Double Minded

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

The Old Testament 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 that 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 GOD? On what or whom do you depend? Do you rely on GOD for strength and provision or on yourself or others?

Matthew 6:24
No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve GOD and be enslaved to money.

We must make up our minds; double mindedness never works. 

If we believe our GOD is the only true GOD, then we must give Him our whole life and be faithful and serve Him and only Him!

 

Love & Blessings,

Pastor Bruce and Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Lake Worth, Florida

Faith Factors

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

The Apostle James challenges us to understand the connection between faith and obedience! He writes in James 2:17 that faith without works is dead. In other words, we cannot have unshakable faith without obedience! 

Developing steadfast trust takes time. Yes, we are born again through simple childlike faith, but a growing knowledge of GOD and a deepening confidence in Him keeps us convicted and strengthens our faith in times of testing (trials)! 

Hebrews Chapter 11 shows us that obedience is critical to steadfast faith! Noah, never seeing rain, obeyed GOD and built an ark! Abraham left his home to go to a place not yet known, obeying GOD by faith. 

Hebrews 11:6A
And it is impossible to please GOD without faith.

Knowing and trusting GOD through His Son, and experiencing His presence and living obediently, are the factors needed to develop an unshakable faith. How unshakable is yours?

 

Love & Blessings,

Pastor Bruce and Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Lake Worth, Florida

Created for Praise

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

We pray that each and everyone of you had a blessed and joyful Thanksgiving Day with your loved ones and that praises went up to the Throne Room giving GOD the honor that is due Him! Our Creator, “maker of heaven and earth,” made us in His image with the main purpose of glorifying Himself! 

When YESHUA instructed the disciples how to pray (Matthew 6:9), He began His prayer with adoration! We do need to spend more time praising the LORD than just going to Him with our requests. 

The Word of God warns us to always remember GOD’S benefits so we will humbly go before Him and give Him the honor and glory for who He is, “The Great I Am”! 

Praise appropriately humbles us; as it is a reminder of GOD’S greatness and our dependence upon Him! And at the same time, exalting Him strengthens our sense of assurance, therefore increasing our faith! 

As we focus at the cross, we find new strength!

Psalm 150:6
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

Take a moment to think about the LORD’S attributes, goodness, and His work in your life. 

What can you praise Him for today? 

For a follower of YESHUA, everyday should be a day of thanksgiving!

 

All our love,
Pastor Bruce & Suzi

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Lake Worth, Florida

Saving Grace

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

GOD has predestined every believer to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, YESHUA! The process begins at salvation and continues until we join Him in Heaven! 

The apostle Paul is a good example of the LORD’S power to transform an unrighteous man into an image-bearer of YESHUA!

Paul was deeply religious before his conversion. When he met the LORD on the road to Damascus, the future apostle learned that all his religious zeal meant nothing. The only way for people to be acceptable before our heavenly FATHER is to receive the saving grace of MESSIAH—He replaces our sin nature with a righteous spirit!

Romans 8:30
And having chosen them He called them to come to Him. And having called them, He gave them right standing with Himself, and having given them right standing, He gave them His glory.

Paul was welcomed into the Kingdom in spite of his hostility toward the BODY OF BELIEVERS (promoting blasphemy and punishing believers). No one is beyond the LORD’S capacity to forgive! His grace is sufficient! Let’s praise our loving GOD for His amazing grace!

 

Love & Blessings,

Pastor Bruce and Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Lake Worth, Florida

Emotion of Loneliness

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

GOD’S desire is that all people feel connected to Him and to each other. 

When we feel the emotion of loneliness, we can be quickly comforted by responding wisely! 

The first step is to enter into a personal relationship with YESHUA; believing He exists is not enough! 

GOD created man for fellowship, which is why a relationship with Him will give you a sense of oneness! The love of YESHUA will take the loneliness out of the lives of GOD’S children (believers). 

Next step, we ought to develop godly friends, who will empathize and cry with us when we are going through trials! Godly friends will continually point us to YESHUA and also pray with us and pray for us! 

YESHUA is speaking in the following Scripture:
John 14:18
No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.

We can’t deny feelings of loneliness, nor can we run from them! When we seek ways to escape these feelings, we widen the gap between the LORD and ourselves. There is one way to close that opening and conquer loneliness. It is by drawing near to YESHUA!

 

Love & Blessings,

Pastor Bruce and Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Lake Worth, Florida