Monthly Archives: January 2018

UN-INVITED YET I LIVE

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that any man or woman who goes into the inner court to the king, who has not been called, he has but one law: put all to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter, that he may live. Yet I myself have not been called to go in to the king these thirty days” (Est 4:11)
 
Mordecai tells Esther that in the absence of God’s miracle, their people will die. The wicked Haman has convinced the king to sign a law by which all the Jews in Persia should be killed. Queen Esther is the only one who can do something to save God’s people. But there are many difficulties. Esther tells Mordecai that no man or woman can go to see the king uninvited. She can die for such an act. But if the king holds the golden scepter of mercy towards her, then she will live. There is also another problem: the king has not called her to his private chambers for thirty days. Esther, like any wife, is not sure if the king’s love towards her has cooled down. Haman must have tried his best to make the king forget the love he had for his beloved queen. There is also a possibility that the king is too busy with the affairs of the state or planning a war. A busy man easily forgets his wife. The window of successful intercession is very small. Esther has to decide fast. This is an emergency. She decides to fast and pray with her maids. She asks that all the Jews do the same. It is a critical moment of life and death. Then she will go and see the king, uninvited by man but accompanied by the Spirit of God. You know the story. By the grace of God, Esther succeeds in her mission. The evil man Haman is killed and the Jews are saved, to the glory of God.
 
OUR TESTIMONY
My husband and I are married for almost 44 years. We married as unbelievers. Then we became saved. We left our medical profession to start a church. We are now in full time ministry. Over the years, as a wife, I had to learn the spiritual protocol of marriage. There was a time my husband was very involved in national politics in Nigeria. It was a lonely difficult time for us, especially for me. We give God all the glory for sustain us and our marriage. Personally, I have learned many great lessons from Queen Esther. For example, there were times when I had to go and see my husband for urgent matters. I learned never to go in ‘flesh’ to meet with him. He hates to see me panicking, crying or complaining like an ‘ordinary woman’. As an unbeliever I failed this test many times. But after I became born again and filled with God’s Spirit, I learned to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. No matter the situation, before I go to meet with him, I remember to stop everything, breath in and out, take a minute of silence and pray to God. God is my first Helper, Savior, Counsellor and Friend!
 
In times like these English or Romanian is wasting of time. I usually pray in tongues. I pray that the Holy Spirit goes before me to touch my husband and open a way for me. I never take it for granted that I can burst in his office just because I am his wife. I need the grace of God always! I pray that when he sees me, he will not see a foolish confused woman, but a true woman of God. I pray that I obtain favor with him even as I speak. I pray that the Holy Spirit gives me the right words, spoken in the right way and in the right tone. I pray that my body language shows faith in God and if need be, the courage to fight spiritual warfare. I pray that, no matter the challenge, God will help us maintain the unity of the Spirit. I pray that our marriage survives the attacks and extra burdens of so many needy people. I usually bind the evil spirits of fear, confusion, impatience, division, anger, emotional manipulation and foolishness. They shall not speak. They shall not have any room to manifest between the two of us. I pray for the unity of the Spirit; that both of us see things in the same way! I pray that the peace of God reigns in our hearts and marriage. I pray that Christ is glorified in the midst of this problem. I pray that the test will become a new testimony. All these requests are ‘translated’ in tongues. I pray in the Spirit as I walk towards my husband. Then I knock at his door. I open it. I enter… We speak calmly. We pray aloud. We agree on the strategy. We are one with God and with one another! The enemy is clearly defeated. The matter is solved in minutes. What seems impossible, after talking and praying together, it now seems so easy, so simple… God is always faithful. Jesus is Lord! We rejoice together! We smile… We laugh… The marriage is becoming stronger. The worship continues…
 
I hope that the Holy Spirit reveals to you my heart. I love God and I love my husband. I pray that the singles will marry; that they will not be discouraged to marry seeing so many broken relationships around. I pray that your marriages are fruitful and they will increase in love, wisdom and faith. I pray that you do not draw back in case of difficulties. I pray that after you have done all, you stand in the glory of the Son! Come back with testimonies! I wish you well!
Tali and I 9

TIME TO MOVE TO THE BEST PLACE IN THE HOUSE

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“Esther also was taken to the king’s palace, into the care of Hegai the custodian of the women. Now the young woman pleased him, and she obtained his favor; so he readily gave beauty preparations to her, besides her allowance. Then seven choice maidservants were provided for her from the king’s palace, and he moved her and her maidservants to the best place in the house of the women” (Est 2:8, 9)
You know the story: King Xerxes needed a new Queen. He had thousands of women in his harem but he needed a special one, a wife to stand by his side. His counsellors advise him to organize a ‘Miss Persia” competition. He will be the judge of the virgins. He can choose the best of them all. He started missing his former wife, Queen Vashti. But his friends have major influence upon his decisions. They propose that he should forget the past and move on into the future. A new Queen shall be selected.
All these events seem crazy to us. But behind the anger, foolishness and lust of a king, God is in control of the events. Thru this strange method of choosing a wife, Hadassah- Esther, daughter of the Most High God, becomes the new Queen of Persia. Let’s see the road she takes, the preparations needed to change her from an ordinary girl into a wonderful strong Queen. It is called ‘The Royal Way of the Cross’. Praise the Lord!
Esther was selected together with many other ‘virgins’ from all the nations. She was just one young woman ‘lost’ in a sea of many beautiful faces. They were all taken to the king’s palace. This is the first time the girls saw the magnificence of a royal home. The winner will become the new queen, ruling over all this wealth. The girls have not seen the king yet. But they have seen his luxurious palace, his property. Can you imagine what went thru the mind of these young women? They were all given into the care of Hegai, the eunuch who was the ‘custodian of the women’. He will train them all for one whole year but only one of them will be the Queen!
The first thing we observe is that Hegai takes a particular interest in Esther. We are told that ‘she obtained his favor’. Because of that, he gave her special beauty treatments, an extra supply of care and counsel, besides her regular allowance. He clearly invested in her more care. He gave her ‘seven choice maidservants’ to attend to her in his absence. He moved her and her maids to the ‘best place in the house of the women’. The secret of this extra care is that Esther ‘find favor’ with him. In Hebrew, the words ‘find favor’ mean to be accepted, to be successful and well dressed; it is to be seen as content, kind, sweet and beautiful in his eyes. Even before Esther becomes a queen, Hegai gives her seven ‘choice’ maids. In the Bible, seven is the number of perfection. By faith, Hegai sees her worthy to be entrusted to have authority over many people. Hegai sees Esther as a queen already! These women servants were called ‘choice maids’. In Hebrew the word ‘choice’ is similar with the word Jireh, from God the provider. The word Jireh means to see prophetically, to be joyful and to provide respect. For six months the women were massaged with myrrh, a bitter spice. For the next six months, sweet oil and sweet perfumes were rubbed on them. Finally, they were ready to meet the king, their potential husband. Each one chose her dress and her jewelry to put on for the one of a time encounter with the king. But Esther chooses nothing on her own. She depends totally on the advice of Hegai who knew the King intimately. Hegai has faith in Esther and Esther has faith in Hegai! That was the secret of her success! That was her advantage. Once you find favor with the Holy Spirit, the road to eternal life, power and success is sure!
One by one, the king rejected all the women. But when he saw Esther, he was impressed with her inside out beauty. He loved the way she spoke, her attitude and her spirit. As with Hegai, she ‘obtained favor’ with him. It was a love ‘at first sight’. He placed Vashti’s crown on her head and Esther became the new Queen. What a story!
What is the spiritual application for us, the believers in Christ? Prophetically, Hegai represents the Holy Spirit. King Xerxes represents the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the King of kings. Esther and her seven ‘choice’ maids, represent us, the believers, the Church, the Body of Christ! This is what I see: The Holy Spirit knows you long before you give your life to Christ. He prepares you before you understand and appreciate His help. He gives you His gifts and His strength to believe. He gives you eyes to see in the Spirit realm. He brings good spiritual people to you, to help and serve you. He humbles you so that you can be exalted. You will be able to seat with Christ on His throne in the heavenly places. He convicts you of sin. This is a bitter pill to swallow. It is the massage done with myrrh. After you repent of sin, the same Holy Spirit encourages you. He fills you with Himself, with the sweet fragrant perfumes of His anointing. You will receive preferential treatment. He gives you access to the best place of His house. A special double grace shall be your portion. He prepares you to be a leader of men in the House of God. The other religious unbelievers (the rejected ‘concubines) will be jealous on you but they are powerless to stop your wedding and your promotion. The Holy Spirit teaches you how to worship your future Lord, to serve your King! He helps you to see the future and to yield to God’s plan for your life. You cannot be saved by mistake or by her your own power. Salvation is personal. It cannot be stolen of borrowed. God is sovereign in His choice! Others may be richer or more beautiful, but Christ alone, who foreknew you and chose you before the world began, decides who will be His Bride.
If you feel that you are prepared to be a Lover of Christ, it must be true. For God does not do mistakes and He never fails. Have faith in the God of Esther: the single woman shall marry, the barren wife shall have children, the sick shall be healed, the oppressed shall be free, the weak shall be strong and the poor shall be rich! Prophetically, this is the time when God will move you to the best place of His House! Your future is better than your present! The Lion of the tribe of Judah wants to marry His lioness! Let’s bow our knees now and worship our King! Glory! Glory! Glory!
Lion love

THE ORPHAN WHO BECAME THE QUEEN

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“And Mordecai had brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman was lovely and beautiful. When her father and mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter” (Est 2:7).
 
The story of Esther has always inspired me. Recently I read it again and meditated upon the revelation I found there. Esther comes from a very difficult background. She was an orphan. Her parents died when she was a little girl. She grew up with her uncle Mordecai. They were ‘illegal immigrants’ in Persia. Surely, her life growing up was not easy. Thru God’s divine purpose she becomes the Queen of Persia. King Xerxes, her husband, was the most powerful man in the world at that time. But he was a difficult man. How was this poor, uneducated refugee, orphan girl become so wise, gracious, anointed and spiritually strong? The only explanation is the work of God in her heart. Here you see the power of God’s grace transforming human hearts, lives and circumstances.
 
My husband and I studied medicine in Romania, the country of my birth. Unfortunately, Romania is known for having many orphans and abandoned children. I still remember the practical tests we did in that particular orphanage in Timisoara. The building was imposing and beautiful from the outside. But inside, in between its walls, there was spiritual darkness, depression, palpable sadness, hopelessness and hardness of hearts. The nurses and the caregivers tried their best but they were not enough to care for all the children there. I remember that the children will cry until they get tired. They told us not to carry them in our arms because we ‘spoil them’. They have learned to keep silent for nobody had time for them. From what I remember as a doctor these are some of the psychological scars of orphans (give attention because some are spiritually orphans):
 
*They never eat a normal meal. They eat more or less than what is normal. They eat fast so that nobody will take their food. They do not enjoy their food.
*They sleep longer hours than normal. When they wake up in the morning, they just stare at the ceiling. They do not cry to call the adults because they have learned that nobody comes.
*They never say ‘Thank you’. There is no time for that!
*They have problems in making friends. They get easily angry and quarrel. They prefer to stay alone.
*They do not do well in school. They fear failure. Because of that they refuse to do any assignment that they think it is too difficult. They hate to be thought. They do not know that growing and learning means that you make mistakes and learn from them. They hate to ask for help from others. They hate to take risks or to walk into unknown territories. They love to ‘move in circles’, repeating the same thing again and again.
*They are very emotional. They have mixed feelings. Sometimes they are high (talk too much) and other times are low (keep quiet and grudging). Because in the orphanage they do not have personal toys or personal space they don’t know how to make long term plans for their lives. They do not have a vision of how their lives will be in the future. They survive just ‘one day at a time’ in constant fear of ‘what tomorrow may bring’. Because they want to establish their authority, the boys learn early to be aggressive and pushy. The girls learn to seduce the adult males to gain favors.
*They work to please the adults. They do not work well without supervision. They do not have a goal in mind. What they want is that the adult or the adoptive parent will be happy with them. Once they receive their approval, they stop working. They are crazy for gifts, for material things. Because of that, if they do not receive them, they learn how to steal. They are over friendly with strangers trying to make friends. They are always restless and anxious looking for the most expensive gift of all: LOVE.
 
Esther was an orphan. She was raised by her uncle in a strange pagan land. She could have been psychologically scarred for life unable to be a normal wife, how much more a queen! But the grace of God changed her to be a role model for all women everywhere to the end of time. She was beautiful inside and out. She was wise, humble, discerning, patient, loving and spiritual. She won the favor of the eunuch in charge of the royal protocol. She won the favor of everyone who saw her. Finally, she won the favor of the king who placed Vashti’s gold crown on her head. She was an original woman of God. She knew how to be poor and how to be rich! She knew when to speak and when to keep quiet! She knew how to live in a hut and how to live in a palace. She knew how to submit and how to take charge! At that time, men did not expect much from a woman. She was to be only a sex object, lost in a hated faceless, loveless, orphanage-style harem. But by the grace of God she stood in the power of God’s might! She became a ray of light in a dark world, a messenger of Jehovah among the priests of useless Persian gods. She was not a politician but she saved her people’s lives. The credit goes to her uncle Mordecai, for adopting her and for training her to be a woman of God. But the total glory goes to God, who alone can save a sinner and turn an outcast into a hero!
 
Dear reader, you who are poor, un-educated, jobless, from a socially low background, without friends and without human helpers, lonely and sick, put your trust in the God of the Bible and you shall discover that there is hope in store for you! God can change your life in a second! He is the God of miracles! Give Him praise now!
One night with the king
(The picture is from the movie: ‘One night with the king’)

WHEN MY HUSBAND CALLS ME, I COME!

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

 

“King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to be brought in before him, but she did not come” (Est 1:17)

Please read the Book of Esther, chapter one. King Xerxes is married to Queen Vashti whose name means ‘Beautiful’. The king throws a great banquet to entertain and impress his military leaders, princes and nobles. He later invites all the citizens of Susa to come and enjoy the king’s feast. There is no limit to drinking wine and eating the royal special food. The reason for this party was to give glory to himself. Like Nebuchadnezzar, King Xerxes was a proud foolish man! He loves to drink alcohol. He was also a hot tempered man. Suddenly, becoming tired of the entertainment provided, the drunken king orders his Queen to come to him, dressed in her royal robes. He wanted to boast, before all his guests, of his wife’s beauty. Hating to be embarrassed in front of many drunken men, the Queen refuses to obey his orders. What? Imagine that! The great king is publicly rejected by a woman!!! Suddenly the happy party turns into a mourning gathering. The king is angry mostly because he is embarrassed by his wife’s public rejection. Both husband and wife are angry and embarrassed at each other’s actions. Who will win in this foolish emotional manipulation game? Of course the devil who takes pleasure in division, quarrels and divorce!

 

King Xerxes asks his wise men what to do. They advise him to divorce and disgrace Vashti. In verse 19 she is no longer called Queen Vashti. She is simply called by her name, like any ordinary woman. The poor queen has no credit of grace with anyone. Vashti is sent away from the palace! She loses her marriage, her reputation and her throne! The wise men advise the king to write a new law saying that each man should be ‘the ruler of his household’! It will be on record that all the wives should submit to their husbands. This is a foolish decree for no law can force the wives to submit or the men to love them. Submission and love are spiritual things of the heart!

 

What are the lessons for us? The first thing I see is that without Christ, fame and riches are useless. Without Christ, there is no peace, no wisdom and no joy! Without Christ, even the best marriages scatter. Without Christ the partying, the happiness of the world will suddenly turn to disgrace and depression. The law cannot change the hearts of men. Only the grace of God found in Christ alone can change hearts and circumstances. Anger, lust, foolishness, pride, rebellion, drinking alcohol, having worldly friends… these are all drops of poison able to kill any relationship.

 

As a married woman, I am sorry for Queen Vashti. In this story she had to go away. She vacated her throne for Queen Esther who is an ambassador for Christ. In this world, nothing is permanent. Only God never changes! ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever’ (Heb 13:8). If you marry an unbeliever, you will suffer. Money and fame cannot help a broken heart. Only God can do it!  Another lesson is this: once you are married to ‘a famous’ man, or you hold a position of authority, if you like it or not, you become a role model. Others will imitate you, for better or for worst! Visibility requires responsibility! Remember that!

 

MY TESTIMONY

My husband and I are married for almost 44 years. Both of us work full time to make our marriage happy and strong. It is a sacrifice made because of love. We are not ignorant of the attacks of the devil which is able, if given the chance, to destroy any marriage. This is the wisdom I have learned from the Book of Esther chapter one: Each time my husband calls me I will answer and immediately come to him! I promised myself that I will not be like Queen Vashti! This is my pledge to God and to my conscience: If my husband needs me, if he calls me, I will answer! It can be morning, afternoon, evening or night time. I may know or I may not know the reason for his call. I have made a covenant with my feet not to be tired to walk up and down the stairs when my husband calls me. I cannot even imagine ignoring his call. I take it as serious as the call of God. For me, rejecting my husband’s call is a luxury I cannot afford. I want our marriage to continue. If I was Queen Vashti, knowing that I will be embarrassed in a room full of drunken men, I could have still come to see my husband. I will pray in tongues in my heart that before entering that room, my husband (even if he is drunk) will pity me and let me to go back to my room. I believe that God can change the heart of any king! And even if I have to stand there embarrassed, I will ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen me among those foolish drunkards. In difficult times I pray to be able to use my pain for the glory of God! The shame I will experience will bring me closer to Jesus who also suffered shame on the Cross, dying for me. But no matter how, if my husband calls me, if he needs me, I will come at once! So help me, God! Dear Queen Vashti, I am sorry, but you cannot be my friend! I am with Queen Esther, who is my sister and mentor!

 

Now I have to go for my husband is calling me… “Come with Me from Lebanon, My bride, come with Me … My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me…. (SS 4:8; Jn 10:27)

Tali and I 8

LIVE LIKE THERE IS A TOMORROW

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

 

My husband and I are married for almost 44 years. From the wisdom of the Word of God and from my personal testimony, I share these notes with you. Read them, meditate on them. Come back with a fresh testimony of higher grace!

 

“An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars” (PV 18:19). If your true friend betrays you, the friendship is mortally wounded. Love becomes like a beggar, a fugitive on the streets of unfulfilled dreams. The broken heart will look for the home where it grew up but now, the gate is closed, the password forgotten. The split, the divorce will grow to become a monster, bold and loud, rude and wicked, too hard for mercy to conquer. A once close friend, when injured or deceived, becomes a potent and irreconcilable enemy. These are some sayings from wise men of old:  ‘bitter are the quarrels of friends; those who love beyond measure will also hate beyond measure; deep friendship once injured is forever lost’.  Jesus said that it is better to cut off hand or foot and even pluck your eye than to offend, to injure or to betray ‘a little’ child of God (Mt 18:6-9). God always defends His wounded child!

 

Do not take your marriage for granted. Be very careful to avoid quarrels which cause division. Be sensitive when you sense that ‘the devil is in the room and the quarrel is coming’. The Holy Spirit will prepare your heart to sense that you need to keep quiet and to stand still. Communication is like playing table tennis. Each partner feels like responding to the words of the other. Be careful: if the tone of your voice becomes too high, the tendency to argue increases.  Show self-restrain. Both love and self-control are fruits of the Holy Spirit. Talking is like driving a car. It is exciting to drive it full speed. It is ‘fun’ to defend your opinions. But look at the Holy Ghost ‘traffic signs’. Keep below ‘the speed limit’. Learn to use your spiritual ‘breaks’. From time to time check if the ‘breaking pads’ of patience are still functioning well and ‘the oil of wisdom’ still intact. Quarrels between close friends, between husband and wife can quickly end in disaster. You can wreck your relationship and it may not be possible to repair it on earth. Behave and speak in such a way that tomorrow, you do not need to apologize for your actions and your words of today. Live like there is a tomorrow!

 

MY TESTIMONY

My husband and I have learned to show self-restrain in times of crisis. It is only thru the power of the Holy Ghost!

For me, apology is a friend and an enemy in the same time. For example, if my husband tells me that he is grieved by my actions or words, I apologize immediately. If I am not aware that he is wounded that is different.  But if he tells me that I grieved him, the apology must come instantly from my heart. This is not the time to analyze my behavior. I know that he loves me. He prays for me. If he says I was wrong, then I am wrong. Period! Pain for me is a wonderful teacher. I do not waste it. I learn from everything, even from my ignorant mistakes. I apologize and promise to change. And I keep my word. I pray and trust God to change. I do not foolishly repeat the same mistake again and again taking for granted that the Holy Spirit will help us ‘to settle’. I always remember that love is a very delicate thing. A sudden electrical surge of one second can destroy a very expensive computer. Even so, a ‘little’ quarrel can damage trust and quench the spirit of love.  So, I am very careful not to grieve the Holy Spirit! In Christ I declare that Jesus Christ is my first Lover! My husband is my second lover! Then follow the children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters and friends! I thank God for them all! This is my story! This is my song!

 

Child of God, when things are hard, when tears freely flow and nothing is able to stop them, when you make mistakes, when you are misunderstood, when friends fail and family withdraws… then remember that God is always faithful! “Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever!” (Heb 13: 8). He was betrayed by sinners but He loved us to the end. Crawl into His loving arms and find peace. You may not have all the answers. You do not need to have all the deep revelations of conflict because God knows them all. He knows your heart. He knows that you love Him. He knows your weakness and your strength. He knows each word even before it comes on your tongue. He loves you with an everlasting love. You are secure in knowing Jesus, your Savior, King and Best Friend. He died for you. He forgives you. He is still with you inside your heart. No matter what, you can always rejoice! Love is not easy. But love is still the best gift of God. Be jealous over your heart! Cherish it! Finally, in all thinks give thanks!

Tali and I 7

GREETINGS FROM BROTHER GOLD 

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

“You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is” (Gal 5:7-10)

This is the picture of an ordinary man who trains to be a great athlete. Let’s call him Brother Gold. He has paid the price to be a champion, a hero and an inspiration to many others. He is now running the marathon at the Olympic Games and he wants to win the crown of gold. The race starts… All is well for a while… Brother Gold is making good progress. Suddenly, another athlete comes from his right side and skillfully pushes him down. He is shocked at the viciousness of the attack. He staggers. He falls. He loses precious seconds. Others from the back are passing him by, running to the finishing line. On the ground, Brother Gold has to make a quick decision: he is staying there on the ground, crying for his loss and broken dreams or he will get up and trust God for the supernatural strength to run to the finishing line. It is easy to lie down in defeat. But if you do, you will lose your chance to win a medal, your testimony as an overcomer, your dreams to be a champion and the opportunity to trust God, to experience the release of His strength in times of need.

For me, these are too many loses to consider quitting. I choose to get up when I fall. I have learned to wipe my tears after I weep, to pray in tongues when no other words make sense, to start praising God when all things seem lost. I have learned to trust God for the impossible. I do not trust myself. I know that even with all the training, without God I can do nothing. But I can do all things thru Christ who strengths me! From my experience, the devil does not bother to attack when I train for the race in the lonely hours without spectators. But when God opens a ministry door for me, when there is a chance for me to win a medal or to gain a new testimony, then the devil suddenly attacks. The devil wants me to stop obeying God’s Word. He wants me to start believing in cheap religious lies. He wants me to grieve the Holy Spirit. The devil wants me to fail and not to recover. But I trust God!

The devil cannot stop a child of God from moving on but he can hinder him. In Greek, the word ‘hinder’ means to break the road across so that you have to slow down; it means to drag you from behind, to prevent you from moving ahead, to make you anxious and confused. The hindering agent tries to prevent your free movement and your progress in life. God promised to punish all human agents of the devil who attack His children!

You can see that this runner started well. In the beginning he was strong in the Lord, having faith that he will win the crown. He was running the race obeying the truth of the Gospel of Christ crucified and resurrected. Everybody thought that he is the new champion in town. But then, something unexpected happened. The devil cut across and succeeded in hindering him from obeying the truth and from moving forward. The attack was sudden. The runner was unprepared for it. He forgot that there are enemies around him who are jealous on him because he was making progress. He forgot that the race must be combined with spiritual warfare. He forgot that not all athletes are his friends. He forgot that there is a devil. Forgetting this, he fell. All this forgetting happened because he listened to the lies of the devil.

These are some common lies the devil uses to attack the minds of committed Christians: ‘you are running too fast – slow down… you are too holy – take it easy… you are working too much in the church – work less… your offering in the church is too much – reduce it… you pray too much – God knows your needs so you should pray less…you look too ‘hot’ for Jesus – cool down a bit…’ Once you allow these doubting ideas to penetrate your mind, you will slow down spiritually. Your crown, your expected reward will look farther and farther. You will feel tired spiritually and physically. You will feel too weak to pray, especially to do warfare. Slowly, a form of depression sets in. You will feel discouraged to move on. You feel like dying internally. You become slow. You feel like backsliding or giving up on your dreams. The only One who can help you at this dangerous moment is God, the Holy Spirit. He is the only Helper who truly helps and the only Comforter who truly comforts.

What should you do? Repent from even considering backsliding. Repent from complaining against the unfair pain of persecution. Remember: all true born again believers suffer persecution. You cannot avoid it! Persecution is a sign that you are making progress! Thank God for the pain! Nothing and nobody should slow you down from moving forward to see Jesus! Finally, these are some good questions for you to meditate upon: You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? Who held you back … Who hindered you… who tried to stop you… who agitated you… who tried to keep you from trusting the truth… from being influenced by the truth? Reject all evil spirit of hindrance, lies, depression and discouragement! Holy Spirit please take control! Run to the finish line! Against all odds, if the devil likes or not, you can make it! With the gold medal on his neck, with the crown on his head, standing on the podium and waving to the crowd of witnesses, Brother Gold sends you encouragement in the power of the Holy Ghost! Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might!

(In the picture: Michael Phelps cried after he won his 19th Olympic medal as the U.S. second-leg swimmer of the 4×100-meter freestyle race)

Michel Phelps

JESUS IS BEAUTIFUL TO ME 

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

“God has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end” (Ecc 3:11)

All the Word of God is good for me. But there are scriptures in the Bible that immediately encourage me and without fail. I am sure that you know the story of how Haman was disappointed when he was told that Mordecai, the man he was planning to kill, has been promoted by the king. It is found in the Book of Esther, chapter 6. What amazed me recently is the timing of these events. It is wonderful to see how God orchestrated the events.

This is a lesson I had to learn: If you say that you trust God, then you need to trust not only God’s power but also God’s timing to release that power. Many Christians believe the promises of God but do not trust His timing. They believe that God can do miracles. But they become impatient as they wait for the miracle to happen. They never say that God is too fast. But they often complain that God is ‘too slow’.

What lessons can we learn about God’s timing? God’s time is mysterious!!! God does not tell us when He will fulfill His promises. For example, after Jesus died and resurrected, the disciples asked Him some questions about the future. They knew the promises of Jesus but they also wanted to know the time of their fulfillment. The Lord Jesus did not tell them when the promises shall manifest. He said that timing is under the authority of God the Father. “And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Ac 1:6-8)

Most of us are the same. We want to know ‘when’ we shall experience that healing or that breakthrough we have been praying for. But God does not tell us ‘when’. We need faith and patience to see the promises fulfilled. To exercise faith is easier than practicing patience but we need both. Pride and rebellion will lead you to impatience, insisting to know the timing of future events. Therefore, pray for more grace. Pray that God will increase your strength to endure from the moment the promise is given until its visible manifestation. Trust God who alone knows the end from the beginning! In the meantime pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit, continue to witness to others about Jesus and serve God the best way you can!

TESTIMONY OF FRUITFULNESS

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
This is what God says: “None will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span” (Ex 23:26)
 
There is a couple I know personally who are married for about 5 years. Both of them are committed Christians. They have no children yet. They are not wealthy enough to go and do tests or to take treatments for infertility. Knowing this, I did not waste any time directing them to a hospital. I told the wife to trust God 100% and to serve God the best way she can! She obeyed! From the little salary she receives, each month she buys eggs, sliced bread and fruits for us. I am a witness that she has faith to be a mother! This evening she sent me a note saying that she is finally pregnant. I use her as a point of contact for other married women who trust God for the fruit of the womb. For nothing is impossible for God to do!
“Happy new year Malia! I am so excited to write you this letter, since I got married I have never missed my period but in the month of December I did missed my period I actually thought it was a delay but I just kept trusting God that it will turn into a testimony so, today I decided to run a pregnancy test with the normal urine test strips and it showed “POSITIVE” Hahahahaahaha… I laugh because the LORD has won the battle.Your prayers for me has been answered so,I rejoice in the Lord!!! My horn is exalted in the Lord and my mouth is enlarged over my enemies. Praises to the KING of kings and I also want to thank you ma for all your prayers for me and all the encouragements!!! Thanks Mum and God bless you richly and expand your ministry Ma’ To God be the glory!!!!”

BE STRONG IN THE LORD 

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

“As for everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears My words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” (Lk 6:47-49)

Happy New Year! Today is the beginning of a new month and a new year! We shall fast and pray to understand the proper foundation to be laid as we begin this new season in our lives. There are many false, fake, unstable and failing foundations. Many people make resolutions based on these wrong foundations. For example: trusting in men or in yourself, trusting in your doctor to keep you healthy, in your lawyer to keep you out of troubles, having a better business or making more money, getting married, having children, moving from one city to another, empty religions … these are all foundations that will fail to bring you strength, mental stability, spiritual growth, peace and joy.

The Lord Jesus said that a foolish man (woman) builds his house on the ground without a foundation. The foolish man is impatient to finish his house quickly. Digging a foundation makes him feel is ‘a waste of time’. The foolish man is greedy not wanting to spend money on a foundation. He wants his house to be built cheaply and quickly. He deceives himself. He only thinks of today, how he will boast about his great present achievements. He does not think about the future. He does not care about the inheritance or the name he will leave to his children and grandchildren. He has false hope. He does not prepare for possible trouble ahead. His house shall stand for a while but it will surely fall in times of need.

But the wise man (woman) builds his house well and strong. He starts with a good foundation, fixed on the Rock. He is patient to build to last. He is willing to pay the price for a good house that will stand strong in the future, no matter the possible trials and temptations. He builds slowly and surely. He studies the good pattern of other builders who have succeeded to build strong houses. He has a good inheritance and a good name to leave behind, to his children and grandchildren. He is not afraid of the future. His hope is sure because his trust in God.

In Christ we declare that:
JESUS CHRIST IS OUR ONLY SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION, NOW AND FOREVER!
WE ARE WISE WOMEN OF GOD!
WE SHALL STAND STRONG!
OUR WONDERFUL TESTIMONIES SHALL MULTIPLY!
WE SHALL REJOICE LIKE NEVER BEFORE!

Prayer points: We shall be wise women of God. We shall daily study the Word of God. We shall apply the scriptures in our practical lives. We shall pray daily, to grow spiritually. We desire to have more testimonies, how God has helped us! We shall be examples and inspirations to our husbands, children, grandchildren and others around. We reject any evil spirit of fear, poverty, religion, impatience, greed, pride, disappointment, discouragement and foolishness. We shall serve God more than in the past! We are willing to pay the price to be filled with the Holy Spirit! We give God alone all the glory for our lives and future successes! In Jesus name we pray, amen!

(In this picture taken in 2000, our youngest daughter Jemine Leigh Oakes, is praying to be a woman of God, a godly happy wife and mother…all her prayers have been answered … I use her intercession as a point of contact for all children of God who pray that this year will be different, much better and happier than ever, in Jesus name, amen!) Jemine at Warri 2