God’s Purpose

L'Chaim Messianic Congregation, Lake Worth Florida, Palm Beaches

When we read Psalm 46:10, we see that it instructs us to “Be still” during times of difficulty. That Scripture means we should stop trying to manipulate our circumstances and instead allow GOD to work! 

Understanding a verse is one thing, but putting it into action during difficult time is entirely different! So how are we to “Be still” when we’re facing hard times?

First, we must understand that the LORD is allowing our difficulties. 

If we believe that He is in control, then we must also believe He has permitted this trial to happen! 

Second, it may be hard to comprehend, but there is a purpose behind our trials, even when it all seems confusing. 

GOD won’t allow hardships to come our way without good reason, if we respond correctly, we may look back one day on the experience as a stepping stone for growth in our spiritual walk!

1 Peter 4:12-13
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trials which is to try you as though some strange thing happened to you, but rejoice to the extent that you partake of MESSIAH‘S sufferings.

GOD hasn’t disappeared, and He isn’t ignoring us. He has a purpose in everything, even in the most challenging of circumstances! Trust always!

 

Blessings,

Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Our new location:

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation meets at:
OASIS CHURCH
16401 SOUTHERN BLVD
WELLINGTON FL 33470

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Tested by God’s Promise

L'Chaim Messianic Congregation, Lake Worth Florida, Palm Beaches

“God sent a man before them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. They afflicted his feet with fetters; he himself was laid in irons, until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him.” Psalm 105:17–19

The life of Joseph began with great promise. Earlier in his youth, the Lord gave him a dream that showed him that he would be elevated to a position of great authority. He would rule over his brothers. Even his father and mother would come bowing down before him. 

What happened next? 

The very opposite of what God had promised. His brothers betrayed him, sold him as a slave into Egypt, and, because he was faithful to his Egyptian master, he eventually ended up in prison. He was in fetters, his soul was in iron. 

How did Joseph respond to that situation? Did he say to himself, “Everything’s gone wrong! The Lord’s promise will never come true”? 

No, I don’t believe that. 

It says, “Until the time that the promise came, the word of the Lord tested him.” 

How important it is to see that when the Lord gives us a promise, many times everything that happens next will seem to be the very opposite of what God has promised. It’s so important that at times like that we don’t give up on the promise, and we don’t say, “God has forgotten; God has failed.” 

You see, that promise that God gave us is testing us. It’s testing our faith and our constancy to see if we’ll hold on in the darkest hour. And when we pass the test, then, like Joseph, the promise will be fulfilled.
Derek Prince Devotional ― A word from the Word

Blessings,

Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Our new location:

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation meets at:
OASIS CHURCH
16401 SOUTHERN BLVD
WELLINGTON FL 33470

Back to the BLOG.

Fiery Ordeals

L'Chaim Messianic Congregation, Lake Worth Florida, Palm Beaches

Being a believer in Yeshua isn’t always easy. In fact, sometimes we’ll experience trials that truly test our faith and ability to trust in GOD.

In today’s Scripture, Peter refers to times of testing as “fiery ordeals”! He says we shouldn’t be surprised when hardships come our way. It’s important to remember that GOD has a purpose for our trials and will see us through each step of the way. 

Sometimes, our heavenly FATHER uses painful experiences to cleanse and purify us, His children. 

See, trials drive us to Him; we begin to focus more on Him and start to see things from His perspective! 

He also uses them to strengthen our faith and our devotion to Him!

1 Peter 4:12
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you.

In the midst of adversity, we might feel overwhelmed and discouraged. But once the storm has passed, we can often look back and see that the LORD’S providential hand carried us through! 

 

Blessings,

Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Our new location:

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation meets at:
OASIS CHURCH
16401 SOUTHERN BLVD
WELLINGTON FL 33470

Back to the BLOG.

Finishing With Joy

L'Chaim Messianic Congregation, Lake Worth Florida, Palm Beaches

Beginning something is easy, but finishing takes courage! In the early stages of something new, we get all excited about it. We have a lot of emotions to support us. But when the emotions wear off and all that’s left is a lot of hard work and the need for patience, that’s when we find out who really has what it takes to reach a goal and truly succeed. 

In GOD’S eyes, we aren’t successful if we abandon what He’s called us to do. He wants us to finish and do it with joy! If you have been tempted to give up—don’t! 

If you don’t finish the thing you’re currently involved in, you will face the same challenges with your next endeavor. 

GOD doesn’t promise that finishing everything we start will be easy. Don’t quit; rely on GOD’S grace and keep moving toward the finish line until we cross it in victory!

Hebrews 6:11
Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true.

Is there any unfinished business in your life? Let’s encourage ourselves to set goals for finishing and be diligent to reach them.

Blessings,

Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Our new location:

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation meets at:
OASIS CHURCH
16401 SOUTHERN BLVD
WELLINGTON FL 33470

Back to the BLOG.

Sharing Joy

L'Chaim Messianic Congregation, Lake Worth Florida, Palm Beaches

When you are in love, it is an exciting and touching emotion! The same holds true of your love for YESHUA. It’s hard to keep it to yourself! The JOY that comes from loving and knowing your Savior spills over, bearing witness! 

YESHUA calls us to be witnesses to the world around us. The word witness means to see, hear or know by personal presence, perception; to testify, or bear witness to and give evidence of! 

In our Scripture today, John (YESHUA’S disciple) writes about his firsthand experience on how filled he was with joy from knowing YESHUA and wanted to share that joy! 

1 John 1:3-4
“That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.”

Witnessing is not a matter of eloquence or talent. It’s an overflow of your personal relationship with YESHUA. As you allow the Holy Spirit to increasingly express His life and power through you, may your joy overflow onto others.

Blessings,

Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Our new location:

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation meets at:
OASIS CHURCH
16401 SOUTHERN BLVD
WELLINGTON FL 33470

Back to the BLOG.

God’s Character

L'Chaim Messianic Congregation, Lake Worth Florida, Palm Beaches

When evil people affect our lives, we often wonder how GOD could permit such a thing? Humanly thinking, that question would make sense. And when this happens, we may never understand the reason wickedness was allowed to touch us. However, the LORD gives several assurances in His Word to sustain us during those times!

First, GOD will remind us that His ways and thoughts are higher than ours (ref. Isaiah 55:9)!

As we see in Romans 8:28, our Heavenly FATHER promises us that He will work all things together for the good of all believers!

Then in our Scripture for today, He provides insight into His character: Psalm 100:5 “For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.”

We live in a fallen world, and all of us will be affected sometimes by evil people! Knowing GOD’S Word and understanding His character gives us hope and will give us endurance to persevere during those times.

Blessings,

Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Our new location:

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation meets at:
OASIS CHURCH
16401 SOUTHERN BLVD
WELLINGTON FL 33470

Back to the BLOG.