GRACE ABOUNDS MUCH MORE

GRACE ABOUNDS MUCH MORE (Rom 5:1,2; 17-21; 6:1-4).

The doctrine of Justification by faith alone is the heart of the Gospel. If you make mistakes here, the whole foundation of your Christian life is weak. To justify means to be declared righteous, to be right with God. Practically, being righteous means to be good and to do good, for Christ’s sake. Righteousness is one of the attributes of the Kingdom of God where Jesus Christ is The King of kings. What is this doctrine? Based on the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, when a sinner totally trusts in Jesus’ death on his behalf, God the Father declares that sinner justified before Him. This is the work of pure Grace, the unmerited favor of God towards sinners. The justified sinner is now regarded by God as righteous. The Bible calls him a saint. From this moment on, he is saved. He has eternal life. When he dies, his soul goes to heaven. Justification is God’s Declaration!!! This declaration, this holy event cannot be reversed. A true believer cannot lose his salvation. He may backslide for a time, but he will come back to God before he dies. God’s name and reputation is backing his salvation. Many Christians reject this type of assurance of salvation, but it is the truth as revealed in the Bible. Pray to receive the revelation from the Holy Spirit.

Justification is a legal term, a forensic term. God, as the Judge of all, declares in the court of heaven, that any sinner who trusts in Christ alone for his salvation, is justified in His presence. He is free from the guilt and punishment of sin. Justification is a unique event. It happens once and for all. After Justification, the process of sanctification starts. The sinner saved by grace alone, and by faith alone, now starts to grow spiritually. Thru faith in the Word of God, the Christian dies to sin and lives a righteous life. The Holy Spirit empowers and leads him. But he must cooperate with the Holy Spirit and obey God’s Word. The process of sanctification lasts a lifetime. Some make faster progress than others. This is a fact: all true believers love God and His Word. They carry their cross daily, die to sin and walk in righteousness. They manifest the fruits of the Holy Spirit; among them Love is the greatest slice. There is nothing like being justified and not sanctified. A Christian cannot be justified and desire to continue in sin! God Forbid! Salvation must be complete to the glory of God!

The doctrine of justification by faith is unique to Biblical Christianity. Every other religion, including some Christian denominations believe that you must obey religious laws to go to heaven. This is called justification ‘by works.’ They reject the doctrine of justification by faith alone. Martin Luther was a Catholic priest. He got saved and re-discovered the Biblical doctrine of justification by faith alone. The Roman Catholic Pope declared him a heretic. He said that Luther invented this new doctrine to justify his sexual lusts to marry a woman. But the Pope was wrong. The doctrine of justification by faith is Biblical. But you need the Holy Spirit’s revelation to understand it. This is never achieved by human wisdom alone. Justification comes only through faith (Rom 5:1; Gal 3:24). It is not earned through our own good works. We are covered by the righteousness of Jesus Christ (Eph 2:8; Tit 3:5). The Christian, being declared righteous, is thus freed from the guilt of sin. He now has peace with God!

As you can see, Justification is the act of God not only forgiving your sins but imputing to you the perfect righteousness of Christ. The word ‘imputation’ is an old Biblical concept. To impute means to pay something in another’s account. God “imputes” His righteousness to us through faith in Christ because of Christ’s obedience unto death. Imputation is different from ‘impartation’. During sanctification, God imparts gifts to us. But first, He must impute His righteousness to us, to be saved. Once justified, God regards us as we have never sinned. For the sake of Christ who died for us, God sees us as His Children. Remember, Christ is your righteousness!!! “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1Cor 1:30). Your righteousness is a Person!!! He is in heaven, the same yesterday, today and forever. You are not more righteous when your faith is strong. You are not less righteous when your faith is weak. Your imputed Righteousness is perfect and eternal! It is Christ Himself! Lesson: Look away from yourself. Rest in Him. Lean on Him. Trust Him to take you to heaven! Faith 100%! Doubt 0%! Praise God!

Understanding the doctrine of justification by faith is extremely important. First, it is the very knowledge of Grace in justification that motivates us to good works and spiritual growth. Therefore, justification always leads to sanctification. Secondly, the fact that justification is God’s finished work means that Christians have the assurance of their salvation. In God’s eyes, we now have the righteousness necessary to gain eternal life. Once a person is justified, there is nothing else he needs to do to enter heaven. Since justification comes by faith in Christ, based on His finished work on the Cross, on our behalf, our own works are disqualified as a means of salvation (Rom 3:28). All who teach that you can be saved by obeying the law, or by doing good works, are teaching “a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all” (Gal 1:6–7). The truth is that none of us can obey the law completely, to enter heaven. Even with the help of grace we cannot be justified by obeying the law or earn our righteousness before God. If heaven can be gained by works, we will claim glory for our own salvation and God shares His glory with no man. This is the truth: Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, thru the Word of God alone, and to the glory of God alone. Selah!

The most common attack against the Doctrine of justification by faith alone is that once a sinner is saved, he will see God’s grace as ‘cheap’ and he would like to continue in sin (Rom 6:1,2). The Christian who has this complaint does not understand the Power of the free gift of God’s Grace. This is the truth: Once a sinner becomes truly saved, he changes radically. It is like a dog becoming a man. Salvation is always a miracle. The man cannot become a dog again. The born-again believer is so grateful that God’s grace has revealed the Cross to him that he wants to do everything he can to please God. He does not desire to continue in his sinful habits. In fact, he now hates sin.

In the history of the Church, not all Christians believe this doctrine of justification by faith alone. They say that it is too simple. They go to extremes: legalism (saved by obeying laws) or license (ignore all laws). They say that if only faith in Christ saves us, and grace covers us, we can commit sin and still be saved. They insist that Christians should obey God’s Laws ‘to make heaven.’ They say that salvation by grace alone and by faith alone, leads to careless living and sinful behavior. Technically, this is called ‘antinomianism’, or lawlessness. It comes from two Greek words: anti, meaning ‘against’ and nomos, meaning ‘law’. ‘Christians’ in this group, believe that we should not obey any Law because Grace has made us free from the Law. They say that even if you commit sin, you are not guilty because God has covered you by His grace. They believe that freedom from the Law means freedom for license. That is an error. One of the greatest examples of antinomian behavior is Gregory Rasputin (1869-1916). He was a famous Russian mystic, false prophet and self-declared healer. He became very close to the Russian Royal family, by trying to heal the heir to the throne. He had many followers. He deceived many with his so called ‘powers to heal’. He claimed that anyone having sex with him becomes spiritually pure. He was eventually assassinated.

Theologically, antinomianism is the belief that there are no moral laws God expects Christians to obey. Antinomianism always goes too far. Antinomianism is deceptive because it denies the power of Grace to radically change a sinner into a saint. Antinomianism is wrong also because it ignores the new Law of Christ. It is true that we do not obey the Laws of the Old Testament. But we are not lawless. There is a new Law that has come. It is the Law of Love. Jesus said: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt 22:36-40). Love is the New commandment for all Christians to obey. If you love God and your neighbor, then you will not kill, steal, commit adultery, deceive others or covet their things. In the Old Testament the Law applied to external actions. The Law of Christ, of Love, goes deeper, into the heart, into the motives of actions. It is only a child of God that can love and can obey this Law of Christ. He obeys not because he wants to go to heaven, but because he is saved already. Breaking this Law means breaking the heart of God. It is a sin against Love. Free Grace is not a ticket to a sinful life. Living in sin dishonors God. It is an insult against His Love and His Grace. May God forbid this!

Some Christians ask: why then did God give us His Laws in the Bible? The Law of God “is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good” (Rom 7:12). In the Old Testament the Law had its own functions. God who gave the Law to Moses, to write it and teach it to God’s people. Please note this: from the beginning, the purpose of giving the Law was not to save the people. Because not one could obey God’s law perfectly. The reason why God gave the Ten Commandments and other laws, is so that the people may know who God is, what God likes and what God hates. It was also given so that they know what sin is. The Law “entered that the offense might abound” (Rom 5:20). But the Law was a not a Savior. The Law was a teacher, a tutor who directed God’s people to Christ (Gal 3:19-25). Any sinner who wants to obey God’s Law will be frustrated in the process. With the leading of the Holy Spirit, this frustration will eventually bring the student to the feet of Christ, who is his Savior. Christ alone fulfilled the Law perfectly by obeying God’s Law. First, Jesus obeyed the Law actively. He did everything God the Father told Him to do. Secondly, Jesus obeyed the Law passively. God’s Law says that the sinner must die (Rom 6:23). Christ died for sinners. The sinless One, became sin so that we, who trust in Him may live. “He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness]” (2Cor 5:21; AMP). “Christ purchased our freedom and redeemed us from the curse of the Law and its condemnation by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS [crucified] ON A TREE (cross)” (Gal 3:13; AMP). Looking at the Crucified, who died for us, we can never love sin again! We will live to please Him forever!

The Gospel says that we were once united with Adam. We were under the reign of sin and death. We were born into the Kingdom of darkness. Sin was our king. We could not resist its lusts. All who live in that Kingdom, die an eternal death, and go to hell. Once a sinner trusts in Christ who died for him, God translates that one into the Kingdom of light, of His dear Son, Jesus Christ. As we were one with Adam, we are now one with Christ. This is the doctrine of the mystical union with Christ. What Christ did, we do it in Him. Christ suffered and died. In Him, we suffer and die to sin. Christ was buried. We too are buried with Him, separated from the world. Christ rose from the dead. By the same resurrection power, we have risen from the realm of sin and death to life and righteousness. Christ ascended back to heaven. We too are now seated in heavenly places in Christ. These are spiritual events that have happened already once we are justified by God’s Grace and by faith in Christ. Our spirit is saved already. Spiritually, we are in heaven already. Therefore, we cannot lose our salvation. At the second coming of Christ, our bodies will be changed into spiritual bodies. That is when the process of salvation will be complete. And we shall live together, forever, with Christ, on a New Earth. This mighty revelation can only be received and believed through the help of the Holy Spirit. That is why for every sinner who becomes saved, all glory goes to God! Amen!

“But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more” (Rom 5:20). In Greek, the word ‘abound’ means to increase or overflow. Thru Adam, sin has entered humanity as a foreign injection of poison, of rebellion against God. Sin always leads to destruction and death. We see it everywhere around us. There are many prisons, hospitals, mortuaries, and cemeteries. About 150,000 people die daily all over the world. The power of sin and death is easier to imagine and understand than the power of Grace, God’s invisible favor to save and to bless. For example, Albert Einstein discovered the theory of relativity. It is said that only 12 men were intelligent enough to understand it at the beginning. But when it was used to create the atomic bomb and dropped it on Hiroshima, Japan, 250,000 people died instantly. Instantly, everyone understood its power to destroy. This is another example: Alexander Fleming invented the first antibiotic, the Penicillin. It was a great breakthrough in medical science. Millions were saved because of this invention. You see how one man could bring destruction, and another man can bring healing. It is the same with the power of sin and of Grace. Thru Adam we know death. Thru Christ we live forever!

Jesus came full of Grace and Truth (Jn 1:14). Sin and death have been the king of sinners. There was no escape for anyone. Thru Jesus Christ, Grace was openly manifested to sinners. In Christ, Grace is the greater King. Learn to appreciate Grace! A Christian man dies. People mourn. But the angels rejoice in heaven for every sinner who repents (Lk 15:10). This invisible joy is of Grace. Two thieves are crucified next to Jesus. Both insult him at the beginning. That is the power of sin. But then, one of them repents and asks Jesus for forgiveness. Jesus says: “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise!” (Lk 23:43). This is Grace speaking. With their hammers, the Roman soldiers nailed Jesus on the Cross. That is the sound of sin. But on the third day, Jesus came out from the grave, having nail scars on His hands. Jesus told Thomas: “Reach your finger here and look at My hands; and reach your hand here and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving but believing” (Jn 20:27). This is Grace speaking! Out of pain, faith is born! Saul hated the Christians. He supervised the killing of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Then Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus. He became born-again. He is now known as Apostle Paul. He wrote three quarters of the New Testament. He said: “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (1Cor 15:10). This is the power of Grace! John Newton was a slave trader. He was saved by grace. He wrote the hymn: “Amazing Grace, how sweet Thy sound, that saved a wretch like me!” This is Grace speaking! This is Grace singing! Grace is always greater than sin and death! Halleluiah!

DAVID AT HIS BEST

Oct27 by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

DAVID AT HIS BEST (1 Sam 24:1-22)

David was called ‘a man after God’s heart’ (Acts 13:22). He became famous when he killed Goliath. But he became great when he did not kill King Saul. Here we see a story we can call: the Cave, the Robe and the Character. Here, David rises to the height of his godly character.

We shall study two kings. King Saul was a man of hate. He represents the Kingdom of darkness. David is a man of love, peace and mercy. He represents the Kingdom of God. David could have easily killed Saul. But he did not. This story happens at an oasis in the desert called En Gedi. King Saul, with an army of 3000 soldiers, are looking for David to kill him. Saul left his army behind and went alone into this cave to relieve himself. David and his men of valor were resting at the back of a big cave. How safe the king must have felt not knowing that he was so close to death. David’s men urged him to take advantage of this situation and kill Saul. But David refused. He restrained his servants, telling them not to harm Saul. The only thing he did was to cut a piece from Saul’s robe. David’s men may have been disappointed at their leader, not understanding his love for his enemy. Later, David calls Saul and shows him the piece taken from his robe. Saul sees that David spared his life. He repents superficially. He withdraws from pursuing David but not long after this incident, he comes back. David spares his life the second time. Eventually, King Saul and his sons die in battle. David becomes King in his place. Lessons: God is merciful! God is sovereign! People will misunderstand your Love! Do what is right before God! He will reward you!

David could have killed Saul. But he only cut a piece from his robe. Even for doing this, David felt guilty about it. Why? Next to the crown and the scepter, the robe of the king signifies his authority. When King Saul disobeyed God’s command, as Samuel was leaving him, Saul tore the prophet’s robe (1Sam 15:26-29). Samuel interpreted the tearing of his robe as prophetic. He told Saul that he had lost his authority as king. The throne will be given to his neighbor, a better man than he. This man is David. By cutting a piece from King Saul’s robe, David saw it as a rebellion, claiming some part of Saul’s authority. It is true that God had already said that David will succeed Saul as king. But David did not want to claim the throne, through rebellion. He did not want to take what was promised to him, through illegal means. He wanted that God’s promotion and blessings should come to him in God’s way and in God’s time. He cherished his relationship with God more than any other gift. But Saul was the opposite. He rebelled against God who set him on the throne. Samuel fiercely condemned that rebellion: “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king” (1Sam 15:23). David felt convicted of sin just by cutting the royal robe. His conscience was very sensitive to sin. Lessons: Authority and blessings relate to obedience to God’s Word. Keep your conscience pure!

It is true that King Saul was a wicked man. He killed all the priests at Nob. If he could get David, he would have no mercy. David was not deceived. He knew that Saul was lying even when he tried to repent. David did not ask Saul for assurance that he could come back to the palace. David extended mercy to Saul even when Saul did not extend mercy to him. How did he do that? He obeyed the Law of Agape Love. David loved his enemy. David did not respect Saul as a person. But David respected Saul’s office as the King of Isreal, anointed by God. It was the same Prophet Samuel and the same oil that was on David’s head. David knew the power of that anointing. He was afraid to kill Saul because even in his backsliding, Saul was God’s choice as king. David bowed to Saul and spoke respectfully. Love “does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil” (1Cor 13:5). David could have killed Saul in that cave and could have taken over the throne. But he did not. Lesson: Believers are good citizens. God tests us, our hearts and motives. God may open a door for us to claim a promise by our own power, in our own way. It is a test of self-control, patience and love. Like Joseph, David refused to be God! Not even a throne is worth the grieving of the Holy Spirit. Faith and Love must wait! Love never fails!

Saul disobeyed God’s Word and lost his throne. What power kept David from sinning against God? David obeyed God’s Word. He knew that vengeance belongs to God. “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for God’s wrath [and His judicial righteousness]; for it is written [in Scripture], “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord” (Rom 12:19; AMP). The main reason why David did not kill King Saul was because he saw him as ‘The Lord’s anointed’. “David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him; for who can stretch out his hand against the LORD’s anointed, and be guiltless?” (1Sam 26:9). David knew God’s Word: “Do not touch My anointed ones and do My prophets no harm” (Ps 105:15). King Saul was a wicked man. But David saw him as God’s servant, God’s property. He refused to touch it!

Looking at this story: Who is the true King of Isreal? Is it Saul who is anointed, seated on the throne, or David who was waiting to be king? God gave the promise to David that he will be the next king. But God did not give David the power to fulfill the Promise. David speaks respectfully to the king. Even when he pleads his case, David does not rebuke the king directly. He rebukes his counsellors. David behaves as a peacemaker. “A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger” (PV 15:1). Because of David’s humble attitude and kind, wise words, Saul is defeated in his wickedness, at least for now. He weeps in public. Saul acknowledges that God is good, that David is good, that himself is bad, and that David will be the next king. David learned to wait for God to do what only God can do! King Saul repents but not in humility. He still claims some ‘righteousness’ for himself. Touched by David’s love, Saul asks David to protect his descendants after his death. At the end, David calls God to judge this case between King Saul and himself. See in David the power of a clean conscience, a new maturity, wisdom and growth in grace. Lessons you learn only in the wilderness: There are no short cuts to godly success in life! There is always a temptation to rush ahead. God can use even your enemies to encourage you! Amen!

If you study the lives of Saul and David, in many ways, both men are the same. They both started well and were chosen by God to be kings in Isreal. Both were courageous soldiers and had victories in battle. Both had dedicated followers. What then is the difference between them? It concerns two areas: repentance and worship. When David sinned and he was made aware of his sin, he broke down and repented deeply. When Saul sinned, he blamed others. He did not humble himself. David had a godly sorrow that led to repentance and salvation. Saul had a worldly sorrow leading to death (2Cor 7:10). During his last night on earth, Saul went to see a witch for counsel. David repented deeply for his sin. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise” (Ps 51:17). In His Sermon of the Mount Jesus defines who is a citizen of God’s Kingdom: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5:3). Lesson: True repentance attracts God’s grace on you! Sin can be dealt with only thru a relationship with Jesus Christ!

Now you see why David is called ‘a man after God’s heart’. David’s wise behavior points us to Jesus, our Savior and Lord. God the Father sent Jesus to live and die for sinners. By His death, Jesus is now the King of God’s Kingdom. The devil tempted Jesus to become the King of kings by offering Him the kingdoms of this world. He told Jesus that He can be king if he can fall at his feet (Matt 4:8-11). The devil offered Jesus a crown without a cross. But Jesus rejected the offer. He took God’s way: the Cross before the Crown. By His death and resurrection Jesus is now the King of kings, reigning supremely and forever. Question: if the devil offers you an easier way to become successful in business and ministry, will you take his offer? As we follow Jesus, we take our cross daily, we deny self from every selfish and rebellious desire. We suffer with Jesus, we die and are buried with Jesus, and we rise with Jesus to be seated in glory with Him. This is the Gospel that saves! There is no other Gospel! May we have the courage to Love and Obey God to the end. Worship the Lord!

ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD

Oct20 by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified” (Rom 8:28-30).

These are some of the most beloved scriptures in the Bible. God’s Word brings great comfort to all believers. It points to the assurance of salvation and to God’s constant presence in our lives. It reminds us that God alone knows the end from the beginning. This is a categorical statement. It is not a prayer. It is a doctrine. It must be believed without any doubt! Amen!

We are told that all things work together for good, not to all people, but to a special group called the lovers of God. There are only two groups of people in this world: those who love God and those who hate God. We are all born sinners; all hated God, needed forgiveness and a Savior. “For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another” (Tit 3:3). A sinner is not just indifferent towards the God of the Bible. He hates God! He hates Jesus! These are some manifestations of hatred towards God: Like Peter, we deny that we know God. We ignore God or take Him for granted. We argue with God and His Word. We disobey His commands and feel no shame or regret. We insult God and take His name in vain by using the name of Jesus as a curse. When things do not go the way we want it, we blame God for our troubles. We think that God is unfair. We misuse God. We take His gifts, but we do not praise Him or thank Him. The Bible says that all sinners are under God’s wrath and judgment. There is no escape. The wrath of God is not hidden. It is revealed to man thru His Word. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them… 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them” (Rom 1:18,19, 28-32). We don’t care about God’s feelings. We sympathize with sinners in their evil.

The great promise in Romans 8:28 does not apply to sinners, to those who hate God. It does not apply even to the religious unbelievers, people who attend church, but are not saved. All things do not work together for good to them. The religious unbelievers try to apply this scripture to their lives, but they get disappointed with God. Later, the devil uses them to discourage the true believers saying that God does not care, and God will not answer their prayers. Lesson: we should not be intimate with unbelievers. For example, if a believer marries an unbeliever, all things will work together for good for the believer but not for the spouse. That brings conflict in the marriage. Selah!

The next thing we can say about this scripture is that it applies to all things in life!!! It does not only apply to ‘the good things’, prosperity, peace or health. The promise includes ‘all things’, including trials, sicknesses, seasons of poverty, loneliness, spiritual evil attacks, mistakes and sins. Many believers get confused about this doctrine. They ask themselves: how can God use sickness or sins for our good? The truth is that God is not the author of sin. He does not tempt men. “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone” (Jam 1:13). But God can use everything, including the devil, for His own glory and for our good. “All power belongs to God” (Ps 62:11). He can over-rule our mistakes or the consequences of our sins, extending His grace and mercy to the worst offender. Note that these things are not good in themselves. They do not work together for our good by their own power. It is God who uses them in such a way that eventually they work for our good. This is the mystery of the sovereign omnipotent God!

How does God use painful things for our good? First, difficult things like sickness, disappointment, or poverty, humble us. When things are good, we tend to become spiritually passive. Suddenly, we got sick. We experience pain and remember our body’s weakness. The sickness is uncomfortable. It is a shock to us! We suddenly ‘wake up’ and feel the need to draw closer to God, fast and pray. We now discover that our good health and prosperity contributes to our drifting away from God. We become humble and grateful for everything, including the pain. We can now say with the Psalmist: “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes” (Ps 119:71). But the unbelievers suffer in vain. They waste their pains. They even become angry at God for allowing them to suffer. We now remember that we need forgiveness for sins and strength in our weakness. We reject the spirit of pride that so easily entangles us. Humility leads to wisdom and safety. It is during this strange process of things working together for our good that we re-discover the depths of God’s Love, His mercy, patience and Grace towards us. We may have known these blessings as doctrines, but now, we experience them personally. It is a pity that God needs to use pains to train us in godliness. There is no other way. Because of our sinful past, we tend to get easily distracted and forget spiritual things. We either get infatuated with the pleasures of life, or we get too worried about the cares of this world. Either way, we become too busy with the things of this world. Our focus in life becomes too small. We only care about our bodies and material things. We forget heaven. We forget the glory promised in Christ! Trials wake us to the eternal realities of God’s Kingdom. Our prayers and worship become purer. We start to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2Pet 3:18). This is the way to have an established testimony before men and that alone is a mighty gain! Praise the Lord!

God says: “I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things” (Isa 45:7; KJ). In Hebrew, the word ‘darkness’ also means ignorance, wickedness, sorrow and death. The word ‘evil’ means calamity (a sudden violent event that brings great loss and sorrow). Here, Jehovah God takes responsibility in creating not only light and peace, but also darkness and evil, terrible disasters. Because we think of God as ‘a good man’, incapable to cause pain to us, this revelation is confusing. But this is the truth. God has created the devil and the demons as angels in heaven. But Satan rebelled against God. Some angels followed him in rebellion. God threw them away from heaven to earth. Working all things together for our good is not an encouragement to commit sin. God hates sin. Evil is always bad. Sin is never good. What God does is that He controls evil. The devil is not free to ‘kill, steal, and destroy’ as he wishes. God limits and redirects the amount of destruction coming from the devil. Jesus said that we pray like this: “lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil” (Matt 6:13). Why then God allows us sometimes to enter temptation and fall into sin? Why does God allow Christians to backslide sometimes? One reason is that we discover the truth about ourselves. He exposes the pride, deception, the foolishness of our hearts. We can easily become proud and get a false sense of confidence. We feel that we do not need God anymore. The truth is that we always need God, until our last breath. God allows us to fall to become humble and draw closer to Him. God is an excellent Father! He trains His children well. See how the Father of the Prodigal son used pains to achieve the necessary humility and godliness in his son!

God’s will is revealed in the Bible. It is described as sovereign, good and acceptable (or permissive) (Rom 12:2). God permits ‘bad things’ to happen to the believers thru His permissive will. God allows us to experience some things, even though these things do not bring pleasure to Him. God allows certain things to happen, even sinful things, that indirectly accomplish His sovereign will. God created the universe, and the natural world. He also created man. Man was deceived by Satan and chose to disobey God. Sin entered humanity and has negatively affected everything and everyone since then. God could have prevented Adam from falling. But He chose not to. God had a strategy to deal with sin and Satan. God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to pay for the sins of men. As a Man in Heaven, and Lord over all, Jesus Christ has now received all the glory due to God alone. Because God knows everything and God is sovereign, for any evil to happen, God must allow it thru His permissive will. God never makes mistakes. God does not force man to do His perfect will. He allows man to decide between His perfect and permissive will. But once we choose a sinful path, there are consequences. We cannot avoid these consequences. Thru pain, we learn from our past mistakes and try to obey God’s perfect will in the future. We experience God’s permissive will every day. For better or for worse, God allows us to make decisions: what we eat, how we spend our time, where we work, whom we marry, and much more. Some of our choices have lifelong consequences, but some won’t. Other people’s choices may affect us negatively. Sometimes, unpleasant events come our way. But we should remember that whatever is happening to us is part of God’s permissive will. God is still on the throne. God has never given up on His total control over His creation! No matter what we experience in life, God is fully in charge!

In God’s permissive will, evil is allowed to function, but God’s perfect plan triumphs every time. For example, God allowed the kidnapping and enslavement of Joseph. Each time Joseph suffered, God had the power to intervene, but He sovereignly “permitted” the evil. Note that God’s permissive will never counteract His sovereign will or His overall plan for man. God allowed the sins of Joseph’s brothers to bring about a greater good. When Jesus was arrested, He told His enemies, “This is your hour—when darkness reigns” (Luke 22:53). Evil had been granted a window of opportunity, and evil men were taking full advantage of it. That was indeed a dark night, but the final result was the salvation of mankind. God only permits that which will lead to His sovereign will being accomplished for His glory!

God may ignore the evil unbelievers do but He surely disciplines His children. “You only have I known of all the families of the earth; Therefore, I will punish you for all your iniquities” (Amos 3:2). “For whom the Lord loves He chastens and scourges every son whom He receives” (Heb 12:6). There is a warning about taking the Holy Communion in a wrong manner. “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks [g]in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep” (1Cor 11:28-30). We are told that taking the Holy Communion in careless, disrespectful manner, can result in weakness of the body, sickness or even untimely death.

Another way that God makes all things to work together for our good, is by withholding some blessings. All believers have experienced seasons of spiritual dryness. They felt far from God, and their prayers did not rise to heaven. These seasons of spiritual wilderness are unpleasant. During these difficult times we humble ourselves and continue to pray to God. Sometimes, not always, The Holy Spirit reveals why we need to pass thru the valley of the shadow of death. This is necessary so that we cooperate and even appreciate the pain coming from the hand of our loving Father. Eventually, the darkness is over and ‘joy comes in the morning!’. The times of ‘reconciliation’ with God are sweeter than ever. We learn to appreciate God’s presence even more and our love for God increases! Hallelujah!

“And we know that all things work together for good…”. Apostle Paul takes it for granted that as believers we should “know” these things. I may not know the reason for the pain, or how long the trial will last, but I know that God is with me in the pain, and He will bring good to me at the end. I may not understand everything that happens to me in this life on earth, but I am sure that my salvation and place in heaven is guaranteed. We are not promised a life free from trials or pains. But we are promised victory in Christ and to have God’s Presence with us to the end of time. Jesus said: “I WILL NEVER [under any circumstances] DESERT YOU [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], NOR WILL I FORSAKE or LET YOU DOWN or RELAX MY HOLD ON YOU [assuredly not]!” (Heb 13:5; AMP). The hope of heavenly glory is found in Christ alone. This hope sustains me on earth during seasons of spiritual darkness. Because my soul is anchored in heaven, my hope is strong, and I know that I will make it to the other side. Unbelievers never see any good thing in the trials of life. But we see Christ, who suffered like us and now, He is glorified in heaven. Little by little we see that testing times are growing times and healing times. Look at all the people who suffered, Joseph, Job, David and others. They remained faithful in their suffering. They became better at the end and God was glorified in their lives. By God’s grace, this is our portion too!

The promise that “all things work together for good” applies only to a group of people: these are the ones who Love God and are the called according to His Purpose. Loving God and being called by God are other ways to describe the true believers in Christ. Why did Paul describe the Christians as those ‘who love God’ and not as those who have faith in God. Because to love God is more powerful in describing the believer than to say he trusts God. Love is greater than Faith and is a more sensitive test of being a child of God. Loving God is more than an emotion. To have faith, you need only your mind. But to love, you need your whole body, soul and spirit. This is the first Commandment: “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mk 12:30). The act of love involves 100% of your emotions, will, mind and the physical strength of the body. Demons believe in God, but they hate God. “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” (Jam 2:19). Unbelievers can’t love because their minds and hearts are darkened and blind to spiritual realities (Eph 7:17,18). They are God haters. They cannot love God!

What are some tests that you are saved, and that you love God? “We love Him because He first loved us” (1Jn 4:19). Loving God is our response to His own first Love. If you discover that you can love God, then you know that you are a believer in Christ, and all things will work together for good for you. The first test of love is your attitude during trials. He who loves God will endure the trial and pass the test successfully. The one who does not love God, during trials, he will be angry, blaming God. Watch the way Job and his wife react to the same trial, and to the same pains. After they lost their children, and their property, and Job got sick, his wife challenged him to curse and deny God. She said: “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips” (Job 2:9,10). One of the signs that you don’t love God is that during trials you want to curse God and die. That is the foolishness of unbelief and a sign of hating God. But Job loved God. In all things, he continued to worship God. For such a person, God will bring an expected end and bless him at last. “Now the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning…” (Job 42:12). Amen!

Believers are also described as “the called” of God. There is a general call and an effectual call of God. We tell all people everywhere about the Gospel of Christ crucified and resurrected. People all over the world are commanded to repent of sins and turn to God (Ac17:30,31). But not all people who hear the Gospel will eventually believe. Those who truly believe, they will love God. Faith leads to Love! They respond to God’s call of grace. They become born-again by the Holy Spirit. These are “The Elect or the Called”. The rest continue living in sin until they die. Only God knows who are the called. How do you know that you are among “the called”? You testify that the Holy Spirit has convicted you of sin. You repented of sins. You are hungry and thirsty to know God more. You study God’s Word. You pray. You love God and you love the brethren. You love to go to church. These spiritual emotions are real. Because you know that you are a child of God, you also know that all things work together for your good because God is totally in charge of your life. That gives you the confidence to endure during trials. You know that you are called, therefore, you are justified and surely glorified! These are all in past tense! Heaven is sure!

THE STORY OF JOSEPH – GOD MEANT IT FOR GOOD!

Oct20 by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

The meaning of Joseph is ‘increase’. Joseph’s brothers hated him. They wanted him dead. Joseph suffered much because of them. Yet, he forgave them freely. How was he able to do that? What is the secret of Joseph in displaying such grace and mercy? His secret is found in his theology. Because he knew God intimately, he behaved like God. This is Joseph’s basic doctrine: “you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good” (Gen 50:20). Lesson: if we believe like Joseph, we can also forgive and love like Joseph and God will use us for His glory!

The Bible Story of Joseph is found the Book of Genesis, chapters 37 to 50. It is one of heroic redemption and forgiveness. Joseph was the most loved son of his father, Israel, who gave him a robe of many colors, a symbol of leadership. Lesson: parents, it is not good to have favorites! When Joseph reported having dreams of his brothers bowing before him, their jealousy grew into action. They sold him into slavery to a traveling caravan of Ishmaelites who took him to Egypt and sold him to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guard. In Egypt, the Lord’s constant presence with Joseph enables him to find favor with Potiphar and later, with the keeper of the prison. With God’s help, Joseph correctly interprets the dreams of two prisoners, predicting that one of them will be reinstated but the other put to death. Joseph then interprets the dreams of Pharaoh, which anticipate seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Pharaoh recognizes Joseph’s God-given ability and promotes him to be to the chief administrator of Egypt. Shortage of food in Canaan forces Jacob to send his sons to buy grains from the Egyptians. Benjamin, Joseph’s younger brother, remains at home as Jacob fears losing him, as he did Joseph. When Joseph finally encounters his brothers again, he conceals his identity. He accuses them of being spies and tells them to return with Benjamin or he will not sell them grain. The ongoing famine forces Jacob to reluctantly send his sons back to Egypt with Benjamin, and they are unexpectedly invited to dine at Joseph’s house. Joseph tests the character of his brothers by placing a silver cup in the sack of Benjamin and falsely accusing him of theft. When Judah offers to stay in place of Benjamin, Joseph knows that his character has changed and reveals to them that he is their brother. Joseph says that they need not feel guilty for betraying him as it was God’s plan for him to be in Egypt to preserve their family. He told them to bring their father and his entire household into Egypt to live in the province of Goshen because there were five more years of famine left. Joseph supplied them with Egyptian transport wagons, new garments, silver, and more donkeys for the journey. Jacob is joyously reunited with his beloved son Joseph. This is an interesting note: Joseph became prime minister at 30. (David became king at 30. Jesus started His public ministry at 30). Joseph died when he was 110. For 80 years he was a great leader in Egypt. But with all his success, Joseph did not regarded Egypt as his own country. He told his family to carry his bones to the Promised Land. That was faith (Heb 11:22)! More than 400 years later, during the exodus, the Jews carried his bones and buried them in the Promised Land.

Joseph is about 40 years when Jacob came to Egypt. He was about 57 years old when his father died (Gen 47:28). He is now at the peak of his power and success in Egypt. After Jacob dies and is buried, Joseph’s brothers felt guilty and afraid. They knew that they planted evil. They must now harvest evil. Without their father, they assumed that Joseph would now seek revenge and punish them. But Jospeh’s words toward his brothers are words of mercy and love. Before he revealed himself to his brothers, they lived in torment, in unconfessed sin. This always makes men guilty and angry. They hate Christians who speak the truth. It affects their relationships with others. Joseph’s brothers’ sin affected their relationship with their father. Lesson: Sin must be confessed and repented of. The only solution is the mercy of Jesus!

This is a reminder of the power of love released when the Kingdom of God is active among men. “When the righteous are in authority and become great, the people rejoice; But when the wicked man rules, the people groan and sigh” (PV 29:2; AMP). Here we see the reason why Joseph was a great man. Joseph was great not because of his dreams, his intelligence or his hard work. It is because of his godly character, the man he has become thru all the trials of life. His brothers wanted to kill him. Eventually they sold him. What effect do you think that action will have upon a 17-year-old boy? Potiphar’s wife lied that he wanted to rape her. Before Joseph was 30 many people betrayed him and tried to destroy his character. But thru it all, Joseph trusted and loved God. He gave his two sons Hebrew names: Manasah (God has helped me to forget the suffering in my father’s house) and Ephraim (God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction). Joseph had a relationship with God even before the trials came. Joseph knew that God would make him fruitful no matter what happens to him. God allowed him to suffer until he could be able to forgive and freely love his selfish brothers. He could not be promoted until Love won his heart. A proof that Joseph truly forgave them is that he encouraged them not to fear him. Joseph did not see himself in the place of God. He knew that vengeance belongs to God and not to man. Lesson: True forgiveness releases the victim from fear of punishment and comes from a humble and loving heart.

How to forgive others? Joseph saw his brothers as an instrument of God! Joseph does not even want his brothers to grieve over their sin. He encourages them because he loves them, and he has forgiven them. Lesson: if you have suffered and you still want others to suffer, you are bitter. You have not forgiven. I am not saying that the pain is not real. But like Joseph, look unto God and see everything as God sees. Joseph focused on the plan of God and left vengeance to God. He realized that God has a purpose for his life and trusted God to fulfill that. Joseph’s life is a proof of the sovereignty and grace of God for those who live faithfully and righteously. Despite being sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph remained faithful to God and trusted God to deliver him from trials. His story shows how God’s plan may not be obvious to our limited perspective but indeed “all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Lessons: Your God given dreams may disturb others. Nothing stops God’s plan for you. Prosperity is not just material wealth. It is being in God’s plan. God’s presence with you means prosperity. Joseph was called prosperous even as a slave (Gen 39:2-6). Obedience and Truth always defeat rebellion and lies. God will test and discipline you. Forgiveness and giving others a second chance is proof of love. It is worth it. Trust God during trials, knowing that God will deliver us! He will display His Justice, love, mercy and grace!

Finally, you look for a mentor, look for one who knows God, who is responsible, faithful, kind and one who fears God! Joseph is the only person in the Old Testament who has no record of guilt. He is a type of Christ! He was a man who knew God and was in touch with God. He has surely learned about God from his father, Jacob. Joseph’s relationship with God started when he was a child, long before his trials came. Joseph found favor with God and with man (with the community). He was faithful in his responsibilities. He had the fear for God. When Potiphar’s wife tempted him, he said that adultery is a sin against God and not only against man. He knew how to say no to sin. But his greatest moral quality manifested as love and forgiveness. He could have sold his brothers into slavery or kill them. But he forgave them and spoke kindly to them. He did not allow his suffering to make him bitter. He kept his heart pure. Joseph became Pharoah’s mentor. He did not corrupt Pharoah with bitterness. Joseph suffered a lot, but when he died at 110, he was the greatest man in the world at that time. This is truly amazing! This is true greatness! Worship the Lord!

RUN, SAMSON, RUN!!!

Oct13 by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

THE FALL AND RISE OF SAMSON (Jdg 14:10-18; 16:1-31)

Samson was a judge in Isreal for 20 years. The judges were military leaders in times of crises empowered by the Holy Spirit. Samson is one of the most difficult men to understand. He is a strange man, physically strong but spiritually immature. His name means ‘Sun Child’. Samson was a miracle child, born to a woman who had been barren. God’s angel told his parents about the boy’s purpose in life. Their son would be a lifetime Nazirite, from his mother’s womb. In Hebrew, the word ‘Nazarite’ means ‘separated’ unto God. He had the greatest potential to be a Man of God, but he failed in many ways. He recovered his testimony at the end of his life. He is among the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. Praise the Lord!

In the Old Testament, any person who wanted to serve God better, even if he was not a Levite, he could do so, by taking a Nazarite vow. The vow is a decision, an action for those who desire to yield themselves to God completely. The Nazirite vow (Nu 6:1-21), has 5 features: It is voluntary, can be done by either men or women, has a specific time frame, has specific requirements and restrictions, and at the end, a sacrifice is offered. During the time of the vow the person does not drink alcoholic wine, does not cut his (her) hair and he doesn’t go close to a dead body, not even if his parents die. In the New Testament, there is a command that is similar with this vow. Apostle Paul says: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom 12:1,2). Selah!

Samson had godly parents. They thought him the Word of God and told him about the command of the angel that he is a life-time Nazirite. He cannot cut off his hair. When he became an adult, the Holy Spirit gave him supernatural strength. For example, he killed a lion with his bare hands. He killed 1000 Philistines only with a donkey jawbone. God gave this supernatural strength to him to fight the Philistines. The condition of keeping this strength was submission to God’s will. Willing and unrepentant sin could take the strength away. Samson knew that! But he was careless with his life. The great Physical strength of Samson hid a great weakness of character. He did not take seriously his calling as a Nazirite. For most of his life, he was not a spiritual man. That is the sad part of his story!

Samson was led by the lust of his eyes. He ‘saw a Philistine woman’ and told his parents that he wants to marry her. The parents were not happy. The Philistines were the oppressors, the enemies. At their wedding day, he gave ‘a feast’ that surely provided alcohol. This was against his vow as a Nazirite. Possibly drunk, he gave the Philistine guests a riddle. He said that if they can solve it, he will give each of them a new set of clothes. They went to his bride and asked her to find the answer from Samson. They said to her: “Entice your husband, that he may explain the riddle to us, or else we will burn you and your father’s house with fire. Have you invited us in order to take what is ours? Is that not so?” 16 Then Samson’s wife wept on him, and said, “You only hate me! You do not love me! You have posed a riddle to the sons of my people, but you have not explained it to me.” And he said to her, “Look, I have not explained it to my father or my mother; so, should I explain it to you?” 17 Now she had wept on him the seven days while their feast lasted. And it happened on the seventh day that he told her, because she pressed him so much. Then she explained the riddle to the sons of her people” (Judg 14:15-17). Samson told her the secret answer because she nagged him, wept, and made his life miserable. She then told her people, the Philistines, who mocked Samson for being so foolish. He got angry and left his own wedding feast! His father-in-law gave his wife to his best man at the wedding.

Sometime later, Samson goes to a prostitute who was living in the Philistines city of Gaza. This is also against the vow of the Nazirite. He was almost captured by the Philistines. He escaped by carrying the gate of the city. “Afterward it happened that he loved a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. 5 And the lords of the Philistines came up to her and said to her, “Entice him, and find out where his great strength lies, and by what means we may overpower him, that we may bind him to afflict him; and every one of us will give you eleven hundred pieces of silver” (Jdg 16:4,5). He now loves another Philistine woman called Delilah. The lords of the Philistines offer her 1100 pieces of silver, to find the secret of his strength. The promised bribe was great. It about 100 days’ worth of wages. For example, Abraham paid only 400 shekels of silver to buy the cave at Machpelah, as a burial place for Sarah (Gen 23:16). It is possible that Delilah was infatuated with Samson, that is why they had to bribe her to betray him. She loved money more. Delilah started nagging him to find out the secret of his strength. “Tell me the secret of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued” (Jdg 16:6). Both his wife and Delilah used enticement and nagging. To entice is a form of manipulation. It is temptation. To entice it means to attract someone to a place or activity offering pleasure, something he likes, arousing hope or desire. Sexual lust weakens the victim against temptation. Selah!

Samson did not see the danger coming. Sexual attraction can make a man blind to reality. She persisted in her nagging. His soul is vexed to death. He tells her his secret as a Nazirite. Delilah puts him to sleep on her knees and cuts off his hair. The Philistines captured him and removed his eyes. They bind Samson with chains, and he became a grinder in prison. He repents. God used Samson to bring down the Philistine temple killing 3000 Philistine rulers because they were mocking God. They gave glory to Dagon for helping them arrest Samson. His family people carry his body. He is buried in his father’s tomb. Samson made many mistakes in life, but he died in faith! Thank God!

Delilah is never called a Philistine. Her name is Hebrew, meaning Weak or Poor. Compared to Samson, she was weak and poor. It is possible that she was a Philistine woman because 1) Samson was attracted to their women, 2), She had dealings with the Philistine rulers, and they would probably not come seeking out an Israelite girl for help, 3). She betrayed the Israelite hero to his enemies. The best way to describe Delilah is that she was charming, seductive, and a woman who led the man of God to his downfall.

LESSONS FROM THE LIFE OF SAMSON

*God is sovereign! His will must be done! He uses even sinful people for His own purposes. Samson’s life is a combination of God’s sovereign will and human weakness. With all his sins, God used Samson to defeat the Philistines.

*This is a story of Grace. “Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more” (Rom 5:20). Samson finished the race well. He is called a man of Faith being in the same group with King David! (Heb 11:32). Grace has the last word!

*The doctrine of election is manifested in Samson’s life. He was chosen before the foundation of the world. Samson said that without God’s anointing he will be ‘like any other man’. Backsliders lose power and become like ‘ordinary men’. But like the prodigal son, a backslider will always come back to God before he dies. God can never lose any of His children.

*Character is greater than gifts. Samson had many weaknesses: He did not listen to his parents’ advice. He had a hot temper. He had a desire for vengeance. He did not submit God’s gift of supernatural strength to the authority and leading of the Holy Spirit. No one can deceive God! Sin is something that we all struggle with. Sinful acts can leave our lives in ruins. These are great warnings for us all!

*Avoid ungodly people. “Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits” (1Cor 15:33).

*Examine yourself! Samson had great potential to be a spiritual hero. But he wasted most of his strength thru sin, especially sexual sin. Sin makes a man spiritually weak. Sin blinds us! Sin binds us! Sin grinds us! Confront your sins before the devil takes advantage of them!

*Walk worthy of the calling of God! (Eph 4:1).

*We should not become over-familiar with the unbelievers. “Do not be unequally bound together with unbelievers [do not make mismatched alliances with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership can righteousness have with lawlessness? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” (2Cor 6:14; AMP). Do not become emotionally and physically intimate with fornicators. “I wrote you in my [previous] letter not to associate with [sexually] immoral people” (1Cor 5:9; AMP). Seducing spirits will tempt you to submit to them. They attack as sexual sins, or as love for money. Be careful! “Flee fornication!” (1Cor 6:18). Flee the Love for money! Be content! Run, Samson, run!

*Compromise is dangerous. A compromise is a situation when you accept something slightly different from what you really want, because of circumstances or because you want to please men. If believers compromise their beliefs, they damage their reputation and testimony. Never allow anyone to manipulate you to wound your conscience. This is considered the most painful scripture in the Bible. “And she said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” So, he awoke from his sleep, and said, “I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!” But he did not know that the Lord had departed from him” (Jdg 16:20). The Lord has turned aside, has gone away from him. The supernatural strength of Samson was not in his hair. It was in his dedication of his life to God. His hair was only a symbol of it.

*Beware of the danger of doubt! Samson did not believe that if he disobeys, God will punish him. He finally had faith just before he died.

*Our wisdom, beauty and strength come from communion with God. Moses didn’t know that his face was shining from his encounter with God. Samson did not know that God’s anointing has left him. The strong man was ignorant that he has become weak. Samson did all the mighty acts only because God’s anointing was on him. People who carry the anointing of the Holy Spirit are fearless and do great exploits! But they can be ignorant of their spiritual status!

*Samson prayed before he died! He was a man of faith and prayer!

*Beware of the danger of pride and false security. Because God is patient, men commit sin and think all is well. Be careful! When we sleep, the enemy is not sleeping. Samson stopped fearing God. His eyes were the gates for his sin. After the enemies have removed his eyes, he repented of his sin. Jesus said: “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell” (Matt 5:28,29). The best way to keep your eyes is to look away from sinful things!

*How much do we open to people? Question: Are there some things the husband should not tell his wife? The answer is both yes and no. It depends. When two believers get married, they keep the unity of the Spirit by telling one another everything. They have no secrets. But if a believer is married to an unbeliever, the believer needs wisdom. The unbeliever is a slave to the devil who can use him (her) to attack the believer. Both Samson’s wife and Delilah betrayed him. Adultery and betrayal for money are the greatest sins against marriage and love! The wife should be on her husband’s side. The husband should be on his wife’s side. God calls both husbands and wives to Loyalty!

*Samson is a type of Christ. By his death, he killed more enemies than when he was alive. “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Heb 2:14,15). Samson prayed with total faith that he would end his race in victory! With all his failures and sins, without eyes, Samson finally used his strength for God’s purpose. His name outlives Delilah’s name. She got the money, but Samson got his name among the heroes of faith! Glory!

*Finally, stay faithful to God and to His Word. Walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. For as long as you live, it is never too late to repent and go back to your first love. You have no excuse to stay in sin! You must finish well! Worship the Lord!!!

THE SIN AND WEAPON OF NAGGING

Oct13 by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

Nagging means to always find fault, to criticize, or to complain. It is to irritate another by constant urging him to do something. Nagging is persistent persuasion, more repetitive than aggressive. It is emotional harassment! It is a very common sin manifested in families. Nagging is an effective weapon the devil uses to tempt the Christians to backslide. Beware of its existence and power. How can you tell you might be nagging? If you’ve said the same thing 100 times, 100 different ways, and yet it doesn’t seem to be enough, that is nagging. Often those who nag are stubborn. They fight hard and strong, quick to voice their opinions. They have a strong need to be heard. They sincerely believe that their words are somehow benefiting the other person. Most people who nag don’t even realize they’re doing it. They think they are just trying to help others.

Nagging is a negative and controlling behavior and is a common sin in many marriages. For example, a nagging wife feels helpless; she wants her husband to stop smoking. She has a strong desire to control him. She behaves as if she is his mother. She is over-concerned with her husband’s behavior. She forgets that only God can change a man. Constant nagging can make the husband withdraw emotionally from her. The truth is that most women don’t like to nag unless they feel overwhelmed, unheard, overworked or being taken for granted. Nagging is not only a weakness of the women. Research has found that an equal number of men and women nag. For example, the nagging wife falsely assumes that she can change her husband’s behavior. She can say to him: ‘you don’t give me enough attention, or money. You don’t care about the children…’ The husband may say: ‘the house is always dirty. You always look unkept …’ They both forget that only God can truly change another’s heart. Most of the time, the wives nag because they feel ignored and not appreciated. Men nag because they are frustrated with their finances and businesses. They come home tired, become impatient with their wives and nag them.

“Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife” (PV 21:19; NIV). How does a wife become a nagging woman? During the period of dating, the wife seems nice and helpful. But something happened to her. Little by little, she becomes angry and starts losing her temper. She may apologize later but the episode repeats itself. She is trying to get his attention to solve a problem. If she is ignored, it becomes worse. The best thing a husband can do is to talk to her and give her his attention. Help her solve her problem. The earlier the better. Never disrespect her! Try to solve her problem with patience, love, and wisdom. “A quarrelsome wife is like the constant dripping of a leaky roof” (PV 19:13; NIV). The wife says: ‘you don’t love me’. This nagging plus tears is an effective weapon with men. Men do not like to see crying women around them. (For example, Samson’s wife and his lover, Delilah, both conquered him with nagging and tears!) “A continual dripping on a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike; 16 Whoever restrains her restrains the wind, And grasps oil with his right hand” (PV 27:15,16). The weapon of nagging is a worldly weapon. Don’t use it! A mature marriage is free from nagging. Selah!

Nagging may also be a product of ungratefulness. A wife may never be satisfied with what the husband provides for her. Even if he helps with the house chores, washes her car, takes the family on vacations, she is never happy with him. She continues to nag him. A husband is never satisfied with his wife. No matter how much she takes care of the children, cleans the house, tries to keep herself fashionable, helps with the finances, he is never happy. He continues to nag her. This nagging may work in some offices. The boss nags his employees so that they work better. But nagging never helps families. Often, these homes are wrecked by the shameful sin of nagging! Nagging is unpleasant for both the wife and the husband! It tends to wear them down instead of building them up. It is spiritual poison to marriages and families. It’s a sin against love and indicates trouble in the relationship. It is more common than adultery as a reason for divorce. Selah!

Many parents struggle greatly with nagging their kids. Nagging can develop an inferiority complex in the child, and they may carry that into their adult lives. Nagging focuses on what a person is NOT DOING! It has a negative focus. It overlooks the positive. Nagging points out all the things that are wrong with the child and implies that he (or she) is not worthy because he has not done certain tasks. The child may feel angry towards the parent for nagging, which may result in drawing back emotionally. After some time, the child simply stops listening. The more you nag, the less he will hear you. Also, children are naturally born naggers. They too nag their parents to have their way!

The primary effect of nagging is resentment on both sides of the relationship. Resentment is a buildup of negative emotions such as anger, frustration, and disappointment. Resentment is a chronic, strong and painful feeling of bitterness when one has offended you. Resentment lasts for years. It is like the strong roots of a tree, very hard to uproot. It doesn’t have actual physical weight, but it feels very heavy on your soul. The nagger feels resentment for “always having to” nag the other person to “get everything done.” The person being nagged feels resentment for never being left alone to do as he sees fit. The person who nags never feels that the other person takes responsibility, but he never gives him responsibility. Meanwhile the person being nagged never feels truly independent, because he is never being given the chance to act independently and responsibly. It is a vicious circle. Forgiveness for Christ’ sake is the only way to be free from resentment.

Nagging is twin to grumbling. It affects prayers. Jesus said: “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words” (Matt 6:7). A religious unbeliever thinks that God needs persuasion to answer. He tells himself: ‘if I pray 5 prayers, God may ignore me. But if I pray 100 prayers, God will answer me’. For them, prayer is manipulation. They think that God does not understand. Therefore, they need to mechanically repeat the prayer, nagging God! They clearly do not know God!

How to stop nagging? Nagging is sin. It destroys the peace, love and romance in a marriage. Repent! Be filled with the Holy Spirit. Learn to listen to yourself. Control your emotions and your tongue. Pray before you talk. Choose the right words, the right tone, the right time, and the right attitude. Do not repeat a complaint more than 2 times. This is wisdom: accept things that you cannot change. Be an encourager!

DRIFTING AWAY FROM OUR FIRST LOVE

Oct13 by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

“Therefore, we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?” (Heb 2:1-4).

This is a reminder that we have an enemy who hates us. The devil wants you to be ignorant of God’s love for you! The real danger is that if we neglect so great a salvation, we will drift away from our first love. To Give heed it means to pay closer attention, to be cautious about, to be on guard, to beware of danger ahead, careful not to take unnecessary risks. It also means to listen and to follow!!! The command applies to the ears and to the feet. If we do not listen to God’s Word and ignore the leading of the Holy Spirit, we become spiritually lazy, or passive. From that position of weakness, the strong currents of the powers of darkness will carry us away from Christ’s love. It is like falling asleep in a boat that is not tied down to the shore. The river will eventually carry the boat away by its gentle currents. By the time we wake up, we see that we are in a different area we never planned to go before. The gentle river has now become fast and rough, and we wake up in a strange place of danger. To neglect it means to be careless, to fail to give attention or to respect the things that are your responsibility to keep and protect. Neglect is worse than ignoring. You can ignore to clean your house. That is not sinful. But child neglect is sinful. For a doctor to neglect his patients, that is criminal. To neglect God’s Word is like holding a treasure in your hand, but your fingers are not tight on it. The gold falls from your hand, and you are not aware that you have lost it. It means that you failed to value the revelation of God’s Word that you have received in the past! Because of your negligence, you are now becoming poorer. Neglecting the supernatural ministry of the Holy Spirit is a sign of drifting from your first love! Selah!

These are some of the common situations that can lead to the sin of neglect of God’s Word. These are like strong currents of a river:

*The anxiety of life, the cares of this world. They prevent God’s Word from taking roots and producing fruits in your spirit. “The cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (Mk 4:19). These produce weakness of the mind and of the body. You become spiritually weak and discouraged. As our Lord was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, drops of blood falling from His brow. But the disciples became so grieved that they fell asleep. “Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matt 26:40,41). Medical science has proven that the brain shuts down during times of great stress. To watch and to pray takes a lot of energy. This spiritual warfare is done only by the power of the Holy Spirit. But if you ignore watching and praying, you will fall asleep spiritually and you will drift away from the safety of truth. Selah!

*Pleasures of life. It’s easy to forget God and His Love when you seek only for pleasures. To always look for fun is the world’s mentality. “The heart of the wise [learns when it] is in the house of mourning, But the heart of fools is [senseless] in the house of pleasure” (Ecc 7:4; AMP). Seeking the pleasures of life can become an idol. “Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play” (1Cor 10:7). Seek God and His Kingdom! Let God chose what pleasures and the level of pleasures you may have in this life. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt 6:33).

*Overfamiliarity with God and the Bible. To be overfamiliar with someone means to be extremely close, or intimate. You feel that you know that person too well. You have seen him and heard him so many times that the person now becomes boring to you. Other similar words with overfamiliarity are ‘being bold, forward, presumptuous, or disrespectful’. To be overfamiliar with God is always a sin. Its root is pride and Presumption. Presumption means to take someone for granted, to jump to conclusions without knowing the whole truth. It means to disrespect. God punishes it. “The prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die” (Deut 18:20). It is true that we are one with Christ. But we must still fear God! No one knows God totally. “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable” (Ps 145:3). Whatever we know about God is what God has revealed to us, in Christ, by the Holy Spirit. That is all! Love always honors the Lover!

*Getting older. As we grow older, we change. The body gets weaker. The mind starts forgetting things. People close to us die. We become lonely. The strength we had as young people is replaced by a gradual weakness of body and mind. The zeal to study God’s Word, to pray or to serve God is less. We feel we know everything, and we don’t need to learn new things. To love others requires too much sacrifice. We give up on ourselves. Reading the Bible, praying, attending church services becomes routine and boring. “Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor Him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore” (Ecc 12:1;NLT). Old men may experience apathy, a lack of mental energy, emotion, passion, or excitement. To some old people, Love becomes burdensome. This apathy may lead to depression and to drifting away from the truth. The cure is to come back to your First Love!!!

FROM NOW, I WILL PRAISE THE LORD!!!

Oct6 by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

“From Jesus Christ, the faithful and trustworthy Witness, the Firstborn of the dead, and the Ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who [always] loves us and who [has once for all] freed us [or washed us] from our sins by His own blood (His sacrificial death); and formed us into a kingdom [as His subjects], priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the power and the majesty and the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (Rev 1:5, 6; AMP).

This is an amazing praise to the Lord Jesus Christ. John recognizes the greatness of our Lord. He “always loves us”. That verb is in the present tense, not past tense. It is true that 2000 years ago, because Jesus loved us, He died for us. But here we are told that Jesus loves us right now! He loves us now, and forever! His love is relentless. This Agape Love is relentless (strong, persistent, and without interruptions). It is pouring continually like rain from heaven. It never stops. It is the engine of our strength to love Jesus and other people. Everything in the life of believers ought to be based upon the Faith in the Love of Jesus. It is the most wonderful thing, to know in our hearts that though we were born sinners, and we still sin even today, yet He loves us! What a difference it makes when you experience the eternal love of God in your very soul right now! Do you feel His amazing Love right now?

John dedicates the book of Revelation to Him who loves us and, in addition, has freed us from our sins with His blood. In Greek, the word ‘freed’ means to loosen, to release and wash a prisoner. By His Blood, King Jesus breaks the chains of evil habits in our lives. He sets us free from sinful addictions that we have allowed to bind us. Those who have struggled with alcoholism know its terrible grip. We are all sinfully dependent people, shackled by sin one way or another: greed, selfishness, anger, quarrelling, lustful passions, cowardice and pride. Fear of man is an addictive strong bondage. “The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe” (PV29:25).
Cowardice is more than weakness of character. It is a sin! Cowards are in the same company with unbelievers, adulterers, liars, idol worshippers and the witches. If it is not confessed and repented of, cowardice blocks the way to heaven (Rev 21:8). God’s Word commands us to stand and always confess the truth. “If anyone sins after he hears a public adjuration (solemn command to testify) when he is a witness, whether he has seen or [otherwise] known [something]—if he fails to report it, then he will bear his guilt and be held responsible” (Lev 5:1; AMP). Because you fear offending a criminal, even after you heard the Judge placing a curse upon his sin, and you keep quiet in the court, that is sinful cowardice. Perjury means willfully lying under oath in the court. Perjury is an attack against truth and justice. (In Nigeria, it is punished with up to 14 years imprisonment). Spiritually, giving false witness or keeping quiet about another’s sin, grieves the Holy Spirit and wounds your conscience. These are bondages only the Blood of Jesus can break. Repent! Be free!

Here we see that Jesus is the One who has freed us from these bad habits by the sacrifice of His own life. But more than that, Jesus has made us a Kingdom of priests to serve our God. We are free to worship! A priest stands before God on behalf of men. Sinners feel separated from God. By their evil thoughts, they cut themselves off from a holy God. They need to repent. They are to be brought near God by the priests. That is the work of believers today. We are to exercise the ministry of reconciliation in the name of Jesus. We are to help lost people realize that God is longing to draw them to Himself. For this work Jesus has made us a kingdom of priests. Do you ever think of yourself as a priest? Or as a king? Or as a citizen of God’s Kingdom? This is your destiny and ministry, to serve God forever!

NO QUARRELS IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
“Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. 2 I implore Euodia, and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life” (Phil 4:1-3).

Apostle Paul addresses the Christians in Philippi as ‘beloved and longed-for’. He truly loves them. He tells them to stand fast in the Lord. The word means to stand firm, to persevere against opposition. He is calling the brethren to behave as citizens of heaven. There is no quarrel in heaven! They must settle their differences. Euodia and Syntyche, two Christian women in the church, were quarreling. Euodia means ‘Sweet Fragrance’ and Syntyche means ‘Fortunate’. They were possibly part of the first group of women that started the church (Acts 16:13). Each woman worked hard in the church. There were once sisters in Christ and ‘fellow workers’ with Paul. But now, they separated themselves and each tried to gather followers, dividing the Church. Paul reminds everyone that the Church belongs to Christ who died so that our names are in the Book of Life. Study the way Paul is talking. He has a pastor’s heart, a father’s loving heart. He loves the Lord, and he loves the brethren. Note that he does not command the two women to settle for his sake, to protect his reputation as a pastor. He does not tell the women to settle even for their own sakes. No! He ‘implores’ them, he begs them, to stop the quarrel for Christ’ sake!!! Apostle Paul is truly a humble man who honors God! To settle people who quarrel in the Church is difficult to do, as delicate as doing brain surgery. Paul applies Love, divine wisdom, humility, and great discernment. The unity of the Spirit is essential for the growth of God’s Kingdom thru the Church.

We see the ideal relationship between a pastor who displays agape love and his congregation. This is a reminder that the Body of Christ is One! If one member suffers, all suffer. We all must be peacemakers. The unity in the Church is not based on social status, age, level of education, race or tribe affiliation. The Spirit is one! The Lord Jesus Christ, the King of kings, is One! We are together as co-laborers with God and with one another. We labor in the Gospel. The power of the Church depends on two major factors: The preaching of the Gospel and the agape Love between the brethren. The pastor preaches the Gospel of Christ Crucified and Resurrected. Preaching false doctrines weakens the Church. Quarreling grieves the Holy Spirit. It is not only the pastor who preaches. All believers must do their part to preach the Gospel to others. The Church expands as each believer tells others about Jesus, shares his testimony and lives a successful Christian life. Preaching the Gospel is done not only by mouth, but by actions. Our attending church services encourages the pastor and encourages others. Praying, helping your pastor in any way you can, is also a way to preach the Gospel. May we stand strong and honor God always!

Jesus said that division destroys relationships and families. “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand but is coming to an end” (Mk 3:24-26). Love is a glue. It binds people together (Col 3:12-15). The Body of Christ is made of many, but it is one. The Holy Spirit is one! The evil spirits are many. One of the works of the flesh is contention, a hot argument that divides people (Gal 5:20). Apostle Paul says that we should avoid people who quarrel and divide the Body of Christ: “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them” (Rom 16:17). They invent and ‘manufacture’ stumbling blocks to make others fall. We should avoid them! It means that these are religious unbelievers, false brethren who crept into the church to divide the Body. Selah!

LEAH – THE UNLOVED WIFE (Genesis 29)
Leah was the first wife of Jacob, later called Israel. She lived almost 4000 years ago. Her name means ‘weak eyes’, possibly means poor vision. She stands for weakness of flesh and strength of the Spirit. Leah was the mother of six of Jacob’s sons and the ancestor of these tribes: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. Judah was the ancestor of King David and, in the lineage of Jesus (Matt 1:1-16).

This is the story: After Jacob had deceived his father, Isaac, and deprived his brother, Esau, of his birthright and blessing, he fled from the wrath of Esau and took refuge in the household of his uncle Laban. There he immediately fell in love with Laban’s younger daughter, Rachel and worked for Laban seven years to win her hand in marriage. On the night of the wedding feast, Laban deceived him by sending Leah to his tent. According to the Eastern’s tradition, the bride was veiled, and Jacob was surely drunk. In the morning, Jacob discovered that he slept with Leah and not with Rachel. Laban compelled Jacob to work another seven years for Rachel. Here you see that Love is not cheap. For many years, Jacob did not love Leah. But God consoled her by giving her the gift of motherhood. God gave her six sons and a daughter, Dinah, before allowing Rachel to become pregnant. Rachel had two sons, Jospeh and Benjamin. She died young. She was buried along the road. Leah lived until her old age. She died before the family went to Egypt. She was buried in the cave of family grave at Machpelah in Hebron. This was great honor. Before his death in Egypt, Jacob told Joseph to carry his corpse to the Promised Land and bury him alongside Leah, in Hebron. Jacob said: “There I buried Leah” (Gen 49:31). He was buried next to Leah, alongside Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and Rebeccah. Leah was a godly woman, much more suitable for him as a wife than the worldly-minded Rachel. Though not loved, she was faithful to her husband until the end!

It took many years before finally Jacob learned to love and respect Leah, who remained faithful and loving to him. This speaks of true endurance as a woman of God. For example, when coming back to the Promised Land, Jacob was told that his older brother Esau was coming towards him with 400 men. Jacob was afraid. He divided his children and his people. He put the two maidservants and their children in front. That was the most dangerous place in case of an attack. Then he put Leah and her children next to the maidservants. Finally, he placed his beloved wife Rachel and her son Joseph, at the rear, which was the safest place (Gen 33:1,2). These arrangements prove that even at this time, Leah was treated just a little better than the servants.

God always protects the weak, the victims of human’s oppression. In the Old Testament, God’s word commands that in case of polygamy, men should not discriminate the children of the unloved wife. “If a man has two wives, one loved and the other unloved, and they have borne him children, both the loved and the unloved, and if the firstborn son is of her who is unloved, 16 then it shall be, on the day he bequeaths his possessions to his sons, that he must not bestow firstborn status on the son of the loved wife in preference to the son of the unloved, the true firstborn. 17 But he shall acknowledge the son of the unloved wife as the firstborn by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his” (Deut 21:15-17). All children should be treated well!

Jacob obeyed God’s command. Just before his death, Jacob blessed his sons. In particular, his son Judah, meaning “Praise”, which is the fourth son of Leah, receives the highest blessing. He becomes the leader of his brothers. This is prophetic. Judah is the direct ancestor of King David and Jesus Christ. Jesus is called the Lion of the tribe of Judah. This is according to what Jacob prophesied: “Judah, you are the one whom your brothers shall praise; Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; Your father’s sons shall bow down to you. 9 “Judah, a lion’s cub; With the prey, my son, you have gone high up [the mountain]. He stooped down, he crouched like a lion, And like a lion—who dares rouse him? 10 “The scepter [of royalty] shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh [the Messiah, the Peaceful One] comes, And to Him shall be the obedience of the peoples” (Gen 49:8-10; AMP). Hallelujah!

LESSONS FROM LEAH:
*This is a story of Grace! God truly cares for those unloved and rejected by men. God comforts and compensate the lowly, in His way, His own time. Through their troubles and afflictions, they learn to look to Him for happiness, help and success. Leah was emotionally rejected by her father, her sister and her husband. Like David, Leah could have said: “Although my father and my mother have abandoned me, Yet the Lord will take me up [adopt me as His child]” (Ps 27:10; AMP). When Jesus came to the earth, He was rejected by men! He died on the Cross! But God raised Him from the dead and gave Him a name above every other name! Jesus knows how it feels to be rejected! Trust Him to vindicate you! God often chooses to work thru those who are rejected, unloved and marginalized. Rachel captured Jacob’s heart. But Leah captured God’s heart! Leah’s life is a story of endurance, strength, perseverance and faith!

*God is sovereign in every matter. He demotes and He promotes as He wishes. Nobody stops God from doing His own will. “The Lord puts to death and makes alive; He brings down to Sheol (the grave) and raises up [from the grave]. 7 “The Lord makes poor and makes rich; He brings low, and He lifts up. 8 “He raises up the poor from the dust, He lifts up the needy from the ash heap To make them sit with nobles and inherit a seat of honor and glory; For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, And He set the land on them” (1Sam 2:6-8; AMP). Amen!

*To be a parent is a blessing from God. God rewards obedience, faithfulness and labor of love. Children are God’s reward. “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. 5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed but shall speak with their enemies in the gate” (Ps 127:3-5).
Leah suffered in her marriage. For many years, she was lonely and unloved by her husband. But God blessed Leah with the gift of motherhood. Her son Levi is the ancestor of Aaron, the head of priests to serve God in the temple and of Moses, the greatest leader of Isreal. “When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren” (Gen 29:31). At last, Leah’s descendants became greater than the descendants of Rachel (Joseph and Benjamin). Her son Judah is the ancestor of Jesus Christ, the Lord!

*Leah learned contentment. That makes her a mature woman of God. To be content it means to be satisfied with God and with yourself. It is the knowledge that things are OK exactly as they are, right now. It is a spiritual secret that few people learn about. Some call it ‘the deep knowledge of enough’. It is one of the highest achievements of human well-being. Contentment is more powerful than happiness. Seeking happiness in this life leads to anxiety and depression. Contentment is peace, joy, and the courage to live well. Apostle Paul credited the secret of contentment as one of his greatest achievements. “Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances. 12 I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need. 13 I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]” (Phil 4:11-13; AMP). May God grant us the grace to experience contentment in life! Amen!

*Only God changes a man. An unloved wife is so grieved that only God can help her. Leah was ignorant about how men think. She thought that just by sleeping with him, her husband will love her. She was wrong. A man can be sexually attracted to a woman even if he does not love her. Later, Leah tried to win her husband’s love by having children. But even after having many sons, Jacob still did not love her. Marriage certificate, sex, or having children does not make a man love his wife. “Under three things the earth is disquieted and quakes, And under four it cannot bear up: 22 Under a servant when he reigns, Under a [spiritually blind] fool when he is filled with food, 23 Under an unloved woman when she gets married, And under a maidservant when she supplants her mistress” (PV30:21-23; AMP).

*Praising God changes lives! Leah’s hopes to find love thru her children are dashed at the beginning. But once she has Judah (Praise), she changed her focus, from hoping in her husband, to looking unto God. She now decided to praise God! From this moment on, she is free. She is a different woman. She can now thank God for what she already has and not for what she misses. Her words change from a piteous “woe is me” tone to “what good fortune!” and “how happy and blessed I am!” (Gen 30:11-12; NIV). While Jacob may have “settled for” Leah, Leah herself doesn’t settle. She grows spiritually. She let go of her idols of marriage, children, and family, and set her sights on higher things than her circumstances. She chooses to praise God! It is then that God demonstrates how He faithfully loves her and blesses her! Stop looking for validation from men. Go to God. He will be enough for you. Jacob’s infatuation with Rachel was “love at first sight”. It is more of liking than loving. But Jacob’s willingness to labor seven years for her demonstrates feelings deeper than flattery or casual interest. Deep down, most women long to captivate a lover this way, to be pursued and cherished by a committed heart. We’re made to yearn for belonging and completion. The best place is standing before God. You are safe there! God has a special place for the rejected. God has big plans for little people. Leah is a symbol of what God can do with the rejected, who chose to praise Him, no matter the circumstances!

*We don’t know Leah’s feelings when her father told her to go into the tent deceiving Jacob that she is Rachel. Jacob deceived his father Isaac and now he will have a taste of his own medicine. At that time, women had little to say about any matter. The men were the total rulers of their homes. We can imagine that it was not easy for Leah to surrender her body as a young virgin woman, to a man who was possibly drunk, and calling her Rachel. In her mind she may have thought: Will this marriage work? Can a marriage with a foundation of sin, of deceit ever be happy? What will her sister say about this? Will Jacob ever love her? Will God give her children? Will people ever respect her? Will God bless her? She did not know at that time that God allowed this deception so that He will take the glory at last.

*Ignorantly, because of her broken heart, she loads the children with her emotional burden. The first three sons knew that their mother was looking for love thru them. It is not good to use children to find love in marriage. Only God can do that!

*God does not look at the outward appearance but at the heart (1Sam 16:7). God does not appreciate physical beauty. He rewards faith, humility and submission to His will. Leah tried to compare herself with her sister beautiful Rachel. Comparison leads to disappointment, jealousy, anger, bitterness, and depression. Be grateful for who God made you to be! We all hunger for significance in this world. Significance means to be seen as important, worthy of attention and respect, to be loved and appreciated by others. Sometimes, there is a delay in significance. That delay is painful. God gives you dreams of greatness. For a long time, the dreams seem dead. Initially, the beautiful Rachel was the star. Her husband loved her openly. Leah became jealous of her sister. But later, after Leah became a mother, and Rachel was still barren, the tables turned. It was Rachel that became jealous on Leah. The tables have been turned! “Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister, and said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I die!” 2 And Jacob’s anger was aroused against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?” (Gen 30:1, 2). It was then that Leah discovered that her significance is in God. This is what God wanted Leah to discover. That God is enough for her! Jesus said: “My grace is enough!” (2Cor 12:9). For now, you may be sad. God’s dreams for you are not yet fulfilled. You may even have to wait until you go to heaven before you can see the majesty of God’s Love for you. Remember this. God’s promises are worth waiting for!!!

*Leah tried to please her husband, to win his heart. But no man will accept and love you unconditionally. Only God can do that. Apostle Paul was a servant of God and not a man pleaser. “You can see that I am not trying to please you by sweet talk and flattery; no, I am trying to please God. If I were still trying to please men, I could not be Christ’s servant” (Gal 1:10; AMP).

*Jesus understands women. Even if the husband or the father does not understand you, Jesus understands you. This Jesus redeems sinners like Mary Magdalene, who was once possessed by demons. Jesus saved and honored the sinful woman who washed His feet with her tears. Jesus saved and honored the woman with the issue of Blood and the woman accused of adultery. Jesus loves women! Jesus loves sinners. He died for them. He saved them. He loved them. Like Leah, after having Judah, she declared: From now on, this time, I will praise the Lord! Say it: This time, and forever, I will praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

*Leah was a woman of God. She left behind a great legacy. People did not forget her. Her memory was not forgotten by future generation. When Boaz married Ruth, the witnesses prayed for his bride: “The Lord make the woman who is coming to your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who built the house of Israel… ” (Ru 4:11). Leah had Levi: Aaron and the priesthood came from Levi. The greatest leader in the Old Testament, Moses, came from Levi. The Law, the Ten commandments, the worship at the temple, all came from Leah. Also, from her son Judah, King David was born and later, Jesus Christ! God cares for the lonely, the rejected. Leah did not know how great a legacy she leaves behind. It is only in heaven that she discovered how special she was to God, and even to her husband, to the nation of Isreal and to the Church of Christ. She finally saw that God has honored her. Try to imagine how Leah felt in heaven when she heard the name of her son, Judah, connected with Jesus, the King of kings, seated on His throne. “But one of the twenty-four Elders said to me, “Stop crying, for look! The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, and proved himself worthy to open the scroll and to break its seven seals” (Rev 5:5; AMP). To God be all the glory! FROM NOW ON I WILL PRAISE THE LORD!!! Worship the Lord!!!

	Silvia Lia Leigh, MD on MY TESTIMONY
	overcomebyjesus.blog… on MY TESTIMONY
	Silvia Lia Leigh, MD on MY HEART IS AWAKE
	CCrum on MY HEART IS AWAKE

Green Pastures

PS 23:2 ~ He Makes Me To Lie Down In Green Pastures

Monthly Archives: October 2024

GRACE ABOUNDS MUCH MORE

DAVID AT HIS BEST

ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD

THE STORY OF JOSEPH – GOD MEANT IT FOR GOOD!

RUN, SAMSON, RUN!!!

THE SIN AND WEAPON OF NAGGING

DRIFTING AWAY FROM OUR FIRST LOVE

FROM NOW, I WILL PRAISE THE LORD!!!

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