“So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal; knead it and make cakes.” ( Gen 18:6)

More than three months ago I broke my ankle. I could not stand or walk. My husband chose to lovingly and sacrificially take care of me during those difficult weeks. Some people advised that I should go ‘abroad to stay with our children, to have a better treatment’. Others said that we should hire a maid to take care of me. My husband and I, in one accord and ‘with no shaking’ (as we say in Nigeria) decided that I am going nowhere and I will stay in the house, in Warri, until healed. My husband also decided that we shall not hire anybody and that he will cook the meals and do whatever is necessary in the house. This decision was not easy because he is a very busy man with ministry and all. But this was what we decided as a married couple.

The devil attacked and I was incapacitated for a while. We did not want to make it easier for the devil by allowing any form of separation in the flesh or spirit between the two of us. We did not want to bring in any strange spirit in the form of a hireling ‘maid’. The danger to negatively affect the atmosphere in the home was greater than the so called benefits. So we decided ‘to stick together’, to pray and to seek the face of God thru it all. Looking back, I can confidently say that it was a very wise decision. As my ankle was healing, so our marriage became better, stronger and sweeter. We had time to re-bond as a couple. We had long uninterrupted hours of fellowship in the presence of God. We open our hearts afresh to The Holy Spirit and to one another. We became vulnerable to one another once more. We prayed new prayers. We sang new songs.

Since last year we had planned a vacation during this time. For some time we were not sure if I can make it. I did not want to travel in a wheel chair. But God His wonders. This vacation is one of the best we ever had. I am still limping (for now) but the sweet wine of Jesus produced long ago at the wedding in Cana flows gently in our marriage. This trip was free from errors of judgment, foolish anxieties and unnecessary complications. It was very relaxing and good for our bodies and spirits. Thank God!

I want to confess this: one thing I truly missed all those weeks of lying in bed is to wake up before my husband, to have a quick ‘quiet time’ alone, drink my coffee, and then prepare our breakfast. It is true that my husband became a champion at cooking during this time of trial. But I still consider the kitchen to be my own personal ministry and I was so happy to come back to my holy duties as a wife. We are in Houston in a hotel with a mini kitchen (we generally like to stay in hotels that have cooking facilities). I just finished making an omelette (4 eggs, onions, tomatoes, hot pepper, ham…) and I am happily waiting for my husband to wake up hungry for both spiritual and physical food. By the grace of God, I am ready to give him both. Like with Sarah of old’, you never know if one day you have the privilege to cook for angels or even for The Lord! Your dreams can come true at the end of a good meal!

Marriage is sweet for me, for us… What the devil intended for evil, God used it for good. God always has the last say in the affairs of His children. To God be all the glory!

Lastly… dear children, be happy for your parents are happy! This is your inheritance and approved by God portion in life! Reject depression and frustration! Reject poverty and foolishness! Reject doubt and stagnation! Rejoice in The Lord! And I say again: rejoice! It is well!

Your mother,
Malia

“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand” (Jn 10:28)

One thing that surprises me each time we come to the US is the amount of disposables that fill the trash cans. It is true that using them makes the work easier. You eat from a paper plate and drink soda from a paper cup. No need for washing. I use this ‘method’ too when I am here. But seeing so many disposable things filling the trash cans all over the place affects my spirit. Not immediately but slowly it erodes my understanding and my appreciation for eternal things ‘that never perish’. i need to remind myself today: the salvation of my soul and the blessings of Christ are Eternal!!!

Our daughter took us to a place in Houston called French Riviera Bakery. It is a very successful and unique restaurant. It is not the most beautiful place in town. They serve good breakfast (omlette, pancakes…), cakes, French bread, coffee and tea. surprisnigly, the place is always packed with many customers, especially on Saturday mornings. It is a Christian family business. What is interesting is that they close each day at 4 pm. They do not open on Sundays. Another interesting thing is that each summer they close down the shop for 6 weeks. You see it writen on the main door: ‘We and our staff have gone on vacation with our families’. In spite of all this, their business is very successful. This is another proof that if you put God and family first, the work of your hands will be blessed. This is a good word for the wise!

“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart” (Ezekiel 36:26)

The Bible describes two types of hearts: hard (un spiritual, unbelieving, of the flesh) and soft (spiritual and believing). We are all born sinners. A sinner needs to come to Christ and repent of his sins. Then the miracle happens: God will change his heart, his spirit. This is what it means to be born again, to be filled with the Holy Spirit. It means to be saved and have eternal life. Are you really saved?

The hard heart is a sinful stubborn and proud heart. It is un-sensitive to God or to the feelings of other people. The hard heart is the reason why men and women are not able to marry, why couples divorce or why they cannot be faithful friends to others.

Read in the book of Exodus the confrontation between Moses and Pharaoh. Jehovah God commands Moses to go back to Egypt and free His people from their slavery. God tells him that Pharaoh will not listen because He has ‘hardened’ his heart (Ex 4:21). These are some of the signs of a hard heart as seen in Pharaoh words and actions: A hard heart is a wicked heart. It hates God and His people, he hates the true worship of God and prayer. It sees no value in serving God. It calls spiritual sacrifice laziness (Ex 5:8). A hard heart is very stubborn, unwilling to change, totally resistant to any outside influence. This extreme stubbornness is not natural but demonic (1Sam 15:23).

God punished Pharaoh. A hard hearted person will be demoted losing all privileges and social position. Poverty, loneliness and failure are the effects of a hard heart. No man or woman can prevail against a person whose heart is hard; no begging or pleading can change him. Only God can ‘break’ that heart and change it, but thru much pain and suffering. Pharaoh pretended to repent but his repentance was fake. He did not fear God even after much display of His supernatural power (Ex 6:1; 9:27-30). A hard unrepentant heart surely ends in disaster! (PV 28:13. 14)

If you have a hard heart, my words seem like foolishness to you. You will reject the truth that sets you free. I can only plead for mercy from The Lord on your behalf. If you are a believer and married to a hard hearted person, then you should know that it is only God who can help you. There is no need to fight, quarrel or plead with your stubborn spouse. It will not work. Pray this prayer: ‘Father God, no matter what it takes, save my husband’s (or my wife’s) soul. Have mercy on us! In Jesus name!’

Salvation in Christ is the beginning of the true change. Under the influence of the Holy Spirit the hard heart becomes soft, merciful, wise and loving. The change is supernatural, dramatic, real and gives God alone all the glory. The saved person becomes responsible and spiritually mature. He now is a true faithful friend!

Humanly speaking, the change of heart is a difficult process. There are tears and sleepless nights of prayers. To enjoy the benefits of a new heart and a new happy marriage takes years of work. But it is worth the effort! It requires knowing and applying the Word of God, love, faith, patience, wisdom, fasting and many prayers. There is also need for spiritual warfare and deliverance as the Spirit leads. This is the deep peculiar work of salvation, done by the Holy Spirit in the souls of men. Religion cannot do it. Attending church cannot do it! The pastor cannot do it! Only The Lord Jesus Christ can change the hearts of men! It is not an easy road but it is the only road that leads to life eternal, success, prosperity, peace and joy. It is the only way to have a happy and successful marriage! I am a witness to it! I promise you that if you cooperate with the Holy Spirit, The Lord will do it! To God be all the glory!

“May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth” (PV 5:14)

I received a letter from a sister in Christ, a testimony to God’s grace in her life. She is a committed Christian. She is married for about 12 years. She and her husband struggled with their relationship at the beginning of their marriage. They come from difficult backgrounds and did not know how to apply the Christian principles to their marriage. The husband did not know how to love ‘like Christ loves the church’ and she did not know to submit to her husband ‘as unto the Lord’. As they were trying to have children they had three miscarriages. For a long time they also had financial problems. They are much better now. I am a witness that both of them overcame many odds by the grace of God. This letter shows a much happier woman. As you read this letter, may your faith increase! May God change your water into wine in your marriage! God can do it! He can change impossible situations and make the Rose bloom in the dessert! If you believe…

“No weapon that is formed against you will succeed;
And every tongue that rises against you in judgment you will condemn. This [peace, righteousness, security, and triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
And this is their vindication from Me,” says The Lord” (Is 54:17,AMP)

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (Jam 1:19, 20)

More than three months ago I fell and broke my ankle. My cast was removed about four weeks ago. Since then I have been trying to exercise my leg and to walk as normal as possible. This vacation trip was planned since last year. For a moment there was the possibility that I could not travel. I did not want to go in a wheelchair, to be a burden on the other brethren who are traveling with us. But God made a way. I started the journey with one crutch. Then I walked with a walking stick. Two days ago I abandoned the stick also. I am now walking by myself, though limping. If I am very tired, I hang on my husband’s arm. I am grateful to God for the small daily improvements. If you have never been sick, you will not appreciate the joy of getting better. God is great, I tell you!

“The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein.
For He has founded it upon the seas,
And established it upon the waters” (Ps 24:1,2)

“There, in the presence of the Lord your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the Lord your God has blessed you” (Deut 12:7)

We are on vacation, on a cruise ship, together with twelve other Christian couples. We are seeing new sights, eating new food, experiencing new things in different other cultures. The purpose of this trip is relaxation and excitement, as couples, in the presence of God. Some have already learned how to ‘enjoy’ life. Some others still struggle with fears of losing control or with guilt about spending money. They cannot fully enjoy this time.

“Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Mt 14:31-33)

We are traveling on a cruise ship. It is Sunday morning and we are having church. Pastor Leigh preached from the Book of Matthew 14. He said that the Lord interacts with the crowds differently than with His disciples. He heals the sick and He provides food for the hungry. Satisfied that their temporal needs were met, most people go home. They do not remember to worship The Lord.

“Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God” (1Pet 4:1-2)

Today is 13 weeks since I broke my ankle. I am felling much better. My bone is healed. I am still limping because of the weakness of the ligaments and muscles. But the improvement is clear and I am so grateful to God! There so many wonderful lessons that I had to learn during this trial of faith. The Holy Spirit helped me to simplify and clarify my mind. I was ignorant that there was a lot of unholy, unnecessary ‘dust’ settled on my mind, making it dull and slow. The pain in my leg and the limitation in my body helped me to rearrange my priorities. I had to think thru all these things, what is important and what is not.

Read the scripture above. Your mind is not just for thinking. It is designed by God to be a weapon against the attacks of the devil. ‘As a man thinks in his heart, so is he’. The mind purified by approved suffering in the will of God becomes one of the greatest weapons in spiritual warfare. As a child of God, you are commanded to ‘arm yourself’ with the mind of Christ! Your thoughts, your attitude to life will protect you from sin! The helmet of salvation protects your mind from anxieties, fears, confusion and useless distractions. You need to cultivate the same ‘attitude’ with our Lord Jesus Christ! He was humble and obedient to His Father unto death! As a Man, He learned obedience thru the things He suffered! He was tempted at all points as we are, yet without sin! He became the source of eternal salvation to all others who are obedient to Him! He is the Lion and the Lamb of God! His mind is my mind! His attitude is my attitude! That is what I pray for! That is what I desire!

Yesterday, My husband and I went to a beautiful mall in Miami called The Falls. There was a river gently flowing in between the shops. We entered a shop selling beautiful shoes. In the past, I will admire the shoes and even try some. This time I chose to sit down quietly by the water admiring God’s beauty. There was no need to try the fancy shoes I could have liked in the past. I still cannot wear high heals. I have to ‘manage canvas flat shoes’ because of my balance as I learn to walk again. But that is ok. The battle has been fought over my mind. The devil has lost it! Jesus is Lord!

I have peace in my heart as I know that God allowed this trial for my good. I lost the feverish restlessness to compete with the world! I le go of the anxiety to please men! I shook off the fears growing from the dirty soil of inferiority complexes! My life is simpler now, but more focused. My worship is free! I now love God with a purer love. I celebrate Him who loves me forever. To my amazement, I discover that shoes are not the most important things in the universe. I smile… There is so much more to life…

“Father, I adore You… May my life please You… In Jesus name, amen!”

(in the picture, the river flowing at the Falls Mall in Miami, Fl)

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of them–yet not I but the grace of God that was with me” ( 1Cor 15:10)

I received a note from somebody saying: ‘Ma, who are you? Are you a doctor or a pastor? Is there no confusion between these two professions? I am just curious… Please explain…’

This was my answer:
“Dear… By the grace of God I am who I am. It is the grace of God that defines me. It is not what people say, but what the unmerited favor of God says about me that matters. First of all I am a child of God. I am also a wife (for 42 years), a mother of three adult children and a grandmother of six. I am a medical doctor by profession. I am a pastor by His grace and by His calling. It is the same with my husband, Pastor Richmond Leigh. We both worked as doctors for about 20 years. My husband and I we founded Lily Clinic in Warri, Nigeria. We sold the medical equipment and the name of the clinic when we started the church. Since 2000, we are in full time ministry, as the founding pastors of Father’s House Bible Church, Warri, Nigeria.

As you see, there is no confusion. But, the way a believer and an unbeliever thinks is totally different. I am sinner saved by grace. I was an atheist, a complete unbeliever until I met The Lord in 1986. Since then, God has helped me change my view of life, death, sickness, the trials of life and eternity in general. In the medical school they teach you what they know: the science of medicine. They cannot give you what they do not have. As a doctor, I did not believe in God, devil, heaven, hell, prayer or the Bible. I practiced medicine the way I was thought in school. Pure science!

But after I became born again things changed radically as they should! God took center stage in my thinking. I started asking each patient who came to my office: ‘what do you want: prayer or medicine?’ The wealthy ones always say ‘medicine’. So I did what they requested. I examined them and gave them their medicine. I charged them high, I might add… But the poor ones who could not afford to pay for treatment, they usually said: ‘Doctor, I do not have money, please pray for me…’ I usually tell them: ‘God bless you! You are very wise! You have chosen the best I have…’ Then I prayed for them and did not charge money at all. Most of them will come back with a testimony of supernatural healing. This is how I have discovered the power of God available in Christ alone and the Holy Spirit in action, ready and able to save, heal and deliver. This revelation changed me and my practice! Along the way, I have learned so many wonderful lessons from others. The humble, generous and willing believers thought me faith, patience, divine wisdom and the value of prayer.

In particular, I loved the terminal cases, the ones given up by other doctors… When a doctor tells his patient: ‘I have done everything I know. I cannot help you anymore. You will die in few weeks…’ A person like this has no other options except what God provides. I always appreciated when these hopeless cases came to me at their ’11th hour’. They suddenly wanted prayer. Their faith will increase. In this way I had more freedom to ‘experiment’ with prayers and the ministry of the Word. Many dying people were brought to Lily Clinic by their families just so that they can die ‘in peace’. I witnessed how a man’s face changes according to his spiritual ‘status’. From an angry face he will have a peaceful countenance and die smiling. Others, against all medical odds, received their healing miracles. I am a witness to all these things… I know that God is good!

Like I said, there is no confusion. In heaven there is no sickness, suffering or death. It is only eternal pure holy worship. Even now as a pastor, my priority is not physical healing but spiritual healing. If a man gives his life to Christ, that is the best thing he can do in this life. If a man is sick or is well, rich or poor, educated or not, he still needs Christ, first of all! I always point people to The Lord Jesus! He is the only Savior, the only Healer and the only Lord! I am just a servant to my Lord! If you see anything good in me, please give all the glory to God who has made it possible to have some good inside. I hope this answer will help… God bless you!”

“No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it” (1Cor 10:13)

This scripture is safely stored in my heart and I have used it many times to strengthen myself in The Lord. More than twelve weeks ago I fell and broke my ankle. I am now recovering from that fracture. My cast has been removed. I started walking with two crutches, then one crutch and now, with ‘just’ a walking stick (which I intend to throw away as soon as possible). We are now on a vacation, planned since last year. I had to strengthen my faith to go even though I still have pain, a swollen leg and I am limping. Two times in one day I was tempted to ‘backslide’ from my healing faith. This is my story…

At Lagos airport we had to wait for a time. I saw a place where they had comfortable chairs. They said that the place is designed for ‘the pregnant women, the elderly and the sick’ to rest. My husband and I went there to ask if can seat for a while. The young man (about 30 years old) in charge of the place saw me limping with a crutch. He said that I cannot seat. He said I should go to my airline and bring a note from them that I am ‘qualified’ to use a wheel chair. My husband told him that my leg was broken, that is why I am using a crutch but that by faith, I refuse to seat in a wheelchair and be pushed around by another. He stubbornly insisted that without that ‘wheelchair note’ I cannot seat there even though almost all the seats were empty. We did not want to argue and decided to just stand there, next to their sign board. (I was happy in my heart that at least he did not ‘qualify’ us as ‘elderly’).

I was really surprised at the un-welcoming attitude of this man, especially as we prayed before the trip, that we may find favor with strangers. Suddenly, a Nigerian woman of about my age who was seated there came to my ‘rescue’. She begged and begged that man who was in charge saying that ‘you never know who you reject in this life in the day of visitation’ and that my husband looked like a pastor… Anyway, suddenly the man left and another came to start the shift. This one was very nice and begged us not to be offended and told us to seat down thee for as long as we want. Thank God that my need for rest did not made me to ask for the ‘wheelchair note’.

When we arrived in Houston, as usual, there were many wheel chairs waiting for any passengers who needed them. They were almost calling my name to ‘enjoy’ the comfort they provided. Thank God that I did not even ‘greet’ these wheelchairs and limping on my crutch went ahead like that.

The desire for an ‘easy life’ is a strong temptation. But my desire for a spiritual victory is always greater than my need for temporary comfort. So, this is my testimony: I rejected the wheelchairs for the glory of God, for the shame of the devil and for the encouragement of others. I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me! Praise The Lord!

 
“But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me” (2Cor 12:9)

We are on a vacation trip that we planned since last year. Because of my injured ankle, for a moment, I was afraid that we cannot make it. But God has been so faithful and good to us… I limp a little… I have some pain…but I can walk by myself... Thank God! I decided to take one of my crutches so that i can support the weight of my body when we have to wait for a long time. My husband and I also decided that I shall not use a wheelchair. By faith, I have graduated from that level.

“Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God” (Eph 5:17-21)

To be filled with the Holy Spirit is God’s command to His children! It is not just His ‘suggestion’. We cannot afford to be passive, to ignore or to rebel against God’s Word! This is the truth: No unbeliever can receive or be filled with the Holy Spirit. They may receive a religious evil spirit, a fake ‘holy spirit’ but never the real Spirit of the Living God that comes with the power of resurrection!

“Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God” (Eph 5:17-21)

We are commanded to be wise and have spiritually understanding. Foolishness is not a virtue. We are to know and to do the will of God. What does God want from us, His children? God wants us to be like His Son, Jesus Christ and to be filled with the Holy Spirit! Selah!

What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit? Just like a drunkard is ‘filled’ with alcohol, is under the influence of alcohol, so also the child of God should be filled with the Spirit of God. When you become saved, you receive a deposit of the Holy Spirit. As a child of God you know who the Holy Spirit is. The challenge now is to yield to God, to open your heart and to allow the Holy Spirit to fill every ‘room’ inside. Then you shall receive supernatural power to obey the Word of God and you shall make great progress as a Christian.

In Greek, the word translated ‘filled’ is ‘pleroo’. It is a very interesting word. Basically, it means three things:

*Pressure! Just like the wind blows and pushes a sail boat, this is how the believer who is filled with the Holy Spirit is propelled forward. The ‘wind’ of the Spirit gives you the power to walk like Jesus walked and to run the race to the end. The same Holy Spirit keeps you from backsliding or going astray! With just a little effort, you shall feel this wind gently blowing from behind and you shall move on in life from one testimony to another! Hallelujah!

*Permeation! If you put a drop of color in a glass of water, soon, it will spread to the whole liquid. If you are filled with the Holy Spirit you shall have a new attitude and a new heavenly fragrance. You will change and become like Jesus! Your mind will change! Your words will change! Love will become the way of life for you. Others will notice this change and this will be your testimony to the glory of God.

*Control! The Person of God the Holy Spirit will control your thinking, your emotions and your behavior. Each person is controlled by one dominant emotion. For example, a man can be controlled by greed; another by anger or by depression, by fear or by sexual lust. All his decisions bow to the this internal invisible idol. In the same way, when you are filled with the Holy Spirit all your thoughts, emotions and choices are under the control of the Spirit of life. Doubt, fear, confusion, selfishness have no place in your heart anymore. They disappear because of the new controlling power working in you. You now live a life pleasing unto God! Think about these words! Desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit! Fast! Pray! Worship The Lord! Be filled with the Holy Spirit! And you shall receive power once the Holy Ghost comes upon you!