Life in the Blood

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

When was the last time you heard a sermon or sang a song about the blood of YESHUA ? Some folks and congregations today find that concept gruesome, yet without the blood of MESSIAH there is no hope for a relationship with ABBA, no assurance of salvation and no confidence that our prayers are even heard!

The Scriptures never shy away from the mention of blood. In fact, that red string flows from Genesis through to Revelation! If you eliminate the references of blood from the Bible, all that would remain would be a book of history!  Anything that GOD considers that important should never be disregarded.

Leviticus 17:11
For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement. 

After all, without Immanuel’s fount, there is no death and burial. Without His death and burial, there’s no resurrection.  Without His resurrection, we are still in our natural lost state.  

 

Help us, Lord, to draw closer to You, our almighty GOD, and seek Your face!

In Yeshua’s Name, I pray. Amen

 

With lots & lots of prayers & love,

Shalom,

Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

What About Me?

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

A Most Blessed day to you from Pastor Bruce & Suzi!     

In our Scripture today, Apostle Paul is telling us how to avoid strife through the spirit of humility by regarding others as better than ourselves. We should always be on the lookout for the interests and welfare of others more than our own and do nothing from conceit or empty arrogance.

We are to imitate our Savior, YESHUA, having the same humble mind that He displayed!

This can be a difficult challenge because our flesh wants to shout: “But what about me?!?” 

But, if we resist our flesh and are obedient to these instructions, by humbling ourselves, being willing to put the needs of others before ours, we will then live in harmony, and therefore, be pleasing unto the LORD!

Philippians 2:3-4
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others.

When we put the needs of others before our own, we are pleasing our ABBA FATHER and at the same time honoring His Word! 

Pleasing GOD always brings with it great joy and peace! Yes! 

In Yeshua’s Name. Amen.  

With lots of prayers, love & hugs, Shalom! 

Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Rock-Solid Self-Image

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

Emotional needs can be every bit as acute as bodily needs! The desire for love, acceptance and a sense of safety were instilled in us by the LORD. These necessities are what cause us to seek out friendships, marriages, and ultimately, a relationship with our heavenly FATHER. 

And at the root of all our heart needs is the longing to feel valued!

Without a solid sense of self-worth, we can’t fully receive love and acceptance. We can’t feel safe or at rest. We turn to loved ones and friends for the proving of our value through verbal assurance or displays of loyalty. But this doesn’t work! Why? Other people’s judgements and acts of love make for a yo-yo-like self-image; it will be up and then down. 

But, on the cross, YESHUA gave us the only accurate assurance of our significance in this world.                                      

Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, MESSIAH died for us.

A rock-solid self image is rooted in the recognition of who we are in MESSIAH ! We are His beloved and redeemed children of the Most High GOD!

 

Love & Blessings,

Pastor Bruce and Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Freedom in Messiah

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

A Most Blessed day to you from Pastor Bruce & Suzi!

Because of our love for GOD, we want to do what is right; yet, there are times we walk in the flesh instead of the Spirit, and we make mistakes.  We sin and make wrong choices. When we realize we have sinned, we should quickly and thoroughly repent; we can turn away from the sin and do what is right with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Once we have done that, we are not to continue carrying those heavy burdens of condemnation! YESHUA delivered us from both iniquity and guilt!!  

Guilt is an invisible burden that wears us out and does no good at all!  Actually, it will prevent progress and render us incapable of proper fellowship with FATHER GOD.   

We are to come to Him in faith with boldness, not with fear and guilt!

Romans 8:1, 4
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in MESSIAH YESHUA…who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

GOD never does anything halfway!   YESHUA’S work on the cross is finished, so start enjoying the freedom from guilt and condemnation that is ready and available to you through MESSIAH! YES! In Yeshua’s Name. Amen.

With love & prayers, Shalom!

Bruce and Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

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