Monthly Archives: January 2019

‘EL ANAH ESH’

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
‘EL ANAH ESH’ (The God that answers by fire)
“Then you call on the name of your god and I will call on the name of the Lord (Jehovah): The God that answers by fire (El Anah Esh) -He is God!” (1Kg 18:24)
 
‘El’ is the short form of Elohim (the Creator of heaven and earth). ‘Anah’ – means to answer, to testify, to witness, to shout, to sing, to declare. And ‘Esh’ means fire, heat, burning. Fire is a symbol of God. There are two types of fire.
 
• The fire that we should desire: it falls from heaven upon the obedient believer and His sacrifice upon the proper altar. The fire means that God has accepted your sacrifice and labor. It is the stamp and seal of heaven. It is the blessing of God, the anointing upon your ministry. It is the fire of grace and power.
 
Example: The fire fell upon the prepared sacrifice done by Aaron and his sons. It was on the first day of their ministry and it was the confirmation of God’s approval (Lev 9).
Lesson: Do not start ministry without the fire of God! (Religious) flesh prof-its nothing!
Example: Jesus is the Baptizer with the Holy Spirit and fire (Mat 3:11). The fire of God is the only element that can change your heart forever. It brings the fear of God and purifies it for true worship.
Lesson: Desire the deep revelation and the fullness of the Spirit. Do not be satisfied with superficial ‘Christianity.’
Example: The Pentecost (Acts 2). Fire was seen upon their heads. It changed them forever from cowards to bold preachers. Their words combined with the utterance of the Spirit (fire on the tongue) created a force that none could resist. Utterance means you speak fewer words, loaded with power to express deep things of the Spirit and to proclaim the wonders of God. Pray for the radical change on your tongue to be energized by the fire of heaven.
 
• The fire we should run from: it is the fire of the wrath of God and His judgment on sin. Uzzah touched the Ark and died (2 Sam 6:6, 7). Nadab and Abihu, offered unauthorized (man- made) fire in worship to God and they died on the spot (Lev 10). Un-confessed sin is the fuel that can ignite the fire of God producing sin unto death! Be careful!
 
Lesson: Be dead to sin before you pray for anointing and power in ministry! Be like the burning bush: hot with passion for Jesus but never consumed! This is the secret of genuine successful ministry.
 
In Christ I declare:
I no longer live, but it is Christ who lives in me, doing His work by the pow-er of the Holy Spirit! May Pentecost happen to me! May I burn with passion for Jesus!
In Jesus’ name, Amen!
 
(Prayer and fasting day 31- final day… for now…Hallelujah!)
SLL 35

YOU WILL FORGET THE SHAME OF YOUR YOUTH

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“For your Maker is your husband. The Lord of Hosts (Jehovah Sabaoth) is His Name! He is called the God of the whole earth!” (Is 54:5)
This revelation of God to Hannah applies to any barren situation in life. There are many people who cry silently on their beds at night because of pain of rejection, broken hearts, disappointments and lost dreams. Life is passing them by and there are no fruits to beautify and enjoy. The devil suggests to them that just weeping is a solution; that God will feel ‘sorry’ for them. Many tears wash a barren face and they remain barren still. But what a mighty change it will be to move in faith to have an encounter with God, to meet the captain of your Salvation and let Him dry your face clean. He is able and He is willing.
Hannah discovered Jesus to be faithful and true. The God that shut her womb became the God that opened it to overflow. Leave the bed of sorrow, go to the altar of God and by faith, give God a chance to prove Himself to you as the One who opens doors long barricaded. What do you lose if you believe? Nothing! You only lose your sorrow and shame! If you are tempted to say: ‘I believed yesterday and nothing happened’, believe again! Command doubt out of your thoughts and believe again! We are called to a ‘living hope’ and ‘inexpressible, glorious joy.’ Never, ever forget that for believers, the end of all suffering is joy!
In Christ I declare:
I was a sinner; I am now a saint, saved by the Blood of Jesus! I will not weep again, for He, my Shepherd, has led me to His living waters and dried all my tears! My past bareness shall become a testimony of fruitfulness and praise! I am healed! All to God’s glory! In Jesus’ name, amen!

TESTIMONY OF GRACE: PASTOR RICHMOND LEIGH @70!

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

This Sunday we had a wonderful Holy Communion and thanksgiving service. Our senior Pastor Richmond Leigh celebrated his 70th birthday. Pastor Tony Kadiri preached from the Book of 1 Corinthians: ‘Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ’ (1Cor 11:1; NKJ). He said that Apostle Paul did not say like many of our church leaders: ‘Do as I say but do not do what I do’. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul said: ‘Listen to me! Look at me! Do what I say and also do what I do’. These are the words of a true Christian leader. These days there are very few leaders worthy of emulation. We need to see Christ in our pastors. We need to follow their examples. These days there are so few genuine good examples to follow. We are not to follow theology, common sense or science. We are to follow Christ and Him crucified! Because Paul’s life is patterned after Christ he is confident to invite us to follow him, to imitate him. The problem in the churches today is that many leaders have lost their vision. They shifted their focus from Christ to men or money. These so called ‘men of God’ are not responsible. There is a proliferation of hirelings and false prophets in the vineyard of the Lord. These hirelings lead the flock of Christ astray. They lead the sheep into the pastures meant for the goats. The sheep eat grass that is meant for goats and they start behaving like the goats. These false brethren preach wrong doctrines and offer another ‘Christ’. Multitudes are deceived. There are so many ‘celebrities’ in the churches. These people are no longer accountable to Christ, the Head of the Church. They have pushed Christ from the center to the periphery.

But Paul was a man of the Spirit. He trusted Christ as the head of the Church who said to Peter long ago: ”And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Mt 16:18). Apostle Paul was not among the first 12 disciples who saw Jesus face to face. He became born again thru the direct revelation of the resurrected Christ (Gal 1:11-18). Paul was an expert of the law. After his conversion he became the Apostle of grace. He was not converted or trained by man, but by Christ Himself thru the Holy Spirit. He wrote three quarters of the New Testament.

Pastor Tony Kadiri announced to the congregation that the senior Pastor Richmond Leigh (fondly called ‘Tali’) is 70 years today. He said that Pastor Richmond Leigh is of the order of Paul. Tali also got converted thru a crisis experience. Tali is a true man of God, a true shepherd. Tali is a truly humble man. He has died to the flesh and to the world. His only desire is to know and serve Christ crucified. Jesus was humility personified. As Tali imitate Christ in this humility, we the children can safely imitate Tali. Often Tali says: ‘I don’t want to cross that line’. He is careful not to take the glory that belongs to God alone. In the past, Tali was a successful medical doctor. As a politician he rose to the national level. But after he got converted he left all the glamour, wealth and fame to follow Christ. He has put his hands on the plough and did not look back. Such a man we can safely follow. Tali is a worshiper of God. Like his ‘mentor’ King David, Tali often says: “I will not offer anything unto the Lord that cost me nothing” (2 Sam 24:24). Tali started building this sanctuary at the age of 64. Many men at that age are ready to retire. But Tali dressed with jeans and came to the site daily to supervise the building of the house of God. We did not ask for any loan and there was no building committee. The Holy Spirit directed the work until Father’s House Bible Church’ building was finished.

Tali is man of faith. When we were building the church he often said: “I’ve counted the cost” (Lk 14:26-33). Pastor Kadiri said: ‘I thought that he had some millions in the bank…’ But what Tali meant was that Christ Himself is ‘the cost’. Christ is sufficient! That is faith! Tali’s spiritual children have also connected with his vision! Thru this faith in Jehovah Jireh they have built their own houses. Tali is a worshipper! He loves to praise and worship God. Like Daniel, he has ‘a spirit of excellence’ (Dan 5:12). Tali is a loving husband to Malia (Pastor (Mrs) Lia Leigh). He applies the Biblical principles of marriage (Eph 5:22-31). When Tali says that he is ready to lay down his life for his wife Malia, as Christ did for the church, he is not joking. As couples we imitate them. We testify that many people’s marriages have improved as we imitate them. Tali is a loving father to his children and grandchildren, both natural and spiritual. He is wise, gentle and strong with us. He is an encourager. But he is not afraid to chastise when we need correction. Tali gives all glory to God. He often says: ‘I have no power of my own… It is Christ in me that does the work..’ Tali is a anointing teacher and a preacher of the Word of God. In this area, he is of the order of Paul. For example, under his leadership we study the Book of Romans for years. Our lives have changed. We testify that revival is in our midst. Sometimes, younger people misunderstand Tali’s humility and accessibility. They become disrespectful to him. But he always reacts as led by the Holy Spirit. Like a father, he patiently endures many things. No matter the provocation, he perseveres in following Christ. For him, there is no going back, no going astray. It is Christ to the end! Many successful men live double lives. But Tali has only one life to live! This scripture written by Paul represents him the best: ‘For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain’ (Phil 1:21). These things we have observed. These things we have seen. We testify that Tali is a true father in Christ and a godly mentor to us all. On this special day, we celebrate Christ in him. Happy birthday Tali! To God be all the glory!

(In the picture, Pastor and Pastor (Mrs) Richmond Leigh, kneeling before the Lord as the pastors and the congregation pray for them)

happy birthday tali

pastor and pastor (mrs) richmond leigh

VICTORY OVER DISCOURAGEMENT

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
‘And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to go round the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became impatient because of the journey (their soul was much discouraged because of the way)’ (Nu 21:4)
 
This afternoon I had to encourage a very sad young woman. She said: ‘Malia, I am tired of life…So many negative reports…’ She has some health challenges but she is not dying. Doctors could treat her body infirmities but could not encourage her soul. That is the work of the Holy Spirit alone in response to prayer. I told her that she is not talking like a woman of God. I also told her to ask her husband for forgiveness for nursing grudging discouragement in her heart. She agreed. She repented. We prayed and rejected the demons of depression, doubt, fear and discouragement. We asked the Holy Spirit to come into her heart. He gloriously came, in His own special way. This sister became delivered and refreshed. Praise the Lord! I love the Holy Spirit!
Read the verse above please… After many years of walking thru the wilderness, the people of God came close to the Promised Land. The country of Edom was the last hindrance for them to conquer. They were finally ready to possess their possessions. Moses sent a message to the king of Edom. He asked for a passage thru their territory. Moses promised that they will only walk on the ‘King’s highway’. They will not damage Edom’s fields and vineyards; they will eat their own food and pay for the water they shall drink along the way. The people of Edom were the descendants of Esau, their far relatives. The request seems reasonable. But to their surprise, Edom refused them the passage. Across the fields of Edom, they could see the Promised Land but they could not enter in. The heavenly cloud (re-)directed them to withdraw and to change direction. They have ‘to go round’ Edom to enter the Land of Promise thru the land of Moab and thru the River Jordan. This means a longer journey… They have to postpone their joy of entering their inheritance… This was hard for the people of God. Their souls became ‘much discouraged because of the way’.
 
In Hebrew, the word ‘discouraged’ means to cut down to size, to diminish hope or to reduce your dreams. Essentially, discouragement is a loss of confidence in God. This feeling cripples faith and leads to the sin of doubt. This is a warning to all believers and especially to the pastors who try to encourage discouraged people daily. We see discouragement as just a harmless weakness. We often try to encourage people with simple words: ‘Don’t worry… it will be better…’ But most of us don’t realize just how dangerous discouragement is. Discouragement is a spiritual virus!!! It leads to impatience, ingratitude, doubt, unbelief, selfishness (pity party), sins of the tongue (careless negative hurtful speech), distraction, blindness to temptation, anger, giving up (you lose spiritual strength, you become weak and lazy. A discouraged person retreats from the race. You say: ‘why should I bother to be a champion, a leader or a mentor? No need to fight’… You are on your way back to the world. You become a discourager tempting others in the church to backslide! You choose to live your life in spiritual passivity, regrets, fault finding, resignation, bitterness or self-pity. God forbid! I hate that way!
 
How do I know that discouragement is a sin? Because God punished them with death! ‘The wages of sin is death’ (Rom 6:23). Discouragement made them to dishonor God. They complained about the longer way to enter the Promised Land. They spoke against God and their leader, Moses. God takes it personally when you insult His servant. This is rebellion. Complaining is rebellion!!! They started to doubt God’s salvation and God’s purpose. ‘Why did you bring us out of Egypt?’ They complained against Mana, which represents the Word of God. Discouraged people hate the Bible! They cannot enjoy the Christian life. They want to backslide. They blame everything and everybody. They drag many on the road back to the world. But they soon discover the discipline of God! The serpents bit them and many of them died!
 
Listen to these wise words: “Discouragement makes the hard path—much harder; and the heavy load—much heavier. Discouragement is a slow but methodical killer that feeds upon the unresolved disappointments of your life. It is a predator of the human spirit, dragging its prey, over muffled pleas, to the dark cellar of broken dreams” (J R Miller)
 
What is the cure for discouragement? God told Moses to make a serpent of brass and to lift it on a pole. Anybody who was biting by a fiery serpent and who looked at the brass serpent, that one shall live! Jesus said that the brass serpent represents Himself, the Savior who died for our sins (Jn 3:14, 15). What about us today? We too must look unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith (Heb 12:1-3).
 
This is my testimony: that by the grace of God I have fought and defeated the demon of discouragement!!! That is why I enjoy my work as a pastor. I made up my mind that I will obey God’s Word and the leading of the Spirit. If the road is long or short, if the road is crooked or straight, if it passed thru valleys of across the mountains, in the midst or good people or bad, I must follow Jesus. I am not saved just to enter my ‘Promised Land’. I am saved not only to enjoy the promised blessings of God. I thank God for the blessings, gifts and rewards promised to me in Christ. But I know that I am saved primarily to give glory to God by becoming more and more like His Son Jesus Christ. You may be surprised that I say this: my destination is not heaven. My destination and destiny is my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And because Jesus lives in heaven, I too will go there. My holy priority is to maintain and mature my relationship with Christ. My desire is to walk with Him daily. My passion is to be filled and led by the Holy Spirit. For me life is simple because God made it simple: Jesus Leads and I follow. The length or the narrowness of the road do not matter. I refuse to be discouraged by anything and anybody, man, angel or demon. I live freely and happily to serve my Lord! This is the truth! May this be your portion too! In Jesus’ name, amen! Glory to God!

GREAT LIGHT WILL SHINE ON YOU!

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
‘The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them’ (Is 9:2)
Child of God, God has granted you a mighty ‘exodus’ type of breakthrough. In the mighty name of Jesus, get up and move on! No matter how dark, humid, hot and fearful the tunnel is, it will finally end into the marvelous light. You do not settle in the tunnel! It is just a transition! Put one leg in front of the other! Walk by faith even in your darkest hour! Chose to make progress even when you weep! Pray! Worship God! Pain is not forever. Joy is!
tunnel

WALKING BY FAITH

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2Cor 5:7)
No natural man knows how to walk by faith in God. The miracle of salvation has to happen before you can experience spiritual progress. You need to be born again and to be filled with the Holy Spirit. After that, you need to exercise your spirit’s ‘legs’ and learn to walk with your eyes ‘closed’. It is not easy. But it is wonderful! Today I challenge you to daily walk by faith!
Faith in God is very powerful. Faith is the ‘evidence of things not seen’ (Heb 11:1). Like a seed planted in the ground, faith works in the spiritual (invisible) realm. With time, it produces miracles and visible fruits. Once it becomes visible it is no longer faith. It is called sight. Faith is deeper than sight. You use faith to produce sight. You do not use sight to produce faith. In a way, faith and sight are ‘enemies’. Sight represents the natural senses. Faith is a spiritual ‘sense’. Each natural sense has its own function. For example, perfume pleases the sense of smell but it is useless to the ears. In the same way, faith pleases the spirit within you. Faith desires the supernatural and produces miracles.
 
Do not be satisfied with a little faith. Pray for a mature faith. Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and pray, even before you see the miracle with your eyes. Walk by faith! Make progress in life by trusting God to help you! But if you insist on seeing things, your sight will increase in power and your faith will become weaker. For example, if you pray to get pregnant, and each day you do ‘pregnancy test’, your faith will become weaker. If you are sick and every day you spend money for ‘blood tests’, whatever is the result of the tests, good or bad, your faith will not be able to mature. You need to trust the promises of God more than what men say or say not.
 
Sight is superficial and lustful. It is also called ‘the lust of the eyes’. Like cocaine, lust is an addictive, unfulfilled and unsatisfying desire. The more you see the less you are satisfied with your sight. After some time, you get bored with what your eyes see. “The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing” (Ecc 1:8). It is the same thing with the other natural senses. For example: that ice cream you loved to eat as a child will not be as sweet when you taste it much later in life. Men pay a lot of money to have ‘designer’ eye glasses. They want to see better, even the little letters on the pages. But it is much more beneficial to desire an increase of faith, to see spiritually, to see the invisible things hidden below the surface of the natural, but connected with them.
 
Faith comes by reading and hearing the word of God. My advice is that you read other books less and read the Bible more. Listen less to the daily news on TV. Go to a living church and listen to the preaching of the Word of God. Invest in your spiritual senses! Develop them! ‘He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches’! By faith, let the weak say: ‘I am strong!’ and strength shall be supplied! By faith, let the sick say: ‘I am well!’ and God will heal you! By faith, let the barren say: ‘I am pregnant!’ and you shall have children! By faith, let the poor say: ‘I am rich!’ and money from heaven shall come to you! Confess your miracle and God will work with and confirm your words of faith. Remember that faith pleases God and nothing is impossible for Him! Your testimony is sure!
 
May your spirit’s eyes be opened to see King Jesus in His beauty and glory! May your ears hear a word directing your path ahead! May your faith in God be fruitful! In Jesus’ name, amen! Glory!

DEFEATING THE FEAR OF COMMITMENT

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“There is no fear in love [dread does not exist]. But perfect (complete, full-grown) love drives out fear, because fear involves [the expectation of divine] punishment, so the one who is afraid [of God’s judgment] is not perfected in love [has not grown into a sufficient understanding of God’s love]” (1Jn 4:8, Amp)
 
Commitment means a willingness to give your time, resources and energy to someone you love, to something that you believe in. Commitment means to give and keep a promise or a firm decision to do something for another. It is an agreement or a pledge to do something in the future that will engage your resources, time and emotions. Commitment is an issue of love, surrender, long suffering, patience and faithfulness. It is the attitude of someone who works very hard to help and support another. In marriage, it is a vow, a covenant to love one another ‘until death do us part’. The opposite of commitment is emotional coldness, betrayal, denial, irresponsibility, breaking the vow and breaking the heart of love!
 
Every relationship needs commitment to survive, to grow. Marriage in particular needs commitment to make it work. The fear of commitment is more a male issue. Women generally desire commitment in marriage more than the men. Most men desire marriage but they also fear faithfulness. They fear staying faithful to only one woman. Many prefer long time dating but not marriage. The cause may be fear of change, fear of the unknown, fear of losing control, fear of betrayal, fear or intimate vulnerable love, fear of losing the freedom of choices. A man may love the woman he dates. But when he sees that the love becomes deeper, he decides to withdraw his emotions because of fear of commitment. The irony is that fear of commitment may mask a desperate desire for the intimacy and security that manifests only in a healthy long-term committed relationship. Sometimes we most fear what we most need. A coward says: ‘I want to love but just in case love fails, I am safe by keeping distance from the object of my love’. How sad…
 
The consequences of a fear of commitment: There are dangers involved with not committing, which include the possibility of a lonely life and the throwing away of perfectly good relationships, as the baby gets thrown out with the proverbial bathwater.
 
Child of God, you should search your heart! ‘God has not given you the spirit of fear, but power, love and sound mind’ (2Tim 1:7). If you desire to draw closer to God, to deepen your level of intimacy with God, then fear must be seen as an enemy! Perfect love confronts and fights, rejects and conquers all fears! There is a price to pay for a deeper walk with God. The Holy Spirit will tell you to enter the fire that will not burn you. He will tell you to enter the water that will not drown you. You must obey! Love obeys the Lover! Even unto death! Love is risky but love is true! And love never fails! Why chose to live like a coward who is afraid of saying yes to the Lord Jesus? This principle applies to marriages too. If you desire to marry or you want to deepen your relationship with your spouse, reject fear! And welcome love! From that time on, your life will never be the same again! Praise the Lord!

CHRIST IN ME THE HOPE OF GLORY

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

A young sister in Christ wrote these beautiful words about Christ in me…

“CHRIST in Pastor Silvia Lia Leigh…

Her eyes speak FIERY FLAME PURSUIT. Her voice rings TOTAL DEVOTION TO JESUS. Her love for the Holy Spirit is evident in every word from her lips. Her relationship with/submission to her husband is convicting.

You can sit at her feet to learn all day and alĺ night, but she’d rather not take all your time, urging you to go EXPERIENCE INTIMACY WITH THE LORD YOURSELF.

The wisdom that flows from her is the one Apst. James described in James 3:17. For more info, pls check her out in Proverbs 31:10-31.

One of her favourite verses, Isaiah 12:2, gets you to feel her tempo of TOTAL TRUST IN GOD. “Has *HE* said it?”

She’s not mindful of her reputation. She lost her desire to please men a long time ago.

Her faith? She tells you: *Trust God 100%*.
She tells you doubt disqualifies you from having communion with God and your prayers won’t pass the ceiling.

Her love walk? 👌🏽 She’ll correct you without mincing words and ensures you’re fine in your heart immediately after. Her passion for lost souls is like that of her Lord.

Her life is a testimony of worship. Her marriage is a model and blessing. Her children, natural and spiritual, call her blessed.

I’m blessed to have you Ma’am. I’m giving glory to God for you. I don’t have to wait for your birthday to celebrate you.

I look forward to greater times of fellowship. Thank you for staying true to God. Pastor SILVIA LIA LEIGH, my generation is blessed to have you. 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼”

SLL 64

THERE SHALL BE NO LOSS!

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

 

“You will surely recover everything that was taken from you!” (1Sam 30:8)

Yesterday during the Women’ Fellowship we praised, prayed and shared testimonies, to the Glory to God. We are fasting and praying during the month of January. We expect great things from God! We pray to grow spiritually, first of all. We also pray for blessings upon our marriages, husbands, children and the work of our hands. It is in line with the lessons taken from the Book of Ester.  This is a wonderful testimony given to the glory of God, to the shame of satan and for the encouragement of many! Sister R said that the Holy Spirit gave her a word for this year: “There shall be no loss!” She held to this promise by faith. She started the fast since the 1st of January. Two weeks ago something strange happened. She is a trader. She is selling dresses. She had a bag with some dresses, all new, with the tags attached. In the evening she stopped along the road to buy oranges to break her fast for the day. She took the bag with the dresses intending to put them in the boot (the trunk, US English) of the car. She paid for the oranges, entered her car and drove off. She did not know that she left the bag with the dresses on the ground, near the orange seller. In the evening, when she arrived home, she discovered that the bag was missing. She phoned some people if they’ve seen it. Nobody saw the bag. She looked at the CCTV camera at home, thinking that maybe the gate-keeper took it but there was nothing like that. She prayed and asked God: “Dear Father, You said that there shall be no loss. I now lost this bag with new expensive dresses. I don’t understand…” She left the matter in the hands of God! She refused to be discouraged and she continued the fast. Two weeks passed… Yesterday, as she was coming to church, somebody called on the phone. The unknown woman’s voice asked: “Have you lost anything?” Sister R was confused and did not know what to answer. Then the same woman said: “Did you no forget a bag with some dresses near a woman selling oranges?” Then Sis R said: “Yes!” Then she was told: “The bag is with me. Come tomorrow and take it!” This is a miracle of recovery (more so in Nigeria) because these are new expensive dresses.

 

What are the lessons? When the Holy Spirit gives you a prophetic word, the devil will do the opposite. This is to make you doubt God’s Word. God will allow the attack so that your faith in Him is tested. Have faith in God! If God has said something to you, no matter how long it takes, no matter what happens in between, things can be missing, some hope can be lost, but that Word cannot be lost! God’s Word will surely come to pass! We give God all the glory for this wonderful miracle and for a successful testing of faith!    Praise the Lord somebody!

LESSONS FROM THE BOOK OF ESTHER

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!” So Mordecai went his way and did according to all that Esther commanded him” (Est 4:13-17)

Note: The following Biblical lessons apply only to those who are born again by the Holy Spirit! My sister, please give your life to Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit! Fast and pray that you may be a woman of God and fulfill destiny!

*God is sovereign! God has the power to do what He wants to do! Nothing stops God! His glory is Eternal!
*The story of Queen Esther is a story of tragedy that became triumph; problems that became praise; worry that became worship! God changes all things! This should be your testimony too! Be willing to be used by God!
*The word ‘God’ and the word ‘prayer’ do not appear in the Book of Esther. God is ‘silent’ and invisible. But God is sovereign and in charge of everything and everybody. God is not too early and not too late. He is right on time! God can never lose any battle! Trust God! God will come and manifest on your behalf! If you have faith in God you shall not be put to shame; you shall not regret or be disappointed.
*God has a plan for your life! Let the vision for your life increase. Queen Esther was an orphan poor girl and a refugee in Persia. But she was a child of God. She became the Queen Esther! God used her mightily to save His people. Do not allow your past to determine your future! Pray that you shall fulfill God’s destiny and that you shall be a blessing to your generation!
*Prepare to be a servant of God. Humble yourself! Learn to do spiritual warfare! Be filled with the Holy Spirit! Stand and be filled with courage! God is with you! Have faith in God! There is nothing impossible for God! God gives comfort and courage in times of trouble!
*Esther got married to a difficult man, an unbeliever. She was probably not happy in her marriage. But she used her position to glorify God! Do the same even as you pray for your husband to become saved!
*Fasting and prayer opens the door of heaven. It releases God’s favor. Miracles happen! You shall experience healing and deliverance! Your mind will become clearer. You will know what to do. Your flesh, with its pride, doubts and fears, will become weak. Your spirit, your faith and love becomes stronger! The anointing for ministry will increase!
*God demands obedience and blesses it! God punishes pride and rebellion!
*Problems and hindrances do not stop God. These should not stop you! God can use anybody, even the sinners, the wicked people. God is sovereign not only in the church or among godly people. He is sovereign everywhere; in the President’s office or at the juju shrine. God is totally in control of your life even when things make no sense, when the doctor gives you no hope, when your spouse wants to divorce you, when people cheat and betray you. *Things and people change but God never changes!
*Wicked people may prosper for a time but they will be punished by God. If you dig a pit for another, you shall fall in it yourself. Never envy the wicked! Pride comes before fall! Fight evil by inviting your enemy to the party!
*If you refuse to answer God’s call for His work, He will use another. You do not lose your salvation, but you will lose opportunities for ministry, rewards and inexpressible joys! God’s work is risky! Prepare to make sacrifices! People will be offended at you! But God will reward and compensate you beyond your dreams!
*Reach out to others for help. Do not stay lonely! Make friends even talking the risk of a broken heart! God will heal you! Tell others that you need counsel, prayer or help!
*God knows the end from the beginning! Exit Vashti! Enter Esther! Exit Haman! Enter Mordecai! There is a time for God’s vengeance to manifest!
*God’s people suffer many things in this life but they are victorious at last! ”All things work together for good for them who love God and are called according to His purpose” (Rom 8:28).
*Never lose hope in God!

ethiopian bride

(In the picture, a beautiful Ethiopian bride, which to me, resembles Queen Esther)

MY TEARS FOR YOUR FEET

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
Jesus said: “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give Me any water for My feet, but she wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give Me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing My feet. You did not put oil on My head, but she has poured perfume on My feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven as her great love has shown…” (Lk 7:44-47)
 
The woman came uninvited. She had no key to enter; no password to open any door; just tears and a stained face from melting mascara. No greeting given to the host and his friends; possibly because they were ‘past costumers’ who saw her nakedness but never her tears. For it is the law of prostitutes: ‘Never love and never weep’! She came uninvited by men but led by the Spirit. She fell at Jesus’ feet. She wept and wept. Hot tears became as water as she kissed the sandals He would walk in to the Calvary Hill the next day. The ointment was all she had that she did not sell. The bottle was beautiful. The seal intact, kept for a wedding that could never come. ‘This is my Bridegroom. I have discovered Him. He will be mine for a few hours and then gone to the tree, that I may be forgiven and free. I found true love at last… even if so late…’ (Inspired from Song of Songs 3: 1-4)
 
The host invited my Jesus in his big house but did not fully welcome Him. No bath to wash. No soap. No sheets on the bed. No breakfast in the morning. No kiss. No looking into His eyes. No open heart. No memories shared.
 
‘Do you see this woman?’ Yes! This woman is me! Like a bird with broken wings I sit at His feet and all I can do is to weep. I feel the empty bucket with my tears. I break the alabaster box to be His soap. I weep and I kiss… All my words are drowning in the pool… some are floating in the air, the fragrance of holy perfume. For some it is the smell of death; for others, the smell of life. Perfumed sermon and faith that makes whole. What more do I want? It is finished!
 
At the feet of my Master, I lose all sense of time and all my fears. I am loved much and forgiven much. None can take my peace. Jesus gave it to me and it is mine. My reputation? I forgot the meaning of it or the desire to please men. Down at His feet is where you will find me. I will lose myself; yet find myself again… worshiping at His feet. Come and meet me there… It is well with my soul!
 
In Christ I declare:
All my tears are now jewels in His Crown!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen!
sll 83

FEAR NOT WHEN THE HEAT COMES 

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

I received this letter from a daughter in Christ. She is a young wife and mother. She is a faithful in her ministry in the church. She is a woman of God. I am blessed seeing that my spiritual children are maturing spiritually and live fruitful lives. I use her letter as a point of contact to encourage anyone who is under attack and especially who wants to start a new business. May God help you! Trust God to the end! If you want to bless this sister, feel free to comment. She will read it. God bless you my readers! In Jesus’ name!

“Dear Malia, Thank you for finding time to read my letter. Ma, I appreciate that. For some time I have been under attack. I am trying to start a new business and the devil is trying to stop me. I have never done this type of business before. It is totally new for me but I have prayed to God and I have peace about it. God gave me the idea. I trust God for everything, for the location of my shop, for the wisdom, strength and the capital. I know that the devil cannot stop me but he has been deceiving me that he is able to block my way. I fasted and prayed for discernment and I now recognize that it was an evil spirit tormenting me, telling me that I made a mistake, tormenting me about the business plans and making me having regret about resigning my present job… the devil brought fear about the type of business I want to start which is different than my present job… I had serious anxiety about a new beginning in my career, in ‘my business-life’. For some time I fell for its deception and distraction but God will have His way in me and there will be victory in the end!

This past Sunday, my pastor spoke on ‘tormenting spirits’. And tonight, I remembered the sermon and realized the negotiation about the money was tormenting me. To make its worse, my baby got sick. I was burdened because of my child and in that moment of weakness these tormenting spirits attacked me.
Last night I could not sleep. I was inspired by your letter about ‘night ministry’. I prayed to God. I silently cried on my bed. God restored peace, faith and courage to my soul. The devil is wicked and perverts thoughts and puts fear to replace confidence from God. I am humbled today to have discovered this and all the more want to hide inside the deepest part of the Holy Spirit. I already prayed that even when I make mistakes, that God will turn it around for good. My scripture that I’ve been trying to memorize this week is Jeremiah 17:7 (I think) it says blessed is the one whose trust and confidence is in the Lord. I am blessed. God bless you Ma! Your daughter in Christ…”

“Blessed is the man (the woman) who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord.
For he (she) shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit” (Jer 17:7, 8)

I WILL NOT FORGET YOU!

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“My child, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands; your walls are ever before Me” (Is 49:15, 16)
 
This evening, during the first prayer meeting in 2019, we entered God’s courts with thanksgiving. So many people lie down on their sick beds. Many have died last year. But we are alive. It is not by mistake. We give thanks for the gift of life! “Praise the Lord Oh, my soul, and all that is within me praise His Holy Name!” I was born to worship God! I do not boast of beauty, riches of education. I shamelessly boast that I know the only Living God. He is my God. I know His Word, His Spirit, His goodness, His touch! Worship the Lord! He is the Helper of the helpless! You are alive to praise God. You are alive because God has not finished with you. His grace-work goes on, until perfection comes, until testimony is visible. God has not finished with you! Therefore, do not ‘finish’ with yourself. Do not give yourself ‘deadlines’. You belong to Jesus! He died to pay your debt, your ‘bride price’ for your wedding in heaven. God knows you. Not just you lost in the crowd, but you alone. God knows you in particular. He knows your name, your address, your prayers and your tears. God’s plans for you are good, not evil, to give you a future and a hope.
 
God wrote your name on the palms of His hands. God said that even if a mother forgets the baby at her breast, He will never forget you. As He sits on His throne in heaven, God remembers you, for good. In between the angels’ songs, in between holy thunders of heaven, God remembers you. If your friend, neighbor or family member forgets you, God remembers you. And that is all that matters. Worship the Lord who alone changes hearts and circumstances. Worship the Lord who has granted you a new beginning. Forget not His benefits! The past does not define you! Let the past rest behind. Worship the Lord who never sleeps nor slumbers! Singing: How great is your God? From East to West, no other god, from North to South, I say, there is no other god! Almighty God, hallowed be Your name, Your dominion is forever more! Hallelujah!
sll and toju

WORSHIP OR DOUBT?

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw Him, they worshiped him; but some doubted” (Matt 28:16, 17)
 
Doubt is a type of faith. It is very difficult to describe, detect, or imagine. It is much easier to identify the sin of lust or lying, for example, than to isolate doubt from our mind. Doubt is wavering faith, unstable faith, damaged and unacceptable faith. Doubt is an evil religious spirit. It spreads like a plague. It is much more difficult to produce faith in your listeners. You have to preach the Word of God, the Gospel of Christ Crucified. This ministry has to be done patiently against all odds. Faith comes by the hearing of the preached Word of God. Doubt is like an infection. It is much easier to damage the faith than to produce or increase it. Doubters hate believers and attack their faith. Be careful who you call ‘friend!’
 
Doubt is wavering faith. To waver means to go to and fro between two opinions, two choices, two loves or two directions. Doubters have an ‘on and off’ type of faith. For example, they believe on Monday, but doubt on Tuesday, then back to believing on Wednesday, and so on. The sin of doubt affects especially three areas of God’s blessings:
• God’s power (especially the supernatural power to experience miracles)
• God’s provision (especially to trust God for abundance)
• God’s promises (especially to trust God for ‘impossible’ things)
 
Doubters are like the waves of the sea. They move on and off, day and night, without rest. All their movement is in vain for they do not expand the boundaries of the sea. Doubt makes you worried and overactive emotionally but there is no clear progress spiritually or in the natural. Doubters are ‘unstable’ in all their ways. The word ‘unstable’ means to be reckless (they seem bold and take unnecessary risks, but later back off as cowards). It also means to be confused, restless, and unsettled.
 
Marriages can be affected by doubt. The husband and wife may agree to do something but the next day one of them will change his mind. The unity of the Spirit cannot be established in a marriage where doubt has access. The worst thing that can be said about a doubter is that God refuses to answer his prayers. It does not matter that his needs are great or urgent. Doubt disqualifies him to have communion with God and his prayers do not pass the ceiling. We must repent of the sin of doubt and confess: ‘I believe in God!’
 
In Christ I declare:
I believe 100 percent and doubt for me is 0 percent! I trust God’s power! My miracle is coming soon! I trust God’s provision! I am blessed with more than enough! I trust God’s promises! They are all yes and amen!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen!

MY TREASURE 

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” (Mt 13:44)

This is a word for the born again children of God. I encourage you to pay the price to gain the assurance of your salvation and spiritual maturity! Christ is the ‘treasure hidden in a field’. The man who found the treasure is me and is you.

Many seek for hidden treasures all over the world. I read that seeking for treasures is a very expensive form of adventure. They say that pirates hid their stolen treasures in some islands. They wanted to come back later to get them. But they died before they could come back. People look for things like these. But it is not easy to be a treasure hunter. It takes time, physical and mental effort, and a lot of money. It is a dangerous work. Looking for treasures in strange places you are exposed to attacks from wicked men, thieves or wild animals. It is also a lonely work. In the open field it is just you and the dreams that you chase. You need to encourage yourself to go on. There are no human encouragers around. It is not easy… I have been there… I know…

In Greek, the word ‘field’ means a village farm. Try to imagine this story as you seek God. Finally, after years of seeking and digging, you find the greatest treasure of all, Jesus Christ! But you cannot shout for joy! You quietly rejoice by yourself. This is not the time to run and tell your family and friends: ‘I am a rich man! I have made it!’ This is not the time to post it on Facebook “I have found the fulfillment of my dreams!” It is true, you have found it but it is not yet your own! By freely taking from that treasure you will be called a thief. This is because the land that hosted the treasure for thousands of years is not your own. You need to buy the land before you have the treasure. It is like a man who wants to marry and he finally finds the girl of his dreams. He cannot announce that he is married to that girl. People will insult him! He has to pay a ‘bride price’ in the presence of witnesses before he can call that woman ‘my wife’. If not, he is an adulterer and a thief. The man who finds the treasure has to bury it again. This is the wisdom of the Kingdom of God: You find Christ and then you say to Him: ‘Good bye for now…I will come back and see You again…You shall be mine forever…’

The man goes back to the city and announces that he wants to become a farmer. His rich sophisticated friends laugh at his foolishness. ‘A farmer… What a joke…’ But that is all that he can say, for now. He announces that he is selling all his property in the city so that he can buy a farm in the village. He does not sell his things grudgingly. He sells them rejoicing. There is something strange about this man… he is so happy with his decision to change his address….this transition is mysterious to many who do not understand his new love for village things…. he is selling his expensive ‘condo in the Trump tower’ to go and buy a farm in the village… he sells his Mercedes Benz telling people he needs money to buy a farm… nobody knows the secret or the source of his joy…deep secret joy… not shared joy, at least not now…

Do you understand this parable? To ‘find Christ’ is not enough. You need to possess Christ, to be filled with His Word and His Spirit! Then you can truly say that Christ is yours! Not every Christian can say this: ‘My Beloved is mine and I am His”. You need to lose your life for His sake before you can have Christ! There is a price to pay to enter the mystery of this treasure called Christ. In Him there is all the wisdom and the knowledge of eternal life!

I have seen people who claim to be born again but they turn back from total commitment to the Lord, holding tight their little treasures money bought for them. Like with the rich your ruler who could not sell his things to truly find eternal life, a man may see Christ face to face, worship Him for a time but still go back to the world of sin, sad ‘for he has great possessions’.

This is my testimony! This is the truth that I have found: Christ is the greatest Blessing of all! He is the Gift from heaven! He is worthy more than silver or gold, more than the friendship of the best of friends, more than fame and more than culture. I testify that me, a sinner saved by His grace, I have found Him buried in the field called Nigeria! I thank God for the wisdom of not cheaply and foolishly brag about my achievement in finding Him ‘whom my soul loves’. For a long time I had to let go of His benefits and go back to my world of wealthy educated sinners. I simply told them that I am selling my things.

One by one, my cherished treasures of a life time of struggle were sold. This was a painful transition. But there was joy in that pain. I walked on the royal way of the Cross knowing that one day I can openly boast that Jesus is mine! Persecution is part of the price you pay to possess Christ. But it is all worth it! Oh…it is all worth it! After losing all things, I took my money and went to buy that field. The owner, an agent of the devil, had no idea why I am willing to pay all that for a ‘dirty old God forsaken’ field. That is what the devil called my dream. He said that he tried planting cassava and yam there, but the field is barren. I did not argue with him. I just wanted the deed of the land. I did not buy it to plant flowers there. I did not need a garden in Warri. I wanted what is hidden beneath the surface. The devil did not know what I was looking for. Thank God he did now know! He finally sold it to me. Jesus shed His Blood to be my Savior. I shed my tears and sweat to be His Servant! The deed is sealed! This is an eternal transaction no man or devil can steal. I declare that God loves Warri- Effurun, in Nigeria! Glory to the Lamb who seats on the throne! Now and forever! Amen! I am a child of God!

sll 26

JESUS MEGA VICTORY

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord” (PV 21:31)
 
Our Church’ (Father’s House Bible Church, Warri- Effurun, Nigeria) annual evangelistic program called “Jesus Mega Party” was a huge success. I am only boasting in the Lord! Many souls were saved. There was joy all around as we praised God, sang and danced like King David. Our brethren generously donated food items and clothes for the poor who came to the event. With that entire crowd of thousands of people, there was no crime reported. Everything was done orderly and beautifully, in the presence of the Lord and for His glory! To the strangers, the program sounded like a wonderful praise and worship concert. In reality, it was more spiritual warfare than just music playing. There was an invisible battle on that field. The territorial demons, especially the religious ones, opposed us. They wanted that Jesus Mega Party should be an entertainment night, when fleshly emotions are stirred but the spirit of men remains dormant. To the glory of God, the evil plan failed. The reason is because we were aware of their strategy. With prayers and fasting, we prepared for the battle. We raised our voices, faces, hearts and hands towards Jehovah Nissi, Our Banner of Victory. God answered from heaven and victory was complete! Halleluiah!
 
What are the lessons? The background of life is active spiritual warfare. If you believe in warfare or not, if you believe in the existence of the devil or not, this is the truth: there is war in the heavenly realms. For better or for worse, this invisible spiritual battle affects our lives. The horses represent the power of men aided by the devils. They stand for the most sophisticated technology and strategy of the wisest men on earth. But all the ‘horses’ in the world cannot defeat the smallest child of God whose faith is rooted in Christ crucified and resurrected. God is not intimidated by galaxies of demonic horses, by powerful bombs or by the latest deadly weapons invented by men. Salvation, freedom and victory are gifts of grace, coming from the Lord! Even for the youngest believer in Christ, the victory is sure, deliverance is established and freedom is confirmed. Glorious joy is the stamp of champions! Peace that passes all understanding is the strengths of Bible heroes! You can experience these!
 
Examine yourself: Who are you? Where are you? You are either on the side of the devil and his horses or on the side of Jehovah! You are either on the side of human strength or on the side of Christ Crucified! In Christ you can never lose! Recently, I have seen tired, confused and disappointed ‘horses’, fainting because of thirst in the middle of the battle. They prayed that ‘god’ will increase their strength to do more evil. But no one paid attention to their wicked prayers. There was no river around and no rain forecasted for them to find water to drink. I have also seen the banner of Jehovah lifted high above His children. “His banner over us is Love!” (SS 2:4). God has poured His strength into the weak, healing unto the sick and joy into the broken hearted. Tears of salty sorrow became tears of sweet joy! I have seen all these wonderful things today. One with God is majority! What a wonderful day to be alive and to worship God! Jesus, You are beautiful! There is victory in Jesus! Jesus is Lord!
 
(fasting and prayers day 8)
rsl 12
(In the picture, my husband, Pastor Richmond Leigh doing an altar call before mid night at Jesus Mega Party)

TALK TO JESUS

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him” (Luke 24:15, 16)
 
The disciples were walking on the road to Emmaus. They were depressed. Four days ago, Jesus, their Master, was crucified. Their hopes were crushed. Then suddenly a stranger came from the side of the road and drew near them. He started walking with them. They told him about the pain of losing their best friend. They did not know that the ‘stranger’ was in fact Jesus. They did not call on Jesus, thinking He is dead. Nevertheless, He came close to them… This is what Jesus does… He comes close to the hurting souls…
 
This is a great lesson: Jesus is able to come close to you any time He likes. Even when you do not pray, He still comes close to you. He will encourage you to talk about your pain, giving you answers to humanly impossible questions. Never forget! Jesus gives hope to the hopeless; joy to the depressed; strength to the weak. Jesus heals the sick and delivers the oppressed. At last, when the miracle has happened and the problem is solved, you shall look back and see that all along, it was Jesus! The same yesterday, today and forever!
 
“O, How I love Jesus, for He first loved me!”
emmaus israel
 
(Picture: This is the road to the village called Emmaus. I took the picture during a trip to Israel)

TESTIMONY OF BLESSED MARRIAGE

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
Our dear children in Christ, Dr. Toju and Pastor (Dr) Trish Eresanara have renewed their marriage vows and have celebrated 25 years of marriage, giving all the glory to God! We sang a chorus called “Everything na double-double…” Like any couple, over the years they had their ups and downs but we are witnesses that the Lord Jesus has turned their water into wine! We expect more of this type of testimonies! To God be all the glory!
toju and trish 25