Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh continued preaching about the power of the Gospel. Her main text was taken from the Book of Romans: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” … being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus… Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. Moreover, the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 1:16, 17; 3:24; 5:18-21; NKJ).

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh said that there are two ‘countries’ or two ‘realms’: Adam and Christ! All men are either in Adam or in Christ. There is no middle ground. In Adam, Sin is king and reigns unto death. In Christ, Grace is King and reigns unto eternal life! You are either under Sin or under Grace! Sin and saving Grace are both positional. In Christ, all are under Grace!

Sin is defined as rebellion against God! It is disobedience, breaking God’s law, and worse, breaking God’s heart! It is lawlessness, chaos. It is missing the mark (failing to achieve the intended purpose). It is falling short of God’s glory (stealing God’s glory). There is ‘an original sin’. That is the sin committed by Adam and Eve. They disobeyed God’s command in the Garden of Eden. God told them that disobedience to His command will end in death. They knew it and still, they disobeyed God’s command. This is how sin entered mankind. All humanity was in Adam’s loins when he was created and when he sinned. That is why all men are born sinners. Sin is spiritual. Sin is not coming from outside like ‘a virus’. Sin is internal. Even the born-again Christian has to battle with sin in his ‘members’. The devil is the author of sin for he has sinned from the beginning. Sin is universal; all men are born sinners. There is no other sickness known to man that can affect all men everywhere. Except sin, this terrible soul’s sickness. All men are affected by sin. They are born in sin. This is the Bible’s revelation. Sin is extremely powerful. Next to the power of God, is the power of sin. God creates but sin destroys. King Sin has killed all his citizens. This is called ‘the sinfulness of sin’.

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh said that sin can deceive that you are saved when you are not. For a child of God sin is an enemy, something alien, like a poison. When a child of God sees sin it is the same as he sees a snake. He hates it! When a believer in Christ, falls into sin, he feels bad. He repents of it and learns a lesson. Any man or woman who says that is a Christian but continues habitually in sin, without a feeling of shame or grief, without fear of God, that one is not saved. He is only religious. This is God’s Word: “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God” (1 John 3:4-9).

The Bible commands us: “Encourage one another daily … lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13). The deceitfulness of sin ‘hardens’ the heart. To become ‘hardened’ it means to become ‘stubborn’.   

The devil, thru the snake, deceived Eve and she fell into sin. She said: “The serpent deceived me, and I ate” (Genesis 3:13). To deceive it means to lead astray, to deliberately cause (someone) to believe a lie, especially for personal gain.  Sin tries to deceive you, to believe a lie, so that he gets control over you. How does sin deceive men? By misusing the law of God; by depressing you, by telling you that you can continue in sin because you have the ‘antidote’ of grace; by telling you that God does not love you, that His ways are too difficult; by advertising itself as ‘an angel of light’, hiding the terrible consequences.  

GRACE IS KING IN CHRIST! IT IS ALWAYS GREATER THAN SIN AND THE ONLY ANTODOTE AGAINST IT!

To genuinely appreciate the Grace of God, you must study the doctrine of sin. The greatest revelation of the sinfulness of sin and the love and grace of God is at the Cross of Calvary. Jesus died because of our sins! Nothing less than the Blood of God the Son could atone for our sin. In a nutshell this is the Gospel: Jesus died and rose again, for me! This is the power of the Gospel. Salvation is a miracle. You cannot buy it with money. If you have never felt the power of the Word of God under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, changing you, it is possible that you are not saved. You are only religious. Examine your foundation!

THE PRODIGAL SON AND HIS FATHER (KING GRACE) (Lk 15:11-24)

The younger son stands for a sinner who shall be saved by grace. He is among the elect. The Father stands for God the Father, for Jesus, our Lord and for King Grace. The younger son was lost even before he left the home. He hated and rebelled against God’s command. He refused to honor his father and his father’s God. After the death of his father, he could have received 1/3 of the father’s wealth. It was his by law. But he could not sell it for as long as his father was alive. But he could not wait. He asked for his portion, he sold it (for peanuts) and took away the cash. He went to the far country of sin. He planned how to ‘enjoy life’ but he did not plan what he would do if the money got finished.  The famine made the things worse. Hungry and desperate he hired himself to a pagan pig farmer. For the Jews, pigs are unclean (Leviticus 11:7, 8). Hungry, rejected, poor and sick, the son is now at his lowest. Then King Grace comes. Grace always manifests when we are at our lowest! Grace touches his spirit, his mind. The young man ‘comes to himself’. He remembers his father and his father’s house. He decides to come and be hired. He thinks of himself as a hireling and not as a son. He has lost his identity and confidence. But he is still a son to King Grace. The Father waits for him. He runs to meet him. King Grace covers his shame and nakedness and restores him back to the family. Face to face with the amazing loving actions of his father, the son finally truly repents. Grace will never forsake His own. The wounded Love will not let go. Mercy will not turn his back to him who is elect. You see the power of Amazing Grace! Child of God, your identity in Christ and your salvation is sure! Worship the Lord!  

Prophetic scripture: “From the fulness of His Grace, we have all received one blessing after another” (John 1:16; NIV)

“Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle of the Lord. And she was in bitterness of soul and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. Then she made a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head” (1Samuel 1:9-11)

Here you see the importance of perspective. At first glance it would appear that this is a kind of bargaining prayer of Hannah’s; that she is offering to give the boy back to the Lord only if the Lord will give him to her first, so she can enjoy him. It is possible to read this account that way. But, if we look closely at it, and we are led by the Holy Spirit, we see a different picture. Not of selfish bargaining but of mature faith. I am sure this is not the first time that Hannah has prayed at Shiloh for a child. In fact, she prayed for a child many times. All along she dreamed of having a son of her own, a little boy to love and cuddle, to teach him how to walk, to read stories to, to watch him grow to manhood, to become a strong, clean, fine young man, the pride of her life. Then her son will marry a good godly lady and give her many grandchildren. I do not blame her for dreaming like this. It is the natural dream of every woman. She wanted a son for herself. She prayed often, but her prayer was not answered. Why?

On this occasion, however, her prayer was different. Having worked through years of humiliation because of barrenness and having thought deeply about her life, she discovered, for the first time, something she had never known before. She realized that children are not just a gift to parents, but they belong, first of all, to the Lord!!! God is the Giver and the Receiver of our children. They are given to parents, loaned for a while, but the reason they are given is for the Lord to use. This should be the desire of every parent!

Thru pain, after so many years, Hannah had a deeper revelation of God’s Word: “The LORD has made all things for Himself… For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him” (Proverbs 16:4; Colossians 1:16). Hannah now saw God as the Center of her universe. Therefore, she changed the perspective of her prayer. She prayed that God would grant her to be the mother of a son who will be given to God, for His service and glory. She prayed not for her son, but for God’s son! Certainly, this account indicates that this little boy who was ultimately born (Samuel) was God’s man to meet the need of a nation. Samuel was not only Hannah’s dream, but God’s ‘dream’! Undoubtedly, God had taught Hannah deeply through these years of struggle with her barrenness. God brought Hannah closer to Himself. She became a woman of God even before she got pregnant. That day in Shiloh, in great distress, with intense earnestness and faith, she prays that God would have what He wanted, a man for His glory and for His purposes. She interceded for God! She also prayed that by His grace, He would let her be the instrument of that blessing. In a way, she prayed to be like Mary, who became the mother of God’s Son, our Lord. Glory!

Immediately we read of a remarkable change in Hannah’s heart and countenance, for the Bible says: “Eli answered: ‘Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of Him’. She said: ‘May your servant find favor in your eyes’. Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast” (1 Samuel 1:17, 18). God’s peace and power from on high descended on her, guarding, and preparing her body, and her spirit, for the coming miracle. Her face looked calm and glorious. The beauty of holiness applied the ‘makeover’. She slept with her husband and she conceived Samuel. Nine months later Samuel was born. His name means “Asked of God’. The boy was clearly a gift from the God who answers prayers, from the God of grace who creates all for His pleasure and glory! Apostle Paul commands the believers to reject all anxiety so that the same peace of God will come, preparing the way for the miracle that will end in praise! Anxiety is a sin. We must reject it especially because ‘the Lord Jesus is at hand’! He is so near that He hears even the whispers of your prayers. This is God’s Word: “The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:5-7). Hannah experienced this heavenly peace that protects the heart and prepares the way for the praise! This is the mystery of prayer that is available to us the believers. We must speak peace into our hearts when we are troubled by difficult circumstances. The peace is the sign that the miracle is on its way. This supernatural peace that passes all understanding will surely end in praise! Do you know anything about this peace?

Let us pray: “Dear Heavenly Father, I worship You! Thank You, Abba Father, for the peace that You give me as I yield to You in prayer, in total trust and complete submission. I present my body to You, as a living sacrifice. Do what You want with it. It belongs to You. I reject all anxiety from my heart! Holy Spirit fill me afresh! Thank You Father that You know all what I need, and You know when I need it. By faith, I now receive the answer to this my prayer! My desire is that You use me as Your instrument of peace, and for Your glory! In Jesus’ name I prayed! Amen!”

(In the picture, my husband, I and our grandson Oliver Sisan Oakes)

How can we deal with this problem of selfishness? Love is the solution. The Agape love of Jesus is the cure against all pride, immaturity, and self- centeredness. If you have a problem with selfishness, the way to solve it is to be absorbed by someone else, to think how to help and care for another. By doing this, by investing in another, without you knowing it, you will forget about yourself, you become humble and you start worshipping God. People who ‘fall in love’ will tell you how love made them forget about themselves. Multiply this ‘falling in love’ by infinity, gaze long at the face of Jesus, and catch something of His glory. It will reflect on you. It will change you. You shall discover that salvation is not just forgiveness of sins, not just getting free from the wrath of God. We are free but not only to enjoy material prosperity; to build houses, buy cars, and enjoy ‘good life’. Salvation goes far beyond these temporal benefits. Jesus lived and died to reveal the Father’s love to us, to manifest the glory of God on earth. Jesus died on the Cross so that we live a new life, to be changed into His image. This selfishness relates to ‘slave or poverty mentality’. The selfish lifestyle hates to give glory to God.
For example, prisoners are released from prison. Some go out of the prison’ gates and have nobody to help them. They are free but they are alone. Like we say in Nigeria, ‘you are on your own’. But others, after they are released, they are taken by a limousine car to the palace of the King. These are the children of God. You are free from prison and now you become servants to the King Jesus. Once you enter the palace, all your needs are met. In the palace, the glory of the King overwhelms you, it will change you. You are not only free, but you are also made whole. You have a new vision of life. You have a glimpse of a new hope and glory in the future. You learn to love as you are loved. As you can see, the greatness of our salvation is derived from the greatness of our Savior and His glory. The effect of the glory of God on me is that I forget my petty problems and now, I can worship the King of glory getting lost in the ocean of His love.
(From my husband’s notes, Pastor Richmond Sisan Leigh)

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh continued preaching about the power of the Gospel. Her main text was taken from the Book of Romans: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” … being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus… Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. Moreover, the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 1:16, 17; 3:24; 5:18-21; NKJ).

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh said that there are two ‘countries’ or two ‘realms’: Adam and Christ! All men are either in Adam or in Christ. There is no middle ground. In Adam, Sin is king and reigns unto death. In Christ, Grace is King and reigns unto eternal life! You are either under Sin or under Grace! Sin and saving Grace are both positional. In Christ, all are under Grace!

Sin is defined as rebellion against God! It is disobedience, breaking God’s law, and worse, breaking God’s heart! It is lawlessness, chaos. It is missing the mark (failing to achieve the intended purpose). It is falling short of God’s glory (stealing God’s glory). There is ‘an original sin’. That is the sin committed by Adam and Eve. They disobeyed God’s command in the Garden of Eden. God told them that disobedience to His command will end in death. They knew it and still, they disobeyed God’s command. This is how sin entered mankind. All humanity was in Adam’s loins when he was created and when he sinned. That is why all men are born sinners. Sin is spiritual. Sin is not coming from outside like ‘a virus’. Sin is internal. Even the born-again Christian has to battle with sin in his ‘members’. The devil is the author of sin for he has sinned from the beginning (1John 3:8). Sin is universal; all men are born sinners. There is no other sickness known to man that can affect all men everywhere. Except sin, this terrible soul’s sickness. All men are affected by sin. They are born in sin. This is the Bible’s revelation. Sin is extremely powerful. Next to the power of God, is the power of sin. God creates but sin destroys. King Sin has killed all his citizens. Sin is deceitful. Sin only shows you the attractive side of sin. He never shows you the end of the story, the consequences of sin. To deceive it means to purposely make somebody believe a lie. To be deceived it means to be misled by a wicked person for personal gain. Sin is terribly wicked. This is called ‘the sinfulness of sin’. Grace is the only antidote! To genuinely appreciate the Grace of God, you must study the doctrine of sin. The greatest revelation of the sinfulness of sin and the love and grace of God is at the Cross of Calvary. Jesus died because of our sins! Nothing less than the Blood of God the Son could atone for our sin. In a nutshell this is the Gospel: Jesus died and rose again, for me! This is the power of the Gospel. Salvation is a miracle. If you have never felt the power of the Word of God under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, it is possible that you are not truly saved. You may only be religious. Examine your foundation! There are many people who are religious and go to churches but are not born again. For as long as you are alive on earth, it is never too early, and it is never too late to surrender your life to Jesus! For as long as you are breathing, humble yourself, have faith and come to Jesus! You will never regret your decision to come to Jesus, to unconditionally surrender your life to the only Savior! “Come, oh, sinner, come home!” Worship the Lord!   

Prophetic scriptures

“When my life was ebbing away (when my soul fainted within me), I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to You, to Your holy temple. “Those who cling to worthless idols (lying vanities), forsake the grace that could be theirs (turn away from God’s love and mercy for them). But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’” And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land” (Jonah 2:7-10)

My husband and I, we both love plants and flowers. God makes me happy in our garden! Simple things make me happy these days… To God be all the glory!

This is a question: what you have learned from the Bible? Is it only in your mind or it is also in your spirit? Are you able to apply the Word of God to your daily living? The Bible is the most practical Book. It teaches you how to live. The best way to discover the value of what you have learned from the Bible is to see how you react in times of trouble. Many people, who call themselves Christians, read the Bible but in times of trouble they panic; they depend on other men, pastors or the prayers of others. They claim to trust God but, they do not. King David says: God, “I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory (Psalm 63:2)”. David was used to find God in the sanctuary. But now, he was far from the sanctuary. He was in the wilderness. This is a practical question: Do we depend upon the church and its services only when they are in the sanctuary to find God for ourselves? Can we find God outside the sanctuary? For example, what will you do if you are sick and you find yourself on admission in the hospital? Can you find God, can you pray and worship God outside the sanctuary? Sooner or later we all meet with trials and temptations. It can be sickness, sorrow, or bereavement. This is called the wilderness of life. Every one of us must pass thru these trials. This is a passing world. It is also a testing world. What do you do when life is hard, when no man can help you and the sanctuary is locked? A child of God is able to pray and worship God anywhere, and at any time! Is that true of you?

(From my husband’s notes, Pastor Richmond Sisan Leigh)

This morning, in our garden, I took a picture of this cute lizard who stood up to see what is God doing this morning! I am sure that he was praising God, the Creator of heaven and hearth! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! This place is too quiet-oh!!!!

I took this picture this evening, from my balcony (Warri/ Efffurun, Nigeria). It is preparing to rain. In the past, from time to time, my dear husband would give me little gifts or flowers, just to make me happy. Now, in his absence, the Holy Spirit has taken over my happiness. He ‘greets’ me with colors in the sky. Look at the pictures. It is the same angle. It is the same sky, but still, never the same. I am happy’. I am never bored. The colors change all the time. God’s glory is displayed for all to see and rejoice. May your eyes see beyond the natural! May your happiness come from God Himself! He never disappoints! His mercies are new every morning! Great is His faithfulness!

MY GARDEN… GOD’S GIFT TO ME… EVENING TIME
(@Effurun, Warri, Nigeria)

MY GARDEN… GOD’S GIFT TO ME… EVENING TIME
(@Effurun, Warri, Nigeria)

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh continued preaching on the theme “The Power of the Gospel”. Her main text was taken from the Book of Romans. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” … being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus… Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. Moreover, the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 1:16, 17; 3:24; 5:18-21; NKJ).

What is God’s method in dealing with men? It is His Grace! Grace is unmerited favor to those who are unworthy of such gift. We merit death! We merit going to hell! But for Grace… Grace is God’s gift, full and free! There is a general grace and call (for all men) and there is a specific ‘irresistible grace’ and effectual call (for God’s children). When men hear the Gospel, they react differently: some hear and remain passive to the call (in other words, they reject it). Others (God’s children) hear the voice or Grace and are attracted. Their heart is softened. They believe and repent! They produce fruits of repentance and conversion. They love God’s Word, God’s people, and the Holy Spirit! Once born again, the child of God becomes fearless and bold thru the faith in the Gospel and the assurance of his salvation! Apostle Paul said: “I testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Ac 20:24).

King Sin is king (in Adam)

Sin is disobedience, rebellion, breaking God’s law, and God’s heart! In Greek, sin is ‘missing the mark’ (failing to achieve the intended purpose). Men are born to have fellowship with God, to be like Jesus and to give God all glory. But sin has destroyed that. Sin is ‘falling short’ of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). The effect of sin is increased sin (until it becomes bitterness of life) and death. Men are born sinners and they all die. This is a universal law. In Adam, all men sinned. Sin is more than deeds. It is positional. All men are born sinners and enemies to God. Man cannot save himself. He needs a Savior. Jesus Christ is the only Savior! This is the Gospel of Grace that we preach and believe!

KING GRACE IS KING (IN CHRIST)

Sin came thru Adam. Grace came thru Jesus Christ! As a King, Grace is sovereign in its domain, totally free and independent from anything of man, his works, and contributions, good or bad. Man does not merit grace. Man cannot bribe, buy, work for, or manipulate grace!  Grace is stronger than sin and death! Both Sin and Grace are Kings in their domains. In Adam, sin was king in the kingdom of death. Sin was so powerful that it killed all men. But in Christ, in the Kingdom of God, Grace is now King leading to Eternal Life. Grace is the only alternative to sin. You are either ‘under sin’ or under grace’. Where are you? A child of God may be deceived and fall into sin, but sin cannot be his king anymore. He is under King Grace. King sin used to be above but now, is under his feet. A believer may sin occasionally, but he can never love sin. Grace leads to repentance, to reconciliation with God and the Body of Christ. This is a test: if you steal or fornicate, and you feel good about it, even boast of what you have done, it means that you are not saved. Pray for mercy! The reign and power of King Grace is in Christ alone. King Grace is stronger than all sin and death. The sure eternal victory of King Grace gives power to the Gospel of Christ!

Grace was enthroned as King in the eternal council of the Trinity before the foundation of the world. Grace was revealed in the Old Testament. But grace became manifested full and free thru God’s Son Jesus Christ (John 1:17). Grace is not just offered to us. Grace is active, acts and reigns as a king! It is grace that pursues, locates us, and calls us to the Cross to be saved. Adam hid behind the trees, but God (His grace) pursued him. When Adam sinned, death entered; man fell into unspeakable tragedy, into the darkest night of humanity’ soul. When man was at his lowest, King Grace entered the scene and brought the unmerited favor of promised prophetic hope. The power of the Gospel was announced! The God of all grace, addressing to the devil, said this: “I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel… I will make you and the woman hate each other; her offspring and yours will always be enemies. Her offspring will crush your head, and you will bite her offspring’s heel” (Genesis 3:15; NKJ; GNT)

King Grace is a sin killer. Even when men did their worst, the Seed of the woman, Jesus Christ, was born! King Herod (the devil’s agent) killed the boys, but he failed to kill the Seed that will crush the serpent’s head! Lesson: Grace covers your destiny! Even when men were weak and foolish, Grace made a way for their salvation. Grace can never lose! Grace is not a weak emotion. Great is royalty! Grace is King that rules and reigns in the Kingdom of God. Sin always kills, steals, and destroys. Grace always gives abundantly! Our Salvation is by Grace! King Grace always ends in glory! This Victorious Powerful Grace gives us the assurance of salvation and the boast we have in Christ!

How do you recognize King Grace? When you are at your lowest, Grace will come and pick you up! Grace strengthens and settles your soul! Grace helps you to experience both the pain of the Cross and the power of Resurrection. When you are weak and almost defeated by trials, when men give up on you, King Grace always manifests with power and victory that you do not merit!  God told Apostle Paul: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9,10). Apostle Peter said: ”May the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you” (1Peter 5:10). Worship the Lord!     

Prophetic scriptures

“Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they will eat the fruit of their labor” (Isaiah 3:10)

“Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor 15:57, 58)

“To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. That they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:3)

This is how Moses changed Joshua’s name: Moses sent twelve spies, one from each tribe, to go into the Promised Land and explore it. From the tribe of Ephraim, Moses send Hoshea the son of Nun. Later, Moses changed his name from Hoshea to Joshua (Numbers 13:8, 16). Now, why did Moses do this? The twelve spies came back from exploring the Promised Land and brought samples of fruit. Everybody was amazed at the size of the grapes. Ten of the men brought a negative report saying that the land is good, but also dangerous; the people are giants, and strong. They told the people that they do not have a chance to conquer the Promised Land. Hearing this, the whole congregation started weeping and suggested that they should go back to Egypt. That is when Joshua and Caleb stood boldly, to confront the cowards and encourage the people, saying: “The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, ‘a land which flows with milk and honey.’ Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them.” (Numbers 14:7-9). It seems that when Moses heard Joshua speaking these faith-filled, encouraging, prophetic words, he changed his name. His original name was Hoshea, which in Hebrew it means ‘salvation’. His new name is ‘Joshua’ which means ‘Jehovah is the Savior’. The old name was a good name, but Moses changed for a better one, making it more personal. As you see, Joshua did not depend on his strength. He declared that the Promised Land must be conquered thru faith in Jehovah God. That is why Moses weaved the two names together: Jehovah and Hoshea, coming out with Joshua, to the glory of God! It seems that from that time on, Moses trusted Joshua as his attendant or assistant. They were from different tribes, but it was a decision based on the leading of the Holy Spirit. Joshua was faithful to Moses until his death. He then led the people of God into the Promised Land. After the death of Moses, God said to Joshua; “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them” (Joshua 1:5,6). Joshua and Caleb were the only people from the old generation who left Egypt, who were able to enter the Promised Land. Faithfulness to God and to God’s servants pays off! To God be all the glory!

(Taken from my husband’s notes; Pastor Richmond Sisan Leigh)

Our youngest grandchild, Emory David Oakes, is 2 today! Praise the Lord!

A young brother from the church sent me this testimony thru the inbox. He is born again for some years. He is humble and hard working. He got delivered yesterday from a demon of pornography thru the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. This testimony is given to the glory of God, to the shame of the devil and for the encouragement of others! Praise the Lord! “Good morning Ma, I have a testimony. It happened yesterday during the church service. I have an addiction to pornography. During the prayer hour before the sermon, I was praying for Direction concerning my life and as the prayer continued, MALIA, for the first time in my life, I began to pray in tongues; my body temperature changed, sweat and pain all through… and I heard a voice “you need freedom”. I could not stop praying in tongues… After the prayer, my body seem light. I can boldly say I’M FREE! I’m so happy, I’m grateful to God for this freedom. I still can’t believe that I can pray in tongues. And I heard the voice of God (first time). Praise God!!!” To God be all the glory!

I received another testimony from a sister in the church. She is faithful, humble, and hard working. She is married with two children. Read and receive from the overflow of anointing. May our lives testify for the power, mercy, love, and grace of our God! Jesus is Lord!

“Good evening mum, Malia, how are u doing today? I trust God is with u. Mum, I av a testimony to share with u to the glory of God the father, and to the shame of the devil, also as a source of encouragement that God is working mightily in our midst. During Sunday service, when u called out those who were sick, in debt, and alcoholics, I didn’t come out, but I having been experiencing chest pain for some while now, but I always feel it’s because of the job I do daily. I could not even open my mouth very well to pray. But it did not take long, when u ask us to sing that song in tongues. As I started singing, I felt the presence of God and instantly, the pain left me, I started screaming in tongues, and I knew instantly that God was right there in that service. Since that Sunday till now, I have not had that pain again. It is gone! Glory be to God in the Highest because He’s still the Jehovah Rapha till eternity”

To God be all the glory!

“He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions” (Psalm 107:20)

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh continued preaching on the theme “The Power of the Gospel”. Her main text was taken from the Book of Romans. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” … being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus… Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. Moreover, the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 1:16, 17; 3:24; 5:18-21; NKJ)

She said that the Book of Romans was written by the great Apostle Paul. It is the most important Book in the Bible and the greatest piece of ‘literature’ human beings have ever written. This is because, for the past two thousand years, the Book of Romans has influenced, converted, and radically changed the greatest number of people all over the world. The greatest revivals in the history of humanity started with people who have been influenced by the Book of Romans. Apostle Paul’s intent is to make the believers mature in the faith, for them to have the joy and the assurance of their salvation. The doctrine of justification by faith alone, by God’s grace, and not by man’s works, is the greatest doctrine revealed to man. It is foundational for saving faith. To be saved you need to put your total trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, to believe that He died for you, so that you live. You need to believe that you are a sinner and that Jesus died for your sins. This is the Gospel of Christ Crucified, the ‘good news’ from heaven. It is the only way to be saved and have eternal life. Jesus did not come to earth just to announce the Gospel. He is the Gospel! Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal life! Give your life to Christ! Be born again!       

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh said that one of the reasons why the Gospel has power it is because it tells us of our ‘permanent address’. It is not earth, not even heaven, but Christ!!! Let me say it again: Our permanent address and eternal location as believers, is Christ!!!! Because Christ is the King of heaven, of course, we shall go to heaven. But our eternal position and location, even right now, is Christ! Our salvation, the blessings and benefits we have in Christ, are ours because of our location! This spiritual ‘location’ was the decision God made before the foundation of the world. This is called ‘the simplicity of Christ’. Salvation and all other benefits are in the same place, in Christ. You do not need to go away (to waka-waka) and look for any good thing outside Christ! Every evil spirit of the flesh, of impatience, restlessness, and backsliding, we reject in Jesus name! “All I need is You, Lord!”  

THERE ARE TWO MEN: ADAM AND CHRIST

Salvation is personal and positional. You are either in Adam or in Christ! For example: There are two planes going in different directions! We were all in the plane called Adam. But some of the passengers were transferred from the plane of death to the plane of eternal life. This plane is called Christ. Once I entered this plane, I can never ‘lose my salvation’. I may fall inside the plane, but I cannot fall out of the plane. Jesus is the pilot. Like God shut the only door of Noah’s ark, so God the Father has shut the door of the plane called salvation. I must stay inside until I reach heaven. I am saved forever! Not only that, I am enjoying ‘the ride’. It is the work of Grace. Amazing grace!  

*Adam was innocent, sinless, but on probation. He was created by God. In the natural, all humanity is in Adam.   

*Christ too was a Man, but He is also the eternal uncreated God. Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit and begotten by God. He was not created. He is God. He was never on probation. He obeyed the law of God until His death. Therefore, He fulfilled the law. In the natural, all men are in Adam. But some of the children in Adam, were justified by God and placed in Christ. These are the elect and are called by God before the foundation of the world. This placement was done thru the will of God and by His grace. These are adopted by God and are His children. Once justified freely by God’s grace, as a child of God, you too are not on probation. Our salvation is sure and eternal. ‘The saints in heaven are more glorious but not more secure!’

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia leigh said that Adam and Christ are the heads (fathers) and representatives (ambassadors) of their descendants. God is a God of covenant! He deals with the head when He makes covenants with their descendants. With Adam, there was probation and when he sinned, we all fell with him. We then shared in the consequences and punishments of sin: increasing bondage to sin and death. These two are universal, common to all men. There is no explanation for their existence except what the Bible says. We are born sinners and with time, we become worse. At last, we all die! This is the common portion to all Adam’s seed. But now, in Christ, we all share in His Life, victory of obedience and eternal glory! We all are saved eternally and become members of God’s family! Our soul is saved once the Holy Spirit comes in and does His peculiar work of conversion. We have been translated from Adam to Christ. This move is once and for all time. It is irreversible. Salvation is God’s irreversible gift.  “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable… God doesn’t take back the gifts he has given or disown the people he has chosen” (Romans 11:29; NKJ; CEV). Let us praise the King of glory! Worship the Lord!