Facing Your Giants

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

Today, we are going to take a look at David (1 Samuel 17), the young shepherd boy that GOD appointed King of Israel later! When he went up against the giant Philistine “Goliath” with only a homemade slingshot and successfully slayed the giant, the secret to that victory was his ability to trust and obey GOD! He didn’t look at the situation; but through the eyes of faith, he knew the battle belonged to the LORD! He knew he would not lose because GOD was with him. He knew it was GOD’S strength and wisdom, not his own, that would triumph! 

David remembered past victories, recalling how GOD had rescued him from dangerous beasts. See, spiritual victories are won first in the mind! If we cave into fear and doubt, we will lose; but by focusing on the truth of GOD’S Word, we win every time!

1 Sam. 17:37a
Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

Whatever Goliath you face, know that GOD loves you, and when you place your trust in Him, He will not allow you to suffer defeat! GOD will always be glorified, and you will be blessed!

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

Avoiding Satan’s Trap

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

 

Satan will use any device to gnaw away at a believer’s faith! He knows that if he can get us to doubt our salvation, we are less likely to serve GOD with our whole heart. But if we understand his methods, we can be vigilant and avoid his traps. Unconfessed sin, ignorance of GOD’S Word, and relying on our emotions instead of our faith in the LORD and His promises are all things Satan can use against us to bring about doubt of our true salvation. 

Remember, Satan is lord over this culture; it’s his trick to encourage us to trust in our feelings for our guidance instead of the Word of GOD and His direction!

Excerpt from John 8:44
He was a murderer from the beginning, does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him! When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

When Satan tempts us into sin and if we yield, he whispers to us; “You can’t be saved because you are doing wrong.” But keep in mind, he is the father of lies, and there is no truth in him!

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

Son of Man

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

First, let’s read Matthew 16: 13-16

When Yeshua came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

They answered, “Some say John the Immerser, others say Elijah, and still others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”

He said, “But who do you say I am?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

 

Now, let’s take a look at a few things that set YESHUA apart as the Messiah! 

First, His birth: He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and was born in Bethlehem to a virgin named MIRIAM as prophesied. 

He was tempted for 40 days in the desert relentlessly by Satan, yet He did not sin! 

He showed us the love of our heavenly FATHER through everything He did while on this earth: healing people , raising the dead, and forgiving sins regardless of nationality!

Let’s read this part again: Matthew 16:15-16
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 

Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the MESSIAH, the Son of the living God.”

Many people say YESHUA was a prophet or a good teacher, but YESHUA was never merely human; He was fully GOD and fully man! This is the unique way GOD chose to demonstrate His eternal love for us!

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

An Envious Heart

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

 

When we start comparing our life to someone else’s, jealousy is like a snowball that grows larger and larger, and we end up devastated in an overwhelming mess! Confusion, anxiety, and bitterness can over take an envious heart; and before we know, it becomes impossible to keep GOD’S plan for our life in view. Our focus becomes on what we don’t have, which will take us down a path of resentment toward others! 

Envy always dishonors the LORD. If you are in a place where envy has entered your life, confess it to the LORD, and then ask Him to place love in your heart toward the individual, thanking Him for the blessing on that person’s life!

Psalm 37:4-5
Delight yourself also in the Lord , and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him and He shall bring it to pass.

Jealousy and envy are sins that will fester and grow if left unattended. The One who created you and designed a good plan for your life is able to conquer jealousy in your heart. Don’t let it stand in the way of GOD’S best for your life!

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

Good & Evil

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

Living in this fallen world can challenge our faith in GOD’S goodness! The pain and suffering that resulted from Adam and Eve’s sin can cloud our understanding of the LORD and tempt us to blame Him in every difficulty! 

When Eve listened to the serpent’s lies, she began to doubt that the LORD had made the right choice in forbidding her to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Why would He deprive her of wisdom and the enjoyment of food that looked so desirable (Read Genesis 3:1-7). 

Our thoughts are similar to Eve’s when we do not agree with our Heavenly FATHER about what is best for us!

Genesis 3:4-5
Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Eve learned through disobedience that GOD knows what is best! We have an opportunity each day to discover His goodness by listening to His voice through the Holy Spirit, obeying His commands, and trusting His wisdom. Whatever comes our way, we can know that GOD is working for both our temporal and eternal good!

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