Next Level Life

.Steeped in the Word

September 16, 2025 – 09/16/2025

9 – Fruit Bearing (+) Judgment (-)

16 – The Love of God

So it is God who decides to show mercy.

We can neither choose it nor work for it. Romans 9:16 NLT

Next Level Life\n

This is what\u2019s real: you have the God-given ability to arrest every thought at every stage of development. You can also advance those thoughts to the next level. Just because you are aware of a subject, does not mean you have to entertain thoughts about it into the advanced stages \u2013 that\u2019s where trouble becomes manifest.\n

Remember what Paul wrote to the Corinthians:\n

\u201cFor if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.\u201d \u2013 1 Corinthians 11:31\n

For example, you can be aware of the fact that you don\u2019t have the money to pay your bills without having a mental breakdown. If you entertain that thought and let your mind revolve around it, it will absolutely advance into things more painful. You will panic at the endless \u201cI should have,\u201d \u201cwhat if,\u201d and \u201cwhat about\u201d scenarios that will crowd your mind.\n

I should never have bought that new phone! What if they repossess my car? What about my credit? What if they turn off my electricity? These thoughts will fill your head with strife and your body with tension. It will inevitably show up in some nasty behavior or malicious outburst, and the downward spiral has begun.\n

First off, when you ask \u201cwhat if,\u201d the mental picture you are conjuring up is in the future \u2013 worry \u2013 and doesn\u2019t include Jesus. If He\u2019s the same yesterday, today, and forever, He is there in your future, so \u201cwhat if\u201d thoughts need to be cast down!\n

\u201cCommit thy works unto the Lord and thy thoughts shall be established.\u201d Proverbs 16:3\n

How do you stop before your thoughts become worries, and those worries become actions? Be aware of the thought\u2019s potential and judge it accordingly. At the moment you become aware that a thought wants dominion over your thinking, discern whether it\u2019s from God. If it\u2019s not, verbally commit your thinking to Jesus. Praise and thank Him for the answers yet to come.","hover":"\nWhich Wolf Do You Feed?\n

Jesus-driven thinking helps and heals. This is what the Bible has to say on the subject: For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. \u2013 Romans 8:6\n

The Cherokee nation knew it, too. Check out this spot-on tribal tale:\n

An old Cherokee chief was teaching his grandson about life. He told the boy, \u201cA terrible fight is going on inside me. It is a fight between two wolves. One wolf is evil. He is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and self-doubt.\"\n

The old man continued: \u201cThe other wolf is good. He is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.\u201d He then told the boy, \u201cThis same fight is going on inside you and inside every other person, too.\u201d\n

The grandson thought about it for a minute, then asked his grandfather, \u201cWhich wolf will win?\u201d The wise old chief replied, \u201cThe one you feed.\u201d\n

What wolf have you been feeding? Just know the wolf of evil thoughts will eventually devour you, and likely others as well. Thoughts become actions, and there is always collateral damage.\n

That\u2019s not you! You can control your thought life and ensure the evil wolf starves to death."}},"slug":"et_pb_blurb"}">Next Level Life

This is what’s real: you have the God-given ability to arrest every thought at every stage of development. You can also advance those thoughts to the next level. Just because you are aware of a subject, does not mean you have to entertain thoughts about it into the advanced stages – that’s where trouble becomes manifest.

Remember what Paul wrote to the Corinthians:

“For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.” – 1 Corinthians 11:31

For example, you can be aware of the fact that you don’t have the money to pay your bills without having a mental breakdown. If you entertain that thought and let your mind revolve around it, it will absolutely advance into things more painful. You will panic at the endless “I should have,” “what if,” and “what about” scenarios that will crowd your mind.

I should never have bought that new phone! What if they repossess my car? What about my credit? What if they turn off my electricity? These thoughts will fill your head with strife and your body with tension. It will inevitably show up in some nasty behavior or malicious outburst, and the downward spiral has begun.

First off, when you ask “what if,” the mental picture you are conjuring up is in the future – worry – and doesn’t include Jesus. If He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever, He is there in your future, so “what if” thoughts need to be cast down!

“Commit thy works unto the Lord and thy thoughts shall be established.” Proverbs 16:3

How do you stop before your thoughts become worries, and those worries become actions? Be aware of the thought’s potential and judge it accordingly. At the moment you become aware that a thought wants dominion over your thinking, discern whether it’s from God. If it’s not, verbally commit your thinking to Jesus. Praise and thank Him for the answers yet to come.

Grounded in FaithDeclare!

I crush the lies the enemy throws at me by praising God and worshipping Jesus. When I replace wrong thoughts with praise and worship, I will always overcome! My Lord is perfect in all His ways and is faithful to provide, sustain, and guide me. I put my faith in Him alone.

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Pray a-Latte

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:16 NLT

Monthly Prayer PointsLabor Day Weekend – Appreciation for all workers, rest, relaxation, and safety for all

OpenDoor Women’s Conference – More Jesus, Joy, and Jubilee for their Journey

Grandparents Day – 9/7SOKE – OpenDoor School Term begins

Pray for Israel – Rosh Hashanah (New Year) is 9/23

SPARK Worldwide Mission Trip to Africa

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The post Next Level Life first appeared on Troy Brewer Ministries.

The post Next Level Life appeared first on Troy Brewer Ministries.