Smile for Yeshua

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

Our scripture today talks of a cheerful countenance! What exactly is a countenance? It is your face and the way you look! GOD is very concerned about how we look because either we are walking advertisements for YESHUA or we are walking advertisements for Satan! This is why it is important that we learn how to have a cheerful countenance and a pleasant look on our face.

When you are smiling you put those around you at ease! Smiling makes others feel comfortable and secure, while a sour look on your face will make others feel discomfort and insecure!

Proverbs 15:13
A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance; but, a broken heart crushes the spirit.

All of our problems aren’t caused by the devil; they could be the result of the way we feel or act! Cheer up and learn to relax, and most of all, keep a smile on your face. It will make you feel better (including everyone around you)! 

Smile for YESHUA today!

Love & Blessings,

Bruce and Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

I’m a Citizen of Heaven!

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

Earth isn’t our everlasting home. Our citizenship is in heaven. Together we eagerly wait for YESHUA to come and take us to live with Him forever. In the meantime, we have direct access to God through the Holy SPIRIT. When days are long and nights are painful, we can remember where our real home is. This life of ups and downs are only temporary. In the loving arms of YESHUA, we can find grace and mercy in time of need.

We are united with our Savior. I am one in spirit with Him, and so are you! YESHUA doesn’t call us His servants; as a matter of fact, he calls us His friends. He tells us that servants do not know what the Master’s business is. “I have called you friend, for everything that I learned from my Father, I have made known to you” (John 15:15).

YESHUA is with us while we wait for His return. It’s important that we spend time in His Word and learn who He says we are. We are His children, and for God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in HIM shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

This world is not our home and for many MESSIANIC JEWISH BELIEVERS, we feel like we don’t belong. The hard truth is that we don’t belong here. We belong with MESSIAH in the heavenly places. The good news is that we can have heavenly moments with MESSIAH now! It’s in these times we find His strength to help us carry on.

Inspired by author—Lisa Brown

 

Love & Blessings,

Bruce and Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Serving God

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

GOD doesn’t need the help of any man or woman to accomplish His purpose. However, He has chosen to spread the gospel by means of His children!

As one person tells another the Good News of MESSIAH YESHUA, the story of hope, love and grace will spread around the globe!

YESHUA walked this earth over 2000 years ago, but still today there are people who never heard that YESHUA loves them and came to die for their sins. This is why we are called to serve family, friends and neighbors. Loved ones see GOD’S grace lived out when we offer a helping hand, share the gospel and lift them up in prayer.

Our purpose is to serve GOD, and caring for those around us fulfills that calling!

Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in MESSIAH YESHUA for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

We can offer GOD many reasons for not serving Him (weakness, inadequacy and fear), but that doesn’t change the mandate of scripture. We are the LORD’S feet, hands and voice on earth. We need to go where He wills, help those in need and tell all about the love of YESHUA!

 

Love & Blessings,

Bruce and Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

DESIRE OR NECESSITY

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

Sometimes people perceive a desire as a necessity. The heart can become so consumed with a craving that fulfilling it feels critical to our well-being! Then when GOD doesn’t meet the “need”, anger & frustration come about!

If your “need” wasn’t met by GOD, ask yourself, “Is my petition essential to accomplishing GOD’S purpose or is it only for my enjoyment?” If it is essential for GOD’S purpose in your life then He will answer when you pray for Him to fulfill it (Phil. 4:18).

Almighty GOD is always pleased to satisfy desires that fit within the confines of His purpose and will for your life (Ps. 37:4).

Remember Hashem isn’t obligated to grant wishes or fulfill any plans except His own.

Ps. 34;9-10 Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger, but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.

ABBA wants to be the One in whom fulfillment and satisfaction are found! When we are truly seeking the LORD, then we won’t require a lot of stuff, entertainment or people in order to be happy and content! Our joy is found in the LORD!

Blessings,

Bruce & Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation