Troy A. Brewer's Blog, page 340
February 20, 2017
Thermostat or Thermometer?
You are salt to the world that is filled with unseasoned herbs. Stand with Jesus and be known as "the salt of the Earth.” This is a time to show the flavor of the Lord to your circle of influence.
THE INFLUENCE OF GOOD
I like good food and, over the years, have become a bit of a gourmet snob when it comes to eats. Sure, I like my down home southern favorites – gravy is a beverage at my house – but I’ve learned to appreciate the nuances of the flavors in fine dining.
One thing I’ve discovered over the years is that a little too much seasoning, or not enough of a certain ingredient, can really affect the flavor of a dish. It can smell good and look pleasing to the eye, but if it doesn’t taste good, it’s missed the mark altogether.
It’s like that with kingdom living. You are supposed to love good and hate evil. If you practice goodness, you should be seasoning every aspect of your life with it. Home, work, church, school, Facebook, the grocery store or the stop light, all are places where you have the opportunity to influence the world for good in the mighty name of Jesus.
Be a thermostat, not a thermometer. A thermometer has no other function than to measure the temperature of the room. A thermostat, however, changes the atmosphere for the better! Wherever you go, change the atmosphere. Influence it with praise, thanksgiving, kindness and generosity.
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.”
– Matthew 5:13
And whatever you do, don’t be famous for what you stand against. That’s what religion does and religion does not have a love for God or even for what God deems important. Instead, be known for how you stand with Jesus.
Flavor everything you do with Jesus so a world starving for goodness can “taste and see that the Lord is good!”
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO BRING LIGHT INTO DARKNESS. BE A THERMOSTAT AND TURN UP THE GOODNESS IN PLACES WHERE EVIL ABOUNDS.From my book: GOOD OVERCOMES EVIL
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February 19, 2017
Generosity makes God smile
Your heart will be filled with God's goodness. As it is filled, your generosity will result in a selfless act of sharing your heart with others, thus pleasing the Giver. May the Lord fill your cup to overflowing! Be ready to partner with this.
GENEROSITY MAKES GOD SMILE
Did you know God smiles when He gives? He does. Why? Because the giving side of God shows up as goodness and looks like increase.
Yes, the Lord will give what is good; And our land will yield its increase.
– Psalms 85:12
When God gives to you, His intention is to fill you up with goodness. He has a huge agenda to see goodness in every aspect of your life because He wants you to have so much, you can give a lot of that goodness away.
What You give them they gather in; You open Your hand, they are filled with good.
– Psalms 104:28
You see, God fills you up so you can give to others. In that way, you are imitating your good Father. Your tiny ability to imitate God’s lavish goodness to those you love is not even on the same scale as God’s giving nature of goodness.
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your father who is in Heaven give good things to those who ask Him?
– Matthew 7:11
When Father God gives to you, even the measure is called good.
Give and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.
– Luke 6:38
God takes pleasure and actually enjoys giving to you. When He does, it is called “good pleasure.”
“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
– Luke 12:32
God’s goodness always gives away life.
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”
– John 10:11
You see, God’s goodness, like His love, is always selfless. Always! So the thing you need to know about goodness is that wherever it shows up, it is always life-giving.
TODAY IS A GREAT DAY FOR GOODNESS TO SHOW UP WHEREVER YOU ARE. SHOW OTHERS THE LOVE OF GOD AND THAT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS GOOD!From my book: GOOD OVERCOMES EVIL
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February 18, 2017
God loves you no matter what
God loves you so much! It doesn’t matter what you’ve done in your life. You can’t do anything to deserve His love, just receive it because He is love. Then be loving to someone else who doesn’t deserve it either.
THE LIE THAT “NOBODY LOVES ME”
Every Christian, no matter how long they’ve been walking with God, has to deal with the thought pattern that “nobody loves me.” It is one of the devil’s favorite lies. If you are smart enough to realize you are greatly loved by God and the circle of people you are blessed with, the devil will still try to get you to focus on the one or two dummies who should love you, but don’t.
Yes, I have people in my life – some are blood – who should love me, but they don’t. They likely never will because they just refuse. I have been incredibly hurt and disappointed because I want to be on their good side. I want them to value me. They don’t.
Who in your life fits that bill? How much time do you spend trying to get their love and approval? Here’s a news flash – stop.
Why should your attention be given to those one or two people who refuse to love you, when there are others who do care about and respect you? Shouldn’t you focus on them instead?
Here’s the gist of it all: When our mental attention is devoted to those who do not love us, our lives become afflicted in every area. Yes, EVERY area. If you want strife, focus on trying to please the unpleasable. You will self destruct!
Let me ask you a question. Is God the most amazing person ever? Is He perfect, loving, good and just? The answer to both questions is a resounding, “YES!” Then why do so many people refuse to love Him?
If God can’t make people love Him, what makes you think you can?
But God proves His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
–Romans 5:8
God loves you just because He does. You didn’t have to do anything to earn it. As a matter of fact, you can’t earn it and you don’t deserve it. It is just His character to love you because, the Bible tells us, God IS love.
So, rather than focus on those few people you cannot please, focus on God. Get to know His perfect love, His ways and His truth. It will give you the ability to focus on those who love and support you.
From my book: SOUL INVASION
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February 17, 2017
Little things make big days
That first step of kindness you make, regardless how small, will change lives. The seeds of God's goodness will be planted. Those steps will become bigger, and the results will produce fruit.
THE SKINNY ON A VERY FAT STORY
When I say that good overcomes evil, I say it because I know for a fact what happens when we go after goodness. Even if it’s just for a tiny glimpse, like when God showed Moses His glory, His goodness passing by us is a game changer.
The OpenDoor Food Bank has been a game changer for our church and community for 21 years. Some of the best examples of God’s goodness in my life are things that happened there. However, the way it started is a great example of goodness in action.
The old man was 84. He was a WWII veteran who lived in a small community of mostly elderly, isolated folks and he was roofing his girlfriend’s house one shingle at a time. No joke. He would climb up the rickety old ladder with one shingle, hammer it down, then call it quits for the day. He was old and the Texas sun was punishing.
My father-in-law saw him and called me. “You ought to help him,” he said.
Wanting to impress my bride’s daddy, I did. That’s when goodness showed up. Not mine, but the Lord’s.
After finishing the roof, his girlfriend, an old and frail lady, offered me lemonade. It was the only thing in her refrigerator. I got my wife and we ran to the store. When we returned with provisions, the old man grumbled, “What about me? I need food. And my other girlfriend needs food too.”
When I told him we would be back on Saturday with supplies for the two of them, he said he had several other friends and neighbors in need. “Bring them all,” I said.
There were over 30 hungry, needy, elderly folks at his house that weekend, and the OpenDoor Food Bank was born.
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to act.
- Proverbs 3:27
What would have happened if we had ignored the empty refrigerator and just prayed for someone to help? What if we would have brought food to the old woman and man, then said, “We don’t have the money or time to help the others. Maybe you should call a church.”
I’ll tell you what would have happened. Thousands of people would be hungry, desperate, sick, hurting and going to hell – that’s what.
Because we acted and were faithful to continue acting, thousands of our friends and neighbors not only have food, they’ve been healed, blessed and saved through the OpenDoor Food Bank.
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO ACT. DON’T JUST PRAY SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN! STEP OUT AND BRING THE GOODNESS OF GOD TO SOMEONE IN NEED BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT ONLY FILLED WITH HIS GOODNESS, YOU ARE A GAME CHANGER!From my book: GOOD OVERCOMES EVIL
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February 16, 2017
The hound on your trail
As we go through life it always seem we are in a hurry because we are tied to schedules for work, family and business. However none of us are in a hurry to meet our final destination. But it is smart to make sure you have reservations for when that time comes and It is so simple and easy. Just call on the Name of Jesus, for God so loved the world He gave His only Son, that whoever (that's you) believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) Accept the invitation!
THE HOUND ON YOUR TRAIL
If you live with constant fear of something bad happening or feel like death is stalking you, know this: you are being chased. Just not by death.
The great Christian author and scholar C.S. Lewis called Jesus “The Hound of Heaven.” He was illustrating that Jesus is after each one of us. He is a God who pursues. He is chasing you down and hot on your trail. Death is not after you. Life is, and life has a name – Jesus!
He has followed you into every mess you’ve ever made. He has tracked and trailed you, hoping you would finally surrender and let Him have you.
Stop running! Let Him bless you and give you peace, because for those who are saved by Him, doomsday is not inevitable! Our final destination is an eternity of victory with Heaven’s Champion –the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
And when I saw Him (Jesus), I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, “Fear not; I am the first and the last; I am He that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and death.”
– Revelation 1:17-18
The next time the devil threatens you with impending doom, remind him that he is not the author or the finisher of your life. Jesus Christ is! Satan does not have the keys to death. Jesus does!
From my book: SOUL INVASION
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February 15, 2017
Advertise God with your life
Whether you have seen your miracle from God yet or not, trust that whatever happens, God will use your situation for good because He is a good God.
POWER PLAY
You’ve heard me say that without a display of changed lives, our boasting of God’s power to save is a false advertisement. It’s true, and false advertising always results in broken trust.
The brilliant evangelist and apologist Ray Comfort calls this “Hell’s best kept secret.” It’s when we tell people that if they just trust in Jesus, He will solve all their problems. They will always be blessed, healthy and happy because God is good, He loves them and will fulfill their heart’s desires.
While it is true that God is good — very good — and that He loves us to death — His own — the rest is a ticking time bomb that Satan loves to see go off. The collateral damage is hellacious.
When sickness strikes, a precious one dies, a job is lost or a spouse breaks a vow, those promises ring false. The hurting often blame God when they are sold a false bill of goods — a God who resembles a genie in a bottle.
Ever heard someone say, “I tried that Jesus thing and it didn’t work for me.”? Satan is ready to pounce on these victims of false advertising.
You see, there is this pesky thing called free will. Unfortunately, it’s a two-edged sword. While it can be used to choose a real relationship with Jesus Christ, the One True God, it can also be used to choose darkness — a relationship with self and sin. Either way, sin is part of the package until Jesus comes back or we meet Him in Heaven.
Because of sin, our world is not perfect. People get sick, they die. People lose jobs, spouses, fortunes and friends. To tell folks otherwise is a great big win for Satan — false advertising.
But remember, God is in the miracle business. He can heal bodies, relationships, addictions and hearts. Make sure you are advertising Him with your life.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
-Romans 8:28
Paul knows who and what He is advertising. He doesn’t claim that all things are good for those who love Jesus. He promises Jesus will work bad things that happen toward a positive end.
YOU ARE THE TRUE ADVERTISEMENT OF JESUS AND HIS POWER TO SAVE.TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO SHARE THE TRUTH WITH A HURTING WORLD THROUGH YOUR ACTIONS AND MAKE SATAN WHINE, “NO FAIR!”
From my book: MIRACLES WITH A MESSAGE
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February 14, 2017
What are you pursuing?
God has blessings ready to pour out on you as you pursue His purpose for you. Just know that how He accomplishes His purpose through you does not always look like what you might expect. Be ready for unexpected opportunities.
THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
“Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” is a well-known phrase in the United States Declaration of Independence. It is part of one of the most well crafted, influential sentences in the history of the English language.
I believe they are anointed words – God breathed – and if you think that’s hokey, well rain on you!
When those 55 men signed their “John Hancock” under the 55 words of the Declaration, they handed themselves a place of honor in American history and a death warrant by the British government.
You see, in their minds, the right to pursue one’s own heart and dreams outside of government shackles was so essential, that it had to come from God. They believed this so wholeheartedly, they were willing to die for it.
The true pursuit of happiness is a God thing because God loves it when we pursue Him and His purpose for us. He even blesses it.
The only finders in the Kingdom are seekers. The only people who get the answers in the Kingdom of God are those who consistently ask. Those who walk through supernatural doors to powerful upgrades are those willing to knock at the door until someone finally opens it.
But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.
– 1 Timothy 6:11
Limp wristed, milquetoast attitudes in the Kingdom tend to produce weak results. God may be a loving Father, but don’t forget He is also a Warrior King.
That pursuit of happiness? You have to go after it. Go after it against all odds and against what’s accepted as normal. Even if it doesn’t make sense, you have to be willing to pursue what is on your heart so God can bless it.
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO PURSUE THE ONE WHO MAKES YOU HAPPY. LET HIM LEAD YOU TO YOUR KINGDOM PURPOSE.From my book: LIVING LIFE /FORWARD
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February 13, 2017
Are you choosing God's goodness?
Others are looking at you to see God, and what they will see is what you are focusing on. When Jesus is your focus, they will see His light and goodness. Keep your eyes on Him because those in your sphere of influence are counting on you!
A SHOT OF GOODNESS
America could use a shot of goodness right about now. Not only has our government turned away from God’s goodness, our schools, communities, families and even churches no longer believe in His good intentions and perfect plan for us.
He wants us to know He is good, so He told us expressly so…
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you; plans to give you hope and a future.”
-Jeremiah 29:11
The sad thing is, in the church, all of that looks like a 3-D movie without the glasses. If that same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead — that kind of goodness — lives in us, why is the church so obviously messed up? Why are we known for persecution and judgement instead of goodness and love?
I’ll tell you why, and it’s the same problem our communities and families have: There is a real deficit of God’s great goodness in our lives. We don’t accept His love or truly believe in His goodness. The problem is not that there aren’t enough churches or Christians. The problem is, there’s not enough goodness in those people who profess Christ’s name!
When the church is the good guy, it’s powerful. The kingdom of God transforms lives, heaven invades earth and everything is better.
When the church, and individuals who claim the name of Christ, are the bad guy, that’s powerful too. The mob of hell swallows people whole in gossip and division. It controls folks into thinking they are right and everyone else is wrong. I like what Paul tells believers about not only the condition of our hearts, but the condition of the church when we don’t value goodness. I especially like the way the Message Bible words it:
“It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs at happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions and ugly parodies of community.”
-Galatians 5:19-21
OUCH! Do you see yourself in there? It’s hard not to.
Again, Paul was writing to the Church! When Christians, and the Church itself, are not full of God’s goodness, everything is miserable. It doesn’t have to be like that. We can choose goodness. We can believe God when He claims to be love — when He professes that He is light — when He proves by His actions that He is truly good.
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO FOCUS ON HIS GOODNESS IN YOUR LIFE.RECALL TIMES WHEN HE HAS PROVEN HIS LOVE FOR YOU. THANK HIM AND SPREAD HIS GOOD NAME TO A WORLD DESPERATELY IN NEED OF GOODNESS.
From my book: GOOD OVERCOMES EVIL
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February 12, 2017
Cure for a selfish life
God only wants the best for you. When you bless God or His children, you are blessed by Him and known in Heaven.
CURE FOR A SELFISH LIFE
If you think God wants too much of your time, money or talents, I have some news for you – you are sadly mistaken!
The cure to the selfish pattern of thinking that “God wants too much out of me,” is to assess the legalities of ownership. The apostle John did this, well God did it for Him, but John understood.
The Spirit of God showed John what things will look like after Jesus returns. The “disciple Jesus loved” saw you and I in that day, singing a song. Look at the words we’ll sing in perfect pitch and unity:
“You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; For You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation. And have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.”
– Revelation 5:9-10
Get the drift that God is not asking too much? Is there a price to pay? Yes, there is. It is a lifetime of choosing the things of God rather than the things you want and this world tells you that you should want. It also requires commitment on your part to grow, learn and be passionate about your relationship with Jesus.
Sometimes, you will have to go places you don’t want to, or sacrifice things you want to keep for yourself. You will have to keep your mouth shut when you could destroy your opponent, and other times you will be asked to speak up and stand alone. You will be asked to give when you don’t have the resources or put up with Sister Suzie Rottenheart when you don’t feel like it.
At times like this, you will want to bargain with God for the life He’s given you. Be careful you don’t rip yourself off.
You see, if you don’t get what you want out of life, it is a sign that you either didn’t seriously want it, or you tried to haggle over the price.
From my book: SOUL INVASION
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February 11, 2017
Who is Jesus to you?
Come to Jesus and see His glory, His manifest presence, and you will begin to understand more and more just who He is. He is not hiding from you, but He is revealing Himself to you in ways you could never have imagined.
JESUS JUST LOOKS GOOD
I love the way the Bible describes Jesus and how awesome He is. I mean, He really is the most amazing person ever in the universe.
Just look at the names He is called and what He calls Himself…
The First and Last, the Alpha and Omega
“Alpha” and “Omega” are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. This means He is the beginning of all things articulated and the very end of all things expressed.
The Word
John chapter 1 tells us that before leaving His home in Heaven to become a man, Jesus’ name was not Jesus. It was “The Word.” The Word is the creator side of the Trinity who spoke everything into existence. His voice – His name – literally make molecules into matter. That’s a mind-blower for sure!
The Light
He is described as the Bright and Morning Star in Revelation, the Sun of Righteousness in Malachi and the Rising Sun in Luke. John calls Jesus the true Light, as does Isaiah. Darkness cannot compete with Him.
The Righteous One
Acts 3:14 and Jeremiah 26:6 are among the verses that tout Jesus’ righteousness.
The I Ams
There are times when Jesus describes Himself. These are called the “I Am” sayings of the Gospel of John. When Moses asked the voice in the burning bush on Mt. Sinai its name, the response was simple and direct: “I Am who IAm.” He wasn’t created — He just is! How cool is that? It’s also cool that He gave us other ways to know Him by declaring that I Am…
And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
- Exodus 3:14
The Bread of Life, the Light of the World, the Gate, the Good Shepherd, the Resurrection and the Life, the Way, the Truth and the Life, and the True Vine.
The facets and nuances of who and what Jesus is, is like skipping a stone across the ocean. It’s impossible. But when you start to dig into who He is to you — how He works in your life and how He speaks to you — you will find yourself advancing to new heights.
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO DIG INTO JESUS AND EXPERIENCE THE NEXT LEVEL OF HIS GOODNESS. FIND OUT WHO HE IS TO YOU AND HOW HE WORKS AND SPEAKS IN YOUR LIFE. WRITE IT DOWN AND MEDITATE ON IT. YOU’LL BE GLAD YOU DID!From my book: GOOD OVERCOMES EVIL
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