Troy A. Brewer's Blog, page 149
January 25, 2022
FORMER THINGS
You are a chain breaker! God calls you mighty for the pulling down of strongholds, so start pulling. He has plans to give you hope, a future and to prosper you if you continue moving forward in freedom.
FORMER THINGSI love the scene in the movie Forrest Gump where the bullies are throwing rocks at young Forrest and Jenny. Forrest has braces on his legs, and Jenny, fearing for his safety, yells, “Run, Forrest! Run!”
Forest takes off, slow and bumbling because of the metal holding his legs. Swinging his scrawny limbs awkwardly, Forrest only makes his escape more slow and cumbersome every time he turns his head to see the three little monsters pedaling their bikes. They are gaining on him!
Finally, his efforts break the braces. They fall away and Forrest is free to truly run. It’s interesting to me that from this point on, Forrest Gump never looks back!
There’s a message in that for you and me! You see, looking back can be dangerous, because it limits God’s power in your present and future. When you look back, you see your failures. You see your tormentors gaining ground. Anxiety mounts.
Let me tell you a little something about anxiety. Anxiety is nothing more than imagining a future without God in it. Anxiety is all about things that haven’t happened and probably never will. Stop trying to bring trouble from the past to your today and tomorrow!
Old hurts, habits and hangups need to stay in the past. Relationships that tear you away from God’s purpose should remain there too. You know where you’ve been, so don’t look back the way the children of Israel looked back at Egypt, or the way Lot’s wife looked back at Sodom and Gomorrah. They actually longed for the bondage and sin they left behind!
Hear me on this: that’s not you! You are a kingdom thinker. When you look to your past, you look for Jesus working in your life. When you do this, you learn to see Him in your present and future.
Did He give you direction when you had none, or provide a miracle that changed everything? Did he provide blessings and favor? Maybe He saved you from disaster? He was with you, I promise you that!
Your past is something you should learn from, build upon and find Jesus in. He’s there. He’s the only reason to look back. Now, run!
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” – Isaiah 43:18-19
TODAY IS A GREAT DAY TO BREAK THE BONDS OF THE PAST AND RUN BOLDLY TO A FUTURE WITH JESUS. KEEP YOUR EYES FIXED ON THE KING AND LEAVE THE FORMER THINGS IN THE DUST WHERE THEY BELONG!
From my book Living Life /Forward
The post FORMER THINGS appeared first on Troy Brewer Ministries.
January 24, 2022
THE RIGHT WAY TO DO THINGS
Carry the name and the presence of God in a way that pleases Him. You are an ambassador of Christ when things go right or wrong. Glorify God in all things.
THE RIGHT WAY TO DO THINGSI can’t stand it when things aren’t done right, especially in the body of Christ. Like most leaders, movers and shakers, I get a God-given vision and I want to see it through – the right way.
The Lord made one thing crystal clear to me about the work you and I do for him: Just as there is a right way to do all things, there is a right way to handle those things which are not done right.
Make whatever situation you have been handed glorify the Lord. Remember my mantra: blessed are the flexible. Retain your witness and trust the Holy Spirit to lead you through what sometimes feels like failure – painful failure.
Know this: there will be a time for corrections after the situation is over. However, at that critical point, Jesus is trusting you to make the most of a mess – and the most of His name!
If you worked at a large corporation where the boss was on the top floor and you never saw him, but you worked with his daughter, and she was always angry, blaming others, firing people and letting everyone know what a bad job they were doing, what would you think of her father, the boss man?
You would think he is just like his angry, messed up daughter!
Remember, we bear the family name of Jesus Christ. When we lose it, pass the buck or attack other Christians when things don’t go as we planned, we’re putting a black mark on our heavenly Father’s reputation. This is also called “taking His name in vain,” and it’s one of the Ten Commandments.
“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. – Exodus 20:7
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO REMEMBER YOUR FATHER’S GOOD NAME. YOUR ACTIONS ARE A WITNESS TO HIS GOODNESS AND MERCY, SO SHOW GOODNESS AND MERCY ESPECIALLY WHEN THINGS ARE NOT GOING AS PLANNED!
From my book: Soul Invasion
The post THE RIGHT WAY TO DO THINGS appeared first on Troy Brewer Ministries.
January 22, 2022
Clean Slate 4: Light of Revelation
Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022
Pastor Troy Brewer, OpenDoor Church, Burleson, TX
Better decisions and fewer regrets this year.
Faithful. Available. Teachable–FAT
Today is January 23, 2022
What is the 23,000th verse of the Bible, which is also the 23rd and last verse in its chapter telling us? That, in the last days, people will seek out the Jews because God is with them.
Zechariah 8:23 – “…for we have heard that God is with you.”
In the fourth verse of Psalms 23, it encouraged us: …I will fear no evil; For You are with me
Jeremiah 23:23 – “Am I a God who is near,” declares the LORD, “And not a God far off?”
The number 22 : The LIGHT of REVELATION
There are 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet.There are 22 chapters in the book of Revelation.Light is used 22 times in the gospel of John. The 22nd timehe uses the word he is quoting Jesus as saying, “I have come as a light into the world…” (John 12:46)The lampstand, or the CANDLESTICK, in the temple had 22 bowls to hold the oil and they were all in the shape of almonds on the 7 branches of the menorah.
Daniel 5:5 – In the same hour came forth fingers of a man’s hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.
6 Then the king’s countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.
Matthew 5:15 – Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
In the book of Revelation, Jesus is the one who walks among the seven golden candlesticks.
In Revelation 2, Jesus warns the church of Ephesus that if they won’t return back their first love, He will remove His candlestick—His presence or His revelation light. They’ll walk around in the dark again.
Revelation 2:4 – Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your candlestick from its place—unless you repent.
The Ephesians were people who loved truth. but had lost their passion and their love for King Jesus.
Ephesians 5:13 – But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.
Ephesians 5:13 (Passion) – Whatever the revelation-light exposes, it will also correct, and everything revealed becomes light.
REVELATION LIGHT IS THE MEANING OF 22
Ephesians 1:15-18 – Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints
The spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.
We cannot have a Jonah-like response to the transition we are all having to go through.
The word “wisdom” is in the Bible 222 times.
In the ancient Hebrew, the term “fear of the Lord” is in the Torah 222 times.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Proverbs 9:10
Daniel 2:22 – He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him.
Job 22:28 – You will also declare a thing, and it will be established for you; and light will shine on your ways
Psalms 22:22 – I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.
Declare the name of the Lord in the congregation.
Declare who you know Him to be to you among the brothers.
Exodus 15:3 – “The Lord is a warrior; The Lord is His name.”
The post Clean Slate 4: Light of Revelation appeared first on Troy Brewer Ministries.
THE NEW THIRTY
The change that is upon you means it’s time for a new beginning. Instead of grumbling about change, embrace it and move to the next level God has for you!
THE NEW THIRTYIt’s funny, but I’ve never dreaded growing older. In fact, I realize 50 is the new 30!
Sure I have a healthy realization that my days are numbered. At the same time, I feel like I have lots of life to live. I no longer feel bullet proof, but at 55, I passionately believe in mortality and eternity at the same time. I think that’s a good thing.
I’ve enjoyed each season of my life and life has done nothing but get better and better. Why?
The key to a healthy attitude and victorious Christian living is a willingness to embrace transition. A blessed life is one that is growing and transforming. I also know I would not only be cursed, but I would be a curse to everyone around me if I was still the same person at 50 that I was at 21.
You see, transition is not about getting older. It’s really about advancing. We have to learn how to live “from faith to faith, everlasting to everlasting.” It’s about learning how to hope for big things and remain confident through constantly having to deal with closure.
In 55 years, I’ve said a lot of good-byes, yet I’m always hopeful of new beginnings. I’m not going to change someday. I already have and will continue to do so time and time again. Yes, change is here to stay.
You and I will live in a different world 10 years from now – some a lot better and others a whole lot worse. Since we have no control over the direction of our world, we might as well have control over our ability to be more thankful, hopeful, joyful and useful. Yes, useful! You should be too.
Lord, as times and seasons swirl past, use me to bring others to you. Help me to transition, upgrade and continue to get better and better until You call me home. And may I bring a lot of people with me! That’s my prayer for you, too! Don’t show up at your Father’s house alone!
So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom. – Psalms 90:12
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO EMBRACE YOUR TIMES AND SEASONS. FEAR NOT! GO AFTER YOUR NEXT TRANSITION AND PURPOSE YOUR HEART TO LOVE MORE PEOPLE INTO THE KINGDOM.
From my book: BEST OF THE BREWER
The post THE NEW THIRTY appeared first on Troy Brewer Ministries.
THE REAL DEAL
Jesus is the only truth you need. Let go of the lies of the past and let Jesus fill you up. Only Jesus can satisfy the hunger in your soul.
THE REAL DEALWhen I was a kid, I was a comic book freak. I loved Spiderman because of his good attitude and Conan the Barbarian because of his terrible attitude. If the stories went stupid, there was always a great full page ad to spark my imagination.
Oh, how I wanted the sea monkeys, a hovercraft and the little machines you could use to make counterfeit money. Charles Atlas wanted to beef me up to take on the bully with his 15-minute trainer. I fantasized about buying the ant farm or the zombie mask. However, the one wonder I couldn’t resist was the x-ray glasses.
These specs were advertised to help a young man full of testosterone see past the heavily clad ladies of our youth. I wondered why everyone didn’t have a pair, but quickly came to the conclusion that it was because I was a visionary genius.
So, in 1979, I saved up a whopping $1.99 for my x-ray glasses and another $5 for shipping and handling. I also dedicated the next six weeks of my life to checking the mailbox each and every day because if my mom found out I was trying to see through walls or cheerleading sweaters, I would be dead.
After what seemed like an eternity, I got a very small package in the mail. Inside was a very lame pair of cardboard glasses. I was crushed. It was a scam. Who knew? I felt so cheated and stupid. It was my first real taste of a dishonest world full of cheating schemes.
Who knew you couldn’t trust people trying to help little boys see through locker room walls and into bank vaults for the combinations?
Thanks to the father of lies, our world is filled with scams, con artists and just plain lies. Where do I run where I know I’ll never get ripped off or disappointed? My hope is in Jesus.
You see, the proof of authenticity is not just in the book, it’s in the lives of all of us – believers who love the Lord and serve his people. We see miracles, live beyond what is reasonable and shoot for limitless possibilities. We love beyond our capacity and live beyond our means.
We choose to be battleships instead of cruise ships. What is real is the hope of Christ in us. What about you? Do you have this hope? It not, let the truth set you free.
“They cried to You, and were delivered; They trusted in You, and were not ashamed.” – Psalms 22:5
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO BE THE REAL DEAL. LET THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH TRANSFORM YOU INTO A WARRIOR COMMITTED TO RESCUING POW’S FROM SATAN’S GRIP.
From my book: BEST OF THE BREWER
The post THE REAL DEAL appeared first on Troy Brewer Ministries.
January 21, 2022
Episode 113 – Knowing and Owning Godly Conclusions
I explain some situations in my life to help us both understand how to own our conclusions to new information or events in our life. Would you like to donate to Troy Brewer Ministries to free girls and boys from sex trafficking? You can do that by clicking HERE or by texting “LIBERATED” to 77977.
The post Episode 113 – Knowing and Owning Godly Conclusions appeared first on Troy Brewer Ministries.
January 20, 2022
THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN
The more you focus on Jesus and magnify Him, the smaller you will become. God is looking for those who will magnify Him. Tell others of His works in your life and He will show up in big ways.
THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MANPaul got smaller the longer he walked with the Lord. You can clearly see it in his writings. When he wrote his letter to the Galatians in 58 A.D., he starts off by letting everyone know his credentials.
Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead)… – Galatians 1:1
Just a year or so later when he writes to the Corinthians, Paul doesn’t put so much stock in his title or credentials. His perception of himself has changed dramatically.
For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. – 1 Corinthians 15:9
And about five years after that, in 64 A.D., he doesn’t even call himself an apostle. In fact, Paul sees himself as “least among the saints.”
To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ… – Ephesians 3:8.
Three years later, at the end of his life and sitting in a Roman dungeon, Paul did not consider himself higher than anyone in the church. No longer quoting his credentials and touting his God-given titles, he wrote to Timothy, the young pastor of the biggest church in the world at the time. In this letter, Paul called himself “the chief of sinners” because he counted his sins so grievous. Praise the Lord that Jesus counted them as forgiven!
You want to know how Paul dealt with all the conflict, persecution, peril and outright hell he had to endure as an apostle and martyr of the early church? He got small. Prison will do that to a man. With nothing else to do, nowhere to go and no one to lord over, inmates are forced to get small. Paul was.
He knew it wasn’t about him, but about Jesus. This knowledge gave Paul the ability to “finish his course” as written in 2 Timothy 4:7.
What about you? Do you want to finish your course well? Can you become a prisoner of God’s mercy and grace so that Jesus can become large in the eyes of non-believers? Remember, the smaller you get, the more God can use you!
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO GET SMALL SO THE WORLD CAN SEE JESUS. TESTIFY TO HIS GOODNESS AND GIVE HIM THE GLORY BY TELLING SOMEONE WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR YOU!
From my book: Soul Invasion
The post THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN appeared first on Troy Brewer Ministries.
IN VAIN
You are a reflection of your heavenly Father and He is happy with what He sees in you. Your life is the picture on His refrigerator and He loves to brag about you. Continue to show the family resemblance through your generosity and right spirit.
IN VAINAs a pastor, I’ve counseled many frustrated parents. While some issues are major and require immediate action, most boil down to junior’s selfishness and lack of self control. Maturity is a constant battle, even for parents!
However, nearly every time a parent talks to me about their child’s bad behavior, there is an underlying issue – the fear people will think they’re a bad parent because of their kids.
Let me tell you this: they do. However, that doesn’t make it true! I’ve known lots of bad parents with great kids, and great parents who now visit their children in prison. Let me ask you this: Is God the perfect parent? A good Father? An awesome provider who never leaves us nor forsakes us?
The answer is yes. God is the perfect parent, yet look at how His kids act! Our children are not a direct reflection of us any more than we are a perfect picture of our Father God.
God has gotten the worst PR imaginable from His kids. You, I and the rest of His rebellious, unruly children have not represented His goodness well. We’ve actually driven people away from Jesus and the church.
Yes, every one of us has taken His name upon ourselves as “Christ-ians,” then run amok with his reputation. Haven’t our children done the same? And we won’t stand for it, yet we continue to sully Jesus’ name.
There’s a reason why the biblical Fruit of the Spirit of the Spirit begins with love and ends with self control. Because you can’t have joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and gentleness without the other two.
Let’s you and I get some love and self control. Let’s stop taking His name in vain and begin to reflect the Son so that people can be redeemed. Let’s represent Him well.
Thus says the LORD: “Let now the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let the one who boasts boast in this: that they have the understanding to know Me. That I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord. – Jeremiah 9:23-23
TODAY IS A GREAT DAY TO REPENT OF TAKING LORD’S NAME IN VAIN. AS HIS CHILDREN, WE NEED TO MAKE HIS NAME FAMOUS SO OUR FAMILY CAN GROW!
From my book: Good Overcomes Evil
The post IN VAIN appeared first on Troy Brewer Ministries.
January 18, 2022
THE NEED TO KNOW
Enter God’s gates with thanksgiving. Enter His courts with praise. Enter His Holy Place by your covenant which is through the blood of Jesus. He is calling you into His secret place even now.
THE NEED TO KNOWCovenant is the only thing that causes God to respond to you. What???
It’s true. God does not respond to your pain, poverty, power, riches, or cries for help. He responds only because He promised to when He created you, and again when He redeemed you. Yup, He owns you!
Are you in covenant with God? If you are, your thoughts are not of your own glory, but of His. Covenant is a wonderful thing and there are certain things you can know when you have a covenant mentality.
1. You have a place to go no matter what.
2. You have help in times of need.
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. – Hebrews 4:15-17
The place you are always welcome is the throne of grace. It is the most holy, powerful place. When you are at the throne, you also have access to the King Himself. Wow!
In biblical times, families and tribes established covenants as an alliance against enemies. If I were in covenant with you, then I am attacked, I can expect your help based on our covenant. It’s the same with God.
Because of His covenant, you should know God is going to help you fight your battles, bear your burdens and meet your needs. If you have a covenant mentality, you do not doubt God in your time of need. You will refuse to allow yourself to think He has abandoned you!
Why? Because a covenant mentality gives you hope! Hope, no matter what, that your ally, your friend, will come to your aid.
Do you have hope through a covenant mentality that you are God’s and He is yours? If you don’t, study what covenant is. Talk to God and get the matter straight. You won’t regret it.
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO KNOW GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES TO THOSE WHO ARE IN COVENANT WITH HIM. HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU. DON’T ALLOW YOURSELF TO EVER THINK OTHERWISE!
From my book: Soul Invasion
The post THE NEED TO KNOW appeared first on Troy Brewer Ministries.
IT’S A POWERFUL THING
When you testify to me, words are only part of the story – your story. Remember that actions speak louder than words. Demonstrate My heart. Let the lost see their redeemer in the way you serve. You are My solution.
IT’S A POWERFUL THINGI know for a fact that serving Jesus will change your life. When I say that, I’m not saying it from some high and lofty tower. I’m saying from the lowest of the low places – because I’ve been there – that God Almighty is faithful. He’s faithful.
There are three different premises I want to give to you today that I can tell you have absolutely changed my life when it comes to serving.
The first one is this: You get Jesus into any situation by serving Him in that situation. Broke? Serve Jesus with your money by tithing or sowing into Kingdom projects and people. Depressed or lonely? Bring Jesus into that dark place by serving someone worse off than you. It will bring you joy, I’m telling you.
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. – Hebrews 6:10
Second, serving is power because serving actually demonstrates Jesus to a lost and hurting world. I’m not talking about works here. I’m talking about acts – just like the disciples when they got filled with the Holy Spirit. Feed the hungry. Clothe the naked. Prophesy over the lost, heal the sick and raise the dead, amen.
Finally, the love of God is found in serving and selflessness. When you put someone else before you, when you put your shoes on a prisoner in a trash dump or spend the money you were saving for a trip to Disney World on freeing a slave across the world that you’ll never meet, you’ll know the love of God.
The amazing thing is, so will they! Serving and selflessness should be the calling card of every drop-dead, sold-out Jesus freak. Is it yours? When was the last time you demonstrated Jesus? If it’s been a while, serve somebody. It’s a powerful thing.
FROM MY SERMON SERIES SERVOLUTION
The post IT’S A POWERFUL THING appeared first on Troy Brewer Ministries.
Troy A. Brewer's Blog
- Troy A. Brewer's profile
- 27 followers
