Troy A. Brewer's Blog, page 329
June 7, 2017
COVENANT MENTALITY
As you’ve been created in His image to be a bearer of His Glory, your are also co-heir with Christ for the continuation of His great works. Remember this: He’s already done it for you! Rejoice!
COVENANT MENTALITY
It used to be when somebody shook your hand or gave their word, or when somebody put their name on something, you could count on it. That day is long gone in America.
We still shake hands, give folks our word and even sign our name to things, but we do so with a loophole in mind. We keep a lawyer in our back pocket to file for bankruptcy, divorce or make an amendment to the promise we made. We do what we say as long as it’s good for us. Once the advantages are no longer obvious, the courtroom drama ensues.
Bottom line: we no longer have a “covenant mentality.”
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus…”
– Philippians 2:5
You see, you have to choose to be the person who is lawfully wedded, who pays their bills or fulfills the contractual obligations you’ve signed up for. So what is a covenant mentality? It is a sold-out “all I have is yours and all you have is mine” way of thinking.
Sound a little bit scary? It is, but it is the right way of thinking because it’s how God thinks. It is also the mentality that God has toward you.
A covenant mentality will always produce integrity, character and reliability. Can that be said of you?
This is a tough day and age to live in. There is an idea in our generation that it’s OK to cheat on your taxes, your spouse or your boss as long as you don’t get caught. I have news for you. If you have taken the name of Christ and have become part of God’s family, you will get caught!
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
– Galatians 6:7
Speaking to believers, Paul wrote the above letter to let people know God would not let His children, who bear His name, dirty that name or His reputation by sowing evil. He promises they will “reap” or get caught and suffer the consequences of their actions so they can be convicted, then restored.
When we take His name as Christians, we are in covenant with Him. All we are and all we have is His, while all He is and all He has is ours! That’s a covenant worth keeping!
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO KNOW GOD DOESN’T BREAK HIS PROMISES TO US. PURPOSE IN YOUR HEART TO BE A COVENANT THINKER AND KEEP YOUR PROMISES TO GOD AND OTHERS EVEN WHEN YOU CAN’T SEE WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU!
From my book: Soul Invasion
June 6, 2017
A KNIGHT TO REMEMBER
This is the time to step into the harvest and build God’s Kingdom. Your times are in God’s hands, so do what you can for the Kingdom because God is moving in this day and time!
A KNIGHT TO REMEMBER
There’s something neat that happens in my wife’s family. People tend to know when their days on this earth are coming to a close and they try to make the most of them.
Leanna’s grandfather was well into his nineties when he decided to build a new building for his church. “It will take me about two years,” he said. Then he prophetically added, “The first service we are going to have in it will be my funeral.”
Just like he promised, he completed the building two years later. On the day he finished, he went home, called his son, then put on a suit. He laid down on his bed and died, just as he had said. Legendary! And yes, the first service in that new church building was his funeral!
His son, Ray Knight, my father-in-law, did the same thing. He had been going downhill for a while, and we were afraid he would not last until Christmas. However, Ray let us know that he was planning on leaving earth between Christmas and New Year. Boom! He kept that promise.
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
– Psalms 90:12
There is real wisdom in this verse – Ray’s favorite. Like Babe Ruth famously calling his shot, Ray Knight hit it out of the ballpark by knowing the right time.
Can this be said of you? Do you know the time you’re in and have you learned to number your days? A good place to start is with the wisdom of Solomon in Ecclesiastes chapter 3…
To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:
– Ecclesiastes 3:1
Solomon then writes of 28 different times in life, or 14 pairs of times such as “a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” Such beautiful poetry! However, these beautiful words, like time itself, have a purpose.
You see, if we look at this timeline, which is circular, we can see where we’re at. If we understand where we’re at in this timeline, we can also prepare for what comes next. We can number our days to get the maximum out of them.
The maximum what, you might ask? The maximum impact for the Kingdom!
Are you living life like your days are numbered, because they are! Go after Kingdom promises, advancement and, by all means, go after the souls of the unsaved!
The time is short. Call your shot. Prophesy over yourself that the number of souls you’ll take with you will outnumber your days!
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO NUMBER YOUR DAYS. ASK JESUS FOR A BIG HARVEST, THEN WATCH HIM GRANT YOUR WISH AND HIS!
From my book: Best of the Brewer
June 5, 2017
THE CANCER OF SPIRITUAL ENVY
Your Father in heaven has given you good gifts, including a personal Kingdom identity. Go after it! Your gifts are just right for you and the only ones that will get you to your destiny!
THE CANCER OF SPIRITUAL ENVY
Unfortunately, the mentality of “it’s not fair” is not just in the world, it is rampant in the church. Folks look at other people’s blessings, abilities and relationships within the church and envy sets in.
While many of the spiritually envious are pew-sitters who should turn off “The View” and get in the trenches with the rest of us, some are not. Some are actively involved in ministry. Their problem? A righteousness mentality.
You see, Jesus told us the two greatest commands are “love God, and love people.” Boom! That’s the formula. However, many churches have wandered away from the second part of that command. They preach “love God, be righteous” many without even realizing it! The consequences of this mentality can be devastating.
While righteousness is something we should strive for internally, it can also become a yardstick we use to beat ourselves and others up. If you’re measuring your blessings, abilities and relationships based on the yardstick of righteousness, you will begin to judge and hate other Christians for having more, or less than you. It can also lead to bitter gossip and spiritual pride. Believe me, the devil loves that. The book of James says he invented spiritual envy:
“But if you have bitter envy and strife in your hearts, do not glory and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descends not from above, but is earthly, sensual and devilish. For where envy and strife are, there is confusion and every evil work.”
– James 3:14-16
Spiritual envy, especially measuring yourself and others by your perceived righteousness, is an ugly cycle from the devil himself. Don’t let yourself go there. Do NOT compare yourself to others.
TODAY IS A GREAT DAY TO LOVE GOD AND LOVE PEOPLE. JUDGING YOURSELF AGAINST THE PERCEIVED RIGHTEOUSNESS OF SOMEONE ELSE? REPENT. GIVE IT TO JESUS AND LET HIM HELP YOU LOVE THOSE YOU ARE JUDGING.
From my book: Soul Invasion
June 4, 2017
GOD’S GREAT BIG FAMILY VALUES
Your heavenly Father wants you to know that you belong at His table. He keeps no record of your wrongs so pull up a chair! You are welcome to His amazing provision and presence today!
GOD’S GREAT BIG FAMILY VALUES
When you become part of this great big family of believers, you also inherit a great big set of family values that come from the heart of the Father Himself.
You learn to make a big deal out of what He makes a big deal out of. As you magnify the Lord, it becomes clear what things you should blow up and bring attention to. You will also understand what things to dial down because the Lord isn’t in them. Remember, not all good things are God things!
There are lots of people who never master the art of upgrade or get the fever for forward. But that’s not you!
Since you are different, it stands to reason you are going to make a big deal out of things others do not, like buying girls out of sexual slavery, or feeding homeless people, or giving backpacks filled with school supplies to kids in your town.
I have found the values of those of us who journey in the fast lane are quite a bit different from the values of the world. You’ll see that too, the longer you walk with Jesus.
Do you remember the lessons of the wilderness?
When you learn the lesson, you learn to have a high priority for the things you were taught – God loves you unconditionally, He provides all your needs and He sees you as an overcomer, not a loser! You are a mighty warrior for good, so jerk that pistol and get to work!
“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
– Romans 12:21
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO MAKE A BIG DEAL OUT OF WHAT GOD VALUES – RELATIONSHIPS, REDEMPTION AND RESTORATION. BRAG ON YOUR FATHER GOD SO OTHERS WILL WANT TO MEET HIM TOO!
From my book LIVING LIFE FORWARD
May 26, 2017
MOVING PICTURES
What are you waiting for? You’ve been given the keys to the kingdom! Don’t let your past experience dictate your faith. Faith is meant to dictate your experience! Declare God’s truth over your life in such a way that it’s no longer knowledge, but known.
MOVING PICTURES
I’m about to tell you a powerful message on prosperity: give God your thoughts.
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
– Joshua 1:8
The Bible clearly states that thoughts on God’s holy Word will move you into success. The thing you think about can move you into the victory you have always wanted.
The very same Bible also declares your thoughts can move you into miserable failure.
Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the Lord said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.”
– Genesis 6:5-7
It was the thoughts of humanity that led them into the judgment of God. Because of their thoughts, God did not have to wait for their actions before He struck with judgment. Their thoughts made their actions inevitable.
Do you know that until you are willing to let God change the thinking in your mind, you are never going to let Him change the outcome of your life? It’s true. Your thoughts become emotions. Your emotions lead to actions and God knows the majority of those point down the path that leads to destruction.
So what can you do? Learn to control your thoughts. The Bible says to literally “take them captive.” Once you stop a negative thought dead in its tracks, you can replace it with a positive thought, prayer, praise or thanksgiving. Then, you will have peace.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
– Philippians 4:8-9
Do you want peace instead of chaos? Learn to capture your negative thoughts, cast them down and replace them with Jesus.
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO CAST DOWN USELESS OR EVIL THOUGHT PATTERNS. TURN YOUR EYES AND THOUGHTS TOWARD JESUS AND UPGRADE TO THE NEXT LEVEL OF RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GOD OF PEACE!
From my book: Soul Invasion
May 25, 2017
THE LEGACY OF SAN JACINTO
The Lord has given you a strategy for your life. It’s your job to walk it out and fight for what He’s given to you. Don’t let the enemy take ground. Fight from the victory that Christ died to give you!
THE LEGACY OF SAN JACINTO
Some battles are so strategically important that the direction of the future itself hinges on that single event. San Jacinto was that kind of battle.
Not only did Sam Houston’s decisive victory at San Jacinto establish Texas independence, it led to the Mexican-American War. Victory there resulted in America’s acquisition of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, California, Utah and parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas and Oklahoma.
Yes, one-third of present-day America eventually changed sovereignty all because Houston and a handful of true Texas patriots – not even trained soldiers – dared to defeat the tyrant Santa Anna on April 21,1836.
There’s a word of redemption in that. You see, there is a reason why people in Fort Worth, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles and Albuquerque don’t have to live like our neighbors to the south in Matamoros, Juarez and Tijuana. Someone paid the price for that freedom.
I wonder if you know how important it is that you win the battles you’re fighting in your life? Unseen spiritual battles are being fought in brutal mental and emotional arenas in your life. Jesus has given you the ability to defeat the enemy because there’s a lot more at stake here than you probably think.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…
– 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
As a Christian, you have to fight in order to occupy your territory – your marriage, emotions, finances, ministry, children, job – and to have victory in the territory God has given you. Your fight is first spiritual, and get this – the majority of the battlefield is between your ears!
The Lord has given you mighty weapons of warfare – the Words of Scripture. They are powerful and able to bring your thoughts under control. Along with prayer and the Holy Spirit, they break down the mightiest stronghold and make you dangerous to the enemy!
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO DECLARE WHAT THE WORD SAYS ABOUT YOU. YOU ARE A MIGHTY WARRIOR! GOD HAS PLANS TO PROSPER YOU, GIVE YOU HOPE AND A FUTURE. THAT FUTURE IS FREEDOM FOR YOUR BLOODLINE AND BEYOND – SO FIGHT!
From my book: Best of the Brewer
May 24, 2017
RENT TO OWN
God’s grace is sufficient for you. Out with the old and in with the new. God is giving you a fresh start – all you have to do is give Him all the glory.
RENT TO OWN
Nearly 30 years ago, I worked for a rent to own company. One of my major responsibilities was to be the repo man for the low income housing projects.
Even though I had been called every racial slur and hateful name you can imagine, even though I had personally removed TVs, refrigerators and all manner of home appliance out of people’s homes, I saw a tremendous revival in those dark and desperate places.
It broke my heart to haul that stuff away from people who needed it, so Leanna and I started a ministry to combat good with evil. We bought refurbished appliances and every time I would repo something in the name of the company, we could return later in the evening with a used one and give it to them in the name of Jesus.
The same people who threatened my life earlier in the day, would weep, apologize and thank God for His goodness.
Because of this, they would attend the Bible studies and kids events we put on there. As a matter of fact, Leanna and I did a kids crusade in the projects and, in one day, we baptized 100 people in the same place where folks had thrown bottles at me and cussed me like a dog.
Not only will the goodness of God lead to repentance (Romans 2:4), it always teaches us something true about His ways. The outcome of goodness is transformation because goodness says things need to change for the better. That’s called redemption!
Good and upright is the Lord; Therefore will He teach sinners in the way.
– Psalm 25:8
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO TRANSFORM THE ATMOSPHERE AND IMPACT IT FOR JESUS. FIND A WAY TO REPLACE DARKNESS WITH LIGHT AND LET GOODNESS OVERCOME THE EVIL THAT CROSSES YOUR PATH.
From my book: Good Overcomes Evil
May 23, 2017
BRAIN FREEZE!
It’s time to let go of offenses and offer up forgiveness. What negative situation keeps coming back to your mind? Let it go and let God deliver you from the offense. You will see freedom when you stop talking about it and start meditating on what God says about you.
BRAIN FREEZE
A few years back, I was in a 7-11 with a missionary from Africa. It was his very first visit to the U.S. and upon seeing a poster advertising the holy grail of American beverages, the Slurpee, he asked, “What is a brain freeze?”
Jumping all over the opportunity, I bought one and said, “Drink this as fast as you can for about 15 seconds.” Twenty seconds later, he dropped the drink on the ground and clutched his head, vowing revenge. Sounds terrible, but it was a real hoot!
I say all this to tell you that there is a spiritual and mental exercise that I call “brain freeze.” Brain freeze is where you stop a thought dead in its tracks before it becomes something else.
In reality, you need some serious truth pertaining to your thinking. Why? Because your thoughts become your feelings and your feelings generally become your actions. Thinking negative thoughts? Your feelings and actions will reflect that.
Want an example? Have you ever prepared for an argument before it happened? I know I’ve rehearsed in my mind what I would say if the opportunity arose to tell off my boss or someone else who had offended me. I was going to give that person a “piece of my mind.”
The next thing I knew, that conversation became reality and it didn’t go well for me. Why? Because by thinking the thought, it became a feeling, then an action. I had made that argument happen – an argument I should have never had.
Had I frozen the initial thought that I was offended and wanted to tell that person off, I would have saved myself and my victim from some real heartache and a broken relationship.
You can also think of it this way: God has drawn a line in the sand and called it “sin.” You and I tend to get as close to that line as we can, often putting our toes right on it while we say, “I’m not sinning, yet. I’m good.” The question that needs to be asked is, “Why are you even close to the line? Why aren’t you a mile away from it?”
It’s like that with our thoughts. We take them right up to the line where they become actions, then act all shocked and shaken that we’ve crossed that line. There’s a reason we say we’ve “fallen into” sin, because our emotions have pushed us over the edge into action. We do it to ourselves by letting our imagination run wild!
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
– 2 Corinthians 10:5
Next time you start imagining a scenario or practicing the words you will say in a confrontation, stop. Brain freeze! Take that thought captive and cast it down before it becomes a feeling or an action, likely one that leads to sin.
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO BEGIN TO PRACTICE BRAIN FREEZE. WHEN YOU RECOGNIZE ONE LEADING YOU DOWN THE PATH TO ANGER, LUST, SELF HATRED OR SIN, FREEZE IT! TAKE IT CAPTIVE AND TURN YOUR THOUGHTS TO PRAISING AND WORSHIPPING THE PRINCE OF PEACE.
From my book: Soul Invasion
May 22, 2017
WHAT IF?
Look to the question for the answer. God is turning your mind upside down to give you a fresh perspective. Find Him in the places you never would have expected!
WHAT IF?
What if you didn’t need a disaster to run to the presence of God?
What if, right now, you began to thirst after a powerful, intimate experience with God?
What if you and I, right now, cranked up the value we have for hearing God speak?
What if you let your experience with God during tough times you’ve already gone through teach you that, in Jesus Christ, you have life, and you will never find it elsewhere?
What if you put your complete dependency in Him right now, no matter how blessed you are?
What if you were just as desperate for Him today as you were in any time you were devastated by a terrible circumstance?
The power and manifest presence of God would show up the same way in your Promised Land as He does in your wilderness, that’s what! Only it would be better because the whole thing would be initiated by your longing for Him instead of a reaction to a painful circumstance.
If you and I could manage that, I promise you, there would be answered prayers like we have never seen and supernatural breakthrough like we have never experienced. Chase after God in good times, not just during trials.
I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
– Psalms 34: 1-5
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO ASK, “WHAT IF?” WHAT IF YOU TRULY CHASED AFTER GOD EVEN WHEN LIFE WAS GOOD? TRY GOING AFTER HIS HEART WHEN YOU’RE BLESSED AND WATCH HIS BLESSINGS FLOW!
From my book Living Life /Forward
May 21, 2017
ISABELLA AND THE PRICE OF FREEDOM
There is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. Stop letting the enemy tell you who you are not, and learn your identity in Christ! He says you are more than a conqueror if you love Him. Walk in the righteousness that Christ died for you to have!
ISABELLA AND THE PRICE OF FREEDOM
At the age of 18, I was graduating high school and life was full of friends, music and hope for the future. That same year, Isabella turned 18 and was sold into sexual slavery to pay her family’s debts to the Mexican drug cartels. She entered into a life of hopelessness.
By the time we met, we were both 36. No longer young and beautiful, she had been thrown into the trash, literally, by her pimps. Forced to scavenge for anything of value her bosses could sell, Isabella spent her days and nights in a toxic, festering, stinking environment enslaved in every way.
We met when I took a mission team to the trash dumps of Matamoros. Upon learning her story, I asked a local pastor what it could cost to buy her freedom. He asked Isabella’s bosses how much a human being cost. The answer? A scant $631.
We set Isabella free that day. She was free to find her family – free to live wherever she wanted. My heart soared and I felt like the most privileged person on the planet to be part of setting someone free from the evil of slavery. I had visions of her happiness.
Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
– John 8:36
But Isabella wasn’t free. Knowing only physical, mental and emotional slavery her entire adult life, she was unable to muster the strength to leave the trash dump. She was still there four years later, of her own free will, gathering cardboard along with her husband and child. “Forgive me,” she said. “I don’t know how to live out there. I only know how to live here.”
Because of the mercy given me by Jesus Christ, I was able to hug her and encourage her. Yes, I was disappointed she decided to stay in the dump, but I see many of us in her.
Despite the freedom Christ gives us when we get saved, we remain in our trash heaps – unhealthy relationships, addictions, negative thought patterns, violent behaviors and other things we need to put in our past. It’s hard to see yourself as clean and set free when, on the inside, you feel filthy and tied up.
But, hear me on this: you are clean! You are free! You are now righteous in the sight of God despite not having everything together!
And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
– Romans 6:18
Should you work toward getting out of your personal trash dump? Yes. Isabella did. She eventually left and I know I will see her in Heaven to get the rest of the story. What about you?
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO BREAK THE CHAINS THAT BIND YOU TO YOUR PAST. YOU ARE RIGHTEOUS IN GOD’S EYES SO DELARE IT! PROCLAIM VICTORY OVER THE GARBAGE IN YOUR LIFE AND STEP INTO FREEDOM!
From my book: Best of the Brewer
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