Troy A. Brewer's Blog, page 322
August 16, 2017
THE BIG AND SMALL OF IT
Remember who you are and who you are not. God made you for a specific purpose and He intends to guide you on your journey. Stay still and quiet in order to hear His voice to you.
THE BIG AND SMALL OF IT
There is no way God can be big in your life without you getting small.
A great question was asked more than 3,000 years ago in the book of Job:
“Shall mortal man be more just than God? Shall a man be more pure than his maker?”
– Job 4:17
The answer is a clear and resounding, “No!” God has set things up so that man shall not be more anything than Him. We just can’t despite our desperate need to control our own lives and those around us.
The famous French philosopher Voltaire often spent his wasted life and expensive ink expressing his contempt for God, God’s people and His Word. When he so arrogantly wrote that his words and philosophies would soon be more important than the word of God, Voltaire got God’s attention.
About 200 years ago, this genius wrote this prediction from his library in Paris: “I will go through the forest of scriptures and girdle all the tress so that in 100 years, Christianity will be but a vanishing memory.”
HA, HA, HA! Just a few years after his death, that same library where he penned those arrogant words was purchased by the British and Foreign Bible Society and was filled from floor to ceiling with thousands of copies of the Bible Voltaire so hated.
The makers of the Titanic learned this same lesson. They declared “even God couldn’t sink this ship.” Their glory turned to shame as their unsinkable vessel became unsavable.
Then there was John Lennon who declared the Beatles “more famous than Jesus Christ.” Within six months of that statement, the cover of Time magazine was emblazoned with the hit rock opera “Jesus Christ Superstar.”
The lesson? You and I can never be more anything than God, and would we really want to? Like I always say, “You see their glory, but do you know their story?”
God’s story isn’t all glory. There is a lot of pain, loss and sacrifice in being God. I suspect it’s not a great job to have and maybe that’s why He so jealously guards it – He’s protecting us from it. He loves us too much to see us constantly crushed under the weight of what we can never bear.
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO REMEMBER THAT HE IS GOD AND WE ARE NOT! GET STILL AND SMALL. LET GO OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND LET GOD DIRECT YOUR LIFE. HIS DIRECTIONS ARE THE BEST DIRECTIONS.
From my book: Soul Invasion
The post THE BIG AND SMALL OF IT appeared first on Troy Brewer Ministries.
August 15, 2017
MIRACLE ON THE HUDSON REVISITED
The Word tells us those who refresh another will themselves be refreshed. What are you waiting for? Ask the Holy Spirit for eyes to see and faith to break through to your refreshing. Ahhh, the Lord is so good!!!
MIRACLE ON THE HUDSON REVISITED
I’m the Christian the devil warned you about. I believe in miracles. In this world of innumerable messes, my God is prevailing in His goodness while being blamed for all the bad.
As you know, I see Him in the headlines and the infamous “Miracle on the Hudson” shouted at me.
This story is not about what when wrong, but what went right. It’s like Isaiah 58:10 where it says “your darkness will be like noonday.” It’s not about the darkness. It’s about the light.
It’s about what hasn’t worked before works perfectly this time.
We’ve all seen what happens when a jumbo jet tries to land in water – disaster. Is that a word for you? Things that have typically been disasters for you are going to work perfectly this year!
It’s about quick response and cool heads.
Having lost two engines to bird strikes, Pilot “Sully” Sullenberger made a quick and radical decision to land in the Hudson River instead of trying to return to the airport. That radical decision saved the lives of 155 passengers, many of whom were lost souls. Like him, we should refuse to panic. We should respond rapidly with appropriate action to qualify for the upgrade of “zero to hero.”
It’s about ditching the plane. Remember, it’s not about everything going perfectly. It’s about a perfect outcome.
It’s about playbook being rewritten. Just like Sully’s water landing has rewritten flight training manuals, you will find new ways of doing things and new trails to blaze.
It’s also about paying attention to the preflight safety announcements.
Directions of how to survive a water landing and exiting a plane are not a courtesy. They are specific instructions you must take seriously to live. Kind of like Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.
And finally, it’s about the pilot and the crew refusing any attention or credit.
I think when God does miraculous things through us, it’s important for us, like Sully and crew, to get out of His way. We need to remain humble and not make it all about us. The idea is not to make our ministry or self famous, but the God we serve.
Hold me up, and I shall be safe,
And I shall observe Your statutes continually.
– Psalms 119:117
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO FORGET WHAT WENT WRONG AND FOCUS ON WHAT’S GOING RIGHT. IT’S NOT ABOUT EVERYTHING GOING PERFECTLY BUT A PERFECT OUTCOME BECAUSE OF JESUS.
From my book: BEST OF THE BREWER
The post MIRACLE ON THE HUDSON REVISITED appeared first on Troy Brewer Ministries.
August 14, 2017
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
Your heavenly Father loves the way you think about Him. While you may feel guilty for getting distracted or even falling short in your thought life, He is so proud every time your mind comes back to Him. Continue to repent.
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
As the father of four and husband to Leanna, my top priority has always been to set the atmosphere in our home. Though the kids are all grown, it’s still a priority. Why?
Because, as saved people, our hearts, minds and homes are supposed to reflect Heaven – not hell. Unfortunately, too many of us have given those territories to the devil.
I recently saw an interview with a former satanist who is now a Christian. This brother was really high up in the church of Satan, and was asked by an audience member if a demon could possess someone from just listening to music or going to a concert. I was not surprised when he answered yes.
He went on to say the devil, aka “the prince of the power of the air,” uses three portals to influence us: our eyes (what we see), our ears (what we listen to) and our mouth (what we talk about). These are the ways evil enters our lives.
If you are saved and sealed by the Holy Spirit, no demon can possess you. However, you and I let the devil speak into us through our eyes and ears every day. What television shows do you watch? What music do you listen to and what magazines or websites do you read? Are you letting your eyes lust or covet? What video games do you play?
We let him speak through us as well. Think about your conversations. Are they filled with gossip, slander or envy? Are you and your little group the only ones who are right? Are you using ugly words, sexual overtones or blasphemies?
Why do we open these doors? I think a major reason is pressure. Pressure to fit in, not be a Jesus geek, have people like us, and maybe even pressure from our kids to “be cool.” Whatever it is, this kind of atmospheric pressure is bad news.
When the devil controls your atmosphere, you get the following:
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
– Galatians 5:19-21
Kick the devil out of your house. Order him out in the name of Jesus and fill your life with the things God recommends for a right mind:
Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is admirable –if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of Peace will be with you.
– Philippians 4:8-9
Repent! Turn around! You see, Jesus is the “Prince of Peace” for a reason – to come against the prince of the power of the air.
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO KICK THE DEVIL OUT OF YOUR HEART, HOUSE AND MIND! TAKE BACK YOUR MOUTH, EYES AND EARS AND BE REWARDED WITH PEACE.
From my book: Good Overcomes Evil
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August 13, 2017
LOYAL SUBJECT
Often, what we want isn’t necessarily what we need. There are seasons when we experience lack, and seasons of abundance, times to sow, and times to reap. In all of these give praise and honor the Lord. Live large through the Holy Spirit.
LOYAL SUBJECT
I love to love things. I try not to be over compulsive, but if I love something, I really love it. It becomes a loyalty issue.
Loyalty is big with me. I love allegiance, commitment, sold out devotion and covenant. These qualities in people really get my attention.
I love the church, and when I say “church,” I mean the body of Christ – the people who faithfully love and serve Him and others. However, I hate me some religious folks – the junk they tend to operate in and pass along to others. I believe Jesus is totally anti-religion. He was 2,000 years ago and being the same yesterday, today and forever, He still is today.
Religious people like to show off their degree, spout off about their “calling,” talents, accomplishments and qualifications. I really don’t think Jesus gives a rip about those things.
What does He care about?
Faithfulness and loyalty. He cares about covenant.
You see, Jesus qualifies those who are selflessly devoted. Servants who don’t fall out or lose focus. You can count on them and their heart for the Lord and His work.
On the other hand, I think He also gets tired of our excuses for dropping the ball or running off the reservation.
God loves to use people who are committed – even messed up people like you and me. Do you want God to use you for great things in the Kingdom? Your loyalty, love and willingness to go after His heart by serving qualify you for the job, so get going!
Like a bird that wanders from its nest
Is a man who wanders from his place.
– Proverbs 27
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO CHECK YOUR LEVEL OF COMMITMENT. DON’T LIKE WHAT YOU SEE? CHANGE IT, COMMIT TO BEING COMMITTED!
From my book: BEST OF THE BREWER
The post LOYAL SUBJECT appeared first on Troy Brewer Ministries.
August 12, 2017
YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER
Don’t feel bad when you realize your mind has wandered from me. I rejoice each time you step back into my presence, where you were designed to be. You have the mind of Christ and I’m pleased every time you seek me!
YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER
The Bible tells us that God “changes not” and in a world that’s moving at a blistering pace, that knowledge is a comfort.
Because God is both eternal and eternally good, you can count on Him no matter the circumstance – even when you, yourself, cannot be counted on.
Has your prayer life changed from “God, I know you’re good” to “God I hope you’re in a good mood…”? As you get older and life’s twists and turns wear you down, for some reason, you begin to doubt God’s character. Somewhere along the line of broken relationships, lost jobs, chemo treatments and funeral homes, doubt creeps in. You no longer believe in His goodness.
Do you know what you’ve just done. You’ve recreated God in your own image! Because you’ve changed from season to season, you assume God has changed too. When your life is messed up, it’s easy to convince yourself that God isn’t really good after all because you’re not.
Hogwash! He never changes. He is the same “yesterday, today and forever.” He created you and I to yearn for His goodness, knowing we would have to fight to comprehend it.
“He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from the beginning to end.”
-Ecclesiastes 3:11
Know this: God is not waiting for you to mess up so He can spank you. He wants to restore you. If you feel like God has changed or moved, look in the mirror. You’re the one who moved. Step back into His presence.
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO KNOW THERE IS NO SHADOW OF TURNING IN THE LORD. HE IS OUR ROCK, OUR EVER PRESENT HELP IN TIMES OF TROUBLE. THERE IS NO ONE LIKE HIM, ESPECIALLY YOU!
From my book: Good Overcomes Evil
The post YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER appeared first on Troy Brewer Ministries.
August 11, 2017
DESTINY FULFILLED
Father God has noticed your pursuit. He is delighted in your trust. Upgrade is coming your way. Just smile and continue to chase His calling for your life.
DESTINY FULFILLED
Are you interested in your upgrade? I hope so because every upgrade leads you closer and closer to your jaw-dropping purpose in life.
God was hard at work creating an identity and purpose for you long before you were knit in your mother’s womb. I promise you, it is magnificent and He trusts you to go after it. He made it for you to discover. You just have to be willing to search for it.
When you feel like you don’t have enough Jesus, you’re right. When you feel like there’s more, you’re right. These feelings mean you need to go after your upgrade and chase your destiny.
Think calling, purpose and destiny have passed you by? You’re wrong! God has all kinds of wonderful things still ahead for you. When you start next level thinking, you will discover a you you’ve never seen and a life you never dreamed of.
“‘I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. If you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, “and I will bring you back from captivity.’”
-Jeremiah 29:11-14
If you’re looking to break free from the prison of a meaningless life so that you can get the hope, future and prosperity God has planned for you, take the first step. Start by calling out to Him. Pray and seek Jesus for real. Chase Him down because He will chase you right back!
TODAY IS A GREAT DAY TO HUNT DOWN THE FREEDOM OF UPGRADE. JESUS BLESSES PURSUIT WITH DESTINY FULFILLED, SO PURSUE HIM!
From my book: Living Life /Forward
The post DESTINY FULFILLED appeared first on Troy Brewer Ministries.
August 10, 2017
JESUS IS THE ROCK!!
It’s time to hike up higher and see the view from God’s perspective. He is ready to show you His heart in the matter that you are seeking Him about, so rise up!
JESUS IS THE ROCK
According to 2 Samuel, we Christians possess a God-given ability to climb out of whatever mental mess we find ourselves in.
He makes my feet like the feet of deer,
And sets me on my high places.
– 2 Samuel 22:34
Psalms 61:1-2 takes this a step further.
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.
When David says that he will cry out to God from “the ends of the world,” he’s not talking about a location. The translation should be “at the end of my rope.” You see, your ability to find God when you are at the end of your rope, or your “wits end,” is based upon your ability to seek Him when you’re at wits end in that mess.
Most of us get frustrated, throw a fit or turn away from God when the world crashes down around us. We forget that Jesus said at His ascension – or rising up – that He would be with us to “the ends of the earth,” or the end of our rope. He is the “rock that is higher than I” that David was talking about.
Jesus said in Matthew 16:18-19 that He was building His church not on Peter himself, but on the rock of revelation knowledge God downloaded to Peter. Therefore, you and I have access to a mental download from the mind of Christ to our minds. If you can see things the way God sees them, you will not be overwhelmed.
It is the “view from above,” from that “rock that is higher than I” that David was referring to. Jesus has that view from the top and will give it to you right now if you give your mind to him concerning whatever is overwhelming you. Submit your mind to Christ. It is the key to having true mental victory!
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
– Psalms 61:1-2
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO UNDERSTAND THAT PAST, PRESENT OR FUTURE, GOD WANTS TO TURN YOUR MESS INTO A MESSAGE THAT WILL HELP AND HEAL YOU WHEN YOU’RE AT THE END OF YOUR ROPE.
From my book: Soul Invasion
The post JESUS IS THE ROCK!! appeared first on Troy Brewer Ministries.
August 9, 2017
HOLD YOUR NOSE!
When we have trouble seeing things in a way that brings His peace, perhaps it’s time to reframe the event that has us stifled. Invite the Lord to give you His eyes and heart: watch, pray and release His peace.
HOLD YOUR NOSE!
Your nose is truly remarkable. It detects up to 2,000 scents, good and not so good.
You might know the name King James because of the English translation of the Bible he commissioned, but you might not know this odd monarch didn’t try to live by the words he made available to others.
Though a promiscuous homosexual, he married Anne of Denmark and had seven children who survived beyond birth. This is amazing to me considering King James suffered from aqua phobia – the fear of water. It is said that he never took one single bath in his entire life!
When King James entered a room, everyone knew it.
There is nothing worse than someone who reeks of a major personal hygiene malfunction. Well, that’s not true. It’s worse to reek of a condition I call “stinkin’ thinkin.”
Negative thoughts turn into negative words. They bring darkness and despair. Doubt does the same thing, as does anger and jealousy. Coveting things that don’t belong to you also brings dark thoughts because it means you’re unhappy with what God has given to you.
Then there are wild imaginations. You know, the arguments you have in your head where you’re giving people a piece of your mind or getting revenge. These most likely will lead to actions. Or imagining you know what others think of you, when you really have no idea.
You see, our thoughts become our words. Our words become actions and actions have natural consequences. One of those very real, very steep consequences is that you begin to stink.
Yes, your words and your actions will drive people from you like a rotting fish in the sun. You can’t feed the hungry, serve the poor, heal the lame or rescue the lost if they are forced to run from you because of the stench.
The Bible tells us we are to be a fragrant aroma to God. Like incense, our words, actions and, yes, our very lives should smell a lot more like heaven than hell.
For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.
– 2 Corinthians 2:15
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO LET GO OF EVIL IMAGINATIONS. TURN YOUR THOUGHTS TOWARD ALL THAT IS GOOD, INCLUDING JESUS.
From my book: BEST OF THE BREWER
The post HOLD YOUR NOSE! appeared first on Troy Brewer Ministries.
August 8, 2017
INCREASE VS. DECREASE
Our nature is to be applauded by man as we increase in all areas of our life. God applauds those who allow Him to increase in their life. God is ready to be the fullness in your life as you make room for Him.
INCREASE VS. DECREASE
What separates religious people from those who have a true and ongoing encounter with Jesus? The answer is simple: that He increases in your life as you decrease.
That means you are getting small and God is getting big – that you are giving Him preeminence in all things. That means God takes priority not just over your marriage, your finances, job, parenting and every part of your life – it means He takes priority in your marriage, finances, job, parenting and every part of your life.
Your walk with God is a lifetime of learning how to give Him priority over and in every part of your life. John the Baptist put it this way:
“He must increase, but I must decrease.”
– John 3:30
The understanding of “Christ in me” is a promise that I am going to get smaller and smaller, while He gets bigger and bigger. At some point, He will be so enlarged in my life that people are going to see Him, not Troy, and that’s the point!
The promise is that some day, I’m going to supernova and Jesus is going to come busting up out of me in a way that doesn’t leave any trace of me. Until that glorious day, I’m going to be part of His camp, so it’s up to me to get this thing right. It is my job to get small.
How about you? Are you still looking for the spotlight and the praise of men? Do you find ways to look important or drop names of folks you think are impressive? If you’re a legend in your own mind, stop it! Start bragging on God and what He’s done. The credit is His alone! Only then can God bring you to your destiny so you can truly be used for His purpose and glory.
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO DECREASE SO JESUS CAN INCREASE. GET OUT OF THE WAY AND TESTIFY TO THE GOODNESS AND GREATNESS OF OUR GOD! THE SPOTLIGHT IS HIS ALONE.
From my book: Soul Invasion
The post INCREASE VS. DECREASE appeared first on Troy Brewer Ministries.
August 7, 2017
HANG ‘EM HIGH!
You are blessed and highly favored of the Lord. Because you are blessed, be a blessing. Because you are favored, give favor to others. Give and it will be given to you.
HANG ‘EM HIGH!
I’m from a small town in Texas. From the age of six, I lived on a farm. If you know anything about farmers, you know they have a holy hatred of coyotes.
I will never forget 1972. It was the summer the local farmers went to war with these vermin and shot what seemed to me to be about 100 coyotes in one grand hunt. According to the myth that it would scare off other coyotes, all those dead carcasses were nailed to fence posts.
I will never forget this display of trophies. I tried to count them every time we drove down the road. I know the number was over 80 rotting corpses of fur and teeth attracting a sky full of buzzards in the punishing heat.
It was a terrible sight and left quite an impression on me. Now, I’m not six anymore, and 44 years later, I’m convinced God let that one event make a verdict in me that I can’t ignore. I call it my Varmint Verdict.
While disgusting, it was also fascinating. While a symbol of hatred, it was also a symbol of triumph nailed to a piece of wood hung up for all to see.
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”
– Galatians 3:15
Jesus became a curse hanging on a tree for us. A gruesome trophy for the unbelieving Romans and the blinded Pharisees, but a sight of pure love and beauty to us whom He’s saved.
In other words, at the cross, Jesus, because of the curse was nailed down then hung up so that we could be blessed. Yes, there is a mystery in how this works, but the picture of it is so striking to me. Something that was perfect became sinful and what was blessed became cursed so that a knucklehead named Troy could stand in a place called perfect and blessed.
The cross is both horrible and fascinating. I wooden wonder you and I need to say “thank you” for.
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO EXAMINE THE CROSS. SEE THE BLESSING IN THE CURSE AND KNOW THAT JESUS CALLS YOU HOLY AND HIS!
From my book: BEST OF THE BREWER
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