Day 1 | It Begins!
Welcome and congratulations!
You have taken the first step to fasting negativity and feasting positivity by signing up for this 40-day, online, renewing of the mind event. Wendy and I bless you on this journey and declare that you will never be the same again!
If you have not already done so, please take our Beliefs Assessment. This tool will help you evaluate your beliefs in the four key areas of focus for this fast and feast: beliefs about yourself, your circumstances, God, and others. This tool will be revisited at the end of the 40 days to assess your progress.
These first ten days will focus on our beliefs about ourselves. But we must first gain an understanding of the importance of beliefs, so the subject of today's devotional is belief versus conduct. This teaching is such an important truth for those who want to move from unbelief to faith. It is very difficult to stay in faith, hope, and love if we are more conduct-focused than belief-focused as Christians.
Galatians 3:5 is such a powerful verse – "He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith?" The answer is critical for those who want to come out of negativity. I believe it is impossible not to be negative in our outlook if we believe that the "works of the law" (right conduct) are what move the hand of God and bring about personal transformation. Chronic pessimism will result from this belief because we will never measure up, leading to self-criticism, hopelessness, and ultimately a negative personality.
Romans 12:2 says, "be transformed by the renewing of your mind." It does not say, "be transformed by trying harder." Yes, integrity and character are vital in the Christian life, but true change comes by believing truth at a higher level – not by duplicating our efforts. Let's embrace "the hearing of faith" as our main path to growth and miracles. God's “Plan A” for getting us into the Kingdom and advancing it is by hearing the good news and believing it. Now that is good news!
Today's Lie to Fast
My beliefs don't matter; All that matters is my behavior
Today's Truth to Feast
What I believe about something is more important than what is done about it
IGNITE TODAY'S TRUTH
I often say, “Your hopelessness about a problem is a bigger problem than the problem!” On a scale of 1-10, how powerful do you believe your beliefs are? Why? Let’s try to improve that number by the end of the fast.
Take some time today to journal about your answer to this question, as well as at least one area in your life where you have been trying to do more rather than believe differently. Ask God what He thinks about that area; then renew your minds with His truth in this season to see radical transformation in your life!
