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

Fret Not—God IS in Control

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

Ever wonder if God is really in control or if life “just happens?”

I assure you, even in the midst of what seems to be swirling chaos, everything IS in “God’s providential control.” He knows every hair on your head!

And, He knows us better than we know ourselves.  Charles Spurgeon calls Gen. 37-50 a “chain of circumstances” that HAD to HAPPEN to Joseph in a specific way and timing for God’s plan to unfold exactly as He planned. Spurgeon offers us these questions:

  • Why did Jacob want to send Joseph?
  • Why were Joseph’s brothers on this particular day in a different location?
  • Why did the Ishmaelites come along at that moment?
  • Why were they in the mood to purchase a slave?
  • Why were they going to Egypt and not some other destination?
  • Why did Potiphar purchase Joseph?
  • Why did his wife have designs on Joseph?
  • Why were the baker and the cupbearer in the prison when Joseph was there?
  • Why couldn’t Pharoah understand his dream?
  • Why did the cupbearer first forget Joseph and later remember him?

Spurgeon points out that every one of these events HAD to happen in the exact way at the exact time they occurred for Joseph to be where he had to be, when he had to be, which resulted in his family going to Egypt to be preserved during the famine in Canaan.  Spurgeon goes on to say, “God is to be seen in little things”, and he says all the foregoing seemingly random details are, “minutiae of Providence.”

God cares about you more than He does about sparrows! God cares about every tiny detail of your life, He made, knows and loves every subatomic particle of you, and He shed His sin-free blood to ransom you! Oh, yes! “PTL!”

Love & Blessings,

Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation