Enjoying Life

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

The good things in life are not the result of material possessions or position held. They are based on one thing—a personal relationship with the Savior of the world, MESSIAH YESHUA!

When our hearts are set on fulfilling our desires rather than His, we experience trouble, heartaches and frustration! Many may say, “I just want to enjoy life, can I do this and also give my life to Yeshua MESSIAH?” Absolutely! In fact, the only way to experience lasting joy and contentment is through an intimate relationship with YESHUA!

Apart from Him there is only emptiness of soul and spirit!

Matthew 6:19-20
“Do not lay up for yourself treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (NKJV)

While the world rushes after material gain and social position, the Word instructs us (believers) to seek first the Kingdom of GOD and His righteousness and these things shall be added to you (Matthew 6:33). 

Let’s not risk the greatest opportunity we could ever be given—a personal loving relationship with the GOD of this universe! Wow! Yes! “PTL!”

With lots of prayers🙏🙏, love ❤️ & hugs, 

Shalom!

Pastor Bruce & Suzi

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

It’s All About Attitude

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

In this life, your attitude makes all the difference. It can be your best friend or your worst enemy! Everyday we have trials and tests we all go through, but how we go through these trials and tests has a lot to do with their outcome! 

Keep in mind we have a very real enemy, “satan”, who roams around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). But he can never defeat a person who has an abiding faith in Messiah Yeshua, which certainly ought to produce a good attitude! An attitude of gratitude!  

As Messianic believers, we should always show others a good attitude; because if we claim to be believers in Messiah Yeshua,  you better believe people are watching us! Just because of that, our attitude is very important! 

Our attitude will either draw people to us or push people away from us! GOD’S Word tells us we are to be the light in a dark world ( and there is much darkness today), so let your light so shine to lead others to MESSIAH!                                    

Philippians 2:5
Let this same attitude and purpose and mind be in you which was in MESSIAH YESHUA.

Next time a situation arrives in your life, take the time to STOP 🛑 & THINK: “What would  YESHUA’S attitude be?” 

Why? Because the world around you is watching to see how a believer in Yeshua would handle that!!

 

Love & Blessings,

Bruce and Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

The Riches of His Grace

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

Scripture says that YESHUA chose to become poor—leaving Heaven and everything that belonged to Him as GOD’S Son so that we might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9). We read in Ephesians chapter 1 about the riches of His grace, check it out! 

We were chosen by GOD Himself; we belong to Him. He gives us a purpose for life, and we are, at the same time, eternally secure (as believers)! We have been given permanent citizenship in GOD’S Kingdom (Heaven), an inheritance that won’t perish (1 Peter 1:4).

Because of our redemption in YESHUA, His death on the stake, satisfying divine justice, our sin debt is marked “paid in full” in GOD’S eyes. And because of our salvation through MESSIAH, we enter into a personal relationship with our heavenly FATHER, and then we become His adopted children.

Ephesians 1:7
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the richest of His grace.

Many of us don’t realize how rich we are. We think in earthy terms (like bank accounts or material possessions) instead of spiritual ones! Our real wealth is found in the spiritual blessings we have been given through MESSIAH YESHUA. We are rich in His grace!

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

Dangerous Idols

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

Jealousy is typically a negative emotion. Our verse today says our GOD is a jealous GOD! This describes GOD’S vigilance in guarding our love for Him. Since we were created to love the LORD and be loved by Him, anything that competes for our devotion simply does not fit our life’s purpose.       

The most important mission of life is to love GOD with all our heart, soul, strength and mind (Luke 10:27). Without complete devotion to Him, we would pursue our own interests and neglect godly principles and goals. 

No idol whether it is a person, dream or an item is worthy of worship! But a holy and just GOD—whose love for mankind moved Him to send YESHUA, His Son, to die in our place—deserves our total loyalty and surrender.               

Deuteronomy 5:9A
You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods.                              

GOD hates idols because He knows they are dangerous for us. They are a sure way of causing us to stumble and become ensnared in sin and forfeit our blessings! For our protection and His glory, let’s be true to our surrender and loyalty to our GOD!

Love & Blessings,

Bruce and Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation