Troy A. Brewer's Blog, page 234
January 24, 2020
GOODNESS ON TRIAL
God is proud of you for demonstrating His goodness in the land of the living. His kids are a reflection of Him, so continue to represent Him well. Answer evil with good so people will follow you to the Father.
GOODNESS ON TRIAL
America could use a shot of goodness right about now. Headlines are filled with government infighting, Hollywood elite stomping their feet like children and special interest groups are demanding their way. While it feels good to fight back, there’s something more effective.
It’s called goodness and it’s a game-changer. The Bible tells us God is love and that He is a good Father. So if God is so good, why is America and the world such a crazy place right now?
I’ll tell you why, and it’s the same problem our communities and families have: If there were a trial, too few Christians would be guilty of spreading goodness. There’s very little goodness in most people who profess Christ’s name!
There is true power when the church is the good guy. We see the kingdom of God transforming lives and heaven invades earth. So wake up Christians! Pay attention church of America! Be known for what God loves, not for what you hate and want to judge.
You see, when the church, including it’s individuals, is the bad guy, that’s powerful too. The mob of hell forms and controls folks into thinking they are right and everyone else is wrong. Remember, Paul was writing to believers when he penned this verse, and it still rings true today:
“It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs at happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions and ugly parodies of community.” – Galatians 5:19-21
Guilty of forgoing God’s goodness? If you’re suffering from a lack of goodness, repent! Change your attitude and actions so you can bring others to Jesus with the gift of goodness.
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO BE DECLARED GUILTY OF SPREADING GOD’S GOODNESS! THERE IS NO GREATER HONOR FOR YOUR KING!
From my book: Good Overcomes Evil
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January 23, 2020
PREPARED FOR YOUR LAST CHAPTER?
Keep your momentum moving forward! You will scale mountains like it’s a valley and kill giants that are in your way as you run with full force toward your destiny!
PREPARED FOR YOUR LAST CHAPTER?
The Bible calls you a Living Epistle (2 Corinthians 3:2). This means you are a walking book, a living testament being written by God. Before your last chapter has finished into the grand masterpiece that blows heaven’s mind, you will already know how it’s going to end.
It will end with great victory.
Your story will not be a sad one filled with great exploits but ending with failure. Yours will be glorious because you are purposing, right this very day, to finish well. Like a modern Tom Sawyer, I know you are ready for your next big adventure. Just like Mark Twain’s masterpiece, yours too will have a great ending.
“But I reckon I got to light out for the territory ahead of the rest, because Aunt Sally, she’s going to adopt me and civilize me and I can’t stand it. I been there before.”
– Last line of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Don’t go back to where you were. Continue forward! Continue to go after destiny and quit living in your history. Strive for upgrade after upgrade. Go from deep unto deep chasing after the Lord’s purpose for your life – leading people to Christ.
When you finally finish accomplishing vision, killing giants, slaying dragons and mapping it out for others behind you, look for me. I’ll be there in that incredible place with the most interesting man in the world – Jesus. I will see you on that great day and we will celebrate together.
Until then, keep the faith and purpose to bring a bunch of people with you. The lost need found, so get to it!
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. – Hebrews 12:3
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO DETERMINE YOUR DESTINY. WORK TOWARD YOUR BIG FINISH AND NEVER LOOK BACK. YOUR HISTORY IS NOTHING COMPARED TO YOUR DESTINY!
From my book Living Life Forward
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MASTER MIND
Today is a good day to think about what you’re thinking about. God has good thoughts and plans toward you, it’s time you do the same!
MASTER MIND
Let me give you some spiritual beef jerky when it comes to your thinking. Having a Godly worldview and controlling your thought patterns is key to getting your upgrade and becoming a mature Christian. This is great stuff, so read on!
1) Until you let God change the thinking in your mind, He can never completely change your life.
2) God knows your thoughts just as He knows your actions.
“This says the Lord…For I know the things that come into your mind, every one – Ezekiel 11:5
3) God judges your mental actions just as He judges your physical actions.
4) God gives you the right and ability to stop a thought before it progresses into something else, like an action. Thoughts progress into feelings and then into behavior. Ouch!
5) The Bible says thoughts on the Word of God will progress into success. Thoughts separate from God will progress into certain judgment. Again, ouch!
6) One of the ways you and I forsake God is mentally.
“As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.” – 1 Chronicles 28:9
7) God asks His people to return to Him, especially in their thoughts.
Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. – Isaiah 55:7-8
8) It is possible to be aware of something without letting your mind go into carnal imaginations.
If you grasp this simple list and practice mastering your thoughts, you can change your life for the better and serve God in a way that brings glory, and souls, to the Kingdom!
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO COMMIT TO MASTERING YOUR THOUGHT LIFE. KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO “HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST” AND “TAKE EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE” SO THAT YOU CAN PROGRESS YOURSELF AND THE KINGDOM!
From my book: Soul Invasion
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January 21, 2020
DON’T BE A SAMSON
Determine to focus on Jesus and His destiny for your life. Make it your purpose to finish well. The Lord has equipped you with everything you need to finish well.
DON’T BE A SAMSON!
Samson was an amazing human being. Anointed by God as a warrior whose destiny was to wipe out the evil Philistines and free the Hebrews from slavery, Samson was given supernatural strength and speed.
Among Samson’s exploits, he tore a lion apart with his bare hands, caught 300 foxes and tied their tails together; slaughtered 1,000 men with a donkey’s jawbone; and finally, he pushed down the pillars holding up the Philistine temple, killing 3,000 people and himself.
Samson is even listed in the Hebrews 11 Faith Hall of Fame.
Now, you may have heard it preached that he finished well. A lot of people believe that because of how he died. This is how the Bible puts it:
“Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus, he killed many more when he died than while he lived. – Judges 16:30
Let me humbly say that, as much as I love Samson, it is never a good thing when your nation is better off with you dead. Samson was out of control. He was so out of tune with his great purpose, so stuck on himself, that his last prayer mentions “me,” “I” and “mine” no less than seven times.
Then Samson called to the Lord, saying, “O Lord God, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!” – Judges 16:28
Yes, a bad ending tends to ruin a good movie. It definitely ruins a legacy, especially when his was a life that was anointed by the Lord.
To finish well, you must walk out your destiny. You cannot leave that unfinished, and Samson did. Even the Angel of the Lord, announcing Samson’s miraculous birth, knew he would do great things, but lose focus and twist off.
“… for the child shall be called a Nazarite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.” – Judges 13:5
Samson did not vanquish the enemy. It took 400 years of additional slavery to these monsters before a red-headed son of a sheep farmer named David finished the task. Because he was a man of destiny, David left his son, Solomon, 40 years of peace and paved the way for the actual Prince of Peace.
Are you a peacemaker? Do you bring Jesus into ugly situations and shine light into darkness? If you do, don’t just do it for a season. Be like David. Finish well.
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO CONSIDER YOUR LEGACY. DETERMINE YOU WILL NOT FALL OUT OR LOSE FOCUS. THE SALVATION OF MANY IS IN YOUR HANDS!
From my book Living Life Forward
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January 20, 2020
A KINGDOM MENTALITY
God wants His Kingdom to come into your earth like it is in Heaven. You have a heavenly mandate. Be determined to stay the course. You are an important part of the tapestry of God.
A KINGDOM MENTALITY
Whether you know it or not, there is a battle going on for your mind. You see, whatever controls your mind, controls your words and your actions.
While the devil would love to control your thoughts and tries to take your attention off the things of God, the Holy Spirit puts up a fight by reminding you who you are to God and how you fit into His kingdom.
You see, a kingdom mentality is one that says, “You are a valuable and privileged part of something much bigger than yourself.”
And He said, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God…” – Luke 8:10
A kingdom mentality is one that says, “You are a part of something special that will never end.”
…and of His kingdom there shall be no end. – Luke 1:33
A kingdom mentality is also one that says, “You are in and you can never go back to what God has brought you out of.”
…And Jesus said unto him, “No man, having put his hands to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” – Luke 9:62
Do you have a kingdom mentality? Do you see yourself as a child of God, part of the family and a joint-heir with Jesus bringing heaven to earth? If not, get rid of your worldly, me-centered mentality and see what God’s plan for your life is. His way is always the best way!
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO LET HIS KINGDOM COME AND HIS WILL
From my book: Soul Invasion
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January 19, 2020
SPECIAL ORDERS DON’T UPSET US
Choose to start each day on the Lord’s side – with a heart full of praise. Praise will always bring God into your current situation. It always brings His light no matter how dark, frustrating, or chaotic things appear to be. The Lord wants to be your calming force in times of need.
SPECIAL ORDERS DON’T UPSET US
Being a goal-driven, strategic thinker and planner, it’s hard for me when things don’t go like I planned them. I know it’s impossible to control every situation, but I try to make sure my goals are met and there is a positive outcome.
When I was younger, I had a tendency to let everyone know my displeasure when things didn’t work out as I hoped. Grumbling loudly and letting others know their efforts were not up to my expectations was par for the course when the results of a ministry event didn’t match my expectations. Again, I was young and needed to learn diplomacy and flexibility.
It’s like the old McDonald’s jingle: “Hold the pickles. Hold the lettuce. Special orders don’t upset us.” How long would this fast food icon be in business if it refused to hold the ketchup? Or worse yet, if the person taking your order threw a big fit and told you that ketchup comes standard on every burger so you can take it or leave it.
I’d leave it and so would you.
When Christians throw a galactic fit, get angry or show our disappointment by grumbling against others, and even God, we are a poor witness for the Kingdom. Who would want to be a Christian if we talk each other down and act like babies when things don’t work out perfectly?
I have news for you. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be submitted to the will of God. It doesn’t always have to be your way, but it does have to be God’s way to be successful.
Like I always say, “Blessed are the flexible.” How many uncomfortable situations could you have had real peace in if you would just adopt this principle of thinking and leave the results of your efforts up to God?
By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. – John 5:30
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO NOT GET UPSET WHEN LIFE THROWS A MONKEY WRENCH INTO YOUR PLANS. THE OUTCOME IS UP TO GOD, NOT YOU. SO REPRESENT HIM WELL NO MATTER THE RESULTS.
From my book: Soul Invasion
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January 18, 2020
BOUGHT WITH A PRICE
God is waking you up to your dreams so you can walk in the purpose He has for you. While that purpose may not be clear, continue to glorify God in the way you act. Upgrade will come before you know it.
BOUGHT WITH A PRICE
Do you know why most people won’t get out of bed on Sunday morning? Just like you and me, they enjoy their down time. The difference is, you cannot convince them their life is not their own.
It isn’t that they don’t want to be fed the Word of God, or even that they don’t want to worship the Lord. They likely do. It’s just very, very difficult to get an American to believe they are not in total ownership of their own lives.
They lack character because they lack covenant.
A covenant mentality says “my job is to glorify God no matter what.” A covenant mentality says, “My life is not my own, but God’s.”
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Lack of a covenant mentality causes Christians to warm a pew on Sunday, then cheat someone out of money on Tuesday. It causes them to enjoy Bible study on Wednesday morning, then spend the afternoon in the gossip cauldron. You see, they don’t believe their business practices, their words, or their life in general actually belong to God.
Here’s the kicker about covenant: covenant is the only thing that causes God to respond to you! God doesn’t respond to your need, your riches, pain or poverty. He only responds because He created you – He owns you – and He purchased you back after you willingly became slave to a cruel master, the devil.
Do you lack Christian character? If you do, you likely lack a covenant mentality. However, that can change! You can get into covenant. It just means changing the way you think. Once your thinking changes, your actions will begin to change.
Focus on this: Your only job on this earth is to glorify God no matter what!
Whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. – 1 Corinthians 10:31
“Whether” refers to action. Whether you are eating, drinking, walking, sitting, laughing, crying, buying, selling, winning, losing, traveling or building – no matter what your circumstance – shine the spotlight on God.
Every human being is called to glorify God. There are individual purposes that go with that as to how we are to glorify Him, but we will never find that purpose unless we start with our calling – covenant!
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO GO AFTER YOUR PURPOSE. START LIVING YOUR CALLING – YOUR COVENANT TO GLORIFY GOD WITH YOUR LIFE NO MATTER YOUR CIRCUMSTANCE. YOU BELONG TO GOD – NOT YOURSELF!
From my book: Soul Invasion
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January 17, 2020
THE GREAT KINGDOM OF TEJAS
When hit by the winds of life we have an encounter through our emotions. When we hear the wind moving through the trees we have an external encounter with the unseen. Be the unseen Jesus that causes internal encounters others don’t see coming; refresh and revive like a cool breeze.
THE GREAT KINGDOM OF TEJAS
The Caddo Indians were remarkable. Over 400 years ago, their tribes were filled with farmers, warriors, potters, artisans and traders with a unique culture. They were so powerful, populous and advanced that Spanish explorers considered them civilized and friendly.
“Tejas” is the Spanish spelling of a Caddo Indian word “taysha,” which means “friend” or “ally.” In the 17th century, the Spanish knew the Caddo Indian people as “The Great Kingdom of Tejas.”
Sadly, this initial respect didn’t spare the Caddo from the common fate of so many natives who came into contact with European disease, guns and agendas. Within 200 years, their numbers dwindled and they were relegated to tiny reservations.
One of those early reservations was in my hometown of Joshua, Texas. Named after the biblical hero who brought the Hebrews into the Promised Land, Joshua was first known as Caddo Grove. Yes, I found my first arrowhead on Caddo Peak as a boy!
Just like the ancient Jews before them, the Caddo were uprooted time and time again, and managed to survive. Today, there are 4,000 of them, but few make their home on their Oklahoma reservation. They live and work throughout America as teachers, police officers, nurses, lawyers, electricians and artists – just like you and me.
You could say the Caddo have always been a friend to America, though America has not always been a friend to the Caddo. How ironic that the name “Texas” comes from a word meaning “friendship” from a people that Texas refused to be the friend of!
It’s just like that with Jesus.
Many have a hard time believing Jesus, good as He is, is their friend. Jesus has been feared because He’s different from us, blamed for things He didn’t do, hated because His presence doesn’t go along with our lifestyle. Ultimately, we just kick him out of our lives.
Still, He is known for His love. He is known for being a friend to sinners. He didn’t just die for you, He died and went to hell for you! He slapped death in the face because you and I couldn’t.
Yes, Jesus has proven to be the kind of friend that only He can be. Let’s not do to Him what the Texans did to their friends, the Caddo Indians. Don’t send Him off to a reservation far away! Reserve a place in your heart from Him. He’s proven Himself worthy!
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. – John 15:13
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO KNOW WHO YOUR FRIENDS ARE. REMEMBER THAT JESUS IS A GOOD FRIEND WHO DESERVES A PLACE OF HONOR IN YOUR LIFE.
From my book: Best of the Brewer
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January 16, 2020
DON’T FALL OUT OR LOSE FOCUS
God has a perfect plan for your life. Align yourself with His will and you will see your upgrade come in. Keep pressing in!
DON’T FALL OUT OR LOSE FOCUS
In my opinion, one of the greatest contributors to theological study is a guy by the name of J. Robert Clinton. A senior professor of leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary, Clinton’s famous study on leaders who finished well is considered a groundbreaking revelation.
In it, he says:
“There are around 800 or so leaders mentioned in the Bible. There are about 100 who have data that helps you interpret their leadership. About 50 of them have enough data for evaluation of their finish. About one in three actually finished well. Anecdotal evidence from today indicates that this ratio is probably generous. Probably less than one in three are finishing well today.”
YIKES!
Clinton goes on to list the major reasons great people do not finish in great ways, but what I find interesting is his six characteristics of leaders who do finish well.
1) They maintain a personal, vibrant relationship with God right up to the end.
2) They maintain a learning posture and can learn from various sources, mainly life.
3) They manifest Christ-likeness as evidenced by the fruit of the Holy Spirit in their life.
4) Truth is lived out in their lives so that convictions and promises of God are seen to be real.
5) They leave behind one or more ultimate contributions.
6) They walk with a growing awareness of a sense of destiny and see some, or all of it, fulfilled.
In other words, people who finish well discipline themselves like Paul so they don’t become casualties. Remember, Paul ran his race, finished the course and kept the faith. He didn’t do it just for him, but for generations of Jews and Gentiles after him.
What about you? Did you check off any of the boxes above? If not, you can begin to forge these characteristics into your personality right now. Destiny and finishing well is a choice. What say you?
…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. – Isaiah 40:31
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO CHOOSE TO BE A LEADER. GO AFTER YOUR DESTINY AND DON’T STOP UNTIL YOU ARE ACROSS HEAVEN’S FINISH LINE. THE LOST AND HURTING ARE COUNTING ON YOU!
From my book Living Life Forward
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January 15, 2020
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Take time to open Jesus’ gift of peace that surpasses understanding. Peace brings a refreshing rest to your soul. What soul couldn’t use the rest that Jesus provides?
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Jesus-driven thinking helps and heals. This is what the Bible has to say on the subject:
For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. – Romans 8:6
The Cherokee nation knew it too. Check out this spot-on tribal tale:
An old Cherokee chief was teaching his grandson about life. He told the boy, “A terrible fight is going on inside me. It is a fight between two wolves. One wolf is evil. He is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and self-doubt.”
The old man continued: “The other wolf is good. He is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.”
He then told the boy, “This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too.”
The grandson thought about it for a minute, then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”
The wise old chief replied, “The one you feed.”
What wolf have you been feeding? Just know the wolf of evil thoughts will eventually devour you, and likely others as well. Thoughts become actions and there is always collateral damage.
That’s not you! You can control your thought life and ensure the evil wolf starves to death.
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO FEED THE GOOD WOLF INSIDE YOU! THINK ABOUT WHATEVER IS TRUE, NOBLE, JUST, PURE, LOVELY, OF GOOD REPORT, VIRTUOUS OR PRAISEWORTHY. IF YOU DO, THE GOD OF PEACE WILL BE WITH YOU!
From my book: Soul Invasion
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