Count It All Joy

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

Discouragement is one of Satan’s most effective weapons; he knows that if he can destroy our courage, we’ll be ineffective in accomplishing anything for MESSIAH!!

A divided mind will always be the result of discouragement, affecting every area of our lives and the decisions we make! No matter what we’re doing, it feels as if a dark cloud covers our entire thought life. Discouragement also leads to the “blame game,” where we feel a deep need to point a finger at someone else.

You may even want to blame GOD because He’s allowing these painful circumstances! Blame is always an empty activity; no healing ever came from blaming anyone else for your hardship!

James 1:2-3 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience…

Blame and resentment will act like a cancer that will slowly spread and destroy your life! Let’s short circuit the work of Satan and pray to ABBA to cleanse our hearts!

Love & Blessings,

Bruce & Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Priorities

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

The Old Covenant tells us idolatry is a serious issue, but in our modern world, not many give that much thought!

The worship of idols may seem ancient, but the truth is, all of us will struggle with this heart issue!

Modern idols can come in many different forms, such as a relationship, position or title, possessions, etc! When we depend on or give priority to anything besides the LORD, it becomes our God!

Does something in your life have a higher value than the LORD?

One accurate measure of priorities is the use of our time.

Do you reserve a part of each day for time spent with GOD? On what or whom do you depend; do you rely on GOD for strength & provision or on yourself or others?

Matt. 6:24 No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one & love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God & mammon.

We must make up our minds (double-mindedness never works)! If we believe our GOD is the one true GOD, then give Him your whole life, be faithful & serve Him and only Him!

Love & Blessings,

Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Faith Is Like a Muscle

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

Almost every Believer at one time or another will make the statement “I wish I had great faith!”

Faith is like a muscle, in order for them to become strong, you must exercise them, just wishing doesn’t work!   We are to believe GOD, not only for salvation through Messiah Yeshua, but for everything. Faith is actually a process that involves increasing degrees of trust throughout life.

Elijah was a man of great faith; he saw increased challenges as opportunities for GOD to do His work. This prophet believed GOD for the supernatural (1 Kings 18:22-36); check it out. We can too, if we are obedient and willing to trust in Him.

Do you want to be used by GOD? Well, He’s not looking for perfection; He’s looking for believers willing to walk by faith & trust!   2 Cor 5:7  For we walk by faith, not by sight…

Little faith hopes that GOD will do what He says.
Strong faith knows that He will.
GREAT FAITH believes that He has already done it!

Love & Blessings,

Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

A Solid Anchor in Turbulent Times

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

When turbulent times are upon you; the Word of GOD should be your anchor and in our verse today we find Isaiah’s writings about our source for that hope! YESHUA.          

Here GOD promises us strength, help and protection. Moreover, He gave the command,  “Do not fear and do not be anxiously looking about.” One of Satan’s successful traps is distraction! He knows that fear can choke faith! He works hard to make upsetting circumstances our focus. Once our attention is diverted from GOD, and prayer and worship are in lack – anxiety and doubt have room for growth!                           

Is. 41:10  “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”          

The emotions of anxiety and doubt don’t belong in a believer’s life! Let’s use the spiritual anchors throughout the Word of GOD to keep us steady in the faith!

Love & Blessings,

Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

God’s Way Is the Best Way

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

Decisions—they are constantly before us! You probably have decisions presently on your plate – some may be minor & some major! Regardless of size, they will impact your life and also the lives of others.

When it comes to choices, we need to pray and ask GOD what He has to say about it. GOD clearly says in His Word (Psalm 25) that He desires to lead our life and always wants to help us make the best choices!

One thing you can be sure of, GOD will never direct you to make a choice that is contrary to His Word. The Bible is the ultimate “road atlas” ever printed! The choice He wants for you is one that will lead to life and will have His fingerprints of peace all over it!

Psalm 25:4-5 “Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth & teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day.”

Abba leads us gently; He never pushes or pressures us to do anything. His yoke is easy; His burden is light (Matt. 11:30).

Blessings,

In Yeshua’s wonderful matchless name,

Pastor Bruce  & Suzi Elman
L’Chaim Messianic Congregation
Lake Worth FL

We Have This Assurance

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Messiah’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10

If you are suffering from a disease, an injury, or a chronic medical condition, you may wonder if you can ever be healed. The Bible has good news for you!

While doctors and medicine are a gift from God, His power is infinitely greater than any human wisdom or prescription.

In fact, He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20).

Throughout the Bible, God encourages us to call upon Him for healing. He says in Exodus 15:26, “I am the LORD who heals you,” and we call Him “Jehovah Rapha” because He is the God Who heals.

Psalm 103:2-3 says, “Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.”

Some think that miracles no longer occur, citing 1 Corinthians 13:8. However, this passage refers to the return of Messiah Yeshua. When He comes again, we will no longer need prophecies, tongues and miracles because we will be in His presence.

Until then, the anointing, power and gifts of the Ruach Ha Kodesh are readily available to help us in every situation!

God’s Word reveals how deeply He loves His children and wants us to have health and wholeness. 1 John 4:8-9 says: “God is love.

This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.” Yeshua said, “I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10, NASB).

Throughout His life, Yeshua demonstrated what abundant life means for His followers, including us today! As you pray, come against the enemy and resist satan in Yeshua’s Name. Because of Yeshua’s sacrifice on the cross, we can enter God’s presence and boldly make our requests.

Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

We simply approach God with our petitions and trust Him for the answers in accordance with His perfect will for our lives. Remember that God’s blessings may include medicine and professional medical help.

Romans 8:28 promises, “In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

No matter what we face, God is with us! “Who shall separate us from the love of Messiah?”

Until next time…

In Yeshua’s wonderful matchless name,

Pastor Bruce  & Suzi Elman
L’Chaim Messianic Congregation
Lake Worth FL