Stay Calm

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

When trouble times come your way, do you stay calm? Our carnal tendencies are to fear, worry and try to do something ourselves to fix the situation! We need to learn to control our emotions so we can act wisely and pray about it in faith!

As in our scripture today we see Moses had to help the Israelites calm down! As they were being chased by Pharaoh’s army straight into the Red Sea, death seemed certain; they wished they had stayed in Egypt as slaves. Moses, reassuring them not to be afraid, told them to watch what GOD was going to do for them. And we know the ending; GOD parted the Red Sea and they escaped what they thought was a sure death!

Well, the same miracle working GOD is on your side today and He still fights for His people.

Exodus 14:13A-14 Moses said to the people, Do not be afraid. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. The Lord will fight for you and you shall hold your peace…

If you are a believer in Messiah Yeshua, then in times of troubles your only job is to simply hold your peace, stay calm and GOD will do the rest!

Love & Blessings,

Bruce & Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

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God’s Character

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

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 these times.

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

And ABBA promises in His Word to work all things together for good for the believers (Rom. 8:28).

Then in our scripture today, He provides insight into His character. Psalm 100:5 For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting and His truth endured to all generations…

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

Love & Blessings,

Bruce & Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Wrong Desires

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

Believers can have wrong desires! In fact, if we work hard enough—pressing ahead of GOD’S timing, manipulating our circumstances, we may be able to make those wishes reality! But, anything gained apart from GOD’S will prove to be empty and disappointing!

There is nothing wrong with having desires, but we need them to match what GOD has planned for us! Desires we may have that are contrary to His purpose for our life can corrupt body, mind or spirit and can also cause us to fall into temptation (1 Tim. 6:9)!

Our desires should be backed up with two vital questions;
1) Does GOD want this for me?
2) Can I follow MESSIAH and this objective at the same time?

Psalm 145:18-19 The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them.

The Ruach HaKodesh was given to us by GOD for wisdom and discernment! Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to ensure you that your desire is within GOD’S will and plan for your life.

Love & Blessings,

Bruce & Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Never Lose Heart

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

Let’s continue on about discouragement; we learned it could cloud our thinking and give us a divided mind (some of the external causes). Today, let’s look at some spiritual causes which can take us by surprise!

Satan, being the primary instigator wants us to lose heart, think poorly of ourselves and focus only on the negative!

Then next is unanswered prayers; when a prayer is answered “no or not yet”, we can begin to lose hope!

Some get so disappointed they give up praying altogether; while failing to understand GOD’S sovereignty and that His timing is not always our timing! Cutting off communication with the LORD is a sure way into even deeper discouragement!

Psalm 40:1-2
I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of the horrible pit, out of miry clay and set my feet upon a rock and established my steps.

Let’s not be taken by surprise by our enemy and lose heart! Never let Satan get a stronghold on us; knowing ABBA hears our cries and His love for us is based on His own grace, not our deeds!

Love & Blessings,

Bruce & Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

BLAME GAME

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

 

Double-Mindedness

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 – 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,

Bruce & Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation