Motivate by Love

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

If you are a follower of MESSIAH YESHUA, you are to be a living extension of His life. In other words, we are to be people through whom the Holy Spirit (dwelling in us) is carrying out the LORD’S work!

We must learn how to live as GOD’S servants. We are to use our time and talents that He has given us for His Kingdom. Just like YESHUA, we are not to act independently (John 5:19); we are to do whatever GOD asks of us. 

We are to always be ready to answer His call to give aid to others as needed. We are to reach out whether it be a friend or stranger. We are to motivate one another (fellow Believers) to do good deeds (Hebrews 10:24), to forget about worldly pleasures and self-centeredness! 

Here’s what YESHUA  said about that.

John 12:26
Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.

Good works are not the means of salvation, but they do affect eternal rewards! At the Judgment Seat of MESSIAH, believers will be evaluated for what they did on earth and will be rewarded accordingly!

Let your love for GOD stimulate you to labor for His Kingdom!

Love & Blessings,

Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

God’s Sovereign Hand

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

How many of us have listened to the national news and wondered “How could everything have gotten so out of control?” Without a firm foundation of Biblical truth, we can easily be overcome with much fear and despair! But a Messianic believer can find SHALOM 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 leader, 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’s working out all things according to His divine plan. 

We think a ruler has to be righteous for GOD to use them, but the Word tells us that He can direct the heart of any national leader whenever He wishes (Prov. 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 today knowing GOD holds the nations in His hands. His divine purpose will come to pass for the world! He truly has the whole world in His hands!

Love & Blessings,

Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Avoiding Divine Discipline

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

Discipline is something we all would like to avoid!

So how can we avoid behavior that brings it on?

By studying Scripture and applying it to our lives, we will learn what pleases and displeases our Heavenly FATHER; also learning to practice spiritual self-examination. We need to examine our thought life, speech and actions in light of what Scripture tells us. When we do fall short (and we will), having a genuine confession (without excuses) agreeing with our FATHER that His way is right and admitting we were wrong! Then truly repenting, which means changing our action, attitude and adjusting our ways.

2 Tim. 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

Believers in MESSIAH YESHUA needn’t fear GOD’S discipline; He never responds to us with wrath or condemnation. His correction may hurt, but it brings great spiritual benefit! Pursuing a lifestyle of RIGHTEOUSNESS and GODLINESS will help us to avoid pitfalls that lead to divine discipline!

Love & Blessings,

Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Crossing Over

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

GOD created us all to be in a living relationship with Him. But there is a gap between a perfect GOD and sinful man (you & I). The bridge across that gap is the “Lamb of GOD, YESHUA our SAVIOR AND REDEEMER”! The cross of YESHUA provided the way from alienation to reconciliation (the span across the gulf) to a holy GOD!

YESHUA took the world’s sin upon Himself and underwent the punishment we deserved—for our sake He gave His precious life because the penalty for sin is death. Because of GOD’S grace through MESSIAH YESHUA,  any person wanting a relationship with the FATHER can have it. 

Believing YESHUA’S blood paid our sin-debt is the only requirement for crossing that bridge debt-free into a new life (relationship) with the GOD of this universe!

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in MESSIAH YESHUA  our Lord.

Have you crossed over that bridge? 

How many of your family members and friends are still living in a state of alienation? They need to know that there is a bridge to GOD! 

If you have crossed that gap, wouldn’t you be THE ONLY  one to guide and to show them the way?

Love & Blessings,

Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

The 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 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 to committing to spread the Good News. He knew some would accept the truth, while others would reject it. 

Paul himself could not save people—he wasn’t responsible for their reaction. His task was simply to go and tell people about YESHUA! 

Because of his devotion to the LORD, he felt compelled to offer this glorious hope to the lost world that desperately needed forgiveness!

Rom. 1:16
For I am not ashamed of this Good News about MESSIAH YESHUA. It is the power of God at work saving everyone who believes—the Jews first and also the Gentiles.

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,

Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation