Troy A. Brewer's Blog, page 247

MAKING TRACKS

TODAY’S PROPHETIC THOUGHT

The Word tells us to walk by faith, not by sight. Yet, many keep looking for a sign rather than being the sign for others to follow. Today, walk by faith as a sign of God’s faithfulness so He can honor not only His Word, but your faithfulness.

MAKING TRACKS 

In the arena of Promised Land living, you never see what God has given you until you are willing to walk in it first. In other words, you have to be able to walk in it before you get it.

 Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the River Euphrates, even to the Western Sea, shall be your territory. – Deuteronomy 11:24

When God told Joshua to cross the flooded Jordan River and go into the Promised Land, he did something very different than when the Hebrews left Egypt to cross over into the wilderness. Who can forget about Moses and the crossing of the Red Sea?

But here at the gateway to the Promised Land, a different courage and trust was required as the key. The water didn’t part first like it did when they crossed the Red Sea. This was the Promised Land, and there was a new set of rules: they had to step into the water first. They had to start pursuing the Promised Land before the waters ever parted. 

If you want upgrade, if you want blessing and more of Jesus, the way does not present itself until you move toward it. You have to step into it first.

…and as those who bore the ark came to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks during the whole time of harvest), that the waters which came down from upstream stood still, and rose in a heap very far away at Adam, the city that is beside Zaretan. So the waters that went down into the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, failed, and were cut off; and the people crossed over opposite Jericho.– Joshua 3:15-16

Want out of the wilderness? Wade into the waters of your Kingdom purpose!

TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO TAKE THAT FIRST STEP INTO YOUR PROMISED LAND. GET OUT OF THE WILDERNESS AND MOVE FORWARD INTO UPGRADE.

FROM MY BOOK LIVING LIFE FORWARD

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DEPRESSION GOT NOTHING ON YOU

TODAY’S PROPHETIC THOUGHT

Never say, “never.” Your words are powerful. If you say them enough, you will start to believe them whether they are the truth or a lie. It’s time to listen to what you say and speak the truth instead of a lie.

THE “THINGS WILL NEVER GET BETTER” BLUES

Depression is real, and the devil loves to exploit it. 

Though some of us are more prone to depression, what’s real is that every one of us has to make a stand against that mental malfunction.

The truth about the devil is this: he’s extremely evil, but that does not make him big or extremely powerful. If you fight him on his turf, he’ll eat you for lunch. So fight him on the turf that Jesus gives you. It is there that you see the devil for the cosmic punk he is.

You see, the devil likes to work in darkness to bring doubt and depression into your life. In the dark, you can’t see how pathetic he really is. You envision him, and your problems, as horrible, undefeatable and unending. You believe the lie that “things will never get better.” 

However, shine the spotlight of truth on him and you have the same revelation as Isaiah:

Those who see you stare at you, they ponder your fate: “Is this the man who shook the earth and made kingdoms tremble, the man who made the world a desert, who overthrew its cities and would not let his captives go home?” – Isaiah 14:16-17

The fact is, we give the devil a lot more credit than he deserves. If you’ve seen “Star Wars” you know what I’m talking about. 

Remember how scary Darth Vader was? Evil with a capital “E.” Big, strong, ruthless, destructive. However, Luke Skywalker stood up to fear. He went on the offensive and defeated him. As Vader was gasping for his final breaths, Luke took off the menacing helmet and unmasked a scrawny, ugly, pathetic creature. Vader loomed large only because he played on the fear of others. 

Satan is like that. He’s not a brilliant strategist or a brutal general. He is a schoolyard bully – a child molester who preys on weak people, in their weakest areas, at the weakest time of their lives. That doesn’t have to be you.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary, the devil, roams the earth like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. – 1 Peter 5:8

He can only devour you with darkness and doubt if you let him. It says in James 4:7 “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” That’s the best advice for those dealing with depression. Resist it. Focus on God and all things good, and depression will flee.

TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO REALIZE SATAN IS MERELY AN EVIL OPPORTUNIST. BE AWARE OF HIM, BUT DON’T FEAR HIM. HE HAS ALREADY BEEN DEFEATED, SO REMIND HIM OF THAT THE NEXT TIME HE TRIES TO DROWN YOU IN DEPRESSION.  CHOOSE JESUS AND JOY WILL FOLLOW!

FROM MY BOOK SOUL INVASION

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BE AN OVERCOMER

TODAY’S PROPHETIC THOUGHT

Your selfless, faithful actions will result in authority over obstacles of evil. Your focus will be adjusted to God’s love and you will not just be a survivor, but an overcomer!  

BE AN OVERCOMER

Goodness is a catalyst for incredible miracles, transformations and moves of God. Why? Because it always has selflessness attached to it. And what does selflessness have attached to it? The love of God, which brings grace to overcome to the party!

Listen to what the Bible says about the God-kind of love:

Love… bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all thing. Love never fails. – 1 Corinthians 13:7-8

Wow! God’s goodness is seen in believing, hoping and enduring, but overcoming – that’s just plain powerful!

The supernatural power to overcome obstacles comes from serving others selflessly, which is the opposite of our nature. We are naturally selfish, so serving others is an act of our will. See, the goodness of God that overcomes evil starts off as a willingness to serve, but ends up as a transformational juggernaut, aka: Heaven’s momentum.

Heaven’s momentum comes from faithfully serving without losing focus or falling out. Heaven’s authority is also part of faithful service.

But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. – Luke 22:26

In the kingdom, authority is reserved for servants. When people are selflessly serving others, God and His goodness show up and change everything. 

TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO KNOW YOU ARE A WORLD CHANGER. SERVE OTHERS SELFLESSLY AND WATCH AS MIRACLES, TRANSFORMATIONS AND AUTHORITY TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES FLOW TO YOU FROM GOD’S GOODNESS.

FROM MY BOOK GOOD OVERCOMES EVIL

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Episode 12- An Interview with Steve Stone

Listen in as Pastor Troy has a conversation with horseman, musician, business owner, and liberator, Steve Stone about rodeo, music, and freeing girls and boys out of sexual slavery.

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LESSONS FROM THE WILDERNESS

TODAY’S PROPHETIC THOUGHT

There is a divine tension that perpetuates your destiny coming to pass. What might seem like a problem just may be your answer. What sounds like silence may be your opportunity to seek, speak or listen with your whole heart. 

LESSONS FROM THE WILDERNESS 

The lesson of the wilderness is that God protects those who stay close to Him no matter what. 

When He brought the Hebrews out of Egypt, God stayed in front of the people as a cloud by day and a fire by night. They followed, never knowing where they were going. The only strategy they were allowed was that of day to day survival. This meant sticking close to the goodness of God because that’s where the provision, manna, was.

We all have to live and learn the wilderness lesson over and over again in different stages of life. However, let me tell you this: the Promised Land is different from the wilderness, where you follow God and survive by learning to trust Him. 

The lesson of the Promised Land is that God blesses pursuit. Through God-given strategy and courage, the Hebrews took on walled cities, 31 kingdoms and warrior giants in the Promised Land. They followed their vision and God backed them up.

That’s how it works in your life as well. You learn how to trust God and live in His presence in the wilderness. Then, when you go after your vision for your destiny in the Promised Land, He backs you up. You don’t have to be afraid to pursue His will for your life.

So where are you? In the wilderness learning how to trust God for your provision? Or are you taking those first steps into your Promised Land? Maybe you’re already stomping around in your Promised Land taking on giants and claiming territory for the Kingdom. Whichever one is you, know that God is pleased.

Father God loves it when His kids move forward.

Who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end. – Deuteronomy 8:16

TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO TAKE STOCK OF WHERE YOU ARE. IF YOU ARE IN THE WILDERNESS, PURSUE HIS PRESENCE AND PROVISION SO YOU CAN STEP OUT INTO THE PROMISED LAND OF YOUR DESTINY.

FROM MY BOOK LIVING LIFE FORWARD

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JESUS LOVES YOU NO MATTER WHAT

TODAY’S PROPHETIC THOUGHT

God loves you so much! It doesn’t matter what you’ve done in your life. You can’t do anything to deserve His love, just receive it because He is love. Then be loving to someone else who doesn’t deserve it either.

THE LIE THAT “NOBODY LOVES ME”

Every Christian, no matter how long they’ve been walking with God, has to deal with the thought pattern that “nobody loves me.” It is one of the devil’s favorite lies. If you are smart enough to realize you are greatly loved by God and the circle of people you are blessed with, the devil will still try to get you to focus on the one or two dummies who should love you, but don’t.

Yes, I have people in my life – some are blood – who should love me, but they don’t. They likely never will because they just refuse. I have been incredibly hurt and disappointed because I want to be on their good side. I want them to value me. They don’t.

Who in your life fits that bill? How much time do you spend trying to get their love and approval? Here’s a news flash – stop.

Why should your attention be given to those one or two people who refuse to love you, when there are others who do care about and respect you? Shouldn’t you focus on them instead?

Here’s the gist of it all: When our mental attention is devoted to those who do not love us, our lives become afflicted in every area. Yes, EVERY area. If you want strife, focus on trying to please the unpleasable. You will self destruct!

Let me ask you a question. Is God the most amazing person ever? Is He perfect, loving, good and just? The answer to both questions is a resounding, “YES!” Then why do so many people refuse to love Him?

If God can’t make people love Him, what makes you think you can?

But God proves His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. –Romans 5:8

God loves you just because He does. You didn’t have to do anything to earn it. As a matter of fact, you can’t earn it and you don’t deserve it. It is just His character to love you because, the Bible tells us, God IS love. 

So, rather than focus on those few people you cannot please, focus on God. Get to know His perfect love, His ways and His truth. It will give you the ability to focus on those who love and support you.

TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO STOP CHASING AFTER PEOPLE WHO REFUSE TO LOVE YOU. FOCUS ON JESUS, WHO LOVES YOU NO MATTER WHAT!

FROM MY BOOK SOUL INVASION

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GENEROSITY MAKES GOD SMILE

TODAY’S PROPHETIC THOUGHT

Your heart will be filled with God’s goodness. As it is filled, your generosity will result in a selfless act of sharing your heart with others, thus pleasing the Giver. May the Lord fill your cup to overflowing! Be ready to partner with this.

GENEROSITY MAKES GOD SMILE

Did you know God smiles when He gives? He does. Why? Because the giving side of God shows up as goodness and looks like increase.

Yes, the Lord will give what is good; And our land will yield its increase. – Psalms 85:12

When God gives to you, His intention is to fill you up with goodness. He has a huge agenda to see goodness in every aspect of your life because He wants you to have so much, you can give a lot of that goodness away.

What You give them they gather in; You open Your hand, they are filled with good. – Psalms 104:28

You see, God fills you up so you can give to others. In that way, you are imitating your good Father. Your tiny ability to imitate God’s lavish goodness to those you love is not even on the same scale as God’s giving nature of goodness.

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your father who is in Heaven give good things to those who ask Him? – Matthew 7:11

When Father God gives to you, even the measure is called good.

Give and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. – Luke 6:38

God takes pleasure and actually enjoys giving to you. When He does, it is called “good pleasure.”

“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” – Luke 12:32

God’s goodness always gives away life.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” – John 10:11

You see, God’s goodness, like His love, is always selfless. Always! So the thing you need to know about goodness is that wherever it shows up, it is always life-giving.

TODAY IS A GREAT DAY FOR GOODNESS TO SHOW UP WHEREVER YOU ARE. SHOW OTHERS THE LOVE OF GOD AND THAT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS GOOD!

FROM MY BOOK GOOD OVERCOMES EVIL

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CREATED FOR UPGRADE

PROPHETIC WORD

It is time to stop walking backwards and to move forward into your upgrade. When you go backwards you are going against the flow. God is opening up streams of living water to quickly move you into that place He has prepared for you as you go after Him.

CREATED FOR UPGRADE

From little bitty babies, we were created to grow — to increase in knowledge, strength and wisdom. When Jesus the Creator breathed life into us, He breathed the yearning for more — to go deeper, higher and further — for upgrade.

“This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the Lord, the Maker of all things, who stretches out the heavens, who spreads out the earth by myself.” – Isaiah 44:24

You see, God prewired the entire universe to continue to create and expand. He is still stretching it out and with it, He is stretching you and I as well. Yes, your universe is still expanding! You are not a finished product. God is still working in you and revealing His wonderful heart towards you and me. 

This is why we are all creatures of hope. We want to pursue and dream. He made us to long for upgrade — but what kind of upgrade? Upgrade in RELATIONSHIP and KNOWLEDGE of Him. So what does that look like? 

It looks like a whole lot of fun! Chasing after His presence by digging into scripture. Hacking time out of a crazy schedule to battle for our families in prayer. Seizing the opportunity to praise and thank the King of Kings and creator of all things. Devouring this TBM daily Word for the Day and other devotionals aimed at connecting us to the very heart of Jesus. 

Yes, church and Bible study are also cornerstones of your walk, but Upgrade also belongs to you if you will pursue it. 

TODAY IS A GREAT DAY TO CLAIM YOUR UPGRADE! DON’T WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW.  JESUS LONGS FOR YOU TO CHASE AFTER HIM AND FIGHT FOR THAT NEXT LEVEL OF RELATIONSHIP.  HE IS WORTH IT!

FROM MY BOOK LIVING LIFE FORWARD

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WHAT IS GOD’S PLAN FOR YOU?

TODAY’S PROPHETIC THOUGHT

With every new vision comes a new mission He is trusting us with. Begin to seek God for ways to bless others. Who knows? It may become your ministry!

MIRACLE ON A HOT TIN ROOF

There’s no way I would ever have signed up to be a pastor. I was going to be a professional musician, tour the world, have lots of fans and live big. God knew my plan, and He knew it was going to take a bit of bait and switch to get me with His program. This is why I call Him “Jehovah Sneaky.” 

It all started with an 80 year-old man trying to put new shingles on his lady friend’s leaky roof. He only had the strength to climb the roof with a single shingle each day. He would nail it down, rest, then climb down. It was all he could do.

My father-in-law saw this and decided I needed to climb that roof and help that old man get the job done. Still wanting to impress my beautiful bride’s daddy, I beat feet over to the house and got to work. 

When I finished, the old lady offered a glass of lemonade to thank me. Leanna had come over, so we went inside. When she opened her refrigerator, we saw that lemonade was about all she had. Leanna made a run for the store and we filled her fridge and cupboards.

While the old lady was thankful, the old man wasn’t. “What about me? I need food too,”  he said, noting several of his friends needed help with groceries. So Leanna and I loaded up the back of my truck with bread and other essentials and took them back on Saturday thinking that about five or six people would show up. He brought over 30.

Within a few months, we were visiting over 50 houses every weekend to deliver food and pray with the people we were blessing. It was the start of the OpenDoor Food Bank, which was the start of OpenDoor Church as we know it.

God knew I wouldn’t sign up to be a pastor, but I’d say yes to helping a hungry neighbor. Today, that food bank feed thousands of people each year and our church blesses even more. I’d say that’s a miracle on a hot tin roof!

What is God’s plan for you? Have you been running from a blessing?

TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO ASK FATHER GOD WHAT YOU CAN DO TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR HIS KINGDOM. JEHOVAH SNEAKY HAS A PLAN FOR YOU, AND IT’S GOOD. TRUST AND OBEY — YOU WON’T REGRET IT!

FROM MY BOOK MIRACLES WITH A MESSAGE

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THE STARS OF HEAVEN AND THE SANDS OF THE SEA

TODAY’S PROPHETIC THOUGHT

I Am a creative God. I could have made just one kind of tree, one color of flower, but that does not reflect who I Am. I love variety in My children as well. The races are My idea because I Am a God of innumerable possibilities. You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

THAT’S THAT!

There are two kinds of seed of Abraham: the stars of heaven and the sands of the sea. The stars of heaven are his supernatural children. That’s us – the Gentiles. The sands of the sea are His natural children, the Jews. 

Don’t be hating your brothers and sisters, the Jews. Don’t try to make the Bible non-Jewish. “But Pastor Troy, the Jewish stuff doesn’t make sense and it doesn’t apply to me here today so I’m just going to ignore all the Jewish stuff.” 

When you take out all the Jewish culture and references, you take out all the Kingdom. You sanitize the savior and make Him something He’s not.

My friends, there’s no place for racism in the Body of Christ. If you show me a spirit of religion, I’ll show you something that is racist. Religious people are always racist, always. You don’t have time for that trash. 

The reason the world hates Jews is because the Jews carry the blood of Messiah, which is why we’re saved. The world hates Jews not because they’re black or white. Jews are every color and ethnicity you can possibly imagine. 

The reason the world hates the Jews is because of their blood – the bloodline and DNA of Jesus. For the Body of Christ to hate Jews is ridiculous because we are saved by the blood of the Lamb – Jewish blood!

Hear me on this: you cannot hate the Jews and love Jesus. You just can’t. So back away from that bandwagon and don’t believe the lie that “the Jews killed Jesus” so you should hate them. As I said, that is trash.

Our rebellion and sin killed Jesus. His love for us held Him on that cross. Whether you’re a star or a grain of sand, you’re a child of God and that’s that. 

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. – Romans 10:12

FROM MY SERMON SERIES PRAY FOR RAIN – INTIMACY

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