Good News

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

When you receive exciting news, what’s the first thing you do? You probably call someone who will share your joy? As in our verse today, the apostle Paul told others about salvation for a similar reason.

Paul got saved on the road to Damascus (Acts 22), and he then dedicated the rest of his life to spreading the good news of the gospel (cross of YESHUA paid our sin debt in full)! He gave his time, energy and ultimately his life committing to spread the good news! He knew some would accept the truth while others would reject it. 

Paul himself couldn’t save people—he wasn’t responsible for their reaction. His task was simply to go and tell everyone about YESHUA. Because of his devotion to the LORD, he felt compelled to offer this glorious hope to a world that desperately needed forgiveness!

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of this Good News about MESSIAH. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jews first and also the NON Jew.

Do you feel the same indebtedness that Paul felt? Pray that GOD would give you courage and wisdom to share the gospel with others in your sphere of influence!

 

Love & Blessings,

Bruce and Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

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Father of Tomorrow

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

Today is the “father of tomorrow,” meaning what we are today is the result of how we have been thinking and have lived in the past.

If we save wisely today, we’ll have plenty tomorrow, but spend everything today and have little or nothing for the future! Today’s Scripture tells us we will reap what we sow.

Example: you can’t plant crabgrass and expect to harvest pineapples; nor can we sow disobedience to GOD and His Word and expect to reap His blessings! Look at a apple tree and you’ll realize planting a single seed can yield thousands of seeds. Just the same, a small decision to do either good or bad reaps much bigger crops, either for joy or sorrow!           

Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

Keep in mind, unlike agriculture, life’s harvests do not have predictable schedules for ripening! We reap some crops quickly while others take a long time, but do not be deceived, their season will come! Be faithful in all situations and your harvest will come! We serve a faithful GOD who always keeps His promises.

 

Love & Blessings,

Bruce and Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

God’s Discipline

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

Recently, we spoke of falling into sin, which leads us away from GOD and hinders His work in our lives. He will not allow sinful patterns of behavior to continue without correction and discipline (Hebrews 12:10). 

Don’t confuse discipline with punishment (it’s correction not punishment). YESHUA took our punishment at the cross (no other required).GOD uses trials and circumstances to turn us away from unholy practices and teaches us the way of godliness. 

We need to examine our wrong doing and take His correction seriously; He’s only looking out for what’s good for us. He is our heavenly FATHER and that’s what fathers do—discipline!

Hebrews 12:5B-6

My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens and scourges every son whom He receives.

Not all hardships though are a result of sin (could be derived from natural disasters, illnesses or someone else’s actions). But if your troubles are a result of your own ungodly actions, in that case, confess them and accept the discipline of a loving Father to His precious child!

 

Love & Blessings,

Bruce and Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

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Stepping Forward

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

Faith is so important to our life in Messiah. Without it we can’t please GOD! It is our foundation. 

Hebrews 11:1 Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see!

True belief in MESSIAH is more than something we express verbally; it’s a pathway we follow. Throughout our  life with GOD, our heavenly FATHER takes us on a journey, allowing us to experience a real relationship with Him as we encounter each circumstance. See, GOD has a purpose for everything we encounter. Just as Abraham was told to leave his home and follow GOD’s commands, not knowing where his next step would be; he trusted GOD (stepping forward through faith), even though he didn’t understand. Because of his obedience he became the father of the Jewish nation.

Psalm 119:105

Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light and a light to my path.

GOD always shows us the next step forward, and just like Abraham we may not understand, but we need to obey His commands and trust and rest assured that He knows what is best for us! 

So step forward in faith and you will see His faithfulness. The GOD we serve is a faithful GOD!

Love & Blessings,

Bruce and Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Read more blog posts here!

Power of Prayer

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

We can all see the godless condition of our nation, recognizing a need for change. Today, let’s take a look at GOD’S solution and it just may surprise you!

In our scriptures today, Paul is instructing Timothy to set priorities for the church and “top of the list is prayer for kings and all who are in authority.” Paul would never have given this command to him if he didn’t believe that the congregation’s prayers made a difference in achieving GOD’S purpose for that nation. Let’s never lose faith on our sovereign GOD who is on His throne waiting for us to ask for His intervention! Our political policies are not ultimately settled in governmental chambers with our leaders but in our prayer closets. As the body of believers believes and prays, the LORD will respond!

1 Timothy 2:1-2A
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercession and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority.

GOD is asking us today, “Why have we waited so long to pray?” Every authority on earth can be touched by the power of prayers; if we are willing to ask in faith and believe, GOD will answer!

 

Love & Blessings,

Bruce and Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Read more blog posts here!

God’s Sovereign Hand

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

How many of us have listened to the national news and wonder, “What in the world is going on?” Without a firm foundation of biblical truth, we can easily be overcome with fear and despair. But as Messianic believers in Messiah Yeshua, we can find peace in knowing that our GOD is sovereign over every nation and ruler on earth.

Though it seems the future of a nation is in the hands of its leaders, an omnipotent hand is directing a good and glorious plan! The LORD is the One who removes kings and establishes kings. GOD oversees it all. He is working out all things according to His divine plan. We think a ruler has to be righteous for GOD to use him, but the Word tells us that He can direct the heart of any national leader whenever He wishes (Proverbs 21:1).

Daniel 2:21 He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.

Let’s be peaceful in knowing GOD holds the nations in His hands. His divine purpose will come to pass for the world. Just like the song we sing, He truly has the whole world in His hands!

Love & Blessings,

Bruce and Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation