Light of the World

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

Do you realize that everyone’s life makes a statement? Perhaps you’ve never looked at your daily routine as anything more than merely traveling back & forth to work & accomplishing daily tasks. If so, you might wonder what message this could possibly broadcast to the people around us.

The truth is that every one of us communicates to others through our character, actions & words. The believer’s life should be an expression of glory to GOD while conveying to onlookers the vital importance of divine truth!

As we approach this glorious season of Chanukah, wherever we are, YESHUA’S light should shine brightly through us, so that He is evident in this dark world!                      

(John 13:34&35…A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this, all will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another… )                                    

We are ambassadors for YESHUA, let our life be an opportunity to those around us to see MESSIAH in action; as we serve others & reveal peace & trust in ABBA even as we go through difficult times.

Love & Blessings,

Bruce & Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

The Power of Love

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

Believers are channels for GOD’S love. His love flowing through us is a powerful force that enables us to do more than the unbeliever who relies upon himself. The love that dwells in us is described perfectly in our verse today!

First, “love is patient” ; with GOD’S Spirit living within, we are empowered to wait upon His timing and purpose! We can then be patient with others, knowing GOD is working in their behalf.

Second, “love is kind”, and with GOD’S love, we have the capacity to be genuinely kind, regardless of how others may treat us.

Third, “love is not jealous”; jealousy is a fear of losing someone! GOD’S love gives us the security to hold relationships more loosely.

Love does not brag, is not arrogant, and because we understand our value in GOD’S eyes we don’t need to be arrogant.

1 Corinthians 13:4… “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up… ”

GOD’S Love is powerful! When we allow  His caring Spirit to flow through us, we can have a profound effect upon our world!

Love & Blessings,

Bruce & Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Faith Factor

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

The apostle James challenges us to understand the connection between faith and obedience! He writes in James 2:17 that faith without works is dead. In other words, we cannot have unshakeable faith without obedience!

Developing steadfast trust takes time; yes, we are born again through simple, childlike faith but a growing knowledge of GOD and a deepening confidence in Him keeps us convicted. It strengthens our faith in times of testing (trials).

Hebrews Chapter 11, shows us that obedience is critical to steadfast faith, check it out! Noah never seeing rain, obeyed GOD and built the ark! Abraham left his home to go to a place not yet known, obeying GOD by faith! Hebrews11:6a  “But without faith, it is impossible to please Him… ”

Knowing and trusting GOD through His Son, experiencing His presence and living obediently are the two factors needed to develop an unshakeable faith! How unshakeable is your faith? Let’s pray for that kind of faith.

Love & Blessings,

Bruce & Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

True Success

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

What causes some people to fail and others to achieve their goals? Society tells us the definition of successful achievement in life is fame, fortune or power! But GOD’S Word tells us something different.

In GOD’S eyes, true success means becoming what He wants us to be and reaching the goals He has set for our lives (Heb. 12:1).

We should seek encouragement from the lives of other believers who have seen MESSIAH’S faithfulness and followed His direction. We need to get rid of anything that holds us back from obeying GOD. And we need to persevere through difficult and discouraging times – always relying on YESHUA for guidance and strength so we can succeed in GOD’S plan for our lives.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.

FATHER GOD has a wonderful plan for blessing and fulfillment in your life and part of His plan is that you live with purpose and perseverance! Stay in the Word, pray for direction and if necessary seek godly counsel!

Love & Blessings,

Bruce & Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Spiritual Combat

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

Spiritual combat is going on all the time. It’s important for believers to be aware of this conflict in order to battle sin effectively and so live in a manner pleasing to the LORD!

The struggle exists in many areas; first, because of the fall in the Garden of Eden, we are born with a heart that doesn’t naturally seek after GOD – it’s His Spirit that draws our thoughts toward Him.

Even after salvation (receiving Yeshua as Savior) we have the capacity to do wrong as long as we live in these carnal bodies! We have a very real enemy (Satan); his desire is for us to dishonor GOD as he tries to gain victory over the LORD’S Kingdom! We know from the book of Revelation that this will not happen, but this conflict will continue until the final days!

Galatians 5:17a “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh and these are contrary to one another… ”

We always need to be aware of our enemy and that this spiritual battle is real! Stand firm in Messiah Yeshua, arming ourselves with the Word of GOD while seeking His protection and wisdom!

Love & Blessings,

Bruce & Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation