Don’t Be Afraid of Change

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

Most of us desire to be used by GOD. We would live our lives to touch others in a positive way. In order to do that, GOD has to prepare us first. Some things might have to change; don’t be afraid of that word—change!                                

We might need to stop thinking and speaking negatively and start being positive! Let’s get out of our comfort zone and step out of the boat; stop procrastinating and look for new opportunities that arise. 

Our “promised land” is there for us to take possession of. 

GOD is so good. He is willing to lead us through our wilderness into that promised land. All we have to do is yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and then watch GOD bring about positive changes in us as He prepares to use us for Kingdom work so we can bless others!

Psalm 143:8
Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the morning, for in you do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you. 

No matter what your situation or circumstances, we can choose to change and keep a positive attitude. As the Holy Spirit leads us, let’s take one step at a time, one day at a time. 

And let’s never give up; keep on keeping on!

Love & Blessings,

Pastor Bruce and Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Call Upon the Lord—He Is There

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Messiah’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

If you are suffering from a disease, an injury, or a chronic medical condition, you may wonder if you can ever be healed. The Bible has good news for you!

While doctors and medicine are a gift from God, His power is infinitely greater than any human wisdom or prescription. In fact, “He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20).

Throughout the Bible, God encourages us to call upon Him for healing. He says in Exodus 15:26, “I am the LORD who heals you,” and we call Him “Jehovah Rapha” because He is the God Who heals. Psalm 103:2-3 says, “Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.”

Some think that miracles no longer occur, citing 1 Corinthians 13:8. However, this passage refers to the return of Messiah Yeshua. When He comes again, we will no longer need prophecies, tongues and miracles because we will be in His presence.

Until then, the anointing, power and gifts of the Ruach Ha Kodesh are readily available to help us in every situation!

God’s Word reveals how deeply He loves His children and wants us to have health and wholeness. 1 John 4:8-9 says: “God is love. This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.” Yeshua said, “I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10, NASB). Throughout His life, Yeshua demonstrated what abundant life means for His followers – including us today! As you pray, come against the enemy and resist satan in Yeshua’s Name. Because of Yeshua’s sacrifice on the cross, we can enter God’s presence and boldly make our requests. Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

We simply approach God with our petitions and trust Him for the answers in accordance with His perfect will for our lives. Remember that God’s blessings may include medicine and professional medical help. Romans 8:28 promises, “In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” No matter what we face, God is with us! “Who shall separate us from the love of Messiah?”

In Yeshua’s wonderful matchless name,

Love & Blessings,

Pastor Bruce and Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

God’s Providential Control

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

Ever wonder if God is really in control or if life “just happens?”

I assure you, even in the midst of what seems to be swirling chaos, everything IS in “God’s providential control.” He knows every hair on your head!

And, He knows us better than we know ourselves.  Charles Spurgeon calls Gen. 37-50 a “chain of circumstances” that HAD to HAPPEN to Joseph in a specific way and timing for God’s plan to unfold exactly as He planned. Spurgeon offers us these questions:

  • Why did Jacob want to send Joseph?
  • Why were Joseph’s brothers on this particular day in a different location?
  • Why did the Ishmaelites come along at that moment?
  • Why were they in the mood to purchase a slave?
  • Why were they going to Egypt and not some other destination?
  • Why did Potiphar purchase Joseph?
  • Why did his wife have designs on Joseph?
  • Why were the baker and the cupbearer in the prison when Joseph was there?
  • Why couldn’t Pharoah understand his dream?
  • Why did the cupbearer first forget Joseph and later remember him?

Spurgeon points out that every one of these events HAD to happen in the exact way at the exact time they occurred for Joseph to be where he had to be, when he had to be, which resulted in his family going to Egypt to be preserved during the famine in Canaan.  Spurgeon goes on to say, “God is to be seen in little things”, and he says all the foregoing seemingly random details are, “minutiae of Providence.”

God cares about you more than He does about sparrows! God cares about every tiny detail of your life, He made, knows and loves every subatomic particle of you, and He shed His sin-free blood to ransom you! Oh, yes! “PTL!”

Love & Blessings,

Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

Come as You Are

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

The Bible tells us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves (Matt. 22:39). However,  if we don’t love ourselves, how can we love anyone else?

You and I have to like ourselves and believe that GOD didn’t create a bunch of junk but that He made us special! Yes, He had something special in mind when He created us. 

Of course, we are not perfect, but on the other hand, GOD didn’t make us imperfect. Sin and its effect on us is the reason for imperfection!  

YESHUA came for imperfect people who have lots of problems and many needs. But the Word tells us we are to come to YESHUA as we are, and He will make us what we need to be.

Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.

You don’t have to clean up your act first; just be willing to come as you are. And through the power of the Holy Spirit, our heavenly FATHER will make you what you ought to be! YESHUA, our Prince of Peace pays the price for us all. Jjust believe in your heart!

Love & Blessings,

Pastor Bruce and Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation

A Special Purpose

Encouraging Words with Pastor Bruce & Suzi Elman

Do you know how valuable you are in GOD’S eyes? 

He has made us a special people so that we may fulfill a special purpose. 

GOD created us to praise Him! He wants us to proclaim His greatness! This is an integral part of worshipping the LORD. 

When we worship and praise our FATHER GOD we are applauding Him for who He is and what He has done. When we are praising the LORD, it releases our emotions, which frees us to express unrestrained adoration of the LORD. 

Praising GOD is always good for us. Praise lifts our eyes to the MESSIAH and fills our hearts with the contentment that eludes us when we focus exclusively on our own needs and problems.

Isaiah 43:21
This people I formed for Myself; they shall declare My praise.                  

If your praise lacks vitality, ask the LORD to show you how to extol Him with your whole heart! Look everyday for evidence of how much GOD cares for you, and then tell Him how great He is! 

Praise and honor Him just for who He is: the Creator and Sustainer of the universe!

 

Love & Blessings,

Pastor Bruce and Suzi Elman

L’Chaim Messianic Congregation