Stop & Listen

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

In the Word, we read stories about GOD speaking to His prophets, and He still speaks to us today the same way!  We need to listen for that small, still voice; don’t let the busyness of this life keep you from hearing Him!

The first time He spoke was through the power of the Holy Spirit leading us into salvation; that was the beginning. If we listen carefully, He will call us during our sanctification, our walk with Yeshua, as the Holy Spirit stretches and grows us, as we’ve been set apart by Him and for Him.

He will continually remind us to use His power and resources so we can obey and live truly righteously. Then He calls us to service, giving us the abilities, time and resources for the good works He wants us to accomplish (ESPHESIANS 2:10). 

Then He calls us to accountability. One day we will have to give an account of how we used the resources He gave us!

Romans 14:12
So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

Has life become so hectic that GOD’S voice is inaudible? Especially with all the craziness of today, we need now more than ever to give ourselves time to hear GOD speaking to us through His Word and in our prayer closets! 

During this time on earth, we all need to be guided and receive wisdom from the Ruach HaKodesh, the Holy Spirit! Yes, in Yeshua’s Name. Amen.

 

Love & Blessings,

Bruce and Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Heaven Bound Express

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

YESHUA told us in the Word that we can choose the wide path or the narrow one to journey through this life! Placing our trust in YESHUA makes us members of GOD’S family and takes us immediately onto the narrow road!

As we travel on this heaven-bound express, the Holy Spirit becomes our guide, helping us move ahead. Through Him, we receive spiritual eyes to catch glimpses of His majesty and the love He has for us. He will equip us to be ambassadors for MESSIAH. Through GOD’S precious Word, the RUACH HAKODESH will speak to us and comfort us whenever the road gets bumpy. 

Now, on the wide road, none of these things are possible! On this road we may have lots of material things and satisfaction of self-desires, but it’s only temporary!

Matthew 16:26
And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?       

Eternity is forever; let’s plan ahead and make sure we are traveling on the right highway that leads to our divine destination—Heaven!

 

Love & Blessings,

Bruce and Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Priority of Prayer

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

Without daily fellowship with our ABBA FATHER through MESSIAH YESHUA, He may seem like a stranger. You can’t ever really know someone without communication! Prayer is our avenue to that! GOD (the creator of this universe) knows you inside and out, but unless you make prayer a priority, you will never know Him! To miss out on knowing your Creator intimately is a great tragedy!

The  life of a MESSIAH FOLLOWER in YESHUA isn’t merely about how much you serve, how generously you give or how faithfully you attend a congregation! All these things should result from a close relationship with ABBA! We need to prioritize our time to be alone with Him in prayer and meditation of His Word to experience His awesome presence!

Mark 1:35

Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, Yeshua went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.

Just as the Scripture said, even though YESHUA was the sinless Son of GOD and Deity Himself, He made prayer a priority! He is our greatest example! Prayer is the lifeblood of our existence as a Messianic Believer!

Love & Blessings,

Bruce and Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Friend of God

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

One key to effective prayer is approaching GOD as His friend. When we don’t know GOD as a friend, we are reluctant to ask Him for anything; we don’t feel we’ve “earned it” with our good behavior! So our confidence that He is listening is easily undermined. 

We need to see ourselves as close friends with GOD! You may be thinking that becoming friends with GOD seems like a difficult thing to do. But if you are a follower of Yeshua, you are already His friend. Friendship is based on sharing openly and honestly. Our Scripture today tells us Yeshua shared everything with us! 

John 15:15 

“I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are My friends, since I have told you everything the Father told Me.”

When we begin to see ourselves as GOD’s friend through MESSIAH YESHUA, our prayers become much bolder and full of faith. It is all up to you whether you want to be a casual friend or a close intimate friend! The choice is yours!

Love & Blessings,

Bruce and Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

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!