Author Archives: Silvia Leigh

THE DANGERS OF LIVING IN THE PAST

by Silvia Leigh
After seventy years of captivity in Babylon, God makes a way and brings back to Jerusalem a remnant of people to rebuild the Temple and the city. Jeremiah prophesied that God will send them into exile to humble them for their sins of rebellion and disobedience. But the prophet also said that after seventy years they shall come back, to start afresh the public wors…hip. Millions were sent away and now only about fifty thousand return.
In the Book of Ezra chapter 3, we see that the people and the priests prepare to build the Temple that was destroyed by the Babylonians. Before laying its foundation, they wisely chose to re-start the public worship. They rebuild the brazen altar and offer on it burnt sacrifices. Then they begin to praise God saying: ‘He is good! His love endures forever’ Then they lay down the Temple foundation. The reaction to this work of God was mixed. The young people were clapping their hands, shouting, dancing and singing with joy. But the old people, who have seen the mighty temple that Solomon has built, they wept with sorrow. The reason is that this foundation looks so little compared with the one in the past. So the young people were rejoicing, praising God and the old people were weeping, grieving for the past glories.
What are the dangers of such attitude? If you live in the past, you shall lose your joy and your strength, your praise, your leadership influence and ministry. The old people should have encouraged the younger ones to look unto God and to rejoice. Circumstances change, resources change, but God never changes.  They should have led the younger generation in showing gratitude to God for His mercy in their rebellion, for His constant presence with them even in Babylon. They should have encouraged the young ones to praise God even more for a new open door when all hope was lost and for the fulfillment of prophetic utterances.
The past is there for us to learn wisdom, to draw strength, to learn thanksgiving. But the past is not the place to dwell. It is too dangerous. It will make you older before your time. It will kill the hope for the future. It will make you bitter, angry and depressed. Apostle Paul did not stop doing ministry even in prison. He wrote almost all his letters from there. ‘For me to live is Christ…’ For as long as I live I shall continue to praise God, give Him thanks, encourage the brethren and do ministry.
Amen!

BLESSED THORN, I WELCOME YOU…

by Silvia Leigh

 

What was the Apostle’s ‘thorn in the flesh’? Nobody knows. It could have been a chronic sickness, constant persecutions, hardships, insults…all for the sake of Christ…Not all ‘thorns’ are the same. Each person has a different problem that repeats itself and is not ready to go away even if he prays against it.

Apostle Paul prayed, he begged God to take it away, but the Lord ignored his request. But the same God gave him great revelations of His Word and of His Spirit. Paul wrote half of the New Testament. The thorn apparently did not kill him, just made him more effective in his ministry.

The question is this: Who does not want such ‘a thorn’? What is its torment compared to the glory revealed? Nothing!

The most important lesson is this:

God ‘designs’ and ‘sends a thorn’ to each child He wants to use and bless!

Each thorn has a purpose. If you are sick and no doctor can help, please remember that nothing is random in a believer’s life. The main reason for such a chronic problem is to keep you humble. Pride is an enemy, a deceptive enemy. We need help from God to remain humble and to be a vessel for His honor and grace. Pride can destroy a testimony, a ministry. Do you remember Nebuchadnezzar? Pride almost destroyed him, if not for the grace of God who gave him a second chance.

The thorn is painful but necessary to keep you humble. Do not be discouraged when the pain does not go away. Don’t you see that in other areas God is blessing you? As you accept the blessings, accept the occasional pain too.   Is the same God that gives them to you! Both are depended on one another.

For example, if you know that for each occasional headache you will receive a million dollars, you will not be worried about your headaches anymore. You will not pray against them anymore.

If from time to time your boss insults you, for no good reason, but each time he pays you a million dollars, you will not be so upset about his nasty words. The process is still painful but you can boast about the effect it has on you and the blessings that follow!

It is because you do not see the connection between suffering and blessings… that is why you cry and complain. God weakens our flesh; He kills it in fact. The process is necessary to prepare the way for grace to enter. This pain is peculiar. It can be very painful one minute, and disappears in the ocean of prosperity the next day.

May God open your heart to His way of inflicting pain and adding grace and glory to you! That is what you need: opened eyes and open hearts to God’s way of love, to the royal way of the Cross!

Amen!

FRUITFUL AMAZING ETERNAL LOVE

by Silvia Leigh

 

‘Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends…I have called you friends…’ (Jn 15:13-15)

If I am a friend of Jesus Christ, then I lay down my life for Him. Simple! It does not mean that I go through the big crisis of death. It means that I lay down my life deliberately, just as I would lay out a pound note (naira note) on the counter. For example, I have a day before me, twenty hours in all. I am going to lay it out in devotion and obedience to Jesus all through. I will remember Jesus every second of that day.

Love in action is difficult, and thank God it is difficult. Salvation is easy because it cost God so much, but the manifestation of it in my life is difficult. God does expect a man to be a man.

God saves a man and endues him with His Holy Spirit and says in effect:

‘My son, now it is up to you to prove your salvation. Work it out! Let the invisible work I have done in you become visible to others. Be loyal to Me while the nature of things round about you try to make you disloyal. I have called you ‘friend’. Now stand loyal and faithful to your greatest Friend. My honor is at stake in your bodily life!’

 

(Oswald Chambers, 1874-1917)

LETTER FROM A YOUNG ANXIOUS MAN

by Silvia Leigh

 

‘Good morning Malia… I’m worried about something; I hear this from a lot of people. So I want to hear God’s opinion… it’s true that as man or woman we are not destined for a particular man or woman in marriage…I am a child of God’

 

Why are you worried?

‘God has not given us the evil spirit of fear (worry) but of power, love and sound mind’ (2Tim 1:7).

This is a spiritual law: Any topic, any discussion, any book, any idea…that attacks your peace (with God, with yourself, with others) is of the devil and it should be rejected 100%.

Marriage is not essential for salvation so it is not as important as being pre-destined to be saved. After salvation, we are to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in a process called sanctification. By obeying the truth the flesh dies and the spirit rises to live. It is a painful process but necessary to spiritual maturity. Along the way, the believer may choose to marry. His motives may still be carnal in the choice of a wife. But no matter what, all things shall still work together for good for them that love God and are called according to His greater purpose to know and serve Him forever.

The choice of a life partner is connected with the level of faith too. Some people are ‘barely’ saved and have a very low view of marriage. Leave them alone. Connect with wise people who cultivate a spirit of excellency, are wise, patient and loving.

‘Delight yourself in the Lord and He shall give you your very heart desire (not another’s)’ (Ps 37:4).

My personal testimony is this: I have no doubt at all that my husband and me, we were destined to be saved, to get married and together to work for the Lord in full time ministry.

To God be all the glory!

I wish you well!

Have faith in God!

May God’s perfect will be done in your life, in Jesus name, amen!

Edible flowers

by Silvia Leigh

 

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Ps 133:1)

The fellowship of the brethren, the unity of the Spirit in the Body of Christ is both good and pleasant. It is good to the taste and pleasant to the eyes. It challenges the mind and the imagination. But it also fires up the heart with its deepest passions.

One easy way to describe this mysterious combination is study the edible flowers. God created beautiful flowers of many colors. Some are not just attractive, they are also nutritious. They can be eaten with salad, deep fried, with meat dishes, with pasta or deserts. God is so creative and artistic. He is never boring. Please think of Jesus…mediate on His Holy Person…

When last you wrote a letter to God?

When last you tried your pen for a poem of romance and passion for Jesus?

When last you sang a new song titled ‘For my First Love’?

When was it that your words failed you and your knees too…and you fell down in adoration to your Maker?

If your walk with God is just a boring routine of restless motions, no feelings, no longings, no desire to touch the height of an excellent spirit, no interest in new pursuits to improve your worship…then stop!!!

Come back to the Cross! Look unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith! Let the baptism of His fire purge your inmost being and cleanse the secret sin of doubt!

Fall in love with Jesus!

After all, He loved you from the foundation of the world!

May my words be fire and may your heart be dry wood!

The fire of revival will destroy the darkness of this land and add to His eternal glory!

In Jesus name,

Amen!

(in the pictures are edible flowers: Yellow Daylilies, Purple Chrysanthemum,  Yellow and Purple Pansies and Roses)

chrysanthemumdaylilies

pansiesrose

Wisdom controls the tongue and the life!

by Silvia Leigh

Trish
“She opens her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness” (PV 31:26)
God created the tongue especially as an organ for speech. It is a little organ, compared with others. But it has great spiritual power, for good or for evil, according to the speech. The tongue is a slave to the words proceeding from the heart. That is why no man can control its tongue. The change for good starts in the heart. Then the speech and the life shall improve.
Practically, a wise woman is known by her few words seasoned with grace. This is not an easy accomplishment. You have to pray for peace and order to rule in your heart. Totally reject any form of confusion! The heart is like a house, clean or dirty. As a wife and mother you should know where each item is, where to find the things you need. You are even supposed to find things that are ‘lost’ by your husband and children. Your family will say about you: ‘Ask mummy, she knows where that thing is…’ Just like with your house, your heart must be in order. Each thought, each imagination, each emotion should be under the control of the Holy Spirit. When you speak, you should easily remember the best words to apply in each circumstance. You will not improvise with words of common sense. You do not need many words, going in circles, repeating ideas endlessly. Your speech is orderly, clean and easy to understand by the hearer. Reduce the quantity of your words and improve on their spiritual quality. Any word that proceeds from natural common sense is of low value. Any word spoken under the anointing of the Holy Spirit is power and is life. Your words should be ‘edited’ by the anointing of the Holy Spirit. No conversation should leave you tired, frustrated, ashamed, guilty or with a feeling of regret. Each word should be a gift of life to your listeners.
When speaking, you should never lose your temper, start sweating, pour insults, gesticulate unnecessarily or create division and anger among your hearers. You should aim to live a life that has no regrets; no mistakes in your speech or your deeds. This ideal is possible only thru the power and the leading of the Holy Spirit!

Speak like Jesus more and more often!

(In the picture, Pastor Trish Eresanara)

Wisdom rewards its owner!

by Silvia Leigh

IMG_4228
(from our women’s fellowship)
‘Blessed is the man (the woman) who finds wisdom!’ (PV 3:13)
Divine wisdom is not available on earth. You have to desire it; you need to seek for it like ‘for a hidden treasure’ buried in the ground. God has promised to always answer the prayer for wisdom. Once that wisdom comes, you shall know ‘every good path’ to take. You will not go astray into the trap of the wicked and violent men. You will not be deceived by the worldly religious women who kidnap the hearts of their victims thru seducing words and painted lips. Wisdom helps you to identify and ‘shun evil’. This life style becomes health to your body and strength to your soul. You will not die untimely death. Your paths shall be simple, straight and bright. Wisdom is profitable for all things in life and it is pleasant and sweet. Wisdom is protection. Wisdom is generous, kind to its neighbor. It never says: ‘Come back later; I’ll give it to you tomorrow…’ when you have it with you.
The path of wisdom is not easy. Fools mock wisdom, thinking that its labor or love is too costly. Loneliness is a price to pay if you want to be wise. You need to love the Word of God and its study needs time. Other women may go shopping when you stay at home reading your Bible and praying. Of course they will think that you are not ‘normal’. But the beauty of a life of wisdom is that it gets better as time goes by. Your worldly friends will panic as they get older. The wrinkles on their faces will torment them ignoring the truth that natural ‘beauty is fleeting’. But wisdom in the heart becomes the mysterious beauty of holiness. Your face becomes softer and your words become sweeter. No cosmetic surgery can compete with that!
Just in case you read these words and you mock them, I am sorry for you dear sister. You can tear this paper, but you cannot change the word of God and the blessings that come on them who chose to be wise. Wisdom starts like a seed planted in the heart by Him who loved you first. Then the Holy Spirit and your tears shall water this holy plantation. At last, when you think that God has forgotten your pains, wisdom shall bloom like the rose in the desert and shall become your harvest of righteousness. Your words will bring light into the darkness, healing into sick bodies, peace into confusion and freedom from bondage.
‘He (she) who wins souls is wise!’ (PV 11:30)

(in the picture, sister Tina praying during Sunday service)

WISDOM IS A STRONG FOUNDATION THAT WILL NEVER FAIL!

by Silvia Leigh

“As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built” (Lk 6:47-48)

manarola, Cinque Terre, Italy
Wisdom is the foundation built on the Rock called Christ. On top of it, tall and visible to all, shall stand the building of character, glory, honor and praise. Any project that doesn’t start with prayer or seeking God for its success shall fall! We need wisdom always, but especially at the beginning of a new season in life. For example, we need wisdom to find the right school, the right job, the right man to marry… We need wisdom for the wedding day and for ‘the honey moon’… We need wisdom during the pregnancy and the delivery of the baby. We need wisdom for the children, when they are young and when they leave the house to start their life journey as adults. We need wisdom to live a fruitful life during the menopause and the old age.
‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding’ (PV 9:10)
We are fools until we start to take God seriously; until we take the Bible and read it, study it and apply its words to our practical life. The fear of God comes as we mediate on the Person of Christ, His power, His promises, His glory. The fear of God humbles us and makes us teachable. The more we study God’s Word, the more we get the revelation of His majesty and His grace, in calling us the sinners into His presence. This is a wonder that no words can describe. Grace is love in action. God the Father sent His Son to die for me and you. His love is more than I can imagine, more than I can describe with words. This failure of human expression is miraculously transformed into the pure fear of God that makes me His wise servant and humble worshipper.
Foolishness is also a foundation but it is not stable and it is not strong, for it is ‘built on sand’. The house built on top of it shall not be able to withstand the floods of trials of life and it shall fall ‘with a great crash’. Each blessing, each breakthrough, each promotion given to a fool will increase the manifestation of his selfish and wicked behavior. With time, the wise get wiser and stronger and the foolish ones get more disgraced and hated by all.
Be wise!

(In the picture: the city of Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italy, built on the rock)

PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!

by Silvia Leigh

 

THERE IS NO BETTER WAY TO LEARN HOW TO PRAY, THAN TO PRAY!

THERE IS NO BETTER WAY TO APPRECIATE PRAYER, THAN YO PRAY!

THERE IS NO BETTER WAY TO ENJOY THE EFFECTS OF PRAYER, THAN TO PRAY!

“PRAY ALWAYS!” (1Thess 5:17)

THE SWORD OF THE LORD

by Silvia Leigh

 

We did spiritual warfare covering our families, our children, our businesses and our church with prayer. We had praise in our mouth and the sword of judgment in our hands, to execute punishment over the wicked enemies who have trespassed into our territories.

Queen Athaliah ruled the land for six years (2Kg 11). She was the daughter of Jezebel. Like mother, like daughter, both were wicked, criminal women. When she discovered that her son is dead, she went ahead to destroy all the royal seed. She then crowned herself as queen. She did not know that the youngest of her husband’s children was still alive, hidden in the temple. This is how Joash survived. He was seven years old when the high priest brought him out from hiding and crowned him as king. The high priest commanded the solders to take their swords and surround the boy king. The command was this:

“Station yourselves around the king, each of you with weapon in hand. Anyone who approaches your ranks is to be put to death. Stay close to the king wherever he goes.” (2Kg 11:8)

Athaliah came to fight and claim her throne. She was killed with the sword instantly.

The Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God spoken under anointing represents the Divine Judgment. It is a symbol of God’s power and authority.

Gideon went to war saying: ‘The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!’ That prophetic proclamation was enough to created confusion in the midst of the enemies and they destroyed one another.

David knocked down Goliath with a stone but perfected its defeat with the sword.

The sword passed thru Mary’s heart. The pain was a revelation of the thoughts of other people’s hearts.

Jesus is our High Priest and His Word is a double edged sword in His mouth. None can defeat it!

The sword of the enemy is slander, wicked words and false witnesses. But the sword of the Lord in our mouth destroys their lesser swords, for God’s judgment on evil is always true and just!

“All the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was calm, because Athaliah had been slain with the sword…” (2Kg 11:20)

We claimed this victory for Warri, Nigeria!

(Ex 32:27; Jdg 7:20; 1Sam 15:33, 31:4; Ps 64:3; 149; Lk 2:35; 12:49-53; Eph 6:17; Heb 4:12; Rev 1:16)

MOTHERLY COUNSEL

by Silvia Leigh

 

Please do not ‘over-edit’ the Word of God, the name of Jesus Christ, until it loses its anointing and power! The name of Jesus is not a chemical formula of magic! You may simplify other sentences but not the name of your Lord!

“IJN” is not the same as “IN JESUS NAME”!

It is a privilege to call and write The Name above all other names: JESUS!

This is God’s Word:

“You shall not take My Name in vain!” (Ex 20:7)

“Salvation is found in no one else for there is no other name under heaven given to me by whom we must be saved!” (Ac 4:12)

“Holy Father, protect them by the power of Your name- the name You gave Me…” (Jn 17:11)

“May God open your eyes to the danger and give you wisdom and strength to please Him,

In Jesus name, amen!”

WISE SAYINGS

by Silvia Leigh

 

“Give not thy tongue too great a liberty, lest it take thee prisoner.

He that has no cross will have no crown.

In all thine actions think that God sees thee, and in all His actions labor to see Him.—That will make thee fear Him, and this will move thee to love Him.—The fear of God is the beginning of knowledge, and the knowledge of God is the perfection of love”

(Francis Quarles; 1592-1644)

LETTER TO A SISTER WHO IS DEPRESSED AND REFUSES TO TALK

by Silvia Leigh

 

“Dear…

I pray that this letter finds you well. I also pray that I can find favor with you, that you encourage me with a word…If I was living in the US, I could have come at your door and ring the bell…then we can see face to face, smile, hug…then ‘the ice’ will break… then the words will flow easier…but I am far away from you…so I depend on God to bind our hearts together with invisible but unbreakable cords of love that never dies…

Maybe you ask yourself why do I bother you…why don’t I just forget your name…Maybe I ask myself the same question…it is so much easier to forget, to ignore someone… than to try to come closer, to love…But I have learned this from the Holy Spirit: that I should not take the easy road, the crowd road…that I should trust God for the impossible things…

As I continue to pray for you, one thing is clear to me: You are a very special girl and Jesus loves you! I believe this 100%! Please let’s believe it together!

Love in Christ alone,

Malia”

 

(This girl is a teenager. Her mum died in an accident six months ago. Her dad is a family friend and asked me to stand in the gap for her. She needs a miracle of healing and love. Please pray for her, that she can open her heart to God and to me, as her grand-mother in Christ…)

ARE YOU A WISE OR A FOOLISH WOMAN? (2)

by Silvia Leigh

 

“The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands” (PV 14:1)

We shall continue to study the scriptures concerning the great subject of wisdom. Like we said, wisdom is the skill to apply the knowledge of the scriptures in daily, practical living. It is not enough to be intelligent, educated or knowledgeable in Bible verses. Wisdom is a gift given only by God and applied by you with fruits proving its worth. Please pray for wisdom until you receive the vision of its power and the desire to be a wise woman of God. Nobody is born wise. Wisdom comes only as an answer to this specific prayer of need: ‘Lord, I need wisdom from You!’ God has promised to answer this prayer

WISDOM MAKES YOU A FRIEND OF GOD!

There are only two types of people in this world. The wise ones are the friends of God. The foolish ones are the friends of the world and the enemies of God. Please read the Book of James especially Chapters 3 and 4. We find there two types of wisdom. The divine wisdom comes from God. It is pure, peace loving, humble, submissive and fruitful. As wives we are commanded to submit to our husbands ‘’as unto the Lord’ (Eph 5:22). This submission has its root in humble and fruitful wisdom. It is not just passivity, weakness of character or foolishness. It is done wisely and beautifully!

The worldly wisdom is provided by the devil. It is available on this earth and it is called unspiritual. You do not need to seek God to be wise in a worldly way. It comes thru ‘old wives tales’, men’s traditions or books. Often it is called ‘common sense’. This wisdom is rebellious, proud, manipulative and shrewd. Jesus says that the worldly religious unbelievers are often wiser in their own dealings, make more profit with the resources they have than the children of light (Lk 16:8).  This revelation is a warning for us, knowing that we have an enemy who takes pleasure in deception and destruction. We are to be ‘wise as serpents and innocent as doves’ (Mt 10:16). True wisdom detects and destroys the deception of the devil’s agents. Some men chose to marry foolish ‘village girls’. Please do not envy such! A foolish, ignorant woman is in bondage and unhappy with herself. The devil is her master and he uses her as a bait to deceive foolish men. Do not join that worldly ‘club’ for it is sinful and shameful.

What is the main description of a worldly person? According to the book of James a worldly person is one who has a hidden selfish ambition, a secret desire for power and strives with others in order to get it. A worldly person is not someone who dresses in a fashionable way, uses make up or likes expensive things. These are just fleshly manifestations of sin.

A worldly person is an enemy of God who manipulates his way to the top of the social ladder, by destroying all others in his path. That is the devil’s main strategy. You can see it manifested in politics where they call it ‘dog eat dog’; in the churches where the younger pastors, motivated by the spirit of Absalom, desire their promotion ahead of God’s time. You can also see it in marriages where the wife, led by the spirit of Jezebel, competes with her husband for leadership. This is worldliness!

Please take notice: God is not their God, the love of the Father is not motivating them and Jesus is not their Savior. This style of life, this strategy of the world is very attractive to the flesh and many have fallen prey to it. But this is the truth: if you become a friend of the world, then you have declared war against God and the Body of Christ. Jesus said: ‘I do not pray for the world!’ (Jn 17:9). God opposes the proud worldly person! No man, no woman can war against the Living God and win! The solution is simple: ‘Come back to God, humble yourself! Repent and reject the spirit of the world! Worship and serve God! Love the brethren! Lastly, trust God that in His own way and His own time He ‘will lift you up’ to the glory of His name!

Wisdom and anointing are foundational in ministry. Woman of God, do not be intimidated by a beautiful face but whose mouth speaks foolishness and empty words; by the sound of expensive bangles of gold, by the shine of diamonds on the neck, by wide hats or tall head ties. These are all deceptions and cover up to hide vanity and cheap fame. Pay the price to study your Bible and pray always. It is not she who boasts at the beginning of the battle who wins the war! God in Christ will prove to be your wisdom, righteousness and strength! Let the worldly woman boast of her wealth! You boast about your God! Invest in your inner beauty! Desire to be a holy mature woman of God! And you shall win the battle for God is with you! For Hagar can never stand where Sarah is speaking! Her son Ishmael can never stand where your son Isaac is speaking! This is the eternal decree of God! No man, no woman and no devil can ever change that! All the glory goes to God! Amen!

BEWARE OF WOLVES IN SHEEP CLOTHES!!!

by Silvia Leigh

 

 

The prophetic word we received last Saturday class was Is 54:15.

“I will never send anyone to attack your city, and you will make prisoners of those who do attack.

If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing; whoever attacks you will surrender to you” (Is 54:15)

We were told that attacks will come but we should reject them totally. We should not even be curious to ask questions or converse with such evil agents of the enemy. We should just say “NO!!!!  Go away in the name of Jesus!”

Young people, you especially, be careful! Pray for wisdom! Pray for discernment! Pray that you should be invisible to the enemy! Pray for the strength to hate sin and to reject evil!

Do not give your phone number! Do not volunteer information! Do not be deceived! Even if you pray for a marriage partner, he will not drive beside you while you trek along the road! He will not ask you for money from behind his fancy wheel!

This is a letter I received today from a young sister. She is a committed Christian, single, about 22. Her family is not rich. She works hard to pay for her school fees at the College of Education in Warri.

 

“Good evening Ma,

The day before yesterday i was going to work in the morning when I noticed that a car actually drove pass me and was waiting for me… reaching there were two men in the car and the one on the steering was a pastor so, He said he wants to speak to me for few minutes…  I told him I’m already late for work and then he said so I cannot give him few minutes of my time… so I agreed to wait and hear from him… he was asking me about myself… I told him… then he said I should give him my number, so i did…more also I reminded him that I am in a hurry to work… he said that he will give me a call and tell me all that he wants to say to me….so i said ‘ok’ (in my mind was that he wants to prophesy to me and i already knew people like that)… as i was about to go he said that I should give him money to fuel his car, that he’s going for a program… but i didn’t….so yesterday he called me and said that he wants to see me so we can discuss, that i should come to meet him in an hotel at Bendel Estate… i then told him that i will come… but i didn’t….please pray for me, Malia…”

 

“Watch out for false prophets! They dress up like sheep, but inside they are wolves who have come to attack you” (Mt 7:15)

THE TESTIMONY OF PECULIAR

by Silvia Leigh

 

I was at the church site today. A boy of about eight was brought in. He was dressed in a school uniform, blue and white with a yellow school bag. He looked afraid and confused. He said that he had missed his way. His school had closed at 2 pm. His house is close by. He was supposed to go straight home. He has gone that road every day for the past one year. But today, mysteriously, he went into the opposite direction and trekked for two hours. His school was near PTI area and he was found at Enerrhen Junction, a distance of more than three miles. He only remembered his name: Peculiar. He forgot his mum’s phone number, his dad’s place of work and their home address.

On his uniform shirt there was a tag with the name of his school. One of the brethren working at the site said he knows where that school is. We gave Peculiar biscuits and water. Two of the brethren and our Mopol (police man) went with him to the school. The parents were looking for him, desperate already. It was a very happy reunion. They were surprised that he did not remember any information. They said that the boy knows all the phone numbers of the family members.

Only God knows what has happened to him. It may be that Peculiar was under a spell of witchcraft. That is why he did not remember anything and he was willing to follow any instruction from strangers. He got lost and the story could have ended badly. There are many wicked people in this world. If any person is wicked enough to place spells on children, the wrath of God is upon that one! Any witch that desires evil against our children shall have no peace until he (she) repents of sin and publicly renounce it!

This is what Jesus says:

“Anyone who welcomes one child like this for My sake is welcoming Me. But if anyone leads astray one of these little children who believe in Me he would be better off thrown into the depths of the sea with a mill-stone hung round his neck!” (Mt 18:5, 6)

Thank God that the Holy Spirit directed this little boy to our church and that we could find his family!

Parents pray daily for your children!

We plead the Blood of Jesus over our children!

In Jesus name, amen!

LEAD BY LOVE

by Silvia Leigh

“Ephesians 5:25-27 exhorts, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
Do you know what the word “love” means? It is the agape form of love that Christ has for the church. It is a non‑conditional love. Did you know that God loves you unconditionally and that’s the way you’re to love your mate? Unconditionally.
If your wife feels like you are loving conditionally, the first attitude that is going to develop is one of fear. “I must keep up the conditions that produce love.” She’ll say to herself, “If I don’t do these things, I’m going to be rejected.”
Don’t get the idea because you are the head of the home, you are to make your wife do something. Has Jesus Christ ever made you do anything? Has He ever made you pray? Has He ever made you give? Has he ever made you witness? He’s never made you do one thing. Yet who is the head of the church? Jesus Christ.
It is not the husband’s job to force his wife into submission. It is his job to lead and love her in such a way that he assumes responsibility. A godly husband leads by love”
(Adrian Rogers)

TO REBUKE OR NOT TO REBUKE!

by Silvia Leigh

 

“Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return.

Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt.

So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you.

But correct the wise and they will love you..

Instruct the wise and they will be even wiser” (PV 9:7-9)

 

We are commanded to pray, praise and seek God’s wisdom in all circumstances! This should become our life style. In the Book of Proverbs, chapter 9, we are called to choose one of two options. There are two women calling in the city. Each has a house.

Mrs. Wisdom lives in a palace. She has prepared her banquet and calls all inside to partake. Her guests love and have fellowship with their host. They also love one another.

Mrs. Foolishness lives in a haunted house, where the food is stolen and the drinks are poisoned. Her guests live in the cemetery; they hate her but visit from time to time when hungry for more disgrace.

This is the background of the chapter. In particular, we are commanded to be careful and wise when there is a need for rebuke. We are to pray for discernment when making the choice to personally invite, counsel and rebuke another.

There are two options:

*We are to rebuke the wise! The result is good for all! The rebuked wise person will increase in wisdom and the same will love you more. Why? The wise person loves truth and is ready to pay the price to have more of it. The rebuke will prevent future damage and loss. The rebuke increases the anointing for ministry.  Faithful rebuke is a manifestation of spiritual covering, a sign of love from God, a form of protection given to His children alone. It is a family mark.

*We are to avoid rebuking the foolish scorner! This is because he will reject your love and concern, increasing his previous sin. The scornful will mock your wisdom and use your words against you. He will hate you and stain your testimony by calling you unloving. The rejected rebuke will become a weapon of violence in the mouth of the mocker. No need for useless pain!

Please observe that we are not to hate a mocker. We are to hate his sin, not the person. The general call and invitation from Mrs. Wisdom goes to all the inhabitants of the city. We are to preach the gospel of grace to all who can listen. But we are not to privately counsel or rebuke a mocker. He is stubborn, proud, un-teachable, rebellious and wicked. He will only waste your time and effort. The reward of rebuking a mocker shall be shame and insult, unnecessary pain you should avoid. The religious mockers are very crafty. They know enough of the Bible to quote back scriptures against you. They will confuse you with their knowledge. Some ‘professional’ mockers are possessed by demons. They can tear down any godly offer. Some of these are employed in ‘a ministry’ of church entertainment. God forbid! Be careful! They are able to make you grieve the Holy Spirit with their occult jokes. You do not ‘joke’ with the devil. He is like a rattle snake. The best thing is to avoid it if you are not prepared to handle it.

For example, the prophet Elijah did not correct, did not rebuke the prophets of Baal. He confronted them and they failed, he killed them all! Then the people of God repented of doubt and came back to Jehovah!

Another example: King Hezekiah sent messengers to all the people that they should come and partake in the Passover Feast. In other words, he called them to be humble, repent and pray for revival. That was a good thing to do. But they insulted the messengers and reject their call. That was the end of that grace. He did not call them again. Some repented later (2Chr 30:10)

Even Jesus was mocked and insulted by the religious hypocrites. He commanded His disciples to ‘leave them alone’. The word in Greek means to abandon, to forsake or to ignore them.

Mockers do not appreciate wisdom, spiritual beauty, holiness and sacrifice. Their mockery is a choice, a life style. They are the enemies of the Cross. We are to abandon them to their own foolishness and give God the room to handle them Himself.

“Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy! Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you… so ignore them. They are blind guides leading the blind, and if one blind person guides another, they will both fall into a ditch.” (Mt 7:6; 15:14)

But as for me and the children God has given to me we shall appreciate God’s love as a father!

We shall love truth and we shall pay the price for its entrance!

We shall receive any holy prophetic rebuke, blessing God and thanking the messenger!

‘Let the righteous man smite and correct me—it is a kindness. Oil so choice let not my head refuse or discourage’ (Ps 141:5)

In Jesus name, Amen!

THE SIN OF STUBBORNNESS

by Silvia Leigh

 

David describes how painful it was for him when he refused to acknowledge, confess and repent of his sin (Ps 32). God was chastising him with sickness, weakness, depression and many other troubles, but he refused to repent. He could not sleep at night; he lost his appetite and even the desire to live. The flood of pain and sorrow almost drown him. He felt like he was dying inside.

This is the peculiar work of the Holy Spirit and can be described as withering, as drying the power of the flesh. The false happiness and the pleasures of sin are slowly destroyed by the breath of the Spirit. The sinner struggles to hide its sin, to minimize its wickedness. Without the work of the Holy Spirit to convict of sin, the natural man will not be able to be free from it. The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God preached under anointing to point to your sin. You may fight the preacher, you may kill the prophet, but the Word belongs to God and it will win at last. The deeper the conviction, the greater the repentance and the greater the joy will be. ‘The grass whiter and the flowers fall because the breath of the Lord blows on them…but the Word of our God stands forever’ (Is 40:7, 8)

David’s greatest sin was adultery and murder. He was to confess that openly but he refused. This unwillingness to confess became an added sin that compounded the problem. This was the sin of stubbornness.

The longer you refuse to come to the light and acknowledge your sin, the stronger the bondage shall be. Sin is a slave master. Sin is an offence against God, a betrayal against His love for you. Secondarily, sin an offence against people and against your destiny in Christ. ‘Stubbornness is like witchcraft’ (1Sam 15:23). Refusal to confess your sins will bring you in the realm of the occult; will harden your heart and destroy your conscience. It will make you proud, un-teachable and rebellious. Your stubbornness will grieve the Holy Spirit. Then God will oppose you. He will withdraw His peace, His joy, His guidance and instruction. He will abandon you to a restless life, without purpose and without victory. Your enemies shall prevail and your troubles will increase. There is no escape from this cage of failure and defeat except you make peace with God!

There is no cure for sin except the Blood of Jesus shed on the Cross of Calvary. You need to have faith in His Blood!

Once you come back to God, to the Cross of Christ freely confess your sins to Him. God’s Mercy and Grace shall be revealed. Your sins shall be covered and hidden from the eyes of men and demons. Jesus paid the price for your redemption and you shall be free from all condemnation. Peace and joy shall return with a flood of blessings. God will again delight in teaching you, guiding you and fellowshipping with you. Your reconciliation will have a background of music. God shall surround you with mercy, songs of deliverance and victory. Sin combined with God’s grace ends in laughter and joy unspeakable. This man who is justified by the Blood of Jesus is no more called a sinner, but a blessed saint. What a wonder this salvation…

Sinner, backslider, prodigal son…come back home!

Let’s pray: ‘Dear Heavenly Father, I am sorry for all my sins. I was stubborn and wicked for so long. I took your grace for granted. I despised your love. I ignored your mercy. I ask for forgiveness. Please cleanse me by Your Blood, refresh and revive me. I vow to give You alone all the glory! In Jesus name I pray, amen!’

THE BREAD OF DECEIT

by Silvia Leigh

“Did you know that there are no happy old people living in Satan’s camp? Now, he has some happy young people – those who are living high, wide and handsome right now. They have a certain modicum of fun and what we would call happiness. But Satan has no happy old people. Here’s why. Satan always gives the best first and the worst last.
For example, Proverbs 20:17 says, “Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.” Satan is a counterfeiter and a deceiver. With Satan, the journey always starts sweet, but it does not end that way.
Do you ever see television ads that show the partiers the morning after an all-night drinking spree? Does the camera span to the drunk in the gutter as the closing scrolls “Have a good time with…”? Do the billboards show the blasted lives and the broken homes?
Satan always gives the best first and the worst last. But, Jesus gives the best last”
(Adrian Rogers)