Monthly Archives: April 2019

LOVE DOES NOT ENVY

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him… Love does not envy” (Ac 7:9; 1Cor 13:4)
Envy is defined as an unpleasant angry feeling or a bitter longing aroused by someone else’s possessions, qualities or success. Envy is the desire to have a beautiful thing belonging to someone else. Envy wants to take the wealth that belongs to another and leave that one poor. Envy is wicked. Envy is one of the works of the flesh. It is the desire that others should not have what you do not have! Envy says: ‘If I don’t go to heaven, you should not go there too; if I don’t have Jesus, you too should miss Him.’ Envy is criminal. Envy is sin. Envy is deceptive. When envy rises in your heart, you may miss its true identity. Pray that the Holy Spirit opens your eyes to see any sin that still dwells in your flesh. Chose to live a life of sacrificial holy love. That life will kill the root of envy in your flesh!
MY TESTIMONY
This incident happened about 20 years ago. I still remember the moment and the place when the Holy Spirit convicted me of the sin of envy. Somebody told me that a women I did not like got promoted at her job. Something like a tornado started turning my stomach. I felt sick. I felt angry. I felt like vomiting. The feeling was so strong that I forgot about my ‘enemy’ and I prayed asking God: ‘What is this sickness, Lord?’ The answer came immediately: ‘It is the demon of envy that you have allowed to stay in you’. I was shocked. I thought that God will tell me it was poison, or typhoid fever or high blood pressure… But envy? I was sure that I never envied anyone. I was proud thinking myself free from the shame of envy. I thought that I am a woman who always minds her business. If it was a human being who confronted me with the sin of envy I could have argued. But it was the Holy Spirit who spoke the Word. I could not argue. I just knelt down in my kitchen, among pots and pans yet to be washed, and I prayed for forgiveness of sins, of envy in particular. I also prayed for deliverance. Something ugly left me that day. A troublesome burden fell down from my back. I gained a new peace, a new wisdom, a new strength and a new courage to pray for others. Since then, I am free. Occasionally, that familiar demon tried to deceive me and come back to my heart. But the Holy Spirit helped me to identify it before it came too close. God helped me to raise my shield of faith against it! The victory is permanent! This testimony is to the glory of God!
I want to encourage you to do the same. In the name of Jesus, be free! Be filled with the Holy Spirit! Be satisfied with what God gives to you! Do not compare yourself with others. Live a life of thanksgiving! Confess and repent of envy! There is enough room for you, for all of us, at the foot of the Cross of Christ! Glory!
In Christ I declare:
I shall always love God and His people! I shall never envy! I shall be satisfied with God’s provision for my life! I shall be grateful for the blessings God bestows on me and my family! I shall pray for others! I shall be grateful for the blessings God gives to others! I live a life of thanksgiving! In Jesus’ name, Amen!

THE BATTLE FOR THE RIBS (MARRIAGES) 

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

“Then I saw a second beast, and it looked like a bear. It was rearing up on one side, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And I heard a voice saying to it, “Get up! Devour the flesh of many people!” (Dan 7:5)

These are the ‘last days’. Wickedness mixed with religion is increasing. In particular, there is an attack on the marriages. The beast has taken three ribs in his mouth. Ribs represent women; wives in particular. There is no opposition to stop his appetite. This beast is bold enough to put asunder what God has put together. The beast is the devil. It is clear: the devil hates godly marriages because they symbolized the love and the unity between Christ and His Body, the Church! You cannot have a happy and successful marriage without doing warfare in the name of Jesus!

In Christ I declare:
I hate this beast! I am not afraid to resist it! I am a woman of God! I am a servant of Christ! I am a true wife to my husband! I am a true mother to my children! I am a true grandmother to my grandchildren and they surround my table of blessings! I shall see even more of them, for God’s reward to me increases!

I come against this blood thirsty evil spirit of division, adultery and divorce: you bear- beast, I command you to leave the marriages of the people of God and go away in the name of Jesus! I say that it is enough! I am not afraid of you! The Word of God is on my side! I lift the standard of the Holy Spirit against you! Go away in the name of Jesus! Never come back!

The devil is a liar! The devil is a failure! I chose to believe the report of the Lord! Jesus is Lord! Hallelujah!

(I took this picture from the internet)

beast with three ribs

I AM AN UNBROKEN RIB SURROUNDING HIS HEART

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

“The Lord God said: It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping He took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made the woman from the rib. This is now bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and they will become one flesh… The Lord will create a new thing on earth: a woman will surround a man” (Gen 2:18; Jer 31:22)

Marriage is God’s design for man; it is not a human invention. Marriage is connected with the act of Creation. It was prescribed by Elohim, the Creator of the heaven and the earth. It is the combined creativity and power of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Spiritually speaking, the man is looking for his missing rib, his wife. He who finds her will be blessed and highly favored. Without his wife, he is in a much danger of injury from the outside world. Like the ribs, the wife is to be strong and flexible, mature and patient. She is to be sensitive to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. The husband’s heart is in the hand of God and in her hands also. She makes or breaks the marriage. Not all women are wives. Their beauty, education and charm can deceive. Just like with the ribs, among women, there are true wives who pray and prepare for the gift of marriage. All of them shall be found by their husbands eventually. There are also false wives, who are not ready to be faithful to the covenant of marriage; they only last for a season. And lastly, there are the floaters, wayward wives, lacking any interest or skill in the gift of marriage. The true wives protect and cherish, humbly doing the homework behind the scenes. Their husband ‘safely trusts them all the days of their lives’. They pray, take care of the home and children, and help their husbands to fulfill their destiny. Their reward cannot be hidden for too long. The husband and the children shall praise them and heaven shall welcome them.
 
In Christ I declare:
Our marriage is designed and approved in heaven! Our marriage is happy, blessed, and fruitful! I shall rejoice forever for this gift from the Father! My husband and I have left our natural fathers and mothers to cleave to one another for a lifetime. God has joined us together, chest and rib, no man or devil can separate us. My husband needs me and I need him. We complement one another and do not compete. The Holy Spirit keeps us together, bodies, souls, and spirits! My husband challenges me to greater heights of passion for God! He is strong and gentle, patient and kind! I surround my husband with my love and prayers! I am strong and gentle, patient and kind! The script of our love story is written by God! No man or demon has the access to it to edit, delete, or change any Word! Our destiny together shall be fulfilled! Our marriage is a blessing, a challenge, and a vision for Christ and His Bride, the Church! I walk lead by the Spirit, in harmony with my husband, a dance of mystery and fruitfulness! No one can hinder the progress of our marriage and ministry! Our marriage is not for the entertainment of men, but for the pleasure and delight of Elohim, our Maker! Our marriage is recorded in the Lambs’ Book of life, as our names are side by side! All glory to God!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen!
 
Tali and I 12
(In the picture, my husband of 45 years, Pastor Richmond Leigh and I)

PRAYER REQUEST FOR HEALING

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
Two months ago, the mother of a dear Christian brother we know, has been beaten by a snake while farming. She lives in a village near Oleh (in Delta State, Nigeria). Her name is Mama Charity. She almost died but God had mercy on her and she survived. She was an idol worshiper but few years ago she surrendered her life to Christ. Everybody in her family knows that she is now a born again Christian. Since then, she has been in terrible pains, especially at night. According to her son, the family tried both ‘native and English’ types of medicine. But the terrible pain in her leg still remains. Please pray for her. Let’s come in the unity of the Spirit and agree that God will heal her completely. There is nothing that God cannot do. Thank you dear intercessors for your labor of love. God bless you all!
 
(This evening the brother sent me the picture of his mum still in pains)
Mama Charity

HIS DOVE

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
When people say that I am not good enough for them, that my face is too fat, that my song is too flat and my words too difficult to be understood, I run to Jesus… He always welcomes me even when my face is ugly, wet with tears.. He understands me even when I cannot pray… He covers me with His love… My first language is not English. I had to learn it. I can never compare myself with an English writer. There is no need for that. Father God encourages me by the Holy Spirit to open my heart to Him, to sing, write, dance… and He says that I am His beloved. If an angel encourages me I will be flattered. But no… My encourager is more than an angel.. He is the God of the angels… Can you imagine that? God Almighty, the Maker of the heaven and the earth has time for me… He says to me even right now: “My dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the crevices of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.” (SS 2:14).. His Word is healing to my soul. I live by His Word…I live…
Malia 1

CHOOSE: CONFUSION OR PEACE

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“For God is not the Author of confusion but of peace, as in all churches of the saints” (1 Cor 14: 33)
By definition, confusion is; a blurred, foolish and anxious thinking; an unstable mind that has lost focus and purpose; hears more than one voice; mixed ideas indiscriminately; fail to differentiate between similar things; slower thinking especially decision making (stagger, waver), memory loss, paranoia (suspicious on others thinking that they are enemies) that leads to anxiety, inability to listen and understand the Word. Confusion of mind is a sign and a proof of an unregenerate mind. All unbelievers are confused; some more than others.
 
Confusion is a sign of defeat of your enemy. Babel (the world) was defeated by God through confusion (Gen 11). Confusion of the mind is never healthy! Confusion is never acceptable to a believer; it is always the result of satanic attacks.
 
By the grace of God, your enemies will never come to agreement how to destroy you. They will be confused; they will quarrel and betray one another. Spiritually speaking, it is a proof of God’s judgment upon a wicked person, an idolater, a religious traitor in the church. Such a person is a wolf among the sheep; very difficult to detect and very dangerous. The Shepherd will throw His rod against the secret enemy and the effect of the blow will be confusion of mind. The greatest condemnation is when God gives them up to their evil desires and confusion follows (Rom 1, 2). An unrepentant heart is troubled with confusion and it is dying already. Homosexuality is the result of confusion of mind. The suicide of Judas was also the result of confusion of mind.
 
In Christ I declare Psalm 70:2-4 over my life! May those who seek my life be put to shame and confusion… But may all who seek You, rejoice and be glad in You! In Jesus’ name, Amen!

HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY! 

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

Our grandson Oliver, in front of a cross made of flowers, in front of the church he attends with his parents. In fact, he is under the shadow of that cross. Fully covered by the Blood of Jesus! As you can see, he was very happy to see the cross. Just in case you have forgotten: Jesus dies for our sins and on the third He rose again! Hallelujah! Oli 2

Oli 1

WHEN WORK WAS IN PROGRESS 

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

This picture was taken 6 years ago today during the construction of our church. This young sister, her name is Pat. She works very hard at the church’ site during all her holidays from school. She does the same work as the brothers. She can drive the bobcat and carries cement too. She asks not for any special privileges. God bless her and all the servants of God who quietly work and faithfully serve the King!

Malia and Pat

ANGEL’S TESTIMONY

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
Our granddaughter Angel is 13. Her mother just informed me that she has passed the test for ‘the cheerleaders team’. She was very sick these few days. She had the flu: fever, cough, body pains and weakness. She felt very bad not only because she was sick but that she had to pass the tests this week. She has been preparing for months with her colleagues. On Monday she was too sick to even go to school and missed the first day of cheerleader’s tests. On Tuesday was the last day for the cheerleader’s test when they have to dress with the proper costumes. She was still sick. She could not eat food, only drinking orange juice. She wept begging her mother to let her go and do the test. Her mother was worried because she looked so weak. She phoned me to ask for advice. I told her that in the natural, she should not allow her daughter to go to do any test when she is sick. But I also told her to have faith in God, for a miracle. I said to her: “when your 13 years old daughter cries that she wants to go to pass a test, it is not good to quench her spirit. She has faith. She is a fighter.’ I told her to tell Angel: ‘Ok, let’s go. We shall pray to God for supernatural strength and favor. If you pass the test of not, I and Malia (your grandma) are very proud of you. In our hearts you are always a champion!” They prayed and they went to school. Her mum sent me a message that immediately they arrived, supernatural strength came upon Angel. She did all her routines perfectly, with charm and grace. We praised God for that!
This evening, they called me face time very happy, shouting and praising God. Angel has passed the tests!!! From now on, you may see her ‘cheer leading’ at sports events and other occasions.
This seems like a small testimony. But to me, her grandma, it is a big story that encouraged me this evening! The fact that God proved Himself strong in a teenager’s life, in her hour of need, makes this testimony great! We are all grateful and happy! To God alone be all the glory!
Lessons: God is an ever present Help in times of need! Put your trust in God and He will make sure that you will not be disappointed! Sickness and trials should not stop you in doing the right thing! Pray! Do your best, leaving the rest with God! With God all things are possible! God bless your children who learn to trust in God!
(In the picture, Angel and her mum (our daughter)
Cheer leader
Alina and Angel

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS BETWEEN WIVES OF TODAY AND THOSE OF YESTERDAY  By Prof. Yusuf Dankofa

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

 

1).Yesterday’s Wives.
Welcome my husband, hope the office was not stressful.,
your favorite food is ready, let me lead you to the bathroom
first,then you take your dinner, you look so tired, am sure
you’ll be okay after taking your dinner, welcome my one and
only.

Today’s Wives
Please don’t put unnecessary pressure on me, you can go
to the fridge pick up the stew, microwave it and boiled the
remaining rice, i am your wife and not your cook.

2).Yesterday’s Wives
Darling stop thinking about our lack of money.its going to
be temporary.God will see us through and we are going to
come out of it stronger. After all, we can still feed ourselves
and the children.We need to give the Almighty that glory.I
am with you through thick and thin,my husband,the owner
of my dowry.

Today’s Wives
Look I am sick and tired of living in this abject poverty with you.Why did you bring me to your house when you know that you are not ready for marriage?Every day is one complaint or the other.Are you the complainant general of Nigeria.We don’t have cars,our house is in Tudunwada,when your mates are in GRA. Look if you don’t find solutions to your problems,you will come back and not find me in this your rotten house.

3).Yesterday’s Wives
My husband,we only have 3 children,don’t you think we should have more.You know children are gifts and mercies from God.And the more the merrier.

Today’s Wives
Look am sick and tired of this marriage.You won’t allow me to rest by your constant urge to have more children.I am okay with our two children.I can’t allow you to spoil my figure 8 by bearing another 4 children.You are so wicked that I feel you want to spoil my psychedelic looks.If you dare force me,I will sue you for rape.

4).Yesterday’s Wives
My husband,take heart and don’t worry.i shall go with you to Zaria. Your being transferred from the glitterati of Abuja to Zaria might be a blessing in disguise.We shall take the advantage of the educational institutions to advance our education.Some disappointments could be a blessing.

Today’s Wives
Me I can’t follow you to Zaria-o.God forbid bad thing.From Abuja to Zaria?I can’t cope with such a demotion.To start living in a village.You had better look for another wife.I can’t live in a city without silver birds, Amigo supermarket or Dunes

5)Yesterday’s Wives
My husband,I have enough clothes.This N30.000 you are giving me, Please, keep it and save for a rainy day.

Today’s Wives
Why are you so stingy?Do you have super glue in your palms?What an insult.What kind of shopping do you want me to do with N50.000? What can I buy?Is it Swiss lace or Dubai gold.I am disappointed in you.Your mates are giving their wives $5000 to shop,here you are humiliating me with Naira. I don’t blame you.It is because I refused to marry Chief Antonio that’s why you are messing up with me-ooo

(Somebody sent me this article. It is funny but it is the truth. I don’t know the professor who write it. The only correction I can make is that what the author calls ‘Yesterday’s wives’ defines born again women of God. Listen! A godly Spirit filled woman of God is not something to be found only in the past, on the shelf of a museum, with dust on her hair… No! For as long as God is God, His children are everywhere. But like the gold is found under the ground and as the genuine pearls are found at the bottom of the sea, you must look for them! Lazy people fall into trouble by marrying worldly people. Pray! Pay the price for godly character, godly marriage and godly friendships! You will never regret it!)

THE THRONE OF MERCY AND GRACE 

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

“We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help…Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4:16; TM; NKJ)

We have arrived before the throne of grace. The Lord Jesus is the High Priest. The Lamb upon the throne is there to give grace and mercy for them who are truly in need. Until we understand the revelation of God’s mercy to sinners, we cannot proceed to the higher realms. This royal mercy is the anchor that connects us to the Lord, more clearly revealed when we stumble and fall.

Grace means unmerited favor from God. He sovereignly gives gifts and blesses His people in spite of their sins. Grace destroys all boasting of self and pride. Of necessity, the release of royal grace leads to worshipping the King.

Mercy is God’s sovereign kindness to a sinner who was His personal enemy. Mercy is God’s attitude of compassion to one who suffers the terrible consequences of his sin. In the absence of mercy, the sinner has to die a slow and terrible death, with no human cure available.

When in great trouble, look up and see the throne. Then you shall see His hand waving to you, calling you ‘Come higher…’ So ‘let us’ come boldly to the only place in the universe where we can find help, protection, provision and miracles.

Please observe… such royal blessings come only to them that are ‘in need’. The Lamb upon the Throne is not available to all in the same way. There are many people who suffer, are poor or sick. God has to qualify your status as a person ‘in need’. The word means to lack something vital, to be in want, poor and suffering unto death. Without the mercy of God, the need will kill you. Need is not a selfish desire or a superficial want. Often we confuse need and want, but God is never deceived.

For the release of mercy, we are invited to come ‘boldly’. It is ‘a need-for-mercy-emergency’! This word is more connected with the speech. It means to pray with confidence and faith. It describes a free, open speech without any manipulation, religious hypocrisy or deception. For example, in the army, a solider has to ask permission from a senior colleague before he can speak openly. It is not enough to be in trouble. He has to ask for the favor of free speech. If permission is not granted, he cannot trespass his boundary and ‘speak up his mind’.

Let’s pray: “Father, I am sorry for the many years I have wasted deceiving myself that I can do it on my own. The truth is that I need You. I need Your mercy and Your grace. I need a fresh touch from You. I need Your power, Your resources and Your guidance. Without You I can do nothing. It has come to that… My need has brought me to You. Please receive me… I am Your child… broken and lonely, homesick and wounded, O Lamb of God I come, I come…”

In Christ I declare:
“I need Thee, Lord, I need Thee, every hour I need Thee… Bless me now my Savior, I come to Thee…”
In Jesus’ name,
Amen!

Joseph 2

A PRAYER OF LIFTING

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob set you up on high [and defend you]; send you help from the sanctuary and support, refresh, and strengthen you from Zion” (Ps 20:1; 2; AMP)
 
This is the promise of Jehovah, the Self-Existent One. He is the only Living God who needs nothing from outside His Person to exist eternally! This is His pledge: to be with you when you are in in trouble; when you are under attack, alone and sick, abandoned or in pain….when lawyers abandon your case for ‘lack of evidence’… when doctors cannot find the source of your fever… when friends forsake you and the neighbors mock you… when you are ‘too old’ to marry and ‘too barren’ to have a child… when your need is greater than the supply… when hell has found your address and is ready to pay to kill… when prayer ‘does not work’ and the inspiration for singing has dried…
 
“Holy Spirit, please, come down!!!”
 
May God who wrote your name in the Book of Life remember you, help you, support, refresh and strengthen you! May God disappoint your fears, melt your doubts, arrest your sickness, fight against your oppressors and overturn the tables! May the power of praise in worship in Zion locate you and ignite a fresh holy fire in you! May the hand of God lift you up, far above the reach of all your enemies! May the increase of God’s kingdom include your home! May you see your children’ children! May you rejoice always, for God is with you! To the Glory of God who can never fail!
 
In Christ I declare:
I have seen the downfall of satan!
My trouble shall become my testimony!
I shall always praise and worship the God of my salvation, healing and deliverance!
God is my ever present Help in times of need!
Zion is my hometown forever!
Revival is my portion!
In Jesus name,
Amen!
SLL 12

THE DOE OF THE MORNING 

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

This is my book. It is a daily prophetic journal. This book is like a puzzle. The daily readings look like scattered pieces, some long and some short. It may seem that there is no particular ‘connection’ between them. You may not see ‘the picture’ initially, but patiently arrange the pieces together. Like a necklace made of pearls, the only string holding them is the Holy Spirit. See these pages as daily food for your spirit and medicine for your body and soul. These are also weapons of righteousness, strong enough to defeat the powers of darkness affecting your environment. Each day has ‘a prophetic’ declaration, reminding us of the treasures we have as believers in Christ. We tend to forget the power of truth spoken aloud. Just to be reminded that ‘I am a child of God!’ is enough to stir my soul each day. This ‘spirit of faith’ is the engine and the power ‘to produce’ miracles.

You can buy it from Amazon.com or from our church’ bookshop! Read and be blessed! Thank you for buying it!
Love in Christ alone,
Lia Leigh (Malia)

Doe of the morning

ENVY IS ‘SLOW POISON’

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“Envy and jealousy will kill a stupid fool… Don’t die before your time by being too wicked or acting like a fool…” (Job 5:2; Ecc 7:17)
This is an African story I heard some time ago. Once upon a time there was a vulture that always envied his neighbor, the great eagle. Daily he looked up on the sky and saw the eagle soar effortlessly, higher than any other bird. The vulture tried to catch the wind that lifted up the eagle. But the same current of air injured him and brought him down. Even their feathers were so different…The eagle looked like a king and he looked like a beggar, or so the vulture thought…Envy was slowly killing the vulture but he was ignorant of it.
 
One day, the vulture reached his breaking point. Unhappy, angry and jealous the vulture went to ‘a native doctor’ to make ‘a medicine’ to kill the eagle. The man said that it is possible to kill the eagle but he needs some of the vulture’s own feathers to prepare the poison. The vulture agreed and with his own beak he plucked some of his feathers. But the ‘medicine’ did not work and the native doctor said he needed some more feathers to make a stronger potion. This went on and on… The vulture agreed and each time he left the shrine he had fewer feathers on his body.
 
Little by little, he became ‘naked’ and powerless. Without feathers, he lost his ability to fly. One day, the eagle spotted a bird on the ground that looked like a turkey ready to be roasted. He quickly went down and carried the poor vulture to eat it for dinner. This is the sad story of a vulture that was foolishly envious of the great eagle.
 
What are the lessons? We are all born sinners. Envy is one of the works of the flesh. Envy is a wicked thing; it means to desire what is not your own; to covet what is forbidden; to hate the success and blessings of others. Envy is resident in our flesh from birth. Envy kills its owner, it is suicidal. The child of envy is ungratefulness. An envious man is wicked and foolish, not thankful for the portion and destiny God has given to him. He always wants another’s gifts and blessings!
 
Sinner, give your life to Christ! Come to the Cross of Christ for deliverance! Jesus died for your sins! Jesus is the only Savior given to men of earth! If envy and bitterness is already a stronghold, an addictive way of thinking, then you need deliverance from the demon who is now controlling you. But for you to be delivered, you need to be willing! Nobody can deliver you ‘by force’. Humble yourself! Have faith in the Word of God! Ask your pastor for help! Envy has to be acknowledged as sin, repented of and replaced with peace, contentment and thanks to God. If not, it will be a slow bitter poison to you, destroying any chance for you to have a happy life! But if you insist in your foolish stubbornness, I tremble for you.
 
Oh…that we may desire to be grateful to God who freely, generously and graciously has blessed us with so many blessings in Christ Jesus!
 
In Christ I declare:
I am a child of God!
I am grateful for salvation, for every blessings and gifts given to me by God!
I do not compare myself with others! I am not a foolish busybody!
I thank God for the blessings given to others!
God is my portion and inheritance in the land of the living!
I am truly satisfied! May the name of Jesus be glorified in my life!
In Jesus name, Amen!
 
(In the picture, two African vultures on the roof)
African vultures

I AM HIS GARDEN FOUNTAIN 

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

“You are a garden fountain, a well of flowing water streaming down… Awaken, O north wind, and come, O south wind. Breathe on my garden, and spread the fragrance of its spices. Let my Beloved come into His garden and taste its choicest fruits” (SS 4:15, 16)

When I got married 45 years ago, I did not know the price, how much it will cost… I did not know what it takes to have a successful godly testimony type of marriage. Thank God that I did not know it, because I could have been discouraged. The price for a holy testimony of spiritual maturity, reflected in ministry and marriage, is very high. According to God’s word, I had to die to self so that Christ can live in me and shine thru me! God used His holy hammer on my heart! Before I understood the ‘surgery’ I cried because of pain. Later, I relaxed and even rejoiced…

My heart was broken in many pieces so that God can rearrange them, for His glory and for my own good. Before that peculiar work of the Holy Spirit my heart was stony, opaque and closed. The Holy Spirit opened my heart, made it tender and ‘musical’. It is hard to explain… Thank God for tongues… Now, my heart sings the Lord’s song and hates all others tunes. My heart is not foolish and is not silent. I use to be shy, but not anymore. I speak as I am spoken to. The Holy Spirit whispers to my spirit, a word of love, and tells me to shout it out! I dare to obey God! The Word of God is enough for me. I hear it and I speak it out. It never fails to move me (first) and my listeners (second).

Like the hands of my Lord, my heart is now punctured… it has ‘scars-holes’ in it so that the water in my belly can easily flow out, and water others. The Divine Gardner, my Lord Jesus Christ, uses me daily to water His garden. I never knew how much my Lord loves flowers, plants, bees and butterflies until He held me, bent me and poured me out to them. He is a God of beauty, colors and order. That is why I cannot afford to be proud and ‘block’ my holes. I am used to be vulnerable. Used by my Lord, I lost my fears to look foolish. I love it when the people I talk to take me for granted. It means that I do not hinder God’s work. And that is all that matters. That is when The Holy Spirit does His work in them. What a privilege! What a joy to be used by the One who holds my life in His hands… Used by God I totally lost my fear of untimely useless death. For as long as the flowers bloom on earth, His water in my bucket will keep flowing. Glory!

(The picture below was taken by my husband. I was celebrating 65 years. I am dressed with beautiful Nigerian clothes made and given to me by one of our daughters in Christ. I hope that my thanksgiving mood is reflected on my face. “Thank You, Lord Jesus, for everything!”)

SLL 90

BEST FOR LAST

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

‘You saved the best until now’ Lord Jesus… (John 2: 10)

All marriages, no matter how strong, will eventually ‘finish’ their wine of joy and passion and end up ‘dry’: no hatred, no love, just ‘water- surviving’ arrangement. There is a moment when you discover that all the love has been exhausted on daily errands and the boring routine of life. There is a moment when fear will grip the heart that your secret relationship failure will become public display; ‘They have no more wine…’

That place of loneliness and shame is the moment for the true friend to step in and help. The best marriage counselors are not found seated at the table waiting to be served. They are found in the background, among the servants, who know the secret of brewing the miracle of supernatural love that never dies. Once you taste from the latter wine, once you are willing to allow God to love your spouse through your heart, your marriage will receive the stamp of heaven and will survive divorce… in fact, will defeat even death. Never forget the power of the latter rain! That is where the glory dwells!

In Christ I declare:
My marriage belongs to God!
Jesus is the Lord of my marriage, the Red Cord that can never be broken!
I will never lose hope in my marriage for my spouse is a gift from God and God never makes mistakes!
My marriage shall last until death will ‘part’ us! Nothing else will be able to destroy it before death!
I hate divorce!
Like the wine, my marriage shall be better as we get older!
Holy romance shall always ‘bubble’ in my marriage!
The best is yet to come!
In Jesus name, Amen!

(In the picture, my husband and I, happily married for 45 years… To God alone be all the glory!)

Tali and Malia 5

 

MY SUCCESS SPEAKS FOR ME!

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Josh 1:8, 9)
 
ACCORDING TO GOD’S WORD, IN CHRIST, I DECLARE:
*I am a child of God!
*I and my children, we are prosperous and successful!
*I and my children, we are not failures! We can never fail!
*Christian success is possible and it is my portion!
*I guard my testimony with all my might! It is my eternal treasure!
*I have faith in the promises of God! These are yes and amen!
*God’s presence is with me everywhere I go! If I enter a plane, a car or a ship, I remember that God does not need visa or ticket. *He is always with me on the land, on the sea and in the clouds!
*I am strong and courageous! I do not faint, shake or run away! *There is no going back for me! It is easier to die in the battle and go to heaven than to go back to the devil! NO RETREAT!
*I am not afraid; I am not confused! I am not a coward! God forbid! Nothing shall surprise me enough to break me; no circumstance of life will make me beg or worship the devil. I am done with him forever! I am free and free indeed!
*My eyes are fixed of the face of Jesus, I see Him smile and I hear the cheering coming from the heavenly cloud of witnesses.
*I read, study, meditate and dream the Word of God! I see myself preaching and teaching the Word to multitudes!
*I press forward until the wine is squeezed out from ‘the grapes’ of my heart.
*I press on until God speaks to me thru His Word. If I am tired I pray for supernatural strength but still, I will not accept defeat!
*I am intelligent for God made me so!
*I am not timid! I am not a fool! I am not a loser!
*From now on, my light will shine and all people will come and see the wonderful works the Father has done in me!
*All the glory to the Lamb upon the throne! Hallelujah!
In Jesus’ name
Amen!
SLL 65

THE WOMAN, THE WATER AND THE WELL

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
‘The woman said: I know that Messiah (called Christ) is coming. When He comes, He will explain everything to us. Then Jesus declared: ‘I who speak to you am He’…Then leaving the water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people: ‘Come and see a Man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” (Jn 4:25-29)
 
She was a simple woman but she was waiting for the greatest teacher, the one who knows all things. She was like an illiterate woman, too poor to go to school, but desiring to be a student in the best university in the world, somewhere abroad, if possible…
She had small strength but big dreams. She desired to meet God’s messenger, the One who will explain to her the mystery of the universe in simple words she could not understand. She wanted to submit to and believe in a Prophetic Royal Heavenly Teacher. She needed answers to the tragedy of sin in her life. She was seeking for grace long before she knew its name… She needed a miracle money cannot buy and men cannot steal…
 
Because of her hope of glory, the people around despised her and none was willing to waste time in teaching a woman like her. Since she was a little girl, she had beautiful dreams, that one day she will be a princess, dressed in white. The handsome prince will come and marry her…Years passed…Suffering replaced the songs… Life was not fair to her. She now had to do the things she once hated. The candle of hope was all but quenched. She tried to find romance in a place where women only cook and clean. She tried to find a man who loves her, but the more she searched the less she found him. The dream fainted… it was almost dead… Until this hot day, tasting the dust of Samaria, where nothing special ever happens…she was surprised by a stranger, at the well…
 
Jesus looked in her eyes and introduced Himself. “I am He! I am the Messiah!” I am the One you are waiting for…the One who planted the impossible dreams… the One who will explain to you everything…and help you live, truly live…the One who loves you just as you are… The Gardner who is ready to plant in your heart, the seed of love and the bloom of romance…Awake, My love, awake…”
 
Just imagine the moment! That unexpected moment… her very Hope…the dearest and the best staring at her…face to face with the Messiah…not properly dressed…nowhere to hide…make up running down on her face… holding an old, rusty bucket in her hand…she forgets all things, she forgets the rehearsed speeches and runs…runs away from the Prince, to men like her, hungry and lost like her… to tell them: ’Can this be the Messiah?’
 
What the philosophers could not accept; what the religious leaders refused to believe; what King Herod mocked at and the high priest rejected…this lonely poor woman receives… the gift from above, coming free of sorrows…the gift of intoxicating grace and ever new mercy, from the pierced hands of the Anointed One, the Christ! Oh… the mystery of this godliness!
 
‘If you knew the gift of God and who is He who asks you for a drink…’ (Jn 4:10)
 
(In the picture, me, by a fountain in Los Angeles, in 2010)
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