone.) 

     Later that night, before I went to bed, I kept repeating in my mind Ephesians 4:26, "Be angry, but do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your wrath." Well, I had already sinned by jumping to conclusions and sending the messages but I knew the best thing I could do now was to apologize.

     I studied Day 10--"I Feel So Angry" from the 40 day fast and it fit me so well that day. Then I studied Day 5-- "It's Too Late" and I REALLY focused on these two items:

       1. UN--DECIDE that it's too late for these things to change. Un-decide that you can't recover! Un-decide that the damage is irreversible. It's not too lae to turn your finances around; to recover from a tragedy or mistake; to surrender your life to God; to take better care of yourself; to change the way you see yourself; to apologize; to break a bad habit; or to start saving. 

       5. Adjust your thinking here: STOP making excuses for why it's too late. God doesn't listen to our excuses. Realize, HE IGNORES OUR EXCUSES, and EXPECTS us to believe in His faithfulness. We claim we have low self-esteem or a disability. Moses wasn't confident and he had a speech impediment, but God gave him chance after chance to be used by Him to deliver God's people.

       I also studied Day 6-- "I've Messed Things Up Too Badly" and I focused on:

         2. DON'T underestimate the power of confession. (1 John 1:9). Confessing our sins before God is both liberating and therapeutic. He is faithful to forgive, to cleanse and to heal. (James 5:16)

     I didn't use the excuse, so many others often use, "Well, I'm NOT perfect! I'm only human!" Instead, I chose to be accountable for my wrongful actions and take responsibility. I owned up to my mistake and confessed, "I was wrong. I made a mistake because I didn't pray on it. I was quick to anger. But I'll do the right thing and apologize and move on from there." And as hard as it was for me, I DID apologize.

     I still felt a little bit guilty so I studied Day 11-- "I Feel Guilty". And soon afterwards, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace overcome me. I was so calm it was easy for me to go to sleep resting assured that God had forgiven me. Whether or not my friend accepted my apology and forgave me really wasn't on my mind. I did what I was suppose to do and I was now free from conndemnation. If they choose to not forgive me then that is now between them and God.

     If my sincerest apology cannot repair ANY relationship; be it friend, family, co-worker, schoolmate, etc, then apparently that relationship was NOT built on a solid foundation. If it was not on a solid foundation then, apparently, it wasn't meant to last. It was only a *Season relationship. (* refer to my article INSIGHTFUL MESSAGE "Seasons Of A Lifetime")

       I encourage you... if you have not been following the fast, please do so. IT'S NOT TOO LATE! And for those who have been following, I strongly recommend you print them up and keep them handy to reference. They work great whenever you feel you've done wrong or need spiritual uplifting.

Love and Blessings!

~One Love~