Fiery Ordeals

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

A Very Blessed day to you from Pastor Bruce & Suzi!

Being a believer in Messiah Yeshua isn’t always easy. In fact, sometimes we’ll experience trials that truly test our faith and ability to trust in GOD.   

In today’s Scripture, Peter refers to times of testing as “fiery ordeals”! He says we shouldn’t be surprised when hardships come our way.

It’s important to remember that GOD has a purpose for our trials and will see us through each step of the way.   Sometimes, our heavenly FATHER uses painful experiences to cleanse and purify us, His children.  

See, trials are to drive us closer to God, and we can begin to focus more on Him and start to see things from His perspective!  He also uses them to strengthen our faith and our devotion to Him.

1 Peter 4:12
eloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you.

In the midst of adversity, we might feel overwhelmed and discouraged. But once the storm has passed, we can often look back and see that the LORD’S providential hand carried us through. 

Oh, indeed, yes! “PTL!” 

In Yeshua’s Name. Amen.  

With lots of prayers & love, shalom!

Pastor Bruce and Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Forever Changed

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

A blessed day to you from Pastor Bruce & Suzi!

Have you gone through a time of trial or even a blessing that you consider “life-changing”?   Many things can cause us to feel as though our lives are somehow different, but none are as powerful as what we experience when we become redeemed, born-again, saved believers IN MESSIAH YESHUA! 

From the moment that we accept YESHUA as our Savior and LORD of our lives, we are forever changed (transformed)! And, as believers, we gain even more than assurance of eternal salvation; we experience a complete life change!  We now walk in newness of life (Romans. 6:4), and we are new creatures IN MESSIAH YESHUA!  

From that moment on, we have the leading of the Holy Spirit, and MESSIAH in us is our Hope of Glory (Colossians 1:27); check it out!

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in MESSIAH , he is a new creation, old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new.

As believers and new creatures, we are earthly ambassadors for the LORD, and we have a calling that is eternal.   Our great Almighty GOD desires all the glory and honor for this, His wonderful plan for our salvation  (sending His only begotten Son to take our place and pay our sin debt in full). 

Let’s exult His glorious Name, our soon coming King! Yes, “PTL!” 

In Yeshua’s Name. Amen.

With lots of prayers, love & hugs, Shalom!

Pastor Bruce & Suzi

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

God’s Strength Is Greater

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

A blessed day to you from Pastor Bruce & Suzi!

Most people don’t like to talk about their own actual weaknesses!   But, in today’s verse, we find Apostle Paul boasting in his weakness!

Why would Paul do that?  Because he knew that GOD’S strength was great in the midst of his infirmity!                          

We all have weak areas in our lives. We need to never rely on our own strength, but in prayer, ask ABBA to give us His strength in our weaknesses! When we cry out to Abba FATHER, He is more than willing to give us the strength we need. His grace (unmerited favor) is always more than sufficient to see us through.                                 

2 Corinthians 12:9
Each time He said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of MESSIAH can work through me.”

May GOD’S power be made perfect in your weakness today. Yes!

In Yeshua’s Name. Amen! With tons of prayers, hugs & love, shalom!

 

Love & Blessings,

Bruce and Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Forever & Ever

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

The Book of Revelation may be the most ignored book in the New Covenant, simply because it can be difficult to understand. Revelation has some of the richest descriptions of our LORD YESHUA that the Bible has to offer. We love seeing Him as a baby in a manger, and of course, we know the importance of His death and resurrection, but the story doesn’t end there! Let’s not miss out on the ending of the story.

The apostle YOHANAN, who wrote the Book of Revelation under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, was given a dramatic vision of the exalted LORD as He is now in Heaven. He sees YESHUA as the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings and the LORD of THE BODY OF MESSIAH, in the midst of the lamp stands. All Heaven erupts into praise and worship because MESSIAH is found to be the only one worthy to end the age and set up His righteous Kingdom!

Revelation 5:13C
Blessings and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.

If you are a believer in MESSIAH YESHUA, as you read Revelation, you are reading about your future! Picture yourself in the scene, seeing YESHUA as the exalted LORD and Lamb of GOD! Let this glimpse of our future elevate our praise and worship to a new level! Indeed!

 

Love & Blessings,

Pastor Bruce and Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Lake Worth/Lantana, Florida

Showing God’s Love

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

In John 13, we see the premier example of servanthood as YESHUA washed the disciples’ feet! Remember, back then everyone wore sandals and the roads were not paved (just dirt), so by the end of the day everyone’s feet were really dirty.

YESHUA offered to wash their feet to teach them a great lesson (John 13:8). YESHUA clearly explains in verses 13 to 17 that we must do things for each other, otherwise, we are really not part of one another. The things we do to serve one another are the things that bind us together. YESHUA was able to wash their feet because He was free; only a person who is truly free (not insecure) can do menial tasks and not feel insignificant as a result. Serving others is not typically viewed as a high position, yet YESHUA said it is the highest of all.

John 13:5
After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the servant’s towel with which He was girded.

The purpose behind being a servant is to show others the love of GOD that He has shown us! How can you serve someone today (showing the love of the FATHER)?

With tons of prayers, love & hugs, 

Shalom! 

Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation