Author Archives: Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

WHAT KIND OF A SOLDIER ARE YOU?

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
‘And the Lord said to Gideon, “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me… No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer’ (Jdg 7:2; 2Tim 2:4)
 
God raised an ‘ordinary’ man to save the nation. His name was Gideon. Led by God, that man raised an unusually small army to fight an enemy ‘as numerous as locusts; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the seashore in multitude’ (Jdg 7:12). But this small army was ready to obey God, to fight with very special, unique, God-designed, ‘unheard of’ military weapons (trumpets, jars of clay and fire).
 
Just imagine what was in Gideon’s mind? To go to battle with such a ‘crazy’ mini army you need to be sure that God is with you! At the first testing, from 32000 – 10000 go away. They are the fearful, the cowards. They are disqualified to partake in the labor of success and in the joy of victory. He is now left with 22000. These are fewer but Gideon thinks that ‘he can manage’ with them. But God says ‘you still have too many… they will gang up together and try to steal My glory…I will not permit that… I will test them for you…’
 
God tested them at the river. Oh, the tests of God! They can come anytime! The applicants for the posts of national heroes did not know that it was a test: how to drink water when you are very thirsty… The angels, with video cameras in their wings, streamed the sight… Most of the men allowed their flesh to overpower them. For a moment, they forgot that they are still soldiers. They drank like there is no tomorrow. Losing the battle before the battle even began they went home disappointed in a God who cares about our eating and our drinking. Finally, God made His choice! He approved the 300 men who drank water like the dogs, looking around, careful to see if there is an enemy around, during the times of rest. God approved their drinking style, which was a mirror of their faithful hearts! These men loved God and wanted do His will. Even when thirsty, they were faithful like dogs are to their master. They did not forget that they were working servants. They were disciplined, patient and alert. The 300 men of valor, tested and approved by God became Gideon’s army. These people can never lose any battle! They will never desire to share in God’s glory! They consider it as the highest privilege to be soldiers under the Captain of our salvation.
 
This is the same old story: Man always complains that he has two little resources (money, ‘capital’, friends, education, social status, connections…) to be successful. But God is never worried about the size of your visible wealth. His Holy Spirit and His Word are always sufficient to glorify His name on the earth! These are the soldiers for Christ, faithful from their heart, faithful unto death! These are the ones who shall have the crown of life! in Christ, Kings forever! Blessed army of God! These soldiers kill the flesh so that their spirits may live! They are trained by the power of resurrection!
 
As believers in active duty we should strive to be in that number. For as long as we live, when in the battlefield or at home, in times of war or of peace, when praying or praising, when working or relaxing with the family, when eating or drinking, we should be found faithful, passionately desiring to please the Lord Jesus Christ and our ‘Commanding officer’ who called us to His blessed service. In Christ, God has promised that we shall always walk in triumph! From victory to victory! To the glory of the name of Jesus! Hallelujah!

FRUIT THAT WILL LAST 

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

My book, Fruit that will last, is available thru Amazon or at our church’ Bookshop. Thank you for buying it! God bless you!

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit- fruit that will last… (John 15:16) . Fruitfulness is not a strange thing. It is strange to be unfruitful. God himself is eternally fruitful, and so shall it be with his children and everything in his kingdom. Are you fruitful? The author invites the seeking heart to experience a delectable basket of personal revelations and scriptures that will inspire the reader to pray for the fullness of the Spirit. Fruit that will Last is a spiritual event that will manifest as a physical experience. The fruit of the Spirit will manifest on you like oranges on an orange tree. At the beginning they are few and sour. No one enjoys an immature believer. But after some time the harvest will increase and become steady, others will ‘eat’ your words and find them sweet and strong. You will start to taste and enjoy the words that proceed from your own mouth.”

Fruit that will last

THE EVIL SPIRIT OF ENVY AND JEALOUSY

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

SERMON PREACHED BY MY HUSBAND, PASTOR RICHMOND LEIGH OF FATHER’S HOUSE, EFFURUN/WARRI!

This Sunday service, Pastor Richmond Leigh preached from the Book of Galatians. “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal 5:19-21; NKJ).

Pastor Richmond Leigh said that envy is one of the works of the flesh. Envy is defined as a strong feeling of resentment, anger, bitterness, dislike or hatred, mixed with a desire to have a quality, possession or a desirable thing belonging to someone else. Jealousy on the other hand, has a slightly different meaning. Jealousy is defined as a negative feeling, fearing that someone else takes what belongs to you. In the Bible, envy and jealousy are used interchangeably. They are a twin spirit. The operate together. Bringing the two definitions together, it works like this: ‘I want by all means to have what that man (woman) has. I don’t care if he loses all he has so that his property becomes mine’. Envy is a strong sentiment, synonymous with covetousness. This twin demons are from the pit of hell.

What are the main characteristics of this demon of envy?
*It is a familiar spirit. This demon operates mostly in the families, among friends, classmates, members of societies, fraternities, sororities, communities, tribal groups etc and even in the Christian church assemblies. Every time people gather, this demon is present. Leah was fruitful, her sister Rachel became angry and envied her (Gen 30:1). Because of his coat of many colors and because of his dreams, Joseph was envied by his older brothers (Gen 37:3-11). They wanted him dead. David was King Saul’s personal musician, armor bearer, army captain and son in law. But Saul envied David and tried to kill him (1Sam 18:6-9). Jesus was referring to this demon when He said: ‘A man’s enemies will be those of his own household’ (Mt 10:36).

*It is a secretive spirit. This demon stays quietly and unnoticed in his host until something happens that triggers him. It is secretive because it does not want to be detected. Generally, it is considered a shameful thing to envy another, to desire to harm a family member and take his property. That is why this demon is always embedded deep in the heart! What is it that triggers this demon to the point that it becomes active and it openly manifests? The answer is that Good news coming from the will be victim announcing his or her promotion or prosperity! For example, when you announce that: ‘I am promoted! I am getting married! I am pregnant! I am building a house!’ Any good news that shows that you are about to be elevated or that you are already elevated or any news that gives the impression that you are prospering more than the predator, will trigger and provoke this demon into action.

*It is a hypocritical spirit! It does not fight openly or publicly! But in the secret, it fights ferociously! For this reason, envious people end up resorting to the occult. They do not want you to know that they are your enemies. They pretend to be relatives or friends. “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there” (Jam 3:16). If this demon has to manifest and fight openly, it will make sure that you are alone and there are no witnesses. If you go to the peoples court to make any accusations, it will be his word to your word (that is if you are alive to tell the story). For a long time King Saul hid his jealousy for David. But one day it manifested. He tried to kill David with his javelin but David escaped the attack and ran away (1Sam 19:10).

*This demon hides behind a friendly attitude! It hides behind a friendly smile. In order to cover up the hatred, the bitterness and anger. Jealous people try to come closer to you, to become your friends. In this way they become even more dangerous. Suddenly, they become generous and offer help to you. But their help is never enough to solve your problem so that you do not become better than them. King Saul promoted David to become a captain in his army and even promised to give him his daughter as a wife. This was done to conceal his envy and so David can be killed by the Philistines (1Sam 18:13-17).

How do you know that you are under the attack of this twin spirit? The answer is this: it is difficult to know it! It may take a long time before you identify this demon. The most important thing to know is this: You need to be born again and be Spirit filled! A child of God who is sensitive to the Holy Spirit will also be sensitive to the presence of an unholy spirit. A great asset in this matter at hand is the gift of the Holy Spirit called ‘discernment of spirits’ (1 Cor 12:10). Pray to receive this gift! Of course, once the demon manifests and starts ‘throwing javelins at you’, you will know for sure who is hiding inside your relative or ‘friend’.

How do you deal with envious people? Keep them at arm’s length! Isolate them! Stop being over friendly with them! Do not tell them about your progress in life! Do not hate them but be wise! Conceal important information about yourself! Love your enemies but be careful! Jesus said: “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Mt 10:16). Fast and pray! God will help you!

How do these people end up in life? Except they surrender to Jesus, repent of their wicked deeds and become born again, they never end well. They shall go deeper and deeper into the occult, without any hope for eternity. If you can, pray for them!

Finally, it is good to be reminded that as a child of God, you are safe! These wicked people may succeed to hinder your progress for a while, they may torment you with sickness and anxiety, but they cannot destroy you! This is the Word of God: “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (2Cor 4:8, 9). Worship the Lord!

RSL 30

I DECLARE:

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

THE WORD OF GOD
In Christ I declare:
‘We are not crushed!
We are not in despair!
We are not forsaken! 
We can never be destroyed!”
‘I believe! Therefore I’ve spoken!’ (2Cor 4:8, 9, 13)
Glory to God!!!!

SLL 97

MY PIKIN DE CALL ME BLESSED 

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

“Her children rise up and call her blessed” (PV 31:28)
I came from Europe where most women feel unhappy about their looks. They struggle so much to look beautiful. Getting old is seen like a punishment. But in Nigeria (where I live and do ministry), things are very different. Thank God! In my experience, the older people here enjoy life more than the young ones. Getting older is seen as a life promotion. After a certain age, people are free from any bondage feelings of self-consciousness. I am a witness that people here believe that all mothers are beautiful, no matter their size, color, social status, financial status, fashion sense etc… If a young man wants to describe what love and beauty means, he thinks of his mother. He says: “My mama? I no de take am play! My mama? Na the best mama! She don suffer for me. I love am well-well…”

I am blessed to live here, where, in the eyes of my husband and our children, I will be beautiful forever! I am not joking… Can you imagine the greatness of such a blessing? As a mother, I am free indeed! Happy mother’s day to all mothers who read this post! God bless you! With love, from Nigeria…

(This picture was taken in 2013, when we were building our sanctuary. My husband and I traveled for a short vacation. When we came back, the brethren surrounded us with loud greetings, like we have not seen for ten years! This is me and them, happy mother and happy children in Christ! This is original joy! Is Jesus not wonderful?)

FH 2013

(The sweet word ‘pickin’ in ‘pidging’ local English means ‘child”)

SISTER, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
PRAYER REQUEST
“I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Ps 139:14)
 
A beautiful daughter in Christ, a godly wife and mother wrote this message. She is beautiful inside out. She is in her late thirties. She is a worshiper in her church. She is hard working and very kind. I know her and her parents. I remember that as a teenager she was always self conscious because of her pimples. Her husband is born again, a kind hard working man. He loves her very much. I was a little surprised when she sent me this note. Dear brethren, please pray for this sister. Encourage her with words from your heart (she will read your comments). Words have power. Prayers move mountains! God bless you all!
 
I use her story as a pint of contact to encourage all other young women and men, children of God, who feel that they are not beautiful (handsome) enough!)
“Dear Malia, Lately I’ve felt not very pretty. I feel like my skin is the first thing I see. So today I was washing my hands in the bathroom and thought, look at your eyes… over the years, I’ve trained myself to look at my skin, the bumps, the imperfections… but I don’t often look at my eyes, my lips, my eyebrows… they look like my children, and I think they are the most beautiful people in the world… so I must change my own perspective of my natural beauty. I never take or post pictures of myself because I think who wants to see bumps… but there are other things to my face and also, those bumps are a part of my story. Malia, thank you for your encouragement!”
Black shy girl
 
(The picture is taken from the internet. It is not this sister. I thought that it is helpful to have a picture to imagine her)

TESTIMONY OF GOD’S PROVISION -THE BEGINNING OF FATHER’S HOUSE BIBLE CHURCH

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
My husband and I are pastors in Nigeria. This is the story of how we built our present sanctuary. I took the first picture exactly ten years ago. We started a church in our former hospital (Lily Clinic). But the space became too small. We tried to do two services on Sundays but everybody was against it. Even the children said that they cannot go home at 10 am. That we must worship God ‘full time’. We prayed about building a house for God. My husband and I thought that we are too old for such a major project. But as usual, God prevailed! We were led by the Holy Spirit to buy this piece of land along Effurun Sapele Road. During the raining season the land was always flooded with water. Everybody thought that there is a subterranean spring of water. That is why nobody bought it. The Holy Spirit said to us: ‘This is the place where I want you to build a sanctuary for my name!’ We bought the land and we build the house of God.
The journey from beginning to the end was truly miraculous. We did not take any loan from the banks. We did not manipulate the congregation to bring money. We did not have a building committee. Nobody died and nobody was seriously injured. The church’ people volunteered their time and resources. Pastor Richmond Leigh, my husband, was the ‘spiritual engineer’ at the site. He was there every day, rain or shine, until the work was done. Many people come to admire the beautiful building and the sanctuary. They ask us: ‘Why did you build this fine church in Effurun/Warri? You should have build it in Lekki or Abuja… This church is too good for Warri!’ Our answer to all is that we did not chose the place, the time or the design. It was God who told us what to do! To us, this is another proof that God’s ways and our ways are not the same. To God alone be all the glory for Father’s House Bible Church Effurun/ Warri! Jesus is Lord!!!
If you are a witness to this testimony share your feelings and the lessons you have learned along the way. And don’t forget to give God all the glory! For He alone is worthy!
 
(I took both pictures from the same spot. This first one is in 2009 and the second one in 2014, when the building was almost completed and we were doing the parking lot). Only God could have done this!!)
FH 2009
FH 2014

SURROUNDED WITH SONGS

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah” (Ps 32: 7)
Three days ago I woke up without my voice. I was not sick but I could only speak in whispers. On Friday we had the Women’ Fellowship in our church. I was too much ‘on fire’ to keep quiet. I used the little voice I had to preach and to pray. I shouted in whispers!!!! The Holy Spirit compensated my weakness with His mighty anointing. I am sure 100% that testimonies of miracles will follow. Yesterday, we had our prophetic prayer meeting. My voice was better. I could ‘manage’ to preach and pray. The Holy Spirit was faithful and gave us the ‘push’ to make progress.
 
Today, Sunday morning, I woke up with my voice still not strong enough. I am a pastor. I needed to worship the Lord and to exhort the brethren. I prepared a good word. But as I stood up on the altar, microphone in hand…waiting… a little worried about how will I speak… They were many visitors and strangers. They may complain that this ‘oyibo’ cannot talk well… I waited… Suddenly, the Holy Spirit encouraged me. He told me that today, there is no need to preach to the people. I should worship Him alone!
 
So I lifted my heart and eyes to heaven and I worshiped God. In a hall full of people, I sang to my Lord alone. I saw no one. I heard no one. Only Jesus! Only Jesus! I forgot about people’s opinions or my ‘cracked’ voice. I went straight into the Holy place and gave God my best. Men may complain… but God always encourages me. He never rejects my heart’s broken pieces, my limping dance or my out of tune voice. I was desperate for a fresh touch from my Lover. I got more than a touch. I got an embrace and a lifting of my head. The Holy Spirit accepted my sacrifice of praise! The voice was so-so. But the heart was right. God looks at the heart! How wonderful!
 
People did not know how much I struggled this morning. Thru the labor of love, a testimony of grace was born. God’s fire surrounded me. His grace covered me. His Spirit filled me. The fire was so much that I grabbed one of our daughters in the choir and we sang together a song of deliverance. There was an impartation. This was church for me this morning!
 
“My very heart bows in adoration, Lord…”
SLL 95

BOASTING: CHRIST’S POWER RESTED ON US! 

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

TESTIMONY

For reasons beyond our control, we could not hold our women’ fellowship for two months. We were all eager to meet again to pray. The Holy Spirit gave me the ‘push’ and the word for the Women in our church. Yesterday we were to have the fellowship. I was ready to confront the evil spirit of Jezebel (also known as the Queen of heaven, Mammy water or Ogbanje). I was also ready to lead the prayer session. This was so that all the sisters who will come to church may be inspired to follow the lead and pray deliverance for themselves and their families. A leader must lead! The only problem was that yesterday I woke up without my voice. I could only speak in whispers. That made me even more angry with the devil!

The Holy Spirit gave me a word from Jeremiah 44. The people of God refused to listen to the Prophet Jeremiah. The women were leading in the stubborn rebellion. They decided to ‘relocate’ to Egypt. God has told Jeremiah that His people shall be sent to Babylon, to live in exile for 70 years. This will be so that they will become humble. But God promised to be with them throughout the journey, to Babylon and back. There shall be grace in this loving chastisement. But some of the people of God, led by some women, decided to go to Egypt where God did not send them. Over there, they publicly declared that since they stopped serving the Queen of Heaven and decided to serve only Jehovah, their lives have become worse. They are now poor, sick and depressed. Based on what their eyes see, they decided not only to go back to Egypt to live there, but they shall go back to serve the Queen of Heaven. They decided to backslide so that they lives will be better. This is complete nonsense! The women were leading in this foolishness and their ‘mumu’ husbands agreed with them. Of course, God was angry and told them so thru the prophet Jeremiah. They rejected God, His prophet and His words. God said that His people who were sent to Babylon shall be brought back. But the Jews who went Egypt by themselves, shall all perish there. Like we say in Nigeria: ‘If God no sent you, you are on your own. Anything you see, you take am’. It is true that both Babylon and Egypt and worldly countries. But there is a difference!

What is the lesson for us? If God sends you to a difficult place, His grace and presence will be with you there. The process is to humble you so that the same God will bless you at last. But if you decide to ‘punish yourself’, to a false humility, without the presence of God, no place can be a paradise on earth. It is the presence of God that marks the child of God and not the location! For example: many Nigerians I know who live in Warri tell me that their dream is to live in New York. But without the presence of God, New York will be hell for them. But when God is with you, even Warri becomes the Garden of Eden (I am a witness to this!).

This was the word God gave me to share with the women. There was fire on my bones. The only problem was that I could only speak in whispers. Jemine, my daughter asked me ‘Malia, how can you preach without a voice?’ I told her that ‘even if I have to preach with my nose, I will still go there to encourage the women to fight for their souls and families’. After we praised GOD and shared testimonies, it was my time to stand and talk. I took the microphone and I started talking in a whisper. But the more I talked, the more the anointing increased. In my weakness, God proved Himself strong on my behalf. After some minutes, my voice got stronger. The prayer session was so powerful!!! The Holy Spirit helped all of us to stand, pray, prophesy and reject this demon. Like we say in Warri ‘pidgin English’, ‘mammy water shocked in’. I Christ, we are free! We have the victory! I expect great testimonies of healing, deliverance and breakthroughs at all levels. To God be all the glory! ”

This morning I woke up happy and strong. And guess what? My voice is back! “Jesusssss….”

“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2Cor 12:8-10)

Ngozi Chiemeke

THE EVIL SPIRIT OF GAMBLING 

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

“Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit! Be smart enough to stop! ” (PV 23:4)

To be quickly rich without any labor, this is the dream of all sinners. That is the foundation of gambling.
Gambling – definition: To play a game for money or property; to bet, to take a chance, to risk on an uncertain outcome; to expose yourself to danger and to proceed in the face of it.

The attraction of gambling is love for entertainment and the love of money. Both are very addictive strongholds of satan. The victims are people who are lazy, covetous, foolish and ambitious in the same time. That combination is deadly. Gambling is a scheme to escape labor, but in reality, gambling is an evil spirit that kills and destroys.

In the U S gambling is an industry of billions of dollars. The lottery is the favorite legal gambling. Gambling is the fastest growing addiction in the world. 1/7 teenagers and 1/10 adults that gamble will end up as addicted to it. Gambling wrecks homes and marriages. The business is wicked and it attracts all type of men but especially the poor who believe in the get rich quick schemes. The poor neighborhoods have the highest number of location for gambling and lottery. These are sold in poor grocery stores to attract the people who buy food. Many times a poor man has gone home to his family without food and just with a lottery slip and the promise of millions. ‘The American Dream’ is intimately connected with the evil spirit of gambling.
The casinos machines are built in such a way that 80-90% of the winning numbers go to the patron. The chance to win there is minimal but the attraction to make money without work is very high. Even the few that win, statistics say that they will lose all their money in maximum two years and they are back to gamble again, ready to sell even their soul to satan.

If you study the Word of God and His ways you can deduce that gambling is a sin and it is to be rejected as a practice to make money. Gambling violates God’s law because of the following:

1-The foundation and the attraction of it is the love of money, which is evil.‘Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income’ (Ecc 5:10)

2-Gambling encourages laziness and covetousness in the same time. The Bible says that we should work and be good stewards of the income we make. We are to tithe to God, then use the remaining to take care of the family. Any surplus we are to invest it as seed in the work of God or to save for emergencies in the future. ‘Lazy hands make a man poor but diligent hands bring wealth’ (PV 10:4); ‘You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife…’ (Ex 20:17)

3-Gambling may be entertaining but it is very addictive. All addictions are sins because they master the person who becomes a slave to them. ‘A man is a slave to whatever has mastered him’ (2Pet 2:19)

4-Gambling gives false hope to people and builds false imaginations. God is to be our only hope. Our future is joyful because God, in Christ, will change our sorrow into glory. Any other hope of riches and fame outside Christ is false and criminal. ‘The hopes of the wicked come to nothing…when a wicked man dies, his hope perishes; all he expected from his power come to nothing’ (PV 10:28; 11:7); ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom 15:13)

5-Gambling does not give glory to God but to the ‘luck or fortune’ of men. There are things in this world that may not be bad in themselves, but they are not beneficial to the kingdom of God and to our testimony as believers. ‘Everything is permissible for me but not everything is beneficial…but I will not be mastered by anything…but not everything is constructive’ (1Cor 6:12; 10:23)
That means that gambling does no good to me or to others. Its hope of success is a deception that will only destroy my life and my family. It is the entertainment of the devil and it is to be rejected, in Jesus’ name!

6-Man was created in the image of God. But gambling makes a man to be a fool ‘Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay is the man who gains riches by unjust means. When his life is gone, they will desert him and in the end he proves to be a fool’ (Jer 17:11); God is angry with them that believe in the idol of fortune or gambling. This is because it makes the people deaf to God’s voice and stubborn to His leading. Gambling is the backslider’s god and the fantasy of the rebellious (Is 65:11,12)

Let’s pray: ‘Dear Lord Jesus, I pray that you expose this wicked, seducing, evil spirit of gambling so that we can hate it enough to separate from it totally. We ask for forgiveness for any desire to be lazy, to cheat or to covet, and desire wealth in the same time. Let Your light shine on our understanding! In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!’

Portrait of a professional poker player sitting at pokers table

LOVE DOES NOT ENVY

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

THE BATTLE FOR THE RIBS (MARRIAGES) 

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

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

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

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

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

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

(I took this picture from the internet)

beast with three ribs

I AM AN UNBROKEN RIB SURROUNDING HIS HEART

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

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

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

PRAYER REQUEST FOR HEALING

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

HIS DOVE

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

CHOOSE: CONFUSION OR PEACE

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

HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY! 

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

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

Oli 1

WHEN WORK WAS IN PROGRESS 

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

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

Malia and Pat

ANGEL’S TESTIMONY

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

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

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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