Troy A. Brewer's Blog, page 243
November 2, 2019
WHO DO YOU LOVE?
God is always looking for ways to show you just how much He loves you through the circumstances of your life — good and bad. He doesn’t cause the bad. but He sure will speak to you through it. Put on your listening ears. Hear what He has to say because He is always speaking.
A FATHER’S LOVE
Odds are, you’ve never heard of Titanic Thompson. He sailed through life as the greatest poker-playing, golf-gambling, horseshoe-hustling, skeet shooting, womanizing, hell raking con man of all time.
His skills as a card cheat got him invited to play poker with Al Capone. Yes, he cheated the legendary mobster and got away with it. His golf skills were good enough to shoot 29 on the back nine of Fort Worth’s Ridglea Country Club, where he beat Byron Nelson by one stroke. Harry Houdini studied him to find his secret to swindling people.
I could go on and on. Look the man up on the world wide waste of time. You will find him to be fascinating. Why do I know so much about Titanic? His son, Tommy Thomas, is a friend of mine.
Now Titanic married five times and had several abandoned offspring, Tommy included. Always hoping to someday impress his infamous dad, Tommy caught up with him in San Antonio and the pair racked up millions from unsuspecting wannabes. Was the money great? Sure. But that’s not what Tommy was after.
Tommy was looking for his father’s love. All he wanted was to hear the words, “I love you,” even if they were from a deeply flawed man like Titanic.
Well, Tommy did hear those words as Titanic was drawing some of his last breaths. While it was great, Tommy’s life was truly changed when he heard his Father God proclaim His undying love for the cheating son of a card shark.
Today, Tommy is a preacher telling everyone how to beat the odds in life – death – through salvation in Jesus Christ. Tommy knows the secret many of us long to understand: Whatever exploits you’ve lived, good or bad, they mean nothing compared to who you love and who loves you.
And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love, with him I am well pleased.”
– Matthew 3:17
Who do you love?
LET IT BE SAID OF YOU THAT YOU LOVED JESUS AND HE TRULY, CRAZILY, AMAZINGLY LOVED YOU! IT’S THAT LOVE THAT MAKES YOU QUALIFIED TO BE PART OF HIS FAMILY AND BE INVITED TO LIVE IN HIS HOUSE FOR ETERNITY.
FROM MY BOOK BEST OF THE BREWER
The post WHO DO YOU LOVE? appeared first on Troy Brewer Ministries.
November 1, 2019
WHO IS GETTING CREDIT?
God wants the glory, but He wants to give you the credit. It’s His way of showing off your family resemblance. You are the apple of your heavenly Father’s eye and He loves it when you look and act like Him.
BAD CREDIT
In the summer of 2000, our outreach team did an outreach in Cleburne we called the “Not Quite as Hot as Hell Street Outreach.”
It was well above 100 degrees and we were cooking hotdogs and hamburgers over a huge outdoor grill in a parking lot.
I had invited all the local pastors from every church in the area to help us lead people to Jesus, then plug into the body of Christ. Since our church was not based in Cleburne, I thought it was a good idea to get the local churches involved.
Three pastors showed up that day and none of them were there to help. It became immediately apparent they were really there to check out what we were doing. In their defense, they didn’t know us, so I can’t really blame them for not inviting their congregations to help us.
However, one of them said something I just can’t forget.
When I explained we were rounding up hundreds of people and I was expecting a lot of people to be saved after the concert, one of the pastors asked me a question and he was dead serious – emphasis on the word “dead.”
“If we help you pray with these people,” he said, wiping sweat from his brow, “who’s gonna get the credit?”
I looked back at him stunned and said, “Jesus, I hope.”
This is the perfect illustration of the lack of kingdom mentality even among pastors. That kind of ignorance would probably explain why that brother has a congregation of 15 people.
See, he wasn’t out there because he was happy we were reaching people for Jesus. He was worried we were invading his turf.
So before you go out in ministry, missions or outreach of any kind, ask yourself, “Who is going to get the credit?” Make sure the answer is not you, but Jesus.
“…or is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
– Acts 4:12
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO SEARCH YOUR HEART. ARE YOU IN MINISTRY FOR GOD’S GLORY OR YOUR OWN? IF YOU DISCOVER YOU ARE TAKING CREDIT AWAY FROM GOD, REPENT AND REMEMBER HE IS MIGHTY TO SAVE. YOU ARE NOT!
FROM MY BOOK SOUL INVASION
The post WHO IS GETTING CREDIT? appeared first on Troy Brewer Ministries.
October 31, 2019
GOING AFTER THE KINGDOM DREAM?
God blesses pursuit. Pursue the Kingdom in a way that you can bless others. The reward is great!
AMERICAN DREAM
One of the most misunderstood ideas in American culture today is the “American Dream.”
In his article “The Dying American Dream,” Stephen Stone wrote something that I think is worth reading and considering.
“The term is used loosely to mean just about anything from the acquisition of wealth, to home ownership, to moral license, to success in court against McDonald’s – all without appreciation for the original significance of the Dream. Because the American Dream is largely misunderstood, as well as taken for granted, it is in danger of disappearing altogether.”
The purpose of the United States constitution is not to guarantee a dream to anybody. It is to guarantee the opportunityfor Americans to pursue their dream. There is a big kingdom principle in this.
You see, God blesses pursuit. He doesn’t bless you sitting on your blessed assurance knowing you’re saved, but not extending service or salvation to others.
So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain.
– Ezekiel 33:31
It’s an easy trap to fall into – pursuing your own gain and asking God to bless your dream.
Is there anything you are pursuing for the Kingdom? Do you want to open your own business so you can be financially solvent and use your business to bless others? Are you going after a monster job so you can get out of debt and start going on mission trips? Are you going after the gift of prophesy or teaching so you can build others up?
Whatever you pursue for God’s Kingdom purpose, your Father smiles on. He likes to see you moving forward and pursuing things that glorify Him.
So instead of going after the American Dream, go after the Kingdom Dream. Figure out what floats your boat and do that for the glory and advancement of God’s Kingdom.
Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. – Psalm 34:14
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO PURSUE GOD’S PURPOSE FOR YOUR LIFE. DISCOVER WHAT GIFT YOU HAVE TO SHARE WITH OTHERS AND MAKE A PLAN OF ACTION TO SHARE IT!
FROM MY BOOK LIVING LIFE FORWARD
The post GOING AFTER THE KINGDOM DREAM? appeared first on Troy Brewer Ministries.
Episode 17 – Leadership Training at Journey Church in Colleyville, TX
Pastor Troy discusses the difference between a supernatural church and a non-supernatural church. Also, the importance of us being a supernatural people and living a prophetic lifestyle without giving up the practical application of how to get things done strategically.
The post Episode 17 – Leadership Training at Journey Church in Colleyville, TX appeared first on Troy Brewer Ministries.
October 30, 2019
REPLACE DARKNESS WITH LIGHT
God’s grace is sufficient for you. Out with the old and in with the new. God is giving you a fresh start – all you have to do is give Him all the glory.
RENT TO OWN
Nearly 30 years ago, I worked for a rent to own company. One of my major responsibilities was to be the repo man for the low income housing projects.
Even though I had been called every racial slur and hateful name you can imagine, even though I had personally removed TVs, refrigerators and all manner of home appliance out of people’s homes, I saw a tremendous revival in those dark and desperate places.
It broke my heart to haul that stuff away from people who needed it, so Leanna and I started a ministry to combat good with evil. We bought refurbished appliances and every time I would repo something in the name of the company, we could return later in the evening with a used one and give it to them in the name of Jesus.
The same people who threatened my life earlier in the day, would weep, apologize and thank God for His goodness.
Because of this, they would attend the Bible studies and kids events we put on there. As a matter of fact, Leanna and I did a kids crusade in the projects and, in one day, we baptized 100 people in the same place where folks had thrown bottles at me and cussed me like a dog.
Not only will the goodness of God lead to repentance (Romans 2:4), it always teaches us something true about His ways. The outcome of goodness is transformation because goodness says things need to change for the better. That’s called redemption!
Good and upright is the Lord; Therefore will He teach sinners in the way. – Psalm 25:8
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO TRANSFORM THE ATMOSPHERE AND IMPACT IT FOR JESUS. FIND A WAY TO REPLACE DARKNESS WITH LIGHT AND LET GOODNESS OVERCOME THE EVIL THAT CROSSES YOUR PATH.
FROM MY BOOK GOOD OVERCOMES EVIL
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October 29, 2019
OVERCOME YOUR PAST
Overcome past hurts by asking Jesus to redeem your past. Jesus has already brought victory into your life by His blood, so apply it to the wounds of your past and see Him work in new ways in your life!
THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED
On Oct. 7, 1995, Waylon Jennings returned to Clear Lake, Iowa, the same way he left 36 years earlier – by bus. More than 2,000 fans packed the Surf Ballroom to see a world famous performer retrace some painful steps taken years ago.
You see, Waylon was made famous by not being on the plane that crashed Feb. 3, 1959, killing Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper. As you might have guessed, the last place Waylon wanted to revisit was the Surf Ballroom. Why? Because one of the seats on that airplane was actually his.
The Big Bopper was scheduled to be on the bus. Having the flu, he asked Waylon to switch with him. Being low man on the totem pole, Waylon agreed. Buddy Holly teased him, saying, “I hope your old bus freezes up. It’s 40-below out there and you’re gonna get awful cold.”
Waylon turned to him and said the last words he would ever say to his close friend – words he would regret for years to come. “Well, I hope your ol’ plane crashes.”
The next day, Waylon found out the same way the rest of the world did that three American music greats were dead. He spent several days sitting in a little diner at rock bottom wondering about his place in the world.
So, three decades later, Waylon returned to the Surf Ballroom. Gone was the clean cut look. As he walked onto the stage in his old age with his long hair and unshaven face, the music was different and so was he.
“This is kind of a special night for me,” he told the crowd. “I lost some great friends that night. You should have known Buddy, Ritchie and the Big Bopper. They were great. That’s all I’m going to say about that.” He then broke into “Me and Bobby McGee.”
That concert was more than a performance by a musician. It was about a man coming back to face the most tragic event of his life. You see, Waylon was an overcomer. When he left Clear Lake the first time, he was a struggling bass player in Buddy’s band whose future was in serious doubt. When he returned, he was a country music legend.
He went back to that place, but not as the same person he used to be. I don’t know if Waylon knows Jesus, but I know this: God will eventually lead you back to those places where you were once defeated and have you stand there as the bad motor scooter He made you to be.
“For thy sake, we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”
– Romans 8:36-37
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO RISE ABOVE YOUR PAST. THE THINGS THAT HAUNT YOU HAVE BEEN DEFEATED BECAUSE YOU ARE MORE THAN A CONQUEROR. YOU ARE AN OVERCOMER!
FROM MY BOOK BEST OF THE BREWER
The post OVERCOME YOUR PAST appeared first on Troy Brewer Ministries.
October 28, 2019
WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?
God is taking you to a new level in your thought life. Be free from the bondage that keeps you tied to wrong thought patterns. Trust God for your deliverance!
GOD FORSAKEN
Do you realize that one of the ways people forsake God is mentally?
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
Did you know God asks us to return to Him in our thoughts?
But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?” – Matthew 9:4
…and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”
– 1 Corinthians 3:20
So you and I have to get a real revelation that our thoughts do take us into other places, and that God really does observe our thinking. Get this: He blesses or curses us accordingly. Yikes!
We need these truths settled within us before we can really start working on a lifestyle that knows how to “brain freeze,” or stop a destructive thought before it stirs our emotions and becomes an action. We have to halt ungodly thinking.
Let’s you and I make a conscience effort to have true holiness of mind because we want a mind that is acceptable unto the Father. It is our job to let the mind of Christ be and work within us.
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO NOT FORSAKE GOD IN YOUR THINKING. TAKE DESTRUCTIVE THOUGHTS CAPTIVE AND REPLACE THEM WITH THOUGHTS THAT GLORIFY YOUR REDEEMER!
FROM MY BOOK SOUL INVASION
The post WHAT ARE YOU THINKING? appeared first on Troy Brewer Ministries.
October 27, 2019
GIFTS OF GOODNESS
God is bringing you into a new place where you will move forward in His goodness to help someone in need in an area that you have already gained victory. Trust the Holy Spirit to give you just what you need to say in that moment.
GIFTS OF GOODNESS
If you want to develop selfless kingdom skill sets and gifts of goodness, you must be prepared. It’s going to hurt.
You cannot guard your heart. To truly become selfless, you’ll need to let yourself get totally wrecked with the pain of others.
You see, the lack of empathy is the essence of evil. Jesus became a man so He could empathize with us. The least we can do is show empathy to others.
If you want to win a hurting world to the kingdom of God, you must consider the plights and hurts of the struggling lives you cross. You must submerge yourself in the mire knowing that Christ is with you. Let goodness lead you into messy places in desperate need of light and love.
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”
– Matthew 10:16
A good friend told me that she prayed to have a heart like God’s. She got what she asked for and she warned me, it came with a high emotional price.
The Father filled her with empathy and brought her a long line of people in dark, desperate situations. While walking through their pain with them, she said her heart was broken. She was totally spent. However, she said getting to take part in the victory when the pain was over made it worth all the emotional turmoil.
It’s time to get personally involved. Supporting ministries is great, but roll up your sleeves and get dirty. Feed and clothe people. Visit the hurting, lonely and imprisoned. Give generously of your money, time and attention. Bring love and order into messed up lives and get wrecked for Jesus!
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
– Hebrews 4:15
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY AND YOUR HEART WRECKED. REACH OUT TO THE NEEDY AND STEP INTO THE DITCHES. PROCLAIM THE LOVE OF JESUS TO A DESPERATE WORLD!
FROM MY BOOK GOOD OVERCOMES EVIL
The post GIFTS OF GOODNESS appeared first on Troy Brewer Ministries.
October 26, 2019
WHO IS GUIDING YOU?
Work with the Holy Spirit and position yourself where He wants you. It’s time to be aligned with God and the plans and purposes He has for your life!
DIRECTIONALLY CHALLENGED
Some people have a knack for direction. Others are just naturally as lost as a burp in a hurricane. On July 17, 1938, pilot Douglas Corrigan took off from Brooklyn’s Floyd Bennett Field as family and friends watched. He carried with him two chocolate bars, two boxes of fig bars, a quart of water and a U.S. map with the route from New York to California clearly marked out.
His plan was to fly non-stop across the continent in his V8 Curtiss Robin. It was a foggy morning and Corrigan flew into the haze, then disappeared.
Twenty-eight hours later, he successfully landed – in Dublin, Ireland! Yes, he was 3,000 miles in the opposite direction, but instantly became a hero. Despite flying the wrong direction, he accomplished a feat thought impossible at the time. However, he was forever known as “Wrong Way Corrigan.”
I am one of those people who, if you blindfold me then turn me around a bunch of times, I would likely be able to point north once I stopped being dizzy. It’s kind of like a quote I heard in the 1980 movie, “The Mountain Men.” Brian Keith says to Charlton Heston, “No, I never get lost. Fearsome confused for weeks at a time, but I never get lost.”
The bottom line here is that it’s not good to be lost, no matter how you get that way. As your pastor and friend, my prayer is that God will lead you, guide you and direct you into better places. How can He do that? The power of the Holy Spirit, that’s how! He’s your navigation system.
Call on the Holy Spirit when you need clear definition for your forward progression. If you fall out, call out to Him and get back on track. You may be fearsome confused, even going in the opposite direction, but God will make sure you are found.
“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? – Luke 15:4
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO LET THE HOLY SPIRIT BE YOUR GUIDE. LOST OR GOING THE WRONG DIRECTION? ASK JESUS TO BE YOUR NORTH STAR AND LET HIM POINT YOU HOME.
FROM MY BOOK BEST OF THE BREWER
The post WHO IS GUIDING YOU? appeared first on Troy Brewer Ministries.
October 25, 2019
WHAT IF…?
Look to the question for the answer. God is turning your mind upside down to give you a fresh perspective. Find Him in the places you never would have expected!
WHAT IF?
What if you didn’t need a disaster to run to the presence of God?
What if, right now, you began to thirst after a powerful, intimate experience with God?
What if you and I, right now, cranked up the value we have for hearing God speak?
What if you let your experience with God during tough times you’ve already gone through teach you that, in Jesus Christ, you have life, and you will never find it elsewhere?
What if you put your complete dependency in Him right now, no matter how blessed you are?
What if you were just as desperate for Him today as you were in any time you were devastated by a terrible circumstance?
The power and manifest presence of God would show up the same way in your Promised Land as He does in your wilderness, that’s what! Only it would be better because the whole thing would be initiated by your longing for Him instead of a reaction to a painful circumstance.
If you and I could manage that, I promise you, there would be answered prayers like we have never seen and supernatural breakthrough like we have never experienced. Chase after God in good times, not just during trials.
I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together.
I sought the Lord, and He answered me;
He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
– Psalms 34: 1-5
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO ASK, “WHAT IF?” WHAT IF YOU TRULY CHASED AFTER GOD EVEN WHEN LIFE WAS GOOD? TRY GOING AFTER HIS HEART WHEN YOU’RE BLESSED AND WATCH HIS BLESSINGS FLOW!
FROM MY BOOK LIVING LIFE FORWARD
The post WHAT IF…? appeared first on Troy Brewer Ministries.
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