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

Great Attitude

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

In our verse of the day, Timothy tells us that  a godly person who is content is in the very best place he or she can ever possibly be in! Joy doesn’t come from having your circumstances in order and under control. It comes from what’s in your heart!

The world is full of people who have what they think they want and they are still not happy nor content. Actually, some of the most unhappy people in the world are people who “have it all!”

Contentment is not about how much money you have, your position or title at work, your possessions or what social circle you belong to! True contentment comes from the heart and is worth more than all material things you could possibly accumulate in a lifetime!

1 Tim. 6:6
Now godliness with contentment is great gain.                     

Being content and satisfied is a choice!

There is no one happier than a truly thankful and content person who abides in GOD’S love! That’s the secret to really finding peace and happiness in life. Are you abiding in God’s ️ love?

With tons of prayers, love & hugs, 

Shalom! 

Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

You’re Always There for Me

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

The world is crumbling

All about;

No safe place can be found.

Right is wrong,

Wrong is right;

The change is quite profound.

Lord, we need

Your guiding light

To lead us out of here;

We’ll focus on

Your Word, and prayer,

To take away our fear.

Temptations of

This dying world

We’ll rule out and let go;

Give our burdens

All to you,

Shed all worldly woe.

That’s how we’ll

Get through this, Lord,

Fixed on heaven above,

Assured of Your

protection, help,

And everlasting love.

Anonymous Poem

With tons of prayers, love & hugs, 

Shalom! 

Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Battling Faith

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

Sometimes we may feel like our  life swings back and forth like a pendulum between faith and doubt! This is a common problem when trying situations come our way. Even though we know what GOD’s Word says, our feelings (the flesh) often tell us something totally different!

The question is not if we will experience this but rather how long we will remain on one side or the other. Three factors determine whether we lean toward faith or doubt: 

(1) Strength of our faith at the time of our trial. 

(2) Our knowledge and understanding of GOD and His Word.

(3) Our experience with failure or success in past trials! 

To grow in faith, it’s really necessary to change not only our focus but also our thinking and listening practices. 

We need to set our mind on GOD’s promises, not our feelings! 

Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit—not Satan’s lies.

And remember GOD’s past faithfulness in trials!

James 1:6
“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.”

By choosing to walk by faith, it will be possible to bring feelings of doubt, anxiety, fear and anger into true full submission to what we know is true—GOD’s faithfulness will see us through! 

Yes! “PTL!” 

With lots of prayers, love and blessings,

Pastor 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