Troy A. Brewer's Blog, page 321

THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN

TODAY’S PROPHETIC WORD

The more you focus on Jesus and magnify Him, the smaller you will become. God is looking for those who will magnify Him. Tell others of His works in your life and He will show up in big ways.

THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN

Paul got smaller the longer he walked with the Lord. You can clearly see it in his writings. When he wrote his letter to the Galatians in 58 A.D., he starts off by letting everyone know his credentials.

Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead)…

– Galatians 1:1

Just a year or so later when he writes to the Corinthians, Paul doesn’t put so much stock in his title or credentials. His perception of himself has changed dramatically.

For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

– 1 Corinthians 15:9

And about five years after that, in 64 A.D., he doesn’t even call himself an apostle. In fact, Paul sees himself as “least among the saints.”

To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ…

– Ephesians 3:8.

Three years later, at the end of his life and sitting in a Roman dungeon, Paul did not consider himself higher than anyone in the church. No longer quoting his credentials and touting his God-given titles, he wrote to Timothy, the young pastor of the biggest church in the world at the time. In this letter, Paul called himself “the chief of sinners” because he counted his sins so grievous. Praise the Lord that Jesus counted them as forgiven!

You want to know how Paul dealt with all the conflict, persecution, peril and outright hell he had to endure as an apostle and martyr of the early church? He got small. Prison will do that to a man. With nothing else to do, nowhere to go and no one to lord over, inmates are forced to get small. Paul was.

He knew it wasn’t about him, but about Jesus. This knowledge gave Paul the ability to “finish his course” as written in 2 Timothy 4:7.

What about you? Do you want to finish your course well? Can you become a prisoner of God’s mercy and grace so that Jesus can become large in the eyes of non-believers? Remember, the smaller you get, the more God can use you!

TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO GET SMALL SO THE WORLD CAN SEE JESUS. TESTIFY TO HIS GOODNESS AND GIVE HIM THE GLORY BY TELLING SOMEONE WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR YOU!

From my book: Soul Invasion

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THE REAL DEAL

TODAY’S PROPHETIC WORD

Jesus is the only truth you need. Let go of the lies of the past and let Jesus fill you up. Only Jesus can satisfy the hunger in your soul.

THE REAL DEAL

When I was a kid, I was a comic book freak. I loved Spiderman because of his good attitude and Conan the Barbarian because of his terrible attitude. If the stories went stupid, there was always a great full page ad to spark my imagination.

Oh, how I wanted the sea monkeys, a hovercraft and the little machines you could use to make counterfeit money. Charles Atlas wanted to beef me up to take on the bully with his 15-minute trainer. I fantasized about buying the ant farm or the zombie mask. However, the one wonder I couldn’t resist was the x-ray glasses.

These specs were advertised to help a young man full of testosterone see past the heavily clad ladies of our youth. I wondered why everyone didn’t have a pair, but quickly came to the conclusion that it was because I was a visionary genius.

So, in 1979, I saved up a whopping $1.99 for my x-ray glasses and another $5 for shipping and handling. I also dedicated the next six weeks of my life to checking the mailbox each and every day because if my mom found out I was trying to see through walls or cheerleading sweaters, I would be dead.

After what seemed like an eternity, I got a very small package in the mail. Inside was a very lame pair of cardboard glasses. I was crushed. It was a scam. Who knew? I felt so cheated and stupid. It was my first real taste of a dishonest world full of cheating schemes.

Who knew you couldn’t trust people trying to help little boys see through locker room walls and into bank vaults for the combinations?

Thanks to the father of lies, our world is filled with scams, con artists and just plain lies. Where do I run where I know I’ll never get ripped off or disappointed? My hope is in Jesus.

You see, the proof of authenticity is not just in the book, it’s in the lives of all of us – believers who love the Lord and serve his people. We see miracles, live beyond what is reasonable and shoot for limitless possibilities. We love beyond our capacity and live beyond our means.

We choose to be battleships instead of cruise ships. What is real is the hope of Christ in us. What about you? Do you have this hope? It not, let the truth set you free.

“They cried to You, and were delivered; They trusted in You, and were not ashamed.”

– Psalms 22:5

TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO BE THE REAL DEAL. LET THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH TRANSFORM YOU INTO A WARRIOR COMMITTED TO RESCUING POW’S FROM SATAN’S GRIP.

From my book: BEST OF THE BREWER

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FORMER THINGS

TODAY’S PROPHETIC WORD

You are a chain breaker! God calls you mighty for the pulling down of strongholds, so start pulling. He has plans to give you hope, a future and to prosper you if you continue moving forward in freedom.

FORMER THINGS

I love the scene in the movie Forrest Gump where the bullies are throwing rocks at young Forrest and Jenny. Forrest has braces on his legs, and Jenny, fearing for his safety, yells, “Run, Forrest! Run!”

Forest takes off, slow and bumbling because of the metal holding his legs. Swinging his scrawny limbs awkwardly, Forrest only makes his escape more slow and cumbersome every time he turns his head to see the three little monsters pedaling their bikes. They are gaining on him!

Finally, his efforts break the braces. They fall away and Forrest is free to truly run. It’s interesting to me that from this point on, Forrest Gump never looks back!

There’s a message in that for you and me! You see, looking back can be dangerous, because it limits God’s power in your present and future. When you look back, you see your failures. You see your tormentors gaining ground. Anxiety mounts.

Let me tell you a little something about anxiety. Anxiety is nothing more than imagining a future without God in it. Anxiety is all about things that haven’t happened and probably never will. Stop trying to bring trouble from the past to your today and tomorrow!

Old hurts, habits and hangups need to stay in the past. Relationships that tear you away from God’s purpose should remain there too. You know where you’ve been, so don’t look back the way the children of Israel looked back at Egypt, or the way Lot’s wife looked back at Sodom and Gomorrah. They actually longed for the bondage and sin they left behind!

Hear me on this: that’s not you! You are a kingdom thinker. When you look to your past, you look for Jesus working in your life. When you do this, you learn to see Him in your present and future.

Did He give you direction when you had none, or provide a miracle that changed everything? Did he provide blessings and favor? Maybe He saved you from disaster? He was with you, I promise you that!

Your past is something you should learn from, build upon and find Jesus in. He’s there. He’s the only reason to look back. Now, run!

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

– Isaiah 43:18-19

TODAY IS A GREAT DAY TO BREAK THE BONDS OF THE PAST AND RUN BOLDLY TO A FUTURE WITH JESUS. KEEP YOUR EYES FIXED ON THE KING AND LEAVE THE FORMER THINGS IN THE DUST WHERE THEY BELONG!

From my book Living Life /Forward

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THE NEW 30

TODAY’S PROPHETIC WORD

The change that is upon you means it’s time for a new beginning. Instead of grumbling about change, embrace it and move to the next level God has for you!

THE NEW THIRTY

It’s funny, but I’ve never dreaded growing older. In fact, I realize 50 is the new 30!

Sure I have a healthy realization that my days are numbered. At the same time, I feel like I have lots of life to live. I no longer feel bullet proof, but at 50 I passionately believe in mortality and eternity at the same time. I think that’s a good thing.

I’ve enjoyed each season of my life and life has done nothing but get better and better. Why?

The key to a healthy attitude and victorious Christian living is a willingness to embrace transition. A blessed life is one that is growing and transforming. I also know I would not only be cursed, but I would be a curse to everyone around me if I was still the same person at 50 that I was at 21.

You see, transition is not about getting older. It’s really about advancing. We have to learn how to live “from faith to faith, everlasting to everlasting.” It’s about learning how to hope for big things and remain confident through constantly having to deal with closure.

In 50 years, I’ve said a lot of good-byes, yet I’m always hopeful of new beginnings. I’m not going to change someday. I already have and will continue to do so time and time again. Yes, change is here to stay.

You and I will live in a different world 10 years from now – some a lot better and others a whole lot worse. Since we have no control over the direction of our world, we might as well have control over our ability to be more thankful, hopeful, joyful and useful. Yes, useful! You should be too.

Lord, as times and seasons swirl past, use me to bring others to you. Help me to transition, upgrade and continue to get better and better until You call me home. And may I bring a lot of people with me! That’s my prayer for you, too! Don’t show up at your Father’s house alone!

So teach us to number our days,

That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

– Psalms 90:12

TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO EMBRACE YOUR TIMES AND SEASONS. FEAR NOT! GO AFTER YOUR NEXT TRANSITION AND PURPOSE YOUR HEART TO LOVE MORE PEOPLE INTO THE KINGDOM.

From my book: BEST OF THE BREWER

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THE RIGHT WAY TO DO THINGS

TODAY’S PROPHETIC WORD

Carry the name and the presence of God in a way that pleases Him. You are an ambassador of Christ when things go right or wrong. Glorify God in all things.

THE RIGHT WAY TO DO THINGS

I can’t stand it when things aren’t done right, especially in the body of Christ. Like most leaders, movers and shakers, I get a God-given vision and I want to see it through – the right way.

The Lord made one thing crystal clear to me about the work you and I do for him: Just as there is a right way to do all things, there is a right way to handle those things which are not done right.

Make whatever situation you have been handed glorify the Lord. Remember my mantra: blessed are the flexible. Retain your witness and trust the Holy Spirit to lead you through what sometimes feels like failure – painful failure.

Know this: there will be a time for corrections after the situation is over. However, at that critical point, Jesus is trusting you to make the most of a mess – and the most of His name!

If you worked at a large corporation where the boss was on the top floor and you never saw him, but you worked with his daughter, and she was always angry, blaming others, firing people and letting everyone know what a bad job they were doing, what would you think of her father, the boss man?

You would think he is just like his angry, messed up daughter!

Remember, we bear the family name of Jesus Christ. When we lose it, pass the buck or attack other Christians when things don’t go as we planned, we’re putting a black mark on our heavenly Father’s reputation. This is also called “taking His name in vain,” and it’s one of the Ten Commandments.

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

– Exodus 20:7

TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO REMEMBER YOUR FATHER’S GOOD NAME. YOUR ACTIONS ARE A WITNESS TO HIS GOODNESS AND MERCY, SO SHOW GOODNESS AND MERCY ESPECIALLY WHEN THINGS ARE NOT GOING AS PLANNED!

FROM MY BOOK: SOUL INVASION

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HIGHLY FAVORED OF THE LORD

TODAY’S PROPHETIC WORD

The Lord is glad for your service. He loves it when He can count on you to bring goodness into a world of evil. You bring light into darkness and point toward your Savior and King! You are HIs favored child!

HIGHLY FAVORED OF THE LORD

If you’ve been told that you can wish positive things into existence, you’ve been sold a bill of goods by the father of lies, Satan. While the world wants you to believe wishful thinking will bring victory, it doesn’t. Why not?

Because wishful thinking is all about your desires and leaves out the plans God has for you. It’s not enough to want those things, or to work at them when you have the time or resources.

If you want to see God move in your life, ministry, family or job, you cannot move to the next level or truly bless others until you not only go after those things, but are consistent.

That means you show up every time you say you will with the right attitude and you strategically plan for a positive outcome. This always includes glorifying God.

You know I enjoy crazy favor with the Lord. How did I get that? Twenty-two years ago, I was consistent with a little – taking groceries to a few elderly people on weekends.

I could have done that once, patted myself on the back and moved on. I could have used any number of excuses to move along – time, family needs, my own financial mess – but I didn’t.

People were counting on me. For many, it was life and death. What would have happened if I decided to change my game plan and say, “Someone else can do it for awhile,” because I was tired, discouraged or off wishful thinking for something else?

I enjoy God’s favor because I don’t fall out or lose focus. God knows I’m strategic about the kingdom and finding ways to bring heaven to earth.

Want favor? Find the inconsistencies in your service and repent! Make a plan to take that territory for Jesus, come rain or shine!

All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.

– Galatians 2:10

TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO KEEP GOING EVEN WHEN OTHERS FALL BY THE WAYSIDE. PUT WISHFUL THINKING ASIDE AND DO SOMETHING TO GLORIFY JESUS!

From my book: Good Overcomes Evil

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THE FACTS OF HAVING A LIFE

TODAY’S PROPHETIC WORD

Don’t look at what others have in an envious way, but be thankful knowing that God can do the same thing for you. See the blessings you do have and be thankful. God rewards a thankful heart!

THE FACTS OF HAVING A LIFE

If you can’t handle being despised when you haven’t done anything to deserve someone’s hatred, you can’t handle being a Christian.

Because God blesses His people, He shows favor for those who love Him. The world just can’t figure that out.

He will cause a younger son to get the inheritance or a divorced wife to find the best husband in the world. He will cause the tornado to miss your house when it destroys all those around it. Why? Because He loves to make a difference through and for insignificant people.

This doesn’t make others happy. In fact, people will become suspicious of you – even envious or hateful toward you. Why should you get a break when they don’t? Why should you be blessed when they are not? You shouldn’t have peace and joy because they don’t.

When you are hated by the world because you belong to God and He blesses you, don’t stop following God. Don’t let your detractors keep you from going after God and all He has planned for your life.

If you soldier on, He will make enemies who should defeat you, to become defeated. He will take the sickness that should kill you, and kill the disease. He will take your pain-filled head and turn it into a mouth filled with praise.

When God stands up for His children, it makes people mad. When you are obviously blessed, others get upset and jealous. These are the facts of life in a world full of death. Know it and learn to deal with it through prayer and perseverance. Your example may lead to your enemy’s salvation.

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

– Matthew 5:44-45

TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO KNOW THAT IF YOU ARE BLESSED, YOU WILL HAVE ENEMIES. PRAY FOR THOSE WHO WANT THE BLESSING YOU HAVE. ASK THAT THEY BE CONVICTED, CORRECTED AND BROUGHT RIGHT WITH GOD SO THEY CAN BE BLESSED AS WELL.

From my book: Soul Invasion

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A TALE OF TWO KINGS

TODAY’S PROPHETIC WORD

There are probably innumerable miracles wrapped up in the beauty of everyday blessings. These hidden miracles are awaiting notice to activate your praises so as to release more! Look for them!

A TALE OF TWO KINGS

Several years ago, a man named James King woke up on a Wednesday morning with a word and a mission. That word? “God is going to help me find that little girl today.”

The girl was Nadia Bloom, an autistic child who had gone missing without a trace four days earlier near an alligator infested swamp. Police and rescue workers had given up hope of finding the child alive, saying they needed a miracle.

They got one that Wednesday afternoon. James King dialed 911 and said, “I’ve found the missing girl, Nadia.”

The chief of police said, “I I never believed in miracles before, I do now.”

The details of the “Miracle in the Swamp” were broadcast worldwide, including King saying, “God led me to her. He told me to recite Proverbs three and call out her name.”

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.

– Proverbs 3:5-6

“That’s what I did and I found her,” he told the national media.

Nadia’s dad added, “Let’s give the glory to God.”

I know another King who searches for and finds lost people. This King is also a miracle worker willing to go where nobody else is willing to rescue the hurting and save the lost. This King is actually the King of Kings and I know Him personally.

In whatever swamp you find yourself sinking in this week, call out to the King who can save and redeem. He want’s to pull you out of the mire and clean off the grime, setting you on the correct path.

TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO BELIVE IN MIRACLES. LOOK FORWARD TO THE IMPOSSIBLE WHEN YOU CALL KING JESUS FOR HELP!

From my book: BEST OF THE BREWER

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THE END OF YOUR ROPE

TODAY’S PROPHETIC WORD

The Father is there for you. Cry out to Him, seek Him and you will find Him. He says to ask and keep on asking, seek and keep on seeking, knock and keep on knocking. It is a lifestyle that takes being intentional.

THE END OF YOUR ROPE

On Thanksgiving morning of 2000, my wife and I were staying in a crummy hotel in London, England. It was our very first mission trip and that day was going to be a biggie. To us, it seemed that we were at the end of the earth and nothing was going our way – nothing.

I woke up very early because my internal clock was out of whack and when I opened my Bible, my eyes fell on Psalm 61. God really moved that morning when I realized that this verse is deeply personal for you and I, just as it was for David when he penned it.

Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You,When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

– Psalms 61:1-2

When David says he will cry out to God from the ends of the earth, he is not talking about geographical location. In modern terms, we would translate that phrase as “the end of my rope.”

To stress the point, the very next thing David says is that his heart is “overwhelmed.” He is really at the end of his rope or “at his wits end.”

The last thing Jesus said before His ascension into heaven is that he would be with us always, even unto the “ends of the world.” What our Savior was really saying is that He would be with us to the end of our ropes, when our hearts are overwhelmed. He promised to be with us even at our wits end!

For your survival, you need to learn how to find the presence of Jesus when your heart is overwhelmed. That ability is limited by your ability to seek Jesus at the end of your rope. Trouble is, when you are there, you generally throw a fit when you should bend a knee or bow a head.

Been there before? I have. My world has come crashing down and, in despair, I stomped my foot and demanded to know why all this was happening to me. Heaven was silent. However, when I learned to get small – to be humble in the face of great adversity – and ask the Lord for help because I’m at the end of my rope, deliverance came.

It came that dreary Thanksgiving Day in England, and it will for you as well.

TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO LEARN HUMILITY IN THE FACE OF GREAT DESPAIR. WHEN YOU ARE AT THE END OF YOUR ROPE, DON’T THROW A FIT! BEND A KNEE AND ASK FOR HELP FROM YOUR FATHER WHO LOVES YOU.

From my book: Soul Invasion

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DO YOU NOT PERCEIVE IT?

TODAY’S PROPHETIC WORD

Do you hear it? Jesus is calling you into new and deeper places. He is ultimately personal with you, knowing your fears and desires. He is asking you to come closer. Do you hear Him?

DO YOU NOT PERCEIVE IT?

The Bible is very clear: God never changes. He stays the same yesterday, today and forever. There is no shadow of turning in Him. He is a rock, a fortress and our strong tower. These are incredible attributes.

So if He is constant, how does He always manage to show up in our lives in new and different ways?

Because He is amazingly personal with each of us. He is so amazing that He’s indescribable.

That’s what Paul called Jesus in 2 Corinthians 9:12 – an indescribable gift.

Paul understood there are not enough words to describe Him. As a matter of fact, the tripped out cherubim who endlessly fly around His throne each have four faces. As they circulate, these four faces see new and different attributes of God and are constantly amazed, crying out, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty.”

Just like that, there are not enough words to describe the endless ways He speaks to us.

The voice of the Lord is on the waters, the voice of the Lord is on the many waters.

– Psalms 29:3

Circumstances, nature, His Word, friends, the stars, numbers or even today’s headlines – all are ways the Lord to speaks into our lives. He speaks to us in endless ways, innumerable voices.

What is the Jesus calling you into? Are you believing Him for a miracle? Maybe He’s speaking to you about upgrade, a new ministry or a plan to prosper your life.

Know this: just because you’ve never heard God speak to you about this subject or in whatever voice He’s using to get your attention, does not mean He’s not speaking. He is doing a new thing! While He never changes, He loves to surprise us. Listen for His voice and perceive it!

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up. Do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

– Isaiah 43:19

TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO LOOK FOR STREAMS IN YOUR WASTELAND. PERCEIVE THE WELL SPRINGING UP AND THE NEW DIRECTION HE IS TAKING YOUR LIFE!

From my book Living Life /Forward

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