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

Endless Compassion

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

GOD’S care for us extends to all the details of our lives. He knows when we are hurting and wants to offer comfort to us. His compassion is personal, continuous and always available! The Holy Spirit, who lives inside each and every believer in Yeshua, also comforts us. He is there to comfort and console us anytime, day and night. 

Consider how the actually immeasurable compassion of the FATHER was demonstrated through YESHUA’S life. YESHUA met Peter’s betrayal with forgiveness.  Thomas’s doubts were answered by YESHUA Himself (John 20:27). Our mistakes won’t stop YESHUA from loving us.  Know & Believe this!

2 Corinthians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our MESSIAH YESHUA, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.

GOD’S comfort and care are adequate for anything we face (declining health, our finances, family troubles, etc.!) GOD’S Word tells us we are to comfort one another as we are comforted. In this troubled world we live in, there are people all around us who are in need of help. 

Sooo… to whom can you show compassion today in your corner of the world?

Love & Blessings,

Pastor Bruce and Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Expressing Gratitude

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

What motivates us to express gratitude to ABBA THE FATHER? We often  remember to thank Him when something positive happens in our life, but our verse of the day tells us to give thanks in all things, which would include difficult times as well as happier circumstances. That may seem illogical to some of us, but it is not!                                           

Even though life may be difficult, our hope and joy remain because we serve the eternal omniscient, omnipotent GOD of love! We need to remember that our gratitude magnifies the LORD.   He is pleased when we obediently thank Him, even in very difficult times, such as what we have to endure now in this upside down world. 

Our thankfulness also reinforces our faith! Recalling His faithfulness in the past equips us to face our future!

1 Thessalonians 5:18
In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in MESSIAH YESHUA for you.

It’s easy to be grateful when we receive something we have desired for a long time. But, GOD wants us to express thanksgiving in everything! Meditate on His goodness, love and care, faithfulness, sovereignty and pure promises, always offering Him thanks in all! 

Yes! “PTL!” 

In Yeshua’s Name. Amen. 

With lots of prayers, love & hugs,

Shalom! 

Pastor Bruce & Suzi

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

The Lord Supplies

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

But my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Messiah Yeshua!
Philippians 4:19

We have God, as our Father, who is able to provide for us with ease. This is why we do not panic when troubling situations come. Think of all the troubling situations that have come your way these past 6-7 months with this Covid-19 pandemic scourge on the earth. This is all in the past now. This shows you that God will always settle your situations, no matter what. Your only focus should be trusting in God. Nothing else.

Prayer:

Dear God, I thank You that I can move in this life freely knowing that all I need has been met. I do not count any troubling situations as life-defining because you will always get me through them.

Thank you, Lord. 

In Yeshua’s name, I pray. Amen.

Love & Blessings,

Bruce and Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Crossing Over

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

GOD created us all to be in a loving relationship with Him. But there is a gap between a perfect GOD and sinful man! The bridge across that gap is the Lamb of GOD, “YESHUA, our Savior!” 

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 ABBA 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 maker of this universe (ABBA FATHER GOD)!

2 Corinthians 5:18
Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through YESHUA MESSIAH, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

Have you crossed over that bridge? But how many of your loved ones and friends are still living in a state of alienation? They need to know there is a bridge to their heavenly FATHER! So if you have crossed it, wouldn’t you be a good guide for them and show them the way? 

We all need to have that personal loving relationship with our Maker!

 

Love & Blessings,

Bruce and Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation