Troy A. Brewer's Blog, page 199

FORWARD, EVEN FOREVER

TODAY’S PROPHETIC THOUGHT

Progression is My passion. Though I Am the same yesterday, today and forever, My Kingdom is not. I designed it to change, improve and upgrade – as do you. Choose to improve, to upgrade. There is no end to My Kingdom including you.

FORWARD, EVEN FOREVER

Since God is excited about your upgrade, you might as well line up your heart with His heart.

I have a rockstar marriage. My wife loves me and I’m telling you, Leanna is smitten with me. She nearly faints every time I walk past her. She’s always fanning herself. But here’s the deal man: there’s other levels the Lord has for us. 

Our life is changing. We’re getting older and our kids are growing up. There are so many untapped, unclaimed upgrades for us and we’re going after them.

As a church, the church has never been as fun as it is right now. We’ve never made a bigger difference in the world. Still, we can’t say we’ve reached the ceiling, we’ve “been there, done that and here’s the T-shirt to prove it.”

When it comes to me, my marriage, family and this church, “Concerning His kingdom and of His peace, there shall be no end.”

“Well Pastor Troy, how come there are so many endings with so many Christians?” That’s a great question and the answer is simple: Because we decide we’ve gone far enough. It’s not because Jesus has decided we’ve gone far enough. We sit back down on the couch and say, “I’ve done enough. I’m retiring from this. Someone else can do it.”

Here’s the deal. The command from the Lord Jesus Christ is that we should be passionately and actively involved in things causing us to live life forward from where we’ve been – which is our history –  to where we’re suppose to be – which is our destiny. Our destiny is greater than our history.

Are you there yet? Have you arrived at your destination? The answer is a resounding “No” if you didn’t wake up in heaven this morning. Don’t tap out. Claim your upgrade and line your heart up with Father’s. Move forward, even forever.

“Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time f orward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” – Isaiah 9:7

FROM MY SERMON SERIES UPGRADE

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LIVING UP TO THE FAMILY NAME

TODAY’S PROPHETIC THOUGHT

I’m trusting you to live up to your destiny. That means you’ll live up to My Name. You are My child, My kin. Demonstrate the love I’ve shown you and you will never go wrong.

LIVING UP TO THE FAMILY NAME

One of the most misunderstood concepts in the Bible is taking the Lord’s name in vain. Cussing by using His name is plain old blasphemy. Taking His name in vain is much, much more serious. 

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord your God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that has taken his name in vain.– Exodus 20:7

It means we are responsible for demonstrating His name in a way that is life-giving, because Jesus is life-giving. And speaking of giving us a life, Father God has given us each a destiny and it’s up to us to go after it. It’s like this…

“Troy, if I’m going to give you a church and I’m going to fill it up with people, it’s not going to be because of you. It’s going to be because of the name of Jesus. You better not rip those people off.”

“Hey ,Troy. If people are going to show up because of how I’ve given you the name of Jesus, you had better demonstrate My heart. Do not take My name in vain.”

Taking the name of the Lord in vain means to come in His name with your own agenda instead of His agenda. It’s something I constantly have to be aware of and take stock of because it’s easy to fall into my own wants, ideas and agenda.

There are tons of churches that have never cussed behind a pulpit, but have taken the name of the Lord in vain in how they control people, rip people off, cuss and judge people, and just plain run them off. 

Jesus loved. He protected and served. When He healed, the Bible says He “healed all because He had compassion on them.” Did He heal hands He knew were going to steal or enslave others? Did He open blind eyes that would lust after carnal things? We know He did.

And He did it because He was upholding the Father’s name that says, “Whatever your problem is, it’s not Me. I love you and I trust you with this healing, this blessing. Now, go and sin no more.” You and I should do the same. Fulfill your destiny by living up to the family name.

FROM MY SERMON SERIES NEXT OF KIN

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BE SET FREE

TODAY’S PROPHETIC THOUGHT

I am a God who knew you before time began. As your Creator, I love you even when you make bad choices. Nothing will change that. Nothing you can do will make Me love you more or less. My love is unconditional and everlasting.

BE SET FREE

One of the reasons we see so many people saved in prison is because people get small when they’re locked up. Now, not everybody does, but some people get small in prison. It’s so important that you understand this principle. 

A lot of prisoners change their agenda, hopes and goals and they don’t know what to do. They just get small.

It’s in the context of getting still and small you’re able to hear the still, small voice of God. Every time He speaks to you, you’ll hear Him say, “I love you. I love you and you’re mine. I know it’s a hard world. I know you’re messed up, but I love you.”

In prison you’re danged if you do, danged if you don’t. If you do fall in love with Jesus, you’ve got all the religious critics saying it’s just fake “jailhouse religion.” If you don’t get saved and transform your life they’ll think prison didn’t work for you.

Listen, the Body of Christ needs to celebrate any form of transformation any time anybody steps up to the plate and gives their heart to Jesus. Don’t judge that guy and wonder what their motives are. The only read we do this is because we think we’re so much better than other people.

I want to say, if it wasn’t for the grace of God, this brother right here would be wearing a white jumpsuit and hoping and praying somebody would come and talk to me about Jesus. And if it wasn’t for the grace of God – I don’t care what you think – you would also be in prison.

The heart is desperately wicked, who can know it? – Jeremiah 17:9

Inside each one of us is a murderer – we slay people with words, looks and thoughts every day, admit it. It takes the grace of God to keep us from twisting off and following through on our thoughts. Grace. It’s worth celebrating, especially when a prisoner has been set free. 

FROM MY SERMON SERIES EXODUS

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MUD OR WONDERFUL? YOU CHOOSE!

TODAY’S PROPHETIC THOUGHT

I have given you My most precious possession – My Name. With it comes identity, legacy and a future. You are My child in whom I Am well pleased.

MUD OR WONDERFUL? IT’S YOUR CHOICE

My friends, our lives should look like the Bible. There are chapters before Jesus and chapters after Jesus. There is a complete change of identity between the two. What happened? A name is what happened.

There is honor and uniqueness to family name. When you give someone your name, you’re giving them all you have. When Leanna and I rescue boys and girls all around the world, we give them a birthday and a name – Brewer. They’re part of our family.

It’s a good sort of thing when you have a good name, it’s a terrible sort of thing when you have a bad name, like “his name is mud.” I’m sure you’ve heard that expression, but the story behind it isn’t as well known. 

In 1865, Dr. Samuel Mudd gave medical help to John Wilkes Booth who broke his leg escaping after shooting President Abraham Lincoln. Now, President Lincoln was the 16th President, and the number 16 represents the love of God. What is the love of God? It’s when you lay down your life. Our 16th President had to lay down his life. Amen.

So, the guy who patched up John Wilkes Booth was arrested. Though the evidence against him was doubtful and the only “crime” he committed was being southern and helping somebody, they threw him into prison. He was tortured and his name was wrecked so bad, none of his family wanted the reputation of being kin. 

That’s where the statement, “Your name is mud” comes from. His name was ruined.

President Andrew Johnson pardoned Dr. Mudd and released him from prison in 1869. His conviction was never expunged and although he was eventually welcomed home by his family and neighbors, the negative connotation still lives today.

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. – Proverbs 22:1

The Bible makes it clear that a good name is very important. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, Emmanuel, King of Kings and Lord of Lords among other things. The Word says His name is Wonderful. Guess what? When we as “Christ-ians” take on the name of Christ (Anointed King), it is wonderful, indeed. It is our identity and one we need to uphold.

FROM MY SERMON SERIES NEXT OF KIN

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PROPHET, PRIEST & KING

TODAY’S PROPHETIC THOUGHT

Three is My number for perfect completion. It’s when I rule and reign. Not only Am I Father, Son and Spirit, to you on earth I Am also Prophet, Priest and King. Let Me perfectly complete our relationship. Know Me in each of these ways.

PROPHET, PRIEST AND KING

If you’re going to understand Jesus as your King, you need to understand there are roles or “offices” that He has to fulfill in your life – Prophet, Priest, and King.

Just like so many things in the Kingdom, there are three stages here: 

    Outer court, inner court, Most Holy Place. 

        Now abides faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love. 

            Father, Son, Holy Spirit 

                Past, present, future 

                     Sun, moon, stars  

                         Egypt, the wilderness, the Promised Land 

                              Thirty, sixty, 100-fold

Yes, those three stages. It’s good to know Jesus as your Prophet because as a Prophet, He reveals the Word of God and reveals the Father to you. 

As a Priest. He made – and is – the ultimate sacrifice for you. You need to know Him as your Priest. 

But man, you’ve got to know Jesus as your King. As your King, He’s the ultimate one. He rules and reigns in your life, which means He brings peace to your messed up world because His Kingdom is come and His will is being done IN YOU. 

When He is your King, you are a part of His kingdom and you’re all about accomplishing vision for the Kingdom. Is He your King? Are you going after Kingdom things and bringing Jesus into dark places? 

Make Jesus your King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Get off your couch and help somebody by bringing Jesus into their Egypt. As the King, He can lead them out of bondage and into a progressive life of faith, hope and love.

FROM MY SERMON SERIES JESUS UNVEILED

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GRIT AND DETERMINATION

TODAY’S PROPHETIC THOUGHT

I call you a warrior. Fight for the heart of your King. You are already bringing Me glory. Battle on and take new territory. Don’t be afraid. I Am backing you up. 

GRIT AND DETERMINATION

The Apostle Paul knew his finish was good before he died. He even wrote that he “fought the good fight, finished the course and kept the faith.” 

Not everyone can say they know how they are going to finish. Do you know why?

It’s because not everyone is intentional about finding their destiny in Christ. Churches are full of good people who have no idea how to map out a strategy to fulfill their life’s purpose. Heck, most of us don’t know what our purpose is!

Let me tell you this: Your purpose is not your job or your paycheck. Your purpose is not your family or your comfortable home. Your purpose is not to teach Sunday School or show up in church every Sunday with a smile. Those things are the tools you use to reach your purpose.

So what’s your purpose? To snatch, drag, tackle or lead lost people out of darkness and into light! People are dying out there, and many of us are more concerned about our tools. We need to get our eyes on the prize and be intentional.

Thirteen years before his big finish, Paul put it this way: 

I am serious about finish well in my Christian ministry. I discipline myself for fear that after challenging others uno the Christian life, I myself might become a casualty.” – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 PTV (Pastor Troy Version)

Paul was like, “Look. I’m not going to be a world changer then collapse at the end of this thing.” 

Paul actually disciplined himself toward his big finish. He predestined it through his dogged determination to follow Jesus no matter what!

Paul wasn’t just living life forward to get to heaven. He was fighting to bring heaven to earth for generations of people, Jew and Gentile. That’s you and me! The least we can do, heck the best that we can do, is follow his example!

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Determine to fulfill your destiny by bringing people into the family of God. Make a plan of action, follow it through and to God be the glory!

From my book Living Life Forward

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A GOOD INVESTMENT

TODAY’S PROPHETIC THOUGHT

I Am a God waiting for My harvest. I have given you a field. Work hard at preparing the ground, sowing seed, watering and pulling weeds up by the root. It requires patience, sweat and dedication. I have given you everything you need. Use it.

A GOOD INVESTMENT

A harvest doesn’t just happen. It is not guaranteed, yet, the harvest is expected by God. There’s a great revelation in that because it’s not God’s job to tell us we’re going to have a harvest. It’s our job to tell God He’ll get a harvest out of us. 

He’s made an investment in all of our lives. What are we doing with that investment? Are we growing it? You and I play a vital part in the harvest of lost souls and the problem is not the seed or the ground. It’s the people left in charge of stewarding the harvest. That’s why Jesus said: 

 “Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” – Matthew 9:38

Laborers are people willing to put forth the work for the harvest – people with Kingdom agendas. The harvest only happens through commitment, personal dedication and hard work. 

Check out the Parable of the Sower in Mark 4:3-8. We’re all called to sow seeds of love and hope into lost lives. Some of us will sow on rocky ground and faith will spring up for a season in that ground, but wither away because there’s nowhere to take root. I would call springing up “30-fold.”

Some will sow into thorny ground where the heart is ready, but others come along and choke out the hope before it can yield a crop. I would call that 60-fold or “increasing.” Then there is the seed that falls on good ground. It yields a crop that produces 100-fold what was sown into it.

Think about the investment made in your life. Do you want to give Jesus back 30, 60, or 100-fold of what’s been sown into you? Some Christians are satisfied knowing they’re going to heaven – 30-fold. I’m not and I hope you aren’t either. 

Let’s you and I never settle for just being saved. You and I are people who hunger and thirst after more of God and we will bring Him a harvest of souls. Lord, renew our minds, renew our passion for the lost and cause us to bring you a 100-fold return on your investment in us.  

FROM MY SERMON SERIES LORD OF THE HARVEST

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Episode 64 – Revelation Report Episode 1

NEW BROADCAST EVENT! Every TUESDAY at 12pm CST join Pastor Troy and Jamie Galloway on facebook at pstroybrewer for their unique prophetic perspectives of what is going on in the world today and how we can RESPOND instead of REACT! This is the very first edition of this brand new report, listen today!

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WIMP-FREE CHRISTIANITY

TODAY’S PROPHETIC THOUGHT

I have told you, I have a plan for your life and it’s good. You must have a plan. You will not reach your goals without one. If you have trouble coming up with one, partner with Me and I’ll help you. With man, things may seem impossible, but with Me, nothing is impossible.

WIMP-FREE CHRISTIANITY

Kingdom work is not for wimps. It’s tough. This is something you need to learn. I have been a church builder for 21 years and this is something I just learned three years ago. 

Our church had a congregation of less than 100 people for the first 12 years and less than 200 for the first 16 years. We nearly starved to death. My kids didn’t get new clothes. I went five years without being able to buy my wife a single thing.

When I finally saved up enough money to buy her a suit we went through our very first church split. People believed I was becoming all “hoity-toity” and spending recklessly. It was the first time I had bought her new clothes in five years and we had a church split over it. I’m still mad over it, to tell you the truth.

I forgive them, but I’m going to let that keep me passionate. I can choose what I’m mad over and what I’m not mad over. It’s not of the devil to be mad. The Bible doesn’t say, “Don’t get mad.” It says,

“Be ye angry, and sin not…” – Ephesians 4:26a

God wants you a little bit fired up. That’s why this verse tells us to get fired up, but not to cross the line into sin. Let me tell you what fires me up: Why did I cater to those knuckleheads for all those years? I learned I need to have Kingdom objectives instead of their objectives.

If you’re in church or ministry for very long, you learn that and it’s a painful process. People form mobs and do things no right-minded person would ever do. Don’t jump on that bandwagon and, by glory, do not fear it and fold. This is wimp-free Christianity.

Like Jesus, know your objective – your goal – and set your face toward it just as He consciously went to the cross. The Word says He did it “for the joy set before Him.” Your reward is the same.

FROM MY SERMON SERIES LORD OF THE HARVEST

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THE STRONGHOLD OF THE IN-A-ME

TODAY’S PROPHETIC THOUGHT

You are powerful for the pulling down of strongholds and every high thing that exalts itself against Me, the Lord Almighty. Don’t see yourself as less. You are enough. You are dangerous to the enemy so tear down those walls.

THE STRONGHOLD OF THE “IN-A-ME”

So, you finally learn your wilderness lesson – to depend on Father God because He is your provision. You step over into the Promised Land and there are three things you have to fight. “What?!?” you say, “I didn’t sign up for this!”

Ah, but you did and believe me, you were built for battle.

The thing you battle is walled cities. They are also called strongholds in the Old Testament. A stronghold is a way that you have learned to think that doesn’t come from God. It’s in your mind. Yes, you’re battling what I call the “in-a-me.”

“Well, Pastor Troy, my first wife cheated on me and left. My second wife beat me up and left. My third one beat me up, cheated on me and burned the house down. And I have learned that women are whack.” 

Maybe, just maybe the problem is you are so unstable you are only attractive to unstable people. Maybe deep calls unto deep and you’re galactically stupid when it comes to relationships. That’s a stronghold. 

Want a stable relationship with a sane person who will love you and you can love them? You will not go any further unless you deal with your strongholds. You need a new way of thinking.

So, a stronghold is a way you’ve learned to think that doesn’t come from God. Racism is a stronghold. Believing you’re unworthy of love and will always be alone or always choose losers is a stronghold. Believing that because “my daddy was like this and so was his daddy, and so was his daddy, and so was…” Get my drift?

I once knew a man with a rockstar wife. She was gorgeous, funny, smart and loved him. Oh, she loved that man. He cheated on her with women not nearly as beautiful or as cool as her. When I asked him why, he said, “I’m Italian. That’s what we do.”

That is a walled city – a stronghold. It’s a lie or stereotype you’ve been led to believe is part of you and it will be part of your legacy to your kids no matter what you do. STOP! Who told you that?

I’ll tell you who – the “in-a-me” who has been listening to the enemy of God. He’s a liar and so is your history. Your family tree, your bloodline, your past – they are not who you are today and they are not your future. Your destiny is always greater than your history because once you invited Jesus into your life, redemption showed up. 

Redeem your mind. Give it to Jesus and tear down those strongholds. Just like Jericho, when you let the Lord have control, the walls will come tumbling down.

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have the divine power to demolish strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. – 2 Corinthians 10:4

FROM MY SERMON SERIES MILK AND HONEY

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