Day 39 I wonder if I'm doing enough for God?

Have you ever asked the question, "I wonder if I'm doing enough for God?"

This kind of thinking produces in us a "works-mentality" and hinders the freedom and joy that God wants us to experience. Let's fast from it!

Christianity is not a life of attainment and achievement. It's a life of acknowledgment. This means to recognize, appreciate and accept.

The problem with so many believers is that they are striving to get God to do something or try to make God's promises come to pass in their lives. Gang, listen to 3 of the most important words you'll ever hear: IT'S ALREADY DONE!

Today as we approach the end of our fast from wrong thinking, I want you to acknowledge (to recognize) some things. And as you do, I hope you'll join me in taking communion at some point during this Resurrection weekend.

1. Everything God has is yours! You have a covenant with Him through the blood of Jesus. Luke 15:31 is a picture of God and us, the father said to his son: "All that is mine is yours!"

2. THINK "BLESSED" not "cursed." You are blessed not cursed. Stop thinking that since you're mother or father had a disease or anger, or some other problem, that you will have it too. You are of a new blood line - the blood of Jesus. You have a new DNA - .the DNA of Jesus. Galatians 3:13 says, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us on the cross, that the blessing of Abraham might come to us."

3. IT IS FINISHED - ahh, the magnificent final words of Jesus on the cross! (John 19:30) There's nothing more that has to be done for you to be saved. Nothing more that has to be done for you to be accepted by God. Nothing more that has to be done for you to be approved and loved! Nothing more that has to be done for you to be free.

4. Realize that your job is to acknowledge and to recognize. God has done it. You must accept it. This is the true meaning of "confess." It means to acknowledge. We're not trying to MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN by confessing God's Word. We're acknowledging what is already done, what is already ours, and that's what brings it out of the invisible world into the visible world. Think about "confession of sin." When you confessed your sin, that's not when you sinned. You were simply acknowledging what was ALREADY done. When we "confess God's promises," it's the same thing. We're acknowledging what is already done. Philemon 1:6 says your faith becomes effective by acknowledging every good thing that is already in you.

5. See communion as a RECOGNITION that He is already with you, in you, and for you. Remember in Luke when the 2 men on the road to Emmaus thought Jesus was a stranger. When they took bread, it says "they recognized Him." You see, He was already with them, but when they took communion they were able to recognize and EXPERIENCE His presence.

THINK IT & SAY IT:

I have a covenant with God, already! I'm not trying to get God to do something for me. I'm going to focus on believing what He has already done. This is what the Christian life is about - acknowledging what is already in us, and recognizing what He has already done.

I'm already blessed. I'm already healed. I'm already everything that God says I am. I will live a life of acknowledgment - recognizing and praising God for what is already mine through the blood of Jesus.

I'm "blessing" conscious rather than "cursed" conscious. I'm connected to the blood of Jesus; therefore, I have the DNA of blessing. Goodness and mercy WILL follow me all the days of my life.

I accept that I already have in me everything pertaining to life and godliness. I lack no good thing. It's already done! IT IS FINISHED.

Day 38 Why don't I have More?

As we continue our Fast from Wrong Thinking, I really want to help you get the most out of your relationship with God. He is in you. He is with you! Yet, so many people have asked me how to deepen their walk with God.

I believe one of the keys is: fasting from the thought that says, "Why don't I have more?" (Whether it's more time, money, success, friends, etc.)

I remember complaining to God a while back, as I watched other people in my field getting blessed, getting buildings given to them, having quicker success, receiving large financial gifts to their ministries, etc., while I just steadily plodded along, little by little. When I was done whining, I had a sort of "Solomon" moment and heard the Lord ask me this: "Would you rather have those things, or substance and deep meaning in your relationship with me?"

Knowing that I couldn't say "both," I responded-of course-with the obvious answer. Then I heard this: "Son, the things you've gone through and learned slowly are the precious secrets that you have built your life upon. Now you have something of substance to give that no one else can offer in the same way." That set me free. Then He said, "Now more will come."

I wouldn't trade the depth of relationship with God for anything in this world!

How do we fast from the thought that says: "Why don't I have more?"

1. Choose His face, rather than His hand. (You'll end up with both.) Spend time with God-start with a verse, or these thoughts, etc.

2. Think positively about your adversity, rather than striving to avoid it. Let me be clear. I am not saying that adversity comes from God, BUT IT DOES COME. Psalm 34:19 says, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all." (Know that adversity comes. Expect Him to deliver you. Expect to become better as result.)

3. See your life is a gift from God and for others. Realize that your relationship with God and your life experiences have uniquely qualified you to make a difference in this world. Everyone has a motivational gift according to Romans 12:6-8. Perhaps to show mercy, or lead others through servanthood, or the gift of making money to give.

4. Don't ever want what other people have. Solomon said, "Give me what you have prescribed." This doesn't mean to settle for less than all that God has for you; but don't determine what He has for you based on what other people have. God knows what He's doing in your life. Philippians 1:6 says, "Faithful is He who began a good work in you. He will complete it until the day of His return."

5. THINK SECURELY. God has reserved a place at the table for you. God told Saul not to worry about where he stood compared to others. "There is a place at the table and a portion that has been set aside for you." (1 Samuel 9:23, 24)

THINK IT & SAY IT:

I choose the face of God. I look positively at adversity, rather than fighting to avoid it. I expect God to deliver me from all afflictions and trials.

I choose to see my life as a gift from God and for others. I have a unique and special gift that will make a difference in this world. I won't settle for less than what God has for me, but I will not desire or covet what others have.

I know that God has a portion reserved for me. He has a place for me at His table, and I think securely, therefore I live securely. In Jesus' name.

Day 37 My life is out of control

Diana,


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

No it's not!

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.

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 how life will see you. That's how the devil will see you. That's how your mountain 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 my job. My 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. Deal with your thoughts by continually going over these emails, these verses, these mindsets. 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, precept upon precept."

THINK IT & SAY IT:

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 beginning 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 developing will take care of my outside. This fast from wrong thinking is working IN ME, in Jesus' name.

Day 36

Today we're fasting from the thought that says:

"That person has really gone too far. They've really devastated me."

Too often we give people more power over our lives than what they actually have. By thinking they can have that big of an effect on you, you become enslaved to their whims and their attitude flavor of the month.

1. Fix your mind on Jesus - look at His life.

He was denied by His close disciple, Peter, betrayed by Judas, and forsaken by the rest of His disciples. He was lied about, accused and maligned. None of it stopped Him. In fact, He used each betrayal or personal blow against Him as a path to God's greater purpose for His life.

2. CELEBRATE when someone hurts you, betrays you or accuses you.

It says in 1 Corinthians 11:23, "in the night He was betrayed (while His betrayal was in progress!), He took bread with His disciples..." In the gospel of Mark, he writes afterwards, "They went to the Mount of Olives and sang a hymn."

3. See people's stumbling stones as stepping stones.

Jesus knew that Judas' actions would only serve God's purpose, one way or another. Don't give people's actions PERMISSION to defeat you or hinder you. Rather, use them to step into more of God's will.

4. Stay ATTACHED (one meaning for love = attached) to the promises of God's Word.

Psalm 119:165 says, "Those who LOVE (stay attached to) God's Word have great peace, and nothing offends them." We insulate ourselves from being offended when we love God's Word more than our feelings.

5. Get rid of retaliation thinking.

Entrust yourself to the One who judges righteously. 1 Peter 2:24 says Jesus kept handing Himself over to God, when reviled and falsely accused. When they did their worst to Him, He kept entrusting Himself to the hands of God. Do that today - ENTRUST YOURSELF TO THE HANDS OF GOD.

THINK IT & SAY IT:

No matter what anyone says or does to me, I will not be devastated by it. I will not give them that kind of power over me. I fix my mind on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith.

I choose to celebrate, rejoice and live happily when someone accuses me or betrays me. I will not live in denial, as if it didn't happen, but I will celebrate what Jesus did for me, anyway. I will see other's actions as an opportunity for me to step further into God's will.

I trust that God will cause all things to work together for my good (Romans 8:29). I stay attached to what God says about it and I REFUSE to get offended.

God will avenge me. I will not take vengeance or become bitter. I will continue to entrust myself to Him, as I know that He will judge righteously, and defend my cause!

Day 35

As we celebrate this awesome Holy Week, I want us to particularly fast from thoughts that take for granted what Jesus did for us. We need to appreciate the power of His blood, and the power of His sacrifice.

Today we're fasting from the thought that says, "I just can't stop blowing it. I always seem to mess it up."

Gang, Jesus did more than just forgive us from our sins when He died on the cross and rose again. He gave us power over sin! No more should we see ourselves victims of a defeated, beaten life. We are the head and not the tail; above only and not beneath!

1. Rejoice in the grace of God.

Romans 6:14 says, "For sin shall not have dominion over you. For you are not under the law, but under grace." Titus 2:11-12 says the grace of God enables us to say "NO" to ungodliness.

2. Stop beating yourself up.

Romans 14:22 says, "Happy is he who does not condemn himself..." Remember, God doesn't beat you up, He builds you up. 1 Corinthians 8:1 says, "Love builds up!"

3. Remember the woman caught in adultery.

In John 8:1-11 Jesus said to her, "I don't condemn you. Now go and sin no more." Notice, first there was acceptance and forgiveness. Then there was POWER over sin. The power over sin was the RESULT of recognizing her freedom from it. Sometimes we feel we have to repent of everything before we can be forgiven. Jesus forgives first, and that gives us the power to be free.

4. Believe in the power of the blood.

Paul said not to drink the communion cup in an unworthy manner. We need to renew our mind about what makes us worthy. It's not our holiness that makes us worthy to drink the cup. It's the "cup"; it's the blood of Jesus that has the WORTHINESS to cleanse us and empower us to overcome anything. (1 Corinthians 11)

5. Think about the 3 gifts God gives in 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God has not given you the spirit of fear, but POWER, LOVE AND DISCIPLINE." You have the power of discipline and self-control. Stop thinking you are out of control and realize you have been given the power of self-control.

THINK IT & SAY IT:

I am not a slave to sin. I have dominion over it. It doesn't have dominion over me because I am not under the law, I'm under grace.

I expect the free gift of God's grace to enable me to say NO to ungodliness. I am free because I am forgiven. God is love and love builds me up today!

I put my faith in the blood of Jesus to forgive me if I have fallen; but also to empower me to be free from the things that I'm struggling with.

I have the power of self-control. I am no longer out of control. I have been given power, love and a sound mind. I am free from fear and free from sin.

Day 34

Today we're fasting from the thought that says, "Things aren't getting better. They're getting worse!"

Gang, thinking this way is NOT AN OPTION.

This thinking keeps us bound to the past, or moving backwards. The media espouses negativity. The spirit of darkness is behind all these thoughts. The devil promotes doom and gloom, to get people depressed, on drugs, fearful and timid, distracted from the worship of God and the work of the gospel.

The world is full of bad news - the economy is getting worse, society is getting worse, etc.

But we reject this thought TODAY!

1. The path of the righteous...gets brighter and brighter until the full day.(Proverbs 4:18)

2. "Evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived." (2 Timothy 3:13) But the opposite is true about you! Goodness follows you, therefore, you go from good to better!

3. Don't think "glass half full or glass half empty." Think: My cup runs over! (Psalm 23:4)

4. Your life is going to end up better than it started! (Eccl. 7:8 says, "Better is the end of a thing than the beginning.") Haggai 2:9 says, "The latter days of this house shall be greater than the former."

5. Believe that God has saved the best for last. John 2:10 says, "...But you have saved the best for last!"

6. God only has the best in mind for you. In Luke 15:22 the father said, "bring the best robe, and put it on my son..."

Follow the pattern of how God does things--

He takes us from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant; from the blood of animals to the blood of Jesus; from law to grace; from sin to righteousness; from sickness to health; from adversity to prosperity; from defeat to victory; from unclean to clean; from empty to filled.

Everything in God's kingdom gets better and better.

The kingdom of God is in you (Luke 17:21) therefore, expect things to get better and better in every area of your life.

THINK IT & SAY IT:

No matter what is happening in this world, things are getting better and better for me! God has made me righteous through His blood; therefore, my path is getting brighter and brighter every day.

My inner man is being renewed, day by day. Evil people may go from bad to worse, but the goodness of God follows me, so I go from good to better, every day.

I can celebrate in the presence of my enemies, because my cup runs over, and never runs out! God has saved the best for last in my life, and my latter days will be better than my former days, in Jesus' Name.

Day 33

Thought 33

Good morning!

Today we are fasting from the thought that says:

"It's not going to happen for me."

Ever heard that?

Or thoughts like: "I'm not going to get the job. I'm not going to find the right guy or girl. My situation is not going to turn around."

Let's begin thinking that it is going to happen for us. Ready?

1. Expect something good to happen to you today.

The Lord has done great things for us! (Psalm 118:24 & Psalm 126:3)

2. Know that God has a good plan for you today!

Jeremiah 29:11 says, "I know the plans I have for you, plans for good, to give you a future and a hope." (Notice those 2 words: "I know." This means that God is certain about it. It's definitely going to happen. Take it to the bank! It's coming!)

3. Expect doors to open.

Psalm 5:12 says, "Favor surrounds the righteous like a shield." Favor means: God opens doors that no one can close. Expect doors to open today.

4. Believe in God's fairness.

(Life's not always fair, but God is! Romans 12:19-21 says He will right every wrong.) Remember, it happened for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; therefore, it will happen for you. The Bible says, "God is no respecter of persons." (Acts 10:34, Romans 2:11) That doesn't mean He doesn't respect you. It means that He won't show partiality - blessing one person and not another. But you have to believe it and expect it. What He did for Abraham, He has promised He would do for you. Galatians 3:29 says, "For if you belong to Christ, you are Abraham's seed, and heirs of the promise!"

5. Think "solution thoughts".

No matter what the problem is, no matter what hasn't seemed to happen for you yet, expect a solution. Expect an answer. James 1:6 says, "If any man lacks wisdom, ask of God...who gives to ALL men generously." Notice, He gives to all men, not some. You're one of those who He does give it to. You're not just in line. You're in the front of the line!

6. Think about some good that has happened in your life.

This shows the past faithfulness of God. Since He never changes - expect His faithfulness AGAIN today! (Psalm 23:6)

THINK IT & SAY IT:

Something good is going to happen for me today. Things are going to work out. God has a good plan for my life today. He is certain that it is good, therefore I'm certain as well.

I expect favor today. Favor surrounds me like a shield. Doors are going to open for me that no one can close.

God is going to right every wrong, and show the same help to me as He did for Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He gives me wisdom and holds nothing back. I.m in the front of the line.

I remember the good that God has already done, and therefore I expect Him to do it again. Good and right things are going to happen in my life today - goodness and mercy shall FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE!