Day-1 I Can't

I want to be clear about this: "fasting" is not about food. It's about "abstaining" from something. In our case, we are abstaining or GIVING UP wrong ways of thinking.

This is simple. Too often, we make things harder and much more complicated than they really are.

Jesus said, "Take My yoke upon you, for My yoke is easy and My burden is light." He did the heavy lifting. Now our job is to 'enter into His rest', by believing what He has already done for us.

Today's thought that we are fasting from is simply: "I can't..."

There are so many things that we think we CAN'T do.

I can't change. I can't believe that. I can't go on. I can't make it. I can't forgive. I can't recover. I can't get it done. I can't find a job. I can't find a spouse. I can't go back to college. I can't pay the bills. I can't figure this out...and the list could go on and on.

Believe me, this MENTALITY and ATTITUDE, sets us up to fail, to quit, and to live a negative existence. It is a poisonous thought that we must no longer eat or drink of.

From TODAY ON...we're replacing this thought with: "I can".

Philippians 4:13 says: I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHICH STRENGTHENS ME.

There's a saying that goes: "if you think you CAN or you think you CAN'T, you're right." Either way, you're right, because as a man thinks, so is he (Proverbs 23:7).

The Spirit of God lives in you. You CAN do what HE CAN do in you. 1 John 4:17 "As He is, so are we in this world."

Think it: "I can"

Say it: "I can".

Meditate on Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me!"

Give up the thought that there is anything you CAN'T do. GET IT OUT OF YOUR VOCABULARY. Stop yourself every time you feel like saying it OR correct yourself if you do say it.

Got it?

Lets roll!

Your friend,

Gregory Dickow

ed's note: It will personally be beneficial if you take a jar and place a quarter in it each and every time you find you say, "I can't" during this challenge. As soon as you catch yourself, say out loud (if you can) Philippians 4:13 says: I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHICH STRENGTHENS ME. More on that later as we get our feet wet in this challenge.

ed's note: No, I can't's, but two I don't want to's. Changed my mind and agreed to do, but wonder if this is negativity with me also.

Day 2)

We have embarked upon a journey who's time has come. I have never been more excited and expectant about anything I have been a part of. Stay with me these 40 days, and watch what God will do in your life.

Fasting is very popular, but 'fasting from wrong thinking' is unprecedented--until now. This journey will take us to a place that dieting and abstaining from food, could never get us.

Yesterday we fasted from the thought: "I can't". Victory or Defeat in life is determined by what will control the decision making process of your life...and your decisions are determined by your thought life.

When you THINK: CAN'T, you will live: CAN'T. We are going to live: CAN! I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me!

In a couple of days, on our website [URL=http://www.thinkingfast.org/]http://www.thinkingfast.org/[/URL] you will be able to access previous days thoughts, and how to fast from those. You can start at any time on this journey.

But I encourage you to do it daily, which will build a habit in your life, leading to character that conquers. In Day 2, today we are fasting from the thought that says: "I don't have enough".

Now follow me here...

This is a mindset, an attitude that says, "I don't have enough money. I don't have enough time. I don't have enough friends. I don't have enough experience. I don't have enough education..."

This thought is an invisible fence that keeps you in the backyard of lack and deficiency.

Our God calls Himself: El Shaddai - the God of more than enough! We have more than enough of God living inside of us--Let us not think "not enough" anymore. Lets think: More than enough.

In 1 Kings, there was more than enough for Elijah and the widow.

In Exodus, there was more than enough for the children of Israel, everyday.

In John 6, there was more than enough bread left over, after Jesus fed the 5000.

In Mark 5, there was more than enough anointing to heal Jairus, the woman with the issue of blood, and the people that were sitting by.

Think this: I always have enough, because Philippians 4:19 says, God shall supply ALL my needs, according to His riches.

Say it: I always have enough. My God is more than enough. He will open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing that there will not be room enough to receive.

He gives back to me, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over!

Sow a seed: Go online to make a donation to the INSIDE OUT campaign, so I can take this message to more people in more places! Not only does sowing a seed change someone else's life. But it reinforces your new THOUGHT system, that YOU DO HAVE ENOUGH!

Your friend,

Gregory Dickow

ed's note lesson 2: I do have to say God led me upon a severe poverty path for a few years. It revolutionized my life as I began to see the difference between a want and a need. As I pray for others I immediately know whether it is need or greed. I do know one thing I have learned with all my being: Psa 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his seed begging bread.

He sustains and gives us our daily bread. We may not agree with His portion, yet, in America, when we look at the obesity rate in the 60%, we must agree that His standard of need verses our wants are two different visions.

Day 3

Feeling overwhelmed? Today's fast from wrong thinking is for you!

Were fasting today from the thought: "I'm overwhelmed". And the thoughts that go with it: "This will take forever. I've got too much to do. This is too much for me to take. There isn't enough time. I can't take it anymore."

These thoughts have to go! Today!

How?

First, everything you see in this world was created in 6 days. God is in the business of getting things done, and getting them done fast. EXPECT HIS HELP TODAY. You can't do it alone.

Most people don't understand what Jesus meant when He said, "Take My yoke upon you..."

A yoke is a harness or instrument placed upon TWO oxen. It causes them to plow together, so that when one gets weak or OVERWHELMED, he can continue to be pulled by the other. When we feel overwhelmed we need to TAKE HIS YOKE. That means: He is attached to us, and will help carry the load. Of course, He ends up doing most of the carrying, so:

Cast your cares upon Him. He will care for you. (1 Peter 5:7.) How? Be honest. Tell him what's wrong (what's up). Ask Him to carry it for you. Believe that He will.

See yourself attached to Him (yoked to Him). He holds you up.

Begin to believe that you can handle anything. BELIEVE THIS TODAY. You can handle anything. Mark 9:23 "All things are possible for those who believe."

Think it. I can handle anything today, because I am yoked to Jesus.

Say it. I can handle anything today, because I am yoked to Jesus.

Well, this is our third day of "fasting from wrong thinking". I want you to realize something. We're developing a habit. Stay with me. Give me these 40 days. After 40 days (6 weeks), habits are formed. We're forming the habit of ABSTAINING from negative thinking. When the thought comes back, you can go back to that day's email or the archive on www.thinkingfast.org. Go over it again, and again.

There a few things that I can honestly say I know are from God. This is one of them. If we will fast from these thoughts daily, we will have lasting change in our lives. I believe God has put on my heart to take this concept to the world. We are raising up an army of people who will think right, therefore live right!

Friends, success or failure in life is created by how you think. Proverbs 23:7 (you'll see me quote this countless times), "As a man thinks, so is he". You are NOT GOING TO FAIL. You are the head and not the tail!

Your friend,

Gregory Dickow

Day 3 observation: I have an area that I pray for daily. I see no progress. Yet, knowing I am yoked to Jesus, I know He carries this share of burden more than I do. I like it!

Day 4

As we approach Day 4 of our FAST from wrong THINKING, it is important we keep our eye on the ball. We are fasting (abstaining from, GIVING UP) wrong ways of thinking. That means there are certain mindsets and beliefs in our heads, that we have to eliminate. They are toxic and poisonous to the victorious life we desire to live. To keep thinking the same things, and expect our lives to change, is absurd.

As a man thinks within, so is he! (Proverbs 23:7)

Today's thought that we're fasting from has to do with tragedy and suffering. When something bad happens such as yesterday's college shooting or last week's deadly tornados, it's easy for fear to creep in, and to think we are open game or sitting ducks for Satan or twisted people to strike at any time.

It's wrong to think: Something bad might happen to me or my family.

DO NOT open the door to the expectation of evil. Your mind may argue with this, but that's why we're going to fast from this thought. Of course, WE MUST have compassion, prayer, and practical support for those who have suffered, but we cannot allow what has happened to create our expectations.

Job CONTINUALLY THOUGHT something bad might happen to his family. And then it did. He said, "What I have feared has come upon me". (Job 3:25)

Lets take this thought captive. How?

BELIEVE God's promise: Psalm 91:10 - No evil shall befall me, nor shall any plague come near my tent. (The Message translation: "Evil can't get close to you, harm can't get through the door. He ordered His angels to guard you wherever you go.")

THINK within yourself: "No weapon formed against me shall prosper" (Isaiah 54:17).

FILL your mind and heart with this, over and over today, until it starts coming out of your mouth.

KNOW that God brings His Word to pass, when we believe it. Jeremiah 1:12 says "I am watching over My word to perform it."

EXPECT something good to happen to you and your family.

I want to leave you with this good thought today:

There is no stopping the man or woman who is set free from wrong thinking!

In His Love,

Gregory Dickow

ed's note lesson 4: Quite aware of this verse, and I counter it in my thoughts with the following: "What I have feared has come upon me". (Job 3:25)

Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith Jehovah, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope in your latter end.