Monthly Archives: April 2018

JESUS LOVES US UNTO THE END

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

 

“Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour was come that He should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end” (Jn 13:1; KJ)

 

Today we had a wonderful Holy Communion service. Our Lord instituted the Holy Communion during the ‘night when He was betrayed’ (1Cor 11:23). Betrayal is the most painful emotion a man can experience. To betray it means to be unfaithful in a loving relationship based on trust. Betrayal is a crime against love. You cannot betray your enemy, only your friend. To betray it means to deceive your friend, to expose your lover to danger and shame. A traitor abandons his victim at the time of his greatest need. To betray it means that you my friend, you chose to help my enemy, to stab me in the back, to fail me in time of need. Betrayal is never accidental. It is a willful sin. To betray, it means that you disappoint me when I needed you the most.  This is the voice of the victim of betrayal: ‘My friend knew everything about me. I opened my heart to him. We shared our dreams for the future. He knew my strengths and my weaknesses. He was supposed to cover me, to protect me. But he sold our love to my enemy. Our plans for the future, our dreams for a better world, were all sold for a small amount of money that could only buy a tiny plot in a dusty forsaken cemetery…That is where our love is buried…’ Judas betrayed his Master for 30 silver coins. This was the price for an average slave. There is a small Judas in each one of us. It is easier to forgive an enemy who did you harm than to forgive a friend who betrayed you.

 

Look unto Jesus… See what He is doing in that infamous night of betrayal, at the time of His greatest loneliness on earth and most terrifying pain… Jesus did not lose faith in God or His love for the remaining eleven disciples.  Jesus ‘broke bread and fed them’. In the past He fed multitudes. He now feeds His little band of sorrowing friends. He encourages them and loves them to the end. He ‘took bread and gave thanks’ to God. Together they sang a hymn. During that dark moonless night Jesus loved His own to the end. Judas betrayed his Master with a kiss. He made love a hated criminal. But he only killed himself and his foolish dreams of religious ambition. But love went on, where flesh cannot survive. The Lord went to the Cross. He died for us! We betrayed Him but He did not betray us! Selah! As we partake in the Holy Communion we remember Jesus, who died for us, who loved us to the end. What manner of love is this? Search the whole universe and you can never find such a love! The Cross prepared the way for the Crown! Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive all power, honor and praise forever! Deep calls unto deep! Suffering calls unto suffering! Betrayal is a waste of heart. But the cold grave could not hold my Master for too long. After three days He came out! He now rules all creation! Love never fails! Jesus Christ, the King of kings and the Lord of lords! Jesus Christ, the Lord of all living and the dead! You are God! Glory to Your holy name!

 

“It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him. If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him…” (2Tim 2:11, 12; KJ) “Lord Jesus I bow before You! I worship You in the beauty of Your holiness! I say that You loved me first! Before You came into my heart, love was just an imagination, a stranger I envied from afar. But You came to me… You filled my heart with Your life! Your love has freed me from shame, regret, torment and guilt! Your love never fails! Even when I was unfaithful, You remained faithful, for You cannot deny Yourself! Oh, that I may know You better, and the fellowship of Your sufferings for me, that I may experience this joyful glory called eternal life and the power of Your resurrection! In Jesus name I pray, Amen!’

 

Singing: “Jesus You love me too much o… Excess love-o…”

SLL 37

SURROUND ME WITH SONGS OF DELIVERANCE!

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“You are a hiding place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah!
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
which must be curbed with bit and bridle,
or it will not stay near you” (Ps 32:7-9)
 
As a young woman, I was very stubborn. I was like a stray dog who hates its leash. I was very proud of my ‘great artistic romantic imagination’. That is why I considered practicing rebellion as creativity. I could not write a poem, compose a song or paint, until I felt angry at my ‘oppressive masters’. Self pity made an artist of me…I thought that humility and restraining obedience are leashes designed for fools.
 
I could not change my heart until I met my Savior, Jesus Christ. He removed the leash of world pleasing and put on my neck His own light and easy yoke. I became so grateful. How happy I became walking (and even dancing waltz in between the stars) under His yoke! Can you believe that? Co-yoked with my Lover, I am now ready to walk with Him anywhere, to the end of the world, now and forever! With time, His yoke became even lighter, for now, His teaches me with His eyes and guides me His smile. I am now surrounded with songs of deliverance. That is my God blessed yoke! Hallelujah to the Lamb of God!

EKA KPUKPRO OWO, MARY SLESSOR (1848-1915)

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
TESTIMONY TO THE GLORY OF GOD
Mary Slessor was born in Aberdeen, Scotland. She came from a poor family. Her father was a violent drunkard but her mother was a born again Christian. She was convinced that God called her to go to Africa, to Calabar in particular. At that time Nigeria was an English colony. Very few English men wanted to go and live there. Because of malaria and other infectious diseases it was called ‘the white man’s grave’. She was a single woman of 28 when she went to Calabar as a missionary. It is hard to understand the terrible and mysterious forces against which missionaries were ranged. Witchcraft was interwoven with life in such a way as practically to rule the land. Superstition was rife everywhere. When a chief died numbers of people were murdered, and his wives, after dressing in their finery, were strangled, in order to go with him to the spirit land. Blood sacrifices were offered to ‘jujus’. The human skull was worshipped. Guilt was decided by eating poisoned beans or the hands plunged into boiling oil. When twins were born they were always killed, for they said one belongs to the devil and because they did not know which one is that, both must die. Their mother sent away into the bush to do the best she could, generally to starve and die, or to be killed by wild beasts.
Mary had heard about all these things in faraway Scotland. Now she was going to see them for herself, to fight the demons in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. She had nothing except faith in the Lord who had died to save these poor uncivilized people. Born again herself, and overflowing with love to her Savior, she had a salvation worth speaking about, a real, definite thing, and with this treasure to share with all who would, she went forward eagerly, joyfully, into the dim, mysterious future now opening before her.
She quickly learned the Efik –Calabar language fluently. She eat the native food. She always dressed in a straight baggy shapeless dress. Her reddish hair was always cut short, like a boy, for she never had time to dress it. God gave her favor with the elders, the chiefs and the rest native people. She had the courage of a man, better said of a lion. Each time the elders gathered to convict someone of stealing, witchcraft or other crimes punishable with death, she will go in their midst and argue as the lawyer of the accused. She was a smallish woman with a strong voice. Almost always she got the death sentence changed into public beating, saving the lives of many. Then she will take care of their wounds in her hut and preach Christ to them. This is how many became saved. All abandoned children were adopted by her and many grew up to help in her ministry. She was engaged once to a man from her home town, but later he became afraid and he refused to come to live with her in Calabar. The relationship ended and she never married another. She never had natural children but left behind a great harvest of fruit that still abides. She was sometimes lonely. She lived in the deep jungle villages most of the time. When her mother and sister died and she did not hear of it until a year later.
Her motto was: ‘One with God is in majority’. This is what the English High Commissioner of Nigeria said in 1909: ‘Miss Slessor can go where no white man can go. She can sway the people when we cannot sway them’.The Calabar elders gave her the title of ‘Eka kpukpro Owo’, ‘Mother of All The Peoples’
These are her words spoken before she died:
‘Heaven is now nearer to me than Britain. My life is one daily, hourly record of answered prayer….for guidance given marvelously, for errors and dangers averted, for enmity to the gospel subdued, for food provided at the exact hour needed, for everything that goes to make up my life and my poor service. I can testify with a full and often wonder-stricken awe that I believe God answers prayer… I know God answers prayer. Glory be His wonderful name!’
Her very last words were not in English, but in Efik: “O Abasi, sana mi yok…” (O Lord, release me…). She grew old but her work and ministry never stopped. She collapsed and died in one of the villages in the forest. The villagers she loved so much brought her corpse to the city by canoe. She had a state funeral with all honors. She left behind Calabar a much better place; thousands heard the Gospel of Christ and multitudes of souls got saved. Because of her ministry, twins are no longer killed in Calabar. Only God can reward such a labor of love. Amen!
The following are some of her quotes:

Mary Slessor wrote to a friend who had long prayed for her: “I have always said that I have no idea how or why God has carried me over so many funny and hard places, and made these hordes of people submit to me, or why the Government should have given me the privilege of a Magistrate among them, except in answer to prayer made at home for me. It is all beyond my comprehension. The only way I can explain it is on the ground that I have been prayed for more than most. Pray on, dear one! The power lies that way.”

“Prayer is the greatest power God has put into our hands for service—praying is harder than doing, at least I find it so, but the dynamic lies that way to advance the Kingdom.”

“Gird yourself for the battle outside somewhere, and keep your heart young. Give up your whole being to create music somewhere, in the light places and in the dark places, and your life will make melody.”

She would often repeat, “It is not Mary Slessor, but God and our united prayers that have brought the blessings to Calabar. Christ shall have all the honor and glory for the multitudes saved.”

“Not my plans, not my glory, but God’s plan, and His glory.”

When someone asked her about her rewards in heaven she said: “What would I do with starry crowns except to cast them at His feet?”

(in the picture there is Mary with some of her adopted children, her house in Calabar built in 1880, now a museum and her tomb in Calabar)
Mary Slessor with her childrenMary Slessor's house
mary slessors tomb 2
Mary Slessor 1

DRAW ME

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“Draw me… Take me away with you—let us hurry! Let the King bring me into His chambers” (SS 1:4)
 
‘Draw me closer to You, my Lord Jesus.…’ This is one of the greatest prayers for a Christian. You may ask: why do I have to pray such a prayer? I already know Jesus Christ. I am a child of God. Why then should I ask the Lord ‘draw me’? This is because there are many levels of intimacy with the Lord. The Christian life is not stagnant. It is not a lake that slowly evaporates in the heat of a merciless sun. The eternal life is like a river, ever increasing, becoming a flood, until finally it disappears into the ocean of God’s grace. Another reason to pray such a prayer it is because the heart of man is deceitful. You may have your feet close to the throne in heaven and your heart is still looking down on earth, longing for the things left behind…
 
‘Draw me…’ This is called ‘the drawing of love, the drawing of grace’…. Love is like a magnet; its force breaks every chain of the world. It is a royal voice calling you into the chambers of holy things never felt before.
 
As for me, I am right now sited at His banqueting table and His banner over me is love! I have tasted and I now testify that my Lord is good and strong and sweet. His voice is powerful and gentle in the same time. His song is like trumpet and strings in the same time. In His embrace I finally lose myself, I let go… of my fears, of all these unanswered questions bothering my mind… He knows all things and that is enough for me… He whispers love to my heart…He breathes peace to my soul. This is my morning dose of the Spirit. Just because the way it started I know for sure that today is a good day!
 
‘Draw me closer to You my Lord until all that is left is You and You alone…In Jesus name, amen!’
SLL 26

MY NET IS FULL WITH BLESSINGS

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
We bind the evil spirits that hinders worship! Holy Spirit please come, and help us conduct this service… We cannot sing, dance, pray or preach without You… I am hungry to worship God… I am hungry for a mighty move of God… Jesus said: Simon, I came to your house but you did not embrace me, you did not kiss me…But do you see this woman? From the time she entered this room, she washed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair…she kissed My feet… She worships Me… She did not come to meet with Peter or John… She came for Jesus only… Oh, the Holy Spirit wants to fill you more than you want to be filled yourselves…
 
Peter said: Master, we have worked the whole night but we caught nothing…there is no fish in our nets… we are tired, disappointed and hungry… Jesus said: Peter, go back to the same water, but this time throw your nets into the deep… the fishes have left the usual place of shallow waters… they have gone down, into the deep sea… The place of mystery, where treasures are deposited by the Holy Spirit… no man knows the place and no man can steal your blessings…Throw your nets there and you shall have more fish that you can eat… There shall be overflow… I throw my net into the deep… as Jesus has said… My net disappears in the ocean of God’s grace… Now I see many fishes coming in… these are the answers to my prayers of long ago… the net is now heavy… my blessings are many…my muscles pain me… but it is a good pain for I draw the answers to my prayers… I come to draw, draw, draw from You again… Oh… Oh…
SLL 36

INTERCESSION FOR WARRI- EFFURUN

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken! Who can but prophesy?” (Amos 3:8)
 
This morning I pray for the city of Warri- Effurun, Nigeria! I pray that God has mercy on the people of this land! I pray that many souls will be saved; the sick are miraculously healed and spiritual oppression is destroyed! I know by revelation and by experience that the devil hates this land. But I am confident that God loves this same land. The battle is spiritual first of all. We shall fight and win in the name of Jesus! Almighty God is with us! He who is with God is called ‘majority’. I know that many people have become bitter about Nigeria in general and Warri in particular. But bitterness can never be the portion of a child of God. I cling to God Almighty in hope! I have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the faithful God. Since I gave my life to Christ, He has answered many of my prayers. God is good and all powerful. I shall continue to pray to this my God. The pain coming from these challenging circumstances shall not quench my spirit. The same pain will revive my prayer life and increase my intercession for this land. Nothing is impossible with God! I shall not limit God! I shall trust God to the end! I shall give thanks to God to the end!
 
For many years the evil spirit of jezebel (also called ‘mammy water spirit, ogbanje spirit’…) has tried to penetrate and take control of this city but she has failed! She has deceived and wounded many people. But all her arrows: sexual immorality, polygamy, prostitution, sugar- daddy, sugar- mummy, greed, religion, idolatry, witchcraft, pornography, pride, violence, juju, cultism, stealing, deception, 419, depression, AIDS …are totally powerless to wound the children of God who are Spirit filled! She is now disappointed! She has gone back to her fake empire under the ocean, to the poor wretched souls who blindly serve her unto death! But her reign is not forever! She shall be burnt with fire by her own worshippers, when they get tired of her fake prophecies and her digital magic!
 
God has heard our plea for revival on behalf of this land! The Lion of Judah has roared over Warri- Effurun! There is a sound of victory over this land. People shall fear God! They shall become wise! They shall come back to Jesus! Jehovah Sabaoth, the God who can never lose a battle, has ‘come down’ to make it happen! Hallelujah!
 
“For out of Jerusalem (Warri) will go forth a remnant and out of Mount Zion (Effurun) survivors! The zeal of the LORD of hosts (Jehovah Sabaoth) will perform this.” (Is 37:32)
 
I hear the sound of freedom and after the heavy storm, I now see peace!
I see trees resting from a terrible storm…
I see happy flowers that can now bloom in peace…
I look around this rejected place, this suffering city… I see life springing forth, none is able to quench it…
I see the thorns and wild bushes suddenly replaced with roses and lilies…
I see the sour grapes changed into sweet and ripe fruit…Sweet wine of joy is now flowing from Africa to other parts of the world…
I see former dictators, transgressors and stubborn men bowing down; loving discipline…this is a miracle indeed…
I see the dirty, stagnant, smelly, mosquito breeding camps changing into clear pools of fresh water, ‘a place of broad rivers and streams’…
I see the former kidnapers and robbers repentant, lifting hands in worship, tears on their faces, as they behold the face of Him who saved them at last…
I see the lack of all good things replaced by an abundance of spoils divided by the lame and poor…
I do not see malaria, diabetes, high blood pressure, typhoid fever…for these are all gone!
I see doctors putting down their stethoscopes and worshiping Jehovah Rapha for there is nothing else to do…
I see police men planting flowers in front of their offices, for there is no crime in town…
I see judges and magistrates doing Bible studies in their offices for there are no court cases anymore…
I see true godly romantic love blooming in this city!
I see husbands loving their wives as Christ love the church!
I see wives submit and honor their own husbands as unto the Lord!
I see children who honor and gladly obey their parents!
I see families coming together to fellowship and worshipping God!
I see happy weddings and many children happy going to school…
I see tenants becoming landlords…
Behold…I see the King in His beauty, smiling over Warri- Effurun… Yes, it is Jesus!
All glory to You, Almighty God! For just and wonderful are Your judgments! Praise Your holy name!
Warri
 
(In the picture, Warri City Drone Shot by Michael Osaji)

I HAVE DIRECTED THE RAVENS TO SUPPLY YOU

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.” So he did what the Lord had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook” (1Kg 17:2-6)
 
Some time ago I read about this story. It was from a sermon titled ‘Elijah, the secret of his power’ preached by Rev. Al Martin. There was a very cold snowy winter night in a village in Germany. A single mother and her 7 years old son were alone in the house. They had no food and no wood for the fire. They were hungry, cold and afraid. The mother was a Christian. Few days previously she read the story of Elijah to her son. Their situation was now desperate. She told her son; ‘Let’s pray for a miracle…’ They knelt on the cold floor shivering. Suddenly, the boy got up and ran towards the door. He opened it widely. The cold air from outside rushed in and the room became freezing. The mother shouted: ‘Son, why do you open the door on such a cold night? You are making the matters worst…’ Joyfully, the boy replied: ‘It is for the ravens, mummy, so that they can come in and bring bread…’ With simple faith, the boy trusted that God will provide for them the way He provided for the Prophet Elijah. As the cold wind was blowing in the house, the mother struggled with doubt a bit… She was thinking about closing the door to protect the little warmth they had, when suddenly, a man appeared at the door. He was the mayor of the village. He said that he decided to go round the village to see if anyone needs help. He asked what the matter is. Why is their door opened? The mother explained to him their situation and the faith of her son that ravens will come to help them. The mayor said: ‘I will be your raven both now and forever’. Immediately he made sure that they were well provided for. He later married the woman and adopted her son. Praise the Lord!
 
What are the lessons? Have faith in God! You are never alone! Pray! Act in faith! God will surely answer! He will give you more than you imagine! Let God’s ravens meet you today! Be encouraged!
Elijah

ENJOY YOUR LIFE NOW!

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

 

“Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved your works… Enjoy your life with your wife whom you already love…’ (Ecc 9:7-9)

Marriage is a gift of God. Please accept this word! Some people are married and some are not. Child of God, if you are single and you desire to be married, trust God Himself for the gift of marriage. Talk to God about your desires! Tell Him that you want to marry so that as a godly family, His worship will increase! Vow to give God all the glory for the wedding, for the marriage and for the children that will come! The devil is a liar! Do not be deceived! Marriage does not depend on beauty, education or money. It is God’s gift! Selah!!! But there are some conditions to receive this gift: you have to humble yourself! God’s grace manifests only to the humble. Humble yourself and marry God’s choice for you! If somebody is interested to marry you, it does not matter the height, weight, complexion, race, sense of fashion or tribe. What matters is that he (she) is born again! That is the foundation for the prayers concerning a future happy marriage! God is not the author of confusion. He will give you peace only in His choice for you as your life partner. Concerning any other person, even if he (she) is born again, you shall have no peace to marry! Fast and pray starting from tomorrow! Come back with a testimony!

 

If you are already married, this is God’s Word for you: Enjoy! You MUST BE HAPPILY MARRIED!!! This is not just your wish. This is God’s command! Any disobedience to God’s command is called witchcraft (1Sam 15:23). Any unhappy marriage is somehow connected or influenced by the occult. Husband, you have to choose between your real wife and ‘spirit-wife’ (a witch). You can’t have both! Chose marriage! Be happy! Tell your wife that you are grateful for her coming into your life, for sharing all things together! Being grateful and emotionally generous is a choice! I am sure that you are not blind…you see other women younger and more beautiful than your wife…but God said that you shall be married and it was so! Be grateful! The same applies to the wives! There are other men who are ‘sexier’ or richer than your husband. Be blind to those! Be grateful to what you have! Help your husband to be a man of God! Help him to be better! This is the duty of a godly wife and there is much joy in practicing it.

 

Now, this is the advice for all: Be sexually pure! Be morally pure! Reject anything that contaminates body and spirit! In particular, you should passionately hate divorce, gossip and pornography! Reject those viruses! Enjoy all good clean things every day! Enjoy every minute for there is no another. Enjoy your marriage, your children and your family! Enjoy your church, driving to church, parking in front of your church…Enjoy the church activities, the choir rehearsals, the waiting for the service to start, the prayer times, the preaching of the Word, the worship, the offerings, the assembly of the brethren…Stop wishing for a better partner, a better church, a better opportunity to serve God…another opportunity may never come! Be at peace with all men! Be a blessing to your generation!

 

A personal touch: This morning, my husband said to me: ‘Lia, I want to marry you again…’ (This was before I combed my hair and put on my makeup). I laughed and told him jokingly that he may not be able to pay my ‘bride price’ now… We both laughed… we hugged each other… the day started well as you can see… A good word from the heart is the greatest gift between friends. Money cannot buy it. We are married for 44 years. After making many mistakes, failing and succeeding, falling and getting up, we have finally discovered the formula of a happy, simply successful and fulfilled life in Christ! As with wine, the older we get, the sweeter our marriage is! It feels safe and good to know the heart of my husband. I help him in his weaknesses and I freely, unapologetically, share in his strengths. He does the same with me. We enjoy and share our lives now. We do not wait for tomorrow. Our children are all adults and living far away. We live alone and happy in the house. We enjoy each other company. We are lovers and friends. We challenge, inspire and pray for one another.  We are colleagues in the ministry. In the past, I will be very happy to learn a new recipe to cook for him, for example, to improve the taste of my Nigerian stew, to impress him with it.  But these days, I get ‘crazily excited’ and dance for joy, when I am able to share a new revelation from the Bible with my husband. Over time, I observed that he forgets my stew, but he never forgets ‘that Word you told me the other day…’ The Holy Spirit makes our hearts strong and sweet. This is a supernatural work, outside our power. For us, this is holy harvest time. God is faithful and good. I am so grateful.

 

Dear reader, I wish you well… God bless you all!

Tali and I 15

WE CAME TO DIG AGAIN AND TO REOPEN OUR FATHER’S WELLS

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
HAPPY WITH CHURCH TONIGHT
“Now Isaac again dug [and reopened] the wells of water which had been dug in the days of Abraham his father, because the Philistines had filled them up [with dirt] after the death of Abraham; and he gave the wells the same names that his father had given them” (Gen 26:18; AMP)
The prophetic prayer meeting was very good. We started strong praying for a special touch from God tonight. We then praised God with all our hearts. The worship leader started singing ‘Baba, God, Open the heavens over us…’ That was exactly what the Holy Spirit wanted us to pray. The ‘cloud of glory’ over us became ‘thicker’. But then the cloud stopped, hanging in the air, in the same spot… I told them that I sense some hindrance, some opposition or some disturbance coming from religious spirits that have secretly infiltrated our ranks. I was sure that the Holy Spirit was ready to make an ‘entrance’. But the resistance must be identified and removed before the Holy Spirit can make ‘a land fall’ in this place. Led by the Holy Spirit we did spiritual warfare praying in little groups of three or four people. I said: You know what is good… the good thing you pray for yourself, pray it for the other person…’ The anointing was increasing even more… There was a holy hush in the atmosphere…
 
As we became more serious in our prayers, heaven ‘noticed’ our hunger and desperation for revival. As Isaac had to remove the stones and dirt the Philistines used to block his father’s well, we too removed the blockage. We had faith that behind these troubles, there is water. There is life! We prayed against the demons of doubt, fear, confusion, poverty, religion, backsliding, weakness, sickness, untimely death and disappointment. We prayed until we felt free, surrounded and strengthened by the Holy Spirit. I called all the children in the service to come and worship God on the altar. Their simple joy, faith, purity and zeal were infectious. Some were weeping, some had their hands lifted up, some were praying and some were singing… “Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 19:14). Yes, I am talking about the little children in Father’s House Effurun, Nigeria…… Everybody was humbled and touched by their ministration.
 
By faith, we declared that all blockages to our prayers have been removed. We declared that God has decreed a grace breakthrough for us. The weak became strong. The sick were healed. The poor became rich. The prisoner became free. We ended the prayer meeting on our knees, thanking God for His presence in our midst. ‘Jesus You love me too much-ooo… Excess Love-ooo…’ This evening, grateful hearts gathered together before the throne, to bring offerings of thanksgiving and tears of joy. As I am writing these notes, I declare that Nigeria is blessed! Father’s House Bible Church Effurun is blessed! Glory to God!
Children FH 2

GOD KNOWS HIS PEOPLE 

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

“Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.” (2Tim 2:19)

I’ve taken these pictures during our trip to Israel some years ago. These are the caves at Qumran, in the desert near the Dead Sea. In these caves a thousand scrolls were discovered between 1946-1956. The scrolls were hidden in jars of clay, covered and sealed by the monks. These are the oldest complete scrolls of the Old Testament. They were hand written by the monks who lived there during the time of Jesus. The monks were called the Essenes, a Jewish sect of men who decided to live in the desert, to purify their body and mind from the world. They did not involve themselves with the politics of the day like the Pharisees. They refused to have slaves, choosing to serve one another. They lived in a voluntary poverty. Most of them refused to marry so that they can do God’s work. They studied the Old Testament every day and wrote down their commentaries. John the Baptist was one of them before he left the caves to baptize others in the River Jordan. Later, these monks were killed buy the Romans, but their work for God was not lost. After 2000 years, their scrolls were found! What a testimony! Praise the Lord!

What are the lessons for us today? First of all remember this: God knows His people! This is the foundation of God’s Word! No child of God can be lost in a cave or in a crowd! You cannot hide from God! This is my advice to the unbelievers: Give your life to Christ! Don’t waste one second! Time is not your friend! After that, be filled with the Holy Spirit and serve God the best way you can. Serve God not for money, publicity or for the praise of men. Serve God because He is God! Do not be tired serving God! It may take a long time, it may be after you die, but sooner or later, your work for God will be rewarded! Whatever is spoken or done in the darkness, God will bring it to light! Trust God as the Rewarder of them who diligently seek Him! In Jesus name, amen! Glory to God!

dead-sea-scroll-jars

scrolls at Qumran

The caves at Qumran

PRAYER FOR NIGERIA

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
I live in Nigeria since 1980. I love Nigeria and its people. The reason for my love is spiritual, first of all. I found Christ here. Secondly, my husband and our three children are all Nigerians. This is my testimony: I came to Nigeria as an atheist. On the 14th of March 1986, I became saved thru a crisis conversion in Warri, Nigeria. This was God’s decision and work, not mine. Since then, I have discovered that the Holy Spirit is deeply interested in this country. I am not a politician or a social worker. I am a wife, mother, grandmother, servant of God and pastor. I do not live my life by what I see around me or in the media. I do not make my decisions based on what I hear on the TV News. I live my life by faith in God, passionately moved by the resurrection power of Christ who lives in me. Before I gave my life to Christ, I was a chronic coward. As an unbeliever, I was a very complicated person. I loved too many things and I scattered my heart. I lost my primary focus and the core of my destiny, which is to know my Creator. But Christ simplified my life. Thank God for that! I now have only one basic desire: to love God and to become like Jesus! For me the law of my life is simple: if my Lord loves somebody, I love that one too! Jesus loves the Nigerians! Therefore I love them too!
 
Now let me add this: One of the things I hate to see in Nigeria, is barbed wires on top of high fences and ‘burglary proofs’ bars at the windows. Before coming here, I have never seen these things, not even in the movies. Even after all these years living in Nigeria, I have never gotten used to them. To me, these are clear symbols of bondage! Most people here live in fear for their lives. They want to protect themselves from their enemies. But fear is a demon. Barbed wires cannot stop that demon from coming inside the house and terrorizing your heart. Freedom is spiritual, is internal, first of all. Only Jesus Christ can make a coward free. By destroying the power and the sting of death, Jesus Christ became the Lord of Eternal Life! A heart living behind barbed wires is like entering a prison of your own making. You are free inside but you are lonely too. For the barbed wires stop not only the criminals, they stop your friends from coming in too. A coward can never love! A coward can never be a good friend! A coward can never enjoy life! A coward can never be happily married! A coward can never open his heart to God and to men!
 
I pray for Nigeria this morning. I know that it will take a miracle for the architects to design houses without barbed wires and bars of iron. I know that it will be a miracle for Nigerians to feel safe and to sleep well in houses without these metal protection gadgets. I pray for revival in Nigeria, not just a little religion, but full time practicing of Christianity and Holy Ghost empowerment! I pray that Agape Love will flood this land and destroy all forms of bondage! I pray that Love conquers all fears! For the majestic, generous, free, bold, unfailing, supernatural Love of God in the hearts of men is the only answer! I believe in miracles because I believe in God!
 
‘Dear Father God, please heal, deliver, change, free and bless Nigeria!’
 
(In the picture bellow, I saw this strange pendant for sale: a heart surrounded by barbed wire of ‘bondage love’. God forbid! I say: You ‘bondage love’ be broken in Jesus name! Heart, be free, in Jesus name! Amen!)
barbed-heart-pendants-2_grande

ASLEEP AND AWAKE

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

“I was sound asleep, but in my dreams I was wide awake. Oh, listen! It’s the sound of my Lover knocking, calling…!” (SS 5:2; TM)

 “Beloved… I see that you are tired and have fallen asleep… now it is time to wake up and talk… you have tried to please men…. to impress all men… you have helped all the people around you… you have feared them , prayed for them, worked for them, served them day and night…

Now it is time to serve Me, your God, your Faithful Eternal Lover! Remember the prayer you prayed to Me long ago, when still a youth… when dreams were real and sweet romance was possible… remember the passion you had for Me, before the cold blanket of this world dampened your spirit… before mistakes brought shame and guilt poisoned your soul… remember the dreams we shared together… when the seeds of undying hope were planted in your tender heart… remember your prayers before the tears came, trying to wash away what was left of pure joy… remember the glimpse of glory before the storm destroyed our poems and our books got burned in the fire…  remember what I showed you on top of the mountain of frankincense, when we were alone, and no one applauded the show, for there was no show…

Know this: when you are awake and even in your sleep, I am still God, your God… All power belongs to me… My love for you can never fail… My passion for you can never fade… I am able to make old things new again… I have the power to change all things just because… My love is ready to surprise you…

I am knocking My Darling… Listen to the sound of My coming back…Feel my excitement as I am waiting outside your door…I wait for you to open it… My dreams, your dreams, our dreams can never die… and even if they died, they shall manifest from now on… Just believe that I am He… It is Me, your Life, your Lover and your Lord… The angels are getting impatient already… Let the music begin…Come out My Beloved… It is time!”

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

WHAT TO DO WHEN TROUBLES COME

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah!” (Ps 3:1-4)
 
A Psalm is a musical poem. Psalm 3 is written by King David during the time when he was pursued by Absalom. It was a spiritual, national, family and financial crisis. It was a civil war. This is a time of great stress for David. His enemies insult him and his God. David is very emotional here. David knew that his kingdom will be a pattern for the Kingdom of God in the future. But David has to abdicate his throne. What made it more painful is that his son is the traitor. David has lost his crown, his house, his honor, his testimony and his son. The devil says: ‘There is no help for him in God!’ Can this be true? Lies can be very powerful. But truth is always stronger than the lies. After the traitor died, King David came back to his throne. “And David knew that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel” (2 Sam 5:12).
 
A Christian has 3 enemies: the world, flesh and devil. Their work is always to bring you down; to lose your faith, your hope, your testimony and character. The devil uses people to tell you that God has abandoned you! The devil says that your sickness cannot be cured, that you will die poor and rejected. Can this be true? It is a lie! During trials you have a tendency to look down, to be depressed, intimidated and to despair of yourself. Child of God! Remember that God is still God!!! God will change your vision! He will lift up your head and eyes! During trials your faith will carry you thru! Reject fear! If you trust God, your future is as bright as the promises of God. If God is for you it does not matter who is against you! God is your shield. In Hebrew, the word means ‘the scales of the crocodile’. It means that God protects you round about. As arrows cannot penetrate thru the scales of the crocodile, so in Christ, your protection is complete! Your enemies must be disappointed and ashamed! For Christ’ sake, God will change your tragedy will change into triumph!
 
This is my testimony giving in advance, even before I see the victory in the natural: I declare that in Christ alone I stand! God is my shield and my exceedingly high reward! God can never fail! God is faithful! God is my glory! Whatever beauty, talent of good thing you admire in me it is the work of God the Holy Spirit in me! The good thing God has started He will perfect it to the end! God is my boasting and the source of my glorious anointing! Money cannot buy it and thieves can never find it. My testimony is not for sale! God is the Lifter of my head. No matter how desperate my situation is in the natural, God will change it! Jesus knows how to overturn the tables! He has done it in the past! He will do it again! Like Joseph, in one day I will change my address from prison to palace! I will not just survive this painful trial but I will be promoted and rewarded at last! God is the lifter of my head! God will grant me a new beginning! God will restore back my peace, my health, my dignity and my honor. My testimony is sure! This is my confident faith declaration! In Nigeria we say: ‘No shaking!’ Glory to God! Praise the Lord!!!!
SLL 32

I WAS HUNGRY AND THIRSTY FOR GOD TONIGHT!

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

HAPPY WITH CHURCH TONIGHT

“You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat” (Matt 5:6; TM)

Thank God for today’s prayer meeting. There was heavy rain outside. Many people could not come. The ones that came were feeling ’cold’, naturally and spiritually. We started praying and praising God. The temperature of the anointing was rising. But I sensed a hindrance among us. The best way I can explain is this: the brethren became satisfied too quickly; they accepted ‘half measures’ of glory. They were unwilling to push forward, to come deeper and closer to God. In their mind there accepted the possibility that The Holy Spirit may not come and we shall continue with ‘church as usual’. I could hear a voice behind me: ‘If the Holy Spirit does not fill me tonight, I will go home and live like nothing happened’. This mind set is very dangerous.

 

One definition of sin is ‘falling short of God’s glory’ (Rom 5:23). ‘To fall short’ it means to be demoted, to be late for an appointment, to be inferior, to be deficient, to suffer lack, to be in need or to become worse.  Can you imagine these words connected with the glory of God? That is a lie! The glory of God can never be demoted!!! God forbid! But the devil is trying to discourage people to enter the presence of God. There is an evil spirit of religion that has infiltrated many churches. The people attend these churches but they do not become saved, or they are never able to become filled with the Holy Spirit. They are never hungry enough, thirsty enough or desperate enough to come to God and be filled. Their passion for Jesus is minimal. They rationalize the scriptures. They are not led by the Holy Spirit but by their overworked ‘common sense’. This evil spirit of religion invited itself to our prayer meeting tonight. I do not know how it came but it was here among us. We had to do warfare before we could ‘enjoy’ the presence of God. We repented of compromise with the world. We rejected the evil spirit of religion. We then invited the Holy Spirit to come in His fullness and power, in His own special way. Simply said, He came!!! Like a river during the flooding season, like the sun at full blast, like a purging fire, like the soothing Balm of Gilead… He came to me… He came to us… Physically I was not very strong today, but the Holy Spirit filled my heart with peace and joy and strength in a way that only Him can do it. My appetite for God increased this evening. I ate the Bread of Life and I drank from His River. I am satisfied. Thank You Holy Spirit!

 

As I write these words, my body is stronger, my liver smiles and my spirit sings. “Jesus You love me too much- ooo, To much-ooo, Excess Love-ooo…..” To God be all the glory! Good night, people of God!

FH 14

MRS. PILATE’S DREAM

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
HAPPY WITH CHURCH TONIGHT
“While he (Pilate) was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him” (Mt 27:19
The Women’s Fellowship tonight was very good. We praised God with singing and dancing. We shared testimonies. Sister F has been coming to church with her three little children ‘in the rain and in the sunshine’. She is very faithful in serving God with church attendance. Last week Wednesday was her husband birthday. After the service, somebody called them to see their ‘birthday gift’. It was a new Toyota Corolla. The couple who gave it to them wants to remain anonymous. But God knows them and God will bless them! Sister O was very sick at the point of death. The doctors could not identify the sickness. She lost weight and became ‘like a skeleton’. The church and her family never lost hope. Suddenly she was healed. She started eating food and becoming stronger. She is healed now! Sister E will be 40 years old on Sunday. Sister A and her husband each had car accidents but nobody was injured. All these sisters freely acknowledged Jesus Christ as their Savior, Lord, Defender, Provider and Lord!
 
Then the Word came. It was about the wife of Pilate. We have just celebrated the Death and the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ! At the Cross, we wept for our sins. We then rejoiced with the disciples seeing Jesus alive again. The Holy Spirit brought to my memory a woman who was a witness of these events. She is Pilate’s wife. She is not named in the Bible. The only thing we are told about her in the Bible is that she was troubled seeing Jesus condemned to be crucified. She had a terrible dream, more like a nightmare, where she saw the Cross and Jesus hanging on it. It seems that she and her husband had discussed about Jesus in the past. She does not name the Lord, but calls Him ‘that just Man’. In Greek, the word ‘just’ means innocent, blameless, holy and righteous. She takes is for granted that her husband knows that she is talking about Jesus. Pilate is the high judge in Jerusalem. His wife knows that it is a crime to interfere with the decisions of a judge, especially when he seats on his ‘bench’ and the court is in session. But the dream she had that night about the Lord is so terrifying that she cannot wait. She needs to warn him immediately.
 
Mrs Pilate’s name was Claudia Procula. She was a high-born, Roman lady, from the royal family, well-educated and wealthy. She was the granddaughter of the Emperor Augustus. She became a proselyte to Judaism, being among the women of higher class over whom the Jewish religion exercised considerable influence. She believed in Jehovah God. She heard about Jesus and believed Him to be a man of God, holy and just. He saw that the leaders wanted to punish him for speaking the truth. In the dream she saw Christ crucified. She sent a note to her husband warning him not to condemn Jesus. She is a good prudent godly wife married to a difficult man. She tried to touch his conscience. She tried her best to help her husband, so that he will not do a terrible mistake that he will regret later. What she did not know, is that her husband was too weak against the pressure of the crowd. He needed the job and could not afford a riot in Jerusalem. He loved his job and position more than he loved Jesus or his wife. Her warning failed to change the situation. Many educated women in Rome had a lot of influence behind the scenes. But in this central moment of history, when his wife warned him, Pilate didn’t listen. It is pride when a man does not listen to his most trusted friend in the hour of his greatest need.
 
Try to imagine this highly emotional drama. Pilate was face to face with Jesus. He was the Roman Governor of Judaea and the High court judge. The Pharisees wanted Jesus dead. Pilate correctly read their minds. “He knew that they had handed Him over because of envy” (Mt 27:18). He thought that it will be easy to free Jesus. There was a tradition that the Governor should show mercy and free one prisoner who was condemned to die. Pilate asks the people to choose between Barabbas, a murderer, and Jesus. Pilate was shocked that the multitudes were so easily deceived to ask for the murder of an innocent man. To add to the stress, his wife sends this note warning him not to kill Jesus. He tried once more to plead with the people asking them ‘what evil has Jesus done?’ But the crowds ‘cried all the more saying: Let Him be crucified!’ When he saw that he was not prevailing against the angry crowd, afraid that a riot might start, Pilate handed Jesus to them to be crucified. He washed his hands saying: “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it” (Mt 27:20-24). Pilate joins his wife by calling Jesus ‘a just Man’. That is all he could do for Jesus. Pilate was a soldier. He was courageous on the battle field. But face to face with Jesus, he proved to be a coward. He missed his destiny moment and the hour of his visitation! In Switzerland, near Lucerne, there is a mountain called Pilatus. It is said that soon after that Pilate lost favor with Rome and was banished to that mountain as a punishment “for his crime against Christ”. He and his wife are buried there. ‘Kings and kingdoms shall pass away, but there is something about Your name, Jesus!’
 
In conclusion, Pilate’s wife stands among the godly women in the Bible who feared God. Despite a difficult marriage and terrible circumstances, she did the little she could to honor Jesus. She did not know that it was God’s will to sacrifice His Son for the salvation of many, including herself and her husband. Praise the Lord!
 
(Bellow a painting by Antonio Ciseri, showing Pilate’s wife going away sad, after failing to convince her husband not to condemn Christ)
Ecce_homo_by_Antonio_Ciseri_2

MY HUSBAND LOVES ME IN PARTICULAR

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband” (Eph 5:31-33)
 
In Greek, the word ‘leave’ means to forsake, to let go. Your childhood was happy but it is now over. Something that was previously useful becomes now a thing of the past. Something that was a priority is now ‘demoted’ into the second place. That means for the sake of marriage you must ‘leave’ your parents. The word ‘cleave’ means to glue two parts together so that they become one new object that has a different function. This ‘leaving and cleaving’ is a mystery, a deep spiritual secret. A mystery is something that cannot be totally explained or controlled by human minds. God alone knows who leaves and who cleaves. The marriage between unbelievers is based on lust or other reasons. It is predictable and there is no mystery about it. But for the born again believers, marriage is holy, exciting, adventurous, mysterious but also very practical. No man knows his life partner without fasting, prayer and direct personal revelation from God. Just the way you cannot glue together wood and metal, or plastic and paper, so also the Holy Spirit cannot seal an unequally yoked relationship. Any man or woman who is self-confident and boasting of his choice of a life partner, without asking God for confirmation, that man is a fool. For God made Christian marriage to be a mystery and only Him has the key to open it.
 
Simply said, in a godly marriage each person has a specific primary duty: The wife submits and the husband loves!
The wife submits to her own husband as a sign that she fears God. This submission cannot be demanded; it cannot be taken by arguments of force. The submission of the wife is her gift to her husband, in the name of the Lord! The husband is to love his wife ‘in particular’. The word means to see her special even if she is ‘lost’ in the crowd; to be attentive to all the details of her needs; to understand how her body and her spirit works; to be careful to avoid mistakes that will hurt her; to desire her best and the fulfillment of her destiny in Christ!
 
This is our testimony: My husband and I got married in Romania 44 years ago. He came to study medicine in my birth country. We were class mates in the medical school. When we got married we were both unbelievers. I was an atheist and he was just religious. God was not acknowledged or invited in our home. We did not pray. We did not go to church. We were two ‘nice’ people who fell in love with one another. Looking back, I thank God for His mercy, His love and wisdom to us. We later got saved and we are now in full time ministry. I am now free to apply the principles of the Bible in our relationship. I submit to my husband and I honor him for no other human reason except that I fear God. This is the truth: I fear God! I hate grieving His Spirit! I desire to please the Lord Jesus in all things even in my marriage. This element is new in my life. Before I got saved, I submitted to my husband but only because he liked that ‘humble attitude’ and it made him happy. But now it is different. All things must be done respecting God’s presence in our midst. Our relationship with one another is a form of worshipping God and for His glory alone. In the past my husband was telling others: ‘My wife is very good to me’. Each time he complimented me I was very happy. But now, he says much more than that: “My wife is a woman of God indeed!” Now that is what I call a ‘wife testimony’! He appreciates not just my attitude to him, but to the Lord! My husband loves me as Christ loves the church. I feel secure in his love for me. My husband loves me ‘in particular’. He is attentive to my needs and he makes every moment of our marriage special and unforgettable. This is my testimony freely spoken to the glory of God!
 
In Christ I declare:
I am a born again child of God! I am a happy wife, mother and grandmother!
I left my natural parents to marry my husband, to cleave to him until we see Jesus face to face!
I submit to my husband as unto the Lord! I do not submit to anyone else exactly the same way! My submission is my gift to my husband for the sake and honor of Jesus Christ my Lord!
My testimony as a woman of God is increasing! To the glory of God! In Jesus name, Amen!
 
(In the picture, my husband and I, on a trip to Israel, in 2009, in front of a Booth during the Feast of Tabernacles)
Tali and I 14

GLORY TO THE LAMB UPON THE THRONE!!!

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
Holy Spirit we need You… Without You we are lost… Come Holy Spirit, in Your fullness and power, come in Your own special way…Jesus said: “I am the Resurrection and the Life” … Resurrection is a Person, Resurrection is God’s glory manifested on earth…God’s sovereign power at work… The grave could not hold my Jesus captive… His Body did not see corruption…Jesus did not smell in that grave…He was raised by the glory of the Father… Life eternal has spoken!
 
Oh, Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup… You maintain my lot… The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places…Yes, I have a good inheritance… Therefore my soul rejoices and my body rests in hope…I wept for You at the Cross…I thought that I will weep forever… But on the third day the story changed… You lifted me up… You wiped away my tears… Death was defeated and disgraced… You are risen… You are in heaven now…I shall rejoice with You forever now…
 
Children of God, be filled with the Holy Spirit…The same power that raised Jesus from the dead, works actively in you now… Give God all the glory…If you are healthy, do not give the doctor glory… Give God all the glory… If today you are nicely dressed, do not give the tailor the glory…Give God all the glory…On behalf of your family and friends… Give God the glory! For every good thing people see in you… Give God alone all the glory! Jesus Christ died for you…Because He lives you shall live also…This is holy eternal promotion… No man, no devil can stop it… What a love story! What a Savior! Squeeze the last drop of glory and praise you find in your soul and lift it up to God this morning, as an offering of love… For He alone is worthy of our praise! Jesus is alive! Jesus is Lord! Worship the Lamb upon the Throne! Glory! Glory! Glory!
SLL 31