Troy A. Brewer's Blog, page 320
September 5, 2017
OF BASEBALLS AND BULLETPROOF BIBLES
As believers, there are three families we receive; the one we’re born into, the one we’re born again into and the one we choose to fellowship with while waiting for the biggest family re-union ever. Don’t let family hurts keep you from celebrating this precious gift.
OF BASEBALL AND BULLETPROOF BIBLES
Years ago, my son, Luke, and I were on sitting on the “home run porch” watching the Texas Rangers play ball. For a while, I was confident enough in my athletic abilities to pray for a ball to come our way. It would be cool to get our hands on a real major league ball.
At the head of the fourth inning, Michael Young drove a homer right to my seat. If you saw it on TV, I was the fat guy pushing people over to protect myself from the monster shot. There, on national television, I screamed like a little girl and jumped two full seats to my left to avoid that ball.
The really awesome dad right in front of me – apparently a real man – held his glove up in front of my face and, after catching it, handed it to his very impressed 9-year-old. Luke looked at me. I looked at Luke and we both busted out laughing.
Side note: Be careful what you pray for because you might look stupid when you get it.
One of the guys I crawled over was a 19-year-old soldier on leave from Iraq. For some reason, the whole situation reminded me of Private First Class Brendan Schweigart.
A New York native, Schweigart told his mother he always carried his Bible into battle, tucked under his bulletproof shield. One day, he was shot in the chest with a high powered rifle. That Gideon pocket Bible from boot camp saved his life by shielding his heart.
To this day, he has that Bible, bullet lodged into its pages – the bullet meant for his heart stopped somewhere in the book of Psalms. I think it’s a great idea to keep your heart protected with God’s Word.
Just like that soldier putting God’s word under his body armor didn’t know it would cause him to dodge a bullet, you and I often don’t realize that hiding God’s Word in our heart causes us to doge something much more lethal – sin. Be intentional – shield your heart.
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
– Psalms 119:11
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO FOCUS ON GOD’S WORD. HE PROMISES IT WILL ACCOMPLISH THE PURPOSE SET OUT FOR IT – SAVING YOUR HIDE AND MINE!
From my book: BEST OF THE BREWER
The post OF BASEBALLS AND BULLETPROOF BIBLES appeared first on Troy Brewer Ministries.
September 4, 2017
HOT HEAD AND BAD MOUTHS
The power of His presence manifests as we seek His presence in Spirit and Truth; Speak life and see His power work through you!
HOT HEADS AND BAD MOUTHS
Do you have a constant conflict going on between your ears? Maybe it’s time to bury your mental hatchet and make friends with your memories.
“A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.”
– Proverbs 15:1
You see, you attract or repel wrath by the words you speak. This is true naturally, spiritually and it is also true mentally.
When you generally have something ugly to say, you are going to attract the dislike, or the wrath, of others. An evangelist friend of mine used to call people like that “death breathers.” Your mouth, when not under control of the Holy Spirit, makes your mind a mental magnet for strife, trouble and conflict – aka death.
Be a life breather! Here are some verses to breathe energy and life into everything around you, including your thinking habits.
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
– Proverbs 15:4
A man has joy by the answer of his mouth,
And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!
– Proverbs 15:23
Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.
– Proverbs 18:21
There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise promotes health.
– Proverbs 12:18
Yes, right words will not only energize and motivate you for your next upgrade, they will get you out of mental trouble and bring mental health and healing! Suffering from depression, self doubt or an unforgiving mindset? Living in your past defeats? SPEAK RIGHT WORDS!
The bottom line is that you will prosper by letting God get a hold of what you speak about yourself and others.
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO MAKE A COMMITMENT TO BE TEACHABLE ABOUT SPEAKING LIFE. REPENT FOR PRODUCING A SEPTIC LINE INSTEAD OF A SWORD FROM YOUR MOUTH. GET ON YOUR KNEES AND FIGHT LIKE A MAN!
From my book: Soul Invasion
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September 3, 2017
WARRIORS AREN’T BORN
The battles you are going through today will be the stepping stone to the victories of tomorrow. Don’t let the enemy put a strangle hold on you. Persevere through. You will be ready for battle with the strength and stamina that God has given to you.
WARRIORS AREN’T BORN
In my day, fighting wasn’t a big deal. Today, if a fight breaks out, you can count on a mob or a gun.
My mind goes back to a terrible eighth grade bully. Held back three years, he was a foot taller than me and had the IQ of cool whip. He seemed undefeatable. After several months of being his piñata, my history teacher and two coaches took me aside for a clandestine meeting. It was years before I knew that word meant “secret.”
In short, they wanted me to fight back. They showed me how to fight and encouraged me. My chance at redemption came soon enough and I did what they taught me. I punched the bully in the nose. The beating that followed was classic in the annals of Joshua Middle School.
Another clandestine meeting. This time, encouragement and slaps on the back. “Way to go! You had him Troy! Why did you stop? You should have kept punching!”
In the end, I did put that bully down. I didn’t grow in stature. I grew in confidence through every terrible battle. I was no longer afraid of being beat up. My resistance discouraged that bully and he finally decided he didn’t want to mess with me.
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
– James 4:7
I learned how to be a warrior from that bloody season of my life. You see, you don’t learn to become a warrior through victorious battles. Warriors aren’t born. They’re made through a long succession of defeats. It’s all about getting back up and going after victory again and again.
Victory grows from momentum. The Bible calls it “faithfulness” and faithfulness is all about persistence. So be persistent in the battles between your ears. Battle darkness with light, lies with truth and overcome evil with God’s goodness. Invade your earth with heaven. It’s what you were made to do!
For You have armed me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.
– Psalm 18:39
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO DISCOURAGE THE ENEMY. GET UP FROM THAT DEFEAT AND TAKE A SWING AT SOMETHING BIGGER AND BETTER. DON’T BE AFRAID OF GETTING BEAT UP – THE VICTORY IS ALREADY WON!
From my book: BEST OF THE BREWER
The post WARRIORS AREN’T BORN appeared first on Troy Brewer Ministries.
September 2, 2017
BEAUTIFUL FEET
You bless the socks off of your Father God. He is so excited about your heart and your efforts to bring people into His family. He calls you and your feet beautiful for taking the Gospel to a hurting world!
BEAUTIFUL FEET
Have you ever wanted to tell someone about Jesus but you just couldn’t get the words out because you feared rejection, or worse yet, disappointing Father God by your complete and total failure?
Jesus commanded His followers to be witnesses to Him to the ends of the earth. This means you and I need to tell others about the greatness of Christ. Every time you tell His story, you are unleashing some of your untapped greatness— your upgrade to the next level.
Heaven applauds when you bring a lost sheep home to the house of God. But what is heaven’s reaction when you blow it witnessing to a co-worker or trying to bring a friend to the hope and peace of Jesus? What happens when you epically fail?
God smiles! He applauds!
Father God is pleased with your effort because you are not charged with the results — He is! We are told to plant seeds and water them, but never are you and I not called harvesters. God Himself reserves that difficult job for Himself.
Know this: the Devil will try to convince you God is disappointed, even angry at your failure. The enemy wants you to give up and shut up. Remember, the Bible says the devil is the “father of lies” who stands at the throne accusing you day and night.
When you’re worried you’re going to mess up, you freeze up and shut up. It’s a huge win for hell when the enemy convinces you that God is angry at you for not sharing the Gospel or messing it all up.
Let your mind be healed of that mess! Christ shed His blood to come against ALL the work of the Devil, including his lies.
You are a work in progress, learning and growing in wisdom and relationship. God is certainly proud of your efforts. Because His word never returns void and always accomplishes the purpose set out for it, you are a messenger and “how beautiful are the feet of they who bring good news!”
Do what you can. Don’t worry about falling flat on your face. The end result is God’s. Be faithful and have beautiful feet!
How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”
– Romans 10:15
FEAR NOT! TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO TELL SOMEONE ABOUT JESUS. IF YOU MESS UP, YOUR FATHER APPLAUDS YOUR HEART AND THE EFFORT YOU MADE ON HIS BEHALF!
From my book: Living Life /Forward
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September 1, 2017
HANDLING YOUR HATERS 101
The saying goes that home is where the heart is; Jesus says, “My home is in your heart.”
HANDLING YOUR HATERS 101
If you are chasing after God and His purpose for your life, you are going to have people who don’t like what you’re doing or the success you are having. It’s human nature to covet what someone else has, especially blessings.
So, how do you handle your haters? Let me give you three simple steps.
1) Be a purpose-driven person. Remain confident in your calling no matter what! When you have a purpose, you can focus without being distracted by your haters. The Bible says the face of Jesus was set like a flint toward Jerusalem and His ultimate purpose. Yours should be too.
And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
– Luke 9:51
2) Know something about your haters. The Bible says that when the first king of Israel was anointed, the children of Belial came out to tell him he could never be successful. Here is the guy who is going to take everyone to the next level, and the very people criticizing him are, in fact, worthless, trifling men who are too dysfunctional themselves to get anything done.
Don’t listen to people like that. Don’t let people who can’t get it together keep you from having it together!
3) Know you are in good company. The Bible is filled with great men and women who dealt with haters and naysayers. Jesus Himself said that if the world hates you, it is because it first hated Him. Yes, your family resemblance will work against you because the world is evil and loves darkness. If you are a shining light, you will be persecuted, but take heart, Jesus has overcome the world!
O God, the proud have risen against me, And a mob of violent men have sought my life, And have not set You before them.
– Psalms 86:14
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO BE A PERSON OF GODLY VISION AND PURPOSE. IGNORE THE NAYSAYERS AND CALL YOURSELF BLESSED BECAUSE YOU ARE IN GOOD COMPANY!
From my book: Soul Invasion
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August 31, 2017
JESUS, SLAVERY AND ME
God has set you free so that you can help set others free. Find those places and pass on the gift of freedom to others!
JESUS, SLAVERY AND ME
There seems to be a hatred for slavery connected to the day I was born. While I was bawlin’ for somebody to turn out the lights, 570 miles east of me, a young black man – a Christian by the name of James Meredith – looked at this hands and saw the color red. He’d just been shot.
An American veteran, Meredith almost died the day I was born. A white sniper thought he deserved to die for trying to go to college. He was the first black student admitted to the University of Mississippi, a flashpoint in the American civil rights movement.
Motivated by his faith and courageous sense of duty, Meredith stood his ground, lived to be an old man and saw his son, Joseph, graduate from the University of Mississippi with a doctorate.
He said, “Nobody and picked me. I believed, and believe now, that I have a divine responsibility…”
On that same day 101 years earlier, the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution abolishing slavery was officially adopted as law.
Lincoln once said, “Slavery is founded on the selfishness of man’s nature. Opposition to it is his love of justice.”
I get all lathered up over injustice and “what ain’t right.” I think it’s part of my destiny to be a redemption fanatic. I love freedom and hate control just like my Father God. He hates it so much, He gave us and His angels free will to choose whether or not we want to be part of His family.
I’m also like my big brother, Jesus.
Hating the chains on our hearts, He left His Father and home in heaven and became a man. He taught people about God’s love and home in heaven, then battled sin on the cross and slapped our slave master, Satan, in the face by rising from the grave three days later.
Yes, human slavery is wrong so why didn’t Jesus abolish it? Because that’s our job. We invented it. You see, He came to destroy a much worse, eternal form of slavery to sin, death and Satan. As free people who love justice because our God is just, you and I have a divine responsibility. Break every chain!
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
– Galatians 5:1
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO SET SOMEONE FREE FROM ETERNAL BONDAGE TO DEATH AND SATAN. TESTIFY TO A GOOD AND JUST GOD. SET A CAPTIVE FREE.
From my book: Best of the Brewer
The post JESUS, SLAVERY AND ME appeared first on Troy Brewer Ministries.
August 30, 2017
A WARRIOR SPIRIT
Don’t be deceived! You are more than you see in the mirror. God calls you a mighty warrior – a conqueror who makes the devil cower and flee. Send him packing to the pit of hell. Bring goodness into all situations and point to Jesus!
A WARRIOR SPIRIT
Don’t act surprised by the headlines. The Bible told you persecution is coming in America against those of us who demonstrate God’s goodness.
I didn’t say persecution was coming to America because it’s coming from within America against it’s own Christian community. Look at the news, social media and entertainment. Jesus followers are being called evildoers when we are not.
We are the white hats, the good guys bringing real hope to generations of lost people. Know this: the good guys are warriors!
The enemy, and those under his dark influence, needs to defame Christians so he can remove any influence we have over the culture. Though it’s hard to endure, this is part of the end times agenda and it is necessary. Why? Because true Christ followers need to be set apart from the world. We need to look and act different so people can choose!
As the time to Jesus’ return draws near, people will be deceived. The devil likes to substitute the truth for a lie and that lie, the Bible warns, is that the world will call good “evil” and evil will be called “good.”
It’s already happening. Soon, the world will straight up hate good and love evil. What should you do? Hide in your home to protect yourself and your family?
Huge mistake! You and I are called to fight for the souls of those who hate us and “spitefully use us.” Step up your efforts to love people into the kingdom! The battle is at hand! War is upon us so lock and load your spiritual weapons.
And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.
– 1 Peter 3:13-16
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO FEAR NOT. YOU’RE CALLED TO SET CAPTIVE FREE SO DEMONSTRATE GOODNESS AND PULL THEM TO SAFETY IN JESUS’ NAME!
From my book: Good Overcomes Evil
https://troybrewer.com/new-page-3/
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August 28, 2017
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 KNOW
Covenant 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.
TESTIFY TO LOVE
Whether you understand it or not, you are an overcomer. God is writing your story. Use it to overcome fear and doubt in the lost and hurting. You are a powerful witness and Jesus has your back!
TESTIFY TO LOVE
The Bible says you and I are overcomers. How do we get that way? Revelation says it best.
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
– Revelation 12:11
See, your testimony is your personal experience with the Lord. It’s an accounting of all the places He’s been with your and the hell you’ve taken Him through. It’s a record of the many times He’s saved you, turned you around and used you to bring the Kingdom of heaven to earth.
Just like you testify, or witness to something in a court of law, your testimony is the truth of what you’ve seen, heard and experienced about Jesus. And that testimony is powerful.
It is hope to the hopeless. When you tell them how God took mourning and gave you joy, they can believe in a good God.
It is peace to the restless. When you testify to a changed heart and fresh way of thinking, they will thirst after righteousness.
It is healing to the hurting. When you witness about His saving grace, the lost will be found and the dead will be raised to life.
Not sure what to say to that stranger? Afraid of rejection from your family or friends who need Jesus? Fear not! Just tell them your story and let Jesus use it to overcome their objections and doubts. How? With the blood of the lamb. Remember, it takes the blood of the lamb and the word of your testimony to overcome a skeptical heart. Jesus, not you, is responsible for the outcome.
It’s comforting to know God didn’t ask you to be a public speaker or evangelist. He asked you to be a witness to His impeccable character and unending love.
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
– Acts 1:8
Tell people how Jesus rescued you and changed your life in miraculous ways. The gates of hell cannot prevail against the truth of God.
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO TESTIFY TO LOVE. BE A WITNESS TO A HURTING WORLD THAT JESUS IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. HE’S MIGHTY TO SAVE AND WILLING TO DO SO.
From my book: Living Life Forward
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August 27, 2017
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 VAIN
As 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
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