Troy A. Brewer's Blog, page 325
July 17, 2017
THE NEED TO KNOW
God’s promises are “yes” and “amen.” He is your hiding place and an ever present help in time of need. Stay under the shadow of His wing where the enemy has no ability to see.
THE NEED TO KNOW
Biblical truth: 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
July 16, 2017
DON’T BE A CASUALTY OF WAR!
It’s time to be intentional in your Kingdom walk. Build yourself up in the Lord and be doggedly determined to take territory for the Kingdom of God every day!
DON’T BE A CASUALTY OF WAR!
America has seen its share of war casualties: 25,000 in the Revolutionary War; 212,938 in the Civil War; and 291,557 in WWII.
These numbers may look high, but compare them to the millions of Christians who were strong for the Lord in short seasons, but were overwhelmed before the war was over.
Paul said he didn’t want to become a casualty. He decided he would be a key player at the end of his life. We might think of this in terms of people losing their faith.
A lot of really godly people only do exploits for the Lord in very short times in their lives. Those people, who do great things then burn out, might make a valuable contribution in the Kingdom, however they miss the mark in terms of legacy.
If you don’t finish well by leaving a godly legacy, someone else has to do that for you. Someone who made a plan and was doggedly determined to finish well.
This reminds me of the very last letter one of my heroes penned from behind the walls of the Alamo.
“Take care of my little boy. If the country should be saved, I may make him a splendid fortune; but if the country should be lost, and I should perish, he will have nothing but the proud recollection that he is the son of a man who died for his country.”
– William Barrett Travis, Commander of the Alamo and defender of Texas freedom, 1836
Travis understood this principle. He knew that, no matter how hard they fought, his legacy depended on him finishing well, which he did. He knew his chances were slim, still he fought. So should we.
Feel like your kids will never get saved? Think your neighbor or boss will never find Jesus? Does it seem impossible to reach that friend who has it all and doesn’t need Jesus? Know this: their salvation may very well depend on your ability to determine that you will continue to be a witness – even at your very end.
Be determined to finish well, then finish! Your end may be the beginning of someone else’s walk with Jesus!
Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
– 1 Corinthians 9:26-27
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO DETERMINE TO FINISH WELL. PURPOSE EVERY DAY TO FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT AND FINISH THE COURSE BY BRINGING THE LOST OUT OF DARKNESS INTO LIGHT.
From my book Living Life Forward
July 15, 2017
LIVING A RESCUED LIFE
Do you remember where God has rescued you in the past? Use it as a testimony to tell others of the goodness of God and see how he breaks through in their life! Your testimony is part of what makes you an overcomer!
LIVING A RESCUED LIFE
A few years back, Poland suffered a brutal winter. Temperatures were -31 degrees without the wind chill. Every river in the nation was frozen.
The day the ice broke and the rivers began to flow again, a pure bred German Shepherd whom I like to call Lucky, was walking across the ice in Warsaw. Poor Lucky quickly found himself floating on a small patch of ice moving swiftly down the river.
Police and firefighters tried to rescue him, but the current was moving fast. They lost him.
Two days later, the captain of a fishing boat spotted something strange in the Baltic Sea. He steered the boat closer and found a dog struggling not to fall into the sea. He managed to scoop Lucky up and wrap him in a blanket. The dog had traveled 70 miles downriver and 13 miles out to sea. That’s one blessed dog!
I think it’s important for you and I, as Christians, to live lives that demonstrate how we’ve been rescued. Show me a person who’s been rescued from certain death and I’ll show you somebody who loves life and wants to live it to the full.
Just like that, nobody with a real revelation of what it means to be saved, or rescued by Christ, pines for the good old days. We should be looking forward and doing good works so people will say, “Why do you do all that?” Then we get to testify to a love that saves for eternity.
Living a rescued life means testifying to the goodness and resurrection power of Jesus Christ. I know I’m living a rescued life. Are you?
“For whomever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. He and his household.”
– Romans 10:13
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO LIVE LIKE YOU’VE JUST ESCAPED HELL. BREAK THE CHAINS OF THOSE STILL IN BONDAGE WITH YOUR TESTIMONY OF SAVING GRACE.
From my book Best of the Brewer
July 14, 2017
IT’S MY TURF!
As a believer, you have the mind of Christ. Don’t lose it over jealousy or discord. The best way to fight the enemy is with love.
IT’S MY TURF!
Because of our inability to submit to a kingdom mentality, we tend to regard the church next door as our competition. Let me say this once and hope it truly sinks in: the bigger church down the street or the newest denomination is not our competition.
The true competition of the church is the Budweiser horses, reality TV, Joe Camel, Powerball and popular music. They are part of the world that, each and every day, sells people on the lie they can find life in a bottle, a bed, a high, entertainment or a chance for riches.
Remember, we are not in competition against one another, but against a devil who loves it when we fight each other, just like the Crips and the Bloods. Gangs of men who live in the same neighborhood, go to the same schools, but fight and kill each other over their “turf,” whatever that is.
There are a lot of churches in our city. It doesn’t make me mad or jealous when their parking lots are full. Why? Because they are reaching people I can’t. They are making a difference serving the same King I am – Jesus Christ.
Even with all the churches in our city, if all the pews were full on Sunday, there would be thousands of people without a seat. That means we need more churches and the churches we already have to grow!
Before you throw shade at another church for invading your turf or worry yourself when a friend chooses a different denomination than you, remember this: the battle is not against human opponents! We have a common enemy and his name is Satan.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
– Ephesians 6:12
Yes, the Bible calls the devil “the prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2), which means he likes to control the atmosphere. He likes to stir up discontent, envy, discord, covetousness and competition. His favorite target? The church.
Don’t feed into this lie from the pit of hell. The body of Christ, the church, needs each other. Rejoice in their success and mourn over their losses. Eternal lives depend on it.
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO PRAY FOR THE BODY OF CHRIST. GET A KINGDOM MENTALITY AND JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST THE TRUE ENEMY – SATAN.
From my book: Soul Invasion
July 13, 2017
CLEAR DEFINITION
God wants you to know your identity and purpose in Him. Posture yourself to seek and receive from Him and your territory will have no bounds!
CLEAR DEFINITION
Have you ever mapped out the things you are determined to highly value? If not, let me tell you, it’s an important step to Kingdom upgrade.
Here’s where to start: determine you are going to make a big deal out of what God makes a big deal out of. You are going to line your heart up with His. It’s all about the atmosphere of your life.
This is the place where you begin to map out your core values with your own, unique destination and purpose.
Eliminate the things that don’t fit. Chisel away the things that don’t look like God’s plan for your life. Then, turn up the fire and crank up the volume on the areas of your life that fit in with Kingdom living. At first, it might just be a few words or “headlines,” but ask the Holy Spirit to help you articulate more.
Maybe your headline is “supernatural,” but you’re not sure what that goes with. Have the honor of kings and search out the matter. Pretty soon, you’ll have a complete thought like, “I value the supernatural side of God in me because I choose not to live a powerless life.”
A headline like “forgiving” could easily turn into “I choose to be forgiving like Jesus because I choose not to be bitter.” Or, “I value, celebrate, encourage and practice forgiveness because I know God values restoration over punishment.”
I dare you to put your pen to paper and record some headlines or declarations about what you will value. Yes, it’s a work in progress, however you need a starting point. Remember, this is step one in you taking charge of your atmosphere.
Don’t let the prince of the power of the air have your thoughts, attitude or values. Give it to the Prince of Peace by mapping out a plan that parallels His. You won’t regret it.
“Whatever is born of God overcomes the world.”
– 1 John 5:4
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR ATMOSPHERE. MAP OUT YOUR CORE VALUES AND MAKE SURE THEY LINE UP WITH THE KINGDOM!
From my book: LIVING LIFE FORWARD
July 12, 2017
HOLY HACKED OFF!
God has given you permission to have a holy hatred of evil. When evil arises, it is time for you to speak out!
HOLY HACKED OFF!
There’s a stigma among cultural Christianity that the Brewer heartily maintains if false. It is the doctrine of “nice.” It is the belief that being righteous, and being Christ-like, is being nice all the time.
Yes, this morning’s sip from the Master’s cup has a little more punch to it.
Because of the doctrine of “nice,” Christians tend to fall in step with the crazy politically correct bologna that is being fed to us these days by, among others, the American media.
Where is the media when Christians are butchered by Islamic extremists or a Christian pastor is imprisoned in Iran for his faith?
A few years back, 23 Christians from Korea were taken prisoner in Afghanistan while they were on a mission trip trying to bring comfort to the people there. Several were killed and many nearly starved to death. It was barely mentioned on the news, and the media left their faith completely out of the story.
News reports said “foreigners” or “Koreans” are being murdered by “terrorists.” It was never mentioned that these people were Christians being butchered by Islamic extremists, aka radical Muslims.
The doctrine of “nice” does not want to hurt the imagined feelings of “them,” whoever “they” are, by speaking truth. If we speak up, we’re not nice and, they say, Jesus was always nice so you’re not very Christ like.
Thus many Christians tend to back down believing this lie. Let me tell you something you’ll never hear at a traditional church service. God has not called you to be nice. He commanded you to be full of life and full of the love of God.
We are called to be salt and light to a world in need. Sometimes, salt stings and light gives us a headache. We are still supposed to overcome darkness for those around us.
“Don’t think that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came to bring trouble, not peace.”
– Matthew 10:34 Contemporary English Version
It’s OK to get hacked off in holy hatred of evil. Jesus didn’t back down when the chief priests and pharisees turned the temple from a house of prayer into the Walmart from hell. He upset the religious “nice” and chased out the crooks and moneychangers.
Don’t play nice. Be real. Be salt, light and love to a dying world.
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO SPEAK TRUTH AND STAND UP FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS. HAVE A HOLY HATRED FOR THE LIES OF THE ENEMY!
From my book Best of the Brewer
July 11, 2017
TO THE GLORY OF GOD
Today is a great day to renew your covenant with God. Remind Him why you chose Him in the first place—because it’s all for His glory!
TO THE GLORY OF GOD!
In the 19th century, there was a renown symphonic composer named Anton Bruckner. Bruckner signed every masterpiece he ever wrote with the words “To the glory of God.”
Bruckner understood his purpose in life.
Glorifying God means being occupied with and committed to His ways rather than your own. Trouble is, the only way you can do that all the time is if you understand there is nothing in it for you.
In other words, your actions are based on covenant, not on need.
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
– 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Going to church or serving because you think God will reward you is wrong thinking. If you find yourself being kind or generous because you think you’ll get heavenly payback, you are wrong.
To receive God’s favor, you need a covenant mentality. Covenant means that your body and your life don’t belong to you. They belong to God. He created you and purchased you back from sin and death.
Once you realize your life belongs to God, you will want to do everything in your power to bring Him glory. You see, covenant is giving God glory in everything and taking none of the credit for yourself.
In your public life or private affairs, God gets the glory. In your relationships, home, work, school, hobbies, words, finances – God is glorified – not you!
If a person I love leaves or stays, if I have money or not, if my plans succeed or fail, God gets the glory – not the blame – just the fame!
Can the same be said of you? Do you have a covenant mentality that says “I must decrease so God can increase?” Do you consider your life and your body belong to God, not you?
When people are all about the glory of God, their personal agenda takes a back seat. So where is your personal agenda? If it’s driving the car, put it where it belongs! Purpose your mind to glorify God in all things.
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO INCREASE GOD’S GLORY. DEDICATE YOUR MIND TO A COVENANT MENTALITY THAT SAYS, “I BELONG TO JESUS. I WANT MY ACTIONS TO MAKE HIM FAMOUS – NOT ME!”
From my book: Soul Invasion
July 10, 2017
YOUR BIG FINISH INTO FORWARD
Those who come after you are looking for an inheritance. Leave them one with eternal influence. They are watching you, and they see your strength, your faith, and your right standing with God. Pass that heritage on to them. God will increase your legacy by connecting you with next level people to move you into your upgrade.
YOUR BIG FINISH INTO FORWARD
You do know there is a big finish coming for you, right? See, the hope and future that God gives us is, in fact, an expected end.
“For 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.”
– Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Or the King James says it this way:
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
– Jeremiah 29:11
God wants you to expect and have great hope for where your life will end up. When you start thinking about that, you start thinking about the legacy you leave behind.
I hope legacy is as important to you as it is to me. I want to be remembered as a guy who put his whole heart on the line for people nobody else cared about. I want to be remembered as a guy who loved Jesus and fought hard to bring others to the Kingdom.
Likewise. I want my children, and their children to bear the family resemblance.
I hope people look at my kids and say, “They’re so generous, just like their daddy!” Or watch my grandkids and say, “Their grandfather used to help whoever needed it, no questions asked, no judgements made. They’re Jesus freaks just like him!”
I want my legacy to be about the reflection of my savior in my actions.
What about you? Are you expecting a big finish? Be encouraged because one is coming and it’s going to blow people away. Are you leaving a legacy? There’s no better time to start than now!
“Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments…”
– Deuteronomy 7:9
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO EMBRACE YOUR DESTINY. LEAVE A LEGACY OF GOODNESS AND GENEROSITY THAT NOT ONLY OUTLIVES YOU, BUT YOUR GREAT-GREAT GRANDCHILDREN!
From my book: Living Life Forward
July 9, 2017
REMEMBER THE ALAMO!
The war for freedom has been won! Our ongoing battles with the bully of darkness is to remind us of this victory and our need to uphold God’s glory. When that molester of souls comes around, remind him that he’s not only defeated, but you’ve got the keys, and authority, to lock him up, and do it!
REMEMBER THE ALAMO!
My fascination with Texas history in general, and the Alamo in specific, began my seventh-grade year.
My Texas history teacher, Dub Crocker, taught about the Alamo in a way I had never heard. He was passionate and personal. We studied in-depth the 13-day siege and the three warriors many revere as the Texas Trinity – William Barrett Travis, James Bowie and the “Lion of the West”, Davy Crocket.
You don’t have to be black to revere Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., or Catholic to love Mother Theresa. Just like that, you don’t have to be a Texan to love the men who fought and died trying to defeat the evil dictator Santa Anna.
I’ve read dozens of books on the battle and visited the site nearly 50 times. Every time, my tripped-out mind sees Crocket still atop those adobe walls, firing against all odds. Travis is fighting for his life and legacy on the cannon platform at the northeast corner of the fortress despite looming defeat.
I also love the victory of the Battle of San Jacinto. I often visit that battlefield and imagine Sam Houston on his white horse in full gallop toward Santa Anna’s tent.
Oh, the fight for freedom! There is something special about those who battle darkness so they can unlock the chains of others in bondage. I have noticed that while not all revolutionaries are Godly people, Godly people are always revolutionaries. We love freedom!
Yes, a true characterizing of the love of God is to hate bondage and oppression!
Nearly 2,000 years before the freedom fighting Texans fell at the Alamo, Jesus Christ was lifted on the cross. He hated oppression and bondage to sin (the devil) so much that He was willing to die to overcome it.
He loved humanity and wanted you and I to be set free so badly, He was willing to give up His own life to give us a shot at true freedom.
Get this straight: Jesus is not your warden. He is your deliverer. The Bible says that whom He sets free is “free indeed!”
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slave.
– Galatians 5:1
It is my humble opinion that Jesus is the only way to have the freedom to forgive, to have joy and peace, to love, and to pursue a life of passion that makes a difference to others. Take advantage of this free gift! Acknowledge Him as your savior today!
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO BE A FREEDOM FIGHTER! JESUS HAS ALREADY WON THE WAR FOR YOUR FREEDOM. IT’S UP TO YOU TO WIN THE DAILY BATTLES SATAN WAGES IN YOUR MIND AND IN YOUR LIFE. REMEMBER THE CROSS!
From my book: Best of the Brewer
July 8, 2017
NEED A SOUL INVASION?
The Lord is ready to do amazing things in your thought life today. Receive His peace that surpasses understanding and the battles in your mind will flee!
NEED A SOUL INVASION?
The greatest of all commandments was made clear on a bright sunny day some 2,000 years ago.
Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the first and great commandment.
– Matthew 22:37-38
Jesus said it then, and He is saying it now: your No. 1 priority is to love God. Not just in your physical actions, but in your mental and emotional lives.
After knowing the mess that has been in my head, it’s hard for me to imagine Jesus would want anything to do with my mind and emotions. However, He does!
He is willing to step into your thoughts and, piece by piece, item by item, remove the clutter and straighten out the disorder. And there is plenty of disorder in your mind, isn’t there?
It’s nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, Jesus removes all the shame from your actions, thoughts and emotions. He’s just awesome that way!
He is faithful in serving you, so you should be faithful in serving Him. When you serve Him with your love for His glory and not your own, He can invade your soul.
Do you want it? Do you want Jesus to invade your soul, change your thinking and shower you with the love of God? He will if you let Him.
For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
– 1 Corinthians 2:16
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO LET JESUS INVADE YOUR MIND AND CHANGE YOUR WAY OF THINKING. LOVE GOD AND GIVE YOUR WHOLE SOUL TO THE SAVIOR AND BE TRANSFORMED!
From my book: Soul Invasion
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