"I just can't forgive myself."

Today we are fasting from the thought that says: "I just can't forgive myself."

Who hasn't thought that at one time or another? The devil would love to keep us in self-condemnation for the things we have done or failed to do. He knows it paralyzes us and prevents us from making the impact that God intended for us.

LET'S CHANGE IT TODAY

1. Realize that we only deserve forgiveness because of the blood of Jesus. Its not because our mistakes "never happened," or "it wasn't that bad". Give up rationalizations and excuses. Receive God’s mercy.

2. It WAS THAT bad, but God is even MORE good! James 2:13 says mercy triumphs over judgment. His mercy toward you TRUMPS your judgment over yourself.  In Luke 22:34, Peter denied the Lord three times, and Jesus forgave him. Later, Peter preached the first sermon after Jesus rose from the dead, and 3000 people were saved in a day! Peter was able to forgive himself when he knew Jesus had accepted him. In the same way, realize that you have been accepted by God, no matter what you have done—simply by believing in His finished work on the cross.

3. Give up your right to hold against yourself ANYTHING that God Himself does not hold against you. If God can forgive you, you can forgive yourself. His standard is absolute perfection, and He forgives you. Psalm 103:12 says, "As far as east is from west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us."

4. Stop rehearsing what you did. It's done. It's over. Now accept the second chance (or third or fourth…) that God offers. Philippians 3:10 says "forgetting what lies behind, and reaching forward... " Reaching forward starts in your thought life.

5. Believe that guilt doesn't come from God. He doesn't impose guilt on you to try to get you to stop doing something. Romans 2:4 says it is His lovingkindness that draws us to repentance. Since this guilt and shame doesn't come from God, there can be only one other source—the devil. James 4:7 says, "Submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

6. Give up the SELF-PUNISHMENT. Some people think subconsciously:  "I'll make myself feel bad to pay for what has been done." Why should we pay the price that has ALREADY been paid for what we've done wrong? Stop beating yourself up. Whatever we have done that we can't seem to forgive ourselves for, is already forgiven. By trying to "pay for what we have done," we are doubting & insulting the very blood of Jesus that HAS PAID the price in full. Accept His free gift.(Ephesians 1:7).

THINK IT & SAY IT

I receive mercy today, because of the blood of Jesus. Though I didn't deserve it, God proclaims over me, that I am "not guilty." Where I have failed, God's mercy triumphs over judgment.

I give up my right today to hold ANYTHING against myself. I deserve to be punished, but Jesus took THAT punishment for me. I forget what lies behind and press on, moving forward in my life with God, even though I feel like I have blown it beyond repair.

I reject this guilt and self-condemnation that the devil is trying to put on me. God is the God of second chances. I will no longer try to make myself feel bad to pay for what I've done. The price for what I did or failed at has been paid in full by Jesus’ blood!

-Courtesy of Gregory Dickow Ministries

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"It's too hard to find God's will."

Today we're fasting from the thought that says: "It's too hard to find God's will."

Many people struggle so hard to do the will of God, only to be frustrated, and often confused. Can we ever be SURE of the will of God? We can. And I believe this will help.

LET'S CHANGE IT TODAY

1. Change the way you look at the Bible. Its not a book of rules. Lets look at the Bible as a love letter, a description of who we are in Christ, and a collection of divine seeds for the harvests of life.

2. Today, you must see the Bible as a "Will". It is God's LAST WILL & TESTAMENT (Hebrews 9:15-17). Enclosed in the Bible is EVERYTHING Jesus, after dying, has left to His loved ones—that's you and me!

3. Remember, a will goes into effect when someone dies. Hebrews 9:17 says, "because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. ”Since Jesus died, He has left us with all of His possessions!

4. See yourself in God's will NOW. Through Jesus' blood and His death, God has placed us IN His will.

5. The gospel includes: forgiveness AND an inheritance that now belongs to us (Acts 26:18). Read the Scriptures to discover your inheritance, and know what belongs to you NOW, in Christ.

6. Now, take the pressure off yourself in trying to discover what to DO, and focus on discovering what is YOURS. This will change how you look at yourself and how you live!

7. Don't try to find the will of God. It will find you. Just meditate on God's Word. Flood your mind with His promises. Bask in His love & grace and the will of God will find you. It will overtake you (Deuteronomy 28:2).

THINK IT & SAY IT

God has placed me in His will. I don't have to strive to find it. God's will is His covenant toward me—His promised inheritance is mine through the blood of Jesus. I will see the Bible as God's will TOWARD me. I will read it to discover what belongs to me and who I truly am in Him, and the will of God will track me down. It will come upon me and overtake me, in Jesus’ Name!

-Courtesy of Gregory Dickow Ministries

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"How could something so bad ever turn into something good?"

Today, we FASTING from the THOUGHT that says: "How could something so bad ever turn into something good?"

We've all thought that at one time or another...

LET'S CHANGE IT TODAY

1. God is in the business of turning bad into good! (Romans 8:28) He doesn't cause everything; but He can cause everything to turn into something good. He turns the curse into a blessing because He loves you! (Deuteronomy 23:5).

2. That's the favor of God! A turnaround is an act of God’s favor. He turns things to your advantage, because of His grace—not because we deserved it. Psalms 5:12 says favor surrounds the righteous (in Christ), like a shield. Expect your turnaround today!

3. Think: resurrection! If Jesus rose from the dead, your bad situation can turn around too. Listen to this: "We felt like…it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally—not a bad idea since He’s the God who raises the dead!" (2 Corinthians 1:9 MSG)

4. Expect this BAD thing to become the BEST thing that ever happened—(look at verse above!)

5. Accept the fact that you don't deserve this supernatural FAVOR. That's what makes it FAVOR: we don't deserve it. (Ephesians 2:8). But God keeps giving it freely. Expect!

THINK IT AND SAY IT

I expect my turnaround beginning today! No matter how bad it is, God is in the business of turning it into good. This kind of favor surrounds me like a shield—not because I deserve it, but because of what Jesus did for me—that's the favor of God! He's the God who raises the dead, so He can turn this around as I trust Him today, in Jesus' Name!

-Courtesy of Gregory Dickow Ministries

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"Something bad is going to happen to me or my family."

The fallen world we live in is full of tragedy and suffering. News concerning violence, shootings and unexplainable disasters occur much too often. When things like this happen, it is easy for fear to creep in and make us think we are sitting ducks for Satan or twisted people to strike at any time.

But DO NOT open the door to the expectation of evil!

Today we are fasting from the thought that says: Something bad is going to happen to me or my family.

Of course, we must have compassion, prayer and support for those who have suffered; but we cannot allow what has happened to others to create our expectations and, consequently, live a life full of fear. 

LET'S CHANGE IT TODAY

1. Believe God’s promise:  Psalm 91:10 – The Message translation really brings this scripture to light: “Evil can’t get close to you, harm can’t get through the door.” Then, in verse eleven, it goes on to say, “He ordered His angels to guard you wherever you go.” Believe it.

2. Embrace this thought: “No weapon formed against me shall prosper.” Isaiah 54:17 clearly tells us that weapons will be formed against us; but they SHALL NOT prosper. We will always have adversity, because we have an enemy.  BUT, when we are attacked with the enemy’s weapons, they are harmless and we are secure in God’s divine protection.

3. Begin to speak the Word. There is nothing stronger to combat the spirit of fear than you speaking the Word of God out of your mouth. Fill your heart with God’s promises of provision and protection.

4. Know that God brings His Word to pass. God has promised to bring His words to pass.  Jeremiah 1:12 says, “I am watching over My Word to perform it.” Everything God has spoken concerning you is being carefully attended to by God Himself.  He will keep His promises and bring His Word to pass.

5. EXPECT something good to happen to you and your family. Whether you realize this or not, it takes as much energy to believe bad things are going to happen as it does to believe good things are coming your way. Start today and focus your thoughts and energy to believe God’s goodness is yours, and will follow you all the days of your life.

THINK IT & SAY IT

I believe the promises of God. Evil cannot come close to me. God guards me everywhere I go. I fill my heart and mouth with the good things God says about me. He is watching over His Word to perform it in my life; therefore, I expect something good to happen. My energy is spent on thinking and expecting good things to happen rather than bad, in Jesus’ Name!

-Courtesy of Gregory Dickow Ministries

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"The future is fearful and uncertain.”

Today we are fasting from the thought that says, “The future is fearful and uncertain.”

LETS CHANGE IT TODAY

1. Realize your future is a GIFT from God. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "... I know the plans I have for you... to GIVE you a future... "You see, God GIVES you a future! And everything He gives, is GOOD & PERFECT. Your good and perfect future is on its way. Receive it!

2. You can KNOW what the future holds. The Holy Spirit will show you. John 16:13 says the Holy Spirit will reveal to you the things to come. Ask Him to show you what is to come and trust Him to prepare you for it.

3. Your future is in YOUR SEEDS. Our future is not determined by random luck; but by the seeds we sow. God gave us SEEDTIME & HARVEST, to eliminate fear, and shape our future. (Genesis 8:22) Plant good seeds today for your tomorrow.

4. Receive the wisdom of God. (All you have to do is ask—James 1:5). Proverbs 22:3 says that a wise man FORESEES what is coming and takes action—WISDOM EMPOWERS YOU TO FORESEE. We act, rather than re-act. Ask God for wisdom today.

5. Take Inventory of what you have in stock! 2 Timothy 1:7 says God hasn't given the spirit of fear, but HE HAS GIVEN power, love & a sound mind. You are loaded with the tools to be free from fear.

6. God’s love for you is perfect. One reason His love is perfect is because it is always accompanied with a gift. “God so loved the world that He GAVE... ” There will never be any lack when you believe God’s love for you. 1 John 4:18 “There is no fear where love exists. Rather, perfect love banishes all fear... ” (ISV)

THINK IT AND SAY IT

I receive my GREAT future as a gift from God! I expect a fear-free life & a fear-free future. I invite the Holy Spirit to disclose to me the things to come, so I will not be caught off guard. My seeds determine my future; therefore I know what kind of harvest is coming. I have not been given the spirit of fear; but I have power, love & a sound mind, to shape my future, in Jesus' Name.

-Courtesy of Gregory Dickow Ministries

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"It's just so hard to be a Christian."

Today we are fasting from the thought that says: "It's just so hard to be a Christian."

"We are going to break this mentality, once and for all, because it is the single most often misunderstood concept that is keeping believers defeated.

LET'S CHANGE IT TODAY

1. It’s not hard to be something you already are. Jesus made you a Christian, and there's nothing that can change that. You’re a new creation! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

2. It is He who made us, and not we ourselves. (Psalm 100:3) Selah—pause—think on that. HE MADE YOU A CHRISTIAN.

3. Jesus did it all. When He said, "It is finished" in John 19:30, He meant: I did everything necessary for you to be saved and victorious. Now, just believe it. 

4. Start realizing "Christ-ian" means "Christ-IN". He is in you. It’s IMPOSSIBLE for you to fail at being a Christian, when the anointing, the Christ is built-in to you. (2 Corinthians 13:5, Colossians 1:27, Galatians 2:20)

5. His yoke is Easy. Reverse your thinking. Think: It’s easy to be a Christian. "My yoke is EASY. My burden is light." (Matthew 11:30) You are yoked/connected/hitched to Him!

THINK IT AND SAY IT

It is easy to live the Christian life, because Christ is in me. He is at work in me. He is alive in me. He is at love in me. I am not alone, and never will be. I am yoked to Him, and that’s what makes Christianity a relationship with God, rather than a duty for God. I am free, in Jesus' Name!

-Courtesy of Gregory Dickow Ministries

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